Program

Abstract

To provide a program which is used for purchase of consumables of a printer, and facilitates selection of the consumables corresponding to the printer owned by a purchaser.SOLUTION: A mobile terminal 10 acquires start information on a consumables purchase mini-application 3, and downloads the consumables purchase mini-application 3 from an application server 200 to start the application. The consumables purchase mini-application 3 acquires printer information on a printer 100A used by the mobile terminal 10 from a print application 42. The consumables purchase mini-application 3 collates the printer information acquired from the print application 42 with a consumables database 4, creates a consumables list indicating the consumables corresponding to the printer 100A, and displays a purchase procedure screen which receives purchase instructions about the consumables included in the consumables list through a user interface 13. The consumables purchase mini-application 3 performs a purchase procedure of the consumables, when receiving the purchase instructions through the purchase procedure screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program used for purchasing printer consumables.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies related to systems for online purchasing of printer consumables such as ink or toner cartridges and sheets are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for performing settlement when purchasing consumables using electronic money via the Internet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When purchasing printer consumables online that one owns, when searching for consumables on the Internet, similar products or products provided by other companies may be searched. Therefore, it is difficult for the purchaser to grasp which consumables correspond to which printer, and the purchaser may end up purchasing consumables that do not correspond to the printer they own.

[0005] This specification discloses a program used for purchasing printer consumables, and a technology that makes it easy for a purchaser to select consumables corresponding to the printer they own.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A program made for the purpose of solving the above-described problems is a program for purchasing consumables that can be executed by a device's computer. The program for purchasing consumables is a program that provides some functions of a full application, does not require installation, and is a program that is erased from the downloaded device after a predetermined period has elapsed. Furthermore, the program for purchasing consumables is a program that is downloaded and started on the device when the device reads the startup information of the program for purchasing consumables. The full application is a program that requires installation. Furthermore, the program for purchasing consumables causes the computer of the device to execute a printer acquisition process for acquiring printer information indicating the printer used in the device. The printer information is information that can be used by a program different from the program for purchasing consumables and is information shared by the program for purchasing consumables and the different program. Furthermore, the program for purchasing consumables causes the computer of the device to execute a list acquisition process for acquiring a consumable list indicating a list of consumables compatible with the printer indicated by the acquired printer information, and accepts a purchase instruction to purchase the consumables included in the acquired consumable list, and when the purchase instruction is accepted, executes a purchase process for performing a purchase procedure for the consumables. This is the gist of the invention.

[0007] A device on which a program having the above configuration is downloaded acquires printer information shared with another program by a program for purchasing consumables. This printer information is likely to be information indicating the printer owned by the purchaser. Then, the device acquires a consumable list corresponding to the printer indicated by the printer information by the program for purchasing consumables and accepts a purchase instruction for the consumables indicated in the consumable list. As a result, it is highly likely that the device can select consumables suitable for the printer owned by the purchaser, and it is possible to suppress a situation where the purchaser is confused about the selection of consumables.

[0008] A device, a control method, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program for realizing the functions of the above program are also novel and useful.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, a program used for purchasing printer consumables, which realizes a technology that makes it easy for a purchaser to select consumables corresponding to the printer owned by the purchaser, is realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the program according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment is an application program (hereinafter, the application program is also referred to as "app") that is downloaded to a device having a communication function and purchases printer consumables online, to which the present invention is applied.

[0012] (First Embodiment) <Configuration of Mobile Terminal> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile terminal 10 capable of executing a consumable purchase mini-app 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminal 10 is a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a mobile personal computer, for example. The mobile terminal 10 is communicably connected to an app server 200, a management server 300, and an electronic payment server 400 via, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) 600. The mobile terminal 10 can be communicably connected to printers 100A and 100B. The app server 200, the management server 300, the electronic payment server 400, and the printers 100A and 100B will be described later.

[0013] The mobile terminal 10 includes a controller 11 including a CPU 31 and a memory 32. The mobile terminal 10 further includes a communication unit 12, a user IF 13, and a camera 14, which are electrically connected to the controller 11. Note that the controller 11 is a general term for software and hardware used for controlling the mobile terminal 10.

[0014] The communication unit 12 includes hardware for communicating with an external device. The communication method of the communication unit 12 may be wireless or wired, and may be any standard method such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LAN (Local Area Network), etc. Also, a method of directly communicating with a device such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), USB (Universal Serial Bus), or NFC (Near Field Communication) may be used.

[0015] The user interface 13 of the mobile terminal 10 is, for example, a touch panel, and has a display function for displaying information and an operation function for receiving input of data. Note that the user interface 13 may be divided into an operation unit such as a keyboard or a mouse and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display. The camera 14 has a function of reading an image.

[0016] The memory 32 includes a volatile memory area and a non-volatile memory area. Various programs such as an operating system (OS) 41 and a printing application 42 are stored in the memory 32. An application downloaded from the application server 200 is also stored in the memory 32. In addition, various data are stored in the memory 32. The memory 32 is used as a work area when various processes are executed or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The CPU 31 executes various processes according to the programs read from the memory 32. The CPU 31 is an example of a "computer". The controller 11 may also be an example of a "computer".

[0017] The OS 41 is software that controls the operation of the mobile terminal 10. The OS 41 manages various programs downloaded to the mobile terminal 10, such as the printing application 42 and the consumable purchase mini-application 3. The OS 41 is, for example, iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark). Note that when the mobile terminal 10 is a personal computer, the OS may be, for example, any of Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), and Linux (registered trademark).

[0018] The printing app 42 is a program capable of controlling a printer. The printing app 42 is an example of "another program". The printing app 42 is provided by the printer manufacturer. The printing app 42 is compatible with multiple printer models. Information about the printer to be used is registered in the printing app 42. The printer information includes, for example, unique connection information for connecting to the printer such as the SSID and IP address, and model information indicating the printer model. Note that the printing app 42 may further have functions for editing and saving images.

[0019] (Configuration of Printers 100A and 100B) Printers 100A and 100B are equipped with at least a printing function and a communication function. The printers 100A and 100B in this embodiment are label printers that manufacture labels by performing printing on a printing tape, which is a printing medium, by melting an ink ribbon with heat and transferring it (thermal transfer method). Printers 100A and 100B have different models, and model information "xxx-xx1" and "xxx-xx4" are assigned to them respectively.

[0020] Printers 100A and 100B have different functions and different consumables that can be used for each model. Consumables include, for example, tape cartridges, sheets, replacement cutters for cutting tape, rechargeable batteries, etc.

[0021] For example, a tape cartridge is a consumable that stores a continuous strip of printed tape and a continuous strip of ink ribbon, and the printed tape or the ink ribbon cannot be replaced individually. There are a wide variety of tape cartridges that combine printed tapes with different tape widths, tape colors, tape patterns, tape materials (such as paper, cloth, presence or absence of seals, presence or absence of gloss, presence or absence of lamination processing, etc.) and ink ribbons with different ink colors. Each tape cartridge is provided with consumable information indicating the type of cartridge, such as "Label A", "Label B", "Label C", "Label D". The printers 100A and 100B can create labels with different tape widths, base colors of the tape, character colors, etc. by replacing the tape cartridge. On the other hand, the shape of the tape cartridge differs depending on the tape width and the like. Therefore, the printers 100A and 100B may not be able to install a tape cartridge that does not correspond to their own models.

[0022] <Configuration of Application Server 200> The application server 200 is installed on the WAN 600 by an operator [such as Apple (registered trademark) or Google (registered trademark)] that provides an application download service. The application server 200 is a server that distributes a specified application from a user of a mobile terminal to that mobile terminal. The application server 200 stores a consumable purchase application 2 and a consumable purchase mini-application 3 for purchasing consumables.

[0023] The consumable purchase mini - app 3 is a mini - app that has some of the functions of the consumable purchase app 2, and it is software for simply providing some of the functions of the consumable purchase app 2 to the user. A "mini - app" is an application program that has some of the functions of an application program that needs to be installed on a device (also called a "full app"), and it is a program that does not need to be installed on the device. Since it does not need to be installed, even a device with restricted program installation can run the mini - app. A mini - app is a low - capacity program compared to a full app and can be downloaded in a short time. After being downloaded, the mini - app is automatically deleted by the OS, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed, so the memory load is small. Also, since the information input into the mini - app does not remain in the memory when the mini - app is deleted, the security is also high. By downloading the mini - app when necessary, the user can use some of the functions of the full app without downloading and installing the full app.

[0024] Examples of mini - apps include Apple's AppClips (a program run on iOS) and Google's InstantApps (a program run on Android). In this embodiment, the consumable purchase app 2 is an example of a "full app", and the consumable purchase mini - app 3 is an example of a "mini - app" corresponding to the consumable purchase app 2. Specifically, the consumable purchase mini - app 3 of this embodiment has a function of acquiring printer information indicating a printer used on a device such as a mobile terminal among the functions provided by the consumable purchase app 2 which is a full app, a list - creating function of creating a consumable list of consumables corresponding to the printer indicated by the acquired printer information, a screen - display function of displaying a purchase - procedure screen for receiving a purchase instruction for the consumables included in the consumable list, and a purchase function of receiving a purchase instruction via the purchase - procedure screen and purchasing the consumables.

[0025] The consumable purchase mini-app 3 is equipped with a consumable database (hereinafter, the database is also referred to as "DB") 4 in order to realize the list creation function. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the consumable DB 4. The consumable DB 4 stores, in association with consumable information indicating consumables, model information indicating the model of the printer corresponding to the consumables. For example, "Label A", "Label B", "Label C", and "Label D" are tape cartridges with different tape widths, tape colors, printing colors, etc. "Label A" is associated with the model information "xxx-xx1", "xxx-xx2", and "xxx-xx3", and the tape cartridge of "Label A" can be compatible with the printers of the models indicated by these model information.

[0026] Returning to FIG. 1, when the consumable purchase mini-app 3 is downloaded to the mobile terminal 10 and launched, it performs the purchase procedure according to the user operation. That is, the user can actually experience some functions of the consumable purchase app 2. Therefore, the user (the purchaser of consumables) can try the consumable purchase mini-app 3 before installing the full app, the consumable purchase app 2, and decide whether to download the consumable purchase app 2 according to the trial result. When the consumable purchase app 2 is installed while the consumable purchase mini-app 3 is stored, the previously stored consumable purchase mini-app 3 is either incorporated into the consumable purchase app 2 as it is, or deleted and replaced by the consumable purchase mini-app 3 included in the consumable purchase app 2. Also, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the download, the OS 41 automatically deletes the consumable purchase mini-app 3 from the memory 32 of the mobile terminal 10.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 1, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) 5 containing the activation information of the consumable purchase mini-app 3 is attached to the consumable body, the packaging of the consumable, the printer body, or the packaging of the printer body. The mobile terminal 10 can obtain the activation information by reading the QR code 5 with the camera 14. The activation information includes, for example, a URL for downloading the consumable purchase mini-app 3 from the app server 200. When the mobile terminal 10 obtains the activation information of the consumable purchase mini-app 3, it accesses the app server 200 based on the URL included in the activation information, and downloads and activates the consumable purchase mini-app 3.

[0028] Note that the activation information may be included in an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag attached to the consumable, the printer body, or their packaging. Also, the mobile terminal 10 may be passed and read the activation information by a notification from the assistant function (Siri or Google Assistant) of the OS 41.

[0029] In addition to the functions of the consumable purchase mini-app 3, the consumable purchase app 2 has a guidance function for printers in general, such as management of purchase history and introduction of models. That is, the consumable purchase app 2 has all the functions of the consumable purchase mini-app 3 and is equipped with a consumable DB 4. Installation is required to execute the consumable purchase app 2. Therefore, the consumable purchase app 2 exists on the mobile terminal 10, for example, after being installed on the mobile terminal 10 until it is uninstalled.

[0030] <Configuration of the management server> The management server 300 is installed on the WAN 600 by a printer manufacturer that manufactures printers. The management server 300 manages the consumables of regular printers provided by the printer manufacturer. The management server 300 stores the page information 6 used when the consumable purchase mini app 3 displays the purchase procedure screen. The page information 6 includes, for example, page layout. Also, the page information 6 stores the price, detailed product description, and sample image for each consumable of the regular printer. The management server 300 has a function of transmitting the page information 6 corresponding to the list to the mobile terminal when receiving the consumable list created by the consumable purchase mini app 3 from the mobile terminal 10.

[0031] <Configuration of Electronic Payment Server> The electronic payment server 400 is installed on the WAN 600 by a service provider that provides a service for making payments online. In this embodiment, the electronic payment server 400 is used for making payments when purchasing consumables using the consumable purchase mini app 3.

[0032] <Operation Explanation> Next, the operation of purchasing consumables using the consumable purchase mini app 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the control procedure of the consumable purchase process. Each process executed on the mobile terminal 10 is controlled by the CPU 31. Hereinafter, the subjects performing each process will be described as the mobile terminal 10, the OS 41, the consumable purchase mini app 3, and the printing app 42. Here, a case where a consumable such as a tape cartridge or the QR code 5 attached to the printer is read by the mobile terminal 10 and the consumable such as the tape cartridge is purchased online will be described as an example.

[0033] The purchaser U causes, for example, the QR code 5 attached to the tape cartridge to be read by the camera 14 of the mobile terminal 10 (arrow A11). The OS 41 acquires the activation information of the consumable purchase mini app 3 from the QR code 5 read by the camera 14 (arrow A12) and activates the consumable purchase mini app 3 (arrow A13).

[0034] Specifically, when the OS 41 acquires startup information, if the consumable purchase mini app 3 is not downloaded to the mobile terminal 10, the OS 41 accesses the app server 200 via the communication unit 12 based on the URL included in the startup information, downloads the consumable purchase mini app 3, and starts it. On the other hand, if the consumable purchase mini app 3 has been downloaded to the mobile terminal 10, the OS 41 does not access the app server 200 and starts the downloaded consumable purchase mini app 3. Note that when the consumable purchase app 2 is already installed, the OS 41 starts the consumable purchase app 2 instead of the consumable purchase mini app 3.

[0035] The consumable purchase mini app 3 and the printing app 42 are provided by the same printer manufacturer and can share information. Therefore, the consumable purchase mini app 3 searches for the printing app 42 and queries the printer information to the searched printing app 42 (arrow A21). If, for example, printer information indicating the printer 100A is registered in the printing app 42 itself, the printing app 42 passes the printer information to the consumable purchase mini app 3 (arrow A22). As a result, the printer information of the printer 100A is shared between the consumable purchase mini app 3 and the printing app 42. The processes of arrow A21 to arrow A22 are an example of "printer acquisition processing".

[0036] The consumable purchase mini app 3 that has acquired the printer information creates a consumable list, which is a list of consumables corresponding to the model of the printer 100A (arrow A31). Specifically, when the consumable purchase mini app 3 acquires the printer information of the printer 100A in arrow A22, it collates the model information "xxx-xx1" of the printer 100A included in the printer information with the consumable DB 4 shown in Figure 2, and reads out the consumable information "Label A", "Label C", "Label D", "Cleaning Sheet K", "Replacement Cutter P" associated with the model information "xxx-xx1". Then, the consumable purchase mini app 3 creates a list including the read consumables. The process of arrow A31 is an example of "list acquisition processing".

[0037] Returning to FIG. 3, the consumable purchase mini - app 3 transmits the created consumable list to the management server 300 via the communication unit 12 (arrow A41). The management server 300 extracts the page information 6 corresponding to the consumables "Label A", "Label D", "Cleaning Sheet K", and "Replacement Cutter P" included in the received consumable list, and transmits it to the consumable purchase mini - app 3 (arrow A43).

[0038] When the consumable purchase mini - app 3 receives the page information 6 from the management server 300 via the communication unit 12, it displays a purchase procedure screen based on this via the user IF13 (arrow A44). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the purchase procedure screen 1000. On the purchase procedure screen 1000, sample images DA11, DA12, DA13, DA14 and product summary descriptions DB11, DB12, DB13, DB14 are displayed in the display columns D11, D12, D13, D14 provided for each consumable, and further, purchase buttons SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14 for receiving purchase instructions are displayed. Note that since the information displayed on the purchase procedure screen 1000 is provided by the printer manufacturer, only regular consumables are displayed on the purchase procedure screen 1000.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 3, when the purchaser U operates the purchase button SW11 shown in FIG. 4, for example, and selects "Label A" (arrow A51), the consumable purchase mini - app 3 receives a purchase instruction to purchase Label A (arrow A52) and executes a purchase process (arrow A53). For example, the consumable purchase mini - app 3 transmits the user information registered in the consumable purchase mini - app 3 itself or in the OS 41 and the consumable information indicating Label A to the electronic payment server 400 via the communication unit 12 to pay the price online. The processes of arrow A41 - arrow A44 and arrow A51 - arrow A53 are examples of the "purchase process".

[0040] Note that when the consumable purchase mini - app 3 receives a purchase instruction or after payment, it may prompt the installation of the consumable purchase app 2 corresponding to the consumable purchase mini - app 3. Since the purchaser U may repeatedly purchase the same consumables, it is expected that the convenience of consumable purchase can be improved by installing the consumable purchase app 2 that can manage the purchase history.

[0041] As described above, the mobile terminal 10 on which the consumable purchase mini - app 3 of this embodiment is downloaded acquires printer information (model information) to be shared with the printing app 42 by the consumable purchase mini - app 3 (arrow A21 - arrow A22). This printer information is likely to be information indicating the printer 100A owned by the purchaser U. Then, the mobile terminal 10 creates a consumable list corresponding to the model of the printer 100A indicated by the printer information (model information) by the consumable purchase mini - app 3, and receives a purchase instruction for the consumables indicated in the consumable list via the purchase procedure screen 1000. As a result, it is highly likely that the mobile terminal 10 can select consumables suitable for the printer 100A owned by the purchaser U when purchasing consumables, and the situation where the purchaser U is confused about the selection of consumables can be suppressed.

[0042] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the program according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the control procedure of a consumable purchase process for purchasing consumables using the consumable purchase mini - app 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a parameter indicating specific information for specifying consumables is added to the activation information included in the QR code 5, and the consumable purchase mini - app 3 determines whether the consumables specified by the specific information correspond to the printer indicated by the printer information acquired from the printing app 42 or the like. This is different from the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment will be used for the configurations common to the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0043] When the mobile terminal 10 reads, for example, the QR code 5 attached to the tape cartridge by the camera 14, the OS 41 acquires the startup information included in the QR code 5 and launches the consumable purchase mini-app 3 (arrows A11 to A13). Since the startup information in this embodiment is provided with a parameter indicating specific information for identifying the consumable (for example, consumable information indicating a tape cartridge of "Label A"), the OS 41 passes the specific information provided in the startup information to the consumable purchase mini-app 3 (arrow A13).

[0044] When the launched consumable purchase mini-app 3 acquires printer information including the model information "xxx-xxx1" of the printer 100A from the print app 42 (arrows A21 to A22), it executes a determination process (arrow B1). In the determination process, it is determined whether the consumable specified by the specific information acquired at arrow A13 is suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information acquired at arrow A22.

[0045] Specifically, for example, assume that the startup information acquired by the consumable purchase mini-app 3 is provided with a parameter of specific information for identifying a tape cartridge of "Label A". And assume that the consumable purchase mini-app 3 has acquired printer information including the model information "xxx-xx1" of the printer 100A from the print app 42. In the consumable DB 4 shown in FIG. 2, the model information "xxx-xx1" of the printer 100A is associated with "Label A".

[0046] In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, in the determination process of arrow B1, the consumable purchase mini-app 3 determines that the tape cartridge of "Label A" specified by the specific information is suitable for the printer 100A indicated by the acquired printer information (alt: conforms). In this case, the consumable purchase mini-app 3 causes the user IF 13 to display a specific item purchase page for receiving a purchase instruction to purchase a tape cartridge of "Label A" (B11).

[0047] On one hand, for example, assume that the startup information acquired by the consumable purchase mini - app 3 has a parameter of specific information that identifies the tape cartridge of "Label B". And assume that the consumable purchase mini - app 3 has acquired printer information including the model information "xxx - xx1" of the printer 100A from the printing app 42. In the consumable DB4 shown in FIG. 2, the model information "xxx - xx1" of the printer 100A is not associated with "Label B".

[0048] In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, in the determination process of arrow B1, the consumable purchase mini - app 3 determines that the tape cartridge of "Label B" identified by the specific information is not suitable for the printer 100A indicated by the printer information (alt: not suitable). In this case, the consumable purchase mini - app 3 displays a purchase confirmation screen via the user IF13 (arrow B21) and determines whether to purchase consumables that are not suitable for the printer 100A (arrow B22).

[0049] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the purchase confirmation screen 2000. On the purchase confirmation screen 2000, there is a message notifying that the tape cartridge to be purchased does not correspond to the model of the printer 100A used by the mobile terminal 10, a purchase instruction button SW21 for receiving a purchase instruction, and a re - search instruction button SW22 for instructing to search for other labels corresponding to the printer 100A are displayed.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, when the consumable purchase mini - app 3 receives an operation of the purchase instruction button SW21 via the user IF13, it determines to purchase the tape cartridge of "Label B" that is not suitable for the printer 100A (alt: purchase). In this case, the consumable purchase mini - app 3 causes the user IF13 to display a non - compliant product purchase page for receiving a purchase instruction to purchase the tape cartridge of "Label B" (arrow B31).

[0051] For example, when purchaser U newly purchases a printer 100B that can be equipped with a tape cartridge of "Label B", or when mobile terminal 10 has never used printer 100B, consumable purchase mini-app 3 cannot obtain printer information including the model information "xxx-xx4" of printer 100B from print app 42 or the like. In this case, consumable purchase mini-app 3 causes user IF13 to display purchase confirmation screen 2000 shown in FIG. 6. In this case, if purchaser U operates purchase instruction button SW21, it becomes possible to purchase the tape cartridge of "Label B" that does not correspond to the model of printer 100A after recognizing this. That is, purchaser U can purchase consumables for newly purchased printer 100B or consumables requested to be purchased by someone else, which is convenient.

[0052] On the other hand, when consumable purchase mini-app 3 receives an operation of re-search instruction button SW22 via user IF13, it determines (alt: does not purchase) that it will not purchase the tape cartridge of "Label B" that is not suitable for printer 100A. In this case, consumable purchase mini-app 3 creates a similar list that is a list of consumables that can be substituted for the consumables specified by the specific information included in the startup information and corresponds to printer 100A indicated by the acquired model information (arrow B32).

[0053] That is, consumable purchase mini-app 3 reads model information "xxx-xx1" from the printer information acquired from print app 42 at arrow A22 and collates it with consumable DB4 shown in FIG. 2. Consumable purchase mini-app 3 extracts consumables associated with model information "xxx-xx1" from consumable DB4. Consumable purchase mini-app 3 further extracts consumables having the same attribute (tape cartridge) as the consumables indicated by the specific information (tape cartridge of "Label B") from the extracted consumables. Consumable purchase mini-app 3 lists the consumables extracted in this way and creates a similar list. That is, consumable purchase mini-app 3 creates a list of tape cartridges suitable for printer 100A owned by purchaser U.

[0054] The consumable purchase mini-app 3 transmits the created similar list to the management server 300 (arrow B33). The management server 300 extracts page information 6 based on the similar list and transmits it to the consumable purchase mini-app 3 (arrow B34). The consumable purchase mini-app 3 displays a purchase procedure screen using the page information 6 (arrow B36).

[0055] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the purchase procedure screen 3000. The purchase procedure screen 3000 has a display area SA31 that displays the consumables indicated by the specific information read from the QR code 5, and a display area SA32 that displays the consumables included in the similar list. Only the consumables with the same attributes as the consumables indicated by the specific information are displayed in the display area SA32.

[0056] In this embodiment, the tape cartridge of "Label B" specified by the specific information is displayed in the display area SA31. Also, in the display area SA32, the tape cartridges of "Label C", "Label A", and "Label D" corresponding to the model of the printer 100A indicated by the acquired printer information are displayed. Note that "Cleaning sheet K" and "Replacement cutter P" are also consumables corresponding to the model of the printer 100A, but since their attributes are different from those of the tape cartridge of "Label B", they are not displayed in the display area SA32.

[0057] Sample images DA31, DA32, DA33, DA34, product summary descriptions DB31, DB32, DB33, DB34, and purchase instruction buttons SW31, SW32, SW33, SW34 are displayed in the display columns D31, D32, D33, D34 of each consumable. As a result, the purchaser U can easily select a tape cartridge that is similar to "Label B" and is also compatible with the printer 100A. Since the purchase confirmation is performed on the purchase confirmation screen 2000, the purchase instruction button SW31 in the display area SA31 may be omitted.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 5, the purchaser U operates, for example, the purchase instruction button SW32 on the purchase procedure screen 3000 via the user IF13 to select the tape cartridge of "Label C" (arrow B36). The consumable purchase mini app 3 receives a purchase instruction to purchase the tape cartridge of "Label C" (arrow A52) by operating the purchase instruction button SW32, and performs a purchase process (arrow A53).

[0059] In addition, the consumable purchase mini app 3 can receive a purchase instruction (arrow A52) via the specific item purchase page displayed at arrow B11 and the non - compatible item purchase page displayed at arrow B31, and perform a purchase process (arrow A53). The processes of arrow B11 to arrow B36 and arrow A52 to arrow A53 are an example of "specific purchase processing".

[0060] As described above, in the second embodiment, when the QR code 5 attached to the consumable is read to start the consumable purchase mini app 3, the activation information stored in the QR code 5 includes the specific information of the consumable to which the QR code is attached. The consumable purchase mini app 3 can determine whether the consumable specified by the specific information is suitable for the purchaser U's printer 100A based on the specific information given in the activation information and the printer information of the printer 100A obtained from the print app 42. The consumable purchase mini app 3 enables the purchase of the consumable when it is determined to be suitable. As a result, the possibility that the purchaser U can purchase consumables suitable for the owned printer 100A is increased.

[0061] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the program according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the control procedure of the consumable purchase process for purchasing consumables using the consumable purchase mini app 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the consumable purchase mini app 3 acquires printer information from the print data and previews and displays the print data. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment will be used for the configurations common to the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0062] For example, the mobile terminal 10 stores in the memory 32 the print data output by the print app 42 or the print data created by another device. The print data is data that enables the content indicated in the print data to be printed when passed to a printer. The print data includes, in addition to the content to be printed and print parameters, printer information.

[0063] In a state where the consumable purchase mini app 3 is launched (arrows A11 to A13), the purchaser U inputs a sharing instruction to share the print data via the user IF13 (arrow C1). Then, the OS 41 permits the sharing of the print data and issues a sharing permission notification indicating that the sharing is permitted (arrow C2).

[0064] When the consumable purchase mini app 3 detects the sharing permission notification issued from the OS 41, it reads out the print data for which sharing is permitted from the memory 32 (arrow C3) and acquires the printer information from the read print data (arrow C4). The processes of arrows C3 to C4 are an example of "printer acquisition processing".

[0065] The consumable purchase mini app 3 collates the printer information acquired from the print data with the consumable DB 4 to create a consumable list and displays a purchase procedure screen via the user IF13 (arrows A31 and A44).

[0066] When the consumable purchase mini app 3 receives a selection operation via the user IF13 to select a consumable from among the consumables displayed on the purchase procedure screen (arrow C11), it causes the user IF13 to display a preview screen for previewing an image when printing the print data read from the memory 32 at arrow C3 using the selected consumable (arrow C12). The processes of arrows C11 to C12 are an example of "preview processing".

[0067] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen 4000. The preview screen 4000 displays a preview image IM, a purchase instruction button SW41 for receiving a purchase instruction, and a return button SW42 for receiving an instruction to return to the purchase procedure screen. For example, when purchasing a tape cartridge in which the printing tape has a gradation pattern, the consumable purchase mini-app 3 causes the user IF13 to display a preview image IM in which an image showing the printing tape synthesizes the content "No Smoking" shown in the print data. The purchaser U can check the preview image IM before finalizing the purchase procedure and determine whether to purchase the tape cartridge.

[0068] For example, in the preview image IM, assume that the characters "No Smoking" are difficult to see overlapping the gradation pattern of the printing tape, or the characters "No Smoking" protrude from the tape. In this case, if the purchaser U taps the return button SW42 on the preview screen 4000, the purchaser U can return to the arrow A44 and redisplay the purchase procedure screen to select the tape cartridge again. On the other hand, when the purchaser U taps the purchase instruction button SW41 on the preview screen 4000, as shown in FIG. 8, the consumable purchase mini-app 3 receives the purchase instruction and executes a purchase process for the tape cartridge (arrow A52 to arrow A53). Therefore, when the preview screen 4000 is displayed on the mobile terminal 10, the purchaser U can select consumables considering whether they are really consumables to be purchased.

[0069] As described above, in the mobile terminal 10 in which the consumable purchase mini-app 3 of the third embodiment is downloaded, it is highly likely that the print data stored in the mobile terminal 10 is data suitable for the printer 100A used by the owner of the mobile terminal 10. Therefore, when the print data is shared, by the consumable purchase mini-app 3 acquiring printer information from the print data, the possibility that the purchaser U can select consumables suitable for the printer 100A owned by the purchaser U is increased.

[0070] Note that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from its gist. For example, in the above embodiment, the mobile terminal 10 is taken as an example of a device, but a stationary information processing device such as a desktop PC may be taken as an example of a "device". Also, although the label printer is taken as an example of a printer, different types of printers such as an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or a multifunction device may be taken as an example of a printer. Further, the consumables may be ink, toner cartridges, cut paper, etc.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 10, a consumables DB 4 may be provided in the management server 300A so that the consumables purchase mini-app 3A does not include the consumables DB 4. In this case, the consumables purchase mini-app 3A transmits the acquired printer information to the management server 300A via the communication unit 12 (arrow E1), and the management server 300A creates a consumables list (arrow E2). Then, the consumables purchase mini-app 3 receives the consumables list created by the management server 300A from the management server 300A via the communication unit 12 (arrow E3), and causes the purchase procedure screen to be displayed on the user IF 13 (arrow E4). Note that a similar list created when the startup information includes a parameter of specific information indicating a specific consumable and the consumable indicated by the specific information does not correspond to the printer indicated by the printer information may also be created by the management server 300A in the same manner, and the consumables purchase mini-app 3A may acquire the similar list from the management server 300A. In this way, by managing the consumables information in the management server 300A, it is possible to add new consumables to the consumables list and the similar list without changing the consumables purchase app 2 or the consumables purchase mini-app 3. As shown in A31 of FIG. 3, if the consumables purchase mini-app 3 includes the consumables DB 4 and the consumables purchase mini-app 3 itself manages the consumables, it is not necessary to access the management server 300A when creating the consumables list, and it can be expected to obtain the consumables list earlier.

[0072] For example, a parameter indicating printer information may be added to the activation information included in the QR code 5. When the consumable purchase mini-app 3 acquires the activation information, it may acquire the printer information from the parameter added to the activation information and omit the processes shown by the arrows A21 to A22 in FIG. 3. In this case, the possibility of selecting consumables suitable for the printer indicated by the printer information included in the activation information is increased. As shown by the arrows A21 to A22 in FIG. 3, when the consumable purchase mini-app 3 acquires printer information from the print app 42 executed by the mobile terminal 10, the possibility of selecting consumables suitable for the printer owned by the purchaser is increased.

[0073] When the print app 42 creates and stores a print history including printer information each time it outputs a print job to the printer, in the arrows A21 to A22 in FIG. 3, the consumable purchase mini-app 3 may read the print history from the print app 42 and acquire the printer information from the print history. In this case, a consumable list will be created based on the actual printing, and the possibility of selecting consumables suitable for the owned printer is increased.

[0074] The consumable purchase mini-app 3 may hold the page information 6 and create a purchase procedure screen without accessing the management server 300. However, as shown by the arrows A41 to A44 in FIG. 3, if the management server 300 holds the page information 6 and the consumable purchase mini-app 3 transmits a consumable list to the management server 300 and acquires the page information 6 from the management server 300, it is possible to avoid the memory capacity of the memory 32 of the mobile terminal 10 being compressed by the page information 6. Also, it becomes possible to display the latest sample images, descriptions, etc. of consumables without changing the consumable purchase mini-app 3.

[0075] In the determination process shown by arrow B11 in FIG. 5, when the consumable purchase mini app 3 determines that the consumable indicated by the specific information does not correspond to the printer indicated by the printer information obtained from the printing app 42 (alt: not applicable), it may not perform the processes of B21 to B36 and may not accept a purchase instruction. According to this, the risk that the purchaser U purchases a product that does not match the printer owned by the purchaser U can be reduced.

[0076] When omitting the processes shown by arrows B32 to B36 in FIG. 5 and not purchasing non-compatible products, it may not create a similar list and may not display the purchase procedure screen 3000 that displays similar products. However, by performing the processes shown by arrows B32 to B36 in FIG. 5, the possibility that the purchaser U purchases a consumable that is similar to a non-compatible product and corresponds to the owned printer 100A is increased.

[0077] Also, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the plurality of processes in any plurality of steps can be arbitrarily changed in the execution order or executed in parallel within a range where no contradiction occurs in the processing content.

[0078] Also, the processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, a plurality of CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Also, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be realized in various forms such as a recording medium that records a program for executing the process, or a method.

Explanation of Signs

[0079] 2 Full App 3 Mini App 10 Mobile Terminal 31 CPU 42 Printing App

Claims

1. A program for purchasing consumables that can be executed by a computer of a device, wherein the program for purchasing consumables is a program that provides some functions of a full application, does not require installation, and is a program that is deleted from the downloaded device after a predetermined period has elapsed. Further, the program for purchasing consumables is a program that is downloaded and started on the device by the device reading the startup information of the program for purchasing consumables. The full application is a program that requires installation, Furthermore, the program for purchasing consumables causes the computer of the device to execute a printer acquisition process for acquiring printer information indicating a printer to be used in the device. The printer information is information that can be used by a program different from the program for purchasing consumables and is information shared by the program for purchasing consumables and the different program. Furthermore, the program for purchasing consumables causes the computer of the device to execute a list acquisition process for acquiring a consumable list indicating a list of consumables compatible with the printer indicated by the acquired printer information, and receive a purchase instruction to purchase a consumable included in the acquired consumable list, and execute a purchase process for performing a purchase procedure for the consumable when the purchase instruction is received. A program characterized by the above.

2. In the program according to claim 1, in the list acquisition process, the acquired printer information is transmitted to a server, and the consumable list is acquired by receiving the consumable list from the server. In the server, the printer information is stored in association with information indicating consumables compatible with the printer indicated by the printer information. When the printer information is received from the device, the information of the consumables associated with the received printer information is read out, and the consumable list is created based on the read information of the consumables and responded to the device. A program characterized by the above.

3. In the program according to claim 1, the program for purchasing consumables stores the printer information and information indicating consumables compatible with the printer indicated by the printer information in association with each other. In the list acquisition process, Read the information of the consumables associated with the obtained printer information, and create the consumable list based on the read consumable information to obtain the consumable list. A program characterized by the above.

4. In the program according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, In the printer acquisition process, From the other program, obtain the information of the printer registered as the printer to be used as the printer information. The other program is a program capable of controlling the printer, and the information of the printer to be used is registered. A program characterized by the above.

5. In the program according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, In the printer acquisition process, Read the print history from the other program, and obtain the printer information included in the read print history. The other program is a program capable of controlling the printer, and each time a print job for the printer is output, create and store the print history including the printer information indicating the printer used for printing. A program characterized by the above.

6. In the program according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, In the printer acquisition process, Detect a notification indicating that sharing of print data including the printer information is permitted, read the print data for which the notification is detected, and obtain the printer information from the read print data. A program characterized by the above.

7. In the program according to Claim 6, The program for purchasing consumables causes the computer of the device to Execute a preview process of previewing an image when printing using the selected consumable based on the print data for which the printer information has been obtained in a state where one of the consumables included in the obtained consumable list is selected. A program characterized by the above.

8. In the program according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, It is possible to attach a parameter indicating the printer information to the activation information for activating the program for purchasing consumables. In the printer acquisition process, When a parameter indicating the printer information is attached to the activation information, obtain the printer information from the parameter attached to the activation information. A program characterized by the above.

9. In the program according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, it is possible to attach a parameter indicating specific information for specifying a consumable to the activation information for activating the program for purchasing consumables, the program for purchasing consumables causes the computer of the device to when a parameter indicating the specific information is attached to the activation information, determine whether the consumable specified by the specific information attached to the parameter is compatible with the printer indicated by the acquired printer information; if it is compatible, accept a purchase instruction to purchase the consumable specified by the specific information, perform a purchase procedure when the purchase instruction is accepted, and if it is not compatible, execute a specific purchase process for notifying that it is not suitable for the printer, A program characterized by the above.

10. In the program according to Claim 9, in the specific purchase process, when the consumable specified by the specific information attached to the parameter is not compatible with the printer indicated by the acquired printer information, notify that it is not suitable for the printer and do not accept the purchase instruction to purchase the consumable specified by the specific information, A program characterized by the above.

11. In the program according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, in the specific purchase process, when the consumable specified by the specific information attached to the parameter is not compatible with the printer indicated by the acquired printer information, obtain a similarity list showing a list of similar consumables that are compatible with the printer indicated by the acquired printer information among the similar consumables similar to the consumable specified by the specific information, and accept a purchase instruction to purchase the consumables included in the obtained similarity list, A program characterized by the above.

12. A program for purchasing consumables that can be executed by a computer of a device, wherein the program for purchasing consumables is a program that provides some functions of a full application, does not require installation, and is a program that is deleted from the downloaded device after a predetermined period has elapsed. Further, the program for purchasing consumables is a program that is downloaded and started on the device by the device reading the startup information of the program for purchasing consumables. The full application is a program that requires installation. It is possible to attach a parameter indicating specific information for identifying consumables to the startup information. Furthermore, the program for purchasing consumables causes the computer of the device to when a parameter indicating the specific information is attached to the startup information, execute a printer acquisition process for acquiring printer information indicating a printer to be used on the device. The printer information is information that can be used by a program different from the program for purchasing consumables and is information shared by the program for purchasing consumables and the different program. Furthermore, the program for purchasing consumables causes the computer of the device to when a parameter indicating the specific information is attached to the startup information, determine whether the consumables specified by the specific information attached to the parameter are compatible with the printer indicated by the acquired printer information. If they are compatible, accept a purchase instruction to purchase the consumables specified by the specific information, and perform a purchase procedure when the purchase instruction is accepted. If they are not compatible, execute a specific purchase process for notifying that it is not suitable for the printer. A program characterized by the above.

Images