Permitted print volume management device

Abstract

This invention makes it easier to grasp how much a final permitted print volume is when the permitted print volume has increased as a result of a user paying for same, after a permitted print volume has become negative.　A printer 200 is configured so as to be able to execute printing in which a permitted number of sheets printed is an upper limit. The permitted number of sheets printed of the printer 200 increases in accordance with a predetermined number of paid-for sheets that is guaranteed by a purchased printing right purchased through a user's financial burden, and decreases in accordance with a printing volume of printing that has been executed. A mobile terminal 300 executes: ordinary payment processing to increase the permitted number of sheets printed; a step S5 for acquiring the permitted number of sheets printed as well as a not-yet-purchased number of sheets printed for which printing has been executed while the permitted number of sheets printed was insufficient; processing to display an allocation payment button 346 where the not-yet-purchased number of sheets printed is shown; and allottable payment processing and mandatory allocation payment processing for eliminating the not-yet-purchased number of sheets printed in response to the allocation payment button 346 having been selected and an additional financial burden having been borne the user.

Description

Allowable print volume management device

[0001] The present invention relates to an allowable print volume management device that manages an allowable print volume that indicates an upper limit for printing by a printing device.

[0002] A system is already known in which a management server adds a guaranteed print volume corresponding to a printing authorization purchased based on a user's manual operation to a printing device's allowable print volume, and the printing device then prints up to the allowable print volume after the addition. In such a system, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a technology has been disclosed that allows exceptional printing within a predetermined range based on the user's usage history, even if a printing instruction is given for a print volume that exceeds the allowable print volume, resulting in a shortage of the allowable print volume.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-125561

[0004] With the above technology, when the printing process within the aforementioned exceptional predetermined range is completed, the allowable print volume, which is the upper limit of the printable volume, becomes negative. In this case, the user can purchase additional printing authority, or so-called charging, to add the guaranteed print volume guaranteed by the purchased printing authority, thereby increasing the allowable print volume and allowing printing to continue.

[0005] In this case, the allowable print volume may be increased by a larger amount to avoid the user having to repeatedly purchase additional printing authorizations. In this case, part of the increase in the allowable print volume due to the charge is used to make up for the negative amount in the allowable print volume, while the remaining part is used to further increase the allowable print volume to a new positive value greater than or equal to 0.

[0006] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not distinguish between the portion allocated to make up for the negative amount and the portion allocated to increase the amount to a new positive value greater than or equal to 0, which makes it difficult for users to grasp the final allowable printing volume after charging.

[0007] To provide an allowable print volume management device that makes it easy to grasp the final allowable print volume when the allowable print volume increases as a result of a user's charge after the allowable print volume becomes negative.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an allowable printing volume management device that manages the allowable printing volume of a printing device, wherein the printing device is configured to be able to perform printing up to the allowable printing volume, and the allowable printing volume of the printing device increases according to a predetermined guaranteed printing volume guaranteed by a purchased printing authority purchased at the user's financial expense and decreases according to the amount of printing performed, and the allowable printing volume management device is equipped with a control unit, and the control unit is configured to execute an allowable printing volume increase process that increases the allowable printing volume of the printing device, an allowable printing volume acquisition process that acquires the allowable printing volume that has decreased due to printing performed on the printing device, an unpurchased printing volume acquisition process that acquires an unpurchased printing volume for which printing was performed by the printing device while the allowable printing volume was insufficient, a first display process that displays on a display a first option indicating a first printing volume corresponding to the unpurchased printing volume, and an unpurchased printing volume elimination process that eliminates the unpurchased printing volume when the first option displayed in the first display process is selected and the user has incurred an additional financial expense.

[0009] In the present invention, if the allowable print volume acquired in the allowable print volume acquisition process is insufficient for the print volume instructed to be executed by the printing device, when the printing execution is completed without the user having purchased the print volume, the allowable print volume, which is the upper limit of the printable volume, becomes negative. The unpurchased print volume is acquired in the unpurchased print volume acquisition process.

[0010] Then, a first display process is performed on the display unit to display a first option, and the first print volume corresponding to the unpurchased print volume is displayed in the first option. When the user selects the first option and makes an additional financial contribution, an unpurchased print volume cancellation process is performed, thereby canceling the unpurchased print volume. That is, the allowable print volume can be increased by charging, and the first print volume can be offset, or in other words, the amount can be used to offset the aforementioned deficit. This allows the user to know how much of the increase in the allowable print volume due to their charging was allocated to offset the deficit in the allowable print volume. As a result, the present invention makes it easier for the user to grasp the final allowable print volume after charging.

[0011] According to the present invention, when the allowable print volume becomes negative and then increases as a result of a user charging, it is easy to grasp what the final allowable print volume will be.

[0012] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a printing service providing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mobile terminal. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of information transmission and reception in the printing service providing system during normal use. FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining specific parameter processing executed inside the printer side during normal use. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel of a mobile terminal during normal charge processing. FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining specific parameter processing executed inside the printer side during exceptional use. FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining specific parameter processing executed inside the printer side when only charge appropriation is performed during appropriable charge processing. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel of a mobile terminal when only charge appropriation is performed during appropriable charge processing. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a limit condition display screen during appropriable charge processing. FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining specific parameter processing executed inside the printer side when charge appropriation and charge purchase are performed in conjunction with each other during appropriable charge processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel of a mobile terminal when charge appropriation and charge purchase are performed in conjunction with each other during appropriable charge processing. 1 is a diagram illustrating specific parameter processing executed inside the printer when charge appropriation and charge purchase are performed separately during appropriation required charge processing. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel of a mobile terminal when charge appropriation and charge purchase are performed separately during appropriation required charge processing. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a limit condition display screen during appropriation required charge processing. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating in detail the procedures executed by the CPU of a mobile terminal. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating specific parameter processing executed inside the printer when charge appropriation and charge purchase are performed separately during appropriable charge processing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel of a mobile terminal when charge appropriation and charge purchase are performed separately during appropriable charge processing.

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] <Overview 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 are capable of communicating with each other. The mobile terminal 300 is an example of a terminal device and an example of an allowable print volume management device. The printer 200 is an example of a printing device.

[0015] <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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] <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.

[0022] 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 that stores 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 flowchart of FIG. 15 (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, which will be described later. Note that the parameter information related to the prepaid printing service will be described in detail later.

[0023] The processor 210 is a device that performs data processing, such as a CPU, and executes various programs stored in the program storage area 232.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] <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.

[0027] 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 CPU 310 and the programs stored in the program storage area 351 are an example of a control unit. The data storage area 352 stores a user ID and the like, which is issued based on the programs or the printing service and is used to identify the user corresponding to the mobile terminal 300.

[0028] 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. The touch panel 340 is an example of a display unit.

[0029] Instead of a portable terminal, the mobile terminal 300 may be another information terminal such as a tablet computer or a desktop PC.

[0030] 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).

[0031] <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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] The addition of the charge number to the allowable number of prints is performed, for example, by the processor 110 of the management server 100 by updating the allowable number of prints 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 number of prints stored separately in the data storage area 233 is synchronously updated.

[0034] Each time printing is performed on the printer 200 side, the processor 210 reduces the value of the allowable number of prints in the data memory area 233 by the number of prints, and this is sent to the management server 100 via the network NT, for example, at regular intervals, and the allowable number of prints in the data memory area 132 is updated synchronously.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] An example of specific parameter processing executed within the printer for the above-described prepaid printing service will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. First, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the printer 200 stores parameters for the total number of pages printed and the total number of pages that can be printed in the data storage area 233, and the mobile terminal 300 can acquire this information. The total number of pages printed is a parameter that represents the total cumulative number of pages actually printed by the user of the printer 200 since subscribing to and starting use of the prepaid printing service. This parameter is an important parameter for management purposes as it represents the absolute usage amount of the printer 200 by the user. The total number of pages that can be printed is a parameter that represents the total cumulative number of pages actually purchased by the user of the printer 200 since subscribing to and starting use of the prepaid printing service.

[0038] The difference between the total number of prints and the total number of printable sheets corresponds to the allowable number of prints, and the user can generally continue printing as long as this allowable number of prints does not reach zero. On the other hand, if the user is charged using a charge plan that purchases a charge amount A, the charge amount A is added to the original total number of printable sheets, as shown in FIG. 4B, to update the new total number of printable sheets, and the new allowable number of prints is calculated as the difference between the total number of prints at that time. In this embodiment, the process of charging normally when the allowable number of prints is equal to or greater than zero is specifically referred to as the normal charge process. The allowable number of prints is an example of the allowable print amount, the charge amount A is an example of the guaranteed print amount, and the normal charge process is an example of the allowable print amount increase process.

[0039] 5 is an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel 340 of the mobile terminal 300 during the normal charge process in this embodiment. When the allowable number of prints is 0 or more, and the user performs a predetermined operation on the mobile terminal 300 to start the charge process for the printer 200, an initial screen 340A for the normal charge process shown in FIG.

[0040] The initial screen 340A for the normal charge process displays plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 corresponding to the three charge plans shown in the example, text information 344 showing the total amount to be paid by operating the normal charge process, and a charge button 345 for confirming execution of the charge charge process. Note that the initial screen 340A shown in the figure displays "0 yen" as the total amount because no charge operation has been performed yet.

[0041] In the specific example shown in the figure, plan selection button 341 corresponding to a charge plan for charging 5 coins for ¥△△, plan selection button 342 corresponding to a charge plan for charging 50 coins for ¥□□, and plan selection button 343 corresponding to a charge plan for charging 200 coins for ¥〇〇 are displayed in an operable manner. The user can press one or more of these displayed plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 as operable options depending on their own budget and the number of coins required. At that time, the total amount of the selected plans is displayed in text information 344, and after confirming this, the user can press charge button 345 to execute the charge processing.

[0042] <Prepaid Printing Service for Exceptional Use> In the printing service providing system 1 of this embodiment, in addition to the normal use described above, the prepaid printing service it provides allows the following exceptional use: That is, even if a print instruction is given for a print volume that exceeds the allowable number of prints, resulting in a shortage of the allowable number of prints, printing is allowed exceptionally within a predetermined range according to the user's usage history.

[0043] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6(a), a maximum excess number Tmax is preset for the parameter of the total printable number of sheets according to the user's usage history, and the user can print up to the total printable number at that time plus this maximum excess number Tmax, as shown in Figure 6(b). In other words, while it is assumed that printing cannot be performed with a total number of printable sheets exceeding the total printable number, as in the normal use described above, the above-mentioned exceptional use is permitted as a special service for users with a usage history, in order to rescue situations where printing is abandoned because the current allowable number of printable sheets is a few sheets short of the required number. Note that after such exceptional use, the allowable number of printable sheets becomes a negative value X (-Tmax≦X<0).

[0044] However, in this embodiment, two limit conditions are set for the above-mentioned exceptional use from a business model perspective: a negative limit on the allowable print quantity and a payment deadline. In other words, the user must perform an appropriate charge process to resolve the shortfall in the negative allowable print quantity (shown as B sheets) by applying charges as shown in FIG. 7 within the payment deadline for a specified period from the start of the exceptional use, provided that the absolute value of the negative allowable print quantity is equal to or less than the maximum excess number Tmax. If the user deviates from either of these two limit conditions and fails to apply charges within the limit, the printing service providing system 1 restricts the printer 200's functions by placing it in a print-locked state, preventing it from executing any printing processes, and maintains this print-locked state until the charges are applied. In this embodiment, the appropriate charge process performed before entering this print-locked state is specifically referred to as an appropriated charge process. The above-mentioned negative allowable print quantity is an example of the unpurchased print volume and the first print volume.

[0045] 8 shows an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel 340 of the mobile terminal 300 during the allocable charge process in this embodiment. When the print lock state has not yet been established after the above-described exceptional use, if the user performs a predetermined operation on the mobile terminal 300 to start the charge process for the printer 200, an initial screen 340B for the allocable charge process shown in FIG. 8(a) is displayed.

[0046] In addition to the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343, total amount text information 344, and charge button 345 displayed in the normal charge process, the initial screen 340B for the allocable charge process also displays an allocable charge button 346 at the top as a new option. This allocable charge button 346 is a dedicated option for performing only the allocable charge process for the charge allocating process, and a limit condition display button 346a is displayed to the upper right of the allocable charge button 346 so that it can be pressed. The allocable charge button 346 is displayed in a more prominent position (above, in this embodiment) than the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343. The allocable charge button 346 may be displayed in a more prominent manner than the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343. For example, the allocable charge button 346 may be displayed in a prominent color, either as the entire button or by displaying the button frame in a prominent color. Alternatively, the allocable charge button 346 may be displayed in the largest possible size, in a different shape, or with a prominent marking.

[0047] The appropriate charge button 346 displays the text information "Shortfall Appropriate Charge," which corresponds to the charge application, the absolute value of the negative allowable number of prints 346b at that time ("35 sheets" in the illustrated example), and the charge amount 346c required to apply the charge ("￥**" in the illustrated example). Note that in this embodiment, the charge amount 346c required to apply the charge is calculated based on a printing cost that is higher than the charge amount for other charge purchases in the normal charge process (the charge amounts for the other plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 in the illustrated example).

[0048] On the initial screen 340B of this allocable charge process, if the user wishes to perform only the charge application to eliminate the shortfall in the negative allowable print quantity, the user presses only the appropriate charge button 346, as shown in the figure. As a result, as shown in transition screen 340C in Figure 8(b), the display of the appropriate charge button 346 changes, and the screen transitions to display the charge amount 346c required for this charge application as the total amount 344. In this state, the user presses the charge button 345 to execute the allocable charge process.

[0049] Furthermore, when the limit condition display button 346a of the appropriated charge button 346 is pressed, a message related to the contents of two limit conditions is displayed, as shown in the limit condition display screen 340D of Fig. 9. In the example shown, the message explains the need for appropriated charge through exception use, specific information about the limit conditions for the payment deadline and the negative limit on the number of allowable prints, and a warning that print lock will be implemented if these limit conditions are exceeded. Note that the process of displaying the limit condition display screen 340D on the touch panel 340 is an example of limit condition display processing, and print lock is an example of function restriction.

[0050] In this embodiment, the appropriable charge process before print lock also allows for the linked appropriation / purchase charge process, in which charge appropriation and charge purchase are linked, as shown in Figure 10. This charge process is performed to avoid the cumbersome task of separately performing charge appropriation to eliminate the shortfall in the negative allowable print quantity and charge purchase to further increase the allowable print quantity by the positive amount. In other words, by selecting the plan selection button 342 or 343 for charge quantity A that is greater than the absolute value of the negative allowable print quantity, charge quantity A is consumed with priority given to charge appropriation to eliminate the negative allowable print quantity, and a charge purchase is made for the difference in the amount of positive allowable print quantity.

[0051] FIG. 11 shows an example of an operation screen for operating the appropriation / purchase linked charge process during the appropriable charge process in this embodiment. On the initial screen 340E shown in FIG. 11(a), the plan selection button 341 with a charge number (5 sheets) smaller than the absolute value of the negative allowable print number at that time (35 sheets) is grayed out and inoperable. When the plan selection button 342 with a charge number of 50 sheets is pressed on this initial screen 340E, the display of the appropriation charge button 346 along with the plan selection button 342 automatically changes to a selected state (referred to as the selected state, hereinafter the same) as shown in the transition screen 340F in FIG. 11(b). The plan selection button 342 then changes its display to indicate a purchase charge of 15 sheets, calculated by subtracting the absolute value of the negative allowable print number (35 sheets) from the original charge number (50 sheets). In other words, if only a charge operation for a charge purchase is performed during the appropriable charge process, the charge process is linked so that the charge appropriation takes priority. Also, the above-mentioned higher print unit price is applied to the calculation of the charge amount for the charge appropriation, and the normal print unit price is applied to the calculation of the charge amount for the charge purchase.

[0052] The allocated charge button 346 is an example of a first option, and the process of displaying this allocated charge button 346 on the touch panel 340 is an example of a first display process. The charge numbers (50 sheets, 200 sheets) listed on the plan selection buttons 342 and 343 on the initial screen 340E are an example of a second print volume. The plan selection buttons 342 and 343 on the initial screen 340E are an example of a second option, and the process of displaying these plan selection buttons 342 and 343 on the touch panel 340 is an example of a second display process. The charge number (15 sheets) listed on the plan selection button 342 selected by the user on the transition screen 340F is an example of the third printing volume, the plan selection button 342 selected by the user on the transition screen 340F is an example of the third option, the process of displaying this selected plan selection button 342 on the touch panel 340 is an example of the third display process, the charge amount of the allocated charge button 346 is an example of the first price, and the charge amounts of the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 are an example of the second price.

[0053] <Required Appropriation Top-Up Process> As described above, in contrast to the applicable top-up process that is performed before the print lock state is reached within two limit conditions, the top-up process that is performed after the print lock state is reached due to a deviation from at least one of the limit conditions is specifically called the required appropriation top-up process. In this required appropriation top-up process, as shown in Figure 12, charge appropriation is forcibly selected first, and then charge purchase can be individually selected.

[0054] FIG. 13 shows an example of an operation screen for performing the individual appropriation and purchase recharge process during the recharge required recharge process of this embodiment. On the initial screen 340G shown in FIG. 13(a), the appropriation recharge button 346 is initially selected. Although not specifically shown, it is also possible to execute only the charge recharge process by immediately pressing the charge button 345 on this initial screen 340G. However, if the plan selection button 342 for a recharge quantity of 50 sheets is further pressed on this initial screen 340G, the display of the plan selection button 342 also changes to a selected state, as shown in the transition screen 340H of FIG. 13(b). In other words, in this recharge required recharge process, recharge recharge is forcibly selected, and then recharge purchase can be individually selected without changing the recharge quantity. Furthermore, the above-mentioned higher print unit price is also applied to the calculation of the recharge amount for the charge recharge.

[0055] Furthermore, in this mandatory appropriation charge process, the limit condition display button 346d located to the upper right of the appropriated charge button 346 is displayed in a more conspicuous manner, such as in red. When this mandatory appropriation charge process is being executed, if at least one of the limit conditions is violated and the limit condition display button 346d is pressed, a message related to the limit condition that could not be met at that time is displayed. For example, in a situation where the payment deadline has passed, as shown in the limit condition display screen 340I in FIG. 14( a), from top to bottom, there are displayed a description explaining the need to perform an appropriated charge through exceptional use, information indicating that the payment deadline has passed (0 days remaining), and an explanation that the printing has already been locked due to the payment deadline, urging the user to perform an appropriated charge to unlock the lock. 14(b), the limit condition display screen 340J displays, from top to bottom, a description explaining the need for an appropriate charge through exceptional use, information indicating that the allowable number of prints has reached the negative limit (0 prints remaining), and a description urging an appropriate charge to release the print lock state, which has already occurred due to the allowable number of prints reaching the negative limit. Furthermore, if both limit conditions are violated, such as when the allowable number of prints reaches the negative limit first and the payment deadline expires, a description (not shown) may be displayed indicating that a print lock state based on both limit conditions has occurred and urging an appropriate charge to release the print lock state.

[0056] In the above, the allocating charge process in which the allocating charge button 346 is displayed in a selected state regardless of whether the user manually or automatically selects is an example of a process for resolving unpurchased printing volume, the plan selection button 342 selected by the user on the transition screen 340H is an example of a fourth option, the number of sheets to be charged (50 sheets) on the plan selection button 342 is an example of a fourth printing volume, and the process of displaying the plan selection button 342 on the touch panel 340 is an example of a fourth display process.

[0057] <Control Procedure> An example of a control procedure executed by the CPU 310 of the mobile terminal 300 to realize the above-described processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 15. When the user performs an operation on the mobile terminal 300 to start the charge processing, the flow in Fig. 15 starts.

[0058] First, in step S5, various necessary information such as the total number of prints, the total number of printable sheets, the allowable number of prints (plus and minus), and user history information corresponding to the printer 200 to be charged is obtained from the management server 100 or from the management server 100 and the printer 200. The allowable number of prints for the minus amount is the number of prints that have not yet been purchased.

[0059] The flow proceeds to step S10, where it is determined based on the various acquired information whether the allowable number of prints is 0 or greater, in other words, whether the printer 200 is currently in a normal usage state or an exceptional usage state. If the allowable number of prints is 0 or greater, the determination is satisfied (S10: YES), and the normal charge process is executed in step S15, after which the flow ends.

[0060] On the other hand, if the allowable number of prints is a negative value (<0) in step S10, the determination is not satisfied (S10: NO), and the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, a determination is made based on the various information to determine whether there is a margin without exceeding either of the two limit conditions. If there is a margin for both limit conditions, the determination is satisfied (S20: YES), and the allocable charge process is executed in step S25, after which the flow ends.

[0061] On the other hand, if either of the limit conditions is exceeded in step S20, the determination is not satisfied (S20: NO), and the necessary charge process is executed in step S30, after which the flow ends. Note that step S5 above is an example of the allowable print volume acquisition process and the unpurchased print volume acquisition process.

[0062] As described above, in the mobile terminal 300 included in the print service providing system 1 of this embodiment, if the allowable number of prints acquired in step S5 is insufficient for the number of prints instructed to be printed by the printer 200, when the printer 200 completes printing without the user having purchased the number of prints, the allowable number of prints, which is the upper limit of prints that can be printed, becomes negative. In step S5, the number of prints that have not yet been purchased is also acquired.

[0063] Thereafter, an appropriate charge button 346 is displayed on the touch panel 340, and the number of unpurchased prints is displayed on the appropriate charge button 346. When the user selects the appropriate charge button 346 and makes an additional financial contribution, the appropriate charge process corresponding to the appropriate charge button 346 is performed, thereby resolving the shortfall in the number of unpurchased prints. In other words, the charge increases the allowable number of prints and makes up for the shortfall; in other words, the charge can be used to make up for the aforementioned shortfall. This allows the user to know how much of the increase in the allowable number of prints made by the charge they made was appropriated to make up for the shortfall in the allowable number of prints. As a result, this embodiment makes it easier for the user to grasp the final allowable number of prints after the charge.

[0064] In this embodiment, plan selection buttons 342 and 343 are displayed on the touch panel 340. These plan selection buttons 342 and 343 display a charge amount that is greater than the absolute value of the negative allowable number of prints at that time—in other words, a value that exceeds the shortfall in the allowable number of prints described above. The user can charge by selecting the plan selection button 342 or 343 and making an additional financial contribution, and at that time, the additional financial contribution is divided into two parts and allocated to increasing the allowable number of prints described above.

[0065] Of the financial burden borne by the user, the portion corresponding to the negative allowable number of prints, i.e., the shortfall, is used to eliminate the negative allowable number of prints, in other words, to make up for the negative amount of the allowable number of prints.

[0066] The remaining portion of the user's financial burden, i.e., the portion corresponding to the difference in the number of sheets obtained by subtracting the negative allowable number of sheets to be printed from the number of sheets charged in the plan selection buttons 342 and 343, is used to purchase the allowable number of sheets to be printed using the difference in the number of sheets, in other words, the allowable number of sheets to be increased from 0 to a new desired positive value.

[0067] According to this embodiment, the final allowable number of prints after charging is the value corresponding to the difference in the number of prints, so the user can easily grasp the final allowable number of prints.

[0068] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, when the user selects the plan selection button 342 during the allocable charge process, the allocable charge button 346 and the plan selection button 342 are displayed in a state where they have both been operated in conjunction with each other. The allocable charge button 346 displays the charge amount, which is the shortfall in the aforementioned allowable print quantity, and the plan selection button 342 displays the charge amount, which is a positive value when the allowable print quantity increases from 0. This allows the user to clearly see how many final allowable print quantities remain by looking at the display of the plan selection button 342.

[0069] In this embodiment, particularly, in the allocatable charge process, a plan selection button 342, which is operated by the user when accepting the additional financial burden, is displayed on the transition screen 340H together with an allocable charge button 346. The user can perform a charge by operating the plan selection button 342, and at that time, the additional financial burden not only makes up for the shortfall in the negative allowable number of prints, but also increases the new allowable number of prints beyond that shortfall.

[0070] That is, in the allocatable charge process, the charge amount entered in the allocatable charge button 346 is used to offset the negative amount of the allowable print quantity from the user's financial burden. Furthermore, in response to the selection of the plan selection button 342, the remaining portion of the user's financial burden, the portion corresponding to the charge amount entered in the plan selection button 342, is used to purchase the allowable print quantity using the charge amount, i.e., to increase the allowable print quantity from 0 to an appropriate positive value.

[0071] According to this embodiment, when a user performs the required allocation charge process, it is possible to individually compensate for the negative amount in the allowable number of prints and increase the allowable number of prints from 0 to a positive value.

[0072] In particular, in this embodiment, when the initial screen 340G in the allocatable charge process is displayed, the allocatable charge button 346 is forcibly displayed in a selected state. In other words, when the plan selection button 342 is selected in the allocatable charge process, the allocatable charge button 346 is already selected, and the plan selection button 342 cannot be selected while the allocatable charge button 346 remains unselected.

[0073] According to this embodiment, when a user charges, not only can the negative amount of the allowable number of prints be compensated for, but the allowable number of prints can also be increased from 0 to a positive value.

[0074] In particular, in this embodiment, the portion of the user's financial burden that is subsequently borne by the user for printing without purchasing the printer is set to a charge price calculated based on the relatively high printing unit price. However, for the remaining portion, the printing unit price is set to a charge price that is not relatively high. This embodiment can notify the user that printing is being performed while the printer is still in an insufficient charge state, and can also take care not to cause the user any unnecessary disadvantage.

[0075] In particular, in this embodiment, the allocation charge button 346, which displays the negative allowable print quantity representing the shortfall as the charge quantity, is displayed above the other plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 to be more visible. This embodiment allows the user to know with certainty how much of the increase in the allowable print quantity has been allocated to make up for the negative amount when the user increases the allowable print quantity. This embodiment makes it easier for the user to reliably grasp the final allowable print quantity after charging.

[0076] It is also desirable to display the appropriate charge button 346 in a different shape, color, or other manner from the other plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343. This makes it visually clear how much of the increase in the allowable print quantity due to a charge operation by the user has been appropriated to make up for the negative amount in the allowable print quantity. As a result, according to this embodiment, the user can easily grasp the final allowable print quantity after charging.

[0077] In particular, in this embodiment, the content displayed on the limit condition display screen 340D can alert the user to the need to incur additional financial costs within specified limit conditions, for example, within a specified period or within a specified number of prints.

[0078] In particular, in this embodiment, if the limit conditions displayed on the limit condition display screen 340D are exceeded, a notice is displayed to the effect that a print lock will be imposed on the printer 200. The contents of the notice display can warn the user that the functions of the printer 200 will be restricted if the additional financial burden is not carried out within the predetermined limit conditions.

[0079] In particular, in this embodiment, when the limit conditions are exceeded, the limit condition display screens 340I and 340J display a message indicating that a print lock has been imposed on the printer 200. According to this embodiment, the display contents on the limit condition display screens 340I and 340J can visually notify the user that the functions of the printer 200 are restricted because the additional financial burden has not been carried out within the predetermined limit conditions.

[0080] <Modifications> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the spirit and technical concept of the present invention. Such modifications will be described below in order.

[0081] (1) When charge appropriation and charge purchase are performed separately in the allocable charge process In the above embodiment, when the plan selection button 342, 343 in which the charge number is larger than the negative allowable print number is selected in the allocable charge process, charge appropriation and charge purchase are performed in conjunction. In addition, as shown in Figure 16, charge appropriation using charge number B, which is the same as the negative allowable print number at that time, and charge purchase using charge number A may each be performed separately.

[0082] As described above, in the allocable charge process, there is still room for both limit conditions, so it is not necessary to complete the charge at that point. Therefore, as shown in the figure, charge allocation and charge purchase can be performed separately. Although not specifically shown, the charge amount for charge allocation is not limited to the same number B as the negative allowable print amount, and charge purchase alone can be performed without charge allocation. Therefore, on the initial screen 340K shown in FIG. 17(a), the allocable charge button 346 and the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 are all displayed as independently selectable buttons in a deselected state. Then, as shown in the example, by pressing the allocable charge button 346 and the plan selection button 342 individually, only these two buttons 342 and 346 can be displayed in a selected state, as shown in the transition screen 340L in FIG. 17(b). In this case, the charge amount for the plan selection button 342 remains the original number without being converted. Although not specifically shown, only the appropriate charge button 346 may be pressed from the initial screen 340K to perform only the charge application, or only the charge purchase may be performed by pressing one or more of the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 from the initial screen 340K.

[0083] In this modified example, the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 and the appropriate charge button 346 can be selected independently of each other. That is, the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 can be selected independently without operating the appropriate charge button 346. If the user simply wants to make up for the negative amount in the allowable number of prints, the user need only operate the appropriate charge button 346. If the user wants to not only make up for the negative amount but also increase the allowable number of prints to an appropriate new positive value, the user need only operate the plan selection buttons 342 and 343. This modified example ensures flexible convenience according to the user's wishes.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the plan selection buttons 341, 342, and 343 and the appropriate charge button 346 displayed on the touch panel 340 are the selection targets for the charge operation. Alternatively, although not specifically illustrated, other modes of operation are possible as long as each process can be selected individually, such as displaying the contents of each charge process in a list format and selecting the process using an identification number corresponding to each process. Furthermore, although not specifically illustrated, in the above-described normal charge process and allocable charge process, the user may input any number of sheets to apply or purchase charges. In this case, the charge amount can be calculated by applying an appropriate print unit price to each input number of sheets.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and each modification, the mobile terminal 300 operates as the allowable print volume management device, but another device may also operate as the allowable print volume management device. For example, the management server 100 or the printer 200 may operate as the allowable print volume management device. In this case, the management server 100 or the printer 200 is configured to provide corresponding page information in response to user operations so that display and operation can be accepted via a browser installed on the mobile terminal or other terminal.

[0086] In addition, in the above embodiment, two parameters are set: the total number of printable sheets and the total number of printed sheets, and the difference between them is treated as the allowable number of printed sheets, and the minus amount of the allowable number of printed sheets is treated as the number of printed sheets that have not yet been purchased.However, it is also possible to simply set the allowable number of printed sheets and the number of printed sheets that have not yet been purchased and count them separately.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above, the flowchart shown in Figure 15 does not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the flowchart, and procedures may be added, deleted, or the order may be changed within the scope that does not deviate from the intent and technical idea of ​​the invention.

[0088] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0089] Although not specifically illustrated, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the invention.

[0090] 1 Printing service providing system 100 Management server 200 Printer (an example of a printing device) 210 Processor 240 Display unit 250 Operation unit 270 Communication interface (an example of a communication unit) 300 Mobile terminal (an example of an allowable printing volume management device) 310 CPU (an example of a control unit) 340 Touch panel (an example of a display unit) 341 to 343 Plan selection buttons (an example of second option, third option, fourth option) 346 Appropriate charge button (an example of first option) 400 Transaction server NT Network

Claims

1. An allowable printing volume management device that manages an allowable printing volume of a printing device, wherein the printing device is configured to be able to execute printing with the allowable printing volume as an upper limit, and the allowable printing volume of the printing device increases according to a predetermined guaranteed printing volume guaranteed by a purchased printing authority purchased at a user's financial expense and decreases according to the amount of printing executed, the allowable printing volume management device having a control unit, the control unit being configured to execute: an allowable printing volume increasing process that increases the allowable printing volume of the printing device; an allowable printing volume acquisition process that acquires the allowable printing volume that has decreased due to printing executed by the printing device; an unpurchased printing volume acquisition process that acquires an unpurchased printing volume for which the printing device executed printing while the allowable printing volume was insufficient; a first display process that causes a display unit to display a first option indicating a first printing volume corresponding to the unpurchased printing volume; and an unpurchased printing volume cancellation process that cancels the unpurchased printing volume in response to the first option displayed in the first display process being selected and the user having to bear additional financial expenses.

2. The control unit is further configured to execute a second display process to display a second option, indicating a second printing amount larger than the first printing amount, together with the first option on the display unit, and the control unit is configured to execute the unpurchased printing amount cancellation process for the first printing amount in response to the second option displayed in the second display process being selected and the user incurring additional financial burden, and to execute the allowable printing amount increase process for a third printing amount obtained by subtracting the first printing amount from the second printing amount.

3. The allowable printing volume management device of claim 2, wherein the control unit is further configured to: execute a third display process, when the second option displayed on the display unit is selected, to convert the first option and a third option indicating the third printing volume to a state where both are selected and display them on the display unit.

4. The allowable printing volume management device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to execute a fourth display process to display a fourth option indicating a fourth printing volume together with the first option on the display unit, and the control unit is configured to execute the unpurchased printing volume cancellation process for the first printing volume and the allowable printing volume increase process for the fourth printing volume in response to the first option displayed in the first display process and the fourth option displayed in the fourth display process both being selected and the user incurring additional financial burden.

5. The allowable print volume management device according to claim 4, wherein in said first display process, said first option is displayed in a selected state on said display unit.

6. The allowable printing volume management device of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control unit is configured to set the additional financial burden by setting the printing cost per unit of the printing volume for which the allowable printing volume increase process is executed at a second price, and by setting the printing cost per unit of the printing volume for which the unpurchased printing volume elimination process is executed at a first price that is higher than the second price.

7. An allowable printing volume management device as described in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control unit is configured to display the first option above other options.

8. An allowable printing volume management device as described in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control unit is configured to display the first option in a manner different from other options.

9. The allowable printing volume management device as described in claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to execute a limit condition display process for displaying limit conditions related to the execution of the additional financial burden for the first printing volume on the display unit.

10. The allowable printing volume management device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is configured to: provide a warning display of functional limitations that will be imposed on the printing device if the limit conditions displayed in the limit condition display process are exceeded.

11. The allowable printing volume management device as described in claim 10, wherein the control unit is further configured to display on the display unit a message indicating that the limit conditions have been exceeded and that a specified functional restriction has been imposed on the printing device.

12. An allowable printing volume management device as described in claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to display the second option on the display unit so that the second option can be independently selected when the first option is not selected.

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