Information processing device

Abstract

To promote the use of a prepaid type printing service by enabling an increase in an allowable printing amount on the basis of free authority information given by each user using a printer.SOLUTION: An information processing device executes the procedures of: receiving a purchase application for a charging plan for guaranteeing the number of purchased sheets by a purchase use user ST5; adding the number of purchased sheets related to the charging plan to the number of printable sheets to a compound machine individual X each time a purchase application is received ST15; associating service points for guaranteeing the number of additional sheets in accordance with the number of purchased sheets with identification information of the compound machine individual X ST10; receiving a utilization application for shared accumulated points associated with the identification information of the compound machine individual X ST75; and adding the value of a printing amount to be utilized in the number of additional sheets corresponding to the shared accumulated points associated with the identification information of the compound machine individual X to the number of printable sheets in accordance with the reception of the utilization application ST85.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device capable of communicating with a printing device. Place Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In some printing services, where users of printing devices pay a fee to a service provider according to the print content, a prepaid fee system is introduced. In this case, users can obtain printing authorization information for a fee and print based on the guaranteed print volume guaranteed by the printing authorization information. Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a technique is known in which the guaranteed print amount guaranteed by printing authority information acquired by a user for a fee is added to the value of the allowable print amount already allowed for a printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-68372 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-described conventional technology does not take into consideration acquisition of printing authority other than the method in which a user acquires printing authority information for a fee. Here, we consider a new case where, each time a user acquires printing authorization information for a fee, free authorization information is assigned according to the size of the guaranteed paid printing amount guaranteed by that printing authorization, and the accumulated free printing amount guaranteed by each free authorization information can be added to the above-mentioned allowable printing amount. In this case, by repeatedly acquiring paid authorization information, a certain amount of the guaranteed free printing amount is accumulated, and then converted into an allowable printing amount, thereby increasing the allowable printing amount of the printing device free of charge. Furthermore, if the free authorization information that can increase the allowable printing volume by accumulating the free printing guaranteed volume as described above is assigned to the printing device rather than to a specific user, when the printing device is shared by multiple users, each user can conveniently enjoy the benefit of the increased allowable printing volume of the printing device.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can promote the use of a prepaid printing service by enabling each user of a printing device to increase the permitted printing volume based on the free authorization information granted to the user. Place The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information processing device having a communication I / F capable of communicating with a printing device that forms an image on a print medium via a network, and a control unit, wherein the control unit executes an acquisition application acceptance process for accepting an acquisition application from a purchasing user for paid authorization information that guarantees a paid guaranteed print amount, a paid print amount addition process for adding a value of the paid guaranteed print amount related to the paid authorization information to a value of an allowable print amount for the printing device each time an acquisition application for the paid authorization information is accepted in the acquisition application acceptance process, a first authorization grant process for associating free authorization information that guarantees a free guaranteed print amount corresponding to the paid guaranteed print amount with identification information of the printing device, a first utilization application acceptance process for accepting an application for utilization of the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device, and a first free print amount addition process for adding a value of the utilized print amount out of the free guaranteed print amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device to a value of the allowable print amount in response to acceptance of the utilization application in the first utilization application acceptance process.

[0007] In the information processing device of the present invention, the control unit executes an acquisition request acceptance process, a paid print volume addition process, and a first authorization granting process. When each purchasing user applies to acquire paid authority information for a printing device, the application is accepted in the acquisition request acceptance process. When the application to acquire paid authority information is accepted in the acquisition request acceptance process, the paid print volume addition process adds the paid guaranteed print volume value related to the paid authority information to the allowable print volume value of the printing device. The purchasing user can increase the allowable print volume value by an amount corresponding to the purchase of their own paid authority information.

[0008] In the present invention, free-of-charge authorization information is also generated that guarantees a free-of-charge guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the paid-of-charge guaranteed printing volume related to the paid-of charge authorization information. The generated free-of-charge authorization information is associated with identification information of the printing device. In the present invention, by associating the free-of-charge authorization information with the printing device, any user of the printing device can utilize the free-of-charge authorization information.

[0009] In the information processing device of the present invention, a control unit executes a first utilization application acceptance process and a first free printing amount addition process. An application to utilize the free authorization information is accepted in the first utilization application acceptance process. When an application to utilize the free authorization information is accepted in the first utilization application acceptance process, the value of the free guaranteed printing amount requested for utilization, out of the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the printing device, is added to the value of the allowable printing amount in the first free printing amount addition process. The authority utilizing user can increase the value of the allowable printing amount by the amount that the user has requested to utilize, out of the free guaranteed printing amount of the free authorization information associated with the printing device.

[0010] According to the present invention, since free authorization information that guarantees the free guaranteed print volume is associated with the printing device, each user of the printing device can apply for use and increase the print volume of the printing device free of charge, thereby improving convenience. According to the present invention, improved convenience can promote the use of prepaid printing services.

[0011] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention includes a printing unit that forms an image on a printing medium within the range of an allowed allowable printing volume; an acquisition application acceptance unit that accepts, for each purchasing user, an application for acquisition of paid authority information that guarantees a paid guaranteed printing volume; a paid printing volume addition unit that adds the value of the paid guaranteed printing volume related to the paid authority information to the value of the allowable printing volume each time the acquisition application acceptance unit accepts an application for acquisition of the paid authority information; a first authority granting unit that associates free authority information that guarantees a free guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing volume with identification information of the printing unit; a first utilization application acceptance unit that accepts, from an authority utilizing user, an application for utilization of the free authority information associated with the identification information of the printing unit; and a first free printing volume addition unit that, in response to acceptance of the utilization application by the first utilization application acceptance unit, adds the value of the utilized printing volume from the free guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the free authority information associated with the identification information of the printing unit to the value of the allowable printing volume added by the paid printing volume addition unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, by enabling each user of a printing device to increase the allowable printing volume based on the free authorization information granted to them, it is possible to promote the use of prepaid printing services. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an overall schematic configuration of a print service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating management of service points. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a purchase service setting table, a point service setting table, and a multifunction machine individual X-compatible purchasing / using user management table stored in the management server. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an event management table for an individual multifunction device X stored in the management server. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a sequence chart illustrating an example of a control procedure for realizing a service point management method according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a sequence chart illustrating an example of a control procedure for realizing a service point management method according to an embodiment in a case where even a user can utilize service points. [Figure 7] 10 is a sequence chart showing an example of a control procedure for realizing a service point management method according to an embodiment when shared accumulated points are automatically utilized. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a purchasing / using user management table for an individual multifunction peripheral X when cumulative points for each user are set. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0015] The system configuration of a print service providing system relating to a print authority management system, which is one embodiment of the present invention, is shown in Fig. 1. This embodiment is an embodiment of a print service providing system 1 that can provide a prepaid print service in which a customer user pays a fee in advance to use the printing function of a multifunction device.

[0016] <Outline of the printing service provision system> 1, the print service providing system 1 includes a management server 100, a multifunction peripheral 200, a mobile terminal 300, and a transaction server 400. The management server 100, the multifunction peripheral 200, the mobile terminal 300, and the transaction server 400 are connected to a network NT including a mobile phone communication line and are capable of communicating with each other. The management server 100 is an example of an information processing device, the multifunction peripheral 200 is an example of a printing device, and the mobile terminal 300 is an example of an information terminal and an example of an external device.

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

[0018] The storage device 115 includes a volatile storage device 120 and a nonvolatile storage device 130. The volatile storage device 120 is, for example, a DRAM, and stores various programs and data to be processed. The nonvolatile storage device 130 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, and includes a program storage area 131 and a data storage area 132. Various programs are stored in the program storage area 131. The data storage area 132 stores various types of table information, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which will be described later, that stores purchase service settings, point service settings, user management, and event information executed for each multifunction device 200.

[0019] The processor 110 is a device that performs data processing, such as a CPU, and executes various programs, including a program related to the prepaid printing service of this embodiment, stored in the program storage area 131. The processor 110 performs various processes, including data communication with the mobile terminal 300, the multifunction peripheral 200, and the transaction server 400, which are connected to the network NT. The processor 110 cooperates with the multifunction peripheral 200 and the mobile terminal 300 to execute processes related to the purchasing service and point service provided by the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment.

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

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

[0022] The programs and the like in the program storage area 131 and the processor 110 that executes them are an example of a control unit of an information processing device, and the interface 190 is an example of a communication I / F.

[0023] <Multifunction device> The multifunction device 200 is owned, for example, by a printing service provider that provides the above-mentioned prepaid printing service or by a user. The multifunction device 200 has a scanner unit 280, a printing unit 290, a processor 210, a storage device 215, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a communication unit 285, and a communication interface 270. The scanner unit 280, printing unit 290, processor 210, storage device 215, display unit 240, operation unit 250, communication unit 285, and communication interface 270 are connected to one another via a bus 205.

[0024] The storage device 215 includes a volatile storage device 220 and a non-volatile storage device 230. The volatile storage device 220 is, for example, a DRAM, and includes an image data storage area 222 that stores image data to be printed. The non-volatile storage device 230 is, for example, a flash memory, and includes a program storage area 232. Various programs are stored in the program storage area 232 as, for example, firmware.

[0025] The processor 210 is a device that performs data processing, such as a CPU, and executes various programs stored in the program storage area 232.

[0026] The display unit 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is capable of displaying various types of information. The operation unit 250 is a device that accepts operations by the user. The user can input various instructions to the multifunction peripheral 200 by operating the operation unit 250. The communication interface 270 is a wired or wireless network interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT.

[0027] The scanner unit 280 optically reads an original document, which is an object to be read, using a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD or CMOS, and generates scan data representing the read image.

[0028] The printing unit 290 prints an image on the transported paper using a predetermined method while removing and transporting paper from a paper feed tray using a transport mechanism (not shown). The following description will be given taking an example of inkjet printing. The printing unit 290 forms an image on the paper using ink from an ink cartridge that is removably attached to a cartridge holder (not shown) in accordance with a print job sent from the mobile terminal 300 or a print job that the printing unit 290 itself generates based on operations on the operation unit 250. The above-mentioned paper is an example of a print medium.

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

[0030] <Mobile device> The mobile terminal 300 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone owned by a user, and is connected to the network NT via wireless communication. The mobile terminal 300 has a processor, a storage device, and an interface for connecting to the network NT (not shown).

[0031] Various programs are stored in a program storage area of ​​the storage device. These programs include various programs related to the provision of the prepaid printing service of this embodiment based on the sequence flows in Figures 5 to 7, which will be described later, including data communication with the management server 100, multifunction peripheral 200, and transaction server 400 connected to the network NT. The processor executes the various programs stored in the program storage area and executes processing methods related to the prepaid printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment in cooperation with the management server 100 and the multifunction peripheral 200.

[0032] Mobile terminal 300 also displays various information and accepts various operations by the user on a touch panel (not shown) that is an integrated combination of a liquid crystal display and a touch pad. The user can input various instructions to mobile terminal 300 by operating the touch panel. Instead of the mobile terminal 300, other information terminals such as a tablet computer or a desktop PC may be used.

[0033] <Trade Server> The transaction server 400 is installed, for example, in a company that provides various online services for performing online settlements, and has a processor, a storage device, and an interface for connecting to the network NT (not shown).

[0034] <Features of the embodiment> In the above configuration, the feature of this embodiment is that in a prepaid printing service in which a user purchases printing rights for a specific individual multifunction device 200, the service points granted with the purchase are associated with the individual multifunction device 200, accumulated, and shared among multiple users.

[0035] <About prepaid printing services and service point management> The relationship between purchases in the prepaid printing service of this embodiment and the associated service points will be described. As described above, in the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment, the management server 100, multifunction peripherals 200, mobile terminals 300, and transaction server 400 are connected via a network NT so that information can be sent and received. The form of information sending and receiving is such that multiple mobile terminals 300 owned by multiple users and multiple individual multifunction peripherals 200 X, Y, and Z (hereinafter referred to as individual multifunction peripherals X, Y, and Z, respectively) installed in various locations all send and receive information individually only to the management server 100, which centrally manages events that occur on all of the mobile terminals 300 and all of the multifunction peripherals 200 (not shown).

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, it is assumed that a single individual multifunction device X, which can be used only by a plurality of users A, B, C, and D who are registered as a limited family, such as parents and children, is installed in a typical home. In this case, it is assumed that users A, B, C, and D each own a mobile terminal 300. In this situation, all users A, B, C, and D can use the shared individual multifunction device X to operate the mobile terminal 300 and individually instruct the device to print the desired content. Meanwhile, only users A and B, who have been registered in advance as administrators who can purchase printing authority, can individually purchase printing authority, as will be described later.

[0037] The prepaid printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 is a service in which a user purchases in advance a printing authorization for a specific MFP X designated by the user via the mobile terminal 300. In other words, a prepaid system allows the user to print only up to a predetermined guaranteed print volume purchased as printing authorization. The management server 100 then directly accepts the request for purchasing printing authorization from the mobile terminal 300, and the printing authorization is applied to the designated MFP X. As described above, all users A, B, C, and D can issue printing instructions to the MFP X, but only users A and B, who are separately registered in advance as authorized to purchase printing authorization, can purchase the printing authorization. In other words, two types of users are set up to use the MFP X: purchasing users A and B (e.g., parents) who are registered as authorized to both print and purchase printing authorization, and user users C and D (e.g., children) who are authorized to use the MFP X only. Purchasing users A and B are examples of purchasing users, and user users C and D are examples of authorization utilizing users.

[0038] In such a prepaid printing service, the purchasing user can purchase printing rights for each individual multifunction device 200 for a fee, which is the number of pages purchased. This number can be selected from a variety of billing plans, such as 100 pages for 1,000 yen or 200 pages for 2,000 yen (see FIG. 3(a)). The number of pages purchased repeatedly by purchasing users A and B for a specific individual multifunction device X is cumulatively recorded in the storage device 215 of the individual multifunction device X as the number of pages that can be printed. Furthermore, all users A, B, C, and D who can use the individual multifunction device X share this number of pages as a shared use, and each time they instruct and execute printing on the individual multifunction device X, the number of pages that can be printed decreases until it reaches 0. For this reason, the management server 100 sequentially records all event information for each multifunction device 200, such as which mobile terminal 300 instructed which multifunction device 200 to purchase and print how many pages, and manages this history (see FIG. 4). The number of pages purchased for each billing plan is an example of a paid guaranteed print volume, each billing plan is an example of paid authority information, and the printable number is an example of an allowable print volume.

[0039] In the print service providing system 1 based on the above-described usage pattern, in this embodiment, service points are generated in response to each charge for a purchase event executed by each purchasing user A and B. These service points are a business model benefit, such as 10 points for a charge of 1,000 yen for purchasing printing privileges, and 25 points for a charge of 2,000 yen (see FIG. 3(a)). Once the accumulated service points from repeated charges reach a predetermined number, the points can be used to add an additional printable quantity of free pages equal to the number of guaranteed printable pages. The guaranteed printable quantity equal to the number of specified points is an example of the free guaranteed printable quantity.

[0040] One possible management method for the service points is to allocate and accumulate them individually to each purchasing user A and B who performed the purchase event (not shown). However, in this case, the accumulated service points are dispersed and it is difficult to accumulate them, resulting in a service with low convenience.

[0041] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, service points generated for each purchase event performed by each purchasing user A and B on an individual multifunction device X are managed so as to be summed up and linked together in correspondence with the individual multifunction device X. In other words, all service points generated in correspondence with the individual multifunction device X are managed so as to be accumulated and shared by all purchasing users A and B so that they can be utilized. Note that the shared accumulated points in this case are an example of free right information.

[0042] In this embodiment, to enable the management of service points in the above manner, the management server 100 stores the tables shown in Figures 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), and 4 in the data storage area 132 of the storage device 115. The purchase service setting table shown in Figure 3(a) records, for each type of billing plan selected by a purchasing user, the following items: the "amount" of the billing, the "number of purchased sheets" which is the number of guaranteed prints that can be purchased, and the "accrued points" which is the number of service points that will be earned corresponding to the billing amount.

[0043] The point service setting table shown in Figure 3(b) records the "usage points" required for each type of point utilization plan that can be applied when utilizing the service, and the corresponding "additional number of pages" of the guaranteed print volume that can be added. In the example shown, two types of plans are set: "Point Utilization Plan 50," which requires 50 usage points, and "Point Utilization Plan 80," which requires 80 usage points.

[0044] The purchasing user management table for individual multifunction device X shown in FIG. 3(c) is a table created in correspondence with multifunction device identification information (not shown) that is set for each individual multifunction device 200 (individual multifunction device X in the illustrated example). The multifunction device identification information is an example of identification information for a printing device. In this purchasing user management table for individual multifunction device X, each item of "user identification information" (email address in the illustrated example) used for authentication, etc. is recorded for each purchasing user ID for the individual multifunction device X. Although not shown, it is also possible to register users C and D in this example in a user management table corresponding to such individual multifunction device X. In that case, it is preferable to also record an item for the user type, indicating whether the user is a purchasing user or a using user, for each user, and to record a password or the like that is individually set in advance as the user identification information.

[0045] 4 is a table created in correspondence with multifunction device identification information (not shown) that is set for each individual multifunction device 200 (individual multifunction device X in the illustrated example). This individual multifunction device X event management table records all events that all users A, B, C, and D who can use the individual multifunction device X have instructed the individual multifunction device X to execute. Specifically, the following items are recorded in the order in which the events are executed: the "instructing user" who instructed the execution of each event, the "date" of the execution, the "product" and its "price" indicating the specific purchase quantity if the event is a purchase, and the "accrued points" resulting from the purchase, the "utilization points" used if the event is a utilization, the "shared accumulated points" added or subtracted for each purchase and utilization event, the "increase or decrease" in the number of printable sheets in the individual multifunction device X for each purchase and print event, and the "number of printable sheets" of the multifunction device 200 at that time calculated by the addition or subtraction.

[0046] If only purchasing users A and B are recorded in the user management table, even if using users C and D perform a printing event or utilization event, the user cannot be identified, so the "instructing user" item is not recorded (see event management No. 00006 in the figure). On the other hand, if all users A, B, C, and D are recorded in the user management table, the user identified by authenticating the password entered when instructing the event is recorded in the "instructing user" item (not shown).

[0047] <Control procedure> An example of a control procedure for realizing the method for managing the service points in this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence chart in Fig. 5. This sequence starts from an initial state in which the shared accumulated points corresponding to the individual multifunction device X are 0.

[0048] First, in ST5, when purchasing user A instructs, via the transaction server 400, through operation on his / her mobile terminal 300, to purchase printing rights under charging plan 100 that will increase the printable number of individual multifunction device X by 100, the management server 100 generates and accumulates service points in the next ST10. Specifically, the management server 100 references the purchase service setting table in FIG. 3(a) and accumulates the 10 service points corresponding to charging plan 100 to the shared accumulated points corresponding to the individual multifunction device X. Then, in the next ST15, the management server 100 instructs the individual multifunction device X to add 100 guaranteed print volumes corresponding to charging plan 100, and in ST20 the individual multifunction device X adds 100 to its printable number.

[0049] Next, in ST25, if purchasing user B instructs the purchase of printing authority under charging plan 200, then in ST30, management server 100 adds 25 service points corresponding to charging plan 200 to the shared cumulative points. Then, in ST35, management server 100 instructs individual multifunction device X to add 200 guaranteed print volumes, and in ST40, individual multifunction device X adds 200 pages to the number of printable pages. At this point, the shared cumulative points corresponding to individual multifunction device X become 35 points.

[0050] Next, in ST45, if purchasing user A instructs the purchase of printing rights under charging plan 200, then in ST50, the management server 100 adds 25 service points corresponding to charging plan 200 to the shared cumulative points. Then, in ST55, the management server 100 instructs individual multifunction device X to add 200 guaranteed print volumes, and in ST60, the individual multifunction device X adds 200 pages to its printable number. At this point, the shared cumulative points corresponding to individual multifunction device X are 60 points, which is greater than the minimum usable points of 50, and the management server 100 determines that point utilization plan 50 can be applied. As a result, in ST65, the management server 100 notifies the mobile terminals 300 of all purchasing users A and B of the current number of shared cumulative points and that they can now be used under point utilization plan 50, and instructs them to display this information. Upon receiving this, each mobile terminal 300 displays the notified number of shared accumulated points and displays the point utilization plan 50 so that utilization instructions can be given in ST70.

[0051] Thereafter, when the purchasing user (user B in the illustrated example) performs an operation to instruct execution of point utilization plan 50 at any timing, mobile terminal 300 instructs management server 100 to utilize the corresponding points in ST75. Next, in ST80, management server 100 subtracts 50 points from the shared cumulative points in accordance with the instructed point utilization plan 50, and in the next ST85 instructs multifunction device X to add 50 guaranteed print volumes. Then, in the next ST90, multifunction device X adds 50 pages to the number of printable pages. As a result, the shared cumulative points become 10 points. Note that purchasing users A and B may wait until the shared cumulative points reach the 80 points required for the next point utilization plan 80 before instructing utilization under that plan.

[0052] In the above sequence, the process by which the management server 100 accepts instructions for each billing plan in steps ST5, ST25, and ST45 is an example of an acquisition application acceptance process and an acquisition application acceptance unit, the steps ST15, ST35, and ST55 are an example of a paid printing volume addition process and a paid printing volume addition unit, the steps ST10, ST30, and ST50 are an example of a first authority granting process and a first authority granting unit, the process by which the management server 100 accepts instructions for point utilization in step ST75 is an example of a first utilization application acceptance process and a first utilization application acceptance unit, the step ST85 is an example of a first free printing volume addition process and a first free printing volume addition unit, and the 50 sheets added to the number of printable sheets is an example of the value of the printing volume to be utilized.

[0053] <Effects of this embodiment> As described above, when purchasing users A and B apply for the purchase of printing authority for individual multifunction device X under a fee-based billing plan in steps ST5, ST25, and ST45, the management server 100 in the print service providing system 1 of this embodiment accepts the application. Once the application is accepted, in steps ST15, ST35, and ST55, the number of pages purchased under the billing plan is added to the number of pages that can be printed by individual multifunction device X. Purchasing users A and B can increase the number of pages that can be printed by an amount corresponding to the purchase of printing authority under their own billing plan.

[0054] In this embodiment, service points are also generated that guarantee an additional number of sheets corresponding to the purchased number related to the billing plan. The generated service points are associated with the identification information of the individual multifunction device X. In this embodiment, the service points are associated with the individual multifunction device X as shared accumulated points, so that any user of the individual multifunction device X can use the service points.

[0055] Furthermore, the management server 100 of this embodiment accepts applications to use the shared accumulated points instructed by purchasing users A and B in ST75. When an application to use the shared accumulated points is accepted, the additional number of sheets requested to be used, out of the additional number of sheets corresponding to the shared accumulated points associated with the individual multifunction device X, is added to the number of printable sheets in the procedure of ST85. Purchasing users A and B can increase the number of printable sheets by the amount that they have requested to use, out of the additional number of shared accumulated points associated with the individual multifunction device X.

[0056] According to this embodiment, shared accumulated points that guarantee the additional number of pages are associated with the individual multifunction device X, so that each user of the individual multifunction device X can apply for use and increase the number of pages that can be printed on the individual multifunction device X free of charge, thereby improving convenience. According to this embodiment, the improved convenience can promote the use of prepaid printing services.

[0057] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, in the procedure of ST75, utilization applications from utilization users C and D other than purchasing utilization users A and B are not accepted, and users who can accept utilization applications are limited to purchasing utilization users A and B. According to this embodiment, it is possible to impose a predetermined restriction on users who can increase the number of printable sheets as needed.

[0058] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and technical concept of the present invention. Such modifications will be described in order. The same reference numerals will be used to designate parts equivalent to those in the above-described embodiment, and descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0059] <Variation 1: When service points can be used by users> In the above embodiment, only purchasing users A and B can issue a command to use the shared accumulated points associated with the individual multifunction device X. However, other users C and D may also be allowed to use the service points. That is, all service points generated in association with the individual multifunction device X are managed so that they can be shared and accumulated by all users A, B, C, and D who can use the individual multifunction device X. In this case, users C and D who are not registered with the management server 100 can confirm whether or not the shared accumulated points can be used and issue a command to use them by operating the display unit 240 and operation unit 250 of the individual multifunction device X. Note that if users C and D are registered with the management server 100, the same procedures as those in ST175 to ST90 in FIG. 5 may be followed.

[0060] A sequence chart for this modified example is shown in Fig. 6. The difference between Fig. 6 and Fig. 5 of the above embodiment is that in ST66 instead of ST65, the management server 100 notifies the individual multifunction device X of the current number of shared accumulated points and that use under the point utilization plan 50 is now possible, and instructs it to display them. Receiving this, the individual multifunction device X displays the notified number of shared accumulated points and displays a display that allows use under the point utilization plan 50 in ST71. Thereafter, when any of users A, B, C, and D (user C in the illustrated example) operates the individual multifunction device X to instruct execution of the point utilization plan 50 in ST76, the individual multifunction device X instructs the management server 100 to utilize the corresponding points in ST77. Then, in the procedures from ST80 onwards, the management server 100 subtracts the shared accumulated points, instructs the individual multifunction device X to increase the number of printable pages in ST85, and adds the number of printable pages to the individual multifunction device X in ST90, as in the above embodiment. In this case, the process of the management server 100 to receive the utilization instruction in the procedure of ST77 is an example of a first utilization application reception process.

[0061] As explained above, in this modified example, in the processing by management server 100 that accepts the utilization instruction in the procedure ST77, the users from whom utilization applications can be accepted are not limited to purchasing users A and B, but applications are also accepted from users C and D other than purchasing users A and B. According to this modified example, any user of multifunction device individual X can increase the number of printable sheets.

[0062] <Variation 2: Automatic use of shared accumulated points> In the above embodiment and the first modified example, the shared accumulated points associated with the individual multifunction device X are utilized only upon instruction from the user. However, the management server 100 may utilize the shared accumulated points automatically. Specifically, when the management server 100 determines that the shared accumulated points have reached or exceeded the minimum usable point count of 50 and that the point utilization plan 50 can be applied, the management server 100 applies the point utilization plan 50 without waiting for an instruction from users A, B, C, and D to utilize the plan.

[0063] A sequence chart for this modified example is shown in Fig. 7. The difference between Fig. 7 and Fig. 5 of the above embodiment is that after management server 100 executes the procedure in ST55, it skips procedures in ST65 and ST66 and immediately proceeds to ST80 to subtract the shared cumulative points and instructs MFP X to add the number of printable sheets in ST85, and MFP X adds the number of printable sheets in ST90. In this case, an example of the predetermined condition is that the shared cumulative points are equal to or greater than the minimum usable points, the additional number of 50 sheets is an example of a predetermined print amount value, 50 points is an example of a predetermined threshold, and the procedure in ST85 is an example of an automatic free print amount addition process and a third free print amount addition process.

[0064] As explained above, in this modified example, under the condition that the shared accumulated points are equal to or greater than the minimum usage points of 50 points, even if no application for utilization is received from users A, B, C, and D, the management server 100 automatically adds an additional 50 sheets, which corresponds to the shared accumulated points associated with individual multifunction device X, to the number of printable sheets in step ST85.

[0065] In this modified example, the number of additional sheets corresponding to the service points increases with repeated purchases as described above, and when the threshold of 50 sheets is reached, in step ST85, the additional number of 50 sheets corresponding to the threshold is added to the number of sheets that can be printed. According to this modified example, once the number of additional service points that can be added increases to a certain extent through repeated purchases by purchasing users A and B, the additional number equal to the threshold value is automatically added to the number of printable sheets, thereby further increasing convenience.

[0066] <Modification 3: Switching between user-specific accumulated points and shared accumulated points> In the above embodiment and each modification, all generated service points are managed as shared accumulated points linked to the individual multifunction device X. However, service points generated in association with a purchase event may also be managed as individual accumulated points linked to the individual purchasing user who performed the purchase event.

[0067] Specifically, although not shown, the management server 100 has two switchable modes: a shared management control mode and an individual user management control mode. In the shared management control mode, similar to the above embodiment, by executing steps ST10, ST30, and ST50, the step of receiving a usage instruction in step ST70, and step ST85, each user of the individual multifunction device X can increase the number of printable pages of the individual multifunction device X free of charge, as described above, thereby achieving high convenience.

[0068] In the individual user management control mode, when a purchase application for a charging plan is accepted in steps ST5, ST25, and ST45, service points that guarantee an additional number corresponding to the purchased number related to the charging plan are generated in steps ST10, ST30, and ST50. The generated service points are stored as accumulated points for each user associated with the identification information of the purchasing user who made the purchase, as shown in the purchasing user management table in Fig. 8.

[0069] In the management server 100 of this modified example, for example, when the purchasing users A and B repeatedly apply to purchase a billing plan and a certain number of additional user-specific accumulated points associated with the purchasing users A and B are accumulated, the purchasing users A and B can apply to use the user-specific accumulated points, and the application is accepted by the management server 100. Of the additional numbers corresponding to the user-specific accumulated points associated with the purchasing users A and B, the additional number requested to be used is added to the number of printable sheets. The purchasing users A and B can increase the value of the number of printable sheets by the additional number of user-specific accumulated points associated with their own user identification information that they have applied to use.

[0070] In the above, the shared management control mode is an example of the first control mode, the user-specific management control mode is an example of the second control mode, the process of associating the generated points as user-specific cumulative points with the identification information of purchasing users A and B is an example of the second authorization process, the process of accepting an application to utilize user-specific cumulative points is an example of the second utilization application acceptance process, and the process of adding the additional number of sheets using the user-specific cumulative points that have been applied for utilization to the number of sheets that can be printed is an example of the second free printing volume addition process.

[0071] According to this modified example, there are provided a shared management control mode in which shared accumulated points are associated with the individual multifunction device X, so that the shared accumulated points can be shared and utilized by multiple users A, B, C, and D of the individual multifunction device X, and a user-specific management control mode of the conventional method in which user-specific accumulated points are associated with each purchasing user A and B and utilized uniquely by each purchasing user A and B. According to this modified example, the two control modes can be used selectively depending on the usage manner and usage method of the individual multifunction device X, further improving convenience.

[0072] Furthermore, in this modified example, the shared management control mode or the per-user management control mode may be selectively switched in response to a mode selection signal based on a manual selection operation on the mobile terminal 300 by the purchasing users A and B, or in response to predetermined information based on an operation on the mobile terminal 300. In this way, when the purchasing users A and B perform a manual selection operation on the mobile terminal 300, a mode selection signal or predetermined information based on that operation is input to the management server 100, and it is possible to selectively switch to either the shared management control mode or the per-user management control mode.

[0073] Furthermore, in this modified example, purchasing users A and B perform an appropriate manual selection operation when applying for the purchase of a charging plan, and the output mode selection signal is input to management server 100. If the shared management control mode is selected, each purchasing user A and B can increase the number of printable sheets of individual multifunction device X by using the additional number of shared accumulated points associated with individual multifunction device X, as described above. If the individual user management control mode is selected, each purchasing user can increase the number of printable sheets by using the additional number of individual user accumulated points associated with their own user identification information. According to this modified example, purchasing users A and B can select one of the above two control modes depending on their preferences, usage patterns, etc. when purchasing a charging plan, thereby further improving convenience.

[0074] Furthermore, in this modified example, when purchasing users A and B apply for a billing plan, the system may be selectively switched to the shared management control mode or the individual user management control mode depending on the billing information for the fee. For example, if the fee is paid by the company or other organization to which purchasing users A and B belong, the system is switched to the shared management control mode, and each purchasing user A and B can increase the number of printable pages on the individual multifunction device X using the additional number of shared accumulated points associated with the individual multifunction device X, as described above. For example, if the fee is paid through the personal accounts of purchasing users A and B, the system is switched to the individual user management control mode, and each purchasing user A and B can increase the number of printable pages using the additional number of individual user accumulated points associated with their own user identification information. According to this modified example, the most suitable of the two control modes can be automatically selected depending on the billing information for the fee when purchasing users A and B purchase a billing plan, further improving convenience.

[0075] Furthermore, in this modified example, when multiple purchasing users A and B each have user-specific accumulated points in advance, the additional numbers of the user-specific accumulated points of each purchasing user A and B may be added together, and this total value, the total additional number, may be collectively associated with the individual multifunction device X. Note that the total additional number in this case is an example of a total guaranteed free printing volume. According to this modified example, by combining the additional numbers of user-specific accumulated points previously associated with multiple purchasing users A and B and associating them with the individual multifunction device X, each purchasing user A and B can thereafter increase the number of printable pages of the individual multifunction device X using the additional number associated with the individual multifunction device X. Note that the process of associating the total additional number with the individual multifunction device X is an example of a third authorization process.

[0076] <Variation 4: When multiple shared accumulated points are used by purchasing users only> In the above embodiment and each modification, the case where service points are generated and used in one individual multifunction device X has been described. In addition, the shared accumulated points of each of the individual multifunction devices 200 may be combined and used.

[0077] Specifically, although not shown, there are individual multifunction devices 200, individual X and individual Y, and the identification information of individual multifunction device X is associated with shared accumulated points for individual X that guarantee the number of additional sheets for individual X. The identification information of individual multifunction device Y is associated with shared accumulated points for individual Y that guarantee the number of additional sheets for individual Y.

[0078] The users include purchasing users A and B who have a purchasing usage attribute and who own a mobile terminal 300, and using users C and D who have a usage attribute and do not own a mobile terminal 300. When the management server 100 receives applications from purchasing users A and B to use the individual X common cumulative points associated with the identification information of the individual multifunction device X and the individual Y common cumulative points associated with the identification information of the individual multifunction device Y in the process of accepting applications to use the individual X common cumulative points, in the process of adding the additional number to the number of printable pages, the management server 100 can add the utilized additional number of pages to either the individual X printable number of pages related to the individual multifunction device X or the individual Y printable number of pages related to the individual multifunction device Y in response to the acceptance of the application for use.

[0079] Furthermore, in the process of accepting an application to utilize shared accumulated points for individual X, when the management server 100 accepts an application from users C and D to utilize shared accumulated points for individual X associated with the identification information of the individual multifunction device X, in the process of adding the additional number for individual X, in response to the acceptance of the application to utilize, the additional number to be utilized out of the additional number for individual X corresponding to the shared accumulated points for individual X associated with the identification information of the individual multifunction device X can be added only to the number of printable sheets for individual X related to the individual multifunction device X.

[0080] Furthermore, in the process of accepting an application to use shared accumulated points for individual X, when the management server 100 accepts an application from users C and D to use shared accumulated points for individual Y associated with the identification information of multifunction device individual Y, in the process of adding the additional number of sheets for individual Y, in response to the acceptance of the application to use, the additional number of sheets to be used out of the additional number of sheets for individual Y corresponding to the shared accumulated points for individual Y associated with the identification information of multifunction device individual Y can be added only to the number of sheets that can be printed for individual Y related to multifunction device individual Y.

[0081] In the above, the individual multifunction device X is an example of a first printing device, the individual multifunction device Y is an example of a second printing device, the identification information of the individual multifunction device X is an example of first identification information, the identification information of the individual multifunction device Y is an example of second identification information, the additional number of sheets for the individual X is an example of a first guaranteed free printing amount, the additional number of sheets for the individual Y is an example of a second guaranteed free printing amount, the shared accumulated points for the individual X are an example of first free authority information, the shared accumulated points for the individual Y are an example of second free authority information, the purchasing usage attribute of owning a mobile terminal 300 is an example of a first attribute, the usage attribute of not owning a mobile terminal 300 is an example of a second attribute, purchasing usage users A and B are examples of a first user, usage users C and D are examples of a second user, the number of printable sheets for the individual X is an example of a first allowable printing amount, and the number of printable sheets for the individual Y is an example of a second allowable printing amount.

[0082] In this modified example, when the multifunction device individual X and the multifunction device individual Y are already associated with the additional number for individual X of the shared accumulated points for individual X and the additional number for individual Y of the shared accumulated points for individual Y, respectively, it is possible to combine and use these two additional numbers depending on the user's attributes.

[0083] When purchasing users A and B apply for use, the total cumulative value of the additional number of sheets for individual X and the additional number of sheets for individual Y is calculated, and any additional number of sheets less than this can be added to the number of sheets that can be printed by either individual multifunction device X or individual multifunction device Y.

[0084] When users C and D apply for use, they have two options: either add the additional number of sheets for individual X to the number of sheets that can be printed for individual X on individual multifunction device X, or add the additional number of sheets for individual Y to the number of sheets that can be printed for individual Y on individual multifunction device Y.

[0085] According to this modification, when multiple individual multifunction devices X and Y are associated with each other with an additional number of sheets, the multiple additional numbers can be added together and applied to each of the individual multifunction devices X and Y for limited special purchasing / using users A and B. According to this modification, the additional numbers can be shared among the multiple individual multifunction devices X and Y, further improving convenience for users.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above, the sequence charts shown in Figures 5, 6, 7, etc. do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the sequence charts, and steps may be added or deleted or the order may be changed within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit and technical idea of ​​the invention.

[0087] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0088] Although not specifically illustrated, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Printing service provision system (an example of a printing authority management system) 100 Management server (an example of an information processing device) 110 processors 190 Interface (Example of communication I / F) 200 Multifunction printer (an example of a printing device) 290 Printing Department 300 Mobile terminal (an example of an external device) 400 Trade Server NT Network

Claims

1. a communication I / F capable of communicating with a printing device that forms an image on a printing medium via a network; A control unit; An information processing device having: The control unit an acquisition application acceptance process for accepting an application from a purchasing user to acquire paid authorization information that guarantees a paid guaranteed print volume; a paid print volume addition process for adding the value of the paid guaranteed print volume related to the paid authority information to the value of the allowable print volume for the printing device each time an acquisition request for the paid authority information is accepted in the acquisition request acceptance process; a first authorization process for associating free authorization information, which guarantees a free guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing volume, with identification information of the printing device; a first utilization application acceptance process for accepting an application for utilization of the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device; a first free printing amount addition process that adds, in response to the acceptance of the utilization application in the first utilization application acceptance process, a value of the utilized printing amount out of the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device to a value of the allowable printing amount; Run In the first utilization application acceptance process, the information processing device does not accept the utilization application from an authority utilizing user other than the purchasing user, but accepts the utilization application from the authority utilizing user who is the purchasing user.

2. A communication I / F capable of communicating with a printing device that forms an image on a printing medium via a network; A control unit; An information processing device having: The control unit an acquisition application acceptance process for accepting an application from a purchasing user to acquire paid authorization information that guarantees a paid guaranteed print volume; a paid print volume addition process for adding the value of the paid guaranteed print volume related to the paid authority information to the value of the allowable print volume for the printing device each time an acquisition request for the paid authority information is accepted in the acquisition request acceptance process; a first authorization process for associating free authorization information, which guarantees a free guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing volume, with identification information of the printing device; a first utilization application acceptance process for accepting an application for utilization of the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device; a first free printing amount addition process that adds, in response to the acceptance of the utilization application in the first utilization application acceptance process, a value of the utilized printing amount out of the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device to a value of the allowable printing amount; Run In the first utilization application acceptance process, an information processing device accepts both the utilization application from the authority utilizing user who is the purchasing user and the utilization application from the authority utilizing user other than the purchasing user.

3. A communication I / F capable of communicating with a printing device that forms an image on a printing medium via a network; A control unit; An information processing device having: The control unit an acquisition application acceptance process for accepting an application from a purchasing user to acquire paid authorization information that guarantees a paid guaranteed print volume; a paid print volume addition process for adding the value of the paid guaranteed print volume related to the paid authority information to the value of the allowable print volume for the printing device each time an acquisition request for the paid authority information is accepted in the acquisition request acceptance process; a first authorization process for associating free authorization information, which guarantees a free guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing volume, with identification information of the printing device; a first utilization application acceptance process for accepting an application for utilization of the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device; a first free printing amount addition process that adds, in response to the acceptance of the utilization application in the first utilization application acceptance process, a value of the utilized printing amount out of the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device to a value of the allowable printing amount; and an automatic free printing amount addition process that automatically adds, under specified conditions, a predetermined printing amount value of the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device to the value of the allowable printing amount, even if the utilization application is not accepted in the first utilization application acceptance process.

4. A communication I / F capable of communicating with a printing device that forms an image on a printing medium via a network; A control unit; An information processing device having: The control unit an acquisition application acceptance process for accepting an application from a purchasing user to acquire paid authorization information that guarantees a paid guaranteed print volume; a paid print volume addition process for adding the value of the paid guaranteed print volume related to the paid authority information to the value of the allowable print volume for the printing device each time an acquisition request for the paid authority information is accepted in the acquisition request acceptance process; a first authorization process for associating free authorization information, which guarantees a free guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing volume, with identification information of the printing device; a first utilization application acceptance process for accepting an application for utilization of the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device; a first free printing amount addition process that adds, in response to the acceptance of the utilization application in the first utilization application acceptance process, a value of the utilized printing amount out of the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device to a value of the allowable printing amount; Run The control unit The control system has a first control mode and a second control mode. In the first control mode, Execute the first authorization process and the first utilization application acceptance process; In the second control mode, a second authorization process for associating free authorization information, which guarantees a free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing amount, with user identification information of the purchasing user related to the acquisition application; a second utilization application acceptance process for accepting an application by the purchasing user to utilize the free right information associated with the user identification information; a second free printing amount addition process that adds, in response to the acceptance of the utilization application in the second utilization application acceptance process, a value of the free guaranteed printing amount to be utilized out of the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the user identification information, to the value of the allowable printing amount added in the paid printing amount addition process; An information processing device that executes the above.

5. The control unit 5. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the first control mode or the second control mode is selectively switched in response to a mode selection signal based on a manual selection operation on an external device, or in response to predetermined information based on an operation on the external device.

6. The control unit In the acquisition application acceptance process, an application for acquiring the paid right information is accepted, and the mode selection signal based on the manual selection operation of the purchasing user is input; When the first control mode is selected in the mode selection signal, executes the first authorization process, the first utilization application acceptance process, and the first free printing amount addition process corresponding to the first control mode; When the second control mode is selected in the mode selection signal, execute the second authorization process, the second utilization application acceptance process, and the second free printing amount addition process corresponding to the second control mode; 6. The information processing device according to claim 5.

7. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first control mode or the second control mode is selectively switched in accordance with billing information for the fee-based right information as the predetermined information.

8. A communication I / F capable of communicating with a printing device that forms an image on a printing medium via a network; A control unit; An information processing device having: The control unit an acquisition application acceptance process for accepting an application from a purchasing user to acquire paid authorization information that guarantees a paid guaranteed print volume; a paid print volume addition process for adding the value of the paid guaranteed print volume related to the paid authority information to the value of the allowable print volume for the printing device each time an acquisition request for the paid authority information is accepted in the acquisition request acceptance process; a first authorization process for associating free authorization information, which guarantees a free guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing volume, with identification information of the printing device; a first utilization application acceptance process for accepting an application for utilization of the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device; a first free printing amount addition process that adds, in response to the acceptance of the utilization application in the first utilization application acceptance process, a value of the utilized printing amount out of the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device to a value of the allowable printing amount; and a third free printing amount addition process that adds a predetermined amount from the free guaranteed printing amount to the value of the allowable printing amount added by the paid printing amount addition process when the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device reaches a predetermined threshold.

9. A communication I / F capable of communicating with a printing device that forms an image on a printing medium via a network; A control unit; An information processing device having: The control unit an acquisition application acceptance process for accepting an application from a purchasing user to acquire paid authorization information that guarantees a paid guaranteed print volume; a paid print volume addition process for adding the value of the paid guaranteed print volume related to the paid authority information to the value of the allowable print volume for the printing device each time an acquisition request for the paid authority information is accepted in the acquisition request acceptance process; a first authorization process for associating free authorization information, which guarantees a free guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing volume, with identification information of the printing device; a first utilization application acceptance process for accepting an application for utilization of the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device; a first free printing amount addition process that adds, in response to the acceptance of the utilization application in the first utilization application acceptance process, a value of the utilized printing amount out of the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device to a value of the allowable printing amount; Run A plurality of pieces of free right information are associated in advance with a plurality of purchasing users, respectively; The control unit further a third authorization process for associating a total guaranteed free print volume obtained by adding up the guaranteed free print volumes related to each of a plurality of pieces of free print authorization information with the identification information of the printing device; An information processing device that executes the above.

10. A communication I / F capable of communicating with a printing device that forms an image on a printing medium via a network; A control unit; An information processing device having: The control unit an acquisition application acceptance process for accepting an application from a purchasing user to acquire paid authorization information that guarantees a paid guaranteed print volume; a paid print volume addition process for adding the value of the paid guaranteed print volume related to the paid authority information to the value of the allowable print volume for the printing device each time an acquisition request for the paid authority information is accepted in the acquisition request acceptance process; a first authorization process for associating free authorization information, which guarantees a free guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing volume, with identification information of the printing device; a first utilization application acceptance process for accepting an application for utilization of the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device; a first free printing amount addition process that adds, in response to the acceptance of the utilization application in the first utilization application acceptance process, a value of the utilized printing amount out of the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authorization information associated with the identification information of the printing device to a value of the allowable printing amount; Run The printing device a first printing device and a second printing device; First identification information of the first printing device is associated with first free authorization information that guarantees a first free guaranteed printing amount, second identification information of the second printing device is associated with second free authorization information that guarantees a second free guaranteed printing amount; Authorized users are a first user having a first attribute and a second user having a second attribute; The control unit In the first utilization application acceptance process, when an application for utilization of the first free authorization information associated with the first identification information of the first printing device and the second free authorization information associated with the second identification information of the second printing device by the first user is accepted, In the first free printing amount addition process, in response to the reception, the value of the utilized free printing amount among the free printing amount obtained by adding together the first free printing amount corresponding to the first free authorization information associated with the first identification information of the first printing device and the second free printing amount corresponding to the second free authorization information associated with the second identification information of the second printing device can be added to either the value of the first allowable printing amount related to the first printing device or the value of the second allowable printing amount related to the second printing device, The control unit In the first utilization application acceptance process, when an application for utilization of the first free right information associated with the first identification information of the first printing device by the second user is accepted, In the first free printing amount addition process, in response to the reception, a value of the first free guaranteed printing amount to be utilized, which is included in the first free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the first free authorization information associated with the first identification information of the first printing device, can be added only to a value of a first allowable printing amount related to the first printing device, In the first utilization application acceptance process, when an application for utilization of the second free right information associated with the second identification information of the second printing device by the second user is accepted, In a second free printing volume addition process, in response to the acceptance, an information processing device is capable of adding the value of the free guaranteed printing volume to be utilized from the second free guaranteed printing volume corresponding to the second free authorization information associated with the second identification information of the second printing device only to the value of the second allowable printing volume related to the second printing device.

Images