Printing apparatus

Abstract

To improve the usability and convenience of a user by appropriately using a plurality of display timings at which a printable printing amount is zero on the basis of the guarantee of printing authority information.SOLUTION: A compound machine 200, when performing printing according to a printing job related to a received execution instruction (S130), and determines whether or not the compound machine is in a printing disapproval state in which printing of the prescribed printing number guaranteed by printing authority information that has been applied to the compound machine 200 in advance is complete or the prescribed printing number guaranteed by the printing authority information is not applied in S120, S145, S160. The compound machine includes a pre-instruction warning display mode of performing warning display from the time before receiving an execution instruction of a new printing job when the compound machine is in the printing disapproval state, and a post-instruction warning display mode of performing warning display after receiving the execution instruction of the new printing job when the compound machine is in the printing disapproval state in a switchable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device that forms an image on a print medium in a state where printing authorization information for a predetermined print amount has been given in advance. [Background technology]

[0002] In some printing services, where users of printing devices pay a fee to the service provider based on the print content, a prepaid fee system is introduced. In this case, users can print up to the number of printable pages for which they have purchased printing rights for a fee, i.e., the so-called charge number.

[0003] Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a technology is known in which, if the amount data stored in an IC card is less than the amount required for printing, only the number of prints possible with that amount data is printed, and then a message is displayed indicating that charging will be performed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-334918 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned conventional technology does not take into consideration, for example, what to do when the number of printable pages based on the charged amount, i.e., the printing process for the printing amount guaranteed by the printing authority information, is completed and the amount of printable pages thereafter becomes zero. Consider a new scenario in which a charge is made to the printing device rather than to the client terminal, and the printing volume guaranteed by the printing authority information is granted. In this case, the printing device with the printing volume guaranteed by the printing authority information is shared and used by multiple people. For example, if a warning is displayed before a new print instruction is received from an external device, each user can be encouraged to charge quickly so they can start printing. However, for users who are not particularly in a hurry to print, or who already know they need to charge, this can be inconvenient because it forces them to take unnecessary action.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device that is easy to use and convenient for the user by selectively using multiple timings for displaying that the printable print volume is zero based on the guarantee of printing authority information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing device having an image forming unit that forms an image on a print medium, a transport unit that transports the print medium along a predetermined transport path, a communication I / F that can communicate with an external device via a network, and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a reception process that receives an execution instruction for a print job, a printing process in which the image forming unit forms an image on the print medium in accordance with the print job related to the execution instruction received by the reception process, and a print process that determines whether image formation of a predetermined print amount guaranteed by printing authority information that has been previously granted to the printing device has been completed or whether the predetermined print amount guaranteed by the printing authority information has been completed. and a determination process for determining whether the device is in a printing-disabled state where a command to execute a new print job has not been assigned to the device, and the control unit is switchable between a pre-instruction warning display mode for outputting a display signal for displaying a warning corresponding to the determination before the determination process has determined that the device is in the printing-disabled state and before the reception process has received an instruction to execute a new print job, and a post-instruction warning display mode for outputting a display signal for displaying a warning corresponding to the determination after the determination process has determined that the device is in the printing-disabled state and after the reception process has received an instruction to execute a new print job.

[0008] In the present invention, the control unit executes a determination process to determine whether the printing device is in a printing-disabled state, which is a state in which image formation of a predetermined print volume guaranteed by printing authority information previously granted to the printing device has already been completed, or a state in which the predetermined print volume guaranteed by printing authority information has not been granted and the printable print volume is zero.

[0009] When a printing device is in a printing-disabled state, printing cannot be performed unless the user obtains printing authority information, either for a fee or free of charge, and grants it to the printing device, so it is necessary to notify and warn the user of the printing-disabled state.In the present invention, the control unit has two modes related to the timing of displaying the printing-disabled state: a pre-instruction warning display mode and a post-instruction warning display mode, and is configured to be able to switch between these modes.

[0010] In the pre-instruction warning display mode, a display signal for displaying a warning corresponding to the determination of the printing disallowed state is output before an instruction to execute a new print job is accepted through the acceptance process. In the post-instruction warning display mode, after an instruction to execute a new print job is accepted by the acceptance process, a display signal is output to display a warning corresponding to the determination of the printing disallowed state.

[0011] In the present invention, by being able to switch between two modes, it is possible to set the pre-instruction warning display mode when it is thought that there is a user in a hurry to print, and the post-instruction warning display mode when the user is aware that they need to charge, etc. According to the present invention, by using multiple different timings for displaying that the printable amount of printing based on the guarantee of printing authority information has reached zero, it is possible to improve usability and convenience for the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, by selectively using a plurality of timings for displaying that the printable print volume is zero based on the guarantee of print authority information, it is possible to improve usability and convenience for the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an overall schematic configuration of a print service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a software block diagram relating to processing in the embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for warning display control executed by a print control unit. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a warning display displayed on a display unit provided in a mobile terminal. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for print mode control executed by a print control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] A print service providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. This embodiment is an embodiment of a print service providing system 1 that can provide a prepaid print service (hereinafter referred to as a "prepaid print service") in which a customer user pays a fee in advance to use the print function of a multifunction peripheral 200.

[0016] <Outline of the printing service provision system> 1, the print service providing system 1 includes a management server 100, a multifunction peripheral 200, and a mobile terminal 300. The multifunction peripheral 200 is shared and used by multiple users, three users in this example, and three mobile terminals 300 are provided corresponding to the multifunction peripheral 200. Hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the three mobile terminals 300, each will be simply referred to as a "mobile terminal 300." The management server 100, multifunction peripheral 200, and mobile terminal 300 are connected to a network NT and can communicate with each other.

[0017] <Administration Server> The management server 100 is a server installed and managed by, for example, the manufacturer of the multifunction peripheral 200, and includes a processor 110, a storage device 115, and an interface 190. The processor 110, the storage device 115, and the interface 190 are connected to one another via a bus 105.

[0018] The storage device 115 includes a volatile storage device 120 and a non-volatile storage device 130 . The volatile storage device 120 is, for example, a DRAM, and has a user ID storage area 121, a device number storage area 122, and a service information storage area 123 for storing service information (described later). The non-volatile storage device 130 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, and has a program storage area 131 and a fee table storage area 132. Various programs are stored in the program storage area 131. The various programs include various programs related to the provision of the print service of this embodiment based on the software block diagram in Fig. 2, which will be described later. The fee table storage area 132 stores predetermined correlations for calculating fees to be charged to a user for printing when, for example, a contract for the above-mentioned prepaid printing service is made.

[0019] The processor 110 is a device that performs data processing, such as a CPU, and executes various programs, including programs related to the print service of this embodiment, stored in the program storage area 131. The processor 110 performs various processes shown in Fig. 2 (described later) and the like, including data communication with the mobile terminal 300 and the multifunction peripheral 200 connected to the network NT. The processor 110 executes a fraud detection processing method by the print service providing system 1 of this embodiment in cooperation with the multifunction peripheral 200 and the mobile terminal 300.

[0020] The interface 190 is a wired LAN interface or a wireless interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT.

[0021] The storage device 115 is not limited to being configured with the above-mentioned device elements, but may be configured with, for example, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, HDD, a portable recording medium such as a USB memory that can be attached to or detached from the mobile terminal 300, a buffer provided in the processor 110, or a combination thereof. The storage device 115 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. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. The same applies to the storage device 215 of the multifunction peripheral 200, which will be described later.

[0022] <Multifunction device> The multifunction device 200 is owned, for example, by a printing service provider that provides the above-mentioned printing service or by a user. The multifunction device 200 is an example of a printing device. The multifunction device 200 has a scanner unit 280, a printing unit 290, a conveying unit 295, a processor 210, a storage device 215, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a communication unit 285, and a communication interface 270. The scanner unit 280, the printing unit 290, the processor 210, the storage device 215, the display unit 240, the operation unit 250, the communication unit 285, and the communication interface 270 are connected to one another via a bus 205.

[0023] The storage device 215 includes a volatile storage device 220 and a non-volatile storage device 230. The volatile storage device 220 is, for example, a DRAM, and includes a service information storage area 221 that stores management service information (described later). The non-volatile storage device 230 is, for example, a flash memory, and includes a program storage area 232 and a contract information storage area 233 that stores the details of the contract concluded between the user and the contracting party. Various programs are stored in the program storage area 232. These various programs include various programs related to the provision of the printing service of this embodiment based on the software block diagram in FIG. 2, the flowcharts in FIGS. 3 and 5, etc. (described later). These programs are stored in advance in the program storage area 232 as firmware, for example.

[0024] The processor 210 is a device that performs data processing, such as a CPU. The processor 210 executes various programs stored in a program storage area 232, and executes a processing method related to the print service providing system 1 of this embodiment in cooperation with the processor 110 and the mobile terminal 300. The processor 210 and the program storage area 232 of the nonvolatile storage device 230 are an example of a control unit.

[0025] The display unit 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is capable of displaying various types of information. The operation unit 250 is a device that accepts operations by the user. The user can input various instructions to the multifunction peripheral 200 by operating the operation unit 250. The communication interface 270 is a wired or wireless network interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT.

[0026] The scanner unit 280 uses a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD or CMOS to optically read an original document, which is an object to be read, and generates scan data representing the read image. Optically reading an original document is an example of a scanning process, and the scan data is an example of image information.

[0027] The transport unit 295 takes out paper from a paper feed tray and transports it along a predetermined transport path. Paper is an example of a print medium.

[0028] The printing unit 290 forms an image on paper transported by the transport unit 295 using a predetermined method. The printing unit 290 is an example of an image forming unit. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where an image is formed using an inkjet method. The printing unit 290 forms an image on paper using ink from the ink cartridge 50 detachably mounted in the cartridge holder 51, in accordance with a print job sent from the mobile terminal 300 together with an instruction to execute the print job (hereinafter simply referred to as a "print instruction"), or a print job that the printing unit 290 itself has generated based on an operation on the operation unit 250.

[0029] The communication section 285 is, for example, a terminal, and is electrically connected to a cartridge memory (IC chip) of the ink cartridge 50 attached to the cartridge holder 51.

[0030] Each ink cartridge 50 is provided with a cartridge memory (not shown), and cartridge information is stored in this cartridge memory so as to be readable via the communication section 285.

[0031] <Mobile device> The mobile terminal 300 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone owned by a user, and is connected to the network NT via wireless communication. The mobile terminal 300 has a processor, a storage device, and an interface for connecting to the network NT (not shown).

[0032] Various programs are stored in a program storage area provided in the storage device. The various programs include various programs related to the provision of the print service of this embodiment based on the software block diagram in FIG. 2 and the flowcharts in FIGS. 3 and 5, which will be described later. The processor executes the programs related to the print service of this embodiment stored in the program storage area. The processor performs various processes shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, etc., which will be described later, including data communication with the management server 100 and the multifunction peripheral 200 connected to the network NT. The processor executes a processing method related to the print service providing system of this embodiment in cooperation with the management server 100 and the multifunction peripheral 200.

[0033] The mobile terminal 300 also includes a display unit 301 (see FIG. 4, which will be described later). Examples of the display content of the display unit 301 will be described later. It should be noted that other information terminals, such as a personal computer or a tablet computer, may be used instead of the mobile terminal 300. These information terminals are examples of external devices. Hereinafter, these information terminals will be collectively referred to simply as the "mobile terminal 300" where appropriate.

[0034] <Prepaid printing service> As described above, this embodiment provides a prepaid printing service in which a user pays a fee in advance based on a usage contract to use the printing function of the multifunction device 200. The service processing unit 530 of the management server 100 accepts an application for the prepaid printing service from the mobile terminal 300, and the prepaid printing service is applied to the multifunction device 200. In other words, it is a pay-as-you-go service in which a user purchases printing authority for the multifunction device 200 in advance via the mobile terminal 300 for a fee, and is then able to print up to the number of printable pages guaranteed by that printing authority. Note that this number may also be the number of printable pages guaranteed by printing authority that can be obtained free of charge when the multifunction device 200 is purchased, for example. Furthermore, both paid and free printing authorities may exist.

[0035] <Number of charges> In a prepaid fee system, a user can print up to the number of printable pages guaranteed by the printing authority he or she has acquired (hereinafter referred to simply as the "charged number"), which is an example of the printing volume guaranteed by the printing authority information. In this case, for example, when the number of printable sheets guaranteed by the above-mentioned printing authority has been completed, in other words, when the number of printed sheets has reached the above-mentioned charge number, it is necessary to notify the user that the number of printable sheets that can be printed thereafter is zero (hereinafter referred to as "charge zero" as appropriate). For this purpose, a corresponding warning display is displayed on the mobile terminal 300 by a display signal output from the multifunction device 200.

[0036] <Software block configuration> The software block configuration related to the above processing in this embodiment is shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, the management server 100 has a service processing unit 530, and the multifunction peripheral 200 has a print control unit 540. As an example, the service processing unit 530 of the management server 100 is configured from the processor 110 described above and parts of the program that correspond to it. Also, as an example, the print control unit 540 of the multifunction peripheral 200 is configured from the processor 210 described above and parts of the program that correspond to it.

[0037] The service processing unit 530 of the management server 100 accepts a prepaid printing service application from a user via the mobile terminal 300, and executes the appropriate processing (details will be described later) required to provide the specified prepaid printing service while referencing the latest service information. The service information is information stored in the service information storage area 123 of the volatile storage device 120 of the management server 100 shown in FIG. 1 above, and includes the cumulative number of pages charged and the cumulative number of pages printed. Note that the service information is appropriately backed up in a rewritable nonvolatile storage device when not in use, so that it is not lost when the multifunction device 200 is powered off.

[0038] As described above, in a prepaid printing service, the number of printable sheets guaranteed by the printing authorization purchased by the user is the charge amount, and can be selected from multiple options, such as 100 sheets = 100 yen, 300 sheets = 250 yen, etc. The cumulative charge amount is the total number of sheets that the user has purchased up to that point for the multifunction device 200.

[0039] On the other hand, the above-mentioned cumulative number of printed sheets is information that manages how many sheets have actually been printed out of the cumulative number of sheets charged to the multifunction device 200 by the user for past orders, in other words, how many sheets have actually been printed out of the printing volume guaranteed by the printing authority information.

[0040] The print control unit 540 of the multifunction device 200 controls the printing operation of the print unit 290 in accordance with instructions from the management server 100 (not shown) based on the management service information. The management service information is information stored in the service information storage area 221 in the volatile storage device 220, and like the latest service information described above, includes the cumulative charge number and cumulative print number. The print control unit 540 also has a function of transmitting the service status, including the content of the management service information at that time, to the mobile terminal 300 and presenting it to the user.

[0041] The data for the cumulative number of printed sheets is generated and corrected by the multifunction peripheral 200, which actually controls printing. The data for the cumulative number of charged sheets is generated and corrected by the management server 100, which receives and processes charge orders.

[0042] Because the management server 100 processes the printing service, it needs to manage the cumulative number of printed sheets in the multifunction device 200 in as real time as possible. At the same time, the multifunction device 200 needs to limit the number of printable sheets to within the actually ordered charge number. For this reason, the management server 100 and the multifunction device 200 synchronously update their respective information contents by, for example, periodically sending and receiving their respective data at an appropriate interval. Specifically, the management server 100 sends information including the cumulative charge number to the multifunction device 200, and the multifunction device 200 sends information including the cumulative number of printed sheets to the management server 100, and each updates the content of the received information.

[0043] The print control unit 540 of the multifunction device 200 can manage printing so that it only prints within the printable number of sheets, which is the cumulative number of sheets printed minus the cumulative number of sheets charged in the management service information stored in itself at that time. When actual printing is performed, the print control unit 540 updates the cumulative number of sheets printed in the management service information by the number of sheets printed. When the number of sheets that can be printed with the charged amount is reached, that is, when the counted-up cumulative number of sheets printed reaches the cumulative number of sheets charged, the print control unit 540 outputs a display signal to warn of the zero charge state, indicating that the number of sheets that can be printed thereafter has reached zero.

[0044] <Features of this embodiment> In this embodiment, the charge amount, for example, the cumulative charge amount, is stored in the service information storage area 123 of the volatile storage device 120 of the multifunction device 200 as part of the service information described above. An example will be described in which the multifunction device 200, to which the charge amount has been assigned, is shared and used by three users. For example, if the multifunction device 200 is configured to display the warning when the charge is zero before receiving a new print instruction from the mobile terminal 300, each of the three users sharing the multifunction device 200 can be urged to quickly charge the multifunction device 200 so that they can start printing. However, this can be inconvenient for users who are not particularly in a hurry to print or who are aware in advance that they need to charge the multifunction device 200, as it forces them to take unnecessary action.

[0045] A feature of this embodiment is that it improves usability and convenience for users by using multiple display timings to indicate, for example, when the number of printed sheets has reached the charged number and the number of sheets that can be printed thereafter has reached zero.

[0046] That is, in this embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 200 is provided with two modes related to the above-mentioned display timing: a pre-instruction warning display mode and a post-instruction warning display mode, and is configured to be switchable between these modes. The pre-instruction warning display mode is a mode in which a display signal for displaying the above-mentioned warning is output before a new print instruction is received from the mobile terminal 300. The post-instruction warning display mode is a mode in which a display signal for displaying the above-mentioned warning is output after a print instruction is received from the mobile terminal 300.

[0047] <Control procedure> Details regarding the control of display behavior in these two modes will be explained below with reference to FIGS.

[0048] <Warning display control> First, the procedure for warning display control executed by the print control unit 540 in accordance with the determined mode when one of the above two modes is determined using the method described below will be explained using the flow chart in Figure 3.

[0049] 3, first, in S10, it is determined whether or not the printing is not permitted. The printing is not permitted state refers to the charge zero state described above in which image formation of the predetermined number of printable sheets guaranteed by the printing authority has been completed, and a state in which the predetermined number of printable sheets guaranteed by the printing authority has not yet been granted to the multifunction device 200, such as immediately after the multifunction device 200 is purchased. The printing is not permitted state is specifically represented by a state in which the value of the cumulative charge number minus the cumulative print number is 0, and in S10, it is determined whether or not the value of the cumulative charge number minus the cumulative print number is 0. If the cumulative charge number minus the cumulative print number = 0, the determination is Yes, and the process proceeds to S20.

[0050] In S20, it is determined whether the pre-command warning mode is in effect at this point, using the processing in Fig. 5 described below. If the pre-command warning mode is in effect, the determination is Yes, and in S30 the aforementioned display signal is output to the corresponding mobile terminal 300. In response to receiving this display signal, the mobile terminal 300 displays a warning that the number of pages that can be printed from now on has reached zero.

[0051] An example of the warning display displayed on the display unit 301 provided in the mobile terminal 300 is shown in Fig. 4. The warning display screen of the display unit 301 shown in Fig. 4 is provided with an ID display unit 301c showing the user ID of the corresponding user, and a warning message display unit 301d. In this example, the user ID of "user12345" is displayed in the ID display unit 301c. In this example, the warning message display unit 301d displays a message M saying "Your balance is insufficient. If you wish to print, please charge your card."

[0052] The warning display screen of the display unit 301 also has a "Make Payment" button 301a and a "Cancel Printing" button 301b. When a user who has seen this message M operates the "Make Payment" button 301a, a corresponding operation signal is sent to the management server 100, charging is performed, and the cumulative number of charged sheets in the multifunction device 200 is counted up according to the predetermined charging amount.

[0053] Note that instead of outputting the display signal to the mobile terminal 300, the display signal may be output to the display unit 240 of the multifunction peripheral 200 together with user identification information such as the name of the user to be warned, and the warning may be displayed on the display unit 240. Alternatively, the display signal may be output to an external device other than the mobile terminal 300, and a similar warning may be displayed. Furthermore, the display unit 240 does not have to be a liquid crystal display, and may be, for example, a dedicated LED lamp.

[0054] 3, if the post-instruction warning mode is active in S20, a No judgment is made, and the process proceeds to S40. In S40, it is determined whether the above-mentioned print instruction has been newly received from the mobile terminal 300. If a print instruction has not been received, a No judgment is made in S40, and the process returns to S10 and the same procedure is repeated. If a print instruction is received, a Yes judgment is made in S40, and the process proceeds to S30, where the above-mentioned warning display is performed.

[0055] When S30 is completed, this flow ends.

[0056] <Print mode control> Next, the procedure for print mode control executed by the print control unit 540 to set one of the two modes executed as described above will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0057] First, in S105, it is determined whether the multifunction peripheral 200 has just been powered on by a predetermined operation. If it has just been powered on, the determination is Yes and the process proceeds to S155, which will be described later. If it has not just been powered on, the determination is No and the process proceeds to S110.

[0058] In S110, a print instruction is accepted from any of the mobile terminals 300 via the communication interface 270. The process executed by the print control unit 540 in S110 is an example of an accepting process. In S115, a complimentary information acquisition process is executed, and the cumulative charge number and cumulative print number stored in the complimentary information storage area 221 of the volatile storage device 220 at this time are acquired.

[0059] In S120, it is determined whether the charge is zero. Specifically, as in S10 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether the value of the cumulative charge count minus the cumulative print count is 0. If the cumulative charge count minus the cumulative print count = 0, the determination is Yes, and the process proceeds to S150, which will be described later. If the cumulative charge count minus the cumulative print count > 0, the determination is No, and the process proceeds to S125.

[0060] In S125, the conveying unit 295 is controlled to perform a paper feed process in which the paper is taken out of the paper feed tray and conveyed to the printing unit 290 along a predetermined conveying path. In S130, the printing unit 290 is controlled to perform a printing process in which an image is formed on the fed paper in accordance with the print job accepted in S110. In S135, the conveying unit 295 is controlled to execute a paper discharge process in which the paper on which the image is formed in the printing process is discharged to a paper discharge tray provided in the multifunction device 200, for example.

[0061] In S140, the same service information acquisition process as in S115 is executed, and the cumulative charge number and cumulative print number at this point are acquired. In S145, as in S120, it is determined whether the charge is zero. If the cumulative charge count minus the cumulative print count = 0, the result is Yes, and the process proceeds to S185, which will be described later. If the cumulative charge count minus the cumulative print count > 0, the result is No, and the process proceeds to S150.

[0062] In S150, the post-instruction warning display mode is set as the mode relating to the timing of displaying the warning display, and this flow ends.

[0063] In S155, which is reached when the determination in S105 is Yes, the same bonus information acquisition process as in S140 and S115 is executed, and the cumulative charge number and cumulative print number at this point are acquired. In S160, as in S120 and S145, it is determined whether the printer is in a zero charge state. If the cumulative number of charged sheets minus the cumulative number of printed sheets = 0, the determination is Yes, and the process moves to the aforementioned S150, where the post-instruction warning display mode is set. If the cumulative number of charged sheets minus the cumulative number of printed sheets > 0, the determination is No, and the process moves to S165.

[0064] In S165, it is determined whether the multifunction device 200 is in a predetermined disposal-waiting state. That is, if the multifunction device 200 is scheduled to be replaced with a new model, for example, it is set to a predetermined disposal-waiting state in response to an instruction from the management server 100 or the like. In this case, the management server 100 is an example of an external device. In S165, it is determined whether the multifunction device 200 has been set to this disposal-waiting state at this point in time and is effectively removed from the operating state. The disposal-waiting state is an example of a disposal preparation state. If it is in the disposal-waiting state, a Yes determination is made, and the process proceeds to the above-mentioned S150, where it is set to the post-instruction warning display mode. If it is not in the disposal-waiting state, a No determination is made, and the process proceeds to S170.

[0065] In S170, it is determined whether the multifunction device 200 is in an initial charge state, i.e., whether the multifunction device 200 is in a state where a predetermined number of prints guaranteed by the printing authority initially acquired, for example, for a fee or free of charge, after purchasing the multifunction device 200 has been granted. If the multifunction device 200 is in an initial charge state where the predetermined number of prints has not yet been granted, the determination is Yes, and the process proceeds to the aforementioned S150, where the post-instruction warning display mode is set. If the multifunction device 200 is not in an initial charge state, the determination is No, and the process proceeds to S175.

[0066] In S175, it is determined whether the multifunction peripheral 200 is offline, i.e., whether a connection with the mobile terminal 300 via the network NT by the communication interface 270 has not been established. If the multifunction peripheral 200 is offline, the determination is Yes, and the process proceeds to the above-mentioned S150, where the post-instruction warning display mode is set. If the multifunction peripheral 200 is online and a connection with the mobile terminal 300 via the network NT has been established, the determination is No, and the process proceeds to S180.

[0067] In S180, it is determined whether the above-mentioned scanning process is being executed by the scanner unit 280. If the scanning process is being executed, the determination is Yes, and the process proceeds to the above-mentioned S150, where the post-instruction warning display mode is set. If the scanning process is not being executed, the determination is No, and the process proceeds to S185.

[0068] In S185, the pre-instruction warning display mode is set as the mode relating to the timing of displaying the warning display, and this flow ends.

[0069] In the above, the processes executed by the print control unit 540 in S120, S145, S160, and S170 are examples of determination processes.

[0070] <Effects of this embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, whether or not the multifunction device 200 is in a printing-disabled state is determined in S120, S145, and S160 executed by the print control unit 540. The printing-disabled state is either a zero-charge state in which printing of a predetermined number of sheets guaranteed by the printing authority information previously granted to the multifunction device 200 has already been completed, or a state in which the predetermined number of sheets guaranteed by the printing authority information has not been granted and the number of sheets that can be printed is zero. When the multifunction device 200 is in a printing-disabled state, printing cannot be performed unless the user obtains printing authority information, either for a fee or free of charge, and grants it to the multifunction device 200, so it is necessary to notify and warn the user of the printing-disabled state. In this embodiment, two modes related to the timing of displaying the printing-disabled state are provided: the pre-instruction warning display mode and the post-instruction warning display mode, which are switchable.

[0071] In the pre-instruction warning display mode, a display signal for displaying a warning corresponding to the determination that the printing is not permitted is output in S30 before an instruction to execute a new print job is accepted. In the post-instruction warning display mode, a display signal for displaying a warning corresponding to the determination that the printing is not permitted is output in S30 after an instruction to execute a new print job is accepted.

[0072] In this embodiment, two switchable modes are provided. As a result, when multiple users share the multifunction peripheral 200, for example, if one user is thought to be in a hurry to print, the pre-instruction warning display mode can be used, and if the user recognizes that they need to charge, the post-instruction warning display mode can be used. According to this embodiment, by using multiple different timings for displaying the fact that the number of printable sheets based on the guarantee of printing authority information has reached zero, usability for the user can be improved, and convenience can be enhanced.

[0073] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, in the paper discharge process of S135, the paper on which an image has been formed by the printing unit 290 in S130 is discharged by the conveying unit 295, and after S135 is executed, it is determined in S145 whether or not the printing is prohibited. If it is determined in S145 that the printing is prohibited, the system switches to a pre-instruction warning display mode in S185, and a warning is displayed even before an instruction to execute a new print job is received. In this embodiment, if it is determined that printing is not permitted when ejecting printed sheets, the pre-instruction warning display mode is set. According to this embodiment, when the predetermined number of prints guaranteed by the printing authority information granted to the multifunction device 200 is printed and ejected, the user can be immediately notified that the number of printable sheets has reached zero, without waiting for an instruction to execute a subsequent print job.

[0074] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, when an instruction to execute a print job is accepted in S110, a paper feed process is executed in S125 in which paper is conveyed by conveyance unit 295 to printing unit 290, and before the paper feed process is executed, a determination is made in S120 as to whether or not printing is prohibited. If it is determined in S120 that printing is prohibited, a switch is made to a post-instruction warning display mode in S150, and a warning is displayed. In this embodiment, if printing on paper completes the specified number of prints guaranteed by the printing authority information already granted to the multifunction peripheral 200, or if the specified number of prints guaranteed by the printing authority information has not been granted, a determination is made in S120 as to whether printing is prohibited when a subsequent print job execution instruction is received. If a determination is made in S120 that printing is prohibited, the system goes into post-instruction warning display mode in S150. According to this embodiment, it is possible to notify the user that the number of printable prints has reached zero before paper feeding is performed in response to a print job execution instruction from the user.

[0075] In particular, in this embodiment, when the power of the multifunction peripheral 200 is turned on, it is determined in S160 whether or not the multifunction peripheral 200 is in a printing-prohibited state. When it is determined in S160 that the multifunction peripheral 200 is in a printing-prohibited state, the mode is switched to a pre-instruction warning display mode in S185, except when the determinations in S165, S170, S175, and S180 are Yes, and thereafter a warning display can be executed even before an instruction to execute a new print job is received. In this embodiment, when the power is turned on, it is determined in S160 whether or not printing is prohibited before receiving an instruction to execute a print job, and if it is, it switches to the pre-instruction warning display mode in S185. According to this embodiment, if the printing is prohibited after power is turned on, it is possible to notify the user in S185 that the number of printable sheets is zero.

[0076] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, when the power of the multifunction device 200 is turned on, if the specified number of prints guaranteed by the printing authority information has not yet been granted to the multifunction device 200 and it is determined in S160 and S170 that printing is not permitted, the device switches to a post-instruction warning display mode in S150, and then a warning display is displayed after receiving an instruction to execute a new print job. If the specified number of prints guaranteed by the printing authority information has not yet been granted to the multifunction device 200 when the power is turned on, it is considered that this is the case immediately after the user has newly acquired the multifunction device 200. In this embodiment, if it is determined in S170 that the specified number of prints guaranteed by the printing authority information has not yet been granted and the multifunction device is in a printing-prohibited state when the power is turned on, the mode is switched to the post-instruction warning display mode in S150. This embodiment makes it possible to prevent unnecessary warning displays when the user newly acquires the multifunction device 200.

[0077] In particular, in this embodiment, when the multifunction device 200 is powered on and it is determined in S160 that it is in a printing-prohibited state, and in S175 that it is in an offline state, it switches to a post-instruction warning display mode in S150, and then a warning display is displayed after a new instruction to execute a print job is received. In the multifunction device 200, when a connection to the network NT is not established, the user cannot grant the multifunction device 200 the specified number of prints guaranteed by the printing authority information, i.e., the charge number, so there is little point in outputting a display signal for displaying a warning. In this embodiment, if a printing-prohibited state is determined in S175 when a network NT connection is not established at power-on, the mode is switched to a post-instruction warning display mode in S150. This embodiment makes it possible to prevent the multifunction device 200 from meaninglessly outputting a display signal for displaying a warning when the multifunction device 200 is not connected to the network NT.

[0078] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the scanner unit 280 can execute a scan process that reads a reading target placed in the multifunction device 200 and generates corresponding image information. If it is determined in S160 that the multifunction device 200 is in a printing-prohibited state when the power is turned on and if a scan process is being executed in S180, the mode is switched to a post-instruction warning display mode in S150, and a warning display is then displayed after an instruction to execute a new print job is received. Even when the power is turned on, if a scan process is being performed by the scanner unit 280, displaying a warning may hinder or adversely affect the scan process. In this embodiment, if a print-prohibited state is determined in S160 while a scan process is being performed upon power-on, the mode is switched to the post-instruction warning display mode in S150. This embodiment can prevent unnecessary warning displays from being displayed while the user is scanning.

[0079] In particular, in this embodiment, when the power of the multifunction device 200 is turned on, if it is determined in S160 that the device is in a printing-prohibited state, and if the multifunction device 200 is set to a predetermined disposal waiting state in S165, the device is switched to a post-instruction warning display mode in S150. When the multifunction device 200 is in a state waiting to be disposed of, it is unlikely that the user will grant the multifunction device 200 the specified number of prints guaranteed by the printing authority information, so there is no point in displaying a warning. In this embodiment, if the multifunction device 200 is set to a predetermined state waiting to be disposed of when the power is turned on and it is determined in S160 that the printing is not permitted, the mode is switched to a post-instruction warning display mode in S150. This embodiment makes it possible to prevent unnecessary warning displays from being displayed for a multifunction device 200 that is scheduled to be disposed of.

[0080] Although the above description has been given taking an example where printing is performed by inkjet printing, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a laser-type multifunction peripheral 200 may be used instead of an inkjet-type multifunction peripheral.

[0081] In the above description, the arrows shown in FIG. 2 indicate an example of signal flow, and do not limit the direction of signal flow.

[0082] Furthermore, the flowcharts shown in Figures 3 and 5 do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in these flows, and steps may be added or deleted or the order may be changed within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit and technical idea of ​​the invention.

[0083] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0084] Although not specifically illustrated, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Printing service provision system 100 Management Server 200 Multifunction printer (an example of a printing device) 210 processor 230 Non-volatile storage device 232 Program Memory Area 290 Printing unit (an example of an image forming unit) 295 Transport Unit 300 mobile devices 540 Printing control unit NT Network

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a print medium; a transport unit that transports the print medium along a predetermined transport path; a communication I / F capable of communicating with an external device via a network; A control unit; A printing device having: The control unit A reception process for receiving an instruction to execute a print job; a printing process in which the image forming unit forms an image on the print medium in accordance with the print job related to the execution instruction received by the receiving process; a determination process for determining whether image formation of a predetermined print amount guaranteed by the printing authority information previously granted to the printing device has been completed or whether the predetermined print amount guaranteed by the printing authority information has not been granted and the printing device is in a printing-prohibited state; Run And the control unit a pre-instruction warning display mode in which, when it is determined by the determination process that the printing is not permitted, a display signal is output to display a warning corresponding to the determination before an instruction to execute a new print job is received by the reception process; a post-instruction warning display mode in which, when it is determined by the determination process that the printing is not permitted, after receiving an instruction to execute a new print job by the reception process, a display signal is output to display a warning corresponding to the determination; a printing device configured to selectively switch between

2. The control unit further performing a paper discharge process in which the print medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit in the printing process is discharged by the conveying unit; After the paper discharge process is performed, the determination process determines whether or not the printing is prohibited. If it is determined by the determination process that the printing is not permitted, the mode is switched to the pre-instruction warning display mode, and the display signal is output before an instruction to execute a new print job is received in the subsequent reception process. The printing device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit further a paper feeding process in which the conveying unit conveys the print medium to the image forming unit when the execution instruction is received in the receiving process; Run Before the paper feed process is executed, the determination process determines whether the printing is prohibited or not; If it is determined by the determination process that the printing is not permitted, the mode is switched to the warning display mode after the instruction and the display signal is output. The printing device according to claim 1 .

4. The control unit further When the power supply of the printing device is turned on, the determination process determines whether or not the printing is prohibited; When it is determined that the printing is not permitted by the determination process, the mode is switched to the pre-instruction warning display mode, and the display signal can be output before an instruction to execute a new print job is received in the subsequent reception process.

4. The printing device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The control unit When the power supply of the printing device is turned on, if the predetermined printing amount guaranteed by the printing authority information has not yet been granted to the printing device and the determination process determines that the printing device is in the printing-prohibited state, the printing device is switched to the post-instruction warning display mode, and the display signal is output after the execution instruction of a new print job is received in the subsequent reception process.

5. The printing device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit When the printing device is powered on, if the determination process determines that the printing is in the print-disabled state and if a network connection with the external device via the communication I / F has not been established, the printing device switches to the post-instruction warning display mode, and outputs the display signal after receiving an instruction to execute a new print job in the subsequent reception process.

6. The printing device according to claim 4 or claim 5.

7. The control unit further A scanning process for reading an object set in the printing device and generating corresponding image information. It is configured to be able to execute When the power supply of the printing device is turned on, if the determination process determines that the printing is in the non-permitted state and the scanning process is being executed, the printing device switches to the post-instruction warning display mode, and outputs the display signal after receiving an instruction to execute a new print job in the subsequent reception process.

7. The printing device according to claim 4.

8. The control unit When the printing device is powered on and the determination process determines that the printing device is in the printing-prohibited state, and the printing device has been set to a predetermined disposal preparation state based on an instruction from the external device, the printing device is switched to a warning display mode after the instruction.

8. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the printing device is a printer.

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