Print management system and print management method

Abstract

To provide a printing management system capable of further facilitating environmental protection.SOLUTION: A printing management system includes: a printer including a printing part which makes prints on a recording sheet; a first acquisition part which acquires printing information indicating a printing status of the printing part; a second acquisition part which acquires recovery information indicating a waste paper recovery status; and a provision instruction part which instructs providing profit to a user of the printer based on the printing information and the recovery information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing management system and a printing management method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is known a printing apparatus capable of communicating via the Internet for forming characters and images on paper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, environmental protection has been increasingly demanded.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the printing management system according to the present invention is a printing apparatus including a printing unit that performs printing on a recording paper, a first acquisition unit that acquires printing information indicating the printing status of the printing unit, a second acquisition unit that acquires recovery information indicating the recovery status of waste paper, a donation instruction unit that instructs the provision of benefits to the user of the printing apparatus based on the printing information and the recovery information, and includes.

[0006] One aspect of the printing management method according to the present invention is a first acquisition step of acquiring printing information indicating the printing status in the printing unit, a recovery step of causing waste paper to be recovered, a second acquisition step of acquiring recovery information indicating the recovery status of the waste paper, A production process for producing recycled paper from the aforementioned collected waste paper, A benefit provision process in which benefits are provided based on the aforementioned printing information and the aforementioned collection information, It holds. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an overview of waste paper collection using a print management system. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a print management system. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of how a print management system works. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of how a print management system works. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the operation of the print management system of the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an overview of waste paper collection using the print management system of the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings used are for illustrative purposes only. The embodiments described below are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described below are essential components of the present invention.

[0009] 1. First Embodiment 1.1 Overview of waste paper collection using a print management system Figure 1 shows an overview of waste paper collection using the print management system SY. As shown in Figure 1, the print management system SY of the first embodiment includes a printing device 1 and a management server 2. The printing device 1 and the management server 2 are connected in a way that allows communication using signal lines such as a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. In addition to the print management system SY, Figure 1 also shows a user 3 of the printing device 1 and a waste paper collector 4 who collects used recording paper as waste paper from the user 3. Note that the printing device 1 and the management server 2 may be connected in a way that allows communication using wireless communication without signal lines. Here, waste paper refers to unnecessary paper, and includes, for example, paper whose purpose of use has been fulfilled after printing, or paper that is not used due to printing failures. Furthermore, the user 3 is not limited to those who directly operate the printing device 1, but also includes corporations that have employees operate it.

[0010] Printer 1 stores an identification information ID that identifies user 3. The identification information ID is information used to identify user 3 who will be using printer 1, and includes information such as user 3's name, address, and contact information. This identification information ID stored in printer 1 is output to management server 2.

[0011] Furthermore, the printing device 1 generates and outputs printed materials by performing a printing process on recording paper based on the user 3's operations. Specifically, the printing device 1 receives image data Dp containing information about characters and images to be formed on the recording paper based on the user 3's operations. The printing device 1 performs a printing process to print characters and images on the recording paper according to the information contained in the input image data Dp. Then, the printing device 1 outputs the recording paper on which the printing process has been performed as a printed material.

[0012] Here, the printing device 1 only needs to be able to print characters or images corresponding to the information contained in the image data Dp onto recording paper. For example, it may be an inkjet printer that prints desired characters or images onto recording paper by depositing ink onto the paper, or it may be a laser printer that prints desired characters or images onto recording paper by fixing toner powder onto the paper. Furthermore, the printing device 1 may be a multifunction device that has multiple functions in addition to the printing function of printing characters or images onto recording paper, such as a scanning function to read images and a copying function to copy images.

[0013] The printing device 1 generates print status information Psi, which indicates the status of the printing process, as it performs the printing process on the recording paper. The printing device 1 stores the generated print status information Psi and, at a predetermined timing, outputs the stored print status information Psi to the management server 2.

[0014] The management server 2 receives the identification information ID and printing status information Psi output by the printing device 1. The management server 2 also receives the collection status information Csi, which indicates the status of waste paper collected by the waste paper collector 4 from user 3, and the user 3's identification information ID, based on the waste paper collector 4's actions. The management server 2 then stores the printing status information Psi, which indicates the printing status of the printing device 1, and the collection status information Csi, which indicates the waste paper collection status, associated with the identification information ID used to identify user 3 of the printing device 1.

[0015] The printing device 1 prints a collection form including at least a part of the information contained in the form information Fif input from the management server 2. Thereby, the collection form is provided to the user 3. Here, when the form information Fif is input from the management server 2, the printing device 1 may print the collection form without waiting for the instruction of the user 3. Further, when the form information Fif is input from the management server 2, the printing device 1 gives a notification prompting the user 3 to print the collection form, and may print the collection form when the user 3 executes an operation permitting the printing of the collection form in response to the notification. In the following description, when the form information Fif is input from the management server 2, the printing device 1 gives a notification prompting the user 3 to print the collection form, and the description will be made assuming that the printing of the collection form is executed when the user 3 executes an operation permitting the printing of the collection form in response to the notification. The description will be made assuming that the printing of the collection form is executed when the user 3 executes an operation permitting the printing of the collection form in response to the notification.

[0016] Here, the collection form printed by the printing device 1 is a form used to move waste paper from the user 3 to the waste paper collector 4. For example, the collection form is printed with the name, address, contact information for identifying the user 3, and the name, address, contact information, etc. of the waste paper collector 4. That is, the collection form is printed with identification information ID such as the name, address, contact information for identifying the user 3. In addition to the above-described information, the collection form may also be printed with various information related to the collection of waste paper, such as the amount and type of waste paper requested by the user 3 for collection, the collection date and time, etc. Such a collection form may conform to, for example, the format of a delivery note used when delivering waste paper from the user 3 to the waste paper collector 4.

[0017] User 3 packs waste paper into a recycling box such as a cardboard box, attaches the recycling form output by the printing device 1, and ships it to the waste paper recycler 4. As a result, the waste paper held by User 3 is collected by the waste paper recycler 4. The waste paper recycler 4 produces recycled paper using the waste paper collected from User 3, and inputs the recycling status information Csi corresponding to the waste paper collected from User 3 and the identification information ID printed on the recycling form of the collected waste paper into the management server 2. Thereby, since the user 3 and the recycling status information Csi are linked via the identification information ID, the recycling status information Csi indicating the recycling status of the waste paper from the user 3 held in the management server 2 is updated.

[0018] As described above, in the printing management system SY of the first embodiment, the management server 2 determines whether waste paper needs to be collected according to the printing status of the printing device 1. When the management server 2 determines that it is preferable to collect waste paper from the user 3, the management server 2 outputs the form information Fif to the printing device 1, and the printing device 1 prints a recycling form according to the form information Fif input from the management server 2. That is, the printing management system SY of the first embodiment notifies the user 3 of the timing suitable for collecting waste paper, prompts the user 3 to collect waste paper, and provides the user 3 with a recycling form for collecting waste paper, so that the labor required for the user 3 to collect waste paper can be reduced. As a result, the waste paper collection rate from the user 3 is improved, and as a result, further promotion of the effective utilization of resources becomes possible.

[0019] Furthermore, if the management server 2 determines that it is preferable to collect waste paper from user 3, the management server 2 may have the waste paper collector 4 send a collection box to user 3. This ensures that user 3 is provided with a collection box for waste paper collection at a suitable time for collection. In other words, in the print management system SY of the first embodiment, user 3 is provided with a collection box for waste paper collection and a collection form for sending the collection box to the waste paper collector 4 at a suitable time for waste paper collection from user 3. This further reduces the effort required of user 3 to collect waste paper. As a result, the waste paper collection rate from user 3 is further improved, and the effective use of resources can be further promoted.

[0020] Furthermore, as the waste paper collection rate from users 3 increases, waste paper collectors 4 can continue collecting waste paper with less effort. As a result, the production efficiency of recycled paper based on the waste paper collected by waste paper collectors 4 improves. In other words, by having waste paper collectors 4 collect waste paper and produce recycled paper under the printing management system SY of the first embodiment, the waste paper collection rate and the production efficiency of recycled paper can be improved, further promoting the effective use of resources.

[0021] Furthermore, the management server 2 determines whether or not to grant benefits to user 3, who is identified by the identification information ID, based on the printing status information Psi input from the printing device 1 and the collection status information Csi input by the waste paper collector 4. Then, the management server 2 gives user 3 If it is determined that a benefit should be granted, the management server 2 generates benefit granting information Bgi to grant the benefit to user 3 and outputs it to the printing device 1. Specifically, the management server 2 calculates the waste paper collection rate for user 3 from the collection status information Csi and the printing status information Psi. If the calculated waste paper collection rate is above a predetermined value, the management server 2 determines that user 3 is actively engaged in waste paper collection and generates benefit granting information Bgi to grant a benefit to user 3 and outputs it to the printing device 1.

[0022] Printer 1 generates benefit information Bif, which includes the details of the benefit defined by the input benefit information Bgi. Printer 1 then notifies user 3 of the details of the benefit included in benefit information Bif. As a result, user 3 is provided with the benefit defined by benefit information Bgi. Specifically, if management server 2 provides consumables such as recording paper used by printer 1 as a benefit to user 3, management server 2 generates benefit information Bgi, which includes information on a voucher exchangeable for the consumables such as recording paper, and outputs it to printer 1. Printer 1 prints a voucher exchangeable for the consumables such as recording paper included in benefit information Bgi, either at the user 3's operation or at the time benefit information Bgi is input. As a result, the consumables such as recording paper are provided to user 3.

[0023] Furthermore, the benefits provided to User 3 are not limited to consumables such as the aforementioned recording paper; any benefit that User 3 directly or indirectly receives is acceptable. For example, if User 3 pays a usage fee for Printer 1, a discount on that fee may be provided as a benefit. Alternatively, items unrelated to Printer 1 may also be provided as a benefit.

[0024] Furthermore, the management server 2 may calculate the amount of waste paper collected from user 3 based on the collection status information Csi entered by waste paper collector 4, and decide to grant a benefit to user 3 if the calculated amount of waste paper collected is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In addition, the management server 2 may decide whether or not to grant a benefit to user 3 based on both the amount of waste paper collected from user 3 and the waste paper collection rate at user 3. Moreover, by deciding how much benefit to grant in multiple stages, the system may provide a larger benefit the more waste paper collected or the higher the collection rate.

[0025] In the first embodiment of the print management system SY described above, users 3 are provided with benefits according to the waste paper collection status, thereby increasing their awareness of waste paper collection. This further improves the amount of waste paper collected from users 3 and the waste paper collection rate. As a result, it becomes possible to further promote the effective use of resources and environmental protection.

[0026] 1.2 Configuration of the Print Management System Next, the functional configuration of the print management system SY will be described. Figure 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the print management system SY. As shown in Figure 2, the print management system SY comprises a printing device 1 and a management server 2.

[0027] The printing device 1 has a printing unit 10. The printing unit 10 also includes a printing control unit 100, an input unit 110, a display unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a printing processing unit 150. The printing unit 10 generates printed material by performing a printing process to print desired characters and images onto recording paper and provides it to the user 3. In other words, the printing device 1 includes a printing unit 10 that prints on recording paper.

[0028] The input unit 110 includes one or more switches that accept operations from user 3. When user 3 operates the input unit 110, an input signal Uin, including image data Dp, is input to the print control unit 100. Considering that the input unit 110 is configured to input the input signal Uin to the print control unit 100, the input unit 110 is not limited to switches, for example, For example, it may be a connector to which a cable is attached that enables communication between the printing device 1 and an external device, an antenna used for wireless communication between the printing device 1 and an external device, or a communication module for communicating between the printing device 1 and an external device.

[0029] The print control unit 100 controls the operation of various components included in the printing unit 10. Such a print control unit 100 is composed of one or more semiconductor devices, including a processor.

[0030] When image data Dp is input via the input unit 110, the print control unit 100 instructs the print processing unit 150 to execute a print operation corresponding to the image data Dp. The print processing unit 150 includes a transport unit (not shown) that transports the recording paper on which the print operation is performed, and a print head (not shown) that prints characters or images corresponding to the image data Dp on the transported recording paper. Based on the input image data Dp, the print control unit 100 controls the transport of the recording paper by the transport unit and the printing of characters or images on the recording paper by the print head. As a result, the print processing unit 150 executes a print operation corresponding to the image data Dp.

[0031] Furthermore, the print control unit 100 stores various information in the storage unit 130 and reads out the information stored in the storage unit 130.

[0032] Specifically, the print control unit 100 stores the identification information ID in the storage unit 130. That is, the storage unit 130 stores the identification information ID for identifying the user 3 of the printing device 1, including information such as the user 3's name, address, and contact information.

[0033] Furthermore, the print control unit 100 generates print status information Psi, which indicates the status of the printing process performed by the print processing unit 150. The print control unit 100 then stores the generated print status information Psi in the storage unit 130. In other words, the storage unit 130 stores print status information Psi, which indicates the printing status of the print unit 10.

[0034] Here, a specific example of the print status information Psi generated by the print control unit 100 will be described. The print control unit 100 generates print status information Psi, which includes information on the type and number of sheets of recording paper printed by the print processing unit 150, as one of the pieces of information indicating the print status of the print unit 10.

[0035] Specifically, the print control unit 100 acquires information such as the size and thickness of the paper on which the print processing unit 150 will perform the printing process, based on the information of the type of paper to be printed set in the printing device 1, and also acquires the number of sheets of paper on which the printing process has been performed by the print processing unit 150.

[0036] The print control unit 100 then associates the number of sheets of paper on which printing was performed with the acquired information about the type of paper, including its size and thickness. As a result, the print control unit 100 generates print status information Psi, which includes information about the type and number of sheets of paper on which printing was performed by the print processing unit 150, specifically information including the number of sheets of paper on which printing was performed, associated with the information about the type of paper.

[0037] Furthermore, the print status information Psi is generated by the print processing unit 150 as one of the pieces of information indicating the print status of the printing unit 10, and includes information on errors that occurred while the printing processing unit 150 was executing the printing process.

[0038] Specifically, the print control unit 100 obtains information about transport errors and print errors from the print processing unit 150 as error information that occurred when the print processing unit 150 was executing the printing process. Here, the transport error information obtained by the print control unit 100 refers to the transport unit This information includes the number of sheets of recording paper in which an abnormality occurred when the print head was transporting the recording paper. For example, it includes the number of sheets of recording paper in which a so-called paper jam occurred, where the recording paper became jammed inside the printing device 1 when the transport unit was transporting the recording paper. In addition, the print error information acquired by the print control unit 100 includes the number of sheets of recording paper in which an abnormality occurred when the print head was printing characters or images onto the recording paper. For example, it includes the number of sheets of recording paper in which the print quality deteriorated due to insufficient ink or toner while the print head was printing characters or images onto the recording paper.

[0039] The print control unit 100 then generates print status information Psi, which includes the acquired transport error information and the print error information.

[0040] Furthermore, the print control unit 100 generates print status information Psi, which includes information on whether or not the printed material produced by the print processing of the print processing unit 150 contains confidential information, as one of the pieces of information indicating the printing status of the print unit 10.

[0041] Specifically, the print control unit 100 analyzes the image data Dp input by the user 3 to determine whether the characters or images to be printed on the recording paper contain characters indicating confidential information such as "Confidential," "Private," or "Confidential." If the characters or images to be printed on the recording paper contain characters indicating confidential information, the print control unit 100 determines that the printed material to be output based on the input image data Dp contains confidential information.

[0042] Furthermore, in the case of a multifunction printer equipped with a copy function for copying original documents, the print control unit 100 controls an image sensor (not shown) to read image information written on the original document to be copied, and controls the print processing unit 150 to print the read image information onto recording paper. As a result, the print device 1 outputs a printed copy of the original document. When determining whether or not confidential information is contained in the printed document output by such a copy function, the print control unit 100 performs optical character recognition (OCR) processing on the image information read by the image sensor (not shown). The print control unit 100 then determines whether or not the characters or images acquired by the OCR processing contain characters indicating confidential information, such as "Confidential," "Confidential," or "Private."

[0043] The print control unit 100 then generates print status information Psi, which includes information on the number of printed documents containing characters indicating confidential information.

[0044] As described above, the printing status information Psi includes information on the type and number of sheets of paper printed by the printing processing unit 150, information on errors that occurred when the printing processing unit 150 was performing the printing process, including information on transport errors and printing errors, and information on whether or not the printed material produced by the printing processing of the printing processing unit 150 contains confidential information. Therefore, the storage unit 130 stores the printing status information Psi indicating the printing status in the printing unit 10, including information on the number of sheets printed for each type of paper, information indicating whether or not there were transport errors in the paper, information indicating whether or not there were printing errors in the paper, and information on whether or not the printed material contains confidential information, as well as identification information ID for identifying the user 3 of the printing device 1.

[0045] Furthermore, the print status information Psi stored in the storage unit 130 may include, in addition to the information described above, information such as the date and time when the printing device 1 performed the printing process. Such a storage unit 130 is composed of one or more semiconductor devices including non-volatile memory. Here, part or all of the storage unit 130 may be included in the semiconductor device that constitutes the print control unit 100.

[0046] Furthermore, the print control unit 100 controls the display content in the display unit 120. The display unit 120 notifies the user 3 of various information related to the printing device 1 and the printing management system SY, such as information indicating the operating status of the printing device 1, information related to the operation of the input unit 110 by the user 3, and information input from the management server 2. For such a display unit 120, various display panels such as liquid crystal displays, EL (Electronic Luminescent) displays, and electronic paper can be used. In Figure 2, the display unit 120 and the input unit 110 are shown as having different configurations, but the display unit 120 and the input unit 110 can be a single integrated unit, for example, a touch panel.

[0047] Furthermore, the print control unit 100 is connected to the print status acquisition control unit 200, which will be described later, and is located on the management server 2, in a way that allows communication between them.

[0048] The management server 2 has a print status acquisition unit 20 and a collection status acquisition unit 30. The collection status acquisition unit 30 also includes a collection status acquisition control unit 300, an input unit 310, an output unit 320, and a storage unit 330. The collection status acquisition unit 30 acquires collection status information Csi, which indicates the collection status of waste paper, entered by the waste paper collector 4.

[0049] The input unit 310 includes one or more switches that accept operations from the waste paper collector 4. When the waste paper collector 4 operates the input unit 310, an input signal Cin, which includes collection status information Csi indicating the collection status of waste paper corresponding to user 3, and information for identifying user 3 who discharged the waste paper, such as identification information DI, is input to the collection status acquisition control unit 300 via the input unit 310. That is, the collection status acquisition unit 30 acquires the collection status information Csi in conjunction with the identification information ID.

[0050] Here, the information used to identify the user 3 who discharged the waste paper, which is input to the collection status acquisition control unit 300, is not limited to the identification information ID. For example, it may include information that includes some or all of the information contained in the identification information ID, or it may include information that includes a specific management code corresponding to the identification information ID.

[0051] Furthermore, the collection status information Csi input to the collection status acquisition control unit 300 is information indicating the collection status of waste paper, and includes, for example, information on the amount of waste paper collected from user 3 and information on foreign matter mixed in with the waste paper collected from user 3. Specifically, the collection status information Csi includes, as information on the amount of waste paper collected from user 3, at least one of the following: information on the number of sheets of waste paper collected from user 3, information on the number of collection boxes in which the waste paper collected from user 3 is packaged, and information on the weight of the waste paper collected from user 3; and as information on foreign matter mixed in with the waste paper collected from user 3, at least one of the following: information on the type of foreign matter mixed in with the collection boxes collected from user 3, information on the cost required to process the foreign matter, and information on the ratio of the weight of the foreign matter to the total weight of the waste paper collected from user 3. In addition to the above information, the collection status information Csi may also include information on the type of paper of the waste paper collected from user 3, information on the date and time the waste paper was collected from user 3, etc.

[0052] In this context, considering that the input unit 310, which receives the input signal Cin through the operation of the waste paper collector 4, inputs the input signal Cin to the collection status acquisition control unit 300, the input unit 310 is not limited to a switch, but may be, for example, a connector to which a cable is attached that enables communication between the management server 2 and an external device such as a weighing scale, or it may be a communication module for communication between the management server 2 and an external device.

[0053] The recovery status acquisition control unit 300 controls the operation of various components included in the recovery status acquisition unit 30. Such a recovery status acquisition control unit 300 is composed of one or more semiconductor devices, including a processor.

[0054] The collection status acquisition control unit 300 stores various types of information in the storage unit 330 and reads the information stored in the storage unit 330. Specifically, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 receives identification information IDs output by the printing unit 10 via the printing status acquisition unit 20, which will be described later. The collection status acquisition control unit 300 stores the input identification information IDs in the storage unit 330. In addition, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 receives collection status information Csi and information for identifying the user 3 who discharged the waste paper via the input unit 310. Based on the input information for identifying the user 3 who discharged the waste paper, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 identifies the identification information ID corresponding to user 3. Then, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 stores the collection status information Csi in the storage unit 330 in association with the identified identification information ID.

[0055] Such a storage unit 330 is composed of one or more semiconductor devices including non-volatile memory. Here, part or all of the storage unit 330 may be included in the semiconductor device that constitutes the recovery status acquisition control unit 300.

[0056] Furthermore, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 generates a collection request Crq requesting the collection of waste paper from user 3, based on the control of the printing status acquisition unit 20, which will be described later. The collection status acquisition control unit 300 then outputs an output signal Cout containing the generated collection request Crq from the output unit 320. This prompts the collection status acquisition control unit 300 to prompt the waste paper collector 4 to collect the waste paper from user 3. Specifically, the output unit 320 may include a display unit such as a display panel, and the collection status acquisition control unit 300 may display information corresponding to the collection request Crq requesting the collection of waste paper from user 3 on the display panel, thereby prompting the waste paper collector 4 to collect the waste paper from user 3. Alternatively, the output unit 320 may include an email transmission module, and the collection status acquisition control unit 300 may send an email containing the collection request Crq requesting the collection of waste paper from user 3 to the waste paper collector 4 via the email transmission module, thereby prompting the waste paper collector 4 to collect the waste paper.

[0057] Furthermore, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 is connected to the print status acquisition control unit 200, which will be described later, in a communication manner. In addition, as mentioned above, the print status acquisition control unit 200 is connected to the print control unit 100 in a communication manner. In other words, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 is connected to the print status acquisition control unit 200 and the print control unit 100 in a communication manner.

[0058] The print status acquisition unit 20 includes a print status acquisition control unit 200, a mode switching unit 210, a storage unit 230, a retrieval request unit 250, a form information output unit 260, and a benefit provision instruction unit 270. The print status acquisition unit 20 acquires print status information Psi indicating the print status of the printing unit 10.

[0059] The print status acquisition control unit 200 controls the operation of the mode switching unit 210, storage unit 230, retrieval request unit 250, report information output unit 260, and benefit provision instruction unit 270, which are included in the print status acquisition unit 20. Such a print status acquisition control unit 200 is configured to include one or more semiconductor devices, such as a processor.

[0060] Specifically, the print status acquisition control unit 200 outputs a switching control signal that controls the switching of the operating mode of the print management system SY in the mode switching unit 210. The mode switching unit 210 switches the operating mode of the print management system SY between a first mode MD1, which collects waste paper from the user 3 using collection forms, and a second mode MD2, which collects waste paper from the user 3 without using collection forms, according to the input switching control signal. Furthermore, the mode switching unit 210 switches the benefit provision mode MB, which provides benefits to the user 3, ON and OFF according to the input switching control signal.

[0061] For details, for example, the contractual terms regarding the waste paper collection method between waste paper collector 4 and user 3. If the operating mode is changed, the waste paper collector 4 inputs a switching request via the input unit 310 to switch the operating mode of the print management system SY. This switching request is input to the print status acquisition control unit 200 via the collection status acquisition control unit 300. The print status acquisition control unit 200 then generates a switching control signal to switch the operating mode of the print management system SY to either the first mode MD1 or the second mode MD2 in response to the input operating mode switching request, and outputs it to the mode switching unit 210. As a result, the mode switching unit 210 switches the operating mode of the print management system SY to either the first mode MD1 or the second mode MD2.

[0062] Similarly, if the contractual terms regarding the provision of benefits between the waste paper collector 4 and the user 3 are changed, the waste paper collector 4 inputs a switching request via the input unit 310 to switch the benefit provision mode MB ON / OFF. This switching request is input to the print status acquisition control unit 200 via the collection status acquisition control unit 300. The print status acquisition control unit 200 then generates a switching control signal to switch the benefit provision mode MB ON / OFF in the print management system SY in response to the input operating mode switching request and outputs it to the mode switching unit 210. As a result, the mode switching unit 210 switches the benefit provision mode MB ON / OFF in the operating mode of the print management system SY.

[0063] Furthermore, the printing status acquisition control unit 200 receives the identification information ID output by the printing control unit 100. The printing status acquisition control unit 200 stores the input identification information ID in the storage unit 230 and also outputs it to the retrieval status acquisition control unit 300.

[0064] Furthermore, the print status acquisition control unit 200 acquires print status information Psi stored in the storage unit 130 of the printing unit 10. Specifically, the print control unit 100 outputs print status information Psi to the print status acquisition control unit 200 when the number of sheets of paper printed by the print processing unit 150 reaches a predetermined number. The print status acquisition control unit 200 acquires and holds the input print status information Psi and stores it in the storage unit 230 in association with the acquisition timing.

[0065] Furthermore, when the print status acquisition control unit 200 acquires the print status information Psi output by the print control unit 100, it requests the recovery status acquisition control unit 300 to output recovery status information Csi. In response to the request from the print status acquisition control unit 200, the recovery status acquisition control unit 300 reads the recovery status information Csi stored in the storage unit 330. The recovery status acquisition control unit 300 then outputs the read recovery status information Csi to the print status acquisition control unit 200. The print status acquisition control unit 200 acquires and holds the input recovery status information Csi and stores it in the storage unit 230 in association with the acquisition timing.

[0066] Subsequently, the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines whether or not to collect waste paper from user 3 based on the print status information Psi and the collection status information Csi. Specifically, the print status acquisition control unit 200 calculates the waste paper collection rate of user 3 based on the print status information Psi and collection status information Csi stored in the storage unit 230 and the collection status information Csi input from the collection status acquisition control unit 300. Then, the print status acquisition control unit 200 estimates the amount of waste paper held by user 3 based on the calculated waste paper collection rate and the print status information Psi acquired from the print control unit 100, and determines whether or not to collect waste paper from user 3 based on the estimated amount of waste paper.

[0067] Here, the waste paper recovery rate calculated by the print status acquisition control unit 200 may be, for example, the ratio of the amount of waste paper collected by the waste paper collector 4 from the user 3 to the result obtained by subtracting the number of printed materials containing confidential information previously generated in the printing device 1 from the types and number of recording papers previously printed in the printing device 1. Alternatively, for example, the calculation may be based on the types and number of recording papers previously printed in the printing device 1. Alternatively, the calculation result may be calculated by subtracting the number of printed materials containing confidential information, and then correcting this result using a predetermined correction coefficient according to the intended use of the printed materials by user 3. The ratio of this corrected result to the amount of waste paper collected by waste paper collector 4 from user 3 may also be used. Of course, in any case, the number of printed materials containing confidential information may not be subtracted.

[0068] If the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that it is necessary to collect waste paper from user 3, the print status acquisition control unit 200 controls the operation of the form information output unit 260 and the collection request unit 250 according to the operating mode of the print management system SY selected by the mode switching unit 210.

[0069] Specifically, when the mode switching unit 210 has selected the first mode MD1, if the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that it is necessary to collect waste paper from user 3, the print status acquisition control unit 200 requests the report information output unit 260 to output report information Fif. As a result, the report information output unit 260 outputs report information Fif, which includes information to identify user 3 based on user 3's identification information ID.

[0070] The document information Fif output by the document information output unit 260 is input to the print control unit 100 of the printing unit 10. The print control unit 100 confirms with the user 3 whether or not waste paper collection is necessary based on the input document information Fif. Specifically, the print control unit 100 displays information on the display unit 120 to confirm with the user 3 whether or not waste paper collection is necessary based on the input document information Fif. Then, when the user 3 performs an operation corresponding to the content displayed on the display unit 120, the print control unit 100 determines whether or not the user 3 has requested waste paper collection.

[0071] If the print control unit 100 determines that user 3 has requested the collection of waste paper, the print control unit 100 instructs the print processing unit 150 to print a collection form containing the information contained in the form information Fif. As a result, user 3 obtains a collection form to be used for waste paper collection. On the other hand, if the print control unit 100 determines that user 3 has not requested the collection of waste paper, the print control unit 100 does not instruct the print processing unit 150 to print a collection form containing the information contained in the form information Fif. In this case, after a certain period of time has elapsed, the print control unit 100 may again display information on the display unit 120 to confirm whether or not waste paper collection is necessary based on the form information Fif.

[0072] As described above, the form information output unit 260 outputs form information Fif as a print request for the collected form to the print unit 10 based on the judgment result of the print status acquisition control unit 200, and the print control unit 100 asks the user 3 to decide whether or not to collect the waste paper based on the form information Fif of the input collected form. If the user 3 requests the collection of waste paper by operating the input unit 110, that is, if the printing of the collected form is permitted by operating the input unit 110, the print processing unit 150 executes printing of the collected form including the information contained in form information Fif. On the other hand, if the user 3 does not request the collection of waste paper by operating the input unit 110, that is, if the printing of the collected form is not permitted by operating the input unit 110, the print processing unit 150 does not execute printing of the collected form. In this case, the form information output unit 260 outputs form information Fif as a print request for the collected form to the print unit 10 again. In other words, the print management system SY includes an input unit 110 that permits the printing of collection forms. If the input unit 110 permits the form information output unit 260 to print the collection forms, the print unit 10 prints the collection forms. If the input unit 110 does not permit the form information output unit 260 to print the collection forms, the print unit 10 does not print the collection forms, and the form information output unit 260 outputs the form information output unit 260 to the print unit 10 again.

[0073] In other words, the form information output unit 260 prints the form to be collected based on the judgment result of the print status acquisition control unit 200. Specifically, the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that waste paper collection is necessary. If the input unit 110 determines that waste paper collection is necessary and the operation of the input unit 110 permits the report information output unit 260 to print the collection report, the report information output unit 260 prints the collection report based on the determination result of the print status acquisition control unit 200. If the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that waste paper collection is necessary and the operation of the input unit 110 does not permit the report information output unit 260 to print the collection report, the report information output unit 260 does not print the collection report. The report information output unit 260 then waits for the operation of the input unit 110 to permit the report information output unit 260 to print the collection report.

[0074] Here, the timing for the document information output unit 260 to output a print request for the collected document to the print unit 10 again may be, for example, when the document information output unit 260 outputs document information Fif as a print request for the collected document, and printing of the collected document by operation of the input unit 110 is not permitted for a certain period of time after that, or when the document information output unit 260 outputs document information Fif as a print request for the collected document, and printing of the collected document by operation of the input unit 110 is not permitted for a certain period of time, AND the print processing unit 150 has generated a predetermined number of printed documents.

[0075] Subsequently, user 3 fills the collection box with waste paper, attaches the printed collection form, and sends the collection box to waste paper collector 4. This can also be interpreted as the form information output unit 260 instructing user 3 to send the waste paper.

[0076] Furthermore, if the mode switching unit 210 has selected the first mode MD1, the waste paper collector 4 may send the collection box to the user 3. Specifically, when the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that it is necessary to collect waste paper from the user 3, the print status acquisition control unit 200 requests the collection request unit 250 to collect the waste paper using a collection form. Based on the request from the print status acquisition control unit 200, the collection request unit 250 generates collection request information requesting the collection of waste paper using a collection form and outputs it to the collection status acquisition control unit 300. The collection status acquisition control unit 300 then generates a collection request Crq to request the collection of waste paper using a collection form based on the collection request information input from the collection request unit 250. The collection status acquisition control unit 300 then outputs the generated collection request Crq as an output signal Cout via the output unit 320. This notifies the waste paper collector 4 of the request to collect waste paper using a collection form.

[0077] The waste paper collector 4 understands, based on the collection request Crq, that user 3 is requesting the collection of waste paper using a collection form. The waste paper collector 4 then sends a collection box to user 3. User 3 receives the collection box sent by the waste paper collector 4, packs the waste paper into the box, attaches the collection form, and returns it to the waste paper collector 4. In this way, the waste paper held by user 3 is collected by the waste paper collector 4. Alternatively, the waste paper collector 4 may print the collection form and send the collection box with the form attached to user 3, so that the printing device 1 does not print the collection form. When the waste paper collector 4 receives the collection box, the waste paper collector 4 enters the identification information ID contained in the collection form into the input unit 310, and the print management system SY recognizes that the waste paper has been collected from user 3.

[0078] When the mode switching unit 210 has selected the second mode MD2, if the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that it is necessary to collect waste paper from user 3, the print status acquisition control unit 200 will not request the output of the form information Fif from the form information output unit 260. In other words, when the mode switching unit 210 has selected the second mode MD2, the print status acquisition control unit 200 will not request the output of the form information Fif from the form information output unit 260, regardless of the result of the determination of whether or not it is necessary to collect waste paper from user 3. Do not output to it.

[0079] Furthermore, if the mode switching unit 210 has selected the second mode MD2, and the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that it is necessary to collect waste paper from user 3, the print status acquisition control unit 200 requests the collection request unit 250 to collect the waste paper without using a collection form. Based on the request from the print status acquisition control unit 200, the collection request unit 250 generates collection request information requesting the collection of waste paper without using a collection form and outputs it to the collection status acquisition control unit 300. Based on the collection request information input from the collection request unit 250, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 generates a collection request Crq requesting the collection of waste paper without using a collection form. The collection status acquisition control unit 300 then outputs the generated collection request Crq as an output signal Cout via the output unit 320. This notifies the waste paper collector 4 of the request for waste paper collection without using a collection form. This collection request Crq includes identification information ID. In other words, the collection request unit 250 requests the collection of waste paper along with identification information ID to identify the user 3 of the printing device 1.

[0080] Based on the collection request Crq, waste paper collector 4 understands that user 3, corresponding to the identification information ID, is requesting the collection of waste paper without using a collection form. Therefore, waste paper collector 4 does not send a collection box to user 3, but instead, for example, goes directly to user 3 and collects the waste paper that user 3 possesses. When waste paper collector 4 collects the paper, the waste paper collector 4 inputs the identification information ID included in the collection request Crq into the input unit 310, and the print management system SY recognizes that the waste paper has been collected from user 3.

[0081] As described above, the print management system SY in this embodiment includes, as operating modes, a first mode MD1 that collects waste paper using collection forms, and a second mode MD2 that collects waste paper without using collection forms. This makes it possible to collect waste paper according to the user 3's convenience, thereby improving the convenience of the user 3 using the printing device 1 and the print management system SY.

[0082] Furthermore, if the mode switching unit 210 has selected the ON setting for the benefit provision mode MB, the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines whether or not to grant a benefit to user 3 based on at least one of the recovery status information Csi and the print status information Psi stored in the storage unit 230. If the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that a benefit should be granted to user 3, it instructs the benefit provision instruction unit 270 to perform the benefit provision process. In the benefit provision process, the benefit provision instruction unit 270 generates benefit provision information Bgi, which includes information on the benefit to be provided to user 3, in accordance with the request of the print status acquisition control unit 200, and outputs it to the print control unit 100.

[0083] The print control unit 100 generates benefit information Bif, which indicates the benefit to be provided to user 3, based on the benefit information to be provided included in the input benefit provision information Bgi. The print control unit 100 then controls the display unit 120 to display the content of the benefit indicated by the benefit information Bif on the display unit 120. In other words, the display unit 120 notifies user 3 of the benefit provision defined by the benefit information Bif. The benefit provision instruction unit 270 may also notify user 3 by other means, such as including the content of the benefit in an email sent to user 3.

[0084] In parallel with this, the benefit provision instruction unit 270 issues instructions for providing benefits. Specifically, for example, the benefit provision instruction unit 270 instructs the coupon issuance system to issue a coupon to user 3 as an instruction for providing benefits. Alternatively, the benefit provision instruction unit 270 may instruct the expense billing system to discount user 3's expenses as an instruction for providing benefits. Or, instructions for providing benefits may be issued in any other way.

[0085] In other words, the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines whether or not to grant a benefit to user 3 based on at least one of the recovery status information Csi and the print status information Psi. If a benefit is to be granted, the benefit granting instruction unit 270 outputs benefit granting information Bgi instructing the granting of the benefit to user 3 based on at least one of the recovery status information Csi and the print status information Psi.

[0086] Here, we will explain an example of the criteria for determining whether or not the print status acquisition control unit 200 provides a benefit to the user 3 in the benefit provision mode MB.

[0087] For example, in benefit-granting mode MB, the print status acquisition control unit 200 reads the collection status information Csi and print status information Psi stored in the storage unit 230. The print status acquisition control unit 200 then calculates the waste paper collection rate for user 3 from the read collection status information Csi and print status information Psi. If the waste paper collection rate for user 3 over a predetermined period is above a predetermined value, the print status acquisition control unit 200 may instruct the benefit-granting instruction unit 270 to generate benefit-granting information Bgi to grant benefits to user 3. In other words, the benefit-granting instruction unit 270 may instruct the granting of benefits to user 3 based on the waste paper collection rate.

[0088] Furthermore, in the benefit provision mode MB, the print status acquisition control unit 200 reads the collection status information Csi stored in the storage unit 230. The print status acquisition control unit 200 then calculates the amount of waste paper collected from user 3 within a predetermined period from the read collection status information Csi. If the amount of waste paper collected from user 3 within a predetermined period is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the print status acquisition control unit 200 may instruct the benefit provision instruction unit 270 to generate benefit provision information Bgi to grant a benefit to user 3. In other words, the benefit provision instruction unit 270 may instruct the provision of a benefit to user 3 based on the amount of waste paper collected from user 3.

[0089] Furthermore, the print status acquisition control unit 200 may also consider the quality of the waste paper collected from user 3 within a predetermined period as a criterion for determining whether or not to provide a benefit to user 3. The quality of the waste paper refers to the status of foreign matter, such as the foreign matter contamination rate, contained in the collection status information Csi stored in the storage unit 230. The print status acquisition control unit 200 then considers the waste paper collection rate and the amount of waste paper collected by user 3 within a predetermined period, along with the read foreign matter contamination rate, to determine whether or not to grant a benefit to user 3. In other words, the benefit granting instruction unit 270 may instruct user 3 to grant a benefit when the foreign matter contamination rate in the waste paper is relatively small, and may not grant a benefit to user 3 when the foreign matter contamination rate is relatively large.

[0090] 1.3 Operation of the Print Management System Next, an example of the operation of the print management system SY and a print management method will be described. Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the print management system SY. As shown in Figure 3, the print management system SY executes a print sequence SP in which the printing device 1 performs a printing process on recording paper, a collection sequence SC in which the management server 2 outputs a request for waste paper collection from the user 3, and a recording sequence SM in which the waste paper collection status of the waste paper collected by the waste paper collector 4 in the collection sequence SC is stored in the management server 2, as well as a benefit provision sequence SB in which a benefit is provided to the user 3, as shown in Figure 4.

[0091] First, the printing sequence SP in which the printing device 1 performs the printing process on the recording paper will be described. When the printing sequence SP is executed, the printing control unit 100 determines whether or not a request to execute printing on the recording paper has been input (step S110). Specifically, this is determined when image data Dp is input to the printing device 1 by the operation of user 3, or when the copy function is activated by the operation of user 3. When information to be printed on recording paper is input to the printing device 1, such as when image information to be copied is input to the printing device 1, the print control unit 100 determines that a request to execute printing on recording paper has been made.

[0092] When the print control unit 100 determines that a request to print on recording paper has been input (Y in step S110), the print control unit 100 instructs the print processing unit 150 to execute the printing process based on the input information (step S120). At this time, the print control unit 100 generates print status information Psi, which includes information on the type and number of recording papers on which the printing process was performed, information on any errors that occurred during the execution of the printing process, and information on whether or not the printed material produced by the printing process contains confidential information, and stores it in the storage unit 130.

[0093] After the printing process on the recording paper by the printing processing unit 150 is completed, or if the printing control unit 100 determines that no request to print on the recording paper has been input to the printing device 1 (step S110, N), the printing control unit 100 determines whether the number of recording papers on which printing has been performed has reached a predetermined number based on the printing status information Psi stored in the storage unit 130 (step S130). If the printing control unit 100 determines that the number of recording papers on which printing has been performed has not reached a predetermined number (step S130, N), the printing control unit 100 determines whether a request to print on the recording paper has been input (step S110).

[0094] On the other hand, if the print control unit 100 determines that the number of sheets of paper on which the printing process has been performed has reached a predetermined number (Y in step S130), the print control unit 100 reads the print status information Psi stored in the storage unit 130 and outputs it to the print status acquisition control unit 200 on the management server 2 (step S140). When the print status information Psi is input to the management server 2, the recovery sequence SC, which will be described later, is executed.

[0095] The print control unit 100 outputs print status information Psi to the print status acquisition control unit 200, and then determines whether or not the form information Fif has been input from the management server 2 (step S150). If the form information Fif has been input to the print control unit 100 (Y in step S150), the print control unit 100 displays a print request for the collected form based on the form information Fif on the display unit 120 (step S160). Then, based on the display on the display unit 120, the print control unit 100 determines whether or not a print execution request for the collected form has been input (step S170).

[0096] Based on the display unit 120, if user 3 inputs a request to print the collection form, that is, if the print control unit 100 determines that a request to print the collection form has been input (step S170, Y), the print control unit 100 causes the print processing unit 150 to execute the printing process of the collection form based on the form information Fif input (step S180). This provides the collection form to user 3. After the printing process of the collection form by the print processing unit 150 is completed, or if the print control unit 100 determines that no request to print the collection form has been input (step S170, N), the print control unit 100 determines whether or not a request to print on the recording paper has been input (step S110).

[0097] As described above, the print sequence SP executes the printing process on the recording paper based on the user 3's input request to print on the recording paper. Additionally, if a request to print a collection form is displayed on the display unit 120, the SP executes the printing process for the collection form based on the user 3's input request to print the collection form.

[0098] Next, we will describe the collection sequence SC in which the management server 2 outputs a request for waste paper collection from user 3. The collection sequence SC occurs in step S140 of the print sequence SP. The process starts when the print status information Psi output by the print control unit 100 is input to the management server 2.

[0099] When the retrieval sequence SC is initiated, the print status acquisition control unit 200 acquires the print status information Psi output by the print control unit 100 (step S210). The print status acquisition control unit 200 also acquires the retrieval status information Csi from the storage unit 330 of the retrieval status acquisition unit 30 (step S220). Specifically, the print status acquisition control unit 200 requests the retrieval status acquisition control unit 300 to output the retrieval status information Csi. In response to the request from the print status acquisition control unit 200, the retrieval status acquisition control unit 300 reads the retrieval status information Csi stored in the storage unit 330 and outputs it to the print status acquisition control unit 200. As a result, the print status acquisition control unit 200 acquires the retrieval status information Csi.

[0100] Furthermore, the print status acquisition control unit 200 acquires the operating mode of the print management system SY from the mode switching unit 210 (step S230). As a result, the print status acquisition control unit 200 controls the operation of the print management system SY, including the print status acquisition unit 20, according to the operating mode of the print management system SY.

[0101] Subsequently, the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines whether waste paper collection from user 3 is necessary based on the print status information Psi and the collection status information Csi (step S240). If the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that waste paper collection from user 3 is not necessary (N in step S240), the collection sequence SC in the management server 2 is terminated.

[0102] On the other hand, if the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that waste paper collection from user 3 is necessary (Y in step S240), the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines whether printing of the collection form is necessary in the printing unit 10 (step S250).

[0103] Specifically, the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines whether printing of the collection form in the printing unit 10 is necessary depending on the operating mode of the print management system SY. More specifically, the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that printing of the collection form in the printing unit 10 is necessary when the operating mode of the print management system SY is the first mode MD1, and determines that printing of the collection form in the printing unit 10 is not necessary when the operating mode of the print management system SY is the second mode MD2.

[0104] Furthermore, the print status acquisition control unit 200 may acquire information on whether or not the printing unit 10 has printed the collection form based on the form information Fif, and may determine whether printing of the collection form is necessary in the printing unit 10 based on the acquired information. Specifically, if, after the print status acquisition control unit 200 outputs a signal to the form information output unit 260 requesting the output of the form information Fif, information indicating that the collection form corresponding to the form information Fif has been printed is not input to the print status acquisition control unit 200 within a predetermined period, the print status acquisition control unit 200 will determine that printing of the collection form is necessary in the printing unit 10. On the other hand, if, after the print status acquisition control unit 200 outputs a signal to the form information output unit 260 requesting the output of form information Fif, information indicating that the collected form corresponding to form information Fif has been printed is input to the print status acquisition control unit 200 within a predetermined period, or if, after the print status acquisition control unit 200 outputs a signal to the form information output unit 260 requesting the output of form information Fif, but before the predetermined period has elapsed, the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that printing of the collected form by the printing unit 10 is not necessary.

[0105] When the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that printing of the return form is necessary in the printing unit 10 (Y in step S250), the print status acquisition control unit 200 causes the form information output unit 260 to output form information Fif (step S260). This allows the printing unit 10 to... Under the control of the print control unit 100, a print request for a collected form based on the form information Fif is displayed on the display unit 120.

[0106] If the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that printing of the collection form is not necessary in the printing unit 10 (N in step S260), or if the print status acquisition control unit 200 outputs the form information Fif to the printing unit 10, the print status acquisition control unit 200 calculates the number of collection boxes to send to the user 3 based on the print status information Psi (step S270).

[0107] Here, we will explain an example of how to calculate the number of collection boxes in the print status acquisition control unit 200. In calculating the number of collection boxes, the following explanation assumes that the bottom area of ​​each collection box is A3 size and the depth of each collection box is depth D.

[0108] In calculating the number of collection boxes, the print status acquisition control unit 200 first calculates the total height H of the waste paper to be collected.

[0109] Specifically, the print status acquisition control unit 200 estimates information about waste paper to be collected from user 3 based on the information contained in the print status information Psi, including the type and number of sheets of paper on which the printing process was performed, information about errors that occurred during the execution of the printing process, and information on whether or not the printed material produced by the printing process contains confidential information. Here, when the print status acquisition control unit 200 estimates information about waste paper to be collected from user 3 based on the print status information Psi, it includes cases where, for example, the print status acquisition control unit 200 estimates the type and number of sheets of waste paper expected to be discharged from user 3 this time, based on the information about the type and number of sheets of paper on which user 3 performed the printing process after the last time waste paper was collected from user 3, and the waste paper collection status of waste paper collected from user 3 in the past.

[0110] Subsequently, the printing status acquisition control unit 200 classifies the waste paper into n thickness categories Tc1 to Tcn based on the estimated information on waste paper expected to be collected from user 3. Then, from the waste paper information classified into thickness categories Tc1 to Tcn, the printing status acquisition control unit 200 acquires the number of waste papers greater than A4 but less than or equal to A3 as X1, the number of confidential documents included in X1 as Xd1, and the number of recording papers with transport errors included in X1 as Xj1. In addition, it acquires the number of waste papers smaller than A4 as Y1, the number of confidential documents included in Y1 as Yd1, and the number of recording papers with transport errors included in Y1 as Yj1.

[0111] Subsequently, the print status acquisition control unit 200 calculates the height H1 of the waste paper to be collected in the thickness category Tc1 by substituting the following into the formula (1): thickness t1, which is the median value of the thickness category Tc1; X1, which is the number of waste papers greater than A4 and less than or equal to A3; Xd1, which is the number of confidential documents included in X1; Xj1, which is the number of recording papers included in X1 that have caused transport errors; Y1, which is the number of waste papers less than or equal to A4; Yd1, which is the number of confidential documents included in Y1; and Yj1, which is the number of recording papers included in Y1 that have caused transport errors.

[0112]

number

[0113] Similarly, the print status acquisition control unit 200 obtains the following information from the waste paper information classified into thickness categories Tc2 to Tcn: the number of waste papers that are larger than A4 but smaller than A3, the number of confidential documents among the number of waste papers that are larger than A4 but smaller than A3, and the number of waste papers that have experienced transport errors among the number of waste papers that are larger than A4 but smaller than A3. The system obtains the number of waste papers smaller than A4 size, the number of confidential documents among the A4-size or smaller papers, and the number of papers with transport errors among the A4-size or smaller papers. The print status acquisition control unit 200 then calculates the heights H2 to Hn of the waste papers to be collected, corresponding to each of the thickness categories Tc2 to Tcn, based on the same calculation formula as for thickness category Tc1. The print status acquisition control unit 200 then calculates the total height H of the waste papers to be collected by summing the calculated heights H1 to Hn.

[0114] Subsequently, the print status acquisition control unit 200 divides the calculated total height H of waste paper by the depth D of the collection box and rounds up the decimal part of the resulting value. The print status acquisition control unit 200 stores this calculation result as the number of collection boxes to be sent to the user 3.

[0115] Here, the coefficient A included in equation (1) is a correction coefficient that compensates for the thickness of the recording paper caused by a transport error that occurs when the printing processing unit 150 is performing the printing process. When a transport error such as a paper jam occurs while the recording paper is being transported, wrinkles form in the recording paper, and as a result, the space occupied by the recording paper effectively becomes thicker. Coefficient A is a correction coefficient that compensates for the change in the thickness of the recording paper caused by such a transport error, and is set to a value of "1" or greater.

[0116] As described above, after the print status acquisition control unit 200 calculates the number of collection boxes to send to user 3, the print status acquisition control unit 200 outputs various information, including the calculated number of collection boxes to send to user 3, information on the operating mode of the print management system SY, and information identifying user 3 based on the identification information ID, to the collection status acquisition control unit 300 via the collection request unit 250.

[0117] The collection status acquisition control unit 300 generates a collection request Crq that includes information identifying user 3 based on the input information of the number of collection boxes, the operating mode of the print management system SY, and the identification information ID, and outputs it to the waste paper collector 4. That is, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 and the print status acquisition control unit 200 output a collection request Crq to the waste paper collector 4 to collect waste paper from user 3 (step S280). The collection sequence SC ends when the collection request Crq to collect waste paper from user 3 is output to the waste paper collector 4.

[0118] Waste paper collector 4 collects waste paper from user 3 based on collection request Crq. Specifically, if the operating mode of the print management system SY specified by collection request Crq is the first mode MD1, waste paper collector 4 sends the number of collection boxes specified by collection request Crq to user 3. User 3 packs the waste paper into the collection boxes sent by waste paper collector 4, attaches a collection form, and returns them to waste paper collector 4. Waste paper collector 4 then collects the waste paper from the returned collection boxes. On the other hand, if the operating mode of the print management system SY specified by collection request Crq is the second mode MD2, waste paper collector 4 brings the number of collection boxes specified by collection request Crq, or a waste paper collection container capable of collecting a similar amount of waste paper, to user 3 and collects the waste paper held by user 3. Waste paper collector 4 then produces recycled paper from the collected waste paper.

[0119] After the waste paper collector 4 collects the waste paper from the user 3, the waste paper collector 4 inputs collection status information Csi corresponding to the collected waste paper into the management server 2. This triggers the execution of the recording sequence SM, in which the collection status of the waste paper collected by the waste paper collector 4 in the collection sequence SC is stored in the management server 2. Specifically, in the recording sequence SM, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 stores the input collection status information Csi in the storage unit 330 (step S310). At this time, the collection status acquisition control unit 300 may also store information such as the date and time and location where the collection status information Csi was input. The recording sequence SM then ends when the collection status acquisition control unit 300 stores the collection status information Csi in the storage unit 330.

[0120] The management server 2 updates the waste paper collection status corresponding to user 3 based on the collection status information Csi stored in the recording sequence SM. This allows the management server 2 to determine whether or not waste paper collection is necessary for user 3 based on the latest waste paper collection status.

[0121] Next, the benefit provision sequence SB, which provides benefits to user 3, will be described. The benefit provision sequence SB is executed when the benefit provision mode MB is ON at the time when benefits are to be provided to user 3. When the benefit provision sequence SB is started, the print status acquisition control unit 200 reads and acquires the print status information Psi and the collection status information Csi stored in the storage unit 230 (step S410). Then, based on the acquired print status information Psi and collection status information Csi, the print status acquisition control unit 200 calculates the waste paper collection rate, the amount of waste paper collected, and the foreign matter contamination rate of user 3, and determines whether it is necessary to provide benefits to user 3 based on the calculation results (step S420). Here, the printing status acquisition control unit 200 may determine whether or not it is necessary to provide a benefit to user 3 based on one of the user 3's waste paper collection rate, waste paper collection amount, and foreign matter contamination rate, or it may determine whether or not it is necessary to provide a benefit to user 3 by comprehensively considering two or more of the user 3's waste paper collection rate, waste paper collection amount, and foreign matter contamination rate. Furthermore, the printing status acquisition control unit 200 may determine whether or not it is necessary to provide a benefit based on this other information.

[0122] If the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that it is not necessary to provide a benefit to user 3 (N in step S420), the benefit provision sequence SB in the management server 2 ends. On the other hand, if the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that it is necessary to provide a benefit to user 3 (Y in step S420), the print status acquisition control unit 200 instructs the benefit provision instruction unit 270 to perform the benefit provision process. As a result, the benefit provision instruction unit 270 outputs benefit provision information Bgi containing information on the benefits to be provided to user 3 (step S430) and provides the benefits, and the benefit provision sequence SB in the management server 2 ends.

[0123] The benefit provision information Bgi output by the benefit provision instruction unit 270 is input to the printing unit 10, which starts the benefit provision sequence SB in the printing unit 10. The benefit provision information Bgi output by the benefit provision instruction unit 270 is input to the printing control unit 100. Based on the benefit information to be provided included in the input benefit provision information Bgi, the printing control unit 100 generates benefit information Bif, which indicates the benefit information to be provided to the user 3. Then, the printing control unit 100 displays the information based on the benefit information Bif on the display unit 120 (step S440).

[0124] Here, the benefits provided by the benefit provision instruction unit 270 include, for example, the benefit provision instruction unit 270 instructing the coupon issuance system to issue coupons to user 3 as a benefit; instructing the expense billing system to discount user 3's expenses as a benefit; and instructing the waste paper collector 4 to send items such as tissue paper along with the collection box. However, it is not limited to these.

[0125] Here, the printing status acquisition unit 20 is an example of a first acquisition unit, the collection status acquisition unit 30 is an example of a second acquisition unit, the benefit provision instruction unit 270 is an example of a provision instruction unit, the printing status acquisition control unit 200 is an example of a judgment unit, the form information output unit 260 is an example of a print request unit, and the display unit 120 is an example of a notification unit. Also, the printing status information Psi is an example of printing information, and the collection status information Csi is an example of collection information. Furthermore, the printing sequence SP in which the printing unit 10 prints on the recording paper is an example of a printing process, the printing status acquisition unit 20 acquires the printing status information Psi indicating the printing status in the printing unit 10 in step S210 which is an example of a first acquisition process, the collection status acquisition unit 30 acquires the collection status information Csi indicating the collection status of waste paper in recording sequence SM which is an example of a second acquisition process, and the benefit provision instruction unit 270 is an example of a printing process. An example of a benefit provision process is a benefit provision sequence SB that instructs the user 3 of the printing device 1 to provide a benefit based on at least one of Psi and the collection status information Csi; an example of a waste paper collection process is when the collection status acquisition control unit 300 and the printing status acquisition control unit 200 output a collection request Crq to the waste paper collector 4 to collect waste paper from the user 3 (step S280); and an example of a production process is when, after the collection process, the waste paper collector 4 produces recycled paper based on the waste paper.

[0126] 1.4 Effects As described above, the print management system SY of the first embodiment includes a printing unit 10 that prints on recording paper, storage units 130, 230, and 330 that store print status information Psi indicating the printing status in the printing unit 10, a print status acquisition control unit 200 that determines whether or not waste paper collection is necessary based on the print status information Psi, a form information output unit 260 that outputs a request to print a collection form to the printing unit 10 based on the determination result of the print status acquisition control unit 200, and a collection request unit 250 that requests waste paper collection using a collection form based on the determination result of the print status acquisition control unit 200.

[0127] In this first embodiment of the print management system SY, the print status acquisition control unit 200 can determine whether or not waste paper needs to be collected according to the printing status of the printing device 1 and the printing unit 10. When the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that it is preferable to collect waste paper from the user 3, the form information output unit 260 outputs form information Fif to the printing unit 10, and the printing unit 10 prints a collection form corresponding to the input form information Fif. In other words, this allows the user 3 using the printing device 1 to be prompted to collect waste paper at an appropriate time and to be provided with a collection form to be used for waste paper collection. Therefore, the effort required of the user 3 to collect waste paper can be reduced. As a result, the recycling rate of waste paper will improve, and as a result, the effective use of resources and further environmental protection will be promoted.

[0128] Furthermore, if the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that it is preferable to collect waste paper from user 3, the collection request unit 250 outputs a collection request Crq to the waste paper collector 4, requesting the collection of waste paper. As a result, the waste paper collector 4 sends a collection box for collecting waste paper from user 3 to user 3, and provides it to user 3. In other words, in the print management system SY of the first embodiment, the waste paper collector 4 does not need to individually manage the status of user 3, and the waste paper collector 4 is notified of the appropriate timing for collecting waste paper from user 3. As a result, the waste paper collector 4 can encourage user 3, who is using the printing device 1, to collect waste paper at an appropriate time and provide a collection box for waste paper collection. This reduces the effort required by the waste paper collector 4 to manage waste paper collection, and further reduces the effort required by user 3 for waste paper collection. As a result, the waste paper collection rate from user 3 is further improved, enabling more effective use of resources and further promotion of environmental protection.

[0129] Furthermore, the print management system SY of the first embodiment includes a printing device 1 including a printing unit 10 that prints on recording paper, a printing status acquisition unit 20 that acquires printing status information Psi indicating the printing status of the printing unit 10, a collection status acquisition unit 30 that acquires collection status information Csi indicating the waste paper collection status, and a benefit provision instruction unit 270 that instructs the provision of benefits to the user 3 of the printing device 1 based on at least one of the printing status information Psi and the collection status information Csi.

[0130] In this type of print management system SY, the benefit provision instruction unit 270 can provide benefits to user 3 based on the printing status of the printing unit 10 at user 3 and the waste paper collection status from user 3, according to the waste paper collection status from user 3. This can raise user 3's awareness of waste paper collection. As a result, the amount of waste paper collected from user 3 and the waste paper collection rate will further improve. Consequently, it will be possible to further promote the effective use of resources and environmental protection.

[0131] Furthermore, as the waste paper collection rate from user 3 increases, waste paper collector 4 can continue collecting waste paper with less effort. As a result, the production efficiency of recycled paper based on the waste paper collected by waste paper collector 4 improves. In other words, the printing management system SY of the first embodiment improves the waste paper collection rate and the production efficiency of recycled paper, thereby further promoting the effective use of resources.

[0132] 1.5 Variations In the print management system SY of the first embodiment described above, it was explained that all of the components included in the print status acquisition unit 20 and the components included in the recovery status acquisition unit 30 are provided on the management server 2. However, some or all of the components included in the print status acquisition unit 20 and the components included in the recovery status acquisition unit 30 may be provided on the printing device 1. Furthermore, any of the components included in the printing unit 10, the components included in the print status acquisition unit 20, and the components included in the recovery status acquisition unit 30 may be composed of a single semiconductor device.

[0133] Furthermore, in the print management system SY of the first embodiment described above, the identification information ID stored in the printing device 1 may be entered by the user through operation of the printing device 1, or it may be uniquely assigned to the printing device 1. By associating the name, address, contact information, etc. of the user 3 of the printing device 1 with the identification information ID in advance, the management server 2 can print the collection forms by obtaining the identification information ID from the printing device 1.

[0134] Furthermore, each component of the print management system SY of the first embodiment described above may be formed by the cooperation of multiple devices, and some of the above-described components may be included in different devices.

[0135] Furthermore, in the print management system SY of the first embodiment described above, the waste paper collector 4 may consist of one or more individuals or corporations that collect waste paper from users 3, and one or more individuals or corporations that produce recycled paper from the collected waste paper.

[0136] Furthermore, the calculation methods and formulas described above in the first embodiment are merely examples and are not limited to them.

[0137] Furthermore, some or all of the various processes performed by the print management system SY of the first embodiment described above may be performed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). For example, AI may determine the timing of waste paper collection, whether or not to provide benefits, and the amount of benefits to be provided.

[0138] Furthermore, the provision of benefits to waste paper collector 4 for inputting collection status information Csi, and the production of recycled paper by waste paper collector 4, may occur in any order.

[0139] 2. Second Embodiment The second embodiment of the print management system SY will now be described. In describing the second embodiment of the print management system SY, the same reference numerals will be used for components that are the same as those in the first embodiment of the print management system SY, and their descriptions will be simplified or omitted.

[0140] Figure 5 shows an example of the operation of the print management system SY of the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, when the print sequence SP is executed, the print control unit 100 of the print management system SY of the second embodiment determines whether or not a print execution request to record paper has been input (step S110). If the print control unit 100 determines that a print execution request to record paper has been input (step S110 Y), the print control unit 100 performs printing based on the input information. The printing processing unit 150 is instructed to perform the processing (step S120). At this time, the printing control unit 100 generates printing status information Psi, which includes information on the type and number of sheets of paper on which the printing process was performed, information on errors that occurred during the execution of the printing process, and information on whether or not the printed material produced by the printing process contains confidential information, and stores it in the storage unit 130.

[0141] Then, after the printing process by the printing processing unit 150 is completed, or if the printing control unit 100 determines that no request to print on the recording paper has been input to the printing device 1 (N in step S110), the printing control unit 100 converts the number of recording papers that have been printed into a predetermined number of sheets based on the printing status information Psi stored in the storage unit 130. In other words, the printing control unit 100 performs a conversion of the number of printed sheets (step S125).

[0142] This section describes a specific example of the conversion of the number of printable pages performed by the print control unit 100. In explaining this example of conversion, the following explanation will use the case of converting the number of printable pages to A3 size as an example.

[0143] In performing the conversion of the number of printed pages, the print control unit 100 obtains from the print status information Psi the number of sheets of paper larger than A4 but smaller than or equal to A3 as x, the number of confidential documents included in x as xd, and the number of sheets of paper included in x that had transport errors as xj. It also obtains the number of sheets of paper smaller than or equal to A4 as y, the number of confidential documents included in y as yd, and the number of sheets of paper included in y that had transport errors as yj.

[0144] Subsequently, the print control unit 100 calculates the converted number of sheets CON by substituting x, the number of sheets of recording paper larger than A4 but smaller than or equal to A3, xd, the number of confidential documents included in x, xj, the number of sheets of recording paper in x in which a transport error occurred, y, the number of sheets of recording paper smaller than or equal to A4, yd, the number of confidential documents included in y, and yj, the number of sheets of recording paper in y in which a transport error occurred, into the following equation (2).

[0145]

number

[0146] Here, the coefficient B included in equation (2) is a correction coefficient that compensates for the thickness of the recording paper caused by a transport error that occurs when the printing processing unit 150 is performing the printing process. When a transport error such as a paper jam occurs while the recording paper is being transported, wrinkles form in the recording paper, and as a result, the space occupied by the recording paper effectively becomes thicker. Coefficient B is a correction coefficient that compensates for the change in the thickness of the recording paper caused by such a transport error, and is set to a value of "1" or greater.

[0147] After the print control unit 100 calculates the number of prints, the print control unit 100 determines whether the calculated number CON has reached a specified number (step S130). If the print control unit 100 determines that the calculated number CON has not reached a specified number (N in step S130), the print control unit 100 determines whether a print execution request has been input to the printing device 1 (step S110).

[0148] On the other hand, if the print control unit 100 determines that the number of sheets of paper on which the printing process has been executed has reached a predetermined number (Y in step S130), the print control unit 100 reads the print status information Psi stored in the storage unit 130 and outputs it to the print status acquisition control unit 200 on the management server 2 (step S140).

[0149] Subsequently, the print management system SY executes the operations from step S140 onward in the print sequence SP, as in the first embodiment, and also executes the operations in the recovery sequence SC, the recording sequence SM, and the benefit provision sequence SB, respectively.

[0150] Even with the second embodiment of the print management system SY configured as described above, the same effects and advantages as the first embodiment of the print management system SY are achieved. Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the print management system SY, by using formula (2) to convert the number of printed sheets and calculating the converted number CON, even if a transport error occurs when printing on the recording paper and the thickness of the waste paper increases, the timing of the waste paper collection requested by the user 3 can be determined in more detail.

[0151] Specifically, the print status information Psi includes information indicating whether or not there is a paper transport error, and the timing at which the print control unit 100 determines that the specified number of sheets has been reached is earlier when the print status information Psi includes information indicating that a transport error has occurred, compared to when the print status information Psi does not include information indicating that a transport error has occurred. Therefore, the timing at which the print status acquisition control unit 200 determines that waste paper collection is necessary is earlier when the print status information Psi includes information indicating that a transport error has occurred, compared to when the print status information Psi includes information indicating that no transport error has occurred.

[0152] This allows for a more detailed understanding of when user 3 requests waste paper collection, and enables the system to prompt user 3 to collect waste paper at the most optimal time.

[0153] 3. Third Embodiment Next, the print management system SY of the third embodiment will be described. In describing the print management system SY of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used for components similar to those of the print management system SY of the first and second embodiments, and their descriptions will be simplified or omitted.

[0154] Figure 6 shows an overview of waste paper collection using the print management system SY of the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the print management system SY of the third embodiment differs from the print management systems SY of the first and second embodiments in that the user 3 operates two printing devices 1. In other words, the print management system SY of the third embodiment differs from the print management systems SY of the first and second embodiments in that the two printing devices 1 used by the user 3 are communicated to a single management server 2.

[0155] In the following description, one of the printing devices 1 operated by user 3 will be referred to as printing device 1-1, and the other of the printing devices 1 operated by user 3 will be referred to as printing device 1-2. Printing devices 1-1 and 1-2 have the same configuration and are both the same as the printing device 1 shown in Figure 2. That is, printing devices 1-1 and 1-2 each include a print control unit 100, an input unit 110, a display unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a print processing unit 150. In the following description, the print control unit 100, input unit 110, display unit 120, storage unit 130, and print processing unit 150 included in printing device 1-1 may be referred to as print control unit 100-1, input unit 110-1, display unit 120-1, storage unit 130-1, and print processing unit 150-1, and the print control unit 100, input unit 110, display unit 120, storage unit 130, and print processing unit 150 included in printing device 1-2 may be referred to as print control unit 100-2, input unit 110-2, display unit 120-2, storage unit 130-2, and print processing unit 150-2.

[0156] Furthermore, the printing device 1-1 is connected to the management server 2 in a communicative manner. The printing device 1-1 receives identification information ID and image data Dp1 as input. The identification information ID is information that identifies user 3, and the image data Dp1 is the characters and images that the printing device 1-1 forms on the recording paper. This is image information. Based on this, the printing processing unit 150 included in the printing device 1-1 executes a printing process to print characters and images on recording paper according to the information contained in the input image data Dp1. At this time, the printing control unit 100-1 included in the printing device 1-1 generates printing status information Psi1 indicating the execution status of the printing process performed by the printing processing unit 150-1 and stores it in the storage unit 130-1. Then, when the number of recording papers printed by the printing processing unit 150-1 exceeds a predetermined number, the printing control unit 100-1 outputs the printing status information Psi1 stored in the storage unit 130-1 to the management server 2.

[0157] Furthermore, the printing device 1-2 is connected to the management server 2 in a communication manner. The printing device 1-2 receives identification information ID and image data Dp2 as input. The identification information ID is information that identifies user 3, and the image data Dp2 is information about characters and images that the printing device 1-2 will form on the recording paper. As a result, the printing processing unit 150 included in the printing device 1-2 executes a printing process to print characters and images on the recording paper according to the information contained in the input image data Dp2. At this time, the printing control unit 100-2 included in the printing device 1-2 generates printing status information Psi2 indicating the execution status of the printing process performed by the printing processing unit 150-2 and stores it in the storage unit 130-2. Then, when the number of recording papers printed by the printing processing unit 150-2 exceeds a predetermined number, the printing control unit 100-2 outputs the printing status information Psi2 stored in the storage unit 130-2 to the management server 2.

[0158] The print status acquisition control unit 200, included in the print status acquisition unit 20 of the management server 2, determines whether waste paper collection is necessary for user 3 based on the print status information Psi1 output by printing device 1-1, the print status information Psi2 output by printing device 1-2, and the collection status information Csi input by waste paper collector 4. If the management server 2 determines that waste paper collection is necessary for user 3, it outputs the form information Fif to printing device 1-1 and outputs the collection request Crq to waste paper collector 4, according to the operating mode of the print management system SY.

[0159] Furthermore, the management server 2 generates benefit information Bgi to grant benefits to user 3 based on the printing status information Psi1 input from printing device 1-1, the printing status information Psi2 input from printing device 1-2, and the waste paper collector Csi input from waste paper collector 4, and outputs it to printing device 1-1.

[0160] As described above, in the third embodiment of the print management system SY, two printing devices 1-1 and 1-2, which accept operations from the user 3, are communicated to the management server 2. Even with this third embodiment of the print management system SY, the same effects and advantages as those of the first and second embodiments of the print management system SY are achieved.

[0161] Although embodiments and modified examples have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit. For example, the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0162] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially identical to those described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same function, method, and result, or configurations with the same purpose and effect). Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations that produce the same effects or achieve the same purpose as those described in the embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations that add known technology to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0163] The following conclusions can be drawn from the embodiments described above.

[0164] One aspect of a print management system is: A printing apparatus including a printing unit that prints on recording paper, A first acquisition unit acquires printing information indicating the printing status of the printing unit, A second acquisition unit that acquires collection information showing the status of waste paper collection, A provision instruction unit that instructs the provision of benefits to the user of the printing device based on the aforementioned printing information and the aforementioned collection information, It is equipped with.

[0165] This print management system provides benefits to users of printing equipment based on printing information showing the printing status of the printing department and collection information showing the status of waste paper collection, thereby raising users' awareness of waste paper collection. As a result, the amount of waste paper collected from users and the waste paper collection rate will further improve. Consequently, it will be possible to further promote the effective use of resources and environmental protection.

[0166] In one embodiment of the print management system, The first acquisition unit is, A determination unit that determines whether or not waste paper collection is necessary based on the waste paper collection rate calculated based on the printing information and the collection information, Based on the determination result of the determination unit, a collection request unit requests the collection of the waste paper, It may be provided.

[0167] According to this print management system, the decision-making unit determines whether waste paper needs to be collected based on the printing status of the printing unit. If the decision-making unit determines that waste paper collection is necessary, it requests the waste paper collector to collect the paper. This eliminates the need for waste paper collectors to manage the timing of waste paper collection from users, thus improving convenience for waste paper collectors. Furthermore, by enabling waste paper collectors to understand the optimal collection timing, they can provide users with the necessary materials for waste paper collection at the most opportune time, thereby encouraging users to collect their waste paper. With a print management system like this, user convenience is increased, and the labor required for waste paper collection is reduced. Consequently, the waste paper collection rate from users improves, enabling more effective resource utilization and further promotion of environmental protection.

[0168] In one embodiment of the print management system, The collection request unit requests the collection of the waste paper along with identification information for identifying the user of the printing device. The second acquisition unit acquires the recovery information along with the identification information, The provision instruction unit may instruct the provision of the benefit to the user identified by the identification information.

[0169] In one embodiment of the print management system, The first acquisition unit is, A determination unit that determines whether or not waste paper collection is necessary based on the waste paper collection rate calculated based on the printing information and the collection information, A print request unit outputs a print request for the collection form to the print unit based on the judgment result of the judgment unit, Based on the determination result of the determination unit, a collection request unit requests the collection of the waste paper using the collection form, It may be provided.

[0170] According to this print management system, the decision-making unit determines whether or not waste paper collection is necessary based on the printing status of the printing unit. By making this determination, users no longer need to manage the timing of waste paper collection, improving user convenience. Furthermore, when the determination unit determines that waste paper collection is necessary, the collection form used for waste paper collection is provided to the user, reducing the user's workload. In addition, when the determination unit determines that waste paper collection is necessary, it requests the waste paper collector to collect the waste paper, eliminating the need for the waste paper collector to manage the timing of waste paper collection from users, improving the waste paper collector's convenience as well. Furthermore, by enabling waste paper collectors to understand the optimal collection timing, they can provide the necessary materials to users at the optimal time for collection, thereby encouraging users to collect waste paper. In other words, a printing management system that is highly convenient for users and reduces the workload required for waste paper collection can be provided. Consequently, the waste paper collection rate from users will improve, enabling more effective resource utilization and further promotion of environmental protection.

[0171] In one embodiment of the print management system, The aforementioned return form includes identification information for identifying the user of the printing device, The second acquisition unit acquires the recovery information along with the identification information, The provision instruction unit may instruct the provision of the benefit to the user identified by the identification information.

[0172] In one embodiment of the print management system, The system may also include a notification unit for notifying the user of the provision of the aforementioned benefit.

[0173] In one embodiment of the print management system, The second acquisition unit acquires the percentage of foreign matter mixed into the waste paper as the recovery information, The provision instruction unit may instruct the provision of the benefit based on the foreign matter contamination rate.

[0174] This printing management system reduces the risk of foreign matter contamination in waste paper and improves the efficiency of recycling collected waste paper. Therefore, it enables further promotion of the effective use of resources.

[0175] One method of print management is: A first acquisition step involves acquiring printing information that shows the printing status in the printing section, The collection process involves having waste paper collected, A second acquisition step involves acquiring collection information that shows the status of the collection of the aforementioned waste paper, A production process for producing recycled paper from the aforementioned collected waste paper, A benefit provision process in which benefits are provided based on the aforementioned printing information and the aforementioned collection information, It holds.

[0176] According to this printing management method, in the first acquisition process, printing information indicating the printing status of the printing section is acquired, and in the second acquisition process, collection information indicating the waste paper collection status is acquired. Then, in the benefit provision process, benefits are provided to the user of the printing equipment based on the printing information and collection concessions. As a result, it is possible to raise users' awareness of waste paper collection. This will further improve the amount of waste paper collected from users and the waste paper collection rate. As a result, it will be possible to further promote the effective use of resources and environmental protection. [Explanation of symbols]

[0177] 1…Printing device, 2…Management server, 3…User, 4…Waste paper collector, 10…Printing unit, 20…Printing status acquisition unit, 30…Collection status acquisition unit, 100…Printing control unit, 110…Input unit, 120…Display unit, 130…Storage unit, 150…Printing processing unit, 200…Printing status acquisition control unit, 210…Mode switching unit, 230…Storage unit, 250…Collection request unit, 260…Form information output unit, 270…Benefit provision instruction unit, 300…Collection status acquisition control unit, 310…Input unit, 320…Output unit , 330...Storage section

Claims

1. A printing apparatus including a printing unit that prints on recording paper, A first acquisition unit acquires printing information indicating the printing status of the printing unit, A second acquisition unit that acquires collection information showing the status of waste paper collection, A provision instruction unit that instructs the provision of benefits to the user of the printing device based on the aforementioned printing information and the aforementioned collection information, Equipped with, A print management system characterized by the following features.

2. The first acquisition unit is, A determination unit that determines whether or not waste paper collection is necessary based on the waste paper collection rate calculated based on the printing information and the collection information, Based on the determination result of the determination unit, a collection request unit requests the collection of the waste paper, Equipped with, The print management system according to feature 1.

3. The collection request unit requests the collection of the waste paper along with identification information for identifying the user of the printing device. The second acquisition unit acquires the recovery information along with the identification information, The provision instruction unit instructs the provision of the benefit to the user identified by the identification information. The print management system according to claim 2, characterized by the features described above.

4. The first acquisition unit is, A determination unit that determines whether or not waste paper collection is necessary based on the waste paper collection rate calculated based on the printing information and the collection information, A print request unit outputs a print request for the collection form to the print unit based on the judgment result of the judgment unit, Based on the determination result of the determination unit, a collection request unit requests the collection of the waste paper using the collection form, Equipped with, The print management system according to feature 1.

5. The aforementioned return form includes identification information for identifying the user of the printing device, The second acquisition unit acquires the recovery information along with the identification information, The provision instruction unit instructs the provision of the benefit to the user identified by the identification information. The print management system according to feature 4.

6. It includes a notification unit that notifies the user of the provision of the aforementioned benefit, A print management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The second acquisition unit acquires the percentage of foreign matter mixed into the waste paper as the recovery information, The provision instruction unit instructs the provision of the benefit based on the foreign matter contamination rate. A print management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A first acquisition step involves acquiring printing information that shows the printing status in the printing section, The collection process involves having waste paper collected, A second acquisition step involves acquiring collection information that shows the status of the collection of the aforementioned waste paper, A production process for producing recycled paper from the aforementioned collected waste paper, A benefit provision process in which benefits are provided based on the aforementioned printing information and the aforementioned collection information, Having, A printing management method characterized by the following features.

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