Printing device

Abstract

In the present invention, even when information transmission / reception between a printing device and an external device becomes impossible and new printing authority cannot be purchased, the allowable printing amount can be increased to improve convenience.　A printer 200 is configured to be able to execute printing with the allowable number of printing sheets set as the upper limit, is configured to be able to increase the allowable number of printing sheets on a purchase basis, is configured to reduce the allowable number of printing sheets in accordance with the printing amount, and is capable of communicating with a management server 100. The printer executes: a step S45 and a step S60 for determining whether information transmission / reception with respect to the management server 100 is possible; a step S200, a step S55, a step S300, and a step S70 for increasing the allowable number of printing sheets when it has been determined that the information transmission / reception is impossible and when the allowable number of printing sheets is insufficient; and a step S125 and a step S150 for, when it has been determined thereafter that the information transmission / reception is possible, transmitting, to the management server 100, a request for cost billing corresponding to the increased amount of the allowable number of printing sheets.

Description

printing device

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device that allows printing by a user purchasing printing authority.

[0002] A system in which a user receives a printing service by paying a fee on a prepaid basis is already known. In such a system, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a technology is known in which a management server connected to a printing device adds a guaranteed printing volume corresponding to a printing authority purchased based on a purchase request manually made by a user to the printing device's allowable printing volume, and the printing device executes printing up to the allowable printing volume after the addition.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-110476

[0004] In the above-described conventional technology, when a printing process based on the guaranteed print volume guaranteed by the printing authority is completed and the allowable print volume, which is the upper limit of printable capacity, reaches zero, the user purchases new printing authority, or so-called charging. This increases the allowable print volume by adding the guaranteed print volume guaranteed by the purchased printing authority, allowing printing to continue. Now, consider what to do if, for example, the printing device goes offline or some kind of problem occurs with the management server, making it impossible to send and receive information between the printing device and the management server. In this case, the user cannot purchase new printing authority and therefore cannot increase the allowable print volume of the printing device, resulting in the problem of being unable to continue printing when the allowable print volume reaches zero.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device that can increase the allowable printing volume and improve convenience even when information transmission and reception between the printing device and an external device becomes impossible and new printing rights cannot be purchased.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing device having a printing unit, a control unit, and a communication unit, configured to be able to execute printing by the printing unit up to an allowable printing volume, configured to be able to increase the allowable printing volume according to a guaranteed printing volume guaranteed by a printing authority purchased, configured to decrease the allowable printing volume according to the printing volume executed by the printing unit, and configured to be able to communicate with an external device via the communication unit, wherein the control unit is configured to execute a transmission / reception determination process to determine whether information can be sent and received with the external device, an allowable printing volume increase process to increase the allowable printing volume if the transmission / reception determination process determines that information can be sent and received and the allowable printing volume is insufficient, and a cost claim request process to send a request for cost claim corresponding to the increase in the allowable printing volume in the allowable printing volume increase process to the external device via the communication unit if the transmission / reception determination process determines that information can be sent and received after the allowable printing volume increase process.

[0007] In the printing device of the present invention, the control unit executes a transmission / reception determination process to determine whether information can be transmitted and received between the printing device and an external device via the communication unit. If it is determined that information transmission and reception is not possible and the allowable print volume is insufficient, the control unit executes a process to increase the allowable print volume. Even if information transmission and reception between the printing device and the external device is not possible and new printing authorization cannot be purchased, the allowable print volume of the printing device can be increased, and printing can be performed by the printing unit with the increased allowable print volume as an upper limit.

[0008] While information transmission and reception between the printing device and the external device is not possible, the user cannot be asked to pay the financial burden for the increase in the allowable printing volume, but if the transmission and reception determination process determines that information transmission and reception is possible, the control unit performs a cost claim request process. In the cost claim request process, a cost claim request corresponding to the increase in the allowable printing volume in the allowable printing volume increase process is sent to the external device via the communication unit, so that the user can be asked to pay the corresponding financial burden.

[0009] According to the present invention, even if it becomes impossible to send and receive information between a printing device and an external device and new printing rights cannot be purchased, the allowable printing volume can be increased, thereby improving user convenience.

[0010] According to the present invention, even when the printing device cannot exchange information with an external device and new printing authorization cannot be purchased, the allowable printing volume can be increased, thereby improving convenience.

[0011] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a printing service providing system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mobile terminal; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of information transmission and reception in the printing service providing system during normal use; FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining specific parameter processing executed inside the printer for a prepaid printing service; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of information transmission and reception in the printing service providing system when server communication is disabled; FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining specific parameter processing when increasing the allowable number of prints by adding the total number of printable sheets; FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of information transmission and reception in the printing service providing system when server communication is restored; FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining specific parameter processing when increasing the allowable number of prints by allowing a minus of the margin threshold; FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure executed by the processor of the printer after power is turned on; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure executed by the processor of the printer; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure for offline processing; and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure for server down processing.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <Outline of Print Service Providing System> FIG. 1 shows an example of the system configuration of a print service providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The print service providing system 1 provides a prepaid printing service in which a customer user pays a fee in advance to use the printing function of a printer 200. In FIG. 1, the print service providing system 1 includes a management server 100, a printer 200, a mobile terminal 300, and a transaction server 400. The management server 100, the printer 200, the mobile terminal 300, and the transaction server 400 are connected to a network NT including a mobile phone communication line and can communicate with each other. The management server 100 is an example of an external device, and the printer 200 is an example of a printing device.

[0014] <Management Server> The management server 100 is a server installed and managed by, for example, the manufacturer of the printer 200. As shown in Fig. 1, the management server 100 has a processor 110, a storage device 115, and a communication interface 190. The processor 110, the storage device 115, and the communication interface 190 are connected via a bus 105 so as to be able to send and receive data to and from each other.

[0015] The storage device 115 includes a volatile storage device 120 and a non-volatile storage device 130. The volatile storage device 120 is, for example, a DRAM, and stores various programs and data to be processed. The non-volatile storage device 130 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, and includes a program storage area 131 and a data storage area 132.

[0016] Various programs, including those related to the prepaid printing service, are stored in the program storage area 131. Various information related to users who have subscribed to the prepaid printing service and the printers 200 they use is stored in the data storage area 132.

[0017] The processor 110 is a device that performs data processing, such as a CPU, and executes various programs, including programs related to the prepaid printing service, stored in the program storage area 131. The processor 110 performs various processes, including data communication with the mobile terminal 300, printer 200, and transaction server 400, which are connected to the network NT. The processor 110 executes the purchase of printing authority by the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment.

[0018] The communication interface 190 is a wired LAN interface or a wireless interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT.

[0019] The storage device 115 is not limited to the configuration of the device elements described above, and may be configured, for example, by RAM, ROM, EEPROM, HDD, portable recording medium such as a USB memory that is detachably attached to the management server 100, a buffer provided in the processor 110, or a combination thereof. The storage device 115 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. The same applies to the storage device 215 of the printer 200, which will be described later.

[0020] <Printer> The printer 200 is owned, for example, by a user who receives the prepaid printing service. As shown in Figure 1, the printer 200 has a processor 210, a storage device 215, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a communication interface 270, and a printing unit 290. The processor 210, storage device 215, display unit 240, operation unit 250, communication interface 270, and printing unit 290 are connected to each other via a bus 205 so that they can send and receive data.

[0021] The storage device 215 includes a volatile storage device 220 and a nonvolatile storage device 230. The volatile storage device 220 is, for example, a DRAM and includes an image data storage area 221 for storing image data to be printed. The nonvolatile storage device 230 is, for example, a flash memory and includes a program storage area 232 and a data storage area 233. The program storage area 232 stores various programs related to the prepaid printing service, such as those shown in the flowcharts of Figures 9 to 12 (described below), as firmware. The data storage area 233 stores various information related to the prepaid printing service, such as various parameters such as the total number of prints, the total number of printable sheets, and the allowable number of prints (described below). The parameter information related to the prepaid printing service will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4, 6, and 8 (described below).

[0022] The processor 210 is a device that performs data processing, such as a CPU. The processor 210 executes various programs stored in the program storage area 232. The processor 210 and the programs stored in the program storage area 232 are an example of a control unit.

[0023] The display unit 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is capable of displaying various types of information. The operation unit 250 is a device that accepts operations by the user. The user can input various instructions to the printer 200 by operating the operation unit 250. The communication interface 270 is a wired or wireless network interface for communicating with other devices, and is connected to the network NT. The communication interface 270 is an example of a communication unit.

[0024] The printing unit 290 prints an image on the transported paper using a predetermined method while removing and transporting paper from a paper feed tray using a transport mechanism (not shown). The printing method is not particularly limited, but inkjet or laser printing is used, for example. The printing unit 290 forms an image on the paper using ink from an ink cartridge or toner from a toner cartridge (not shown) in accordance with a print job sent from the mobile terminal 300 or a print job generated by the printing unit 290 itself based on operations on the operation unit 250.

[0025] <Mobile Terminal> Figure 2 shows an example of the system configuration of a mobile terminal 300. The mobile terminal 300 is, for example, a portable terminal such as a smartphone owned by a user, and is connected to a network NT via wireless communication. As shown in Figure 2, the mobile terminal 300 has a CPU 310, a memory 320, a communication control unit 330 for connecting to the network NT via wireless communication, a touch panel 340, and a large-capacity storage device 350.

[0026] The mass storage device 350 is, for example, a flash memory, and includes a program storage area 351 and a data storage area 352. Various programs are stored in the program storage area 351 as, for example, applications. The CPU 310 executes the various programs stored in the program storage area 351. The CPU 310 executes various processes, including data communication with the management server 100 connected to the network NT. The data storage area 352 stores information such as a user ID issued based on the program or the printing service and used to identify the user corresponding to the mobile terminal 300.

[0027] The mobile terminal 300 also displays various information and accepts various operations by the user on a touch panel 340 that integrally combines a liquid crystal display and a touch pad. The user can input various instructions to the mobile terminal 300 by operating the touch panel 340.

[0028] Instead of a portable terminal, the mobile terminal 300 may be another information terminal such as a tablet computer or a desktop PC.

[0029] 1, the transaction server 400 is a server for performing online settlement via the network NT. The transaction server 400 has a processor, a storage device, and a communication interface for connecting to the network NT (not shown).

[0030] <Prepaid Printing Service During Normal Use> FIG. 3 shows a specific example of a prepaid printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment during normal use.

[0031] In this embodiment, the printing service provided by the printing service providing system 1 is a prepaid printing service. The prepaid printing service is a service in which the number of pages charged for printing rights purchased in advance by a user through a purchase request by charging is added to the number of pages allowed to be printed by each target printer 200, and printing processing can be performed on the printer 200 up to the number of pages allowed to be printed.

[0032] The addition of the charge number to the allowable printable number is performed, for example, by the processor 110 of the management server 100 by updating the allowable printable number stored in the data storage area 132 for each individual printer 200. Furthermore, this addition information is also sent to the printer 200 via the network NT, and the allowable printable number stored separately in the data storage area 233 is synchronously updated.

[0033] Each time printing is performed on the printer 200 side, the processor 210 reduces the value of the allowable number of prints by the number of prints, and this is sent to the management server 100 via the network NT at regular intervals, for example, and the allowable number of prints in the data memory area 233 is updated synchronously.

[0034] In the prepaid printing service described above, when the printer 200 completes printing based on the allowable number of pages and the allowable number of pages, which is the upper limit of the number of pages that can be printed, reaches zero or falls below this limit, the user can recharge by completing a new purchase procedure. This adds up the purchased recharge amount, increasing the allowable number of pages, and allows printing to continue.

[0035] In the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment, the printing authority can be purchased based on a user's purchase request. The purchase of printing authority based on the user's purchase request is executed when a purchase request for the printing authority is sent from the mobile terminal 300 to the management server 100 in response to the user's operation and accepted by the management server 100. The purchase of printing authority is executed at any timing desired by the user. At this time, the user selects one of several charge plans with different purchase quantities and purchase amounts, such as a charge of 50 sheets for 500 yen, 100 sheets for 900 yen, or 250 sheets for 2000 yen, and purchases the corresponding printing authority. The specific electronic payment process at the time of purchase is performed by the transaction server 400 in cooperation with the management server 100.

[0036] Here, specific parameter processing executed within printer 200 for the above-described prepaid printing service will be described with reference to Figure 4. First, as shown in Figure 4(a), printer 200 stores parameters for the total number of pages printed M and the total number of pages that can be printed N in data storage area 233. Total number of pages printed M is a parameter that represents the total cumulative number of pages that the user of printer 200 has actually printed since subscribing to and starting use of the prepaid printing service, and is an important parameter for management purposes as the absolute usage amount of printer 200 by the user. Total number of pages that can be printed N is a parameter that represents the total cumulative number of pages that the user of printer 200 has actually purchased since subscribing to and starting use of the prepaid printing service.

[0037] The difference between the total number of prints M and the total number of printable sheets N corresponds to the allowable number of prints, and the user can continue printing as long as this allowable number of prints does not reach zero. A relatively low, fixed value, the margin threshold Th, is also set as a separate parameter. As the total number of prints M increases with use of the printer 200, when the total number of prints M reaches the value obtained by subtracting the margin threshold Th from the total number of printable sheets N at that time—in other words, when the allowable number of prints (N-M) becomes smaller than the margin threshold Th—the processor 210 of the printer 200 notifies the user that printing will soon be impossible to continue and encourages them to charge a new fee. However, this only notifies the user of the need for a new fee; printing itself continues until the allowable number of prints reaches zero.

[0038] On the other hand, if the user is charged under a charge plan that purchases a charge quantity A, the charge quantity A is added to the original total printable quantity N to update it as the new total printable quantity N, and the new allowable print quantity is calculated as the difference between that and the total printable quantity M at that time. Also, in this embodiment, although not specifically shown, an auto-charge process can be performed by the user, which automatically adds a predetermined auto-charge quantity c without user confirmation or operation when it is detected that the allowable print quantity (N-M) has fallen below the margin threshold value Th.

[0039] Note that the above-mentioned allowable number of prints is an example of an allowable print volume, the auto-charge process is an example of an automatic purchase process, the margin threshold Th is an example of a threshold for the allowable print volume, the condition that triggers the auto-charge process, in which the allowable number of prints (N-M) becomes smaller than the margin threshold Th, is an example of a predetermined condition, and the auto-charge number c is an example of a predetermined print volume.

[0040] <Prepaid Printing Service When Server Communication is Unavailable> However, in the above-described prepaid printing service, in order for management server 100 to properly manage billing in accordance with the usage status of printer 200, it is a prerequisite that information can be normally sent and received between printer 200 and management server 100. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, if printer 200 goes offline due to a failure in network NT, or if some kind of functional malfunction occurs in management server 100 and the server goes down, the user cannot purchase new printing authorization and cannot increase the printer 200's allowable print volume. This can lead to problems such as the inability to continue printing if the allowable print volume reaches zero during printing, or the inability to print a planned number of pages because the allowable print volume remaining before printing is too low.

[0041] In contrast, in this embodiment, when the processor 210 of the printer 200 determines that it is unable to send or receive information with the management server 100 and the allowable number of prints is insufficient, it increases the allowable number of prints. In this case, the printer 200 processes the allowable number of prints internally by itself, omitting charges in cooperation with the management server 100 or the transaction server 400. Then, after the allowable number of prints has been increased, when it is determined that the printer 200 is able to send or receive information with the management server 100, it sends a request to the management server 100 to bill the user for the increased amount of prints.

[0042] In addition, the process of increasing the allowable number of prints when communication with the server is unavailable as described above is a process that ultimately incurs costs, even though the cost will be charged after the fact. Therefore, it is desirable to notify the user of the occurrence of such a server communication unavailable state and the need to increase the allowable number of prints, and to confirm whether or not to execute the process.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows the specific parameter processing performed by the printer 200 to increase the allowable number of prints so that printing can continue even when communication with the server is unavailable. In FIG. 6, when the allowable number of prints (N - M) falls below the margin threshold Th, the processor 210 of the printer 200 skips the normal purchase and billing process and updates the total number of prints N by adding a pre-set temporary number of prints a to the original total number of prints N. The allowable number of prints is then increased by calculating the difference between this updated total number of prints N and the total number of prints M at that time (see "Allowable number of prints (= (total number of prints N + temporary number of prints a) - total number of prints M)" in FIG. 5). In other words, this is equivalent to increasing the allowable number of prints by adding the number of unpurchased allowable prints to the number of purchased prints. This process of increasing the allowable number of prints is repeatedly executed every time the allowable number of prints (N-M) becomes smaller than the margin threshold Th while the server communication is still unavailable, and the number of times it is executed is stored.

[0044] When the printer 200 returns to a state where it can communicate with the server, as shown in Figure 7, it requests the management server 100 to charge the user for the cumulative number of pages that can be printed temporarily, i.e., the cumulative charge number equivalent to the sum of the number of pages that can be printed temporarily per print (a) and the number of times the expansion process has been performed. This allows the management server 100 to determine the cumulative number of pages that can be printed temporarily that the printer 200 independently added while it was unable to communicate with the server, i.e., the number of allowable prints that have not yet been purchased, and to subsequently bill the user for the corresponding amount. It is desirable to set a certain upper limit on the cumulative number of pages that can be printed temporarily and the number of times the expansion process has been performed. After the subsequent billing, the system returns to the prepaid printing service for normal use shown in Figure 3.

[0045] Furthermore, if the cause of the server communication failure is a server down, it is highly likely that the system operator who manages the management server 100 is responsible, but if the cause is offline, it is highly likely that the user or the line provider is responsible rather than the system operator. For this reason, in this embodiment, from the perspective of the business model, the above-mentioned subsequent billing is carried out at a discounted price as an apology to the user only in the case of a server down, and no discount such as a discount is given in the case of an offline server.

[0046] Furthermore, the specific process for increasing the allowable number of prints when server communication is unavailable is not limited to adding the temporary number of prints a to the total number of prints N as shown in FIG. 6 above. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the allowable number of prints may be temporarily increased by allowing the margin threshold Th for the allowable number of prints to be set to a negative value. In other words, the printer 200 may later bill for the excess of the increased total number of prints M over the total number of prints N without updating the total number of prints N originally stored in the printer 200. In this case, both the allowable number of prints and the margin threshold Th become negative values ​​corresponding to the excess over the total number of prints M, and are increased and updated in units of a separately set, predetermined allowable negative number b. In this case, it is desirable to set a lower limit (an upper limit of the absolute value) for the negative value of the margin threshold Th.

[0047] Furthermore, as a process for increasing the allowable number of prints, the process of adding the number of temporary printable sheets a shown in Figure 6 and the process of allowing the allowable number of prints and a negative value of the margin threshold Th shown in Figure 8 are compatible, and the resulting processing effect is the same regardless of which is selected and executed. Therefore, in the example of this embodiment, if the cause is offline, the allowable number of prints is increased by adding the number of temporary printable sheets a, and if the cause is server down, the allowable number of prints is increased by allowing the allowable number of prints and a negative value of the margin threshold Th.

[0048] Furthermore, when the above-mentioned auto-charge function is set to be executed, the allowable print quantity is automatically charged at the specified auto-charge quantity c during normal use without the need for user confirmation or operation. Therefore, as with auto-charge, the process of increasing the allowable print quantity when communication with the server is unavailable also does not require user confirmation or operation, and the allowable print quantity may be automatically increased by the auto-charge quantity c and billed later. Note that the user may be notified of the occurrence of such a server communication unavailable state and that the process of increasing the allowable print quantity by the auto-charge quantity c will be executed, and the user may be able to freely set this so that they can confirm whether or not to do so.

[0049] <Control Procedure> An example of the control procedure executed by the processor 210 of the printer 200 to realize the above-described processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 9 to 12. When the printer 200 is powered on, the flow of Figure 9 starts.

[0050] First, in step S5, the value of flag F is reset to 0. In step S10, the total number of printed sheets M, the total number of printable sheets N, and the margin threshold value Th at that time are obtained from the data storage area 233.

[0051] The process proceeds to step S20, where it is determined whether the allowable number of prints (N-M) is greater than the margin threshold Th. If the allowable number of prints (N-M) is greater than the margin threshold Th, the condition is met (S20: YES), and the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, it is determined whether an operation input from the operation unit 250 or an instruction from the mobile terminal 300 has been received to print the page currently being printed. If no operation input has been received, the condition is not met (S25: NO), and the process proceeds to step S40. If an instruction has been received, the condition is met (S25: YES), and printing of one page to be printed is performed in step S30. The value of the total number of prints M is incremented by 1 in step S35, and the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, it is determined whether the value of flag F is 0. A value of 0 in flag F indicates that neither an increase in the allowable number of prints based on offline processing nor an increase in the allowable number of prints based on server-down processing, which will be described later, has been executed. If F=0, the condition is satisfied (S40: YES), and the process returns to step S20. If it is determined in step S40 that the value of flag F is other than 0 (S40: NO), the process proceeds to step S110 in FIG. 10 (see connector B in the figure), which will be described later.

[0052] If the determination in step S20 above indicates that the allowable number of prints (N-M) is equal to or less than the margin threshold Th, the condition is not satisfied (S20: NO), and the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, it is determined whether the network NT is offline. If the printer 200 is offline, it cannot send or receive information with the management server 100, and therefore it is not possible to increase the allowable number of prints by, for example, charging a user's bill. If the printer 200 is offline, the condition is satisfied (S45: YES), and the process proceeds to step S50. In step S50, it is determined whether a print instruction has been received. If a print instruction has not been received, the condition is not satisfied (S50: NO), and the process returns to step S20. This is because there is no need to temporarily increase the allowable number of prints when no printing is required. If a print instruction has been received, the condition is satisfied (S50: YES), and the offline processing of step S200 (see FIG. 11, described below) is executed, and the process proceeds to step S55. In step S55, the allowable number of prints is increased by adding the temporary number of printable sheets a set in the offline process in step S200 to the total number of printable sheets N, and then the process returns to step S20.

[0053] If the network NT is online in step S45, the condition is not satisfied (S45: NO), and the process proceeds to step S60. In step S60, the process determines whether the management server 100 is in a server-down state, in which communication is not possible. The server-down state is detected, for example, when the printer 200 sends a predetermined signal to the management server 100 but does not receive a predetermined response, even though the network NT is online. In the server-down state, the allowable number of prints cannot be increased by user charges, etc. If the server-down state is satisfied (S60: YES), the process proceeds to step S65. In step S65, the process determines whether a print instruction has been received. If a print instruction has not been received, the condition is not satisfied (S65: NO), and the process returns to step S20. This is because there is no need to temporarily increase the allowable number of prints when no printing is required. If a print instruction has been received, the condition is satisfied (S65: YES), and the server-down process of step S300 (see FIG. 12, described below) is executed, and the process proceeds to step S70. In step S70, the margin threshold Th is subtracted by the allowable minus number b set in the server down process in step S300 to temporarily increase the allowable number of prints, and then the process returns to step S20. Here, the margin threshold Th may become a negative value as a result of the subtraction.

[0054] If the determination in step S60 above is that the management server 100 is in a communicable state, the condition is not satisfied (S60: NO), and the process proceeds to step S73. In step S73, it is determined whether the value of flag F is 0. If the value of flag F is other than 0, the condition is not satisfied (S73: NO), and the process proceeds to step S110 in FIG. 10 (see connector B in the figure), which will be described later. If F=0, the condition is satisfied (S73: YES), and the process proceeds to step S75. In step S75, it is determined whether a normal charging operation has been input by the user. If a charging operation has been input, the condition is satisfied (S74: YES), and the process proceeds to step S80. In step S80, a charging process is executed to select and settle a charge plan with a charging amount A. Then, in step S85, the charging amount A is added to the total printable amount N, thereby increasing the allowable number of prints. The total printable number N thus updated is sent to the management server 100 in the next step S90 for synchronization, and a corresponding request for billing is sent to the management server 100 in the next step S95, after which the process returns to step S20.

[0055] If the determination in step S75 above is that no charge operation has been input by the user, the determination is negative (S75: NO), and the process proceeds to step S100. In step S100, it is determined whether auto-charge is enabled (ON), and if auto-charge is not enabled, the determination is negative (S100: NO), and the process returns to step S20. On the other hand, if auto-charge is enabled, the determination is positive (S100: YES), and in step S105, the separately set auto-charge number A is added to the total printable number N to increase the allowable number of prints, and the process returns to step S20.

[0056] On the other hand, if the value of flag F is other than 0 in step S40, the condition is not satisfied (S40: NO), and the process proceeds to step S110 in FIG. 10 . In step S110, it is determined whether flag F is 1. Here, it is determined whether flag F is 1 (i.e., whether the allowable number of prints has been increased based on offline processing) or whether flag F is not 1, i.e., 2 (i.e., whether the allowable number of prints has been increased based on server down processing). If F=1, the condition is satisfied (S110: YES), and the process proceeds to step S115. In step S115, if the offline state is maintained, the process returns to S20 in FIG. 9 (see connector A in the figure), and if the state is improved and the printer is brought online, the process proceeds to step S120. Note that this check for online status may be performed continuously or at predetermined time intervals. In step S120, the total number of printable sheets N at that time is transmitted to the management server 100 for synchronization. In the next step S125, a request for billing for expenses corresponding to the cumulative number of extra printable sheets up to that point (abbreviated as "a minutes" in the figure) is transmitted to the management server 100. At this time, the mobile terminal 300 or information terminal of the user registered in the management server 100 may be notified of the restoration of online status via email or other means. In the next step S130, the billing request transmission in step S125 is repeated until the user confirms that payment for the fee invoice has been made within the deadline. When payment is confirmed, in the next step S135, the cumulative number of extra printable sheets up to that point is subtracted from the total number of printable sheets N at that time (abbreviated as "N-a" in the figure), and the process returns to step S5.

[0057] On the other hand, if the value of flag F is 2 (i.e., F=2) in step S110, the condition is not satisfied (S110: NO), and the process proceeds to step S140. If the server down state remains in step S140, the process returns to S20 in FIG. 9 (see connector A in the figure). Once the state is resolved and the management server 100 is able to communicate again, the process proceeds to step S145. Note that the communication status of the management server 100 may be checked continuously or at predetermined intervals. In step S145, the total number of printable sheets N at that time is sent to the management server 100 for synchronization. In the next step S150, a request for a fee invoice corresponding to the allowable number of sheets b (abbreviated as "b" in the figure) up to that point is sent to the management server 100. At this time, the user's mobile device 300 or information terminal registered in the management server 100 may be notified of the recovery of the management server 100 via email or other means. Then, in the next step S155, the sending of the request for the expense claim in step S150 is repeated until it is confirmed that the user has paid the expense claim within the deadline. When payment is confirmed, in the next step S160, the margin threshold value Th at that time is added by the allowable negative number b up to that point (abbreviated as "Th+b" in the figure), and then the process returns to step S5.

[0058] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the control procedure for the offline processing in step S200. In Figure 11, first, in step S205, it is determined whether auto-charge is enabled (ON setting). If auto-charge is enabled, the condition is met (S205: YES), and in step S210, the temporary printable number a is set to the same number as the auto-charge number c, and then the process proceeds to step S240. On the other hand, if auto-charge is not enabled, the condition is not met (S205: NO), and the process proceeds to step S215.

[0059] In step S215, the display unit 240 displays a message indicating that normal charging processing is not possible because the network NT is offline, and also displays a message asking the user whether or not to perform a temporary charging by deferred billing as an alternative processing. Subsequently, in step S220, it is determined whether or not the user has entered an operation input via the operation unit 250 permitting temporary charging. If an operation input disallowing temporary charging has been entered, the determination is negative (S220: NO), and in step S225 the number of temporary printable sheets a is set to 0, after which the flow ends. On the other hand, if an operation input permitting temporary charging has been entered, the determination is negative (S220: YES), and the flow proceeds to step S230.

[0060] In step S230, the number of pages a that can be printed temporarily is set to Psmall, a number that is relatively smaller than the number of pages charged under the regular charge plan, and in the next step S235, the regular price is set without applying the discount unit price to the temporary charge. The processing in steps S230 and S235 is performed because the server communication failure occurred due to offline operation, and therefore preferential treatment for users is not necessary from a business model perspective. Then, in step S240, since auto-charge or temporary charge corresponding to the offline state can be executed, the value of flag F is set to 1 to indicate that the allowable number of pages has been increased based on offline processing. This flow then ends.

[0061] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the control procedure for the server down process in step S300. In Figure 12, first, in step S305, it is determined whether auto-charge is enabled (ON setting). If auto-charge is enabled, the condition is met (S305: YES), and in step S310, the allowable negative number b is set to the same number as the auto-charge number c, and then the process proceeds to step S340. On the other hand, if auto-charge is not enabled, the condition is not met (S305: NO), and the process proceeds to step S315.

[0062] In step S315, the display unit 240 displays a message that normal charging processing is not possible because the management server 100 is down, and a message is displayed asking the user whether or not to perform a temporary charging by deferred billing as an alternative processing. Subsequently, in step S320, it is determined whether or not the user has entered an operation input via the operation unit 250 permitting the temporary charging. If an operation input not permitting the temporary charging has been entered, the determination is negative (S320: NO), and in step S325 the allowable negative number b is set to 0, after which the flow ends. On the other hand, if an operation input permitting the temporary charging has been entered, the determination is negative (S320: YES), and the flow proceeds to step S330.

[0063] In step S330, the allowable negative number b is set to, for example, a number P large that is relatively larger than the charge number for the regular charge plan, and in the next step S335, a discount unit price is applied to the special charge. The processing in steps S330 and S335 is performed because, since the cause of the server communication failure is likely to be a server down and the system operator is to blame, preferential treatment for users is necessary from a business model perspective. Then, in step S340, since the system is in a state where auto-charge or special charge corresponding to the server down state can be executed, the value of flag F is set to 2 to indicate that the allowable number of prints has been increased based on the server down process. This flow then ends.

[0064] In the above, steps S45 and S60 are examples of transmission / reception determination processing, steps S200, S55, S300, and S70 are examples of allowable printing volume increase processing, and steps S125 and S150 are examples of cost claim request processing.

[0065] Effect of the Embodiment As described above, in the printer 200 included in the print service providing system 1 of this embodiment, steps S45 and S60 are executed by the processor 210 to determine whether information can be exchanged between the printer 200 and the management server 100 via the communication interface 270. If it is determined that information exchange is not possible and the allowable number of prints is insufficient, steps S200, S55, S300, and S70 are executed. Even if information exchange between the printer 200 and the management server 100 cannot be performed and new printing authorization cannot be purchased, the allowable number of prints of the printer 200 can be increased, and printing can be performed by the printing unit 290 with the increased allowable number of prints as an upper limit.

[0066] While information cannot be sent or received between printer 200 and management server 100, the user cannot be required to pay the financial burden for the increase in the allowable number of prints, but if it is determined in steps S45 and S60 that information can be sent or received, processor 210 performs steps S125 and S150. In steps S125 and S150, a request for a fee invoice corresponding to the increase in the allowable number of prints in steps S200, S55, S300, and S70 is sent to management server 100 via communication interface 270, so that the user can be required to pay the corresponding financial burden.

[0067] According to this embodiment, even if it becomes impossible to send and receive information between the printer 200 and the management server 100 and new printing rights cannot be purchased, the number of pages that can be printed can be increased, thereby improving user convenience.

[0068] In this embodiment, particularly, when receipt of a print instruction in response to a user operation is confirmed in step S50 or step S65, the above steps S45, S60, S200, S55, S300, and S70 are executed. According to this embodiment, the allowable number of prints can be increased when the allowable number of prints is insufficient due to a state in which information cannot be sent or received from the management server 100 and the user issues a print instruction. As a result, when a state in which information cannot be sent or received from the management server 100 temporarily occurs for a short period of time, the printer 200 can be prevented from unnecessarily responding and processing, thereby achieving stable operation.

[0069] Particularly in this embodiment, printer 200 further includes display unit 240 and operation unit 250, and processor 210 displays on display unit 240 in steps S215, S220, S315, and S320 that the normal increase in the allowable number of prints cannot be performed, displays on display unit 240 a message prompting the user to operate operation unit 250 to either temporarily increase the allowable number of prints or to perform an operation on operation unit 250, and increases the allowable number of prints if an operation is performed on operation unit 250 to temporarily increase the allowable number of prints. As a result, the process of temporarily increasing the allowable number of prints is performed based on user operation, and it is possible to prevent the process of increasing the allowable number of prints against the user's wishes.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, particularly in steps S200 and S55, which correspond to the offline case, the allowable number of prints (= N - M) is increased by adding the temporary number of prints a to the total number of prints N. In other words, the allowable number of prints is increased by adding the allowable number of prints that have not been purchased to the allowable number of prints that have been purchased. A request for a fee invoice corresponding to the allowable number of prints that have not been purchased is sent to the management server 100 in step S125. According to this embodiment, when information cannot be exchanged between the printer 200 and the management server 100 and new printing authorization cannot be purchased, the allowable number of prints can be increased by adding the allowable number of prints that have not been purchased.

[0071] In this embodiment, particularly in steps S300 and S70, which correspond to the case where the server is down, the allowable number of prints is temporarily increased by allowing the margin threshold Th for the allowable number of prints to go into the negative. In step S150, a request for a fee invoice that can resolve the insufficient number of prints is sent to the management server 100. According to this embodiment, when information transmission and reception between the printer 200 and the management server 100 cannot be performed and new printing authorization cannot be purchased, the allowable number of prints can be increased by allowing the margin threshold Th for the allowable number of prints to go into the negative.

[0072] In this embodiment, if it is determined that either the offline state or the server down state has occurred, the printer 200 alone is treated as being in a server communication unavailable state and the process for increasing the allowable number of prints is executed. Alternatively, regardless of whether the printer is in an offline state or an online state, the process for increasing the allowable number of prints may be executed when at least the management server 100 is in a server down state where a functional failure has occurred. This allows the allowable number of prints to be increased when at least the management server 100 is in a server down state where a functional failure has occurred.

[0073] In particular, in this embodiment, in step S60, it is determined whether or not a functional malfunction has occurred in the management server 100, and in steps S150 and S335, a request is made to invoice for expenses at a discounted price obtained by applying a predetermined discount to a pre-set normal price system.

[0074] If the cause of the inconvenience to the user, such as the inability to purchase printing rights, is a malfunction of the management server 100, it is highly likely that the responsibility lies with the management side of the management server 100. According to this embodiment, in steps S150 and S335, in response to the high probability that the management side is responsible, it is possible to charge the user a discounted price as an apology.

[0075] In particular, in this embodiment, in step S45, it is further determined whether or not the printer 200 is offline, and if it is determined in steps S125 and S235 that the printer 200 is offline, a request is made to charge the fee at the normal price without applying a predetermined discount to the preset normal price system.

[0076] If the inconvenience to the user, such as the inability to purchase printing rights, is caused by the offline state of the printer 200, it is more likely that the user is to blame than the management side of the management server 100. According to this embodiment, in steps S125 and S235, since it is less likely that the management side is to blame, the fee can be charged at the regular price without any discount.

[0077] In step S230, which corresponds to the offline state, and step S330, which corresponds to the server down state, the execution of the process to increase the allowable number of prints or the amount of increase in the allowable number of prints may be determined based on the user's printing history or authorization purchase history up to that point. In this way, the execution of the process to increase the allowable number of prints or the amount of increase in the allowable number of prints is determined based on the user's printing history or authorization purchase history. As a result, for example, whether or not a valued user can benefit from the increase in the allowable number of prints, or the extent to which they can benefit, can be different between a valued user and other users.

[0078] In particular, in this embodiment, when a predetermined condition is met, the automatic charge process is executed, and printing authorization is automatically purchased without a user purchase request. During the automatic charge, the predetermined guaranteed print volume guaranteed by one automatic charge is added to the allowable print volume, thereby increasing the allowable print volume.

[0079] In steps S200, S55, S300 and S70, which are executed when it is determined in steps S45 and S60 that information transmission and reception is impossible, the allowable number of prints is increased by the autocharge number c, which corresponds to the guaranteed print amount for one autocharge.

[0080] In this embodiment, the increase in the allowable number of prints during normal times when information can be sent and received with the management server 100 can be made the same as the increase in the allowable number of prints during times when information cannot be sent and received with the management server 100. According to this embodiment, even when information cannot be sent and received with the management server 100, the increase in the allowable number of prints can be obtained in a way that is no different from normal times from the user's perspective, thereby improving convenience.

[0081] In this embodiment, particularly in steps S200, S55, S300, and S70, if the predetermined conditions for executing the auto-charge process are met, the allowable number of prints is temporarily increased without requiring the user to perform any operation to increase the allowable number of prints. This allows the allowable number of prints to be temporarily increased without requiring any operation from the user, so that the allowable number of prints can be increased without any change from normal operation from the user's perspective, improving convenience.

[0082] In this embodiment, two methods for increasing the allowable number of prints are shown: the process of adding the temporary printable number a shown in FIG. 6 above, and the process of allowing a negative value of the allowable number of prints and the margin threshold Th shown in FIG. 8 . In both cases, however, the upper limit of the increase is set to a separately set predetermined number of prints. Alternatively, although not specifically shown, it is also possible to allow printing regardless of the allowable number of prints within a separately set predetermined time range after a server communication failure is detected. In this way, if information transmission and reception between the printer 200 and the management server 100 cannot be performed and new printing authorization cannot be purchased, a time limit can be set and printing can be permitted within that range, regardless of the allowable number of prints.

[0083] Furthermore, in any of the above processes for increasing the allowable number of prints, rather than increasing the allowable number of prints in units of a predetermined number of sheets, such as the number of temporary printable sheets a or the allowable negative number of sheets b, the process may be carried out on a pay-as-you-go basis, increasing the number of prints by the amount of the resulting number of prints when the user has finished all printing.

[0084] In the above embodiment, normal charging or increasing the allowable number of prints when server communication is disabled is only performed after it is detected in step S20 that the allowable number of prints has reached 0 during actual printing. Alternatively, the user may be able to check the allowable number of prints even when the printer is in standby mode and not printing, and may be able to initiate normal charging or increasing the allowable number of prints at will if the number of prints the user plans to make exceeds the allowable number of prints at that time (not shown).

[0085] Furthermore, in the above, the flowcharts shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12 do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the flowcharts, and procedures may be added or deleted, or the order may be changed, etc., within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit and technical concept of the invention.

[0086] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0087] Although not specifically illustrated, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the invention.

[0088] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Printing service providing system 100 Management server (an example of an external device) 200 Printer (an example of a printing device) 210 Processor (an example of a control unit) 240 Display unit 250 Operation unit 270 Communication interface (an example of a communication unit) 300 Mobile terminal 400 Transaction server NT Network

Claims

1. A printing device having a printing unit, a control unit, and a communications unit, configured to be able to execute printing by the printing unit up to an allowable printing volume, configured to be able to increase the allowable printing volume according to a guaranteed printing volume guaranteed by a printing authority purchased, configured to decrease according to the amount of printing executed by the printing unit, and configured to be able to communicate with an external device via the communications unit, wherein the control unit is configured to execute a transmission / reception determination process that determines whether information can be transmitted / received with the external device, an allowable printing volume increase process that increases the allowable printing volume when the transmission / reception determination process determines that information transmission / reception is impossible and the allowable printing volume is insufficient, and a fee billing request process that sends a fee billing request corresponding to the increase in the allowable printing volume in the allowable printing volume increase process to the external device via the communications unit when the transmission / reception determination process determines that information can be transmitted / received after the allowable printing volume increase process.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission / reception determination process and the allowable print volume increase process are configured to be executed when an instruction to execute printing is received.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit and an operation unit, wherein the control unit is configured to, in the allowable printing volume increase process, display on the display unit a message indicating that the normal increase in the allowable printing volume cannot be performed, display on the display unit a message requesting the user to operate the operation unit to either temporarily increase the allowable printing volume or not, and increase the allowable printing volume when the operation is performed on the operation unit to temporarily increase the allowable printing volume.

4. The control unit of the printing device described in claim 1 is configured so that, in the allowable printing volume increasing process, the allowable printing volume is increased by adding an unpurchased allowable printing volume to the purchased allowable printing volume, and in the cost invoice request process, a cost invoice request corresponding to the unpurchased allowable printing volume is sent to the external device via the communication unit.

5. The printing device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured such that, in the allowable printing volume increasing process, the allowable printing volume is temporarily increased by allowing the threshold value of the allowable printing volume to reach a negative value, and, in the cost claim request process, a cost claim request capable of resolving the insufficient state of the allowable printing volume is sent to the external device via the communication unit.

6. The printing device described in claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to determine, in the transmission / reception determination process, whether the printing device is offline and whether the external device is experiencing a functional failure, and the allowable printing volume increase process is executed when the transmission / reception determination process determines that at least the external device is experiencing a functional failure.

7. The printing device described in claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to: determine whether or not a functional malfunction has occurred in the external device in the transmission / reception determination process; and to request the expense claim at a discounted price obtained by applying a predetermined discount to a preset normal price system in the expense claim request process.

8. A printing device as described in claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to further determine whether or not the printing device is offline in the transmission / reception determination process, and to request the invoice for expenses at a normal price without applying a specified discount to a preset normal price system if it is determined in the cost invoice request process that the printing device is offline.

9. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the allowable print volume is increased, or the amount by which the allowable print volume is increased, is set according to a user's print history or authority purchase history.

10. The control unit of the printing device described in claim 1 is further configured to execute an automatic purchase process that executes an automatic purchase of the printing authority not based on a user's purchase request when specified conditions are met, and in the allowable printing volume increase process, increases the allowable printing volume by a specified printing volume corresponding to the guaranteed printing volume resulting from a single automatic purchase of the printing authority.

11. The control unit is further configured to execute an automatic purchasing process that executes an automatic purchase of the printing rights not based on a purchase request of the user when specified conditions are met, and the control unit is configured to, in the allowable printing volume increase process, execute an increase in the allowable printing volume without requesting the user to perform the operation to temporarily increase the allowable printing volume when the specified conditions for executing the automatic purchasing process are met. A printing device as described in claim 3.

12. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to control the allowable print volume increase process so that printing can be performed within a predetermined time range regardless of the allowable print volume.

Images