Printing System

Abstract

To provide a printing system that can reduce a possibility that, in a fixed price printing service, when the number of printings in the office is reduced due to telecommuting, a monthly fee becomes higher for the number of printings.SOLUTION: A printing system comprises an acquisition unit, a comparison unit, a calculation unit, and an allocation unit. The acquisition unit acquires the number of printings in a first printer installed in a first place. The comparison unit compares the number of printings acquired by the acquisition unit with a prescribed number of printings determined on the basis of the amount of billing. The calculation unit calculates a first number of printable sheets in the first printer on the basis of the comparison performed by the comparison unit. The allocation unit allocates at least a part of the first number of printable sheets calculated by the calculation unit as a second number of printable sheets in a second printer installed in a second place. The second printer executes printing on the basis of the second number of printable sheets.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system including a printing device that prints on a medium such as paper. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, there have been services that provide printers to offices for a fixed fee and print a set number of pages. For large printers used in corporate offices, etc., monthly subscription contracts are often used as flat-rate printing services. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-36582 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned service provided by the printing system for printing devices such as the printer described in Patent Document 1, the number of pages printed in the office may decrease due to factors such as telecommuting. In other words, as the number of telecommuters increases, the company printers are not used, creating the problem of not being able to use up the default number of pages set out in the subscription. For example, it may be possible to use only about half of the default number of pages. In this case, the monthly fee becomes high relative to the number of pages printed, causing inconvenience to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A printing system that solves the above problem comprises an acquisition unit that acquires the number of printed sheets on a first printing device installed at a first location, a comparison unit that compares the number of printed sheets acquired by the acquisition unit with a specified number of printed sheets determined based on a charge amount, a calculation unit that calculates a first number of printable sheets on the first printing device based on the comparison by the comparison unit, and an allocation unit that allocates at least a portion of the first number of printable sheets calculated by the calculation unit as a second number of printable sheets on a second printing device installed at a second location, and the second printing device performs printing based on the second number of printable sheets. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first printing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second printing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the second printing apparatus as seen from the rear side. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a management unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of an allocation unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of an allocation unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of an allocation unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of an allocation unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of an allocation unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of an allocation unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a management table. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the burden of liquid consumption costs due to recovery operations. [Figure 15]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment for determining whether the use is for personal use or for business use. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment for determining whether the use is for personal use or business use. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment for determining whether the use is for personal use or business use. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth embodiment for determining whether the use is for personal use or for business use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An embodiment of a printing system will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a printing system 10 that charges printing devices 11 according to the amount of printing. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 10 includes one or more first printing devices 11, one or more second printing devices 60, a company management terminal 80, and a company server 70 on which a company attendance system 74 (see FIG. 5) is installed. The printing system 10 may also include a service provider server 90 owned by a service provider or agency that is the entity of the subscription contract. The first printing device 11 is, for example, an office printer set up in an office (company), which is an example of a first location. The second printing device 60 is a home printer installed in a location other than the office, which is an example of a second location. In this embodiment, the first printing device 11 and the second printing device 60 are inkjet printers that print by ejecting ink, an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper. The first printing device 11 and the second printing device 60 are devices that eject liquid such as ink onto a medium such as paper, and therefore can also be called liquid ejection devices.

[0008] In this embodiment, the printing system 10 is configured to be able to manage the amount of ink and other liquid consumed during printing by the first printing device 11 and the number of printed pages. The printing system 10 includes the first printing device 11, an information terminal 50, a second printing device 60, a company server 70, a company management terminal 80, and a service providing server 90, all of which are capable of communicating with each other via a network NW. The first printing device 11, the company server 70, and the company management terminal 80 are connected to each other via a LAN within the company.

[0009] The first printing device 11 is an office printer of a company that has a subscription contract with a service company that manages the service providing server 90. The first printing device 11 prints on a medium M (see FIG. 2) such as paper by ejecting a liquid such as ink onto the medium M. A plurality of host devices 40 (see FIG. 5) are connected to the first printing device 11 in a communicable state via an internal network consisting of an internal LAN. The plurality of host devices 40 are installed in an office (company), which is a first location. When an employee working at the company wants to print using the first printing device 11, the employee outputs a print instruction from the host device 40 to the first printing device 11. This print instruction is issued by outputting print data PD from the host device 40 to the first printing device 11.

[0010] The second printing device 60 is connected to the network NW via an information terminal 50, such as a personal computer. The second printing device 60 is a home printer owned by an employee of a company that has a subscription contract with a service company, and is used at home, which is an example of a second location where the employee works from home. For this reason, the second printing device 60 is installed at home, which is the second location where the employee works from home. Note that the second location where the second printing device 60 is installed is not limited to home, and may also be a satellite office where the employee works from home.

[0011] The company server 70 manages the entire company system. The company server 70 includes an attendance system 74 that manages attendance for the company. The management terminal 80 is an information terminal managed by the company and can access the first printing device 11.

[0012] The service providing server 90 is managed by the manufacturer or sales company of the first printing device 11. The service providing server 90 is managed by the manufacturer or sales company that has a subscription contract with a customer company or the like. The subscription contract may also be made with an agent of the manufacturer or an agent of the sales company.

[0013] 1 shows an example in which a customer rents one first printing device 11 under a subscription contract, but multiple devices may also be rented under a subscription contract. A subscription contract may be made individually for each first printing device 11, or a subscription contract may be made for multiple first printing devices 11 at once. The following describes an example in which a customer has a subscription contract for one first printing device 11.

[0014] A plurality of information terminals 50 are connected to the network NW. The information terminals 50 are installed at telecommuting locations such as the homes or satellite offices (hereinafter also referred to as "homes, etc.") of employees of the client company. The information terminals 50 are used when employees telecommuting from their homes, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as "telecommuters") instruct the second printing device 60 to print.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 , the management terminal 80 includes an input unit 81 and a display unit 82. A company administrator can use the management terminal 80 to access various information stored in the first printing device 11. The management terminal 80 instructs the second printing device 60 to allocate a second printable number, which is a portion of the first printable number provided monthly to the first printing device 11 under a subscription contract. Upon receiving this instruction, the first printing device 11 allocates the printable number by rewriting print number management information PI (described later) stored in the memory unit 34. The allocation result may be sent from the first printing device 11 to the service providing server 90 via the network NW. The management terminal 80 may access the service providing server 90 and operate the input unit 81 to allocate a portion of the first printable number of the first printing device 11 to the second printing device 60 as the second printable number via the service providing server 90. Furthermore, when the management terminal 80 accesses the first printing device 11 or the management terminal 80, authentication is performed using an ID and password.

[0016] <Configuration of the first printing device 11> Next, the detailed configuration of the first printing device 11 will be described with reference to Figure 2. In Figure 2, the first printing device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, with the direction of gravity indicated by the Z axis, and directions along the horizontal plane indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to one another. In Figure 2, the direction parallel to the X axis is the width direction X, the direction parallel to the Y axis is the depth direction Y, and the direction parallel to the Z axis is the vertical direction Z.

[0017] 2, the first printing device 11 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral. The first printing device 11 has a scanner function for reading an original, a copy function for copying and printing the original, and a print function for printing text or images on a medium M.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the first printing device 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped main body 12. The first printing device 11 has a printing unit 13 that is configured by almost the entire main body 12, and an image reading unit 14 that is arranged above the printing unit 13. The image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document (not shown). The first printing device 11 has an automatic document feeder 15 for transporting the document.

[0019] Automatic document feeder 15 feeds documents placed on document tray 15A. Image reader 14 has a feed-type reading function for reading documents fed by automatic document feeder 15, and a flatbed-type reading function for reading documents set on document table 14A.

[0020] The first printing device 11 also includes an input unit 16 and a display unit 17. A user can give instructions to the first printing device 11 by operating the input unit 16. The display unit 17 may be configured, for example, as a touch panel. In this case, the input unit 16 may be configured with an operating function of the touch panel. The input unit 16 may also be configured as a mechanical switch.

[0021] 2, the first printing device 11 includes a print head 21 that prints on the medium M, and a control unit 20 that controls the print head 21. The print head 21 is, for example, a liquid ejection head that ejects a liquid such as ink as an example of a printing agent. The control unit 20 comprehensively controls the first printing device 11. In addition to the print head 21, the control unit 20 controls the image reading unit 14, the automatic document feeder 15, the display unit 17, and the like.

[0022] The first printing device 11 is equipped with removably mounted liquid cartridges 22. The liquid cartridges 22 contain liquid such as ink. The number of liquid cartridges 22 is the same as the number of colors printed by the print head 21. The multiple liquid cartridges 22 contain liquid of each color. Note that the liquid cartridges 22 may be replaced with liquid tanks such as ink tanks.

[0023] The print head 21 constitutes part of the printing unit 13. The printing unit 13 has a medium storage unit 18, such as a multi-stage cassette, that stores medium M, such as paper, a transport unit 23 (see FIG. 5) that transports the medium M stored in the medium storage unit 18 one sheet at a time, and an ejection tray 19 onto which the medium M printed by the print head 21 is ejected. The print head 21 prints on the medium M by ejecting liquid, such as ink, supplied from a liquid cartridge 22 toward the medium M.

[0024] 2 is a line recording type in which the print head 21 is configured by a line head. The print unit 13 is not limited to the line recording type, and may be a serial recording type in which the print head 21 can move back and forth in the width direction of the medium M.

[0025] The control unit 20 of this embodiment manages the number of printed sheets. That is, the control unit 20 manages the number of printed sheets, including copy printing, performed by the first printing device 11. The first printing device 11 can print a specified number of sheets per month, for example, under a subscription contract.

[0026] <Configuration of the second printing device 60> As shown in Fig. 3, the second printing device 60 has a substantially rectangular box-shaped main body 61. The second printing device 60 has an image reading unit 62 on the upper side of the main body 61. The second printing device 60 has an openable cover 63 on the upper side of the main body 61. The image reading unit 62 is opened and closed together with the cover 63. The cover 63 is opened and closed between a closed position shown in Fig. 3 and an open position that exposes the inside of the main body 61.

[0027] The second printing device 60 includes an operation unit 64 and a display unit 65. The operation unit 64 is configured to be operable by a user. The display unit 65 displays various images. For example, the display unit 65 displays a menu screen, various message information, and the like.

[0028] The second printing device 60 includes a paper feed cassette 66. The paper feed cassette 66 is provided at the bottom of the main body 61. The paper feed cassette 66 is attached to the main body 61 in a state in which it can be inserted and removed. The paper feed cassette 66 is configured to be able to accommodate a plurality of media M such as paper. The second printing device 60 prints on the media M fed from the paper feed cassette 66.

[0029] The second printing device 60 includes a second printing unit 67. The second printing unit 67 prints on the medium M using a printing agent such as ink. The second printing unit 67 includes a movable carriage 67A and a print head 67B provided below the carriage 67A. The print head 67B prints on the medium M as the carriage 67A moves back and forth in the width direction X1, which intersects with the transport direction Y1 of the medium M.

[0030] The second printing device 60 has an outlet 61A. The outlet 61A opens to the front of the main body 61. The outlet 61A discharges the printed medium M. The second printing device 60 has an outlet tray 68. The outlet tray 68 is slidably provided on the front of the main body 61. The outlet tray 68 holds the printed medium M that is discharged from the outlet 61A.

[0031] The second printing device 60 also has a liquid storage unit 69. The liquid storage unit 69 has multiple storage sections 69A that store liquid such as ink, which is an example of a printing agent. In this example, the liquid storage unit 69 has the same number of storage sections 69A as the number of colors that the second printing unit 67 can print on the medium M. Each of the multiple storage sections 69A stores a liquid such as ink of each color. The main body 61 has multiple windows on the front surface of the liquid storage unit 69 that allow the user to visually check the amount of liquid in the storage sections 69A.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, when cover 63 is open, liquid storage units 69 arranged inside main body 61 are exposed. Liquid storage units 69 are provided with openable and closable caps 69B for each storage unit 69A (see Figure 3). When the amount of liquid in storage units 69A becomes low, the user opens cap 69B and inserts a supply unit (not shown) of liquid bottle 100 into a supply port (not shown) of storage unit 69A to refill the specified storage unit 69A with liquid such as ink from liquid bottle 100.

[0033] When the printing agent, such as ink, to be supplied to the print head 67B in the second printing device 60 runs out, the user supplies printing agent to the second printing device 60. If the liquid supply source is a liquid tank, the liquid, such as ink, which is an example of a printing agent, is replenished using a liquid bottle 100. Also, if the printing device is configured so that the liquid supply source is a liquid cartridge, such as an ink cartridge, the user replaces the liquid cartridge installed in the second printing device 60. For this reason, it is necessary to provide the user with, for example, a new liquid bottle 100 or liquid cartridge before the second printing device 60 runs out of liquid (runs out).

[0034] The same applies to the first printing device 11. The company or employees must prepare, for example, a new liquid cartridge 22 before the first printing device 11 runs out of liquid (ends up).

[0035] Under the subscription contract, a liquid supply source such as a liquid cartridge 22 is shipped to the user before the first printing device 11 runs out of liquid. This liquid supply source is shipped by the service company that has entered into the subscription contract. From the service company's perspective, the company that rents the first printing device 11 is the party with whom the subscription contract is made. The service company manages the service provision server 90 of the company with which the subscription contract is made.

[0036] The service providing server 90 collects information regarding the consumption of printing agents such as ink by the first printing device 11 via the network NW. Based on this information, the service providing server 90 manages the number of new liquid supply sources owned by the company or user that uses the first printing device 11.

[0037] Based on the information collected via the service provider server 90, the service company ships a new liquid container, such as a liquid cartridge 22, to the company so that it arrives at the company before the first printing device 11, which has a subscription contract, runs out of liquid. Furthermore, if a portion of the first printable number of pages of the first printing device 11 is allocated to the second printing device 60 as the second printable number, the service company ships a new liquid supply source, such as a liquid bottle 100, to the user of the second printing device 60 at the next timing. That is, the service company ships a new liquid supply source, such as a liquid bottle 100, to the user of the second printing device 60 so that it arrives at the user of the second printing device 60 before the amount of liquid that would cause one liquid bottle 100 to run out is consumed by printing the second number of pages, which is the number of pages that have already been printed out of the second printable number. Furthermore, if the liquid supply source of the second printing device 60 is a liquid cartridge, such as an ink cartridge, the service company ships a liquid cartridge as a liquid supply source to the user of the second printing device 60.

[0038] <Electrical configuration of the printing system> Next, the electrical configuration of the printing system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The first printing device 11 includes a control unit 20, an input unit 16, a display unit 17, an image reading unit 14, and a printing unit 13. The printing unit 13 includes a print head 21, a transport unit 23, and a maintenance unit 24. The maintenance unit 24 includes a pump 25. The first printing device 11 also includes a communication unit 26. The control unit 20 is connected to a network NW via the communication unit 26.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of host devices 40 are connected to the first printing device 11 via a LAN such as an in-house local area network (in-house LAN). A user (e.g., an employee) issues a printing instruction from the host device 40. At this time, print data PD is sent from the host device 40 to the first printing device 11. The print data PD is data that includes print image data including characters or images to be printed, and printing condition information specified by the user. When the first printing device 11 receives the print data PD from the host device 40, the control unit 20 controls the printing unit 13 to print characters, images, etc. based on the print data PD on the medium M.

[0040] 5, the information terminal 50 of the telecommuter includes an input unit 51, a display unit 52, a terminal control unit 53, and a communication unit 54. The terminal control unit 53 comprehensively controls the information terminal 50. The terminal control unit 53 is also connected to the network NW via the communication unit 54.

[0041] The company server 70 shown in FIG. 5 also includes a server control unit 71, a communication unit 72, and an authentication unit 73. The server control unit 71 performs overall control of the company server 70. The server control unit 71 is connected to the network NW via the communication unit 72. The authentication unit 73 performs authentication when the management terminal 80 accesses the first printing device 11. When accessing the first printing device 11 from the management terminal 80, the administrator enters an ID and password. The authentication unit 73 performs authentication using the ID and password received from the management terminal 80. The server control unit 71 permits the authenticated management terminal 80 to access the first printing device 11.

[0042] The control unit 20 of the first printing device 11 can allocate a portion of the printable number of sheets out of the specified number of sheets managed by the print count management information PI to the second printing device 60, which is another printing device, by accessing it from the management terminal 80. The control unit 20 performs the allocation process based on instructions from the management terminal 80. Note that the management terminal 80 may include a management unit 83 having the same functions as the management unit 31 instead of or in addition to the management unit 31 provided in the control unit 20 of the first printing device 11. The management units 31, 83 manage the print count management information PI (see FIG. 7, etc.).

[0043] Next, the configuration of the first printing device 11 will be described in detail. The user operates the input unit 16 to select one of print, scan, or copy from the menu screen on the display unit 17. Depending on the selection, the display on the display unit 17 switches from the menu screen to a setting screen (not shown) on which predetermined conditions such as print conditions, scan conditions, and copy conditions can be input. Furthermore, the user selects the desired conditions on the setting screen to instruct the first printing device 11 to perform one of print, scan, or copy. The first printing device 11 performs one of the commands from print, scan, or copy based on the conditions input by the user.

[0044] Furthermore, the company administrator can operate the input unit 16 to input an ID and password, and once authenticated, can access the print count management information PI stored in the memory unit 34 of the first printing device 11. The administrator can also operate the management terminal 80 to access the print count management information PI stored in the memory unit 34 of the first printing device 11. The administrator accesses the print count management information PI and allocates the printable number of sheets to the second printing device 60.

[0045] The image reading unit 14 is controlled by the control unit 20 to read an original. The printing unit 13 is also controlled by the control unit 20 to print characters, images, etc. on the medium M by causing the print head 21 to eject droplets onto the medium M transported by the transport unit 23. For example, upon receiving an instruction to make a copy, the control unit 20 causes the image reading unit 14 to read the original and causes the printing unit 13 to print the image of the read original on the medium M, thereby making a copy.

[0046] The maintenance unit 24 is controlled by the control unit 20, and performs maintenance on the print head 21 when it is time for maintenance. Maintenance includes flushing (blank ejection), in which droplets are ejected from all nozzles of the print head 21 to predetermined locations other than the medium M, and cleaning, in which liquid is forcibly discharged from the nozzles of the print head 21. The maintenance unit 24 cleans the print head 21. The maintenance unit 24 is equipped with a cap (not shown) that can move between a capping position in contact with the nozzle surface where the nozzles of the print head 21 open, and a retracted position away from the nozzle surface. The maintenance unit 24 forcibly discharges liquid from the nozzles by driving the pump 25 while the cap is in contact with the nozzle surface of the print head 21.

[0047] The pump 25 is either a suction pump communicating with the cap, or a pressure pump that pressurizes the liquid in the flow paths communicating with the nozzles of the print head 21 from the upstream side. If the pump 25 is a suction pump, a closed space communicating with the nozzles is formed by the nozzle face and the cap at the capping position where the cap contacts the nozzle face. When the pump 25 is driven in this state, a negative pressure is created in the closed space communicating with the nozzles, forcing the liquid to be sucked and discharged from the nozzles. If the pump 25 is a pressure pump, when the pump 25 is driven, the liquid in the flow paths communicating with the nozzles is pressurized from the upstream side, forcing the liquid to be discharged from the nozzles. The cap may be spaced a short distance from the nozzle face.

[0048] The control unit 20 includes a computer 30. The computer 30 is configured with, for example, a microprocessor. The computer 30 includes a management unit 31, a counter 32, a liquid consumption measurement unit 33, and a memory unit .

[0049] At least one of the management unit 31, counter 32, and liquid consumption measurement unit 33 may be configured as software by the computer 30 executing a program (not shown) stored in the memory unit 34. Alternatively, at least one of the management unit 31, counter 32, and liquid consumption measurement unit 33 may be configured as hardware.

[0050] The counter 32 counts the number of printed sheets. There are multiple counters 32. The control unit 20 causes the multiple counters 32 to count the number of printed sheets by the first printing device 11 and the number of printed sheets by the second printing device 60. The count value of each counter 32 indicates the number of printed sheets.

[0051] The liquid consumption measurement unit 33 measures the liquid consumption per sheet by adding up the amount of droplets for each ink color counted by multiple color counters based on the print image data for one sheet (one page) contained in the print data PD.

[0052] The control unit 20 causes the liquid consumption measurement unit 33 to measure the amount of liquid (ink consumption) consumed per sheet based on the print data PD. The liquid consumption measurement unit 33 measures the amount of liquid (ink) consumed to print one sheet. The liquid consumption measurement unit 33 also measures the amount of liquid (ink) consumed during recovery operations such as maintenance. For example, the liquid consumption measurement unit 33 may include multiple color counters that count the number of droplets for each ink color based on the print image data for each color that makes up the print data PD. For example, the print head 21 may be configured to form dots of multiple gradations by ejecting droplets of multiple dot sizes. In this case, the color counters may be configured to count the number of dots for each dot size.

[0053] Print count management information PI and a management table CT are stored in the storage unit 34. The computer 30 controls the first printing device 11 and also manages the print count management information PI.

[0054] The printing system 10 of this embodiment includes an input unit 16 of the first printing device 11 (see FIG. 5) and an input unit 81 of the management terminal 80 (see FIG. 1) as means for changing the print count management information PI shown in FIG. 7. By operating the input unit 16 of the first printing device 11, the administrator can access the print count management information PI stored in the memory unit 34 and allocate the printable sheets. Furthermore, by operating the input unit 81 of the management terminal 80, the administrator can remotely access the print count management information PI stored in the memory unit 34 of the first printing device 11 and allocate the printable sheets. In this embodiment, a portion of the printable sheets of the first printing device 11 can be allocated to the second printing device 60.

[0055] The control unit 20 can receive a command CS to change the print count management information PI from the management terminal 80 or the input unit 16. When the control unit 20 receives a command CS to change the allocation, it changes the values ​​of the first printable number, which is the number of printable sheets of the first printing device 11, and the second printable number, which is the number of printable sheets of the second printing device 60, in the print count management information PI to the instructed values.

[0056] The control unit 20 manages the number of prints for each range of liquid consumption per sheet when printing is performed by ejecting liquid from the print head 21 onto the medium M. In this example, the liquid is, for example, ink. That is, the control unit 20 manages the number of prints when printing is performed by ejecting ink from the print head 21. More specifically, the control unit 20 accesses print count management information PI (see FIG. 7, etc.) stored in the memory unit 34 and updates the number of printable sheets by subtracting the number of prints from the number of printable sheets. Here, the number of printable sheets is the remaining number of printable sheets obtained by subtracting the number of prints already printed in the current month from the specified number of prints that can be printed per month. For this reason, the number of printable sheets is updated successively.

[0057] The print quantity management information PI includes a specified print quantity which is the maximum number of sheets that the first printing device 11 can print per month, the print quantity, and a printable quantity obtained by subtracting the print quantity from the specified print quantity. Further, in the present embodiment, the print quantity management information PI includes the printable quantity allocated to the second printing device 60.

[0058] Note that the print quantity management information PI may be information for managing the print quantity for each range of the liquid consumption amount per sheet (for example, ink consumption amount). And the print quantity management information PI may be information with different amounts (unit prices) per sheet for each range of the liquid consumption amount. In this case, the control unit 20 measures the liquid consumption amount per sheet by the liquid consumption amount measuring unit 33. The control unit 20 specifies the range based on the measured liquid consumption amount per sheet, and counts up the print quantity in the specified range by the counter 32. For example, the liquid consumption amount per sheet is divided into three ranges: Low, Mid, and High. Assuming the unit price of Low is A yen / sheet, the unit price of Mid is B yen / sheet, and the unit price of High is C yen / sheet, then A < B < C. The specified print quantity is set from the monthly billing amount. Even in such a flat-rate printing service, when a telecommuter stops printing with the first printing device 11, the printing cost becomes relatively high compared to the monthly billing amount. Therefore, by being able to allocate a part of the first printable quantity on the first printing device 11 as the second printable quantity to the second printing device 60, the relatively high printing cost can be eliminated. Note that the specified print quantity is the upper limit of the print quantity determined monthly. Under such print quantity management information PI, it may be configured such that the printable quantity can be allocated from the first printing device 11 to the second printing device 60. Note that the number of ranges is not limited to three, and may be two or four.

[0059] <Configuration of the management unit> First, referring to FIG. 6, the configuration of the management units 31, 83 will be described. Since the management units 31, 83 have basically the same configuration, the management unit 31 will be described here.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, the management unit 31 includes an acquisition unit 91, a comparison unit 92, a calculation unit 93, an allocation unit 94, a conversion unit 95, a determination unit 96, an estimation unit 97, and a code generation unit 98. The acquisition unit 91 acquires the number of sheets printed by the first printing device 11 installed at the first location. This number of sheets printed is the number of sheets that have already been printed by the first printing device 11.

[0061] The comparison unit 92 compares the number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit 91 with a specified number of prints determined based on the billing amount. Here, the specified number of prints is the upper limit of the number of prints determined per month.

[0062] The calculation unit 93 calculates the first printable number of sheets in the first printing device 11 based on the comparison by the comparison unit 92. The allocation unit 94 allocates at least a portion of the first printable number calculated by the calculation unit 93 as a second printable number to the second printing device 60 provided at the second location. The second printing device 60 performs printing based on the second printable number.

[0063] The second printable number allocated from the first printable number may be transmitted to the second printing device via a server, which may be the company server 70 or the service providing server 90.

[0064] Alternatively, the data may be transmitted via a USB memory 57 (see FIG. 15) or a QR code (registered trademark), etc. When a QR code is used, the QR code printed by the first printing device 11 is read by the second printing device 60, and the second printable sheet count allocated to the second printing device 60 is incorporated into the second printing device 60.

[0065] 6, the management unit 31 may also include a conversion unit 95 that converts between the respective printable numbers when at least a portion of the first printable number is allocated to the second printable number. The conversion unit 95 converts between the respective printable numbers based on printing information from the first printing device 11 and the second printing device 60. The printing information may also include the printing cost per sheet of media.

[0066] 6, the management unit 31 may further include a determination unit 96 that determines whether printed materials printed by the second printing device 60 are business printed materials or personal printed materials. When printed materials determined by the determination unit 96 to be business printed materials are printed, the calculation unit 93 subtracts the number of printed business printed materials from the second printable number. When printed materials determined by the determination unit 96 to be personal printed materials are printed, the calculation unit 93 does not subtract from the second printable number.

[0067] 6, the management unit 31 also includes an estimation unit 97 that estimates the amount of printing agent used in the second printing device 60 based on the number of commercial printed sheets printed by the second printing device 60. When the amount of printing agent used estimated by the estimation unit 97 reaches a predetermined value, a request is made for the amount of printing agent used. Here, the predetermined value is the amount of printing agent in one bottle or one cartridge when it is full.

[0068] The second printing device 60 is an inkjet printing device that prints by ejecting ink. If the recovery operation performed by the second printing device 60 is determined to be related to commercial printed materials, the amount of printing agent used by the recovery operation is added to the amount of printing agent used. Here, the recovery operation includes a cleaning operation, which is an operation to remove clogged nozzles in the print head 21. The recovery operation whose amount of printing agent is added to the amount of printing agent used may be only a cleaning operation, or may be both a cleaning operation and a flushing operation. The recovery operation whose amount of printing agent is added to the amount of printing agent used may be only a flushing operation.

[0069] The allocation unit 94 can allocate at least a portion of the second printable number as the first printable number in the first printing device 11. If it is determined that the first printable number is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the allocation unit 94 allocates the second printable number to the first printable number. In other words, the allocation unit 94 restores the original first printable number by allocating at least a portion of the second printable number to the first printable number.

[0070] The printing system 10 includes a code generation unit 98 that generates the second number of printable sheets as a code, and an image reading unit 62 that is provided in the second printing device 60 and serves as an example of a reading unit that reads the code. The second number of printable sheets is set in the second printing device 60 by reading the code with the image reading unit 62. In this embodiment, the image reading unit 62 of the second printing device 60 is an example of a reading unit, but the second printing device 60 may also be provided with a code reading unit. The reading unit may also be a code reading unit that is connected to the second printing device 60 as an external device.

[0071] The code contains device information about the second printing device 60. If the code does not match the device information of the second printing device 60 when read by the image reading unit 62, the second printable number is not set in the second printing device 60. Here, the device information may be the model, serial number, etc.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, print count management information PI includes a specified number of prints determined per month. In the example of FIG. 7, the specified number of prints is set to 100%. In the example of FIG. 7, "10,000 sheets" is allocated as the specified number of prints, which is the maximum number of printable sheets determined per month. Since the first printing device 11 is an office printer, the printing cost is 1 yen per sheet. In FIG. 7, the first printable area PA1 corresponds to the specified number of prints.

[0073] As shown in the print count management information PI in FIG. 8, the allocation unit 94 allocates 4,000 sheets of the specified print count for the first printing apparatus 11 to the second printing apparatus 60. Because the second printing apparatus 60 is a home printer, the printing cost is 2 yen per sheet. Therefore, 4,000 sheets for the first printing apparatus 11 corresponds to 2,000 sheets for the second printing apparatus 60. Therefore, as shown in the print count management information PI in FIG. 7, 6,000 sheets are allocated to the first printing apparatus 11 and 2,000 sheets are allocated to the second printing apparatus 60. In other words, if the specified print count of 10,000 sheets is 100%, 60% is allocated to the first printing apparatus 11 and 40% is allocated to the second printing apparatus 60. In FIG. 8, the first printable area PA1 corresponds to 60%, and the second printable area PA2 corresponds to the specified print count.

[0074] 9, the print count management information PI makes it possible to allocate a portion of the 2000 sheets allocated to the second printing device 60 as the printable number of sheets for the first printing device 11. That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to return all or a portion of the printable number of sheets allocated to the second printing device 60 to the original first printing device 11. In FIG. 9, the first printable area PA1 increases by 10% from 60% to 70%, and the second printable area PA2 decreases by 10% from 40% to 30%.

[0075] Also, as shown in FIG. 10, when the number of printable sheets of the first printing device 11 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the allocation unit 94 may be configured to allocate at least a portion of the second number of printable sheets of the second printing device 60 to the first printing device 11 as the first number of printable sheets.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 10, after allocating a portion of the first printable number to the second printing device 60 as the second printable number, the first printable number, which is the number of printed sheets, increases as shown by the first printed area FA1 in FIG. 10. In this case, the first printable number (area PA1) of the first printing device 11 falls below a predetermined value. Then, the allocation unit 94 allocates a portion of the second printable number (area PA2) of the second printing device 60 to the first printing device 11 as the first printable number. In other words, the allocation unit 94 returns a portion of the second printable number of the second printing device 60 to the first printing device 11 as the first printable number. In FIG. 11, the first printable number (area PA1) increases by 10% from 20% to 30%, and the second printable number (area PA2) decreases by 10% from 40% to 30%.

[0077] 12, when a portion of the printable number of sheets of the first printing device 11 is allocated to the second printing device 60 as the second printable number, the first printable number, which is the number of printed sheets indicated by the first printed area FA1 in FIG. 12, has progressed to 40%. In this case, the first printable number of sheets of the first printing device 11 indicated by the first printable area PA1 falls below a predetermined value. The allocation unit 94 then limits the allocation of the printable number of sheets from the first printing device 11 to the second printing device 60. Specifically, the upper limit of the allocation from the first printing device 11 to the second printing device 60 is set to a predetermined value or less. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 12, the number of sheets of the first printable number of sheets of the first printing device 11 that can be allocated to the second printing device 60 is limited to, for example, half or less. Therefore, a maximum of half of the first printable number of sheets, "6,000 sheets," or "3,000 sheets," is allocated to the second printing device 60. As a result, 1500 sheets are allocated as the second printable number to the second printing device 60. In FIG. 12, even if 30% is allocated to the second printable number (area PA2), 30% remains for the first printable area PA1 (area PA1).

[0078] The management table CT shown in Figure 13 is stored in the memory unit 34 of the first printing device 11. The management table CT is reference data that specifies the ON / OFF conditions for allocating the number of printable sheets, the burden of recovery operation costs, and the storage of print data PD. By referencing the management table CT, the control unit 20 determines whether to allocate the number of printable sheets ON / OFF, whether to switch the burden of costs for printing agent consumed in recovery operations between office and telecommuter, and whether to store print data PD ON / OFF, depending on whether the user is on or off business.

[0079] 13, the control unit 20 turns on the printable page allocation during business hours and turns off the printable page allocation outside of business hours. The cost of the printing agent consumed in the recovery operation is borne by the company during business hours and by the telecommuter outside of business hours. Furthermore, when the second printing device 60 prints, the control unit 20 copies the print data PD to the company server 70 during business hours and does not copy or save the print data PD outside of business hours.

[0080] For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the allocation unit 94, which is part of the management unit 31, determines whether the WP is during business hours or after business hours from the attendance system 74. When performing a recovery operation, the cost of the printing agent consumed during the recovery operation is switched between the company and the telecommuter depending on whether the WP is during business hours or after business hours. Specifically, if a recovery operation is performed during an after-business day, the cost is borne by the telecommuter, and if a recovery operation is performed during a business day, the cost is borne by the company. In this embodiment, the second printing device 60 performs a recovery operation at the end of business hours at the company's expense. In other words, nozzle clogging caused by printing during business hours is resolved by performing a recovery operation at the end of business hours at the company's expense. Therefore, the WP is handed over to the user who will bear the cost of the printing agent for the after-business day OW, with the cause of the nozzle clogging removed by the recovery operation.

[0081] <Switching Between Personal Use and Business Use of the Second Printing Device 60> Below, we will explain a configuration example in which the second printing device 60 can be switched between private use and business use. There are four configuration examples, the first to fourth embodiments, as follows. Below, we will explain each of the four embodiments in order.

[0082] In the first embodiment shown in Figure 15, when a print instruction is received from an information terminal 50, the management unit 31, 83 determines whether the corresponding telecommuter is working (within working hours). If it is outside working hours, the second printing device 60 prints on medium M as personal use. If it is within working hours, the second printing device 60 prints on medium M as business use. The management unit 31, 83 accesses the attendance system 74 of the company server 70 and determines whether the corresponding telecommuter is working or not based on the attendance information of the telecommuter. If printing is to be done on the second printing device 60 for business use, the print data PD is copied to the company server 70.

[0083] In the second embodiment shown in Figure 16, a normal driver and a business driver are installed as print drivers on the information terminal 50. When a print instruction is received from the information terminal 50, the management unit 31, 83 determines the print driver. If the print driver is the normal driver, it is determined to be for personal use (non-business), and if the print driver is the business driver, it is determined to be for business use (during business). If it is for business use, the print data PD is copied to the company server 70.

[0084] In a third embodiment shown in FIG. 17, a telecommuter uses a personal information terminal 50A and a company information terminal 50B provided or loaned by the company at a second location such as a home. The personal information terminal 50A and the company information terminal 50B have different MAC addresses. When a print instruction is received from either information terminal 50A or 50B, the MAC address is determined. If the MAC address is unregistered, the management unit 31, 83 determines that the use is for personal use. The second printing device 60 prints on medium M for personal use. If the MAC address is registered, the management unit 31, 83 determines that the use is for business use. The second printing device 60 prints on medium M for business use. When printing for business use, the print data PD is copied to the company server 70. Here, information terminals 50A, 50B such as personal computers may be used, but portable information terminals 56A, 56B such as smartphones may also be used in addition to or instead of at least one of the information terminals 50A, 50B. When a print instruction is received from a personal portable information terminal 56A or a company portable information terminal 56B, the system selects whether the print is for personal use or business use based on the MAC address determination result. Note that the MAC address is not limited to a MAC address, and any unique information will do.

[0085] In the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 18, when a telecommuter uses the second printing device 60 to print for business purposes, the telecommuter connects a USB memory 57 that he or she has brought home from the office to the second printing device 60. This USB memory 57 stores a code related to the second printable number of pages assigned to the second printing device 60. When a print instruction is received from the information terminal 50, business printing can be performed within the range of the second printable number of pages obtained from the code. When printing for business purposes, the print data PD is copied to the company server 70.

[0086] <Operation of the embodiment> Next, the operation of the printing system 10 of this embodiment will be described. In the printing system 10 of this embodiment, a portion of the first printable page count of the first printing device 11 installed in a first location (an office) can be allocated as a second printable page count of the second printing device 60 installed in the home of a telecommuter (a second location). This allocation is performed, for example, by a company administrator. For example, when the administrator receives a request for allocation of the printable page count from a telecommuter, the administrator operates the management terminal 80 to access the first printing device 11. At this time, the management terminal 80 may access the first printing device 11 via the service provider server 90, or may access the first printing device 11 directly via the company's internal network.

[0087] The allocation of a portion of the first printable number to the second printable number of the second printing device 60 is performed by the management unit 31 of the first printing device 11 or the management unit 83 of the management terminal 80. First, the acquisition unit 91 acquires the number of sheets printed by the first printing device 11 installed at the first location. For example, at the beginning of the month, the number of sheets printed for that month is "0", as shown in FIG.

[0088] Next, the comparison unit 92 compares the number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit 91 with a specified number of prints determined based on the monthly fixed fee. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the first printing device 11 is assigned a specified number of prints of 10,000 sheets, which is determined based on the monthly fixed fee.

[0089] Next, the calculation unit 93 calculates the first printable number of sheets on the first printing device 11 based on the comparison by the comparison unit 92. For example, at the beginning of the month, the number of printed sheets for that month is "0," so the calculation unit 93 calculates the printable number of sheets "10,000 sheets" by subtracting the number of printed sheets "0" from the specified number of printed sheets "10,000 sheets." Note that, because the first printing device 11 is an office printer, the printing cost is 1 yen per sheet (1 yen / sheet).

[0090] Next, the allocation unit 94 allocates at least a portion of the first printable number calculated by the calculation unit 93 as the second printable number for the second printing device 60 provided at the second location. For example, in the example of Fig. 8, a number equivalent to "4000 sheets", which is 40% of the printable number of "10000 sheets", is allocated to the second printing device 60. However, because the second printing device 60 is a home printer, the printing cost is 2 yen per sheet (2 yen / sheet).

[0091] Therefore, when at least a portion of the first printable number of sheets is allocated to the second printable number of sheets, the conversion unit 95 converts between the respective printable numbers. The conversion unit 95 converts between the respective printable numbers based on the printing information of the first printing device 11 and the second printing device 60. Here, the printing information is information regarding the printing costs of the first printing device 11 and the second printing device 60. In this example, the printing information uses the printing cost per sheet of media. More specifically, the printing information indicates that the printing cost of the first printing device 11 is 1 yen per sheet and the printing cost of the second printing device 60 is 2 yen per sheet. Therefore, the conversion unit 95 converts 4,000 sheets, which is a portion of the first printable number of sheets of the first printing device 11, into the second printable number of sheets, "2,000 sheets," by dividing it by the unit price per sheet, "2 yen per sheet," which is the printing cost of the second printing device 60. 8, for example, "4000 sheets" of the first printable number is allocated to the second printing device 60 as the second printable number of "2000 sheets." In this way, the second printing device 60 performs printing based on the second printable number.

[0092] Furthermore, after allocating the second printable number to the second printing device 60, the allocating unit 94 can allocate at least a portion of the allocated second printable number as the first printable number in the first printing device 11. In other words, at least a portion of the second printable number allocated to the second printing device 60 can be withdrawn as the first printable number in the first printing device 11. For example, if it is determined that the first printable number is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the allocating unit 94 may allocate the second printable number to the first printable number.

[0093] For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , after the second printable number is allocated to the second printing device 60, the first printable number, indicated by the first printed area FA1 in FIG. 10 , increases, causing the first printable number at the first printing device 11 to fall below a predetermined value. The allocation unit 94 then allocates at least a portion of the second printable number at the second printing device 60 as the first printable number at the first printing device 11. In other words, when the first printable number falls below the predetermined value, the allocation unit 94 resets at least a portion of the second printable number as the first printable number. In the example shown in FIG. 11 , 500 sheets of the second printable number of 2,000 sheets are allocated as the first printable number of 1,000 sheets. As a result, the first printable number increases by 10% from 2,000 sheets.

[0094] Furthermore, as printing progresses in the first printing device 11, the allocation unit 94 subtracts the first number of printed sheets, which is the number of sheets that have already been printed, from the first number of printable sheets. As a result, if the first number of printable sheets falls below a specified value, the allocation unit 94 may limit the number of sheets to be allocated as the second number of printable sheets to the second printing device 60, by using at least a portion of the first number of printable sheets.

[0095] For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the first printable number of sheets in the first printing device 11 falls below a predetermined value, the allocation unit 94 limits the number of sheets allocated to the second printing device 60 as the second printable number. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the number of sheets that can be allocated from the first printable number of sheets in the first printing device 11 is limited to, for example, half or less. As a result, half of the first printable number of sheets (6,000 sheets), or "3,000 sheets," is allocated to the second printing device 60 as the second printable number. As a result, "1,500 sheets" converted by the conversion unit 95 is allocated to the second printing device 60 as the second printable number. Because the second printable number that can be allocated is limited in this way, an excessive decrease in the first printable number is prevented.

[0096] The second printable number, which is allocated from the first printable number, may be sent to the second printing device 60 via the company server 70 or the service provider server 90. In this case, it may be sent to the second printing device 60 via the information terminal 50. Information on the second printable number may also be sent to the information terminal 50. In this case, a print driver or a printing management tool installed on the information terminal 50 may manage the first printable number.

[0097] Alternatively, the code may be transmitted via a USB memory 57 or the like. That is, the telecommuter stores the code for the second printable number in the USB memory 57, and then takes the USB memory 57 to a second location such as his or her home and connects the USB memory 57 to the second printing device 60. As a result, the second printable number assigned to the second printing device 60 is installed in the second printing device 60.

[0098] The code generation unit 98 generates the second printable number as a code. A reading unit provided in the second printing device 60 reads the code. By reading the code with the reading unit, the second printable number is set in the second printing device 60. For example, if a QR code is used as the code, the QR code printed on the medium M by the first printing device 11 is read by the image reading unit 62 of the second printing device 60, and information on the assigned second printable number is incorporated into the second printing device 60.

[0099] However, the code holds device information for the second printing device 60. If the code is read by the reader and the device information for the second printing device 60 does not match, the second printable number is not set in the second printing device 60. Therefore, even if the code is lost, there is no risk of it being misused by others.

[0100] Once the second printable number is entered into the second printing device 60 in this way, the telecommuter outputs a print instruction to the second printing device 60 from the information terminal 50. Here, since the second printing device 60 is located in a second location such as a home, the telecommuter may print for personal use. Therefore, the determination unit 96 determines whether the printed material printed by the second printing device 60 is a business printed material or a personal printed material.

[0101] When a printed matter determined by the determination unit 96 to be a business printed matter is printed, the number of printed business printed matter sheets is subtracted from the second printable number. On the other hand, when a printed matter determined by the determination unit 96 to be a private printed matter is printed, the number of printed business printed matter sheets is not subtracted from the second printable number.

[0102] The determination unit 96 determines whether printing is for personal use or business use by one of the methods shown in the following four embodiments. The four embodiments will be described in order below with reference to Figs. 15 to 18.

[0103] (First Example) As shown in FIG. 15 , a telecommuter issues a print command from an information terminal 50. This print command is sent to the first printing device 11 or the management terminal 80 via the network NW. When the management unit 31 of the first printing device 11 or the management unit 83 of the management terminal 80 receives the print command, it identifies the telecommuter from the identification information included in the print command. The management unit 31, 83 then accesses the attendance system 74 of the company server 70 and determines whether the telecommuter is on or off work based on the attendance information of the telecommuter. The management unit 31, 83 then sends the determination result information indicating whether the telecommuter is on or off work to the information terminal 50 or the second printing device 60. If the determination result information indicates that the telecommuter is outside of work hours, the information terminal 50 or the second printing device 60 instructs the second printing device 60 to print the contents of the print command on a medium M as personal use. On the other hand, if the determination result information indicates that the telecommuter is within work hours, the information terminal 50 or the second printing device 60 instructs the second printing device 60 to print the contents of the print command on a medium M as business use.

[0104] A management tool is installed in the information terminal 50. When a print instruction is received, the management tool installed in the second printing device 60 queries the attendance information. If the print instruction is not sent to the first printing device 11 or the management terminal 80 via the network NW, it cannot be determined whether or not the person is working, so the second printing device 60 is instructed to print as if it were for personal use.

[0105] At this time, the information terminal 50 or second printing device 60 copies the print data PD and sends the copied print data PD to the company server 70. The information terminal 50 or second printing device 60 also sends print count information relating to the number of prints made by the telecommuter for business use to the management unit 31, 83. The company server 70 receives the print data PD printed by the telecommuter for business use. The company server 70 saves the received print data PD in a storage unit (not shown). Therefore, all print data PD for business use is stored in the storage unit (not shown) of the company server 70.

[0106] Furthermore, when the management unit 31, 83 receives information on the number of printed sheets printed by the second printing device 60 for business use, it subtracts the number of printed sheets based on this information on the number of printed sheets from the second printable number of sheets of the second printing device 60. Then, it performs a counting process to increase the second number of printed sheets by the number of printed sheets.

[0107] (Second Example) As shown in FIG. 16, a telecommuter issues a print instruction from an information terminal 50. This print instruction is input to the first printing device 11 or the management terminal 80 via the network NW. The information terminal 50 is equipped with a normal driver and a business driver as print drivers. In other words, the telecommuter installs the business driver separately from the normal driver as a print driver on his / her second printing device 60. The telecommuter also accesses the company server 70 or the service provider server 90 from the information terminal 50 to install the business driver. At this time, a management tool may be installed along with the business driver. This management tool is software with a determination function that determines whether the print driver that outputs the print data PD is a normal driver or a business driver.

[0108] The information terminal 50 determines, using the management tool, that if the print driver that output the print data PD is a regular driver, it is for personal use (non-business use), and if it is a business driver, it is for business use (during business hours). If it is for personal use, the second printing device 60 prints the contents of the print instruction on the medium M. On the other hand, if it is for business use, the second printing device 60 prints the contents of the print instruction on the medium M and sends the number of prints and the copied print data PD to the company. Specifically, the number of prints information is sent to the first printing device 11 or the management terminal 80, and the number of prints determined from the number of prints information is subtracted from the second printable number. The copied print data PD is then sent to the company server 70, where it is copied. Therefore, all print data PD for business use is stored in the memory unit (not shown) of the company server 70. The management tool may be installed on the second printing device 60. In this case, the print data PD and the number of prints information are sent from the second printing device 60.

[0109] (Third Example) As shown in FIG. 17, a telecommuter issues a print instruction from either a personal information terminal 50A or a company-side information terminal 50B loaned or provided by the company. Specifically, if the telecommuter is using the document for personal use, the telecommuter outputs the print instruction from the personal information terminal 50A. If the telecommuter is using the document for business purposes, the telecommuter outputs the print instruction from the company-side information terminal 50B. This print instruction is sent to the first printer 11 or the management terminal 80 via the network NW. The management units 31 and 83 acquire the MAC address of the information terminal 50 that sent the print instruction. The management units 31 and 83 have MAC addresses of business-use information terminals 50 pre-registered. The management units 31 and 83 determine whether the acquired MAC address is a registered address for business use. If the MAC address is an unregistered address, the use is determined to be personal use, and if the MAC address is a registered address, the use is determined to be business use. This determination result information is sent from the first printing device 11 or management terminal 80 at the first location to the information terminal 50 or second printing device 60 at the second location. Then, the information terminal 50 or second printing device 60 performs either printing for personal use or printing for business use based on the determination result information. At this time, as in the first embodiment, if the printing is for business use, the second printing device 60 prints the contents of the print instruction on the medium M, sends the copied print data PD to the company server 70, and sends information on the number of prints to the management terminal 80 or first printing device 11. The MAC address determination may also be performed by a management tool installed on the information terminal 50 or second printing device 60.

[0110] (Fourth Example) As shown in FIG. 18 , a telecommuter issues a print command from a personally owned information terminal 50. In this fourth embodiment, when the first printing device 11 allocates a portion of its printable number to the second printing device 60, a USB memory 57 is connected to the first printing device 11 or the management terminal 80. The first printing device 11 or the management terminal 80 then stores a code in the USB memory 57. The telecommuter receives this USB memory 57 at the office and takes it home. When the telecommuter wants the second printing device 60 to print for business use, the telecommuter connects the USB memory 57 to the second printing device 60. The code stored in the USB memory 57 includes a code related to the second printable number and a code authorizing printing for business use.

[0111] Therefore, when a print instruction is output from the information terminal 50 without connecting the USB memory 57 to the second printing device 60, the second printing device 60 prints the contents of the print instruction on the medium M for personal use. Also, when a print instruction is output from the information terminal 50 after connecting the USB memory 57 to the second printing device 60, the second printing device 60 prints the contents of the print instruction on the medium M for business use. When printing for business use, information on the number of prints is sent from the information terminal 50 or second printing device 60 at the second location to the first printing device 11 or management terminal 80 at the first location. Also, the copied print data PD is sent from the information terminal 50 or second printing device 60 at the second location to the company server 70.

[0112] <Printing agent shipping request> The second printing apparatus 60, which is a home printer, may be configured to monitor the amount of liquid (e.g., ink), an example of printing agent, and, when it runs low, send the amount of printing agent used for business purposes to a second location, such as the telecommuter's home. Specifically, when the amount of printing agent used estimated by the estimation unit 97 reaches a predetermined value, a request is made for the amount of printing agent used. Here, the predetermined value is the amount used equivalent to one bottle or one cartridge. The control unit of the second printing apparatus 60 includes a liquid consumption measurement unit with the same function as the liquid consumption measurement unit 33 of the first printing apparatus 11. The liquid consumption measurement unit measures the amount of liquid consumed by the second printing apparatus 60 during printing and recovery operations. When the cumulative amount of liquid consumed during business printing reaches a predetermined value, a request is made for one bottle or one cartridge of printing agent (e.g., ink) to be sent to a second location, such as the telecommuter's home. This request is made to the service providing server 90 by any one of the second printing device 60, the information terminal 50, the management terminal 80, and the first printing device 11.

[0113] The second printing device 60 is an inkjet printing device that prints by ejecting ink, and therefore performs a recovery operation to prevent or clear clogging of the nozzles of the print head 67B. If the recovery operation performed by the second printing device 60 is determined to be related to commercial printing, the amount of printing agent used during the recovery operation may be added to the printing agent usage amount. In this case, when the added amount of printing agent usage reaches a predetermined value, a request is made for the amount of printing agent used. In this way, when the cumulative amount of liquid consumed during commercial printing and recovery operations reaches a predetermined value, printing agent is also delivered to the user's home where the user works from home. This prevents the second printing device 60 from being unable to print for periods due to a lack of a new liquid supply on hand.

[0114] The effects of this embodiment will be described below. (1) The printing system 10 includes an acquisition unit 91, a comparison unit 92, a calculation unit 93, and an allocation unit 94. The acquisition unit 91 acquires the number of printed sheets at a first printing device 11 located at a first location. The comparison unit 92 compares the number of printed sheets acquired by the acquisition unit 91 with a specified number of printed sheets determined based on the billing amount. The calculation unit 93 calculates a first number of printable sheets at the first printing device 11 based on the comparison by the comparison unit 92. The allocation unit 94 allocates at least a portion of the first number of printable sheets calculated by the calculation unit 93 as a second number of printable sheets at a second printing device 60 located at a second location. The second printing device 60 executes printing based on the second number of printable sheets. This configuration reduces the risk of the monthly fee for a flat-rate printing service becoming high relative to the number of printed sheets if the number of printed sheets in the office decreases due to telecommuting, etc.

[0115] (2) The printing system 10 includes a conversion unit 95 that converts between the respective printable numbers when at least a portion of the first printable number is assigned to the second printable number. The conversion unit 95 converts between the respective printable numbers based on the printing information of the first printing device 11 and the second printing device 60. Because printing costs vary for each printing device, converting the printable number for each device reduces the risk of a significant reduction in the specified printable number. This configuration also avoids the user having to go through the hassle of assigning a printable number to each device while taking into account the different printing costs for each printing device 11 and 60. It also avoids the situation where printing costs become too high compared to the monthly fee, which occurs when printable numbers are assigned without conversion.

[0116] (3) The printing cost per sheet of media is used as the printing information. With this configuration, because printing costs vary for each printing device, converting the number of printable sheets for each device reduces the risk of a significant reduction in the specified number of printable sheets. This also avoids the user having to go through the trouble of assigning the number of printable sheets to each device while taking into account the different printing costs for each printing device. It also avoids the situation where printing costs become too high compared to the monthly fee, which occurs when assigning the number of printable sheets without conversion.

[0117] (4) The printing system 10 includes a determination unit 96 that determines whether printed materials printed by the second printing device 60 are business prints or personal prints. When printed materials determined by the determination unit 96 to be business prints are printed, the number of business prints printed is subtracted from the second printable number. Furthermore, when printed materials determined by the determination unit to be personal prints are printed, the second printable number is not subtracted. With this configuration, the printable number is subtracted only when a user performs business printing, so the printable number is not subtracted for personal printing, reducing the disadvantage to companies that have contracts with service providers that offer flat-rate printing services.

[0118] (5) The printing system 10 includes an estimation unit 97 that estimates the amount of printing agent used in the second printing device 60 based on the number of commercial printed sheets printed by the second printing device 60. This configuration makes it possible to estimate how much printing agent (e.g., ink) has been used for personal printing and commercial printing. For example, in a subscription contract, the subscription service provider must supply ink for printed sheets up to a specified number. In this case, there is a risk that the second printing device 60 will be used for personal printing. Since personal printing is outside the subscription contract, it is necessary to provide users with only the printing agent used for commercial printing. Here, since the amount of printing agent used for commercial printing can be estimated, only the required amount of printing agent can be provided to the user.

[0119] (6) When the amount of printing agent used estimated by the estimation unit 97 reaches a predetermined value, a request is made for the amount of printing agent used. This configuration reduces the risk of the user running out of printing agent while preventing excessive supply of printing agent to the user.

[0120] (7) The second printing device 60 is an inkjet printing device that prints by ejecting ink. If the recovery operation performed by the second printing device 60 is determined to be related to business-related printing, the amount of printing agent used in the recovery operation is added to the amount of printing agent used. With this configuration, if the recovery operation is determined to be business-related, the printing agent used in the recovery operation is added to the amount of printing agent used. This prevents the user from using up ink for personal printing.

[0121] (8) The allocation unit 94 can allocate at least a portion of the second printable number as the first printable number for the first printing device 11. If it is determined that the first printable number is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the allocation unit 94 allocates the second printable number to the first printable number. This configuration can prevent a situation in which the printable number in the office decreases and printing users in the office are unable to print.

[0122] (9) The printing system 10 includes a code generation unit 98 that generates the second printable number as a code, and an image reading unit 62 that is provided in the second printing device 60 and serves as an example of a reading unit that reads the code. The second printable number is set in the second printing device 60 by reading the code with the image reading unit 62. With this configuration, the printable number can be transferred even if the second printing device 60 is not connected to a network.

[0123] (10) The code holds device information for the second printing device 60. If the code is read by the image reading unit 62 and the device information for the second printing device 60 does not match, the second printable number is not set in the second printing device 60. With this configuration, there is no risk of the code being misused by others even if it is lost.

[0124] (11) The first location is an office, and the second location is a location other than the office. With this configuration, at least a portion of the first printable number can be allocated as the second printable number to the second printing device 60 used for printing at the location other than the office.

[0125] The above embodiment can be modified as shown in the following modified examples. Furthermore, the above embodiment and the modified examples shown below can be appropriately combined to form further modified examples, or the modified examples shown below can be appropriately combined to form further modified examples.

[0126] Printing information other than the printing cost per page may be used. The conversion ratio used by the conversion unit 95 may vary based on monthly statistical information. That is, the conversion unit 95 may be configured to convert the number of printable sheets using a conversion ratio determined based on monthly statistical information.

[0127] In the example, the printing cost per sheet of the second printing device 60 is higher than the printing cost per sheet of the first printing device 11, but the printing cost per sheet of the second printing device 60 may be lower than the printing cost per sheet of the first printing device 11.

[0128] The liquid consumption amount used to determine the number of printed sheets may not include the number of printed sheets corresponding to the amount of liquid consumed in recovery operations. For example, the amount of liquid consumed by flushing (empty ejection) may be converted into the number of printed sheets and included, but the amount of liquid consumed by cleaning may not be converted into the number of printed sheets and included, or the amount of liquid consumed by flushing and cleaning may both be converted into the number of printed sheets and not included.

[0129] -You can also judge this based on the ratio of business use to personal use among the number of pages printed between the previous flushing and the current flushing. The medium M is not limited to paper, but may be a synthetic resin film or sheet, cloth, nonwoven fabric, a composite film of synthetic resin and metal (laminate sheet), metal foil, ceramic sheet, or the like.

[0130] The first printing device 11 is not limited to a line printer or a serial printer, but may be a page printer. The second printing device 60 is not limited to a serial printer, but may be a line printer or a page printer.

[0131] The first printing device 11 is not limited to an inkjet printer, but may be a laser printer. In this case, the printing agent is toner. In addition, in this case, the second printing device 60 may be an inkjet printer. In this case, the printing information may be information regarding the price per page of toner and ink (liquid). The second printing device 60 may also be a laser printer or a dot matrix printer.

[0132] The technical concepts and effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. (A) The printing system includes an acquisition unit that acquires the number of prints made by a first printing device provided at a first location, a comparison unit that compares the number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit with a specified number of prints determined based on a charge amount, a calculation unit that calculates a first number of printable sheets made by the first printing device based on the comparison by the comparison unit, and an allocation unit that allocates at least a portion of the first number of printable sheets calculated by the calculation unit as a second number of printable sheets made by a second printing device provided at a second location, and the second printing device performs printing based on the second number of printable sheets.

[0133] According to this configuration, in a flat-rate printing service, if the number of pages printed in the office decreases due to telecommuting or the like, the risk of the monthly fee being too high compared to the number of pages printed can be reduced.

[0134] (B) In the above printing system, a conversion unit may be provided that converts between each printable number of sheets when at least a portion of the first printable number of sheets is assigned to the second printable number of sheets, and the conversion unit may convert between each printable number of sheets based on printing information of the first printing device and the second printing device.

[0135] This configuration reduces the risk of a significant reduction in the specified number of prints by converting the number of prints per device, since printing costs vary for each printing device. It also avoids the user having to go through the trouble of assigning a number of prints per device while taking into account the different printing costs for each printing device. For example, it can avoid situations where printing costs are higher than expected when assigning a number of prints per device without conversion.

[0136] (C) In the above printing system, the printing information may be a printing cost per sheet of medium. This configuration reduces the risk of a significant reduction in the specified number of prints by converting the number of prints per device, since printing costs vary from device to device. It also avoids the user having to go through the trouble of assigning a number of prints per device while taking into account the different printing costs per device. For example, it can avoid situations where printing costs are higher than expected when assigning a number of prints per device without converting the number of prints per device.

[0137] (D) In ​​the above printing system, a judgment unit is provided that judges whether the printed matter to be printed by the second printing device is a business printed matter or a private printed matter, and when a printed matter judged by the judgment unit to be a business printed matter is printed, the number of printed business printed matters is subtracted from the second printable number of sheets, and when a printed matter judged by the judgment unit to be a private printed matter is printed, it is not necessary to subtract from the second printable number of sheets.

[0138] According to this configuration, the number of printable sheets is deducted only when a user performs business printing, so the number of printable sheets is not deducted when printing for personal use, and disadvantages to companies that have contracts with service providers that offer flat-rate printing services can be reduced.

[0139] (E) The printing system may further include an estimation unit that estimates the amount of printing agent used in the second printing device based on the number of sheets of the business-use printed material printed by the second printing device.

[0140] With this configuration, it is possible to estimate how much printing agent (e.g., ink) was used for personal printing and business printing. Under a subscription contract, the subscription provider must supply ink for a specified number of printed items. In this case, there is a risk that the second printing device will be used for personal printing. Since personal printing falls outside the subscription contract, it is necessary to provide the user with only the printing agent used for business printing. Here, since it is possible to estimate the amount of printing agent used for business printing, it is possible to provide the user with only the amount of printing agent they need.

[0141] (F) In the printing system, when the amount of printing agent used estimated by the estimation unit reaches a predetermined value, a request may be made for the amount of printing agent used. This configuration can prevent the user from running out of ink while also preventing excessive ink from being supplied to the user.

[0142] (G) In the above printing system, the second printing device is an inkjet printing device that prints by ejecting ink, and if the recovery operation performed by the second printing device is determined to be the recovery operation related to the commercial printed matter, the amount of printing agent used by the recovery operation may be added to the amount of printing agent used.

[0143] With this configuration, if the recovery operation is determined to be business-related, the amount of printing agent used in the recovery operation is added to the amount of printing agent used, thereby preventing the user from reducing the amount of ink available for personal printing.

[0144] (H) In the above printing system, the allocation unit may allocate at least a portion of the second printable number of sheets as a first printable number of sheets on the first printing device, and if it is determined that the first printable number of sheets is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the allocation unit may allocate the second printable number to the first printable number.

[0145] This configuration can prevent a situation in which the number of printable sheets in an office decreases and users of print materials in the office are unable to print. (I) The above printing system may include a code generation unit that generates the second number of printable sheets as a code, and a reading unit that is provided in the second printing device and reads the code, and the second number of printable sheets may be set in the second printing device by reading the code with the reading unit.

[0146] According to this configuration, the number of printable sheets can be transferred even if the second printing device is not connected to the network. (J) In the above printing system, the code holds device information of the second printing device, and if the code is read by the reading unit and the device information of the second printing device does not match, the second printable number does not have to be set in the second printing device.

[0147] With this configuration, even if the code is lost, there is no risk of it being misused by others. (K) In the above printing system, the first location may be an office, and the second location may be a location other than the office.

[0148] According to this configuration, at least a portion of the first printable number can be allocated as the second printable number to the second printing device used for printing outside the office. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 10...printing system, 11...first printing device, 12...main body section, 13...printing section, 14...image reading section, 14A...document table, 15...automatic document feeder section, 15A...document tray, 16...input section, 17...display section, 18...medium storage section, 19...ejection tray, 20...control section, 21...print head, 22...liquid cartridge, 23...transport section, 24...maintenance section, 25...pump, 26...communication section, 30...computer computer, 31...management unit, 32...counter, 33...liquid consumption measurement unit, 34...storage unit, 40...host device, 50...information terminal, 51...input unit, 52...display unit, 53...terminal control unit, 54...communication unit, 60...second printing device, 61...main body, 62...image reading unit as an example of a reading unit, 63...cover, 64...operation unit, 65...display unit, 66...paper feed cassette, 67...second printing unit, 67A...key cartridge, 67B...print head, 68...output tray, 69...liquid storage section, 69A...storage section, 69B...cap, 70...company server, 71...server control section, 72...communication section, 73...authentication section, 74...time attendance system, 80...management terminal, 81...input section, 82...display section, 83...management section, 90...service providing server, 91...acquisition section, 92...comparison section, 93...calculation section, 94...allocation section, 95...conversion section, 96...determination section, 97...estimation section, 98...code generation section, NW...network, M...medium, PD...print data, CS...command, PI...print number management information, CT...management table, PA1...first printable area, PA2...second printable area, FA1...first printed area, WP...in operation, OW...out of operation, X...width direction, Y...depth direction, Z...vertical direction, X1...width direction, Y1...transport direction.

Claims

1. A printing system including a first printing device and a second printing device connected to each other via a server. It is The first printing device is provided with a number of printing sheets, and the number of printing sheets is counted by the first printing device provided at the first location. an acquisition unit that acquires the information; The number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit and the amount of charge are determined based on the number of prints acquired by the first printing device. a comparison unit for comparing the number of prints with a specified number of prints; Calculating a first printable number of sheets in the first printing device based on the comparison by the comparison unit A calculation unit; At least a part of the first printable number calculated by the calculation unit is stored in a second location. an allocating unit that allocates the second printable number to the second printing device provided in the The printing device determines whether the printed matter to be printed by the second printing device is a business printed matter or a private printed matter. The decision is based on the attendance information on the network linked to the first user who issued the print instruction. a determination unit for determining whether Equipped with The second printing device is capable of printing as a chargeable item based on the second printable number of sheets. 、 When the printed matter determined by the determination unit as the business printed matter is printed, the printed matter is subtracting the number of sheets of the business-use printed matter from the second printable number; When the printed matter determined as the private printed matter by the determination unit is printed, the second print A printing system characterized in that no subtraction is made from the number of printable sheets.

2. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, When at least a portion of the first printable number is allocated to the second printable number, a conversion unit that converts between each printable number of sheets; The conversion unit converts each printable image into a printable image based on the print information of the first printing device and the second printing device. A printing system characterized by converting between different print sizes.

3. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, A printing system characterized in that the printing information is a printing cost per sheet of medium. Tem.

4. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, The second printing device prints the business-use printed matter. The second printing device includes an estimation unit that estimates the amount of printing agent used in the second printing device. A printing system comprising:

5. 5. The printing system according to claim 4, When the amount of printing agent used estimated by the estimation unit reaches a predetermined amount, a printing system that requires provision of the printing agent for a period of time.

6. 6. The printing system according to claim 4, The second printing device is an inkjet printing device that performs printing by ejecting ink. the law of nature, The recovery action performed by the second printing device is the recovery action related to the business printed material. If it is determined that the amount of printing agent used by the recovery operation is A printing system characterized by adding to.

7. 7. The printing system according to claim 1, The allocation unit allocates at least a portion of the second printable number to the first printing device. It can be assigned as the first printable number, When it is determined that the first printable number is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the allocation unit Allocating a second printable number to the first printable number; A printing system characterized by:

8. 8. The printing system according to claim 1, a code generating unit that generates the second printable number as a code; a reading unit provided in the second printing device for reading the code; Equipped with The code is read by the reader, and the second printing device prints the second print data. A printing system characterized in that the number of printable sheets is set.

9. 9. The printing system according to claim 8, the code holds device information for the second printing device; When the code is read by the reading unit, the second printing device and the device information If the information does not match, the second printable number is set in the second printing device. A printing system characterized in that:

10. 10. The printing system according to claim 1, The first location is an office and the second location is a location other than the office. A printing system comprising:

11. A printing system including a first printing device and a second printing device connected to each other via a server. It is The first printing device is provided with a number of printed sheets, and the number of printed sheets is acquired by the first printing device provided at the first location. an acquisition unit for acquiring the The number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit and the amount of charge are determined based on the number of prints acquired by the first printing device. a comparison unit for comparing the number of prints with a specified number of prints; Calculating a first printable number of sheets in the first printing device based on the comparison by the comparison unit A calculation unit; At least a part of the first printable number calculated by the calculation unit is stored in a second location. an allocating unit that allocates the second printable number to the second printing device provided in the The printing device determines whether the printed matter to be printed by the second printing device is the first printed matter or the second printed matter. a determination unit that determines whether or not a print job is to be printed based on a print driver of an information terminal that has issued a print instruction; Equipped with The second printing device is capable of printing as a chargeable item based on the second printable number of sheets. 、 When the printed matter determined as the first printed matter by the determination unit is printed, subtracting the number of the first printed sheets from the second printable number; When the printed matter determined as the second printed matter by the determination unit is printed, A printing system characterized in that no subtraction is made from the number of printable sheets.

12. A printing system including a first printing device and a second printing device connected to each other via a server. It is The first printing device is provided with a number of printed sheets, and the number of printed sheets is acquired by the first printing device provided at the first location. an acquisition unit for acquiring the The number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit and the amount of charge are determined based on the number of prints acquired by the first printing device. a comparison unit for comparing the number of prints with a specified number of prints; Calculating a first printable number of sheets in the first printing device based on the comparison by the comparison unit A calculation unit; At least a part of the first printable number calculated by the calculation unit is stored in a second location. an allocating unit that allocates the second printable number to the second printing device provided in the The printing device determines whether the printed matter to be printed by the second printing device is the first printed matter or the second printed matter. a determination unit that determines whether to print the printed matter based on the unique address of the information terminal that issued the print instruction; Equipped with The second printing device is capable of printing as a chargeable item based on the second printable number of sheets. 、 When the printed matter determined as the first printed matter by the determination unit is printed, subtracting the number of the first printed sheets from the second printable number; When the printed matter determined as the second printed matter by the determination unit is printed, A printing system characterized in that no subtraction is made from the number of printable sheets.

13. A printing system including a first printing device and a second printing device connected to each other via a server. It is The first printing device is provided with a number of printed sheets, and the number of printed sheets is acquired by the first printing device provided at the first location. an acquisition unit for acquiring the The number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit and the amount of charge are determined based on the number of prints acquired by the first printing device. a comparison unit for comparing the number of prints with a specified number of prints; Calculating a first printable number of sheets in the first printing device based on the comparison by the comparison unit A calculation unit; At least a part of the first printable number calculated by the calculation unit is stored in a second location. an allocating unit that allocates the second printable number to the second printing device provided in the The second printing device is configured to print either the first printed matter or the second printed matter. a determination unit that determines whether or not an identification connection terminal is connected to the second printing device; Equipped with The second printing device is capable of printing as a chargeable item based on the second printable number of sheets. 、 When the printed matter determined as the first printed matter by the determination unit is printed, subtracting the number of the first printed sheets from the second printable number; When the printed matter determined as the second printed matter by the determination unit is printed, A printing system characterized in that no subtraction is made from the number of printable sheets.

Images