Printing system and method for controlling the printing system

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: a printer cannot be appropriately used and managed.SOLUTION: A printing system is a printing system comprising a manager terminal, a user terminal, and an information processing apparatus that provides a print service related to a printer that can be used by the user terminal. The information processing apparatus transmits, to the manager terminal, demand information for demanding response information based on the term of contract related to the print service, and when unable to perform contract continuation processing based on the response information from the manager terminal, transmits notification information to the user terminal. The user terminal transmits, to the manager terminal, request information for requesting continuation of the contract based on the notification information. The manager terminal transmits, to the information processing apparatus, continuation information for continuing the contract based on the request information. The information processing apparatus executes the continuation processing based on the continuation information, and permits the user terminal to use the print service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system and a method for controlling the printing system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is known a printer in which a user operates an operation panel to update a contract.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described apparatus, when there is an administrator who manages the contract separately from the user who uses the printer, there is a possibility that the use of the printer by the user and the management of the contract by the administrator cannot be appropriately performed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The printing system comprises an administrator terminal, a user terminal, and an information processing device that provides printing services related to printers available to the user terminal. The information processing device transmits request information to the administrator terminal requesting response information related to the contract based on the expiration date of the contract for the printing service, and enables the reception of the response information from the administrator terminal. If the contract cannot be renewed based on the response information from the administrator terminal, it transmits notification information related to the contract to the user terminal. The user terminal receives the notification information from the information processing device, and if it is instructed to request the renewal of the contract based on the notification information, it transmits request information requesting the renewal of the contract to the administrator terminal. The administrator terminal receives the request information from the user terminal, and if it is instructed to renew the contract based on the request information, it transmits renewal information to the information processing device. The information processing device receives the renewal information from the administrator terminal, executes the renewal process based on the renewal information, and grants the user terminal permission to use the printing service.

[0006] A method for controlling a printing system comprising an administrator terminal, a user terminal, and an information processing device that provides printing services related to a printer available to the user terminal, wherein the information processing device transmits request information to the administrator terminal requesting response information related to the contract based on the expiration date of the contract related to the printing service, enables the reception of the response information from the administrator terminal, and if the contract cannot be continued based on the response information from the administrator terminal, transmits notification information related to the contract to the user terminal, the user terminal receives the notification information from the information processing device and, if instructed to request the continuation of the contract based on the notification information, transmits request information requesting the continuation of the contract to the administrator terminal, the administrator terminal receives the request information from the user terminal and, if instructed to continue the contract based on the request information, transmits continuation information to the information processing device, the information processing device receives the continuation information from the administrator terminal, executes the continuation process based on the continuation information, and grants the user terminal permission to use the printing service. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system, including an information processing unit, an administrator terminal, and user terminals. [Figure 2] A state transition diagram showing the control of the information processing device, administrator terminal, and user terminal when a contract is renewed. [Figure 3] A state transition diagram showing the control process when a contract is renewed at the request of the user's terminal. [Figure 4] A state transition diagram showing the control of uninstalling the first driver and installing the second driver upon contract termination. [Figure 5] A state transition diagram showing the control for aggregating survey responses at the end of the contract. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] 1. First Embodiment 1-1. Printing System Configuration As shown in Figure 1, a printing system 1 according to one embodiment includes a user terminal 10, an administrator terminal 20, and an information processing device 40. The user terminal 10 and the administrator terminal 20 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 50, which is a communication network within a limited area of ​​company 2, and are able to communicate with each other. The printer 30 is also connected to the LAN 50. Company 2 refers to the premises of the company where the user terminal 10, administrator terminal 20, printer 30, and LAN 50 are installed. User terminal 10 is primarily used by users who use the printer 30. Administrator terminal 20 is primarily used by administrators who manage devices, including those connected to LAN 50.

[0009] The user terminal 10, administrator terminal 20, and printer 30 can communicate with an information processing device 40 outside of company 2 via LAN 50 and WAN (Wide Area Network) 60, such as the internet. LAN 50 is assumed to include a router and firewall, and to have the functionality to enable communication between LAN 50 and WAN 60. The user terminal 10, administrator terminal 20, printer 30, and information processing device 40 are each assigned a unique IP address (Internet Protocol Address). These devices can communicate with a destination by specifying the IP address assigned to that destination. The information processing device 40 is mainly provided by the provider of the printing service described later.

[0010] The user terminal 10 is comprised of a first control unit 11, a first communication unit 12, a first storage unit 13, and a first input / output unit 14. The first control unit 11 comprehensively controls each part of the user terminal 10. The first control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU is also called a processor. The first storage unit 13 includes flash ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a rewritable non-volatile memory, and RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a volatile memory. The first control unit 11 reads the program stored in the flash ROM of the first storage unit 13 and executes it using the RAM of the first storage unit 13 as a working area.

[0011] Furthermore, the driver storage unit 13a of the first storage unit 13 of the user terminal 10 stores either the first driver or the second driver, which will be described later, capable of controlling the printer 30. Hereafter, the first driver and the second driver will be collectively referred to simply as the driver. The first control unit 11 can read and execute a driver from the driver storage unit 13a, and control the printer 30 to print. Furthermore, the process by which the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 stores a driver in the driver storage unit 13a is called installation, and the process of deleting a driver from the driver storage unit 13a is called uninstallation.

[0012] The first communication unit 12 of the user terminal 10 is configured to include a circuit that can communicate with the LAN 50 wirelessly or via a wired connection. The first communication unit 12 can communicate with the administrator terminal 20, printer 30, etc., via the LAN 50. Furthermore, the first communication unit 12 can also communicate with the information processing device 40 via the LAN 50 and WAN 60. The user terminal 10 transmits and receives data with the communication destination via the first communication unit 12. However, for the sake of brevity, the transmission and reception by the first communication unit 12 will be omitted in the following explanation. Furthermore, the first communication unit 12 communicates with the information processing device 40 via the LAN 50 and WAN 60. However, the communication via the LAN 50 and WAN 60 will be omitted in the following explanation.

[0013] The first input / output unit 14 of the user terminal 10 is a user interface for the user. The first input / output unit 14 is, for example, a touch panel display. The first input / output unit 14 includes a display panel that is an output unit for displaying various information and a detection panel that is an input unit. The detection panel is configured to be overlaid on the display panel. The detection panel detects the operation of a human finger by a method such as a capacitance method, a resistive film method, an optical method, etc. In the first input / output unit 14, the input unit may be a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and the output unit may be a stand-alone liquid crystal display, etc.

[0014] The administrator terminal 20 is configured to include a second control unit 21, a second communication unit 22, a second storage unit 23, and a second input / output unit 24. Since these configurations of the administrator terminal 20 are substantially the same as those of the user terminal 10, the description of the configurations is omitted. Note that the second communication unit 22 of the administrator terminal 20 can communicate with the user terminal 10, the printer 30, etc. via the LAN 50.

[0015] Also, similar to the user terminal 10, the administrator terminal 20 can install a driver in the second storage unit 23 and use the printer 30. However, hereinafter, the description will be made assuming that the user terminal 10, rather than the administrator terminal 20, uses the printer 30. Note that when the administrator terminal 20 transmits and receives data to and from a communication destination, it is performed by the second communication unit 22. Similar to the case of the user terminal 10, hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity of description, the transmission and reception by the second communication unit 22 will be omitted from the description. Also, the second communication unit 22 can communicate with the information processing device 40 via the LAN 50 and the WAN 60, but hereinafter, the communication via the LAN 50 and the WAN 60 will be omitted from the description.

[0016] The information processing device 40 is configured to include a fourth control unit 41, a fourth communication unit 42, a fourth storage unit 43, and a fourth input / output unit 44. Since these configurations of the information processing device 40 are substantially the same as those of the user terminal 10, the description of the configurations is omitted. The fourth communication unit 42 of the information processing apparatus 40 can communicate with the user terminal 10, the administrator terminal 20, the printer 30, etc. via the WAN 60 and the LAN 50.

[0017] Note that when the information processing apparatus 40 transmits and receives data to and from a communication destination, it is performed by the fourth communication unit 42. However, as in the case of the user terminal 10, hereinafter, for the sake of brevity of explanation, the transmission and reception by the fourth communication unit 42 will be omitted. Also, the fourth communication unit 42 can communicate with the user terminal 10, the administrator terminal 20, the printer 30, etc. via the WAN 60 and the LAN 50. However, hereinafter, the explanation will be made omitting the use of the WAN 60 and the LAN 50.

[0018] In the fourth storage unit 43 of the information processing apparatus 40, information related to various printing services for providing a printing service related to the printer 30 is stored. Further, in the fourth storage unit 43, various contract information related to, for example, a subscription, which is a contract when providing a printing service, is also stored. Also, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing apparatus 40 can provide, via the fourth communication unit 42, a website that the administrator terminal 20 and the user terminal 10 can access for content related to the printing service and the contract. In this way, the information processing apparatus 40 can provide a printing service, etc. to the administrator terminal 20 and the user terminal 10 as a so-called cloud service. Note that a server that provides a printing service separately from the information processing apparatus 40 may be provided, and the user terminal 10 may be configured to be able to access the information processing apparatus 40 via the server. Also, the website that the administrator terminal 20 can access and the website that the user terminal 10 can access may be the same website or different websites.

[0019] The printer 30 includes a printing unit 34 which has an inkjet head for printing on paper, a paper transport mechanism, and the like. For example, the transport mechanism of the printing unit 34 can flip the paper over and print on both sides of the paper. In addition, the printer 30 is composed of a third control unit 31, a third communication unit 32, and a third storage unit 33. Since the configuration of these components of the printer 30 is almost the same as that of the user terminal 10, a description of the configuration will be omitted.

[0020] The printer 30 can communicate with the administrator terminal 20, user terminal 10, etc., via the LAN 50 using the third communication unit 32. Furthermore, the third communication unit 32 of the printer 30 can also communicate with the information processing device 40 via the WAN 60 from the LAN 50. The printer 30 transmits and receives data to and from the communication destination via the third communication unit 32. However, as with the user terminal 10, for the sake of brevity, the transmission and reception by the third communication unit 32 will be omitted in the following explanation. Furthermore, the third communication unit 32 can communicate with the information processing device 40 via the LAN 50 and WAN 60. However, the communication via the LAN 50 and WAN 60 will be omitted in the following explanation.

[0021] 1-2. Printing Services The information processing device 40 can provide printing services related to the printer 30 available to the user terminal 10 under a contract for printing services with the administrator terminal 20. When applying for a contract, the administrator operates the second input / output unit 24 of the administrator terminal 20 to access the website provided by the information processing device 40. Based on the administrator's operation of the second input / output unit 24, the second control unit 21 of the administrator terminal 20 sends and receives contract information related to the printing service with the information processing device 40 and applies for a contract for the printing service. The contract information related to the conclusion of the contract is stored in the second storage unit 23 of the administrator terminal 20 and the fourth storage unit 43 of the information processing device 40.

[0022] When applying for a contract, the administrator terminal 20 transmits to the information processing device 40, as part of the contract information, a second ID (Identification) information that identifies the administrator terminal 20 that manages the contract, a first ID information that identifies the user terminal 10 that will use the printer 30, and a third ID information that identifies the printer 30 that the user terminal 10 will use. These ID details are stored in the memory of each device and can be retrieved by the administrator terminal 20. Additionally, it is acceptable to have company IDs to distinguish and manage multiple companies.

[0023] These ID pieces of information may also be email addresses. Alternatively, these ID pieces may include email addresses. Hereafter, the first ID piece of information, the second ID piece of information, and the third ID piece of information will simply be referred to as the first ID, the second ID, and the third ID. The contract information also includes information related to the contract term for the printing service, such as the payment amount and payment method. Furthermore, the contract information may also include information regarding the leasing of the printer 30 from the provider.

[0024] The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives the first ID, second ID, and third ID from the administrator terminal 20 and stores them in the fourth storage unit 43 along with other contract information. The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 can identify the user terminal 10, the administrator terminal 20, and the printer 30, respectively, based on the first ID, second ID, and third ID stored in the fourth storage unit 43. The fourth control unit 41 can then perform communication and processing related to the printing service based on the first ID, second ID, and third ID.

[0025] The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 issues user permission ID information to the printer 30 and stores it in the fourth storage unit 43. Hereinafter, the user permission ID information will simply be referred to as the permission ID. Based on the provider's operation of the fourth input / output unit 44 of the information processing device 40, the fourth control unit 41 sends and receives contract information with the administrator terminal 20. Once the contract is concluded, it sends the authorization ID and the first driver corresponding to the printing service to the administrator terminal 20. At this time, the fourth control unit 41 may also send an authorization ID to the printer 30 and have it stored in the printer 30's third storage unit 33. When the printer 30's third control unit 31 determines that it has received the authorization ID, it may execute a print service.

[0026] When the administrator terminal 20's second control unit 21 receives the authorization ID and the first driver, it stores them in the second storage unit 23 and also transmits them to the user terminal 10. When the user terminal 10 receives the authorization ID and the first driver, it stores them in the first storage unit 13 and installs them in the driver storage unit 13a. The first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 can read and execute the first driver from the driver storage unit 13a and generate a print job that includes the permission ID.

[0027] Furthermore, the fourth storage unit 43 of the information processing device 40 stores the first ID, second ID, and third ID as contract information, associated with the authorization ID. These are used when communicating and processing related to printing services. The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40, when communicating and processing related to the printing service, can refer to the fourth storage unit 43, identify the communication source or destination based on the received first ID, second ID, and third ID, read the corresponding contract information, and perform processing related to the printing service. For example, when the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives a first ID during communication and processing related to a printing service, it can refer to the fourth storage unit 43 to identify the user terminal 10, read the contract information associated with the first ID, and perform processing within the scope of the contract.

[0028] Here, we will describe a printing service that causes the printer 30 to print a print job generated by the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 can generate a print job using the first driver and send it to the information processing device 40. The print job includes the first ID of the user terminal 10 that is the source of the communication and the third ID of the printer 30 that is the destination of the communication. When the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives a print job, it refers to the fourth storage unit 43 to identify the user terminal 10 and the printer 30, reads the contract information associated with the first ID or third ID, and determines whether the communication source and destination are authorized. The fourth control unit 41 also determines whether the time the print job was received from the user terminal 10 is within the contract period.

[0029] The fourth control unit 41 receives a print job and, if it determines that the communication source and destination are authorized and that the print job was received within the contract period, sends the print job to the printer 30. When the third control unit 31 of the printer 30 receives the print job, it controls the printing unit 34 to print. On the other hand, if the fourth control unit 41 receives a print job and determines that the communication source and destination are not authorized, or if it determines that the time the print job was received is outside the contract period, it will not send the print job to the printer 30. The print job will then be unable to be printed by the printer 30.

[0030] Furthermore, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 may determine whether or not to send the print job to the printer 30 based on the authorization ID. In this case, the user terminal 10 generates a print job including the authorization ID using the first driver and sends it to the information processing device 40. When the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives the print job from the user terminal 10, it compares the authorization ID included in the print job with the authorization ID stored in the fourth storage unit 43 as contract information between the user terminal 10 and the administrator terminal 20.

[0031] The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 can send a print job to the printer 30 if it determines that the permission IDs of both parties match. When the third control unit 31 of the printer 30 receives the print job, it controls the printing unit 34 to print. On the other hand, if the fourth control unit 41 determines that the two permission IDs do not match, it will not send the print job to the printer 30. The print job will then be unable to be printed by the printer 30.

[0032] In this way, the user terminal 10 can send a print job to the printer 30 via the information processing device 40 and have it print in the printing service based on the contract information. As a result, for example, even if the user terminal 10 is outside the office and outside the communication range of company 2's LAN 50, the printing service will be available. In other words, the user terminal 10 can communicate with the information processing device 40 from outside company 2 via the WAN 60 without going through the LAN 50. The user terminal 10 can directly send a print job to the information processing device 40 via the WAN 60. The information processing device 40 can then send the print job to the printer 30 at company 2 via the WAN 60 and LAN 50 and have it printed.

[0033] 1-3. Control Method for the Printing System This section will primarily describe the control method related to the renewal process of the printing system 1 contract. As described above, the fourth storage unit 43 of the information processing device 40 stores contract information related to the printing service with the administrator terminal 20. The contract information also includes the contract expiration date for the printing service. The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 can refer to and manage the contract expiration date in the fourth storage unit 43.

[0034] Furthermore, the following transmissions and receptions between the administrator terminal 20 and the information processing device 40, and between the user terminal 10 and the information processing device 40, may be performed via the website provided by the information processing device 40. In addition, the user terminal 10, the administrator terminal 20, and the information processing device 40 can also perform the following various processes related to the printing service via the website provided by the information processing device 40. At this time, the administrator terminal 20 can log in to the website using the second ID or authorized ID. The user terminal 10 can log in to the website using the first ID or authorized ID. The administrator terminal 20 and the user terminal 10 do not need to install or use any special applications by using the website provided by the information processing device 40.

[0035] Figure 2 shows the process of continuing a contract related to printing services between the information processing device 40 and the administrator terminal 20. The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 refers to the contract expiration date for the printing service stored in the fourth storage unit 43, and when it determines that the current time is the time when the contract expiration date has been reached, it sends request information to the administrator terminal 20 requesting response information related to the contract (S101). The request information includes information that the contract expiration date has been reached, and selection information allowing the user to choose whether to continue or terminate the contract. Subsequently, even if the contract expiration date has been reached, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 enables the reception of response information from the administrator terminal 20. Note that in Figures 2 to 5, the term "information" is omitted when describing the content being sent and received. For example, "request information" is simply written as "request".

[0036] When the second control unit 21 of the administrator terminal 20 receives request information, it displays the contents of the request information on the second input / output unit 24. If the administrator instructs the contract to be continued based on the operation of the second input / output unit 24, the second control unit 21 sends continuation information, which includes a response indicating that the contract has been continued, to the information processing device 40 (S102).

[0037] When the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives continuation information, it displays the contents of the continuation information on the fourth input / output unit 44. Based on the provider's operation of the fourth input / output unit 44, the fourth control unit 41 executes the continuation process (S103), and the contract continuation is established with the administrator terminal 20. The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 grants permission to the user terminal 10 to use the printing service (S104). In addition, at this time, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 can also grant permission for the administrator terminal 20 to use the printing service.

[0038] Specifically, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 updates the contract to the extended new contract period as a continuation process and stores the continuation contract information in the fourth storage unit 43. In this way, the continuation process performed by the information processing device 40 to update the contract to the new contract period grants permission for the user terminal 10 to use the printing service. As a result, the user terminal 10 can continue to use the same first driver and the same authorization ID, and can print print jobs to the printer 30. In other words, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 can determine that the time it received the print job from the user terminal 10 is within the new contract period. The information processing device 40 can then send the print job to the printer 30 and have it printed.

[0039] In this case, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 may issue a new permission ID for continuation as a continuation process. The fourth control unit 41 may store the new permission ID as contract information in the fourth storage unit 43 and transmit it to the administrator terminal 20 and the user terminal 10 via the administrator terminal 20. The user terminal 10 can generate a print job including a new permission ID using the first driver and send it to the information processing device 40.

[0040] The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 can refer to the contract information in the fourth storage unit 43 and determine if the new permission ID matches the new permission ID included in the print job. The information processing device 40 can send a print job to the printer 30 and print it based on a match with the new authorization ID.

[0041] Figure 3 shows the process when the information processing device 40 is unable to process the contract continuation based on the response information from the administrator terminal 20. Similar to the case in Figure 2, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 transmits request information to the administrator terminal 20 when the contract expiration date for the printing service is reached (S201).

[0042] The second control unit 21 of the administrator terminal 20 transmits termination information, including a statement that the administrator has chosen to terminate the contract rather than continue it, to the information processing device 40 as response information, based on the administrator's operation of the second input / output unit 24 (S202). Alternatively, the administrator terminal 20 may not transmit response information within a predetermined period, such as within the contract term, and may be marked as having no response (S202).

[0043] If the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives termination information as response information from the administrator terminal 20, or if it does not receive response information from the administrator terminal 20 within a predetermined period, it cannot continue processing based on the response information. The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 is unable to continue processing based on the response information from the administrator terminal 20, and therefore processing is not possible (S203).

[0044] Specifically, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 cannot renew the contract to an extended period due to termination information or no response from the administrator terminal 20. The information processing device 40 terminates the contract for printing services with the administrator terminal 20. At this time, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 may invalidate the contract information stored in the fourth storage unit 43. For example, the fourth control unit 41 may invalidate the permission ID. However, the fourth control unit 41 may keep the first ID, second ID, and third ID active for a predetermined period even after the contract ends, so that the user terminal 10 and administrator terminal 20 can log in to the website, etc.

[0045] As a result, even if the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives a print job from the user terminal 10, it can refer to the fourth storage unit 43 and determine that the time of receipt is outside the contract period. Alternatively, even if the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives a print job from the user terminal 10, it can refer to the fourth storage unit 43 and determine that the permission ID is invalid and does not match. Even if the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives a print job from the user terminal 10, it determines that the contractual conditions are not met as described above, and therefore does not send it to the printer 30. Consequently, the user terminal 10 cannot have the printer 30 print the print job. The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 also operates similarly when it receives a print job from the administrator terminal 20.

[0046] Incidentally, the user of user terminal 10 may not be aware that the administrator of administrator terminal 20 has terminated the contract or has not renewed it. For this reason, user terminal 10 may generate a print job and send it to information processing device 40 even after the contract period has expired. However, as described above, information processing device 40 determines that the print job received from user terminal 10 does not meet the contract conditions, and therefore cannot print it using printer 30. Therefore, the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 transmits usage request information requesting the use of the printing service to the information processing device 40 based on the user's operation of the first input / output unit 14 (S204).

[0047] When the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives a request information for the use of the printing service from the user terminal 10 (S204), it sends notification information to the user terminal 10 (S205). In other words, if the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 is unable to continue processing based on the response information from the administrator terminal 20, and if there is a request from the user terminal 10 for the use of the printing service, it sends contract-related notification information to the user terminal 10. Furthermore, if the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 is unable to continue processing based on the response information from the administrator terminal 20, it may send notification information to the user terminal 10 even if it does not receive a usage request information from the user terminal 10 requesting the use of the printing service. Furthermore, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 may choose not to send notification information to the user terminal 10 if the response information received from the administrator terminal 20 is continuation information.

[0048] When the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 receives notification information, it displays the contents of the notification information on the first input / output unit 14. The notification information includes information such as whether the contract has expired, whether the contract has been terminated by the administrator, or whether the contract has not been renewed. The notification information also includes information for processing a request instruction to the administrator terminal 20, which can also be displayed on the first input / output unit 14 of the user terminal 10. Based on the user's operation of the first input / output unit 14, the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 executes a request instruction process (S206) when a request for contract continuation is made (S207), and transmits request information to the administrator terminal 20 requesting the continuation of the contract for the printing service.

[0049] In other words, if the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 is instructed to request the continuation of the contract based on the notification information, it sends request information to the administrator terminal 20 requesting the continuation of the contract. When the second control unit 21 of the administrator terminal 20 receives request information from the user terminal 10, it displays the contents of the request information on the second input / output unit 24. If the administrator instructs the contract to be continued based on the operation of the second input / output unit 24, the second control unit 21 executes a continuation instruction process to instruct the continuation of the contract (S208) and transmits continuation information, including the instruction to continue the contract, to the information processing device 40 (S209).

[0050] Subsequently, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 executes the continuation process (S103), usage permission (S104), and other processes as described in Figure 2. In other words, when the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives continuation information, it executes continuation processing based on the operation of the fourth input / output unit 44 by the provider (S210), establishes the continuation of the contract with the administrator terminal 20, and grants permission to use the printing service to the user terminal 10 (S211).

[0051] Specifically, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 updates the contract to the extended new contract period as a continuation process and stores it in the fourth storage unit 43 as continuation contract information. As a result, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 can determine that the time it received the print job from the user terminal 10 is within the new contract period, and can send the print job to the printer 30 to print it.

[0052] In this manner, if the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 is unable to continue processing based on the response information from the administrator terminal 20, it sends contract-related notification information to the user terminal 10. Triggered by notification information from the information processing device 40 to the user terminal 10, the user terminal 10 can have the administrator terminal 20 renew the contract and use the printing service. The user terminal 10 can continue to use the same first driver and the same permission ID and have the printer 30 print print jobs.

[0053] Next, referring to Figure 4, we will explain the process by which the information processing device 40 causes the user terminal 10 to replace the driver at the end of the contract. The driver storage unit 13a of the first storage unit 13 of the user terminal 10 has a first driver installed that corresponds to the printing service.

[0054] Prior to this, as in the case of Figure 3, the information processing device 40, the administrator terminal 20, and the user terminal 10 shall perform the following actions when the contract expiration date for the printing service is reached (S201), no termination transmission or response transmission (S202), continuation processing impossible (S203), and transmission of usage request information (S204). Subsequently, in Figure 4, similar to the case in Figure 3, the information processing device 40 sends notification information to the user terminal 10 (S301), the user terminal 10 executes the request instruction processing (S302), and sends the request information to the administrator terminal 20 (S303). Note that the process in (S301) may also be a response when the user terminal accesses the information processing device.

[0055] Here, unlike in the case of Figure 3, the second control unit 21 of the administrator terminal 20 executes an termination instruction process to instruct the termination of the contract based on the administrator's operation of the second input / output unit 24 (S304), and transmits termination information, including the instruction to terminate the contract, to the information processing device 40 (S305). The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 executes contract termination processing based on the receipt of termination information from the administrator terminal 20 (S306).

[0056] Specifically, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 terminates the contract as part of the termination process and does not renew it for a new contract period. At this time, the fourth control unit 41 may invalidate the contract information stored in the fourth storage unit 43. Also, for example, the fourth control unit 41 may invalidate the authorization ID. As a result, even if the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives a print job from the user terminal 10, it can refer to the fourth storage unit 43 and determine that the time of receipt is outside the contract period. Alternatively, even if the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives a print job from the user terminal 10, it can refer to the fourth storage unit 43 and determine that the permission ID is invalid and does not match.

[0057] Even if the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives a print job from the user terminal 10, it determines that the contract conditions are not met as described above, and therefore does not send it to the printer 30, making it unavailable (S307). Therefore, the user terminal 10 cannot print the print job using the printer 30. The same applies when the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives a print job from the administrator terminal 20. Furthermore, since the user terminal 10 cannot use the printing service, even if the user terminal 10 is outside the communication range of the LAN 50, the user terminal 10 cannot communicate with the information processing device 40 via the WAN 60 without going through the LAN 50. The same applies to the administrator terminal 20.

[0058] Next, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40, which has received termination information from the administrator terminal 20, sends first selection information to the user terminal 10, which includes information asking whether or not to uninstall the first driver corresponding to the print service (S308). The first selection information also includes a program to uninstall the first driver.

[0059] The first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 receives the first selection information and displays it on the first input / output unit 14. Here, the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 selects to uninstall the first driver based on the user's operation on the first input / output unit 14 and processes the uninstallation. The first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 transmits first selection response information to the information processing device 40, which is a response to the first selection information and includes information to select uninstalling the first driver (S309). Then, the first control unit 11 executes the uninstallation program included in the first selection information and uninstalls the first driver (S310). The same procedure applies to the administrator terminal 20.

[0060] When the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives the first selection response information, it sends second selection information to the user terminal 10, which includes information asking whether or not to install a second driver that does not support the printing service, unlike the first driver that supports the printing service (S311). The second selection information also includes the second driver and a program to install the second driver.

[0061] Here, the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 selects and processes the installation of the second driver based on the user's operation of the first input / output unit 14. The first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 transmits second selection response information, which is a response to the second selection information and includes information to select the installation of the second driver, to the information processing device 40 (S312). Then, the first control unit 11 executes the program to be installed, which is included in the second selection information, and installs the second driver (S313). The same procedure applies to the administrator terminal 20. Furthermore, the first and second selection response information mentioned above does not need to be transmitted to the information processing device 40. Alternatively, the process could involve installing the second driver first, and then uninstalling the first driver. Furthermore, uninstalling the first driver and installing the second driver can be done independently, without affecting the choice made for the other driver.

[0062] Even if the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 generates a print job using the first driver, it cannot use the print service and therefore cannot send it to the printer 30 via the WAN 60 and the information processing device 40. However, the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 can generate a print job using the second driver, send it to the printer 30 via the LAN 50, and print it. Note that the second driver may have limitations on the printer's functionality compared to the first driver. For example, the first driver may enable double-sided printing, while the second driver may not.

[0063] On the other hand, the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10, based on the user's operation of the first input / output unit 14, selects not to uninstall the first driver and processes the operation accordingly. The first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 transmits to the information processing device 40 as first selection response information, which is a response to the first selection information and includes information that the user has selected not to uninstall. If the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 receives first selection response information from the user terminal 10 that includes information indicating that uninstallation is not selected, it may choose not to send second selection information to the user terminal 10.

[0064] Furthermore, the first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 selects not to install the second driver based on the user's operation of the first input / output unit 14, and processes the data accordingly. The first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 sends a second selection response information to the information processing device 40, which is a response to the second selection information and includes information that the user has selected not to install the driver. The first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 then does not install the second driver.

[0065] Next, referring to Figure 5, we will explain the process by which the information processing device 40 requests responses to a questionnaire from the user terminal 10 and the administrator terminal 20 at the end of the contract, and then compiles the responses. The questionnaire includes evaluation items for the printing service. Prior to this, as in the case of Figure 4, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 performs termination processing based on termination information from the administrator terminal 20 (S401), and even if it receives a print job from the user terminal 10, it does not send it to the printer 30 and makes it unavailable (S402).

[0066] The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 transmits response request information to the administrator terminal 20, requesting a response to a questionnaire related to the printing service (S403). The response request information also includes questionnaire information. The second control unit 21 of the administrator terminal 20 transmits response information, including the answers to the questionnaire, to the information processing device 40 based on the administrator's operation of the second input / output unit 24 (S404).

[0067] Furthermore, the fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 also transmits the response request information to the user terminal 10 (S405). The first control unit 11 of the user terminal 10 transmits response information, including the answer to the questionnaire, to the information processing device 40 based on the user's operation of the first input / output unit 14 (S406). The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 performs aggregation processing (S407) based on the response information received from the user terminal 10 and the administrator terminal 20. The aggregation processing includes calculating the frequency distribution of evaluation items for the printing service. The fourth control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 may send the response request information to either the user terminal 10 or the administrator terminal 20, or it may send it when it receives continuation information.

[0068] As described above, according to the printing system 1 of this embodiment, when the information processing device 40 determines that the contract expiration date for the printing service has been reached based on the contract expiration date, it sends request information to the administrator terminal 20 requesting response information related to the contract. If the information processing device 40 is unable to continue processing based on the response information from the administrator terminal 20, it sends notification information to the user terminal 10. Based on the notification information, the user terminal 10 sends request information to the administrator terminal 20 requesting the continuation of the contract. Based on the request information, the administrator terminal 20 transmits continuation information, including an instruction to continue the contract, to the information processing device 40.

[0069] The information processing device 40 performs continuation processing based on the continuation information, establishes a contract continuation with the administrator terminal 20, and grants permission to use the printing service to the user terminal 10. Thus, in this embodiment, if there is an administrator who manages the contract separately from the users who use the printer 30, the printing system 1 allows for proper use of the printer by users and management of the contract by the administrator.

[0070] As described above, this embodiment has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and may be modified, replaced, deleted, etc., as long as it does not depart from the spirit of this invention. The printing unit 34 of the printer 30 was described using an inkjet head as an example, but other methods are also possible. For example, the printing unit 34 may be an electrophotographic type using toner.

[0071] Furthermore, programs for realizing the functions of any component in each of the devices described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and these programs may be loaded into a computer system and executed. "Computer-readable recording medium" includes portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD (Compact Disk)-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Moreover, "computer-readable recording medium" also includes volatile memory within computer systems that act as servers or clients when programs are transmitted via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, which retain programs for a certain period of time.

[0072] Furthermore, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a memory device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network like the Internet or a communication line like a telephone line. Furthermore, the above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. In addition, the above program may be one that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, a so-called differential file or differential program. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1…Printing system, 10…User terminal, 11…First control unit, 12…First communication unit, 13…First storage unit, 13a…Driver storage unit, 14…First input / output unit, 20…Administrator terminal, 21…Second control unit, 22…Second communication unit, 23…Second storage unit, 24…Second input / output unit, 30…Printer, 34…Printing unit, 40…Information processing device, 41…Fourth control unit, 42…Fourth communication unit, 43…Fourth storage unit, 44…Fourth input / output unit, 50…LAN, 60…WAN.

Claims

1. A printing system comprising an administrator terminal, a user terminal, and an information processing device that provides printing services related to printers available to the user terminal, The aforementioned information processing device is Based on the expiration date of the contract relating to the printing service, request information requesting response information relating to the contract is sent to the administrator terminal. This enables the reception of the response information from the administrator terminal. If the contract cannot be continued based on the response information from the administrator terminal, notification information relating to the contract will be sent to the user terminal. The aforementioned user terminal is The information processing device receives the notification information, If a request for the continuation of the contract is instructed based on the aforementioned notification information, the request information for the continuation of the contract will be sent to the administrator terminal. The aforementioned administrator terminal is The request information is received from the user terminal. If the continuation of the contract is instructed based on the aforementioned request information, the continuation information for the continuation of the contract is transmitted to the information processing device. The aforementioned information processing device is The administrator terminal receives the continuation information, A printing system that performs the continuation process based on the continuation information and grants permission to the user terminal to use the printing service.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, in which the information processing device is unable to perform the contract continuation process based on the response information from the administrator terminal, the response information received from the administrator terminal is termination information for terminating the contract, or the response information is not received from the administrator terminal within a predetermined period.

3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device does not transmit the notification information to the user terminal if the response information received from the administrator terminal is the continuation information.

4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device transmits the notification information to the user terminal when it is unable to perform the continuation processing based on the response information from the administrator terminal, and when a request to use the printing service is made from the user terminal.

5. The user terminal has a first driver installed that corresponds to the printing service. If the response information received from the administrator terminal is termination information for the termination of the contract, the information processing device sends first selection information to the user terminal, allowing the user to choose whether or not to uninstall the first driver. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the user terminal receives the first selection information from the information processing device, transmits a first selection response information which is a response to the first selection information to the information processing device, and processes either uninstalling the first driver or not uninstalling it.

6. The user terminal has a first driver installed that corresponds to the printing service. If the response information received from the administrator terminal is termination information for the termination of the contract, the information processing device sends a second selection information to the user terminal, prompting the user terminal to choose whether or not to install a second driver that is not compatible with the printing service. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the user terminal receives the second selection information from the information processing device, transmits a second selection response information, which is a response to the second selection information, to the information processing device, and processes either installing the second driver or not installing it.

7. If the response information received from the administrator terminal is termination information for the termination of the contract, the information processing device sends a response request information to the administrator terminal requesting response information for the questionnaire related to the printing service. When the administrator terminal receives the response request information, it transmits the response information to the information processing device. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device receives the response information and performs aggregation processing.

8. If the response information received from the administrator terminal is termination information for the termination of the contract, the information processing device transmits a response request information to the user terminal requesting response information for the questionnaire related to the printing service. When the user terminal receives the response request information, it transmits the response information to the information processing device. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device receives the response information and performs aggregation processing.

9. A control method for a printing system comprising an administrator terminal, a user terminal, and an information processing device that provides printing services related to printers available to the user terminal, The aforementioned information processing device is Based on the expiration date of the contract relating to the printing service, request information requesting response information relating to the contract is sent to the administrator terminal. This enables the reception of the response information from the administrator terminal. If the contract cannot be continued based on the response information from the administrator terminal, notification information relating to the contract will be sent to the user terminal. The aforementioned user terminal is The information processing device receives the notification information, If a request for the continuation of the contract is instructed based on the aforementioned notification information, the request information for the continuation of the contract will be sent to the administrator terminal. The aforementioned administrator terminal is The request information is received from the user terminal. If the continuation of the contract is instructed based on the aforementioned request information, the continuation information for the continuation of the contract is transmitted to the information processing device. The aforementioned information processing device is The administrator terminal receives the continuation information, A method for controlling a printing system, which involves executing the continuation process based on the continuation information and granting permission to the user terminal to use the printing service.

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