Recording device and recording system

Abstract

To provide a recording device and a recording system allowing service improvement by executing notification according to the state of the own device concerned with a recording service in the recording device that provides the recording service.SOLUTION: A printer 20 of a printing system 1 executes printing operation by a printing unit 25 within a range of the number of printable sheets. In response to executing NFC communication between a short-range communication unit 13 and a mobile terminal device 10, the printer 20 transmits to the mobile terminal device 10 notification information corresponding to the state of the own device concerned with a printing service, such as a registration state of a server 30, the number of printable sheets, and an ink remaining amount (S21, S107).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a recording device and a recording system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a print 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 on the memory card. A user who uses the printer can make the printer execute printing only up to the number of printable sheets on the memory card. The user can continue to use the print service by purchasing the number of printable sheets. [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 above-mentioned printing service, the information to be notified to the user varies depending on the status of the printer related to the printing service, such as the number of pages that can be printed on a memory card, etc. For this reason, a technology is required to notify the user of information according to the status of the printing service.

[0005] The present application has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a recording device and a recording system that provide a recording service and can execute notifications based on the status of the device itself related to the recording service, thereby improving the service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The recording device disclosed in the present application is a recording device that provides a recording service that comprises a recording unit that performs recording operations on a recording medium, a short-range wireless communication unit capable of short-range wireless communication, and a control unit, and that performs recording operations by the recording unit within a range of a recording permission amount that permits recording operations by the recording unit, and in response to performing the short-range wireless communication between the short-range wireless communication unit and a terminal device, the control unit executes a notification information transmission process that transmits notification information related to the status of the device related to the recording service to the terminal device via the short-range wireless communication.

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

[0008] According to the recording device and recording system configured as above, the recording device that provides the recording service can perform notification according to the state of its own device related to the recording service, thereby improving the service. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. [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] 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of a status flag setting process executed by the printer. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when a wireless control process is executed. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when an initial setting process is executed. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when a print process is executed. [Figure 8] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing transitions of screens displayed on a mobile terminal device when authentication is performed using a user interface of a printer. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the screen transitions of a charge page and an exchange application page. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when a Web page display process is executed by a touch operation of NFC communication. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Printing system 1 configuration) A printing system 1, which is an embodiment of the recording system of the present application, will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the printing system 1 according to this embodiment. 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. The printing service is a service that allows a user to print by charging the user for the number of printable sheets, which is the number of sheets of paper that can be printed by the printer 20. For example, when a user applies for this printing service, the user pays an initial fee, and is granted a predetermined number of printable sheets (for example, 2000 sheets). In the following description, the term "charging" may refer to setting the number of printable sheets or increasing the number of printable sheets by charging an additional fee.

[0011] Moreover, in this embodiment, 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 more than the predetermined printable number of sheets granted to the user (for example, 2000 sheets + α sheets). Therefore, with this printing service, after obtaining the printer 20, the user does not need to take the trouble of filling the printer 20 with ink or replacing ink cartridges until printing the printable number of sheets granted by paying the initial fee. Therefore, this printing service is a service that is highly convenient for the user, as it does not require the work of refilling the printer 20 with ink.

[0012] Furthermore, if the user wishes to print more than the predetermined number of printable pages granted by paying the initial fee, the user pays an additional fee. By purchasing the additional number of printable pages, the user can continue to use the printer 20. If the amount of ink remaining in the printer 20 acquired by paying the initial fee becomes low as the user repeatedly purchases the additional number of printable pages, the user can request a replacement of the printer 20, and the printer 20 can be replaced, thereby continuing the printing service.

[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 paper. 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, a management application (abbreviation of application program) 18B, a print application 18C, browser software (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as browser software) 18D, and a printable number 18E. The terminal program 18A, the management application 18B, the print application 18C, the browser software 18D, and the printable number 18E 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 management application 18B, the print application 18C, and the browser software 18D. The terminal program 18A is, for example, Android (registered trademark) OS or iOS (registered trademark). Furthermore, when the mobile terminal device 10 is, for example, a PC, the terminal program 18A is the Windows (registered trademark) OS or the like.

[0016] The management application 18B and the print application 18C are, for example, programs provided by the vendor of the printer 20, and are programs that execute various processes for the printer 20 using the functions of the terminal program 18A, etc. The management application 18B executes, for example, an instruction to register the printer 20 in the server 30, a charge instruction to the server 30, etc. The print application 18C executes, for example, setting instructions and print instructions to the printer 20. The management application 18B and the print application 18C may be one application software.

[0017] The terminal control unit 11 executes the terminal program 18A, the management application 18B, and the print application 18C on the terminal CPU 17, and performs overall control of the mobile terminal device 10. The browser software 18D is software that displays web pages of a web server, such as Safari (registered trademark), Microsoft Edge (registered trademark), Google Chrome (registered trademark), or Firefox (registered trademark). The browser software 18D is used when displaying web pages of the server 30. The printable number 18E 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 18E on a screen that accepts 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 management application 18B, the print application 18C, and the browser software 18D on the terminal CPU 17 may be described simply as 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 management application 18B, the print application 18C, and the browser software 18D 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 is true for 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, management application 18B, print application 18C, browser software 18D) 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 conforming to the NFC (short for Near Field Communication) standard, for example. The short-distance wireless communication executed by the short-distance communication unit 13 is not limited to NFC, and may be short-distance wireless communication of other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). 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. The mobile terminal device 10 may include a power button and the like in addition to the touch panel 14. 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 may be provided with a wired communication interface to which a wired cable such as a LAN cable can be connected instead of or in addition to the wireless communication interface.

[0022] (Printer 20 Configuration) The printer 20 is, for example, a color printer that performs printing on paper (an example of a recording medium of the present application) by an inkjet method. 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 conforming to the NFC standard. The short-distance wireless communication performed by the short-distance communication unit 21 is not limited to NFC, and may be short-distance wireless communication of other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The printer 20 can communicate with the short-distance communication unit 13 via the short-distance communication unit 21, and can obtain setting information and print instructions from the mobile terminal device 10. In the present application, the term "obtain" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request. In other words, the process of the printer 20 receiving an instruction without a request is also included in the concept of "the printer 20 obtains 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 allows printing a predetermined number of sheets of paper, for example, when the single-color coverage is 5%. The predetermined number is a number that is greater than the number of printable sheets that is given to a user who applies for a printing service, and can be set appropriately by the vendor providing the printing service.

[0025] Moreover, the tank section 23 is provided so that the user cannot refill it with ink. Specifically, the tank section 23 is disposed in a position where the user cannot touch it. Moreover, the tank section 23 is fixed to the printer 20 so that it cannot be detached. The ink remaining amount detection section 24 detects the remaining amount of ink stored in the tank section 23. The ink remaining amount detection section 24 is an optical sensor disposed in the tank section 23 and detects the level of the ink liquid, thereby detecting the remaining amount of ink. The ink remaining amount detection section 24 is disposed in each of the multiple tank sections 23 and detects the remaining amount of ink in each of the multiple tank sections 23. The printer 20 may be configured so that the tank section 23 is replaceable by the user.

[0026] 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 on paper using a known inkjet method. The user IF 27 includes, for example, a touch panel, a power button, and 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.

[0027] The printer control unit 26 generally 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 generally controls the printer 20 and causes the printer 20 to execute various processes. 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.

[0028] The printer storage unit 26B also stores a printer management table PTB. The printer management table PTB is stored, for example, in a rewritable ROM of the printer storage unit 26B. The printer management table PTB 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 PTB stores a device ID, the number of printable sheets, the remaining ink amount, 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 an arbitrary printer 20 from other printers 20. The device ID is not limited to a serial number, and may be other device-specific information, such as the MAC address of the short-range communication unit 21 or the external communication unit 22.

[0029] The printable number indicates the number of sheets of paper that can be printed by the printer 20. A user who uses the printer 20 can print within the range of the printable number stored in the printer management table PTB. The printable number is increased (charged) by the number of sheets according to the amount charged by the user. On the other hand, the number of sheets of paper used by the printer 20 for printing is subtracted from the printable number. For example, when the printable number of 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 sheets to be printed from the printable number, and executes printing until the printable number becomes zero. When the printable number of sheets becomes zero, the printer 20 prohibits printing and notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of an error. Note that when the printer 20 receives a print instruction, if the number of sheets to be printed in the print instruction is equal to or greater than the printable number, it may notify the mobile terminal device 10 of an error without executing printing and leaving the printable number.

[0030] 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 PTB. The device settings are settings for each function (paper size, color, magnification, etc.) of the printer 20 functions (printing, etc.), and setting information such as the language to be displayed on the user IF 27.

[0031] 2 is an example. For example, the printer management table PTB may include activation information managed by the server 30. The activation information here is information that, for example, when set to an on state by the server 30, allows the printing unit 25 to execute printing, and when set to an off state, restricts the printing unit 25 from executing printing. This allows the server 30 to control whether or not each printer 20 can print.

[0032] In addition, the printer storage unit 26B stores a number threshold 26B2, a remaining amount threshold 26B3, a status flag 26B4, and a registration flag 26B5, for example, in a rewritable ROM of the printer storage unit 26B. The number threshold 26B2 is a value used to determine the printable number of sheets in the printer management table PTB, that is, the remaining number of printable sheets of the printer itself. When the printer 20 starts near-field wireless communication (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as NFC communication) using the NFC method in a state in which the printable number of sheets is less than the number threshold 26B2, the printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of the URL of a Web page (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a charge page) for performing charge, and displays the charge page. For example, the initial value of the number threshold 26B2 of the printer 20 is set by the vendor, and the value of the number threshold 26B2 can be changed based on an instruction from the user. The method of receiving an instruction to change the number threshold 26B2 from the user is not particularly limited, but for example, the instruction may be received by an operation input to the user IF 27 of the printer 20, or may be received on the screen of the management application 18B of the mobile terminal device 10. The user can change the timing of receiving the charge page notification to a desired timing by changing the number threshold 26B2. The printer 20 may be configured such that the number threshold 26B2 set by the vendor cannot be changed. Furthermore, the printer 20 may issue a charge urging notification to the mobile terminal device 10 when the number of printable sheets falls below the number threshold 26B2.

[0033] The remaining amount threshold 26B3 is a value used to determine the remaining ink amount in the printer management table PTB, that is, the remaining ink amount of the printer itself. When the printer 20 starts NFC communication in a state where the remaining ink amount is less than the remaining amount threshold 26B3, the printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of a Web page for requesting replacement of the printer 20 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an exchange application page), and causes the exchange application page to be displayed. The user can request the delivery of a replacement printer 20 on this exchange application page. For example, the remaining amount threshold 26B3 is set to a value that shortens the period from when the user is notified of the exchange application page based on the remaining amount threshold 26B3 to when the replacement printer 20 is delivered to the user, compared to the period expected to run out of ink due to execution of printing from the time when it is determined that the remaining ink amount is less than the remaining amount threshold 26B3. For example, the 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 STB of the server 30. Alternatively, the printer 20 may calculate and use the average amount of ink used per day after use begins.

[0034] If the printer 20 is configured to allow replacement of the tank unit 23, when the remaining ink level falls below the remaining ink level threshold 26B3, the printer 20 may notify the mobile terminal device 10 and cause it to display a replacement application page for requesting replacement of the tank unit 23. 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 in the printer 20.

[0035] The status flag 26B4 is information for determining the status of the printer 20. As described later, the printer 20 changes the status flag 26B4 according to the number of printable sheets, the remaining amount of ink, and the like. When the printer 20 starts NFC communication, it executes a notification according to the status flag 26B4 to the mobile terminal device 10. The registration flag 26B5 is information indicating whether or not the information of the printer 20 (its own device) has been registered in the server management table STB of the server 30. In the initial state of the printer 20 shipped from the vendor, a value indicating unregistered (e.g., zero) is set in the registration flag 26B5 of the printer storage unit 26B. When the printer 20 executes a registration process (S49 in FIG. 6) for the server 30, it updates the value of the registration flag 26B5 from a value indicating unregistered to a value indicating registered (e.g., 1). Details of the status flag 26B4 and the registration flag 26B5 will be described later.

[0036] (Server 30 Configuration) 1, the server 30 includes an external communication unit 31 and a server control unit 32. The external communication unit 31 communicates with the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 connected via the Internet 3. The server control unit 32 includes a server CPU 32A and a server storage unit 32B. The server CPU 32A executes a server program 32B1 in the server storage unit 32B to comprehensively control the operation of the server 30. The server program 32B1 is a program that comprehensively controls the server 30 and causes the server 30 to execute various processes.

[0037] 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 STB. The server management table STB is data that stores information required for using the print service. The server management table STB stores information on each printer 20 that uses the print service in association with the device ID of the printer 20, and is managed by the vendor.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the server management table STB stores the device ID, the printable number, and the remaining ink amount in association with each other. The device ID, the printable number, and the remaining ink amount are the same data as those in the printer management table PTB described above, and the data in the printer management table PTB 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 STB that associates the device ID with the printable number. The server 30 executes a process of synchronizing the printable number, which increases or decreases according to the print instruction or charge instruction of the mobile terminal device 10, with the printer 20, and manages the latest printable number in the server management table STB. The server 30 also collects the latest information on the remaining ink amount from the printer 20 by the synchronization process. For example, when the remaining ink amount falls below a predetermined threshold, the server 30 may notify the mobile terminal device 10 of the replacement of the printer 20. This allows the user to apply for the replacement of the printer 20 and receive a new printer 20 before the remaining ink amount of the printer 20 in use runs out and printing becomes impossible.

[0039] (Status flag setting process) Next, the status flag setting process executed by the printer 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The printer 20 changes the value of the status flag 26B4 by executing the status flag setting process of FIG. 4. For example, the status flag 26B4 can be set to a total of six different values ​​(e.g., any of the values ​​00, 01, 02, 03, 04, and 05) including the initial value and five values ​​corresponding to steps (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 5 to S9 shown in FIG. 4. In the initial state when the printer 20 is shipped from the vendor, the initial value "00" is set in the status flag 26B4 of the printer storage unit 26B.

[0040] When the process of FIG. 4 is started, the printer 20 judges in S1 whether the printer itself is not registered (unregistered) with the server 30. For example, the printer 20 judges whether the printer itself is unregistered based on the registration flag 26B5 in the printer storage unit 26B (S1). If the registration flag 26B5 is a value indicating unregistration, the printer 20 makes a positive judgment in S1 (S1: YES) and executes S5. In S5, the printer 20 sets the status flag 26B4 to a value "01" and ends the process shown in FIG. 4. Although details will be described later, when the printer 20 starts NFC communication with the mobile terminal device 10, it executes communication by Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) and prompts registration with the server 30 by the management application 18B.

[0041] Furthermore, if the registration flag 26B5 is a value indicating that registration has been completed in S1 (S1: NO), the printer 20 executes S2. In S2, the printer 20 determines whether the remaining ink level is equal to or less than the remaining ink level threshold 26B3. For example, if the remaining ink level in the printer management table PTB is equal to or less than the remaining ink level threshold 26B3 (S2: YES), the printer 20 executes S6. Alternatively, the printer 20 may detect the latest remaining ink level using the remaining ink level detection unit 24 at the time of executing S2, and use this for the determination in S2. In S6, the printer 20 sets the status flag 26B4 to a value of "02", and ends the process shown in FIG. 4. With the value "02" set, the printer 20, upon starting NFC communication with the mobile terminal device 10, causes the mobile terminal device 10 to display the exchange request page 105 (see FIG. 9) of the server 30.

[0042] After executing S6, the printer 20 executes a notification process (S10). When S6 is executed, the remaining ink level is low, and the printer 20 is in a state where it would be better to urge the user to apply for a replacement through NFC communication. Therefore, after executing S6, the printer 20 executes a notification process that prompts the user to perform NFC communication (touch operation) (S10). For example, the printer 20 displays a message such as "Please perform a touch operation by NFC" or "Please apply for a printer 20 replacement by NFC touch" on the user IF 27. After executing S10, the printer 20 ends the process shown in FIG. 4.

[0043] Furthermore, if the remaining ink amount is greater than the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 in S2 (S2: NO), the printer 20 executes S3. In S3, the printer 20 determines whether the printable number of sheets is equal to or less than the number threshold 26B2, and if the printable number of sheets in the printer management table PTB is equal to or less than the number threshold 26B2 (S3: YES), the printer 20 executes S7. In S7, the printer 20 sets the status flag 26B4 to a value of "03". When the value "03" is set, the printer 20 displays the charge page 91 (see FIG. 9) of the server 30 on the mobile terminal device 10 when it starts NFC communication with the mobile terminal device 10. Furthermore, when the printer 20 executes S7, it executes a notification process (S10). When S7 is executed, the printable number of sheets is low, as in the case of S6, and the printer 20 is in a state where it is better to urge the user to charge through NFC communication. Therefore, for example, the printer 20 displays a message on the user IF 27 such as "Please charge the printable number by NFC touch."

[0044] Furthermore, if the number of printable sheets is greater than the sheet number threshold 26B2 in S3 (S3: NO), the printer 20 determines whether or not a device error has occurred (S4). If a device error has occurred (S4: YES), the printer 20 sets the status flag 26B4 to a value of "04" (S8). In a state in which the value "04" is set, the printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of a support page corresponding to the device error that has occurred, for example, when it starts NFC communication with the mobile terminal device 10. This support page is a Web page that describes how to resolve the device error, and may be a Web page of the server 30, or may be a page of a separate Web server prepared by the vendor of the printer 20.

[0045] The device errors that are judged as positive in S4 (as notification targets) may be, for example, all errors for which a method of solving the error is described on the vendor's website, or only difficult errors that require reference to a manual or drawing to solve the error. For example, even if a simple error such as a paper shortage occurs, the printer 20 may make a negative judgment in S4 (S4: NO) and notify the user IF 27 that there is a shortage of paper. Conversely, it is preferable that the printer 20 judges as positive in S4 (S4: YES) for an error that is difficult to solve and requires a manual or the like, and notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of a support page. The printer 20 may notify the mobile terminal device 10 of the URL of the support page, or may notify the mobile terminal device 10 by embedding the error code in the URL. When the error code is embedded in the URL, the Web server side may refer to the error code of the URL accessed by the mobile terminal device 10 and display (redirect) a support page corresponding to the error code.

[0046] After executing S8, the printer 20 executes a notification process (S10) in the same manner as in S6 and S7. For example, the printer 20 displays a message such as "An error has occurred. Please check the error details by NFC touch" on the user IF 27. The printer 20 does not have to display a message on the user IF 27 in S10. For example, the printer 20 may have a lamp for encouraging the execution of NFC communication, and may turn on this lamp to encourage the execution of NFC communication when any of S6, S7, and S8 is executed. That is, a common process may be executed as the notification process. The printer 20 does not have to execute the notification process of S10. The printer 20 may execute the notification process of S10 when executing S5 or S9 described later.

[0047] The printer 20 may end the notification process of S10 based on a predetermined condition. For example, the printer 20 may end the notification process on the condition that the start of NFC communication is detected after the notification in S10. That is, the notification may end when one NFC communication is performed after the notification. Alternatively, the printer 20 may end the notification process when the notified content is resolved. For example, when the printer 20 executes S10 after S6, the printer 20 may end the notification process when an exchange application page is accessed or an exchange application is made. Alternatively, the printer 20 may end the notification process after a certain period of time.

[0048] Furthermore, if a device error has not occurred in S4 (S4: NO), the printer 20 sets the value "05" to the status flag 26B4 (S9) and ends the process shown in Fig. 4. In a state in which the value "05" is set, the printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of an instruction to start the print application 18C when it starts NFC communication with the mobile terminal device 10.

[0049] As described above, the printer 20 changes the status flag 26B4 and changes the notification to the mobile terminal device 10 according to the results of the determinations in S1 to S4. In other words, if there is a possibility that the results of the determinations in S1 to S4 will change, the printer 20 needs to execute the process of FIG. 4. Therefore, as a start condition for starting the process of FIG. 4, for example, a condition for the printer 20 registration process to end, which is determined in S1, can be adopted. As a start condition, a condition for the occurrence of a reduction in the remaining ink amount, which is determined in S2, specifically, a condition for printing to be performed, a condition for ink to be used in a nozzle check of the printing unit 25, etc. can be adopted. As a start condition, a condition for the increase or decrease in the number of printable sheets, which is determined in S3, specifically, a condition for the number of printable sheets to decrease due to the execution of printing, a condition for the number of printable sheets to increase due to charging, etc. can be adopted. As a start condition, a condition for the occurrence of a device error, which is determined in S4, can be adopted. Alternatively, the start condition may be a condition for a certain amount of time to elapse since the process of FIG. 4 was previously performed. The start condition may also be a condition that the printer 20 is powered on, a condition that an execution instruction is obtained from the mobile terminal device 10, or the like. This allows the status flag 26B4 to be changed according to the status of the printer 20 before starting communication with the mobile terminal device 10 by NFC communication. Note that when starting NFC communication with the mobile terminal device 10, the printer 20 may execute the process of FIG. 4, for example, before S19 in FIG. 5, which will be described later. In other words, the process of FIG. 4 may be executed at the start of communication without executing the process in advance.

[0050] (Radio control processing) Next, the wireless control process shown in FIG. 5 will be described as an example of the process executed when the status flag 26B4 is "01" (S5 in FIG. 4). For example, when a user purchases the printer 20 for the first time and the printer 20 arrives from the vendor, the user performs the operations shown in FIG. 5. Each of the devices, the mobile terminal device 10, the printer 20, and the server 30, performs each process according to the user's work. Note that in the sequence diagrams from FIG. 4 onwards, the work performed by the user (person) is indicated by a downward arrow. Also, the processes, work contents and order shown in FIG. 4 onwards are only examples. Also, a case will be described where the printer 20 with the device ID "dv1" (see FIG. 2) is set as the printer 20.

[0051] First, in S11 of Fig. 4, the user turns on the power of the printer 20 (S11). When the printer 20 is turned on, the printer CPU 26A executes the printer program 26B1 and starts up the system of the printer 20 (S13). Furthermore, when the system of the printer 20 is started up, the printer 20 activates the NFC communication function (S13). This puts the printer 20 in a state where it can perform NFC communication with the mobile terminal device 10. Note that the printer 20 may be set not to activate the NFC communication function until it receives an operation from the user.

[0052] The printer 20 also generates a printer one-time token PWT (S13). As described later, the printer 20 and the server 30 of this embodiment generate a token as information for identifying the communication partner (for example, the mobile terminal device 10). For example, a character string combining numbers and letters can be used as the token. The printer 20 and the server 30 transmit the token to the communication partner, and then execute authentication using the token transmitted in communication with the communication partner, thereby preventing the occurrence of spoofing, data leakage, data tampering, and the like. For example, when the communication partner receives a token from the printer 20 or the like transmits data to the printer 20 or the server 30, the communication partner transmits the data with the token attached thereto, thereby proving that it is the device that obtained the token. The printer 20 or the like determines that the authentication has been successful when the token obtained from the communication partner matches the token held by the own device.

[0053] The printer 20 and the server 30 may not generate tokens appropriately. For example, a number of tokens corresponding to the number of communication partners may be generated in advance, and the printer 20 and the server 30 may select a token to be used from the generated tokens and use it. That is, the printer 20 and the server 30 may select a token and execute a setting process to associate the token with the communication partner without generating a token appropriately. Also, the usage of the token is not limited to the above-mentioned method of determining whether the tokens match. The printer 20, etc. may determine that the authentication is successful even if the character strings of the tokens do not match completely, for example, even if there is a difference in uppercase or lowercase letters. Alternatively, the printer 20, etc. may determine that the authentication is successful when a hash value generated based on authentication information acquired from the communication partner device matches a hash value held by the printer 20, etc. Also, the printer 20, etc. may execute encryption of data using a token, and determine that the authentication of the communication partner is successful based on the data being successfully decrypted.

[0054] Furthermore, a one-time token has a relatively short validity period compared to a token, for example, and is used to authenticate a communication partner in communication before the token is generated. By shortening the validity period of the one-time token, even if the number of characters in the one-time token is shortened, the security level can be maintained by reducing the opportunities (time of attempts) for authentication due to unauthorized token generation such as random or brute force. The printer 20 updates the printer one-time token PWT to be used, for example, every predetermined time (for example, every hour), and changes the valid printer one-time token PWT (S13).

[0055] After executing S13, the printer 20 executes the status flag setting process of FIG. 4 (S14). As described above, the status flag 26B4 is set to the initial value "00" when the printer 20 is shipped from the vendor to the user. Also, the registration flag 26B5 is set to a value indicating unregistered as the initial value. Therefore, in S14, the printer 20 changes the status flag 26B4 from the initial value "00" to "01" (S1: YES, S5 in FIG. 4).

[0056] Meanwhile, the user executes the setting of the mobile terminal device 10 (S15). For example, the user operates the touch panel 14 to input the SSID and encryption key of the router 2, and connects the external communication unit 16 of the mobile terminal device 10 and the router 2 by wireless communication of the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) system (S15). The user also operates the touch panel 14 to execute the installation of the management application 18B and the print application 18C (S15). For example, the mobile terminal device 10 enables the function of NFC communication using the management application 18B and the print application 18C by installing the management application 18B and the print application 18C. Note that the mobile terminal device 10 may disable the function of NFC communication until a user operation is received, instead of automatically enabling it.

[0057] After installing the management application 18B, etc., the user performs a touch operation of bringing the short-range communication unit 13 of the mobile terminal device 10 close to the short-range communication unit 21 of the printer 20 (S17). On the other hand, when the printer 20 activates the NFC communication function in S13, for example, it transmits radio waves from the short-range communication unit 13 (or generates a magnetic field) and performs polling. When the mobile terminal device 10 receives radio waves from the printer 20 (or when an induced current flows due to electromagnetic induction), it transmits a start notification to the printer 20 to start NFC communication (S18). In the start notification, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits information required for NFC communication, such as an NFCID, for example.

[0058] The printer 20 receives the start notification of S18 and, upon detecting that a wireless terminal capable of NFC communication has been brought close to the short-range communication unit 21 by a touch operation, checks the status flag 26B4 (S19). Because the value of "01" is set in the registration flag 26B5, the printer 20 transmits information prompting the installation and startup of the management application 18B, and information instructing the management application 18B to register it in the server 30 (S21).

[0059] When the mobile terminal device 10 acquires information instructing the start of the management application 18B in S21, the mobile terminal device 10 starts the management application 18B (S25). For example, the printer 20 transmits an application ID to the mobile terminal device 10 as information instructing the start of the management application 18B in S21, separately from the registration instruction. The application ID here is information for identifying an application used in the Android (registered trademark) OS or iOS (registered trademark). More specifically, for an application of the Android (registered trademark) OS, the application ID is information that can uniquely identify the application, such as "com.example.xxx". Applications such as the management application 18B are uniquely identified by the application ID on the device (mobile terminal device 10) or in an application distribution service (such as Google's Play Store or Apple's App Store).

[0060] By acquiring the application ID of the management application 18B in S21, the mobile terminal device 10 starts the management application 18B if the management application 18B has already been installed (S25). If the management application 18B is not installed, the mobile terminal device 10 displays text such as "Do you want to install the management application 18B?" on the touch panel 14, or displays a page such as an App Store for executing the installation. Note that the information instructing the start of the management application 18B is not limited to the application ID described above. For example, the information instructing the start of the management application 18B may be the URL of the server of the vendor of the printer 20 or the URL of a website of a distribution service for the management application 18B.

[0061] In addition, in S21, the printer 20 transmits Wi-Fi Direct authentication information and the printer one-time token PWT generated in S13 to the mobile terminal device 10 by NFC communication. The Wi-Fi Direct authentication information is authentication information for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark, hereinafter abbreviated as WFD) method. The WFD method is a wireless communication method described in, for example, the specification "Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1" created by the Wi-Fi Alliance, and is a wireless communication method for performing wireless communication according to the IEEE 802.11 standard and standards equivalent thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.).

[0062] For example, in S21, the printer 20 transmits the SSID and encryption key as WFD authentication information to the mobile terminal device 10, and then starts the WFD application software (S23) and causes the external communication unit 22 of the printer 20 to function as an access point (see FIG. 1). This WFD application is included in, for example, the printer program 26B1. When the printer 20 detects access to the access point using the SSID and encryption key transmitted in S21, it executes P2P communication with the communication partner through wireless communication in the WFD system (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as WFD communication).

[0063] When the mobile terminal device 10 starts the management application 18B in S25, it executes WFD communication with the printer 20 via the management application 18B (S27). The mobile terminal device 10 executes the processes from S27 onwards using the management application 18B. The mobile terminal device 10 accesses the external communication unit 22 (access point) of the printer 20 from the external communication unit 16 using the SSID and encryption key of the WFD acquired in S21 (S27). As a result, the external communication unit 16 of the mobile terminal device 10 and the external communication unit 22 of the printer 20 are connected by WFD communication.

[0064] In addition, in S27, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits the SSID and encryption key of the router 2, i.e., connection information for connecting to the network to which the mobile terminal device 10 is connected, to the printer 20 (S27). When the printer 20 is accessed by the mobile terminal device 10 through WFD communication and acquires the connection information of the router 2 (S27), the printer 20 terminates the WFD application (S29). This disconnects the WFD communication between the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20. In addition, the printer 20 connects to the router 2 by wireless communication using the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) method, using the connection information (SSID and encryption key) acquired from the mobile terminal device 10 in S27 (S29). The mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 are able to communicate with each other via the router 2. In addition, the printer 20 is able to communicate with the server 30 via the router 2.

[0065] Next, the mobile terminal device 10 transmits an instruction to generate a printer token PT to the printer 20 via Wi-Fi (registered trademark) wireless communication (router 2) under the control of the management application 18B (S31). In the communication with the printer 20 in S31, the mobile terminal device 10 executes authentication using the printer one-time token PWT acquired in S21. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 adds the printer one-time token PWT to transmission data and transmits it to the printer 20. If the printer one-time token PWT added to the transmission data matches the printer one-time token PWT generated by the printer 20, the printer 20 determines that the authentication was successful and generates a printer token PT (S33).

[0066] The printer token PT is, for example, a token with a longer number of characters than the printer one-time token PWT to enhance security, and is information that can identify the mobile terminal device 10. The printer token PT may have the same number of characters as the printer one-time token PWT, or may have a smaller number of characters than the printer one-time token PWT. The printer 20 associates, for example, the identification information of the mobile terminal device 10 that is the source of the generation instruction in S31, that is, the mobile terminal device 10 identified by the printer one-time token PWT, with the generated printer token PT and stores them in the printer storage unit 26B. In subsequent processing, the printer 20 identifies and authenticates the mobile terminal device 10 of the communication partner based on this associated information. The identification information of the mobile terminal device 10 is, for example, information that can identify the device, such as the ID of the management application 18B or the MAC address of the external communication unit 16.

[0067] Furthermore, since the printer 20 has transitioned from a state in which the printer one-time token PWT is used as token information between the printer 20 and the mobile terminal device 10 to a state in which the printer 20 uses the printer one-time token PT, the printer 20 regenerates and updates the printer one-time token PWT (S33). As a result, the printer 20 enters a state in which it will not accept control instructions using the old printer one-time token PWT. Furthermore, when the printer 20 accepts access for NFC communication from a new mobile terminal device 10, it executes communication using the updated printer one-time token PWT.

[0068] The printer 20 transmits the printer token PT generated in S33 to the mobile terminal device 10 (S35). The mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 perform authentication using the printer token PT in communication via the router 2, and can execute various processes. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 execute an initial setting process (S37, see FIG. 5) for the printer 20 shown in FIG. 6. That is, the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 execute processes from the startup process of the management application 18B to the registration process in the printer 20 based on a touch operation by NFC communication.

[0069] 4 is an example. For example, the mobile terminal device 10 connects the printer 20 to the router 2 via NFC and Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark), but the communication standard is not limited to this. For example, if two-way communication by NFC is possible and an SSID or the like can be set for the printer 20, the mobile terminal device 10 may execute control to connect the printer 20 to the router 2 only by NFC communication. In addition, the mobile terminal device 10 may execute acquisition of a printer one-time token PWT from the printer 20, acquisition of WFD authentication information, and transmission of connection information such as the SSID of the router 2, by other short-distance wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0070] (Initial setting process) Next, the initial setting process executed after S35 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As described above, when the printer 20 is not registered in the server 30 in S19 and S21 in FIG. 5, the printer 20 transmits a registration instruction to the server 30 to the management application 18B of the mobile terminal device 10. The management application 18B of the mobile terminal device 10 automatically executes the registration process of the printer 20 based on this instruction. Note that the printer 20 may transmit only an instruction to start the management application 18B in S21. After starting in S25, the management application 18B may ask the user whether or not to execute the registration process of the printer 20, and may execute the processes of S27 and after when the execution instruction is received. Then, the management application 18B may execute the processes from S27 to FIG. 6 to execute the registration process.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 6, the communication between the mobile terminal device 10 (management application 18B) and the printer 20 uses the printer token PT generated and transmitted in S33 and S35 of FIG. 5 as authentication information. In S41, when the mobile terminal device 10 (management application 18B) acquires the printer token PT in S35 of FIG. 5, for example, it transmits a registration instruction to the server 30 to the printer 20. When the printer 20 acquires the registration instruction in S41, it transmits the registration instruction to the server 30 (S43). The method by which the printer 20 acquires the information on the access destination of the server 30 is not particularly limited, but for example, the information on the access destination (such as a URL) of the server 30 may be set in advance in the printer storage unit 26B. Alternatively, the printer 20 may acquire the information on the access destination of the server 30 from the mobile terminal device 10.

[0072] In S43, the printer 20 transmits the device ID (in this case, "dv1"), the number of printable sheets, and the remaining amount of ink in the printer management table PTB to the server 30. When sent from the vendor, the number of printable sheets in the printer token PT is, for example, zero sheets. Also, the remaining amount of ink is almost full. When the server 30 receives a registration instruction from the printer 20 (S43), it registers the obtained information such as the device ID in the server management table STB (S45). This allows the information about the printer 20 sent from the vendor to be registered in the server 30.

[0073] Furthermore, the server 30 generates a server token ST in S45. The server 30 associates the generated server token ST with the device ID of the printer 20 that acquired the instruction in S43 and stores them in the server storage unit 32B. As a result, the server 30 can identify the device ID based on the server token ST by acquiring the server token ST together with the instruction from the mobile terminal device 10, for example, and can determine which printer 20 the instruction is intended for. The server 30 may manage the server token ST in a server management table STB.

[0074] When the server 30 generates the server token ST, it transmits the generated server token ST to the printer 20 (S47). The printer 20 stores the server token ST acquired from the server 30 in the printer storage unit 26B (S49). The printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of the server token ST, as described later in FIG. 9. The mobile terminal device 10 executes access to the server 30 using the server token ST. The server 30 executes authentication using the server token ST, and can determine which printer 20 the charge instruction or exchange instruction is intended for. In addition, the printer 20 updates the registration flag 26B5 from a value indicating unregistered to a value indicating registered (S49). That is, the printer 20 determines that the registration of the server 30 is completed by acquiring the server token ST from the server 30, and updates the registration flag 26B5.

[0075] Furthermore, when printer 20 executes S49, the condition for completing the registration process, i.e., the condition for starting the process in Fig. 4, is met, so printer 20 executes the status flag setting process in Fig. 4 (S51). Since registration flag 26B5 has been updated to a registered value in S49, printer 20 makes a negative determination in S1 in Fig. 4 and executes the determination process from S2 onwards (S51). Printer 20 sets status flag 26B4 according to the remaining amount of ink, the number of printable pages, etc.

[0076] On the other hand, after transmitting the registration instruction in S41, the mobile terminal device 10, for example, executes polling to periodically inquire of the printer 20 as to whether or not the registration process to the server 30 has been completed (S53). When the printer 20 acquires the server token ST in S47, it transmits a registration completion notification indicating that registration has been completed in response to the inquiry from the mobile terminal device 10 in S53 (S57). Note that the mobile terminal device 10 may execute a process of waiting until it acquires a completion notification from the printer 20 after transmitting the registration instruction in S41 without executing polling.

[0077] When the mobile terminal device 10 receives the completion notification of S57, it transmits a deletion instruction to delete the printer token PT to the printer 20 (S59). The printer 20 executes deletion of the printer token PT based on the deletion instruction from the mobile terminal device 10 (S61). As a result, the printer 20 enters a state in which it does not accept control instructions using the deleted printer token PT. The printer 20 may automatically delete the printer token PT, for example, when it does not accept communication using the printer token PT for a certain period of time, without deleting the printer token PT based on an instruction from the mobile terminal device 10. In addition, the initial setting process executed after starting the management application 18B in FIG. 5 described above is not limited to the registration process shown in FIG. 6. For example, the printing system 1 may charge the number of printable sheets of the printer 20 free of charge after registering the printer 20 to the server 30. In this case, the mobile terminal device 10 and the printer 20 may execute a charge process of the number of printable sheets free of charge (for example, 2000 sheets) between the server 30 and the printer 20 after the process of S57. Furthermore, the printer 20 and the server 30 may execute a process for synchronizing the number of printable sheets after the free number of printable sheets is added.

[0078] (Printing process) Next, the printing process executed by the printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the following description, the same contents as those in the processes in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 will be omitted as appropriate. For example, after the processes shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are completed, the user executes printing by the printer 20 through NFC communication. The user executes a touch operation of bringing the mobile terminal device 10 close to the printer 20, similar to S17 and S18 in FIG. 5 (S63, S65). The printer 20 judges the status flag 26B4 in response to the touch operation (S67).

[0079] For example, in S51 of Fig. 6, the printer 20 determines that registration is complete (S1: NO in Fig. 4), the remaining ink amount is equal to or greater than the remaining ink amount threshold 26B3 (S2: NO), the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than the number of sheets threshold 26B2 (S3: NO), and that no device error has occurred (S4: NO). The printer 20 sets the status flag 26B4 to "05" (S9). When the printer 20 is touched in this state, it transmits information instructing the start of the print application 18C and WFD authentication information (S69). The printer 20 starts the WFD application software (S71), and causes the external communication unit 22 of the printer itself to function as an access point.

[0080] For example, the printer 20, like the management application 18B, transmits a specific URL to the mobile terminal device 10 in S69, which prompts the user to start or install the print application 18C. This specific URL is, for example, the URL of a web page that executes the installation of the print application 18C in Apple's App Store or the like. As a result, the mobile terminal device 10, upon receiving the notification in S69, starts the print application 18C if the print application 18C has already been installed (S73). Furthermore, if the print application 18C has not been installed, the mobile terminal device 10 displays text such as "Do you want to install the print application 18C?" on the touch panel 14.

[0081] When the mobile terminal device 10 starts the print application 18C in S73, it accepts a print instruction from the user (S73). The mobile terminal device 10 accepts print settings such as the number of copies to be printed, paper size, and magnification based on an operation input to the print application 18C. When the mobile terminal device 10 accepts an instruction to execute printing based on the operation input to the print application 18C, it transmits the print instruction to the printer 20 by WFD communication (S75).

[0082] When the printer 20 acquires the print instruction, it executes printing based on the print instruction (S77). When the printer 20 executes printing, it subtracts the number of printed sheets from the printable sheet count in the printer management table PTB and updates the printable sheet count (S77). The printer 20 also updates the remaining ink amount in the printer management table PTB with the remaining ink amount detected by the remaining ink amount detection unit 24.

[0083] 4 (S79). As a result, if the remaining ink level is equal to or lower than the remaining ink level threshold 26B3 (S2: YES), the printer 20 sets the status flag 26B4 to a value of "02" (S6) and executes a notification process to the user IF 27 (S10). Also, if the remaining ink level is greater than the remaining ink level threshold 26B3 (S2: YES) and the remaining printable number is equal to or lower than the number-of-prints threshold 26B2 (S3: YES), the printer 20 sets the status flag 26B4 to a value of "03" (S7) and executes a notification process to the user IF 27 (S10). If the printer 20 makes a negative determination in S2 and S3 (S2: NO, S3: NO) and detects some kind of device error (S4: YES), it sets the status flag 26B4 to the value "04" (S8) and executes a notification process to the user IF 27 (S10). If the printer 20 has not encountered any of the above events (S2: NO, S3: NO, S4: NO), it maintains the value of the status flag 26B4 at "05" (S9).

[0084] When the printer 20 executes S79, it notifies the mobile terminal device 10 by WFD communication that printing has been completed and notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of the updated printable number (S79). The mobile terminal device 10 updates the printable number 18E with the printable number acquired from the printer 20 (S81). Furthermore, when the printer 20 executes S79, it terminates the WFD application (S83). The printer 20 executes a process to synchronize the printable number and the remaining ink amount with the server 30. For example, after executing S83, the printer 20 transmits the printable number and the remaining ink amount in the printer management table PTB to the server 30 together with an instruction to start synchronization (S85). The server 30 updates the printable number and the remaining ink amount in the server management table STB based on the information acquired in S85 (S87). This allows the printer management table PTB of the printer 20 to be synchronized with the server management table STB of the server 30. The server 30 sends a completion notification indicating that synchronization has been completed to the printer 20 (S89). In this way, when the value of “05” is set in the status flag 26B4, printing can be performed in response to the start of NFC communication.

[0085] If some device error occurs at the time the touch operations of S63 and S65 are performed and the value of "04" is set in the status flag 26B4, the printer 20 transmits the URL of a support page that describes how to resolve the error that occurred to the mobile terminal device 10 in S69. When the mobile terminal device 10 acquires the URL from the printer 20 through the NFC communication in S69, it starts the browser software 18D and displays the support page to the user. By checking the displayed support page, the user can take appropriate action to deal with the error, such as fixing a paper jam or performing a test print.

[0086] (Web page display process by authentication using the user IF 27 of the printer 20) Here, when the printer 20 of the present embodiment detects a touch operation of NFC communication, if the status flag 26B4 has a value of "02" (see FIG. 4), the printer 20 displays an exchange application page on the mobile terminal device 10, and if the status flag 26B4 has a value of "03" (see FIG. 4), the printer 20 displays a charge page on the mobile terminal device 10. At this time, the exchange application page and charge page corresponding to the printer 20 can be displayed without performing an authentication operation or the like on the printer 20. Therefore, as a comparative example, an example of a process for performing authentication using the user IF 27 of the printer 20 and displaying a charge page or an exchange application page will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. Note that the printing system 1 of the present embodiment may be configured to be capable of executing a method of performing authentication using the user IF 27 of FIG. 8 shown as a comparative example and displaying a charge page or the like, or may be configured not to be capable of executing the method. That is, the flow of the process shown in FIG. 8 is merely for explaining the process of displaying a charge page or the like based on a touch operation of NFC communication (see FIG. 10) described later, and the printing system 1 does not necessarily have to be capable of executing the process.

[0087] 8, the printer 20 has an internal server capable of displaying, for example, its own status information. The internal server referred to here is, for example, the printer 20 functioning as a Web server, such as an EWS (Embedded Web Server). When the browser software 18D of the mobile terminal device 10 accesses a Web page of the EWS (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an EWS page), the printer 20 displays, on the display screen 51 of the touch panel 14, an address box 53 indicating the URL of the EWS and an EWS page 55 indicating the page contents.

[0088] The printer 20 accepts a password in the input box 57 of the EWS page 55 and performs authentication using the password. When the login button 59 of the EWS page 55 is operated, the printer 20 performs authentication using the password in the input box 57, and if the authentication is successful, displays the EWS page 61 on the display screen 51. After login, the printer 20 displays a link 63 for accessing the server 30 and a logout button 65 for instructing the execution of logout on the EWS page 61. For example, the printer 20 displays the text "Go to website" on the link 63. When the printer 20 accepts an operation on the link 63 of the EWS page 61, the printer 20 performs physical authentication by the user IF 27. This physical authentication is an authentication process to prevent a charge or exchange application by an unauthorized user, and is a process to accept an operation on the printer 20 and confirm whether or not the user is near the printer 20, i.e., whether or not the user is a legitimate user who can use the printer 20.

[0089] For example, when the printer 20 accepts an operation of the link 63, the printer 20 displays a pop-up screen 67 on the mobile terminal device 10 to prompt the user IF 27 to operate. The printer 20 also displays a screen 69 on the user IF 27 of the printer 20 and accepts physical authentication. The printer 20 displays a message 71 such as "Allow access to advanced settings", an OK button 72, and a Cancel button 73 on the screen 69. When the OK button 72 is operated, the printer 20 determines that the physical authentication has been successful, and displays a top page 75 of the server 30 on the display screen 51 of the mobile terminal device 10. At this time, the printer 20 and the server 30 may perform authentication using the server token ST described above. The server 30 then identifies the device ID of the printer 20 using the server token ST, and displays a top page 75 that accepts a charge or exchange application for the identified printer 20 (device ID).

[0090] As shown on the top page 75, the server 30 displays the URL of the top page 75 in the address box 53, and displays a message 77 such as "Number of printable sheets" on the top page 75. This number of printable sheets is, for example, information on the number of printable sheets in the server management table STB. The server 30 also displays a charge button 79 and a printer exchange button 81 on the top page 75. When the server 30 accepts an operation on the charge button 78 on the touch panel 14 of the mobile terminal device 10, the server 30 displays a charge page 91 shown in FIG. 9. When the server 30 accepts an operation on the printer exchange button 81, 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 subsequently displays the top page, charge page, and exchange application page for the printer 20 to be controlled.

[0091] 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 53 and the like are omitted from the illustration of the recharge pages 91 to 93. When the recharge button 78 is operated, the server 30 displays the recharge page 91 on the mobile terminal device 10, and displays recharge buttons 95 on the recharge page 91 indicating a plurality of recharge quantities and the fees required to purchase each recharge quantity. When any of the plurality of 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 the input box 97, and touches the payment button 99. The method of accepting the recharge amount is not limited to a method of accepting a selection from the displayed recharge amounts, but may be a method of accepting an input of the recharge amount. Also, the method of payment is not limited to a credit card, but may be other methods such as cash, electronic money, or a bank account.

[0092] 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 printable number. For example, the server 30 sends an instruction to the printer 20 to add the printable number, and increases the printable number of the printer token PT by the number of charged pages. The server 30 obtains the printable number after the addition from the printer 20 and updates the printable number in the server management table STB. In this way, even if the printable number on the printer 20 side has decreased due to printing or the like, the decreased amount can be reflected in the server management table STB. The printer 20 also sends the printable number after the addition to the mobile terminal device 10 and updates the printable number 18E.

[0093] Furthermore, in order to confirm the printer 20 being charged, the server 30 displays information 101 of the device ID (e.g., serial number) of the printer 20 on the charge page 91, etc. This device ID is identified from the server token ST used for authentication in communication from the printer 20, that is, the device ID of the printer 20 to be charged. Then, when charging of the printable number is completed, the server 30 displays a charge page 93 on the mobile terminal device 10. The server 30 displays, on the charge page 93, information on the charged number, a message that payment has been completed, and a message that asks the user to check the printable number after charging. This makes it possible to charge the printable number.

[0094] 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 81 on the top page 75 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.

[0095] The user inputs the delivery address of the replacement printer 20 in an input box 107, and operates the replacement request button 108. When the replacement request button 108 is operated, the server 30 notifies the vendor's worker or the like of an instruction to ship the replacement printer 20 to the address input 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, the reception number, and to the effect that the user should wait until the printer arrives. This makes it possible to request the server 30 to ship the replacement printer 20.

[0096] (Web page display processing by touch operation of NFC communication) Next, the process of displaying a web page of the server 30 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a server page) on the mobile terminal device 10 in response to a touch operation of NFC communication will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 shows a sequence diagram when a web page display process is executed by a touch operation of NFC communication. The printer 20 displays the charge page 91 or the exchange application page 105 of Fig. 10 on the mobile terminal device 10 in response to the status flag 26B4 at the time of the touch operation.

[0097] First, in S91, the printer 20 determines that the token acquisition condition for acquiring the server token ST from the server 30 is satisfied. As described above, the printer 20 uses the server token ST to perform authentication of communication with the server 30. The server 30 identifies the printer 20 (device ID) that is the target of the charge or exchange application by the server token ST. In addition, as described later, the printer 20 transmits this server token ST to the mobile terminal device 10. The mobile terminal device 10 accesses the server 30 using the server token ST to display the charge page 91 (see FIG. 9) or the exchange application page 105 (see FIG. 9) of the printer 20 identified by the server token ST without requiring the physical authentication described in FIG. 8. In other words, if the same server token ST is continuously used for the same printer 20, the server token ST may be generated by a fraudulent act such as random or brute force, and the charge page 91 or the exchange application page 105 may be accessed. Therefore, the server 30 sets a certain period of validity for the server token ST, and does not permit access by the server token ST when the validity period has expired. This can improve the security of access to the charge page 91, etc. The server 30 may continue to use the same server token ST without setting an expiration date for the server token ST.

[0098] If the above-mentioned expiration date is set, there is a possibility that the server token ST to be transmitted to the mobile terminal device 10 will have expired when a touch operation is performed through NFC communication. Therefore, the printer 20 accesses the server 30 and updates the server token ST, for example, every time a certain period of time passes (S93 to S97). This certain period of time is, for example, shorter than the expiration date of the server token ST. Therefore, the condition that this certain period of time passes can be used as the condition for establishing the token acquisition condition for acquiring the server token ST in S91 described above. Note that other operating conditions, such as power-on and execution of printing, may also be used as the token acquisition condition.

[0099] When the token acquisition condition is met in S91, the printer 20 transmits an acquisition notification to the server 30 indicating that it wishes to acquire a server token ST (S93). When the server 30 receives the acquisition notification in S93, it generates a server token ST and associates the server token ST with the device ID of the printer 20 that sent the notification (S94). The method of identifying the device ID is not particularly limited. For example, if the server token ST held by the printer 20 has not expired, the device ID may be identified using the server token ST. Also, if the server token ST has expired, the printer 20 may transmit the device ID to the server 30.

[0100] The server 30 transmits the server token ST generated in S94 to the printer 20 (S95). The printer 20 stores the server token ST acquired in S95 in the printer storage unit 26B and updates the server token ST (S97). This allows the expiration date of the server token ST to be maintained. Then, in response to the establishment of the token acquisition condition in S91, the printer 20 executes S93 to S97 to periodically update the server token ST, while accepting a touch operation from the mobile terminal device 10. For example, as described above, when the printer 20 executes S6 in FIG. 4, it displays a message "Please execute the printer 20 exchange request by NFC touch" on the user IF 27 (S10). The user sees this display and executes a touch operation (S101, S103). The printer 20 judges the status flag 26B4 in response to the touch operation (S105).

[0101] For example, as shown in Fig. 4, if the remaining ink level is equal to or less than the remaining ink level threshold 26B3 (S2: YES), the status flag 26B4 is set to a value of "02." In this case, the printer 20 transmits a URL that guides the exchange request page 105 of Fig. 9 as the server page of the server 30 to the mobile terminal device 10 via NFC communication (S107). The URL of the server page to be transmitted is information in which a server token ST has been added to a base URL for accessing the exchange request page 105 of the server 30, for example, as shown below. Server page URL = Base URL + Server token ST

[0102] The base URL here is, for example, a URL that makes it possible to display the exchange application page 105 for the device ID (printer 20) specified on the server 30 side based on the server token ST by notifying the server 30 of the server token ST added to the base URL as a variable (which may also be called a query parameter). Information on the base URL is, for example, stored in advance in the printer storage unit 26B.

[0103] 10, the printer 20 may acquire information on the base URL from the server 30 in response to acquisition of the server token ST (S93 to S97). Alternatively, the printer 20 may acquire information on the base URL from a server of a vendor other than the server 30. In this way, when the base URL is changed due to relocation or change of the server 30, by updating the information on the base URL, it is possible to access the exchange application page 105 of the changed server 30.

[0104] When the printer 20 executes S105, it transmits a URL in which the server token ST is added to the base URL of the exchange request page 105 to the mobile terminal device 10 by NFC communication (S107). When the mobile terminal device 10 acquires the URL, for example, it starts the browser software 18D (S108) and accesses the acquired base URL with the browser software 18D (S109). This allows the user to display the exchange request page 105 according to the state of the printer 20, i.e., according to the decrease in the remaining ink level, by simply performing a touch operation of NFC communication, and quickly execute an exchange request for the printer 20. In addition, even a user (such as a general user) who does not have a dedicated application such as the management application 18B installed can execute an exchange request for the printer 20. For example, even a user who has not executed the registration process shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 can execute an exchange request.

[0105] Furthermore, the server 30 can identify the printer 20 to be replaced based on the device ID associated with the server token ST added to the URL. The server 30 can display an exchange application page 105 for the printer 20 that needs to be replaced (that is being used by the user). Furthermore, only a limited number of users can approach the printer 20 and perform the touch operation of NFC communication, so a certain level of security can be ensured. Therefore, when the server 30 of this embodiment accepts access using the server token ST, it displays the exchange application page 105 without requesting an authentication operation (such as inputting a password) for the mobile terminal device 10 (user). This reduces the user's workload in requesting an exchange. The server 30 may request authentication information such as a password before displaying the exchange application page 105.

[0106] The display of the charge page 91 can also be executed in a similar manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the printable number of sheets is equal to or less than the number threshold 26B2 (S3: YES), the status flag 26B4 is set to a value of "03". In this case, the printer 20 transmits a URL that guides the charge page 91 of FIG. 9 as a server page of the server 30 to the mobile terminal device 10 (S107). For example, the printer 20 notifies the server 30 of the server token ST added to the base URL as a variable, and uses the URL that can display the charge page 91 of the printer 20 according to the server token ST on the server 30 side as the base URL. Note that the printer 20 may also execute an update process as shown in S99 for this URL. In addition, when there is a common part (such as a host name or a domain name) between the exchange application page 105 and the base URL of the charge page 91, only the common part may be acquired from the server 30 and updated (S99).

[0107] The printer 20 sends the URL, which is the base URL of the charge page 91 with the server token ST added, to the mobile terminal device 10 via NFC communication (S107). This makes it possible to display the charge page 91, which can instruct the printer 20 in use to charge, on the mobile terminal device 10. The user can display the charge page 91 and charge according to the reduction in the number of printable sheets, simply by performing a touch operation via NFC communication. Furthermore, charging can be performed without installing the management application 18B.

[0108] Also, for example, after executing S107, the mobile terminal device 10 also notifies the server 30 of the URL notified to the mobile terminal device 10 in S107 (S111). For example, even if the printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of the URL, there is a possibility that the mobile terminal device 10 cannot access the URL (server 30) due to some malfunction. In such a case, it is difficult for the server 30 to grasp how many times access has failed to which URL. In contrast, by notifying the server 30 of the URL notified to the mobile terminal device 10 by the printer 20, the server 30 can confirm whether or not the mobile terminal device 10 has normally accessed the URL acquired from the printer 20. The server 30 can collect the number of access failures. Also, for example, if there is no access from the mobile terminal device 10 in S109 for a certain period of time from the notification in S111, the server 30 can notify the printer 20 of an access error.

[0109] Furthermore, in S111, the printer 20 notifies the server 30 of the number of printable sheets and the remaining amount of ink in the printer management table PTB. This allows the server 30 to use information such as the latest number of printable sheets of the printer 20 when processing recharge or exchange applications. For example, by obtaining the number of printable sheets from the printer 20, the server 30 can display the accurate number of printable sheets on the recharge page 91 and the recharge page 93 after recharge. Furthermore, by obtaining the remaining amount of ink from the printer 20, the server 30 can also check on its own device whether the remaining amount of ink is less than the remaining amount threshold 26B3.

[0110] Furthermore, the printer 20 may add information on the number of printable sheets and the amount of remaining ink in the printer management table PTB to the URL notified to the mobile terminal device 10 in S107. This allows the server 30 to grasp the number of printable sheets and the like in the printer management table PTB based on the information (such as the number of printable sheets) included in the URL accessed in S109. In this case, the printer 20 does not need to notify the number of printable sheets and the like in the process of S111.

[0111] Furthermore, the printer 20 may notify the server 30 of the language setting information set in the device settings of the printer management table PTB in S111, or may add it to the URL in S107. This allows the server 30 to display the charge page 91 or exchange application page 105 in a language according to the language setting information acquired from the printer 20, i.e., in the language used by the user.

[0112] Also, the printer 20 may notify the server 30 of the region information in S111, or may add it to the URL in S107. The region information here is, for example, information set in the printer 20 by the vendor, and is information that can identify the sales region of the printer 20, such as Japan, Asia, America, and EU. As a result, for example, the server 30 can transfer the charge process to a server corresponding to the region by checking the region information of the URL accessed in S109. The processing load on the server 30 side can be distributed. Also, the printer 20 may change the domain name of the URL notified to the mobile terminal device 10 in S107 according to the region information. As a result, the access destination accessed by the mobile terminal device 10 in S109 can be changed for each region, and the processing load on the server 30 can be reduced.

[0113] Also, as shown in S113, S115, S117, S119, and S121 of FIG. 10, the printer 20 may execute a server token ST update process after a touch operation is performed, similar to S91 to S97. That is, a condition for performing a touch operation may be adopted as a token acquisition condition. For example, the server 30 deletes the server token ST used every time a charge or exchange application is accepted, that is, the server token ST once used cannot be used, thereby improving security. In such a case, as shown in S113 to S121, the printer 20 may execute a server token ST update process after a touch operation. Also, as shown in S99, the printer 20 may acquire a base URL from the server 30 after a touch operation (S123). Also, as shown in S91 to S97 and S99 of FIG. 10, the printer 20 may execute a server token ST update process or a base URL acquisition process before or after the printing process of FIG. 7 (before S63 or after S89).

[0114] Incidentally, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal device 10 is an example of a terminal device. The management application 18B is an example of an application program. The printer 20 is an example of a recording device. The short-range communication unit 21 is an example of a short-range wireless communication unit. The external communication unit 22 is an example of a wireless communication unit. The tank unit 23 is an example of a container. The printing unit 25 is an example of a recording unit. The printer control unit 26 is an example of a control unit. The number threshold 26B2 is an example of an allowed amount threshold. NFC is an example of short-range wireless communication. The server token ST is an example of server-side identification information. S1 is an example of a registration determination process. S2 is an example of a remaining amount determination process. S3 is an example of an allowed amount determination process. S21 and S107 are examples of a notification information transmission process. S47, S95, and S119 are examples of an identification information acquisition process. S111 is an example of a notification process and an update process.

[0115] (Effects) According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained. (1) The printer 20 of the above embodiment provides a printing service (an example of a recording service of the present application) that executes a printing operation by the printing unit 25 within the range of the number of printable sheets (the permitted recording amount of the present application) that allows the printing operation by the printing unit 25 (an example of a recording operation of the present application). In response to the execution of NFC communication between the short-range communication unit 13 and the portable terminal device 10, the printer 20 transmits notification information (such as a registration instruction, a charge page 91, and an exchange application page 105) corresponding to the state of the device itself related to the printing service (such as the registration state of the server 30, the number of printable sheets, and the remaining ink amount) to the portable terminal device 10 by NFC communication (S21, S107).

[0116] This allows the user to be notified according to the state of the device related to the printing service, such as the registration state with the server 30, the amount of remaining ink, the number of printable pages, etc. Also, the printer 20 transmits notification information to a mobile terminal device 10 (user) that can communicate via short-distance wireless communication, i.e., that is located in a relatively short distance. This allows notification information necessary for using the printing service to be transmitted to a user located near the printer 20, i.e., a user who is likely to be a legitimate user. Also, leakage of notification information can be suppressed. Also, the user can obtain the notification information simply by performing a touch operation. This improves the service for the user.

[0117] (2) The mobile terminal device 10 can communicate with the server 30 related to the printing service. In S107, the printer 20 transmits a URL (an example of the access destination information of the present application) for accessing the server 30 from the mobile terminal device 10 as notification information. This allows the mobile terminal device 10 to access an appropriate Web page of the server 30 based on the URL acquired from the printer 20. Note that the access destination information of the present application is not limited to a URL, and may be, for example, a specific folder path of the server 30.

[0118] (3) The server 30 can accept a charge instruction to increase the number of printable sheets (an example of an increase instruction in the present application). The printer 20 determines whether the number of printable sheets is equal to or less than the number threshold 26B2 (S3). If the number of printable sheets is equal to or less than the number threshold 26B2 (S3: YES), the printer 20 transmits the URL of a charge page 91 that accepts a charge in S107. In this way, when the number of printable sheets has decreased, the charge page 91 can be displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 simply by performing a touch operation for NFC communication. This reduces the workload of the user in the charge process.

[0119] (4) The printer 20 includes a tank unit 23 that contains ink (an example of the colorant of the present application). The printing unit 25 prints on a sheet (such as paper or an OHP) using the ink. The server 30 can accept an exchange request for the printer 20. The printer 20 determines whether the remaining amount of ink (an example of the remaining amount of colorant of the present application) is equal to or less than the remaining amount threshold 26B3 (S2). If the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the remaining amount threshold 26B3 (S2: YES), the printer 20 transmits the URL of an exchange request page 105 that accepts the exchange request in S107. In this way, when the remaining amount of ink is low, the exchange request page 105 can be displayed on the mobile terminal device 10 simply by performing a touch operation for NFC communication. The workload of the user in the exchange request process can be reduced.

[0120] Also, in the above embodiment, the printer 20 executes the determination of S2 before S3 in FIG. 4. This allows the notification of replacement to be prioritized over the notification of recharge. This is because even if recharge is executed when the ink level is low, there is a possibility that the ink will run out before the number of printable pages is used up. As a result, a process is required to transfer the number of printable pages from the old printer 20 to the new printer 20. Therefore, by executing the determination of S2 before S3, it is possible to prevent the process of transferring the number of printable pages from occurring. The printer 20 may execute the determination of S3 before S2.

[0121] (5) The server 30 is a Web server capable of providing Web services. In S107, the printer 20 transmits the URL of the server page of the server 30 as access destination information. In this way, the mobile terminal device 10 can display the notified URL using the browser software 18D or the like to display a Web page for charging or exchanging applications. The mobile terminal device 10 can display a Web page corresponding to the status of its own device related to the printing service.

[0122] (6) The server 30 can set a server token ST that identifies the printer 20. The printer 20 acquires the server token ST from the server 30 in S47, S95, and S119. The printer 20 transmits the URL of a server page with the server token ST added to the base URL in S107. In this way, when the transmitted URL is accessed from the mobile terminal device 10, the server 30 can determine which printer 20 is the target of the access based on the server token ST of the accessed URL. A charge page 91 for charging the target printer 20 and an exchange request page 105 for executing an exchange request can be displayed.

[0123] (7) The printer 20 notifies the server 30 of the information on the server page URL (base URL+server token ST) transmitted in S107 (S111). This allows the server 30 to check whether the URL of the server page acquired from the printer 20 has been normally accessed from the mobile terminal device 10.

[0124] (8) The printer 20 may obtain information on the base URL of the server page from the server 30 or the like (S99). By doing so, if the base URL is changed due to relocation or modification of the server 30, the information on the base URL can be updated to allow the mobile terminal device 10 to access the exchange application page 105 or charge page 91 of the changed server 30.

[0125] (9) The mobile terminal device 10 can register the printer 20 to the server 30 using the management application 18B. The printer 20 determines whether or not the printer 20 is not registered to the server 30 (S1). If the printer 20 is not registered to the server 30 (S1: YES), the printer 20 transmits a URL for prompting the user to start or install the management application 18B, and a registration instruction (information related to the application program of the present application) for the installed management application 18B (S21). In this way, if the management application 18B is not installed, the user can be prompted to install it. Also, if the management application 18B is already installed, the printer 20 can start the management application 18B and execute a registration process using the management application 18B.

[0126] (10) The printer 20 includes an external communication unit 22 capable of WFD communication, which is a wireless communication method different from NFC communication. In response to the execution of NFC communication between the short-distance communication unit 21 and the mobile terminal device 10, the printer 20 transmits, in S21, connection information (SSID and encryption key) used for connection of WFD communication to the mobile terminal device 10 by NFC communication in addition to an instruction to start the management application 18B. Then, the printer 20 acquires information from the management application 18B by WFD communication (S27). According to this, in NFC communication, an instruction to start the management application 18B is transmitted from the printer 20 to the mobile terminal device 10, and processing after starting the management application 18B can be executed by WFD communication. There is no need to perform two-way communication by NFC communication, and the manufacturing cost of the short-distance communication unit 21 can be reduced.

[0127] (11) In the above embodiment, communication conforming to the Near Field Communication (NFC) standard is used as the short-distance wireless communication. This allows notification information to be transmitted only to users who are within a short distance of the printer 20 that is capable of NFC communication.

[0128] (12) The printer 20 can communicate with the server 30, which associates the device ID with the printable number and stores it in the server management table STB. In response to performing NFC communication in S101 and S103, the printer 20 transmits the printable number of the printer itself to the server 30 and updates the printable number of the server 30 (S111). In this way, if the mobile terminal device 10 accesses the server 30 after performing NFC communication, the information on the printable number of the printer 20 can be presented to the mobile terminal device 10. In other words, the latest information on the printable number that has been synchronized with the printer 20 can be used to perform processing.

[0129] (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. For example, in the above embodiment, the printable number is stored in the printer management table PTB 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 (printing permitted amount). Also, the contents and processing order of each sequence diagram and flowchart described above are merely examples. For example, the printer 20 may be configured to be capable of only executing notification processing based on at least one of the status flags 26B4 set in S5 to S9. For example, the printer 20 may execute processing to only introduce the charge page 91 based on the number of printable sheets. Furthermore, the printer 20 notifies the mobile terminal device 10 of the URL of the recharge page 91 or the exchange application page 105 depending on the different states of the status flag 26B4, "02" and "03", but the printer 20 may notify the mobile terminal device 10 of the same information. For example, the printer 20 may notify the mobile terminal device 10 of the URL of the top page 75 shown in Fig. 9 in S107. This makes it possible to cause the mobile terminal device 10 to display the top page 75 in a state in which the printer 20 has been selected, and to accept recharge and exchange applications from the top page 75. As described above, the process contents in FIG. 8 are a comparative example, and for example, the server 30 may be configured to be able to display charge pages 91 to 93 and exchange application pages 105 and 106 in FIG. 9, but not be able to display the top page 75.

[0130] Although the mobile terminal device 10, which is a smartphone, is used as the terminal device of the present application, the present invention is not limited to this. As the terminal device, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or other terminals can be used. Also, 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 STB, 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 by associating it with a user. The user information here may be a user ID registered in the management application 18B, a user ID of the user who uses the mobile terminal device 10, or the like. Furthermore, the above-described configuration of the printer 20 is merely an example. For example, the printer 20 may not include the external communication unit 22. Furthermore, printer 20 is configured to store printer management table PTB 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 read and use information in printer management table PTB, 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 PTB using an IC card or the like. Alternatively, printer 20 may store and manage information in printer management table PTB, 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.

[0131] The configuration of the printing system 1 in the above embodiment is just an example. The printing system 1 may not include the server 30. The printing system 1 may include multiple mobile terminal devices 10, printers 20, and servers 30, multiple mobile terminal devices 10 may use one printer 20, or one mobile terminal device 10 may use multiple printers 20. The printer 20 may be configured so that the user can refill ink (each ink tank of the tank unit 23 can be replaced). In addition, other means for refilling consumables such as ink include a configuration in which ink can be poured into the tank unit 23 from a bottle containing ink. In a configuration in which the tank unit 23 is replaceable, 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 colorant, or a notification of replacement of a part such as a tank that contains colorant in the printer 20. In addition, although an inkjet printer 20 is adopted as the recording device of the present application, a laser printer or a thermal printer may be used. In addition, the recording device is not limited to a printer for personal users, but may be a commercial or industrial printing machine. The recording device may be a multifunction device having a scanning function, a copying function, a fax function, etc. in addition to a printing function. In addition, the recording device may be a scanner, a copying machine, or a fax machine. In addition, the permitted recording amount is not limited to the number of printable sheets, but may be the permitted number of times scanning or faxing can be performed. In addition, the recording device may be a laser marker that performs markers on metal members, etc. with a laser. Therefore, the recording medium of the present application is not limited to paper, but may be a metal member, etc. In addition, the permitted recording amount is not limited to the number of printable sheets, but may be the permitted number of times laser processing can be performed. Furthermore, the permitted recording amount in this application is not limited to the number of printable sheets. For example, the permitted recording amount may be the amount of ink or toner consumed. The permitted recording amount may be the amount of ink permitted to be ejected (dots (pixels)) or the amount of ink permitted to be used (e.g., ml). Alternatively, the permitted recording amount may be defined by the number of rotations of a member that rotates in conjunction with the printing operation, such as a photosensitive drum. Furthermore, the control unit of the present application does not need to include a storage unit such as the printer storage unit 26B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 1 Printing system, 10 Portable terminal device (terminal device), 18B Management application (application program), 20 Printer (recording device), 21 Short-range communication unit (Short-range wireless communication unit), 22 External communication unit (Wireless communication unit), 23 Tank unit (container), 25 Printing unit (recording unit), 26 Printer control unit (control unit), 26B2 Number threshold (allowed amount threshold), 26B3 Remaining amount threshold, ST Server token (server side identification information).

Claims

1. a recording unit that executes a recording operation on a recording medium; A short-range wireless communication unit capable of short-range wireless communication; A control unit; Equipped with a recording device providing a recording service for performing a recording operation by a recording unit within a range of a recording permission amount that permits the recording operation by the recording unit, The control unit is executes a notification information transmission process for transmitting notification information corresponding to a state of the own device related to the recording service to the terminal device via the short-range wireless communication in response to execution of the short-range wireless communication between the short-range wireless communication unit and the terminal device; The terminal device A server related to the recording service is capable of communicating with the server, The control unit is In the notification information transmission process, access destination information for accessing the server from the terminal device is transmitted as the notification information; The server, an instruction to increase the permitted recording amount is received, The control unit is execute an allowance amount determination process to determine whether the recording allowance amount is equal to or less than an allowance amount threshold; When the permitted recording amount is equal to or less than the permitted recording amount threshold as a result of the permitted amount determination process, the notification information transmission process transmits the access destination information for accepting an instruction to increase the permitted recording amount.

2. The inkjet recording medium further includes a container for containing a colorant. The recording unit is a printing unit that performs printing on a sheet using the colorant; The server, A request for replacement of the container is accepted; The control unit is execute a remaining amount determination process for determining whether or not the remaining amount of the colorant is equal to or less than a remaining amount threshold; 2 . The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, when the result of the remaining amount determination process indicates that the remaining amount of colorant is equal to or less than the remaining amount threshold, the notification information transmission process transmits the access destination information for accepting an application for replacement.

3. A recording unit that executes a recording operation on a recording medium; A short-range wireless communication unit capable of short-range wireless communication; A control unit; Equipped with a recording device providing a recording service for performing a recording operation by a recording unit within a range of a recording permission amount that permits the recording operation by the recording unit, The control unit is executes a notification information transmission process for transmitting notification information corresponding to a state of the own device related to the recording service to the terminal device via the short-range wireless communication in response to execution of the short-range wireless communication between the short-range wireless communication unit and the terminal device; The terminal device The recording device can be registered to a server using an application program related to the recording service, The control unit is execute a registration determination process to determine whether the device itself is not yet registered with the server; If the result of the registration determination process indicates that the recording device is not registered with the server, the recording device transmits information related to the application program as the notification information.

4. Further comprising a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication using a wireless communication method different from the short-range wireless communication, The control unit is 4. The recording device of claim 3, wherein in response to executing the short-range wireless communication between the short-range wireless communication unit and the terminal device, in the notification information transmission process, in addition to the notification information, connection information used for connecting the wireless communication is transmitted to the terminal device via the short-range wireless communication, and information from the application program is obtained via the wireless communication.

5. The terminal device, A server related to the recording service is capable of communicating with the server, The control unit is 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in the notification information transmission process, access destination information for accessing the server from the terminal device is transmitted as the notification information.

6. The server, A web server, The control unit is 6. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein in the notification information transmission process, a URL of the server is transmitted as the access destination information.

7. The server, Server-side identification information for identifying the recording device can be set, The control unit is Execute an identification information acquisition process to acquire the server-side identification information; 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein in the notification information transmission process, the server side identification information is added to the URL and transmitted.

8. The control unit is 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a notification process for notifying the server of the URL and the server side identification information transmitted in the notification information transmission process.

9. The control unit is 9. The recording device according to claim 6, wherein the information on the URL is obtained from the server.

10. The short-range wireless communication includes:

10. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein communication is in compliance with the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard.

11. The recording device includes: a server capable of communicating with the identification information of the recording device and the permitted recording amount, the server storing the identification information and the permitted recording amount in association with each other; The control unit is A recording device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, which, in response to performing short-range wireless communication between the short-range wireless communication unit and the terminal device, performs an update process to transmit the recording permission amount of the device to the server and update the recording permission amount of the server.

12. A recording device; A terminal device; A recording system comprising: The recording device includes: a recording unit that executes a recording operation on a recording medium; A short-range wireless communication unit capable of short-range wireless communication; A control unit, providing a recording service for executing a recording operation by the recording unit within a range of a recording permission amount that permits the recording operation by the recording unit; The control unit is executes a notification information transmission process for transmitting notification information corresponding to a state of the own device related to the recording service to the terminal device via the short-range wireless communication in response to execution of the short-range wireless communication between the short-range wireless communication unit and the terminal device; The terminal device A server related to the recording service is capable of communicating with the server, The control unit is In the notification information transmission process, access destination information for accessing the server from the terminal device is transmitted as the notification information; The server, an instruction to increase the permitted recording amount is received, The control unit is execute an allowance amount determination process to determine whether the recording allowance amount is equal to or less than an allowance amount threshold; If the permitted recording amount is equal to or less than the permitted recording amount threshold as a result of the permitted amount determination process, the notification information transmission process transmits the access destination information for accepting an instruction to increase the permitted recording amount.

13. A recording device; A terminal device; A recording system comprising: The recording device includes: a recording unit that executes a recording operation on a recording medium; A short-range wireless communication unit capable of short-range wireless communication; A control unit, providing a recording service for executing a recording operation by the recording unit within a range of a recording permission amount that permits the recording operation by the recording unit; The control unit is executes a notification information transmission process for transmitting notification information corresponding to a state of the own device related to the recording service to the terminal device via the short-range wireless communication in response to execution of the short-range wireless communication between the short-range wireless communication unit and the terminal device; The terminal device The recording device can be registered to a server using an application program related to the recording service, The control unit is execute a registration determination process to determine whether the device itself is not yet registered with the server; If the registration determination process determines that the own device is not registered with the server, the recording system transmits information related to the application program as the notification information.

Images