Printer management method, printer management system, and program

Abstract

Provided are a printer management method, a printer management system, and a program that can provide a printer service to a user through simple management.　This printer management method by a printer service system 10 comprises: a first step in which a server 18 links a printer 12 capable of enabling or disabling a print function, a dealer that is an owner of the printer 12, and a user who rents the printer 12; a second step in which the server 18 transmits enabling information for enabling a print function of the printer 12 if the user linked with the dealer satisfies a predetermined contract condition; and a third step in which the printer 12 enables the print function if the printer 12 receives the enabling information.

Description

Printer management method, printer management system, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer management method, a printer management system, and a program.

[0002] In recent years, so-called subscriptions, which provide services to users by paying a fixed fee on a monthly basis, have become widespread.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-129999 describes that in a fixed-price printing service using a printer, recording information relating to recording processing when a fixed-price consumables delivery service is executed is stored in a storage unit of the printer.

[0004] JP 2016-193592 A

[0005] In a fixed-price consumables delivery service for printers used in offices, the consumable recording paper is standardized, such as A4 or B5, as defined by the Japan Industrial Standards (JIS), making it easy to implement a printer-related subscription service based on the number of pages printed by the user.

[0006] On the other hand, industrial printing paper and large-scale printing devices do not print on standard printing paper as described above, but print on printing paper of various sizes or recording media other than paper. This makes managing consumables complicated and makes it difficult to implement subscription services based on the number of pages printed.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a printer management method, a printer management system, and a program that can provide printer services to users through simple management.

[0008] A first aspect of the printer management method of the present invention includes a first step in which a server links a printer capable of switching a print function between enabled and disabled, a dealer who owns the printer, and a user to whom the printer is rented; a second step in which the server sends activation information that activates the print function of the printer when the user linked to the dealer meets specified contract conditions; and a third step in which the printer activates the print function when the printer receives the activation information.

[0009] In this configuration, when a printer is rented to a user and the contract conditions are met, activation information is sent to the printer, thereby enabling the print function of the printer rented to the user. This allows the configuration to provide printer services to users with simple management.

[0010] In the printer management method, the printer may be lent to the user with the print function disabled. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the printer from being resold or breaching a contract.

[0011] In the printer management method described above, the server may be configured to send deactivation information for disabling the print function, and the printer may disable the enabled print function upon receiving the deactivation information. With this configuration, the dealer can disable the printer at any date and time due to contract breach or contract termination.

[0012] In the printer management method, the activation information may include a period during which the print function is valid, and the activation information may be updated each time the activation information is transmitted from the server. With this configuration, the print function can be activated with high security.

[0013] In the printer management method, periodic updates of the activation information may be enabled after the dealer, the user, and the printer are linked. This configuration enables the activation information to be sent to the linked printer without delay after the dealer and the user are linked, simplifying contract start management.

[0014] In the printer management method, when the dealer, the user, and the printer are linked, management information may be generated that includes at least the contract terms for the printer and information regarding the expiration date of the activation information. With this configuration, the details of the linkage can be easily confirmed.

[0015] In the printer management method, if the printer cannot receive the activation information from the server, the printer may accept input of the activation information by the user. With this configuration, even if the printer cannot receive the activation information from the server due to a failure or the like, the user can continue to use the printer.

[0016] In the printer management method described above, the printer may not be linked to the dealer and the user who are not linked. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the printer from being used by anyone other than the user.

[0017] In the printer management method, the specified contract condition may be a condition that the user pays the usage fee for the rented printer by a specified date or by a specified deadline, and the transmission date of the activation information may be set based on the specified deadline. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent users from not paying the usage fee.

[0018] In the printer management method, the timing for transmitting the activation information may be set by the dealer. With this configuration, the contract period between the dealer and the user can be set according to the needs of the user.

[0019] In the printer management method, a date may be set for the dealer to confirm that the activation information has been transmitted. This configuration can improve convenience for the dealer.

[0020] In the printer management method described above, if the transmission date of the activation information falls on a non-business day of the user, the transmission date may be changed to another day. With this configuration, convenience for the user can be improved.

[0021] In the printer management method, the server may associate first identification information for identifying the dealer, second identification information for identifying the user, and third identification information for identifying the printer, thereby linking the dealer, the user, and the printer. With this configuration, linking can be easily performed.

[0022] In the printer management method, the server may generate service information based on the usage status of the printer by the user. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a new service based on the printer service.

[0023] In the printer management method, the service information may be information that recommends the user to purchase the printer based on the contract period. With this configuration, the user can compare whether it is more beneficial to continue the contract or to purchase the printer.

[0024] In the printer management method, the service information may be information indicating a timing for sending consumables used in the printer to the user. With this configuration, a new service based on the printer service can be provided.

[0025] In the printer management method, the printer may transmit location information specifying the location where the printer is installed to the server. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the printer from being resold or stolen.

[0026] In the printer management method described above, if the contract between the dealer and the user ends while the printer is printing, the printer may disable the print function after printing onto the recording medium is completed. This configuration prevents the print function from being disabled immediately upon contract termination, thereby improving user convenience.

[0027] In the printer management method described above, if the contract between the dealer and the user ends while the printer is printing, the printer may disable the print function after the current job is completed. This configuration prevents the print function from being disabled immediately upon contract termination, thereby improving user convenience.

[0028] In the printer management method, the dealer, the user, and the printer may be linked by authenticating a link code that has been assigned in advance. This configuration allows the dealer, the user, and the printer to be linked easily.

[0029] A second aspect of the printer management system of the present invention is a printer management system comprising a printer capable of switching between enabling and disabling a print function and a server, wherein the server comprises a linking means for linking the printer, the dealer who owns the printer, and the user to whom the printer is rented, and a transmission means for transmitting activation information to the printer that activates the print function of the printer when the user linked with the dealer meets specified contract conditions, and the printer activates the print function when it receives the activation information.

[0030] A third aspect of the program of the present invention causes a computer to execute a first step of linking a printer capable of switching the print function on and off, a dealer who owns the printer, and a user to whom the printer is rented, and a second step of sending activation information to the printer that activates the print function of the printer when the user linked to the dealer meets specified contract conditions.

[0031] A printer management method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a method for managing a printer that prints an image on a recording medium based on print data, and includes the following steps: a first step in which a deriving means derives a print area value, which is the area of ​​the area printed on the recording medium by the printer; a second step in which a comparing means compares the print area value derived by the deriving means with a preset setting value; and a third step in which a managing means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparing means. According to this configuration, by using the comparison result between the print area value and the preset setting value, printer services can be provided to users through simple management.

[0032] In the printer management method, the print area value may be the area value of a single planar area that surrounds the entire print area on the recording medium. With this configuration, the print area value can be easily derived, and the printer usage status by users can be easily managed.

[0033] In the printer management method described above, the print area value may be the sum of the area values ​​of one or more planar regions surrounding each individual image printed on the recording medium. With this configuration, the print area value can be easily derived, and the printer usage status by the user can be easily managed.

[0034] In the printer management method, the deriving unit may display the planar area on a display. With this configuration, the user can easily check the printing area that is the target of the service.

[0035] In the printer management method, the print area value may be an area value of an ink ejection region that forms an image on the recording medium. With this configuration, the print area value can be derived more accurately, and the printer usage status by the user can be easily managed.

[0036] In the printer management method, the print area value may be derived based on the amount of usage of the recording medium. With this configuration, the print area value can be easily derived, and the usage status of the printer by the user can be easily managed.

[0037] In the printer management method, the user may be presented with an arrangement of the image that reduces the planar area. With this configuration, an increase in the print area value that is the subject of the service can be suppressed.

[0038] In the printer management method, the management unit may stop the printer if the print area value exceeds the set value while printing on the recording medium. With this configuration, an increase in the print area value that is subject to service can be prevented.

[0039] In the printer management method described above, if the print area value exceeds the set value while printing on the recording medium, the management unit may stop the printer after printing on the recording medium is completed. With this configuration, the user can obtain the printed material even if the print area value exceeds the set value.

[0040] In the printer management method, the deriving unit may derive the print area value as the sum of the area already printed on the recording medium and the area to be printed on the recording medium, and the comparing unit may compare the sum with the set value. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the print area value exceeds the set value before printing.

[0041] In the printer management method, if the total value exceeds the set value while printing is being performed on the recording medium, the management unit may notify the user before the printer performs printing. With this configuration, the user can recognize whether the print area value will exceed the set value before printing.

[0042] In the printer management method, the management unit may notify the user of the remaining area value, which is the difference between the total value and the set value. With this configuration, the user can recognize the remaining printing area value until the set value is reached.

[0043] In the printer management method, the management unit may notify the user when the remaining area value, which is the difference between the total value and the set value, reaches a predetermined value. With this configuration, the user can recognize that the print area value has reached the desired remaining area value.

[0044] In the printer management method, the printer operations that are not included in the calculation of the print area value may be set in advance. With this configuration, the printer operations that are not included in the calculation of the print area value are set in advance, thereby increasing user satisfaction.

[0045] In the printer management method, the printer operation may be a printing operation in which a printing error has occurred due to the printer. According to this configuration, by setting the printer operation to be excluded from the service, user satisfaction is increased.

[0046] In the printer management method, the printer may be a plurality of printers, the deriving means derives the sum of the print area values ​​of the plurality of printers, and the comparing means compares the sum with the set value. With this configuration, when a plurality of printers are subject to the service, the sum of the print area values ​​of the plurality of printers is compared with the set value, so that the user can receive the service without having to worry about the print area value and set value of a printer that is used most frequently.

[0047] In the printer management method, the deriving means may be provided in at least one of an information processing device used by a user and the printer. According to this configuration, the information processing device is a terminal device operated by a user that is capable of sending and receiving data to and from the printer, and the printer can be managed together with this information processing device and the printer.

[0048] In the above printer management method, if the print area value is equal to or less than the set value, a flat rate is charged, and if the print area value exceeds the set value, a charge may be made according to the print area value that exceeds the set value.

[0049] In the above printer management method, charges may be made according to the print area value.

[0050] A printer management method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a method for managing a printer that forms a model based on three-dimensional data, and includes the following steps: a first step in which a deriving unit derives a modeling volume value that is the volume of the model formed by the printer; a second step in which a comparing unit compares the modeling volume value derived by the deriving unit with a preset value; and a third step in which a managing unit manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparing unit. According to this configuration, by using the comparison result between the modeling volume value and the preset value, it is possible to provide printer services to users through simple management.

[0051] In the printer management method, the object-forming volume value may be a value obtained by multiplying the base area of ​​a three-dimensional region surrounding one or more of the objects by the height of the object. This configuration makes it possible to easily derive the object-forming volume value and easily manage the printer usage status by a user.

[0052] In the printer management method, the object volume value may be the sum of values ​​obtained by multiplying the base areas of one or more three-dimensional regions surrounding each of the objects by the heights of the objects. This configuration makes it possible to easily derive the print area value and easily manage the printer usage by the user.

[0053] In the printer management method, the object-forming volume value may be an area onto which material is discharged to form the object. This configuration makes it possible to derive the object-forming volume value more accurately, and to easily manage the printer usage status by the user.

[0054] A printer management system of aspect 2-3 of the present invention is a management system for a printer that prints an image on a recording medium based on print data, and includes a derivation means that derives a print area value, which is the area that the printer has printed on the recording medium, a comparison means that compares the print area value derived by the derivation means with a preset setting value, and a management means that manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

[0055] A printer management system according to a second to fourth aspect of the present invention is a management system for a printer that forms a model based on three-dimensional data, and includes: a derivation unit that derives a modeling volume value, which is the volume of the model formed by the printer; a comparison unit that compares the modeling volume value derived by the derivation unit with a preset value; and a management unit that manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison unit.

[0056] A program of aspect 2-5 of the present invention causes a computer to execute the following steps: a first step in which a derivation means derives a printing area value, which is the area printed on a recording medium by a printer that prints an image on the recording medium based on printing data; a second step in which a comparison means compares the printing area value derived by the derivation means with a preset setting value; and a third step in which a management means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

[0057] A program according to a second to sixth aspects of the present invention causes a computer to execute the following steps: a first step in which a derivation means derives a modeling volume value, which is the volume of a model formed by a printer that forms a model based on three-dimensional data; a second step in which a comparison means compares the modeling volume value derived by the derivation means with a preset setting value; and a third step in which a management means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

[0058] A printer management method according to aspect 3-1 of the present invention is a method for managing a printer in which a discharging means prints by discharging material while moving relative to a recording medium or a table, and includes a first step in which a derivation means derives a relative movement value that is a value based on the relative movement of the discharging means, a second step in which a comparison means compares the relative movement value derived by the derivation means with a preset setting value, and a third step in which a management means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

[0059] According to this configuration, by using the result of comparing the relative movement value of the ejection means that generates a mechanical load on the printer with a preset setting value, it is possible to provide printer services to users with easy management.

[0060] In the printer management method, the relative movement value may be derived using the number of scans in which the ejection unit has performed the relative movement. With this configuration, the relative movement value can be easily derived.

[0061] In the printer management method described above, the relative movement value may be derived based on the width of the direction in which the discharging means moves relative to the material while discharging the material and the number of times. If the relative movement value is the number of times the discharging means makes relative movements, a larger width in the direction in which the discharging means moves relative to the material will result in more material being discharged, even if the number of times is the same, which may create a sense of unfairness for the user. Therefore, according to this configuration, by managing the printer based on the number of times the discharging means makes relative movements relative to the recording medium and the width of the recording medium, it is possible to provide more appropriate printer services to the user.

[0062] In the printer management method, the relative movement value may be derived using a distance that the discharge unit moves relatively while discharging the material. With this configuration, the relative movement value can be easily derived.

[0063] In the printer management method, the relative movement value may be derived using a distance that the discharge unit has relatively moved in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the discharge unit moves relatively while discharging the material. With this configuration, the relative movement value can be easily derived.

[0064] In the printer management method described above, the ejection means may eject ink that hardens when exposed to light of a predetermined wavelength, and may include irradiation means that irradiates the ejected ink with light of the predetermined wavelength, and the relative movement value may include a value based on the relative movement of the ejection means to harden the ink. With this configuration, the relative movement of the ejection means to harden the ink also generates a mechanical load, allowing for appropriate management according to the printer's functions.

[0065] In the printer management method, the deriving unit may derive the relative movement value based on an instruction signal for relatively moving the ejection unit. With this configuration, the relative movement value can be easily derived.

[0066] In the printer management method, the deriving means may derive the relative movement value based on the detection result of a sensor provided in the printer. With this configuration, the relative movement value can be easily derived.

[0067] In the printer management method, the deriving unit may derive the relative movement value based on an image of the relative movement of the ejection unit captured by a camera. With this configuration, the relative movement value can be easily derived.

[0068] In the printer management method, the deriving unit may derive the relative movement value based on print data for printing and a print mode of the printer. With this configuration, the relative movement value can be easily derived.

[0069] In the printer management method, the management unit may stop the printer if the relative movement value exceeds the set value during printing. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent an increase in the relative movement value that is subject to service.

[0070] In the printer management method described above, if the relative movement value exceeds the set value during printing, the management unit may stop the printer after printing on the recording medium is completed. With this configuration, the user can obtain the printed material even if the relative movement value exceeds the set value.

[0071] In the printer management method, the deriving unit may derive a sum of the relative movement value for which printing has already been performed and the relative movement value for which printing is scheduled to be performed, and the comparing unit may compare the sum with the set value. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the relative movement value exceeds the set value before printing is performed.

[0072] In the printer management method, if the total value exceeds the set value while printing is being performed on the recording medium, the management unit may notify the user before the printer performs printing. With this configuration, the user can recognize whether the relative movement value exceeds the set value before printing.

[0073] In the printer management method, the management unit may notify the user of a remaining relative movement value, which is the difference between the total value and the set value. With this configuration, the user can recognize the remaining relative movement value until the set value is reached.

[0074] In the printer management method, the management unit may notify the user when the remaining relative movement value, which is the difference between the total value and the set value, reaches a predetermined value. With this configuration, the user can recognize that the remaining relative movement value has reached a desired remaining relative movement value.

[0075] In the printer management method, the printer operations that are not included in the calculation of the relative movement value may be set in advance. With this configuration, the printer operations that are not included in the calculation of the relative movement value are set in advance, thereby increasing user satisfaction.

[0076] In the printer management method, the printer operation may be a printing operation in which a printing error has occurred due to the printer. According to this configuration, by setting the printer operation to be excluded from the service, user satisfaction is increased.

[0077] In the printer management method described above, the printer may be a plurality of printers, the deriving means derives a total value of the relative movement values ​​of the plurality of printers, and the comparing means compares the total value with the set value. With this configuration, when a plurality of printers are subject to the service, the total value of the relative movement values ​​of the plurality of printers is compared with the set value, so that the user can receive the service without having to worry about the relative movement value and set value of a printer that is used frequently.

[0078] In the printer management method, the deriving means may be provided in at least one of an information processing device used by a user and the printer. According to this configuration, the information processing device is a terminal device operated by a user that is capable of sending and receiving data to and from the printer, and the printer can be managed together with this information processing device and the printer.

[0079] In the printer management method, if the relative movement value is equal to or less than the set value, a flat rate is charged, and if the relative movement value exceeds the set value, a charge is made according to the amount of the relative movement that exceeds the set value. With this configuration, appropriate charges can be made according to the usage status of the printer.

[0080] In the printer management method, the billing may be performed according to the relative movement value. This configuration enables appropriate billing according to the printer usage state.

[0081] In the printer management method, the printer may be a robot having an arm with the discharge means attached to the tip thereof. With this configuration, a robot that performs printing or painting can be subject to printer servicing.

[0082] In the printer management method, the relative movement value of the robot may be a distance that the arm moves relative to the recording medium. With this configuration, the relative movement value can be easily derived.

[0083] In the printer management method, the printer may be a modeling device in which the discharging unit discharges material onto the table to form a three-dimensional object. According to this embodiment, the modeling device can be a target of printer service.

[0084] A printer management system according to aspect 3-2 of the present invention is a management system for a printer that prints by discharging material while the discharging means moves relative to a recording medium or a table, and comprises a derivation means that derives a relative movement value that is a value based on the relative movement of the discharging means, a comparison means that compares the relative movement value derived by the derivation means with a preset setting value, and a management means that manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

[0085] A printer management system according to aspect 3-3 of the present invention causes a computer included in an information processing device that manages a printer that prints by discharging material while the discharging means moves relative to a recording medium or a table to execute the following steps: a first step in which a derivation means derives a relative movement value that is a value based on the relative movement of the discharging means; a second step in which a comparison means compares the relative movement value derived by the derivation means with a preset setting value; and a third step in which a management means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

[0086] An object of the present invention is to provide a printer management method, a printer management system, and a program that can provide a printer service to a user through simple management.

[0087] 1 is a schematic diagram of a printer service system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a server related to a printer service according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of a linkage process according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a printer registration linkage process according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an automatic passkey update setting screen according to an embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a passkey issuance process according to an embodiment; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a printer service system according to an embodiment; FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a server related to a printer service according to an embodiment; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a print area according to an embodiment, where (A) shows a bounding box surrounding the entire job as the print area, and (B) shows a bounding box surrounding each image as the print area; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print area according to an embodiment, where (A) shows the ejection area of ​​each image as the print area, and (B) shows the amount of media used as the print area; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of layout advice according to an embodiment; FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of a printing process according to an embodiment; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a printer service system according to an embodiment; 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a volume of a formed object according to an embodiment, in which (A) shows a bounding box that surrounds the entire job as the volume of the formed object, and (B) shows a bounding box that surrounds each individual object as the volume of the formed object. FIG. 1C is a diagram showing the amount of ink that forms a formed object as the volume of the formed object according to an embodiment. FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of a printer service system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram showing relative movement of an inkjet head according to an embodiment. FIG. 1F is a functional block diagram of a server related to a printer service according to an embodiment. FIG. 1G is a flowchart showing the flow of a printing process according to an embodiment. FIG. 1G is a schematic external view of an industrial robot according to another embodiment.

[0088] First Embodiment A printer service system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic overall view of the printer service system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0089] The printer service system 10 includes a printer 12, a dealer terminal 14, a user terminal 16, and a server 18. In the printer service system 10 of this embodiment, a dealer rents out a printer 12 to a user under specified contractual conditions, and the user uses the printer 12. The specified contractual conditions may be, for example, a subscription contract (hereinafter referred to as a "subscription contract") in which the user pays a fixed monthly fee to the dealer.

[0090] In other words, the subscription contract of this embodiment is a contract in which a dealer rents a printer 12 to a user for a fixed fee for a specified period of time, and the printer service system 10 of this embodiment executes a printer management method. Note that, while the dealer and the user are, for example, corporations, they are not limited to this and may also be individuals.

[0091] The printer 12 is, for example, a printing device that prints on a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as "media"). The printer 12 is owned by a dealer, but is rented to a user based on a subscription contract and installed, for example, at the user's business premises. The printer 12 of this embodiment is, for example, a large industrial printer that prints on large-sized media that is not included in standards such as JIS. The media may be paper or a sheet-like material other than paper.

[0092] The printer 12 of this embodiment can enable or disable the print function, and a disabled print function is enabled when the printer 12 receives activation information. The activation information (hereinafter referred to as a "passkey") of this embodiment, for example, records the expiration date for maintaining the print function of the printer 12 in an enabled state, and this expiration date is updated each time the passkey is sent from the server 18. In other words, the passkey updates the activation expiration date of the print function each time it is sent to the printer 12. By using a passkey that generates a new activation expiration date each time the activation information is sent to the printer 12, the print function of the printer 12 can be enabled with high security. In the following description, disabling the print function is also referred to as print lock.

[0093] The dealer terminal 14 is an information processing device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal, and is capable of communicating with the server 18 and the printer 12. Software (hereinafter referred to as "dealer software") is installed on the dealer terminal 14 for registering and linking dealers to provide printer services, configuring various settings related to the printer services, and checking the usage status of the printer 12 loaned to the user.

[0094] The server 18 manages various information based on a subscription contract between the dealer and the user, analyzes the user's usage of the printer 12, and provides service information based on the analysis results. Specifically, the server 18 registers and coordinates with the dealer, the user, and the printer 12. When a user associated with the dealer meets certain contractual conditions, the server 18 sends a passkey to the user terminal 16 to enable the printing function of the printer 12. The server 18 is capable of communicating with the dealer terminal 14, the user terminal 16, and other information processing devices.

[0095] The user terminal 16 is an information processing device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal, and is capable of communicating with the server 18 and the printer 12 rented to the user. In this embodiment, the user terminal 16 transmits a passkey received from the server 18 to the printer 12. Software (hereinafter referred to as "user software") is installed on the user terminal 16 for registering and linking users and printers 12 to receive printer services and for using the printer services. The user software also accesses the linked printer 12, obtains various information related to the operating status of the printer 12, and transmits the information to the server 18.

[0096] 2 is a functional block diagram of the server 18 relating to the printer service of this embodiment. The server 18 includes a calculation unit 20, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 24.

[0097] The calculation unit 20 is a computer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and includes a registration unit 30, a linking unit 32, a contract performance confirmation unit 34, a passkey generation unit 36, a passkey setting unit 38, and a service information generation unit 40. The functions of the registration unit 30, the linking unit 32, the contract performance confirmation unit 34, the passkey generation unit 36, the passkey setting unit 38, and the service information generation unit 40 are realized by executing a program stored in a storage unit 22 provided in the server 18.

[0098] The registration unit 30 registers dealers, users, and printers 12. Registration means storing various information about the dealers, users, and printers 12 in the storage unit 22. A dealer may register multiple printers 12 that he or she owns.

[0099] The linking unit 32 links registered dealers, users, and the printer 12. In this embodiment, the linking unit 32 links the dealer, user, and printer 12 by authenticating a linking code that has been assigned in advance.

[0100] The contract fulfillment confirmation unit 34 confirms whether a user who is linked to a dealer has fulfilled the specified contract terms with the dealer. The contract terms, for example, require the user to pay a specified monthly fee to the dealer by a specified date, which is also referred to as a subscription plan in the following explanation. The contract fulfillment confirmation unit 34 confirms whether the user has paid the monthly fee at a specified date and time each month by accessing the dealer's specified account.

[0101] When a user associated with the dealer fulfills the contractual conditions, the passkey generation unit 36 ​​generates a passkey, which is activation information that enables the print function of the printer 12. The generated passkey is sent to the user terminal 16 via the communication unit 24. When the user fulfills the contractual conditions, the passkey generation unit 36 ​​generates a passkey and periodically sends it to the user terminal 16. This process of generating a passkey every time the user fulfills the contractual conditions and periodically sending it is also called automatic updating.

[0102] The passkey setting unit 38 performs settings related to passkey generation, such as the timing for automatically updating the passkey, the date for checking the passkey update, the holiday setting for the automatic passkey update date, and the date for issuing the lock passkey.

[0103] The service information generating unit 40 generates service information based on the user's usage of the printer 12. Details of the service information will be described later.

[0104] The storage unit 22 stores programs for executing various processes related to printer services, as well as registration information for dealers, users, and the printer 12, and various other programs and data.

[0105] The communication unit 24 transmits and receives information to and from the dealer terminal 14, the user terminal 16, and other information processing devices.

[0106] 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the linking process executed by the server 18. The linking process is executed by a program stored in the storage unit 22 of the server 18.

[0107] First, in step 100, the printer 12, dealer, and user are registered by the registration unit 30. The dealer is registered by the dealer terminal 14, and the printer 12 and user are registered by the user terminal 16. The registration details are stored in the memory unit 22.

[0108] Registering the printer 12, dealer, and user means, for example, registering at least identification information for identifying the printer 12 (hereinafter referred to as the "printer ID"), identification information for identifying the dealer (hereinafter referred to as the "dealer ID"), and identification information for identifying the user (hereinafter referred to as the "user ID"). The printer ID is, for example, the serial number of the printer 12. The dealer ID and user ID are, for example, email addresses.

[0109] In addition, as the dealer's own information, along with the dealer ID, the company name, the name of the base such as a branch office, telephone number, area of ​​responsibility, name of the person in charge, etc. may be registered. In addition, as the user's own information, along with the user ID, any name such as the company name or user name, address, telephone number, payment method, payment service information, credit card information, etc. may be registered.

[0110] Once the dealer registration is complete, the dealer will be given a link code to link the dealer with the user.

[0111] In the next step 102, the linking unit 32 links the dealer and the user. As an example, the linking between the dealer and the user is performed by the user inputting a linking code assigned to the dealer via the user terminal 16, and the dealer authenticating the linking code via the dealer terminal 14. For this reason, the user is informed of the dealer's linking code in advance by the dealer. When the linking between the dealer and the user is successful, the dealer ID and the user ID are linked. In the following description, the linking between the dealer and the user is also referred to as organizational linking.

[0112] In the next step 104, the linking unit 32 links the printer 12 to the organizational linkage between the dealer and the user (hereinafter also referred to as "registration linkage"). Details of the registration linkage of the printer 12 will be described later with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The registration linkage of the printer 12 is performed in relation to the organizational linkage between the dealer and the user, and if the organizational linkage between the dealer and the user fails or if organizational linkage is not performed, registration linkage cannot be performed. As such, in the printer service system 10 of this embodiment, the printer 12 cannot be linked to a dealer and a user that are not linked. This makes it possible to prevent the printer 12 from being used by anyone other than the user.

[0113] Note that linking the dealer, the user, and the printer 12 means associating the dealer ID, the user ID, and the printer ID, which allows the server 18 to easily perform the linking.

[0114] When the dealer, the user, and the printer 12 are linked, management information (hereinafter referred to as a "printer subscription master table") including at least the content of the subscription contract for the printer 12 and information regarding the expiration date of the passkey is generated by the linking unit 32. The generated printer subscription master table is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0115] The contents of the printer subscription master table include, for example, the dealer ID, user ID, printer ID, subscription plan, passkey generation enabled / disabled, MAC address for passkey generation, encryption version for passkey generation, number of times print locked, passkey, passkey expiration date, passkey generation date and time, passkey download date and time, passkey application date and time, print lock registration date and time, payment method, payment deadline, passkey issuance period, passkey issuance interval, payment service information, credit card information, payment amount, etc. Information related to the passkey expiration date includes the passkey expiration date and passkey generation date and time, etc.

[0116] The contents of the printer subscription master table are updated as appropriate, for example, in accordance with the settings made by the passkey setting unit 38. By generating such a printer subscription master table, it becomes possible to easily check the details of cooperation.

[0117] After the above-described linking process is completed, the printer 12 is rented to the user and installed at the user's place of business, etc. In this embodiment, the printer 12 is rented to the user in a print-locked state, which prevents the printer 12 from being resold or breaching the contract.

[0118] After the dealer, user, and printer 12 are linked, periodic passkey updates are enabled. This allows the passkey to be sent to the linked printer 12 without delay, simplifying contract start management. Furthermore, if the dealer, user, and printer 12 are linked incorrectly, the printer 12 will not function even if the passkey is sent, making it possible to check for any linking errors.

[0119] The registration linkage process of the printer 12 will now be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 4 and 5. The registration linkage process shown in Figures 4 and 5 is a process that is carried out after the dealer and the user are linked together to register the printer 12 and enable the print function of the printer 12 using a passkey.

[0120] First, in step 200, the user uses the user terminal 16 to register the printer 12 for linkage. For this purpose, information about the printer 12 is sent from the user terminal 16 to the server 18 along with the user's authentication information. The user's authentication information includes an API key for using the API (Application Programming Interface), the user's email address (which serves as the user ID), a password, and other information. The printer 12 information includes the printer ID to be registered for linkage, etc. The API key is acquired by the user in advance. The authentication information is also encrypted before being sent from the user terminal 16 to the server 18.

[0121] In the next step 202, the server 18 performs user authentication.

[0122] In the next step 204, the server 18 determines whether or not the user authentication has been successful. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 206; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 210.

[0123] In step 206, the linking unit 32 registers the printer information in the organizational link between the dealer and the user, thereby registering and linking the printer 12 identified by the printer information.

[0124] In the next step, step 208, the passkey generation unit 36 ​​generates a passkey. The passkey is generated to include information indicating the expiration date for the print function of the registered and linked printer 12, and is encrypted using a predetermined common key.

[0125] In the next step 210, the server 18 notifies the user terminal 16 of the registration result of the printer information. If the determination in step 204 is affirmative, a notification of successful registration is sent, and if the determination in step 204 is negative, a notification of unsuccessful registration is sent.

[0126] In the next step 212, the user terminal 16 determines whether the registration of the printer 12 was successful based on the registration result sent from the server 18, and if the determination is positive, proceeds to step 214, and if the determination is negative, terminates the registration linkage process for the printer 12.

[0127] In step 214 , the user terminal 16 transmits the user's authentication information to the server 18 along with an instruction to download and obtain the passkey from the server 18 .

[0128] In the next step 216, the server 18 performs user authentication.

[0129] In the next step 218, the server 18 determines whether or not the user authentication has been successful. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 220; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 222.

[0130] In step 220 , the server 18 sends the passkey to the user terminal 16 .

[0131] In the next step 222, the user terminal 16 determines whether or not a passkey has been obtained from the server 18. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 224, and if the determination is negative, the registration linkage process of the printer 12 is terminated. Note that if the process proceeds from step 220 to step 222, the determination is affirmative, and if the process proceeds from step 218 to step 222, the determination is negative.

[0132] In the next step 224 , the user terminal 16 transmits the passkey obtained from the server 18 to the printer 12 .

[0133] In the next step 226, the printer 12 decrypts the received passkey. The common key used for decryption is stored in the printer 12 in advance.

[0134] In the next step 228, the printer 12 determines whether the passkey has been successfully decrypted. If the determination is affirmative, the printer 12 proceeds to step 230, and if the determination is negative, the printer 12 ends its registration linkage process.

[0135] In step 230, the printer 12 obtains the printer ID and expiration date from the decrypted passkey.

[0136] In the next step 232, the printer 12 determines whether the printer ID obtained from the passkey matches the printer ID stored in the printer 12, and if the determination is affirmative, the printer 12 proceeds to step 234, and if the determination is negative, the printer 12 terminates its registration linkage process.

[0137] In step 234, the printer 12 stores the information contained in the passkey, i.e., the expiration date. As a result, the printing function of the printer 12 is valid until the written expiration date, and the user can use the printer 12.

[0138] It is also possible that the user in a subscription contract remains the same and the printer 12 remains rented to the user, but the dealer changes. In other words, the subscription contract remains in place, but the owner of the printer 12 changes. In such a case, the user does not need to take any action, but the dealer must re-register. By re-registering, the new dealer inherits the connection between the user and the printer 12, along with the connection code from the previous dealer.

[0139] Furthermore, there are cases where the user changes but the dealer who owns the printer 12 remains the same. For example, this may occur if the user (corporation) to which the printer 12 is rented is acquired or merged with another corporation. In this case, the new user will enter into a subscription contract with the dealer, and it will be necessary to register the new user and re-associate with the dealer and the printer 12.

[0140] Furthermore, when replacing the printer 12 loaned to the user, the connection between the dealer and the user is maintained, but the connection with the old printer 12 is terminated and a new printer 12 is connected. Replacing a printer 12 refers to replacing the printer 12 with a new model or replacing a malfunctioning printer 12 with the same model.

[0141] Furthermore, if the user delays payment of the usage fee and subsequently print-locks the contract, the connection between the user and the dealer will remain as is, and automatic periodic renewal of the passkey will resume.

[0142] Furthermore, if the dealer and the user are organizationally linked, there is no need to redo the organizational linkage even if the dealer software installed on the dealer terminal 14 or the user software installed on the user terminal 16 is reinstalled, or the dealer terminal 14 or the user terminal 16 is changed.

[0143] Next, various passkey settings performed by the passkey setting unit 38 will be described.

[0144] The dealer can transmit disabling information for disabling the print function of the printer 12 that is rented to the user to the server 18 via the dealer terminal 14. In this embodiment, the disabling information is, for example, a passkey, which will be referred to as a lock passkey in the following description.

[0145] Specifically, in the printer service system 10 of this embodiment, a date on which the printer 12 will be deactivated can be set at a time that differs from the timing of periodic passkey renewal, such as when the usage fee is not paid or the contract expires. Then, at midnight, for example, on the set deactivation date, the server 18 transmits a locking passkey to the printer 12 via the user terminal 16. The deactivation date is set by the dealer. The locking passkey stores the date on which the printer 12's print function will be disabled.

[0146] That is, the server 18 sets the date on which the printer 12 will no longer be in use as the timing for sending the lock passkey, and when the printer 12 receives the lock passkey, it disables the enabled print function. This allows the dealer to lock the printer at any time due to contract breach or contract termination.

[0147] As described above, a condition of the subscription contract is that the user pays the printer 12 usage fee by a specified date. The date of transmission of the passkey is set based on the due date related to the payment of the usage fee. This prevents the user from failing to pay the usage fee. The due date related to the payment is, for example, the date on which the dealer bills the user.

[0148] The timing for transmitting the passkey can be set by the dealer. The dealer inputs the timing for transmitting the passkey via the dealer terminal 14, and the passkey setting unit 38 of the server 18 sets the timing.

[0149] 6 shows an example of a passkey automatic update setting screen 50. The automatic update setting screen 50 is displayed on the dealer terminal 14, and the dealer inputs various information, which is then transmitted to the server 18.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 6, the timing for transmitting the passkey is set as the renewal interval. In the example of FIG. 6, the renewal interval can be selected from monthly, two months, three months, six months, and one year. The renewal interval for the passkey corresponds to the terms of the contract. For example, if the renewal interval is set to three months, the user will pay the dealer a usage fee on a specific date every three months. This allows the printer service system 10 to set the contract period between the dealer and the user according to the user's needs.

[0151] The automatic update setting screen 50 also sets the date on which the dealer will confirm that the passkey has been sent (hereinafter referred to as the "update confirmation date"). In the example of FIG. 6, the update confirmation date is set to the 25th, for example. The server 18 sends a message to the dealer's email address, for example, on the update confirmation date, informing the dealer that the passkey has been updated and sent. When the dealer receives the email, he or she accesses the server 18 via the dealer terminal 14 and confirms that the passkey has been sent.

[0152] This allows the dealer to remotely check whether the passkey has been updated. For example, the dealer can check the operating status of the printer 12 rented to the user from the dealer terminal 14, and if the operating status is low despite the passkey being updated regularly, the dealer can reduce the frequency of maintenance of the printer 12. In this way, the printer service system 10 can increase convenience for the dealer by setting a passkey update check date.

[0153] Furthermore, if the passkey transmission date falls on a user's non-business day, the passkey transmission date can be changed to another day. In the example of FIG. 6, if the automatic renewal date (the passkey transmission date) is a Sunday, the dealer can select one of the following options for the automatic renewal date: "No change," "Change to Friday two days before," or "Change to Monday." This allows the printer service system 10 to enhance user convenience. In the example of FIG. 6, the user's non-business day is Sunday, but the user's non-business day can also be set to a day of the week or date other than Sunday.

[0154] 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the passkey issuance process executed by the server. The passkey issuance process is executed by a program stored in the storage unit 22 of the server 18. The passkey issuance process is executed by the server 18, for example, once a day at a predetermined time, after the settings related to passkey issuance have been completed.

[0155] First, in step 300, the passkey setting unit 38 determines whether or not the transmission date of the lock passkey has been set. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 302; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 304.

[0156] In step 302, the passkey setting unit 38 determines whether today is the day for transmitting the lock passkey. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 312; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 304.

[0157] In step 304, the passkey setting unit 38 determines whether it is the date for automatic passkey renewal or not. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 306, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step 300.

[0158] In step 306, the contract fulfillment confirmation unit 34 determines whether the user has fulfilled the subscription contract, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 308, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 314. The subscription contract that the user must fulfill is to pay the usage fee on a specified date, and the contract fulfillment confirmation unit 34 determines whether the user has fulfilled the subscription contract by checking the registered dealer's account.

[0159] In step 308, the passkey generator 36 generates an updated passkey.

[0160] In the next step 310, the communication unit 24 transmits the passkey generated by the passkey generation unit 36 ​​to the user terminal 16, and the process returns to step 300. When the user terminal 16 receives the passkey, it transmits the received passkey to the printer 12. The printer 12 performs authentication using the received passkey, and if authentication is successful, the print function of the printer 12 remains enabled, allowing the user to continue using the printer 12.

[0161] On the other hand, in step 312, which is reached if the determination in step 302 is affirmative, the passkey generation unit 36 ​​generates a lock passkey, and the process proceeds to step 310. In step 310, the communication unit 24 transmits the lock passkey to the user terminal 16 at a set time. Upon receiving the lock passkey, the user terminal 16 transmits the received lock passkey to the printer 12. The printer 12 performs authentication using the received lock passkey, and if authentication is successful, disables the print function of the printer 12.

[0162] If the determination in step 306 is negative, the process proceeds to step 314, where the contract fulfillment confirmation unit 34 notifies the dealer terminal 14 that the contract has not been fulfilled. Since the passkey is not sent to the printer 12, the process proceeds to step 314, where the printer 12 is print-locked. After confirming the notification, the dealer inquires about the user. If the dealer confirms that the user has fulfilled the contract, the dealer issues a command to the server 18 via the dealer terminal 14 to send the passkey.

[0163] In the flowchart of Fig. 7, the server 18 automatically transmits the passkey to the user terminal 16, but this is not limiting, and the server 18 may transmit the passkey to the user terminal 16 in response to an instruction from the user terminal 16, as in the passkey issuing process shown in Fig. 8. Note that the processes from numbers 1 and 2 onwards in Fig. 8 are the same as the processes from numbers 1 and 2 onwards in Fig. 5, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0164] First, in step 400, on the day the passkey expires, the user terminal 16 determines whether the passkey has not been updated. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 402; if the determination is negative, the passkey issuance process is terminated.

[0165] In the next step 402 , the user terminal 16 transmits the user's authentication information to the server 18 together with an acquisition instruction for downloading and acquiring the passkey from the server 18 .

[0166] In the next step 404, the server 18 performs user authentication.

[0167] In the next step 406, the server 18 determines whether or not the user authentication has been successful. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 408, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 222 in FIG.

[0168] In step 408, the passkey generator 36 generates a passkey.

[0169] In step 410, the server 18 transmits the passkey to the user terminal 16 and proceeds to step 222 of FIG.

[0170] Next, other functions of the printer service system 10 will be described.

[0171] (Offline Function) For example, there may be cases where the printer 12 is unable to receive a passkey from the server 18 due to a malfunction or communication failure of the server 18. In such cases, the printer 12 of this embodiment accepts input of a passkey by the user.

[0172] Specifically, if the user terminal 16 does not receive the passkey at the passkey update date and time, the user requests the dealer to issue a passkey. For example, the dealer requests a specific server to issue a passkey, and the passkey generated by the server is sent to the user terminal 16. Alternatively, if the user terminal 16 cannot access the server 18 but the dealer terminal 14 can access the server 18, the dealer terminal 14 downloads the passkey from the server 18 and sends it to the user terminal 16. The user accesses the printer 12 using the user terminal 16 and manually inputs the passkey into the printer 12. The printer 12 performs authentication processing using the manually input passkey.

[0173] This allows the user to continue using the printer 12 even if the printer 12 is unable to receive the passkey from the server 18 .

[0174] (Generation of Reward Information) The server 18 of this embodiment provides useful reward information for users and dealers using data related to printing by the printer 12 and other data. The reward information is generated by the reward information generation unit 40. An example of the reward information generated by the reward information generation unit 40 will be described below.

[0175] Examples of the service information generated by the service information generating unit 40 include printer purchase information, consumables delivery information, and printer location information.

[0176] The printer purchase information is printer purchase information that recommends the user to purchase a printer based on the subscription contract period. In other words, as the subscription contract period becomes longer, the user's subscription contract cost burden increases. Therefore, the printer purchase information is sent to the user terminal 16 when the user would be less expensive if they purchased the printer 12.

[0177] The service information generation unit 40 analyzes print data used by the printer 12 loaned to the user and extracts one or more types of printers suitable for the user's print content. The service information generation unit 40 then compares the purchase cost of the extracted printer with the subscription contract cost that the user is expected to pay in the future, and transmits the comparison to the user terminal 16 as printer purchase information. This allows the user to compare whether it is more beneficial to continue the subscription contract or to purchase a printer.

[0178] The consumables delivery information indicates the timing for delivering consumables used in the printer to the user. The service information generation unit 40 calculates the timing for delivering the consumables to the user by predicting the consumption amount of the consumables used in the printer 12. The consumables delivery information is then sent to a business that handles the consumables, and the business then delivers the consumables to the user.

[0179] Next, printer location information will be described. In this embodiment, the printer 12 transmits location information identifying its installation location to the server 18. For this purpose, the printer 12 has, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, and the server 18 periodically receives location information acquired by the GPS function of the printer 12. If there is a change in the location information of the printer 12, the service information generation unit 40 transmits a notification to the dealer terminal 14 indicating that the location information has changed. This prevents the printer 12 from being resold or stolen.

[0180] (Contract Termination During Printing) There are cases where the contract between the dealer and the user ends while the printer 12 is printing. In such a case, if the printing function of the printer 12 is locked at the contract expiration time even though the printer 12 is currently printing, the user may be disadvantaged. Therefore, the printer service system 10 of this embodiment provides, as an example, two types of print termination processing.

[0181] The first print termination process locks the print function of the printer 12 after printing on the recording medium currently being printed is completed if the contract between the dealer and the user is terminated while the printer 12 is printing. In other words, the print function of the printer 12 is locked when printing on the medium currently being printed on by the printer 12 is completed.

[0182] The second print termination process locks the print function of the printer 12 after the current job is completed if the contract between the dealer and the user ends while the printer 12 is printing. In the first print process, even if a single job includes printing on multiple media, the printer is print-locked when printing on the current media is completed, and printing on subsequent media is not possible. On the other hand, in the second print process, if the current job includes printing on multiple media, the printer is print-locked after printing on those multiple media is completed.

[0183] According to the first print ending process and the second print ending process, it is possible to prevent the print function from being disabled at the same time as the contract ends, thereby improving user convenience.

[0184] The printer service system 10 may lock the print when the contract between the dealer and the user expires, even during printing, without performing the first print completion process and the second print completion process. The timing of the print lock may also be adjusted by the user contacting the dealer in advance and having the dealer set the passkey issuance date and time or the lock passkey issuance date and time.

[0185] Although the present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiment, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-mentioned embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above-mentioned embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0186] In the above embodiment, the printer 12 receives the passkey from the server 18 via the user terminal 16, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer 12 may receive the passkey directly from the server 18.

[0187] In the above embodiment, the printer 12 is described as a printing device that prints on a medium, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer 12 may also be a 3D printer that forms a three-dimensional object.

[0188] In the above embodiment, the activation information and deactivation information for enabling the print function of the printer 12 are described as passkeys, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the activation information and deactivation information may be specific passwords.

[0189] (Effects of the Embodiment) (1) The printer management method by the printer service system 10 of the present embodiment includes a first step in which the server 18 links the printer 12, which can switch between enabling and disabling its print function, the dealer who owns the printer 12, and the user to whom the printer 12 is rented, a second step in which the server 18 sends activation information that activates the print function of the printer 12 when the user linked with the dealer meets predetermined contract conditions, and a third step in which the printer 12 activates the print function when the printer 12 receives the activation information. This makes it possible to provide printer services to users with simple management.

[0190] (2) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the printer 12 may be lent to a user with the print function disabled, which prevents the printer 12 from being resold or breaching the contract.

[0191] (3) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the timing at which the server 18 sends deactivation information to the server 18 to deactivate the print function may be set, and the printer 12 may deactivate the enabled print function upon receiving the deactivation information. This allows the dealer to deactivate the printer 12 at any date and time due to contract breach or contract termination.

[0192] (4) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the activation information records the expiration date for which the print function is valid, and the activation information may be a passkey that is updated each time it is sent from the server 18. This allows the print function to be activated with high security.

[0193] (5) In the printer management method of this embodiment, after the dealer, the user, and the printer 12 are linked, the dealer may send a passkey to the printer 12, enabling periodic updates of the passkey. This allows the passkey to be sent without delay to the linked printer 12 after the dealer and the user are linked, simplifying contract start management.

[0194] (6) When a dealer, a user, and the printer 12 are linked, the printer management method of this embodiment may generate management information that includes at least information about the contract terms and conditions for the printer 12 and the expiration date of the passkey. This allows the dealer and the user to easily check the details of the linkage.

[0195] (7) In the printer management method of this embodiment, if the printer 12 cannot receive a passkey from the server 18, the printer 12 may accept input of a passkey by the user. This allows the user to continue using the printer 12 even if the printer 12 cannot receive a passkey from the server 18 due to a failure or other reason.

[0196] (8) The printer management method of this embodiment does not require that the printer 12 be linked to a dealer and a user who are not linked. This prevents the printer 12 from being used by anyone other than the user.

[0197] (9) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the specified contract condition is that the user pays the usage fee for the rented printer 12 by a specified date or by a specified deadline, and the transmission date of the activation information may be set based on the deadline. This prevents the user from failing to pay the usage fee.

[0198] (10) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the timing for transmitting the activation information may be set by the dealer, which allows the dealer to set the contract period between the dealer and the user according to the user's needs.

[0199] (11) In the printer management method of this embodiment, a date may be set for the dealer to confirm that the activation information has been sent. This can improve convenience for the dealer.

[0200] (12) In the printer management method of this embodiment, if the transmission date of the activation information falls on a non-business day for the user, the transmission date may be changed to another day. This improves user convenience.

[0201] (13) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the server 18 may associate first identification information for identifying the dealer, second identification information for identifying the user, and third identification information for identifying the printer 12, thereby linking the dealer, the user, and the printer 12. This simplifies the linking.

[0202] (14) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the server 18 may generate service information based on the user's usage of the printer 12. This allows new services based on printer services to be provided.

[0203] (15) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the service information may be information that, based on the contract period, recommends the user to purchase the printer 12. This allows the user to compare whether it is more beneficial to continue the contract or to purchase the printer 12.

[0204] (16) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the service information may be information indicating the timing for sending consumables used in the printer 12 to the user. This makes it possible to provide new services based on the printer service.

[0205] (17) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the printer 12 may transmit location information that identifies the installation location to the server 18. This can prevent the printer 12 from being resold or stolen.

[0206] (18) In the printer management method of this embodiment, if the contract between the dealer and the user ends while the printer 12 is printing, the printer 12 may disable the print function after the printer 12 has finished printing on the recording medium. This prevents the print function from being disabled immediately when the contract ends, improving user convenience.

[0207] (19) In the printer management method of this embodiment, if the contract between the dealer and the user ends while the printer 12 is printing, the printer 12 may disable the print function after the current job is completed. This prevents the print function from being disabled immediately when the contract ends, improving user convenience.

[0208] (20) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the dealer, the user, and the printer 12 may be linked by authenticating a pre-assigned link code. This simplifies the linking between the dealer, the user, and the printer 12.

[0209] 2-1st Embodiment A printer service system 110 according to a 2-1st embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 9 is a schematic overall view of the printer service system 110 according to this embodiment.

[0210] The printer service system 110 includes a printer 112, a dealer terminal 114, user terminals 116A and 116B, and a server 118. In this embodiment, the printer service system 110 is configured such that a dealer, who is the administrator, rents out a printer 112 owned by the dealer to a user under specified contractual conditions, and the user uses the printer 112. The specified contractual conditions may be, for example, a subscription contract (hereinafter referred to as a "subscription contract") in which the user pays a fixed fee to the dealer on a monthly basis.

[0211] In other words, the subscription contract of this embodiment is a contract in which a dealer rents a printer 112 to a user for a fixed fee for a specified period of time, and the printer service system 110 of this embodiment executes a printer management method. Note that, while the dealer and the user are, for example, corporations, they are not limited to this and may also be individuals.

[0212] The printer 112 is, for example, a printing device (2D printer) that prints on a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as "media") based on print data transmitted from user terminals 116A and 116B. The printer 112 is owned by a dealer, but is rented to a user based on a subscription contract and installed, for example, at the user's business premises. The printer 112 of this embodiment is, for example, a large-format industrial printer that prints on large-sized media that is not included in standards such as JIS. The media may be paper or a flat surface other than paper. The printer 112 is, for example, an inkjet printer that forms an image on the media by moving an inkjet head that ejects ink onto the media relative to the media.

[0213] The dealer terminal 114 is an information processing device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal, and is capable of communicating with the server 118 and the printer 112. Software (hereinafter referred to as "dealer software") is installed on the dealer terminal 114 for configuring various settings related to printer services and for checking the usage status of the printer 112 rented to the user.

[0214] The server 118 manages various information based on a subscription contract between the dealer and the user, analyzes the user's usage of the printer 112, and provides service information based on the analysis results. The server 118 is capable of communicating with the dealer terminal 114, the user terminal 116A, and other information processing devices.

[0215] The user terminals 116A and 116B are information processing devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers, smartphones, tablet terminals, etc. The user terminal 116A is capable of communicating with the server 118 and the printer 112 rented to the user.

[0216] Software for using the printer service (hereinafter referred to as "user software") is installed in user terminal 116A. The user software acquires various information related to the operating status of printer 112 and transmits it to server 118. Communication is also possible between user terminal 116B and user terminal 116A.

[0217] The user terminal 116B generates print data and sends it to the printer 112. In this embodiment, as an example, RIP (Raster Image Processor) software for converting print data into a raster image is installed on the user terminal 116B. Note that there may be multiple user terminals 116B, rather than just one. The user terminal 116A may also generate print data and send it to the printer 112.

[0218] The printer service of this embodiment derives a print area value, which is the area of ​​the media printed by the printer 112, and compares the derived print area value with a preset setting value. The setting value is, in other words, a threshold value for managing the printer 112 based on the print area value. The printer service then manages the printer 112 based on the comparison result.

[0219] Managing the printer 112 means, for example, stopping the printer 112 if the print area value exceeds a set value, or allowing the printer 112 to continue printing even if the set value is exceeded if the user pays an additional fee. That is, as an example, the printer service of this embodiment charges a flat rate when the print area value is equal to or less than a set value, and charges (pay-per-use) according to the print area value that exceeds the set value when the print area value exceeds the set value. The flat rate is a monthly prepaid fee, and the pay-per-use fee is a postpaid fee according to the print area value that exceeds the set value.

[0220] In this way, the printer service of this embodiment can provide the user with a printer service through simple management by using the results of comparing the print area value with a preset setting value.

[0221] 10 is a functional block diagram of the server 118 for the printer service of this embodiment. The server 118 includes a calculation unit 120, a storage unit 122, and a communication unit .

[0222] The calculation unit 120 is a computer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and includes a derivation unit 130, a comparison unit 132, a management unit 134, a layout presentation unit 136, and a service information generation unit 138. The functions of the derivation unit 130, the comparison unit 132, the management unit 134, the layout presentation unit 136, and the service information generation unit 138 are realized by executing a program stored in a storage unit 122 included in the server 118.

[0223] The deriving unit 130 derives a print area value, which is the area of ​​the medium on which the printer 112 has printed.

[0224] The comparison unit 132 compares the print area value derived by the derivation unit 130 with a preset setting value.

[0225] The management unit 134 manages the printer 112 based on the comparison result by the comparison unit 132 .

[0226] The layout presentation unit 136 presents the user with an image layout that reduces the print area value (hereinafter referred to as "layout advice").

[0227] The service information generating unit 138 generates service information based on the usage status of the printer 112 by the user.

[0228] The storage unit 122 stores programs for executing various processes related to printer services, as well as registration information for dealers, users, and printers 112, and various other programs and data.

[0229] The communication unit 124 transmits and receives information to and from the dealer terminal 114, the user terminal 116A, and other information processing devices.

[0230] Next, derivation methods 1 to 4 for deriving the print area value by the derivation unit 130 will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Both Figures 11 and 12 show, as an example, a case in which an image 144 is formed on a medium 142 placed on a table 140 (plotting surface). Specifically, the inkjet head of the printer 112 ejects ink based on image data while moving left and right (main scanning direction) across the medium 142, and the medium 142 moves in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction.

[0231] 11 and 12, the hatched triangular area is an example of an image 144 formed on the medium 142, and four triangles are formed on the medium 142 in one print job. The area value of the area surrounded by the dashed or dot-dash lines is the print area value derived by any of the first to fourth derivation methods. Which of the first to fourth derivation methods is used to derive the print area value may be predetermined in a subscription contract, for example, or may be selected depending on the timing of derivation of the print area value, as in the printing process described below with reference to FIG. 14. In the following description, when print data is used to derive the print area value, this print data may be print data converted to a raster image, or may be print data before or after conversion to a raster image.

[0232] (First Derivation Method) In the first and second derivation methods, as shown in FIG. 11 , the area value of a bounding box 146, which is a planar area indicated by a dashed line, is used as the print area value. In other words, the area enclosed by the bounding box 146 is the subject of billing. In this embodiment, the bounding box 146 is a polygon, and examples of such a rectangle include a square, rectangle, or parallelogram. Note that the shape of the bounding box 146 may be a circle, or may be a shape specified by the user to match the shape of the image 144.

[0233] 11A, the print area value calculated by the first derivation method is the area value of a single bounding box 146 that encloses the entire print area for the medium 142. The entire print area is, in other words, the entire print job. Therefore, if multiple images 144 are formed on the medium 142, the bounding box 146 will enclose all of the multiple images 144.

[0234] The area enclosed by bounding box 146 is, for example, derived based on the print data. That is, rectangular bounding box 146 is set so as to include the outermost positions of all images 144 represented by the print data. The print data is transmitted from user terminal 116B or printer 112 to server 118 via user terminal 116A. Note that when the print data is changed, bounding box 146 shown in FIG. 11A also changes accordingly.

[0235] Furthermore, for example, the area surrounded by bounding box 146 may be derived based on image data obtained by photographing printed medium 142. That is, the area of ​​image 144 formed on medium 142 is detected by performing image recognition on the photographed data, and bounding box 146 is set so as to include the outermost position of all images 144. The camera that acquires the photographed data may be installed in printer 112 or may be installed separately from printer 112.

[0236] Furthermore, the derivation unit 130 of this embodiment displays the area enclosed by the bounding box 146 on a display to allow the user to confirm the print area that will be charged. The display may be, for example, a display provided in the user terminal 116B or a display provided in the printer 112. For this purpose, the server 118 transmits image data indicating the area enclosed by the bounding box 146 to the user terminal 116B or the printer 112 via the user terminal 116A.

[0237] (Second Derivation Method) As shown in Fig. 11(B) , the print area value according to the second derivation method is the sum of the area values ​​of one or more bounding boxes 146 that surround each individual image 144 printed on the medium 142. In the example of Fig. 11(B) , a bounding box 146 is set for each of the four triangular images 144. The print area value is then the sum of the areas of the four bounding boxes 146. With the second derivation method, the print area value derived is smaller than with the first derivation method.

[0238] In the second derivation method, similar to the first derivation method, the area enclosed by the bounding box 146 is determined based on the print data or the photographed data. That is, the position and size of each image 144 are detected from the print data or the photographed data, and a rectangular bounding box 146 is set so as to include the outermost position of each image 144. The area enclosed by the bounding box 146 is also displayed on the display of the user terminal 116B or the printer 112.

[0239] (Third Derivation Method) The print area value calculated by the third derivation method is the area value of the ink ejection region that forms an image on the medium 142, as shown in Figure 12(A). As shown by the region 148 surrounded by the dashed line in Figure 12(A), in the third derivation method, the region where the image is formed is itself used as the print area value. For this reason, the third derivation method produces the smallest print area value compared to the other derivation methods.

[0240] The print area value using the third derivation method may, for example, be derived based on print data. That is, the area where an image determined from the print data is formed corresponds to the ink ejection area. The print area value using the third derivation method may, for example, be derived based on image data obtained by photographing the medium 142 on which printing has been performed. Furthermore, the print area value using the third derivation method may be derived based on the ink ejection position in the main scanning direction by the inkjet head and the transport amount (feed width) of the medium 142 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0241] (Fourth Derivation Method) The print area value according to the fourth derivation method may be derived based on the usage amount of the medium 142, as shown in FIG. 12(B).

[0242] The usage amount of the media 142 may be calculated based on, for example, the width of the media 142 and the transport amount of the media 142 in the sub-scanning direction, or the user may input the usage amount of the media 142. Furthermore, when the media 142 is placed on the table 140, the table 140 may be equipped with a sensor device such as an electrostatic sensor that detects the state of the electric field or a laser that detects the state of light transmission, and the size (horizontal and width lengths) of the media 142 placed on the table 140 may be detected by the sensor device.

[0243] 13 is a diagram showing the content of layout advice provided by the layout presentation unit 136. Specifically, when multiple images 144 are printed on the medium 142 in a single print job, the layout presentation unit 136 presents to the user an arrangement of the images 144 that results in a smaller area enclosed by the bounding box 146. This allows the printer service of this embodiment to suppress an increase in the print area value that is subject to the service, i.e., the charge.

[0244] Fig. 13A shows an example of layout advice corresponding to the first derivation method shown in Fig. 11A, in which the triangle image 144 on the right side in Fig. 11A is turned upside down and moved to the left, thereby reducing the print area value enclosed by the bounding box 146 in the first derivation method.

[0245] Fig. 13(B) is an example of advice corresponding to the second derivation method shown in Fig. 11(B), in which image 144 is moved in the same way as in Fig. 13(B), and the two triangles on the left and right are treated as a single image and surrounded by bounding box 146. In the example of Fig. 13(B), the two triangular images 144 are close to each other, so they are recognized as a single image 144, and the two triangular images 144 are surrounded by a single bounding box 146.

[0246] Such layout advice is not appropriate when multiple images 144 are combined to form a single design, painting, etc. However, it is suitable when the image 144 formed on the medium 142 is to be cut out after printing.

[0247] The layout of the image 144 based on the layout advice is displayed on the display of the user terminal 116B or the printer 112. If the user considers the layout of the image 144 indicated by the layout advice to be appropriate, the user operates an "OK" button or the like displayed on the display. This causes the printer 112 to print the image 144 on the medium 142 in the layout presented as the layout advice.

[0248] (Printer Management) Next, management of the printer 112 by the management unit 134 will be described.

[0249] As an example, when the print area value exceeds a set value, the management unit 134 of this embodiment temporarily stops the printer 112. There are two management methods for when the print area value exceeds a set value during printing: a first stop process and a second stop process.

[0250] The first stop process stops the printer 112 if the print area value exceeds a set value while printing on the medium 142. This prevents the print area value subject to the service from increasing, and the user is not charged any additional fees.

[0251] In the second stop process, if the print area value exceeds a set value while printing on the medium 142, the printer 112 is stopped after printing on the medium 142 is completed. As a result, even if the print area value exceeds the set value, the user can obtain the printed matter, but a new charge will be incurred according to the print area value that exceeds the set value.

[0252] Whether to perform the first stop process or the second stop process is selected by the user. Therefore, if the print area value exceeds the set value while printing on the medium 142, a notification prompting the user to select either the first stop process or the second stop process is sent via the user terminal 116B or the printer 112. Whether to perform the first stop process or the second stop process may also be set in advance.

[0253] Furthermore, the printer service system 110 of this embodiment may estimate, before printing, whether the print area value will exceed a set value. Therefore, the derivation unit 130 of this embodiment derives the total value of the area already printed on the medium 142 and the area to be printed on the medium 142 as the print area value. The comparison unit 132 then compares the total value with the set value. Therefore, the storage unit 122 stores the print area value already printed on the medium 142 as a cumulative value.

[0254] If the total value exceeds the set value while printing on the medium 142, the management unit 134 notifies the user (issues an alert) before the printer 112 prints. The notification is sent via the user terminal 116B or the printer 112, for example, by displaying the information on a screen, outputting sound or light, or a combination of display, sound, and light. This allows the user to determine whether the print area value will exceed the set value before the planned printing. The user then selects whether or not to print. If printing is performed, a new charge will be incurred based on the print area value that exceeds the set value.

[0255] The management unit 134 also notifies the user of the remaining area value, which is the difference between the total print area value and the set value. The remaining area value is notified via the user terminal 116B or the printer 112. This allows the user to know the remaining print area value until the set value is reached.

[0256] In addition, the management unit 134 notifies the user (alerts) when the remaining area value, which is the difference between the total print area value and the set value, reaches a preset value. The notification that the preset remaining area value has been reached is sent via the user terminal 116B or the printer 112. This allows the user to recognize that the print area value has reached the desired remaining area value. Note that with large printers like the printer 112 of this embodiment, some users print large areas at once, while others print large quantities of small areas. Therefore, user convenience is enhanced by notifying the user of the remaining area value desired by the user so that the printer 112 can be used by a variety of users.

[0257] (Printer Operations Not Subject to Print Area Values) In the printer service system 110 of this embodiment, operations of the printer 112 that are not subject to the derivation of print area values ​​are preset. In other words, by setting operations of the printer 112 that are not subject to service, or in other words, charges, the user's satisfaction is increased.

[0258] An example of an operation of the printer 112 that is not subject to service is printing for maintenance of the printer 112. Printing for maintenance includes, for example, printing to clean the nozzles of the inkjet head and printing for a nozzle check to detect nozzle malfunctions. These are not printing operations for forming a user-desired image 144 on the medium 142, and therefore are not subject to derivation of a print area value. Note that whether the printer 112 is performing the above-mentioned printing for maintenance can be determined, for example, based on the operating mode of the printer 112. In other words, if the printer 112 operates in a maintenance mode for cleaning or checking the nozzles, the derivation unit 130 does not derive a print area value.

[0259] Furthermore, operations of the printer 112 that are not subject to the derivation of the print area value are prints in which a print error caused by the printer 112 occurs. These print errors include system errors in which the printer 112 stops (freezes) for some reason during printing, mechanical failures that stop the transport of the medium 142 in the sub-scanning direction or the movement of the inkjet head in the main scanning direction, clogged inkjet head nozzles or filters, and printing application problems such as RIP errors. If image formation on the medium 142 stops midway due to such a print error, the user will not be able to obtain the printed material. For this reason, prints in which such print errors occur are not subject to the derivation of the print area value.

[0260] The presence or absence of a printing error is determined, for example, by a notification from the printer 112 that a printing error has occurred, a notification from the printer 112 that printing has completed, or a notification of a printing error based on big data analysis or AI analysis.

[0261] (When the contract covers multiple printers) For example, if the user is a parent company and contracts for printers 112 to be used by a subsidiary, the user may be loaned multiple printers 112 by a dealer. The multiple printers 112 do not necessarily have to be installed at the same business location of the user.

[0262] If a user is loaned multiple printers 112 from a dealer, the deriving unit 130 derives the total value of the print area values ​​of the multiple printers 112, and the comparing unit 132 compares the total value with the set value. The set value may be set according to the number of printers 112 loaned to the user. As a result, for example, if a user is loaned two printers, A and B, and printer A has a large remaining area and printer B has a small remaining area, printer B can use the remaining area of ​​printer A. This allows the user to receive service without having to worry about the print area value and set value of the printer 112 that is used most frequently.

[0263] Furthermore, there are cases where the multiple printers 112 include different models, and the amount charged when the set value is exceeded differs for each printer 112. In such cases, the amount charged may be the amount set for the cheapest printer 112, an average amount, or a separate contract regarding the amount charged may be concluded.

[0264] (Generation of Service Information) In this embodiment, the server 118 provides service information to the user using data related to printing by the printer 112 and other data. The service information is generated by a service information generation unit 138. Examples of service information include maintenance timing information and consumable supply delivery information.

[0265] The maintenance timing information is information that indicates the timing of maintenance for the printer 112. The maintenance here refers to, for example, maintenance of the printer 112 performed by a worker dispatched to the user's business premises. The service information generation unit 138 determines the timing of maintenance based on the cumulative operating time of the printer 112, the time elapsed since the previous maintenance, etc.

[0266] The consumables delivery information indicates the timing for delivering consumables used in the printer, such as ink and media 142, to the user. The service information generation unit 138 calculates the timing for delivering the consumables to the user by predicting the consumption amount of the consumables used in the printer 112. The consumables delivery information is then sent to a business that handles the consumables, and the business then delivers the consumables to the user.

[0267] (Printing Process Flow) FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the printing process flow of this embodiment.

[0268] First, in step 100, print data is sent from user terminal 116B to printer 112. Incidentally, if necessary, print data is sent to server 118 via user terminal 116A.

[0269] In the next step 102, the derivation unit 130 derives the print area value of the area to be printed. The derivation of the print area value in step 102 is an estimation of the print area value of the area to be printed, and is performed using the first derivation method, second derivation method, or fourth derivation method described above. The reason for this is that although the print area value derived using the third derivation method is the most accurate, the third derivation method takes time to derive the print area value. On the other hand, the estimation of the print area value in step 102 indicates a rough estimate of the print area value of the area to be printed, and speed is more important than accuracy of the print area value. For this reason, it is preferable to derive the print area value using the first derivation method, second derivation method, or fourth derivation method, which can derive the print area value more quickly than the third derivation method.

[0270] In the next step 104, the derivation unit 130 reads out the total value (accumulated value) of the print area values ​​that have already been printed and that are stored in the storage unit 122. The derivation unit 130 then adds the total value read out from the storage unit 122 to the print area value derived in step 102 to calculate a total value that takes into account the print area value to be printed.

[0271] In the next step 106, the comparison unit 132 compares the total value calculated in step 104 with a preset value.

[0272] In the next step 108, the comparison unit 132 determines whether the total value is equal to or less than a set value. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 110, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 116.

[0273] In step 110, the printer 112 prints on the medium 142 based on the print data.

[0274] In step 112, the derivation unit 130 derives the print area value actually printed on the medium 142. The derivation of the print area value by the derivation unit 130 in step 112 is performed using a third derivation method, which can derive a more accurate print area value. Note that because deriving the print area value using the third derivation method takes time, the derivation of the print area value using the third derivation method may be performed in parallel with the printer 112 printing on the medium 142.

[0275] In the next step 114, a new total value is calculated by adding the total value (accumulated value) stored in the storage unit 122 to the print area value calculated in step 112. The new total value is stored in the storage unit 122, and the printing process ends.

[0276] In step 116, the management unit 134 notifies the user via the user terminal 116B or the printer 112 that the total value exceeds the set value.

[0277] In the next step 118, the management unit 134 determines whether a print instruction has been input from the user via the user terminal 116B or the printer 112, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 110. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the printer 112 does not perform printing, and the print process ends.

[0278] Although the present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiment, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-mentioned embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above-mentioned embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0279] For example, in the present embodiment, the derivation unit 130 is provided in the server 118, but this is not limiting, and the derivation unit 130 may be provided in at least one of the user terminal 116B and the printer 112. This makes it possible for the user terminal 116B and the printer 112 to manage the printer 112 even if they are unable to communicate with the server 118. The print area value derived by the user terminal 116A or the printer 112 is transmitted to and stored in the server 118 after communication with the server 118 becomes possible. The derivation unit 130 may also be provided in the user terminal 116A.

[0280] Furthermore, since the printer 112 is equipped with the derivation unit 130, the printer 112 derives the print area value based on the raster data, and therefore the print area value can be derived regardless of the manufacturer or type of RIP software installed in the user terminal 116B.

[0281] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the medium 142 is described as a planar medium such as paper, but this is not limiting. For example, the medium 142 may be cylindrical or conical, with the image 144 formed on its surface. In this case, the cylindrical or conical medium 142 is placed on a rotating device, and the printer 112 forms the image 144 while rotating it. In this case, the number of rotations of the medium 142 is used as needed when deriving the print area value. Furthermore, the medium 142 may be a three-dimensional object, with the image 144 formed on the surface of this three-dimensional object. When deriving the print area value by capturing an image of the three-dimensional medium 142, the medium 142 may be captured from multiple directions using multiple cameras, for example.

[0282] In this embodiment, a printer service is described in which a flat rate is charged when the print area value is equal to or less than a set value, and when the print area value exceeds the set value, a pay-per-use charge is applied in accordance with the print area value exceeding the set value. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the printer service may be configured to charge according to the print area value (pay-per-use charge) rather than a flat rate. In this case, the user would set a set value, for example, to prevent excessive costs for the printer 112.

[0283] 2-2 Embodiment As shown in FIG. 15, a printer service system 110 of this embodiment manages a 3D printer 160 that forms a model based on three-dimensional data (hereinafter referred to as "modeling data").

[0284] The configuration of the printer service system 110 of this embodiment is such that the printer 112 of the first embodiment is replaced with a 3D printer 160, and other configurations and functions are similar to those of the first embodiment. That is, the printer service of this embodiment manages the 3D printer 160 loaned to a user based on the comparison result between a modeling volume value, which is the volume of the object modeled by the 3D printer 160, and a setting value.

[0285] Therefore, in the printer service of this embodiment, the derivation unit 130 derives a modeling volume value, which is the volume of the object modeled by the 3D printer 160, the comparison unit 132 compares the modeling volume value derived by the derivation unit 130 with a preset setting value, and the management unit 134 manages the 3D printer 160 based on the comparison result by the comparison unit 132.

[0286] Next, derivation methods 1 to 3 for deriving the object volume value by the derivation unit 130 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 . FIGS. 16 and 17 show a modeled object 164 modeled on a table 162 of a 3D printer 160. As an example, the 3D printer 160 ejects ink (UV-curable ink) that serves as the material for the object 164 based on modeling data while moving an inkjet head relative to the table 162 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, thereby layering the ink to form the object 164. Note that the functions of the derivation unit 130 other than the function related to the derivation of the object volume value are the same as those in the first embodiment. The 3D printer 160 may be of any type, and may be a 3D printer that extrudes a material such as a resin filament or pellet to form the object 164, or a 3D printer that uses plaster, resin powder, or metal powder as a material and UV-cures or sinters the material to form the object 164.

[0287] 16 and 17 , the hatched cylinders are examples of the object 164, and two objects 164 with different heights are formed in one modeling job. The volume values ​​of the regions surrounded by dashed lines or dashed-dotted lines are the object volume values ​​derived by any of the first to third derivation methods. Which of the first to third derivation methods is used to derive the object volume value may be predetermined in a subscription contract, for example, or may be selected depending on the timing of derivation of the object volume value, as in the printing process described with reference to FIG. 14 .

[0288] (First Derivation Method) In the first derivation method and the second derivation method, the volume value of a bounding box 168, which is a three-dimensional area indicated by a dashed line as shown in FIG. 16 , is used as the printing volume value. In other words, the area enclosed by the bounding box 168 is subject to charging. In this embodiment, the bounding box 168 is a polyhedron such as a cube, but is not limited to this. The shape of the bounding box 168 may be a cylinder or the like, or a shape specified by the user to match the shape of the model 164. Furthermore, the printing volume value may also include the volume of support materials that support protruding portions and floating portions during modeling. In this case, the shape of the bounding box 168 includes the support material. This allows the administrator to charge for the use of the support material as well.

[0289] 16A, the modeling volume value obtained by the first derivation method is a value obtained by multiplying the base area S of one bounding box 168 that surrounds one or more models 164 by the height H of the model 164. In this way, the bounding box 168 surrounds the entirety of one or more models 164 included in one modeling job.

[0290] As an example, the bounding box 168 is derived based on the modeling data. That is, the bottom surface of the bounding box 168 is set so as to include the outermost positions of all the models 164 indicated by the modeling data. The height of the model 164 indicated by the modeling data is set as the height H of the bounding box 168. Note that if a modeling job includes multiple models 164 and the heights of the multiple models 164 are different, the highest height may be set as the height H of the bounding box 168, or the average value of the heights of the multiple models 164 may be set as the height H of the bounding box 168.

[0291] Furthermore, for example, the area surrounded by the bounding box 168 may be derived based on imaging data obtained by imaging the completed modeling of the modeled object 164. That is, the modeled object 164 is detected by performing image recognition on the imaging data, the bottom surface of the bounding box 168 is set so as to include the outermost positions of all the modeled objects 164, and the height H of the bounding box 168 is set to the height of the modeled object 164. Note that the camera that acquires the imaging data may be installed in the 3D printer 160 or may be installed separately from the 3D printer 160.

[0292] Furthermore, the derivation unit 130 of this embodiment displays the area surrounded by the bounding box 168 on a display to allow the user to confirm the printing area that will be charged. The display may be, for example, a display provided in the user terminal 116B or a display provided in the 3D printer 160. For this purpose, the server 118 transmits image data indicating the area surrounded by the bounding box 168 to the user terminal 116B or the 3D printer 160 via the user terminal 116A.

[0293] (Second Derivation Method) As shown in FIG. 16B , the printing volume value according to the second derivation method is the sum of values ​​obtained by multiplying the base area S of one or more bounding boxes 168 that surround each of the printing objects 164 by the height H of each of the printing objects 164. In the example of FIG. 16B , a bounding box 168 is set for each of the two cylindrical printing objects 164. The printing volume value is then the sum of the volumes of the two bounding boxes 168. With the second derivation method, the printing volume value derived is smaller than with the first derivation method. Furthermore, the base area S of the bounding box 168 may be the base area including the supporting material. This allows the administrator to include the usage of the supporting material in the fee.

[0294] In the second derivation method, as in the first derivation method, the area surrounded by the bounding box 168 is determined based on the print data or the photographed data. That is, the position and size of each of the objects 164 are detected from the print data or the photographed data, and a rectangular bounding box 168 is set so as to include the outermost position of each of the objects 164. The area surrounded by the bounding box 168 is displayed on the display of the user terminal 116B or the printer 112.

[0295] (Third Derivation Method) As shown in Fig. 17 , the modeling volume value obtained by the third derivation method is a region into which material (ink in this embodiment) is ejected to form the model 164. As shown in the region 170 surrounded by the dashed dotted line in Fig. 17 , in the third derivation method, the volume of the model 164 itself is used as the modeling volume value. For this reason, the third derivation method results in the smallest modeling volume value compared to the other derivation methods.

[0296] The object-forming volume value obtained by the third derivation method may be derived based on the object-forming data, for example. That is, the object 164 obtained from the object-forming data itself corresponds to the ink ejection area. Furthermore, the object-forming volume value obtained by the third derivation method may be derived based on image data obtained by photographing the object 164 after the completion of its formation, for example.

[0297] Although the present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiment, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-mentioned embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above-mentioned embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0298] (Effects of the Embodiment) (23) The printer management method by the printer service system 110 of this embodiment is a method for managing a printer 112 that prints an image 144 on a medium 142 based on print data, and includes the following steps: a first step in which a derivation unit 130 derives a print area value that is the area of ​​the area printed on the medium 142 by the printer 112; a second step in which a comparison unit 132 compares the print area value derived by the derivation unit 130 with a preset setting value; and a third step in which a management unit 134 manages the printer 112 based on the comparison result by the comparison unit 132. According to this embodiment, by using the comparison result between the print area value and the preset setting value, it is possible to provide a printer service to a user with simple management.

[0299] (24) The print area value in this embodiment may be the area value of a single bounding box 146 that surrounds the entire print area for the medium 142. According to this embodiment, the print area value can be easily derived, and the user's usage of the printer 112 can be easily managed.

[0300] (25) The print area value in this embodiment may be the sum of the area values ​​of one or more bounding boxes 146 surrounding each individual image 144 printed on the medium 142. According to this embodiment, the print area value can be easily derived, and the user's usage of the printer 112 can be easily managed.

[0301] (26) The derivation unit 130 of this embodiment may display the bounding box 146 on the display. According to this embodiment, the user can easily check the print area that is the target of the service.

[0302] (27) The print area value in this embodiment may be the area value of the ink ejection region that forms the image 144 on the medium 142. According to this embodiment, the print area value can be derived more accurately, and the user's usage of the printer 112 can be easily managed.

[0303] (28) The print area value of this embodiment may be derived based on the usage amount of the media 142. According to this embodiment, the print area value can be easily derived, and the usage status of the printer 112 by the user can be easily managed.

[0304] (29) The user may be presented with an arrangement of the image 144 that will result in a smaller bounding box 146. According to this embodiment, an increase in the print area value that is the target of the service can be suppressed.

[0305] (30) In this embodiment, the management unit 134 may stop the printer 112 if the print area value exceeds a set value while printing on the medium 142. This embodiment can prevent the print area value subject to service from increasing.

[0306] (31) In this embodiment, if the print area value exceeds a set value while printing on the medium 142, the management unit 134 may stop the printer 112 after printing on the medium 142 is completed. According to this embodiment, the user can obtain the printed material even if the print area value exceeds the set value.

[0307] (32) In this embodiment, the derivation unit 130 may derive the total value of the area already printed on the medium 142 and the area to be printed on the medium 142 as the print area value, and the comparison unit 132 may compare the total value with a set value. According to this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the print area value exceeds the set value before printing.

[0308] (33) In this embodiment, if the total value exceeds a set value while printing is being performed on the medium 142, the management unit 134 may notify the user before the printer 112 performs printing. According to this embodiment, the user can recognize whether the print area value will exceed the set value before printing.

[0309] (34) The management unit 134 of this embodiment may notify the user of the remaining area value, which is the difference between the total value and the set value. According to this embodiment, the user can recognize the remaining print area value until the set value is reached.

[0310] (35) The management unit 134 of this embodiment may notify the user when the remaining area value, which is the difference between the total value and the set value, reaches a preset value. According to this embodiment, the user can recognize that the print area value has reached the desired remaining area value.

[0311] (36) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the operation of the printer 112 that is not subject to the derivation of the print area value may be preset. According to this embodiment, the operation of the printer 112 that is not subject to the service is set, thereby increasing user satisfaction.

[0312] (37) The operation of the printer 112 that is not subject to the derivation of the print area value in this embodiment may be printing in which a printing error occurred due to the printer 112. According to this embodiment, by setting the operation of the printer 112 that is not subject to the service, user satisfaction is increased.

[0313] (38) In this embodiment, there may be a plurality of printers 112, and the derivation unit 130 may derive the sum of the print area values ​​of the plurality of printers 112, and the comparison unit 132 may compare the sum with a set value. According to this embodiment, when a service is provided to a plurality of printers 112, the sum of the print area values ​​of the plurality of printers 112 is compared with the set value, so that the user can receive the service without having to worry about the print area value and set value of the printer 112 that is used most frequently.

[0314] (39) The derivation unit 130 of this embodiment may be provided in at least one of the user terminal 116B used by the user and the printer 112. According to this embodiment, the printer 112 can be managed by the information processing device and the printer 112.

[0315] (40) The printer management method of this embodiment may charge a flat rate when the print area value is equal to or less than a set value, and may charge according to the print area value that exceeds the set value when the print area value exceeds the set value.

[0316] (41) The printer management method of this embodiment may charge according to the print area value.

[0317] (42) A printer management method of this embodiment is a management method for a 3D printer 160 that forms a model 164 based on three-dimensional data, and includes the following steps: a first step in which a derivation unit 130 derives a modeling volume value that is the volume of the model 164 formed by the 3D printer 160; a second step in which a comparison unit 132 compares the modeling volume value derived by the derivation unit 130 with a preset setting value; and a third step in which a management unit 134 manages the 3D printer 160 based on the comparison result by the comparison unit 132. According to this embodiment, by using the comparison result between the modeling volume value and the preset setting value, it is possible to provide printer services to a user with simple management.

[0318] (43) The printing volume value in this embodiment may be a value obtained by multiplying the base area S of one bounding box 168 that surrounds one or more objects 164 by the height H of the object 164. According to this embodiment, the printing volume value can be easily derived, and the usage status of the 3D printer 160 by the user can be easily managed.

[0319] (44) In this embodiment, the printing volume value may be the sum of values ​​obtained by multiplying the base area S of one or more bounding boxes 168 that surround each of the objects 164 by the height H of each of the objects 164. According to this embodiment, the printing area value can be easily derived, and the usage status of the 3D printer 160 by the user can be easily managed.

[0320] (45) In this embodiment, the object-forming volume value may be the region 170 onto which material is discharged to form the object 164. According to this embodiment, the object-forming volume value can be derived more accurately, and the user's usage of the 3D printer 160 can be easily managed.

[0321] Third Embodiment A printer service system 210 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 18 is a schematic overall view of the printer service system 210 according to this embodiment.

[0322] The printer service system 210 includes a printer 212, a dealer terminal 214, user terminals 216A and 216B, and a server 218. In this embodiment, the printer service system 210 is configured such that a dealer, who is the administrator, rents out a printer 212 owned by the dealer to a user under specified contractual conditions, and the user uses the printer 212. The specified contractual conditions may be, for example, a subscription contract (hereinafter referred to as a "subscription contract") in which the user pays a fixed monthly fee to the dealer.

[0323] In other words, the subscription contract of this embodiment is a contract in which a dealer rents a printer 212 to a user for a fixed fee for a specified period of time, and the printer service system 210 of this embodiment executes a printer management method. Note that, while the dealer and the user are, for example, corporations, they are not limited to this and may also be individuals.

[0324] The printer 212 is, for example, a printing device (2D printer) that prints on a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as "media") based on print data transmitted from user terminals 216A and 216B. The printer 212 is owned by a dealer, but is rented to a user based on a subscription contract and installed, for example, at the user's business premises. The printer 212 of this embodiment is, for example, a large-format industrial printer that prints on large-sized media that is not included in standards such as JIS. The media may be paper or a flat material other than paper. The printer 212 is, for example, an inkjet printer that forms an image on the media by moving the inkjet head, which ejects ink, the printing material, onto the media, relative to the media.

[0325] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the relative movement of a carriage 222 equipped with an inkjet head 220. As shown in FIG.

[0326] Figure 19(A) shows a printer 212 in which roll paper is used as the medium 224. The printer 212 shown in Figure 19(A) includes guide rails 226 extending in the main scanning direction Y, a carriage 222 that is supported by the guide rails 226 and moves in the main scanning direction Y, an inkjet head 220 that is mounted on the carriage 222 and ejects ink onto the medium 224, and a table 228 on which the medium 224 is placed. Note that the medium 224 in Figure 19(A) is roll paper, as an example.

[0327] 19A performs printing in the main scanning direction Y by moving an inkjet head 220 in the main scanning direction Y relative to a medium 224 and ejecting ink from the nozzles of the inkjet head 220 mounted on a carriage 222 toward the medium 224. Then, every time printing in the main scanning direction Y is completed, the printer 212 transports the medium 224 in a sub-scanning direction X, which is perpendicular to the main scanning direction Y, using a transport device (not shown).

[0328] Figure 19(B) shows a printer 212 in which the medium 224 is not transported. The printer 212 shown in Figure 19(B) is equipped with guide rails 226, guide rails 230 extending in the sub-scanning direction X, an inkjet head 220 supported by the guide rails 226 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction Y, and a table 228 on which the entire medium 224 is placed. In other words, because the entire medium 224 in Figure 19(B) is placed on the table 228, it is not transported in the sub-scanning direction X as in Figure 19(A). Note that a pair of guide rails 230 are provided on the left and right sides of the table 228.

[0329] 19B performs printing in the main scanning direction Y by moving the inkjet head 220 in the main scanning direction Y relative to the medium 224 and ejecting ink from the nozzles of the inkjet head 220 toward the medium 224. Then, every time printing in the main scanning direction Y is completed, the printer 212 moves the carriage 222 a predetermined amount along the guide rails 230 and performs printing in the main scanning direction Y again.

[0330] 19A or 19B. The movement of the inkjet head 220 in the main scanning direction Y is called a scan, and the distance the carriage 222 moves in each scan is called the scan width. The sub-scanning direction X is called a feed, and the distance the carriage 222 or the medium 224 moves in the sub-scanning direction X in one print is also called the feed length.

[0331] Furthermore, the printer 212 of this embodiment performs printing using ink that hardens when exposed to light of a predetermined wavelength. The light of the predetermined wavelength is, for example, ultraviolet light, and the ink ejected from the inkjet head 220 is ultraviolet-curable ink (hereinafter also referred to as "UV ink"). Therefore, the carriage 222 includes an irradiation unit 232 that irradiates the ejected ink with light of the predetermined wavelength. The irradiation unit 232 is provided on at least one of the left and right sides of the inkjet head 220.

[0332] Furthermore, the printer 212 of this embodiment may be capable of three-dimensional printing by ejecting UV ink from the carriage 222 onto the same position multiple times, such as 2.5D printing, thick printing, and overlapping printing.

[0333] The dealer terminal 214 is an information processing device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal, and is capable of communicating with the server 218 and the printer 212. Software (hereinafter referred to as "dealer software") is installed on the dealer terminal 214 for configuring various settings related to the printer service and for checking the usage status of the printer 212 rented to the user.

[0334] The server 218 manages various information based on a subscription contract between the dealer and the user, analyzes the user's usage of the printer 212, and provides service information based on the analysis results. The server 218 is capable of communicating with the dealer terminal 214, the user terminal 216A, and other information processing devices.

[0335] The user terminals 216A and 216B are information processing devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers, smartphones, tablet terminals, etc. The user terminal 216A is capable of communicating with the server 218 and the printer 212 rented to the user.

[0336] Software for using the printer service (hereinafter referred to as "user software") is installed on the user terminal 216A. The user software acquires various information related to the operating status of the printer 212 and transmits it to the server 218. Communication is also possible between the user terminal 216B and the user terminal 216A.

[0337] The user terminal 216B generates print data and sends it to the printer 212. In this embodiment, as an example, the user terminal 216B has RIP (Raster Image Processor) software installed to convert print data into a raster image. The user terminal 216B may be a single unit or multiple units. The user terminal 216A may also generate print data for the printer 212 and send it to the printer 212.

[0338] The printer service of this embodiment derives a relative movement value, which is a value based on the relative movement of the inkjet head 220 (carriage 222) with respect to the medium 224 or the table 228, and compares the derived relative movement value with a preset setting value. In other words, the setting value is a threshold value for managing the printer 212 based on the relative movement value. In the following description, the relative movement value is referred to as scan information. The printer service then manages the printer 212 based on the comparison result between the scan information and the setting value.

[0339] In this way, the printer service of this embodiment manages the printer 212 based on the scan information. The reason for this is that the movement of the carriage 222 generates a mechanical load on the printer 212. In other words, the printer service of this embodiment manages the mechanical load that accompanies the movement of the carriage 222.

[0340] Managing the printer 212 means, for example, stopping the printer 212 when the scan information exceeds a set value, or allowing the printer 212 to print even if the set value is exceeded if the user pays an additional fee. That is, the printer service of this embodiment, for example, charges a flat rate when the scan information is equal to or less than a set value, and charges (pay-per-use) according to the scan information that exceeds the set value when the scan information exceeds the set value. The flat rate is a monthly fee paid in advance, and the pay-per-use fee is a postpaid fee according to the scan information that exceeds the set value.

[0341] In this way, the printer service of this embodiment can provide the user with a printer service through easy management by using the results of comparing the scan information with preset setting values.

[0342] 20 is a functional block diagram of the server 218 for the printer service of this embodiment. The server 218 includes a calculation unit 240, a storage unit 242, and a communication unit 244.

[0343] The calculation unit 240 is a computer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and includes a derivation unit 250, a comparison unit 252, a management unit 254, and a service information generation unit 258. The functions of the derivation unit 250, the comparison unit 252, the management unit 254, and the service information generation unit 258 are realized by executing a program stored in a storage unit 242 included in the server 218.

[0344] The derivation unit 250 derives the scan information.

[0345] The comparison unit 252 compares the scan information derived by the derivation unit 250 with a preset setting value.

[0346] The management unit 254 manages the printer 212 based on the comparison result by the comparison unit 252 .

[0347] The service information generating unit 258 generates service information based on the usage status of the printer 212 by the user.

[0348] The storage unit 242 stores programs for executing various processes related to printer services, as well as registration information for dealers, users, and the printer 212, and various other programs and data.

[0349] The communication unit 244 transmits and receives information to and from the dealer terminal 214, the user terminal 216A, and other information processing devices.

[0350] Next, scan information derivation methods 1 to 4 by the derivation unit 250 will be described. Which of the first to fourth derivation methods is used to derive the scan information is determined in advance, for example, in the subscription contract. Furthermore, information used for the scan information is transmitted from the printer 212 or the user terminals 216A and 216B to the server 218 as needed.

[0351] (First Derivation Method) The first derivation method derives scan information using the number of scans that the inkjet head 220 has performed relative movement. That is, in the first derivation method, the number of scans is used as scan information. This makes it possible to easily derive scan information. As a method for counting the number of scans by the derivation unit 250, for example, the following methods 1 to 5 are used.

[0352] Counting Method 1: The number of scans is calculated based on an instruction signal that moves the carriage 222 relative to the printer 212. This number of scans is obtained by acquiring the number of times an instruction signal is output in firmware that controls the printer 212. Counting Method 1 is easy to implement and can accurately acquire the number of scans. Counting Method 1 also prevents the number of scans from being unable to be calculated due to a mechanical failure.

[0353] Counting method 2: The number of scans is determined based on the detection result of a sensor, such as a switch or pressure sensor, that counts when the carriage 222 makes contact. The sensor is installed, for example, near one end of the guide rail 226, but the installation location is not limited as long as the sensor makes contact each time the carriage 222 moves relative to the guide rail. In this way, counting method 2 derives the number of scans based on the detection result of a sensor installed in the printer 212. Counting method 2 is easy to implement and can accurately obtain the number of scans.

[0354] Counting method 3: The number of scans is calculated based on the results of capturing images of the relative movement of the carriage 222 by a camera. More specifically, the camera captures a video of the relative movement of the carriage 222 in the main scanning direction Y, and the number of scans is calculated by image recognition of the captured image. Note that the installation location of the camera is not limited as long as it can capture images of the relative movement of the carriage 222.

[0355] Counting method 4: A sensor capable of detecting the movement direction of the carriage 222, such as a gyro sensor or an inertial sensor, is installed on the carriage 222. This sensor then detects the number of times the movement direction of the carriage 222 has changed, and this detection result is used as the number of scans. In this way, counting method 4 derives the number of scans based on the detection result from the sensor installed in the printer 212. Counting method 4 is easy to implement and can accurately obtain the number of scans. Furthermore, because the sensor is installed inside the carriage 222, the sensor can be installed compactly.

[0356] Counting Method 5: The number of scans is calculated based on the print data for printing and the print mode of the printer 212. For example, the number of scans is calculated based on the length of the print data in the sub-scanning direction X and the image quality of the print data. The number of scans is also calculated based on the print mode, such as "fine," "standard," or "fast." That is, a "fine" print mode results in a large number of scans, and a "fast" print mode results in a small number of scans. Counting Method 5 is easy to implement and can prevent the number of scans from being unable to be calculated due to mechanical failure.

[0357] If the scan information is the number of scans, a wider scan width will result in more ink being ejected even if the number of scans is the same, which may create a sense of unfairness for the user. Note that the scan width differs depending on the width of the media 224 and the width of the table 228.

[0358] Therefore, the management unit 254 of this embodiment manages the printer 212 based on the width in the main scanning direction Y and the number of scans. Specifically, the management unit 254 changes the settings of the scan information and the billing table based on the maximum print width for the medium 224, the width of the table 228, etc. The management unit 254 may also change the billing amount based on the ratio of the width of the medium 224 or the width of the table 228 to the actual print width (scan width).

[0359] (Second Derivation Method) In the second derivation method, scan information is derived using the distance traveled by the carriage 222 relative to the medium while ejecting ink (hereinafter referred to as the "scan distance"). That is, in the second derivation method, the scan distance is used as the scan information. The scan distance is the total distance traveled by the carriage 222 in the main scanning direction Y on the medium 224 to perform one print. This makes it possible to easily derive scan information regardless of the width of the medium 224. As a method for measuring the scan distance by the derivation unit 250, for example, methods 1 to 4 below are used.

[0360] Measurement Method 1: The scan distance is calculated based on an instruction signal that moves the carriage 222 relatively. For example, the scan distance is calculated by multiplying the distance traveled by the carriage 222 for each scan by the number of scans obtained from the firmware. Measurement Method 1 is easy to implement and can accurately obtain the number of scans. Furthermore, Measurement Method 1 can prevent the number of scans from being unable to be calculated due to mechanical failure.

[0361] The distance (scan width) that the carriage 222 moves for each scan may be a constant value depending on the width of the table 228, may be calculated for each scan based on the print data, or may be calculated as the average value of multiple scans based on the print data.

[0362] Measurement method 2: The scan distance is derived based on the results of a camera capturing images of the relative movement of the carriage 222. More specifically, the camera captures a video of the relative movement of the carriage 222 in the main scanning direction Y, and the captured images are recognized to derive the scan distance.

[0363] Measurement method 3: A sensor capable of detecting the movement direction of the carriage 222, such as a gyro sensor or an inertial sensor, is installed on the carriage 222. This sensor then detects the number of times the movement direction of the carriage 222 has changed, and the result of this detection is multiplied by the distance traveled by the carriage 222 for each scan to derive the scan distance. In this way, measurement method 3 derives the scan distance based on the detection result of the sensor installed in the printer 212.

[0364] Measurement Method 4: The scan distance is calculated based on the print data and print mode used for printing. For example, the number of scans is calculated based on the length of the print data in the sub-scanning direction X and the image quality of the print data. The scan distance is then calculated from the calculated number of scans and the distance traveled by the carriage 222 for each scan.

[0365] (Third Derivation Method) The third derivation method derives scan information using the distance the carriage 222 moves relative to the sub-scanning direction X (hereinafter referred to as the "feed length"). That is, in the second derivation method, the scan distance is used as the feed length. This makes it possible to easily derive scan information regardless of the width of the media 224. As a method for measuring the feed length by the derivation unit 250, for example, methods 1 to 4 below are used. Note that in any of the following measurement methods, areas in the feed direction where ink is not ejected (for example, above and below the media 224) may be excluded from the charge, or areas where ink is not ejected may also be subject to the charge.

[0366] Measurement method 1: The feed length is calculated based on an instruction signal for relatively moving the carriage 222. For example, the number of scans is obtained from the firmware, and the obtained number of scans is multiplied by the distance that the carriage 222 or the medium 224 moves in the sub-scanning direction X for each scan.

[0367] Measurement method 2: The feed length is derived based on the results of a camera capturing images of the relative movement of the carriage 222. More specifically, the camera captures images of the movement of the carriage 222 or the medium 224 in the sub-scanning direction X, and the feed length is derived by image recognition of the captured images.

[0368] In 2.5D printing, thick printing, overlapping printing, etc., multiple scans may be performed at the same position to increase the thickness of the print. Therefore, in such printing, the feed length measured by the camera is multiplied by a coefficient corresponding to each printing.

[0369] Measurement method 3: A sensor capable of detecting the movement direction of the carriage 222, such as a gyro sensor or inertial sensor, is installed on the carriage 222. This sensor then detects the number of times the movement direction of the carriage 222 has changed, and this detection result is multiplied by the distance that the carriage 222 or the medium 224 moves in the sub-scanning direction X for each scan. In this way, measurement method 3 derives the feed length based on the detection result from the sensor installed in the printer 212.

[0370] Measurement Method 4: The feed length is calculated based on the print data and print mode used for printing. For example, the feed length is calculated based on the length of the print data in the sub-scanning direction X and the image quality set in the print mode. Note that the number of scans varies depending on the image quality, so the feed length is calculated by multiplying the length coefficient of the print data in the sub-scanning direction X with "standard" as the base. For example, if the print mode is "standard," the coefficient is 1, if "better," the coefficient is 2, and if "fast," the coefficient is 0.7.

[0371] (Fourth Derivation Method) The scan information may be a combination of at least two of the number of scans, the scan distance, and the feed length. For example, the scan distance (average distance) for one scan is multiplied by the feed length to calculate the area of ​​the region traveled by the carriage 222 (hereinafter referred to as the "covered area"). This covered area is used as the scan information.

[0372] Furthermore, if the number of scans increases depending on the set print mode or print thickness, the cover area may be multiplied by a coefficient corresponding to the increased number of scans.

[0373] (Scanning for UV Ink Curing) When the ink used in the printer 212 is UV ink, the relative movement of the carriage 222 for curing the UV ink also generates a mechanical load, and therefore the scan information includes a value based on the scan for curing the UV ink by the carriage 222 (hereinafter referred to as "curing scan information"). The curing scan information is derived when scanning is performed while irradiating ultraviolet light from the irradiation unit 232 in order to cure the UV ink ejected onto the medium 224, without ejecting UV ink from the inkjet head 220.

[0374] The curing scan information is derived in the same manner as the scan information described above. The scan information is the sum of the scan information when UV ink is ejected and the curing scan information. Note that when ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the irradiation unit 232 while UV ink is being ejected, the curing scan information is not derived.

[0375] (Printer Management) Next, management of the printer 212 by the management unit 254 will be described.

[0376] As an example, when the scan information exceeds a set value, the management unit 254 of this embodiment temporarily stops the printer 212. There are two management methods for when the scan information exceeds a set value during printing: a first stop process and a second stop process.

[0377] The set value is preset according to the scan information, such as the number of scans, the scan distance, the feed length, or a combination of these. That is, the set value varies depending on the method for deriving the scan information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The set value may be the same regardless of the scan information, and the scan information derived by each derivation method may be multiplied by a coefficient according to the derivation method.

[0378] The first stop process stops the printer 212 if the scan information exceeds a set value while printing is being performed on the medium 224. This prevents an increase in the amount of scan information that is subject to the service, and the user is not charged any additional fees.

[0379] In the second stop process, if the scan information exceeds a set value while printing onto the medium 224, the printer 212 is stopped after printing onto the medium 224 is completed. As a result, even if the scan information exceeds the set value, the user can still obtain the printed matter, but a new charge will be incurred according to the scan information that exceeds the set value.

[0380] Whether to perform the first stop process or the second stop process is selected by the user. Therefore, if the scan information exceeds a set value while printing is being performed on the medium 224, a notification prompting the user to select either the first stop process or the second stop process is sent via the user terminal 216B or the printer 212. Whether to perform the first stop process or the second stop process may also be set in advance.

[0381] Furthermore, the printer service system 210 of this embodiment may estimate, before printing, whether the scan information will exceed a set value. Therefore, the derivation unit 250 of this embodiment derives the sum of the scan information that has already been printed on the medium 224 and the scan information that is scheduled to be printed on the medium 224. The comparison unit 252 then compares the sum with the set value. Therefore, the storage unit 242 stores the scan information that has already been printed on the medium 224 as a cumulative value.

[0382] If the total value exceeds the set value while printing on the media 224, the management unit 254 notifies the user (issues an alert) before the printer 212 prints. The notification is given via the user terminal 216B or the printer 212, for example, by displaying the information on a screen, outputting sound or light, or a combination of display, sound, and light. This allows the user to determine whether the scan information exceeds the set value before the planned printing. The user then selects whether or not to print. If printing is performed, a new charge will be incurred according to the scan information that exceeds the set value.

[0383] The management unit 254 also notifies the user of remaining scan information (remaining relative movement value), which is the difference between the total value of the scan information and the set value. The remaining scan information is notified via the user terminal 216B or the printer 212. This allows the user to recognize the remaining scan information until the set value is reached.

[0384] In addition, the management unit 254 notifies the user (issues an alert) when the remaining scan information, which is the difference between the total value of the scan information and a set value, reaches a preset value. Notification that the preset remaining scan information has been reached is sent via the user terminal 216B or the printer 212. This allows the user to recognize that the desired remaining scan information has been reached. Note that with large-format printers like the printer 212 of this embodiment, some users print large areas at once, while others print large quantities of small areas. Therefore, user convenience is enhanced by providing notifications with the user's desired remaining scan information so that the printer 212 can be used by a variety of users.

[0385] The printable area may be displayed according to the remaining scan information. The printable area is calculated according to the print mode. That is, if the image quality set in the print mode is "fine," the printable area will be relatively smaller even with the same remaining scan information, and if the image quality set in the print mode is "fast," the printable area will be relatively larger even with the same remaining scan information.

[0386] (Printer Operations Not Subject to Scan Information) In the printer service system 210 of this embodiment, operations of the printer 212 that are not subject to derivation of scan information are preset. In other words, by setting operations of the printer 212 that are not subject to service, in other words, charges, user satisfaction is increased.

[0387] An example of an operation of the printer 212 that is not subject to service is printing for maintenance of the printer 212. Printing for maintenance includes, for example, printing for cleaning the nozzles of the inkjet head and printing for a nozzle check to detect nozzle malfunctions. These are not printing operations for forming an image desired by the user on the medium 224, and therefore are not subject to derivation of scan information. Note that whether the printer 212 is performing the above-mentioned printing for maintenance can be determined based on, for example, the operating mode of the printer 212. In other words, if the printer 212 operates in a maintenance mode for cleaning or checking the nozzles, the derivation unit 250 does not derive scan information.

[0388] Furthermore, operations of the printer 212 that are not subject to the derivation of scan information are prints in which a print error caused by the printer 212 occurs. These print errors include system errors in which the printer 212 stops (freezes) during printing for some reason, mechanical malfunctions that stop the transport of the medium 224 in the sub-scanning direction or the movement of the inkjet head in the main scanning direction, clogged inkjet head nozzles or filters, and printing application problems such as RIP errors. If image formation on the medium 224 stops midway due to such a print error, the user will not be able to obtain the printed material. For this reason, prints in which such print errors occur are not subject to the derivation of scan information.

[0389] The presence or absence of a printing error is determined, for example, by a notification from the printer 212 that a printing error has occurred, a notification from the printer 212 that printing has completed, or a notification of a printing error based on big data analysis or AI analysis.

[0390] (When the contract covers multiple printers) For example, when the user is a parent company and contracts for printers 212 to be used in a subsidiary, the user may be loaned multiple printers 212 by a dealer. The multiple printers 212 do not necessarily have to be installed in the same place of business of the user.

[0391] If the user is loaned multiple printers 212 by a dealer, the derivation unit 250 derives the total value of the scan information of the multiple printers 212, and the comparison unit 252 compares the total value with the set value. The set value may be set according to the number of printers 212 loaned to the user. As a result, for example, if the user is loaned two printers, A and B, and printer A has a lot of remaining scan information and printer B has a little remaining scan information, printer B can use the remaining scan information of printer A. This allows the user to receive service without having to worry about the scan information and set value of the printer 212 that is used most frequently.

[0392] Furthermore, there are cases where the multiple printers 212 include different models, and the amount charged when the set value is exceeded differs for each printer 212. In such cases, the amount charged may be the amount set for the cheapest printer 212, an average amount, or a separate contract regarding the amount charged may be concluded.

[0393] (Generation of Service Information) In this embodiment, the server 218 provides service information to the user using data related to printing by the printer 212 and other data. The service information is generated by a service information generation unit 258. Examples of service information include maintenance timing information and consumable delivery information.

[0394] The maintenance timing information is information that indicates the timing of maintenance for the printer 212. The maintenance here refers to, for example, maintenance of the printer 212 performed by a worker dispatched to the user's business premises. The service information generation unit 258 determines the timing of maintenance based on the cumulative operating time of the printer 212, the time elapsed since the previous maintenance, etc.

[0395] The consumables delivery information indicates the timing for delivering consumables used in the printer, such as ink and media 224, to the user. The service information generation unit 258 calculates the timing for delivering the consumables to the user by predicting the consumption amount of the consumables used in the printer 212. The consumables delivery information is then sent to a business that handles the consumables, and the business then delivers the consumables to the user.

[0396] (Printing Process Flow) FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the printing process flow of this embodiment.

[0397] First, in step 100, print data is sent from user terminal 216B to printer 212. Incidentally, if necessary, print data is sent to server 218 via user terminal 216A.

[0398] In the next step 102, the derivation unit 250 derives scan information for the scheduled printing operation. The derivation of scan information in step 102 is an estimation of scan information for the scheduled printing operation, and is performed by one of the derivation methods described above that is determined in advance in the subscription contract.

[0399] In the next step 104, the derivation unit 250 reads out the total value (accumulated value) of the executed scan information stored in the storage unit 242. Then, the derivation unit 250 adds the total value read out from the storage unit 242 to the scan information derived in step 102 to calculate a total value that takes into account the scan information of the scheduled printing operation.

[0400] In the next step 106, the comparison unit 252 compares the total value calculated in step 104 with a preset value.

[0401] In the next step 108, the comparison unit 252 determines whether the total value is equal to or less than a set value. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 110, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 116.

[0402] In step 110, the printer 212 prints on the medium 224 based on the print data.

[0403] In step 112, the derivation unit 250 derives the scan information that was actually performed on the medium 224. The scan information is derived using a derivation method that is predetermined in the subscription contract.

[0404] In the next step 114, a new total value is calculated by adding the total value (accumulated value) stored in the storage unit 242 to the scan information derived in step 112. The new total value is stored in the storage unit 242, and the printing process ends.

[0405] In step 116, the management unit 254 notifies the user via the user terminal 216B or the printer 212 that the total value exceeds the set value.

[0406] In the next step 118, the management unit 254 determines whether a print instruction has been input from the user via the user terminal 216B or the printer 212, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 110. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the printer 212 does not perform printing, and the print process ends.

[0407] Although the present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiment, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-mentioned embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above-mentioned embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0408] For example, in the above embodiment, the derivation unit 250 is provided in the server 218. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The derivation unit 250 may be provided in at least one of the user terminal 216B and the printer 212. This allows the user terminal 216B and the printer 212 to manage the printer 212 even if they are unable to communicate with the server 218. The scan information derived by the user terminal 216B or the printer 212 is transmitted to and stored in the server 218 after communication with the server 218 is re-established. The derivation unit 250 may be provided in the user terminal 216A. The comparison unit 252 and the management unit 254 may also be provided in at least one of the user terminal 216B and the printer 212. In particular, when the derivation unit 250 is provided in the printer 212, the printer 212 can independently determine whether or not to print by storing the scan information settings in advance in accordance with various print service plans.

[0409] In the above embodiment, a printer service configuration has been described in which a flat rate is charged when scan information is equal to or less than a set value, and when scan information exceeds the set value, charges are made based on the amount of scan information that exceeds the set value (pay-per-use charges). However, this is not limited to this. For example, the printer service may be configured to charge based on scan information (pay-per-use charges) rather than a flat rate. In this configuration, the user would set a set value, for example, to prevent excessive costs for the printer 212.

[0410] In the above embodiment, the carriage 222 moves relative to the table 228. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the carriage 222 may not move, and the table 228 may move relative to the carriage 222.

[0411] In the above embodiment, the printer 212 ejects ink from an inkjet head 220 mounted on a carriage 222 onto a medium 224, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 22, the printer may be an industrial robot 274 having an arm 272 with an ejection device 270 attached to the tip thereof. The industrial robot 274 ejects ink onto a flat or three-dimensional printing substrate 276 to paint or form an image, for example.

[0412] As an example, the arm 272 is articulated and ejects ink from the ejection device 270 onto the printing substrate 276. In the example of Fig. 22, the up-down direction is the X direction, the direction into the paper surface perpendicular to the X direction is the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is the Z direction. The ejection device 270 may be an inkjet head, a dispenser, a sprayer, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0413] The scan information in the form in which the printer is an industrial robot 274 is, for example, the distance traveled by the discharge device 270 at the tip of the arm 272 facing the printing substrate 276 (hereinafter referred to as the "travel distance"). The travel distance is measured by monitoring the movement of the discharge device 270 based on the detection results of, for example, a gyro sensor or an inertial sensor attached to the arm 272. The movement of the arm 272 for measuring the travel distance may be three-dimensional, in the X, Y, and Z directions, or two-dimensional, in the X and Y directions. The travel distance is then derived from the monitoring results between the timing at which the discharge device 270 starts and ends ink discharge.

[0414] As another method of deriving scan information, the travel distance may be derived based on a program (teaching program) that indicates the movement of the arm 272 to be executed by the industrial robot 274 and the timing at which ink ejection begins and ends.

[0415] In the two types of scan information derivation methods described above, the positional relationship between the discharge device 270 and the printing substrate 276, the discharge start timing, and the discharge end timing may be recognized by a camera, and the recognition results may be used to derive the movement distance. Furthermore, the scan information of the industrial robot 274 may be derived using any of the above-described first to fourth derivation methods.

[0416] The printer may also be a modeling device (hereinafter referred to as a "3D printer") in which an inkjet head ejects a material such as UV ink onto a table to form a three-dimensional object. As an example, a 3D printer ejects ink that hardens under ultraviolet light from an inkjet head mounted on a carriage onto a table to form a model. The carriage ejects ink as it moves in the main scanning direction Y, similar to the printer 212 described above, and then moves in the sub-scanning direction X after ejecting the ink. This allows the scan information to be derived using any of the first to fourth derivation methods described above.

[0417] (Effects of the embodiment)

[0418] (50) The printer management method by the printer service system 210 of this embodiment is a method for managing a printer that prints by ejecting material while the inkjet head 220 moves relative to the medium 224 or the table 228, and includes the following steps: a first step in which a derivation unit 250 derives scan information, which is a value based on the relative movement of the inkjet head 220; a second step in which a comparison unit 252 compares the scan information derived by the derivation unit 250 with a preset setting value; and a third step in which a management unit 254 manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison unit 252. According to this embodiment, by using the comparison result between the scan information of the inkjet head 220, which generates a mechanical load on the printer 212, and the preset setting value, printer services can be provided to users with easy management.

[0419] (51) The scan information of this embodiment may be derived using the number of scans performed by the relative movement of the inkjet head 220. According to this embodiment, the scan information can be easily derived.

[0420] (52) The scan information in this embodiment may be derived based on the width in the main scanning direction Y along which the inkjet head 220 moves relative to the paper while ejecting material, and the number of scans. This embodiment makes it possible to provide more appropriate printer services to users.

[0421] (53) The scan information of this embodiment may be derived using a scan distance, which is the distance traveled by the inkjet head 220 while ejecting the material. According to this embodiment, the scan information can be easily derived.

[0422] (54) The scan information of this embodiment may be derived using a feed length, which is the distance the inkjet head 220 moves relative to the main scanning direction X, which is a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction X in which the inkjet head 220 moves relative to the main scanning direction X while discharging material. According to this embodiment, the scan information can be easily derived.

[0423] (55) The inkjet head 220 of this embodiment ejects ink that hardens when exposed to light of a predetermined wavelength, and includes an irradiation unit 232 that irradiates the ejected ink with light of the predetermined wavelength, and the scan information may include a value based on the relative movement of the inkjet head 220 to harden the ink. According to this embodiment, the relative movement of the inkjet head 220 to harden the ink also generates a mechanical load, and therefore, appropriate management can be performed according to the functions of the printer 212.

[0424] (56) The derivation unit 250 of this embodiment may derive the scan information based on an instruction signal that causes relative movement of the inkjet head 220. According to this embodiment, the scan information can be easily derived.

[0425] (57) The derivation unit 250 of this embodiment may derive the scan information based on the detection results of a sensor provided in the printer 212. According to this embodiment, the scan information can be easily derived.

[0426] (58) The derivation unit 250 of this embodiment may derive the scan information based on the results of a camera capturing images of the relative movement of the inkjet head 220. According to this embodiment, the scan information can be easily derived.

[0427] (59) The derivation unit 250 of this embodiment may derive scan information based on print data for printing and the print mode of the printer 212. According to this embodiment, scan information can be easily derived.

[0428] (60) In this embodiment, if the scan information exceeds a set value during printing, the management unit 254 may stop the printer 212. This embodiment can prevent an increase in the amount of scan information that is subject to service.

[0429] (61) In this embodiment, if the scan information exceeds a set value during printing, the management unit 254 may stop the printer 212 after printing onto the medium 224 is completed. According to this embodiment, the user can obtain the printed material even if the scan information exceeds the set value.

[0430] (62) In this embodiment, the derivation unit 250 may derive a total value of the scan information for which printing has been performed and the scan information for which printing is scheduled to be performed, and the comparison unit 252 may compare the total value with a set value. According to this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the scan information exceeds the set value before printing.

[0431] (63) In this embodiment, the management unit 254 may notify the user before the printer 212 prints if the total value exceeds the set value while printing on the medium 224. According to this embodiment, the user can recognize whether the scan information exceeds the set value before printing.

[0432] (64) The management unit 254 of this embodiment may notify the user of remaining scan information, which is the difference between the total value and a set value. According to this embodiment, the user can recognize the remaining scan information until the set value is reached.

[0433] (65) The management unit 254 of this embodiment may notify the user when the remaining scan information, which is the difference between the total value and a preset value, reaches a preset value. According to this embodiment, the user can recognize that the scan information has reached the desired remaining scan information.

[0434] (66) In the printer management method of this embodiment, the operation of the printer 212 that is not the target of the derivation of scan information may be set in advance. According to this embodiment, the operation of the printer 212 that is not the target of the service is set, thereby increasing user satisfaction.

[0435] (67) The operation of the printer 212 that is not subject to the derivation of scan information in this embodiment may be printing in which a printing error occurred due to the printer 212. According to this embodiment, the operation of the printer 212 that is not subject to the service is set, thereby increasing user satisfaction.

[0436] (68) In this embodiment, there are multiple printers 212, and the derivation unit 250 may derive a total value of the scan information of the multiple printers 212, and the comparison unit 252 may compare the total value with a setting value. According to this embodiment, the user can receive services without having to worry about the scan information and setting value of the printer 212 that is used most frequently.

[0437] (69) The derivation unit 250 of this embodiment may be provided in at least one of the user terminal 216B used by the user and the printer 212. According to this embodiment, the printer 212 can be managed by the user terminal 216B and the printer 212.

[0438] (70) The printer management method of this embodiment may charge a flat rate when scan information is equal to or less than a set value, and may charge according to the scan information exceeding the set value when the scan information exceeds the set value. This embodiment enables appropriate charging according to the usage status of the printer 212.

[0439] (71) In the printer management method of this embodiment, charges may be made based on scan information. This embodiment enables appropriate charges based on the usage status of the printer 212.

[0440] (72) The printer 212 of this embodiment may be an industrial robot 274 having an arm 272 with a discharging device 270 attached to the tip thereof. According to this embodiment, the industrial robot 274 that performs printing or painting can be subject to printer service.

[0441] (73) The scan information of the industrial robot 274 in this embodiment is the distance that the arm 272 moves facing the printing substrate 276. According to this embodiment, the scan information can be easily derived.

[0442] (74) The printer 212 of this embodiment may be a 3D printer in which the inkjet head 220 ejects material onto the table 228 to form a three-dimensional object. According to this embodiment, the 3D printer can be subject to printer services.

[0443] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Printer service system 12 Printer 16 Server 110 Printer service system 112 Printer 116 Server 130 Derivation unit (derivation means) 132 Comparison unit (comparison means) 134 Management unit (management means) 142 Media (recording medium) 146 Bounding box (planar area) 160 3D printer (printer) 164 Modeled object 168 Bounding box (three-dimensional area) 210 Printer service system 212 Printer 218 Server 220 Inkjet head (discharge means) 224 Media (recording medium) 228 Table 232 Irradiation unit 250 Derivation unit (derivation means) 252 Comparison unit (comparison means) 254 Management unit (management means)

Claims

1. A printer management method including: a first step in which a server links a printer capable of switching the enabling and disabling of a print function with a dealer who is the owner of the printer and a user to whom the printer is rented; a second step in which the server sends activation information that activates the print function of the printer when the user linked to the dealer meets specified contract conditions; and a third step in which the printer activates the print function when the printer receives the activation information.

2. The printer management method according to claim 1, wherein the printer is lent to the user with the print function disabled.

3. A printer management method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the server is configured to send disabling information for disabling the print function, and the printer disables the enabled print function when it receives the disabling information.

4. A printer management method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the activation information records the expiration date for which the print function is valid, and the activation information is updated each time it is sent from the server.

5. The printer management method according to claim 4, wherein periodic updating of the activation information is activated after the dealer, the user, and the printer are associated with each other.

6. A printer management method according to claim 4, wherein management information including at least the contract terms and conditions regarding the printer and the expiration date of the activation information is generated when collaboration between the dealer, the user, and the printer is established.

7. The printer management method according to claim 4, wherein if the printer cannot receive the activation information from the server, the printer accepts input of the activation information by the user.

8. The printer management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printer cannot be linked to the dealer and the user who are not linked.

9. A printer management method as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the specified contract conditions are that the user pays the usage fee for the printer rented to them on / by a specified due date, and the date of sending the activation information is set based on the due date.

10. The printer management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the timing for transmitting the activation information is set by the dealer.

11. The printer management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a date is set for the dealer to confirm that the activation information has been sent.

12. A printer management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the transmission date of the activation information is a non-business day of the user, the transmission date is changed to another day.

13. A printer management method as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the server links the dealer, the user, and the printer by associating first identification information for identifying the dealer, second identification information for identifying the user, and third identification information for identifying the printer.

14. A printer management method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the server generates service information based on the usage status of the printer by the user.

15. The printer management method according to claim 14, wherein the service information is information that encourages the user to purchase the printer based on the term of a contract between the dealer and the user.

16. The printer management method according to claim 14, wherein the service information is information indicating the timing at which consumables used in the printer will be delivered to the user.

17. A printer management method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the printer transmits location information specifying the installation location to the server.

18. A printer management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the contract between the dealer and the user ends while the printer is printing, the printer disables the print function after printing on the recording medium currently being printed is completed.

19. A printer management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the contract between the dealer and the user ends while the printer is printing, the printer disables the print function after the job currently being executed is completed.

20. A printer management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dealer, the user, and the printer are linked by authenticating a link code that has been assigned in advance.

21. A printer management system comprising a printer capable of switching between enabling and disabling a print function and a server, wherein the server comprises: a linking means for linking the printer, the dealer who owns the printer, and the user to whom the printer is rented; and a transmission means for transmitting activation information to the printer that activates the print function of the printer when the user who is linked with the dealer meets specified contract conditions; and the printer activates the print function when it receives the activation information.

22. A program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: a first step of linking a printer capable of switching the print function on and off, a dealer who owns the printer, and a user to whom the printer is rented; and a second step of sending activation information to the printer that activates the print function of the printer when the user linked to the dealer meets specified contract conditions.

23. A method for managing a printer that prints an image on a recording medium based on print data, comprising: a first step in which a derivation means derives a print area value, which is the area printed on the recording medium by the printer; a second step in which a comparison means compares the print area value derived by the derivation means with a preset setting value; and a third step in which a management means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

24. A printer management method according to claim 23, wherein the print area value is the area value of a single planar area that surrounds the entire print area on the recording medium.

25. A printer management method according to claim 23, wherein the print area value is the sum of the area values ​​of one or more planar regions surrounding each individual image printed on the recording medium.

26. A printer management method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the deriving means displays the planar area on a display.

27. A printer management method according to claim 23, wherein the print area value is the area value of an ink ejection region that forms an image on the recording medium.

28. The printer management method according to claim 23, wherein the print area value is derived based on the amount of usage of the recording medium.

29. A printer management method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein an arrangement of the image in which the flat area becomes smaller is presented to the user.

30. A printer management method according to claim 23, wherein said management means stops said printer if said print area value exceeds said set value while printing is being performed on said recording medium.

31. A printer management method according to claim 23, wherein the management means stops the printer after printing on the recording medium is completed if the print area value exceeds the set value while printing on the recording medium is in progress.

32. A printer management method according to claim 23, wherein the deriving means derives the total value of the area already printed on the recording medium and the area to be printed on the recording medium as the print area value, and the comparing means compares the total value with the set value.

33. A printer management method according to claim 32, wherein said management means notifies the user before said printer starts printing if said total value exceeds said set value while printing is being performed on said recording medium.

34. A printer management method according to claim 32, wherein said management means notifies the user of the remaining area value, which is the difference between said total value and said set value.

35. A printer management method according to claim 32, wherein said management means notifies the user when the remaining area value, which is the difference between said total value and said set value, reaches a preset value.

36. A printer management method according to claim 23, wherein operations of the printer that are not subject to the derivation of the print area value are preset.

37. The printer management method according to claim 36, wherein the printer operation is printing in which a printing error caused by the printer occurs.

38. The printer management method according to claim 23, wherein the printer is a plurality of printers, the deriving means derives a total value of the printing area values ​​of the plurality of printers, and the comparing means compares the total value with the set value.

39. A printer management method according to claim 23, wherein the deriving means is provided in at least one of an information processing device used by a user and the printer.

40. A printer management method according to claim 23, wherein a flat rate is charged when the print area value is equal to or less than the set value, and when the print area value exceeds the set value, a charge is made according to the print area value that exceeds the set value.

41. The printer management method according to claim 23, wherein charges are made according to the print area value.

42. A method for managing a printer that forms a model based on three-dimensional data, comprising: a first step in which a derivation means derives a modeling volume value that is the volume of the model formed by the printer; a second step in which a comparison means compares the modeling volume value derived by the derivation means with a preset value; and a third step in which a management means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

43. A printer management method according to claim 42, wherein the object volume value is a value obtained by multiplying the base area of ​​one three-dimensional region surrounding one or more of the objects by the height of the object.

44. A printer management method according to claim 42, wherein the object volume value is the sum of values ​​obtained by multiplying the base area of ​​one or more three-dimensional regions surrounding each of the objects by the height of each of the objects.

45. The printer management method according to claim 42, wherein the build volume value is an area onto which material is ejected to form the object.

46. ​​A printer management system for printing an image on a recording medium based on print data, comprising: a derivation means for deriving a print area value, which is the area printed on the recording medium by the printer; a comparison means for comparing the print area value derived by the derivation means with a preset setting value; and a management means for managing the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

47. A management system for a printer that forms a model based on three-dimensional data, comprising: a derivation means that derives a modeling volume value, which is the volume of the model formed by the printer; a comparison means that compares the modeling volume value derived by the derivation means with a preset value; and a management means that manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

48. A program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: a first step in which a deriving means derives a print area value, which is the area printed on a recording medium by a printer that prints an image on the recording medium based on print data; a second step in which a comparing means compares the print area value derived by the deriving means with a preset setting value; and a third step in which a managing means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparing means.

49. A program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: a first step in which a deriving means derives a modeling volume value, which is the volume of a model formed by a printer that forms a model based on three-dimensional data; a second step in which a comparing means compares the modeling volume value derived by the deriving means with a preset value; and a third step in which a managing means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparing means.

50. A method for managing a printer in which a dispensing means prints by dispensing material while moving relative to a recording medium or a table, the method comprising: a first step in which a deriving means derives a relative movement value that is a value based on the relative movement of the dispensing means; a second step in which a comparing means compares the relative movement value derived by the deriving means with a preset setting value; and a third step in which a managing means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparing means.

51. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein the relative movement value is derived using the number of scans, which is the number of times the discharge means has performed relative movement while discharging the material.

52. A printer management method according to claim 51, wherein the relative movement value is derived based on the width of the direction in which the discharge means relatively moves while discharging the material and the number of times.

53. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein the relative movement value is derived using a distance traveled by the discharge means while discharging the material.

54. A printer management method according to any one of claims 50 to 53, wherein the direction in which the discharge means moves relatively while discharging the material is defined as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y direction on the recording medium or the table is defined as the X direction, and the relative movement value is derived using the distance that the discharge means moves relatively in the X direction.

55. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein the ejection means ejects ink that hardens when exposed to light of a predetermined wavelength, and includes irradiation means that irradiates the ejected ink with light of the predetermined wavelength, and the relative movement value includes a value based on the relative movement of the ejection means to harden the ink.

56. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein said deriving means derives said relative movement value based on an instruction signal for relatively moving said ejection means.

57. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein said deriving means derives said relative movement value based on the detection result of a sensor provided in said printer.

58. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein said deriving means derives said relative movement value based on the results of photographing the relative movement of said ejection means by a camera.

59. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein said deriving means derives said relative movement value based on print data for printing and a print mode of said printer.

60. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein said management means stops said printer if said relative movement value exceeds said set value during printing.

61. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein said management means stops said printer after printing on said recording medium is completed if said relative movement value exceeds said set value during printing.

62. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein the deriving means derives a total value of the relative movement value for which printing has already been executed and the relative movement value for which printing is scheduled to be executed, and the comparing means compares the total value with the set value.

63. A printer management method according to claim 62, wherein said management means notifies the user before said printer starts printing if said total value exceeds said set value while printing is being performed on said recording medium.

64. A printer management method according to claim 62, wherein said management means notifies the user of a residual relative movement value, which is the difference between said total value and said set value.

65. A printer management method according to claim 62, wherein said management means notifies the user when the residual relative movement value, which is the difference between said total value and said set value, reaches a preset value.

66. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein operations of the printer that are not subject to the derivation of the relative movement value are preset.

67. A printer management method according to claim 66, wherein the printer operation is printing in which a printing error caused by the printer occurs.

68. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein the printer is a plurality of printers, the deriving means derives a total value of the relative movement values ​​of the plurality of printers, and the comparing means compares the total value with the set value.

69. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein said deriving means is provided in at least one of an information processing device used by a user and said printer.

70. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein a flat rate is charged when the relative movement value is equal to or less than the set value, and when the relative movement value exceeds the set value, a charge is made according to the amount of the relative movement that exceeds the set value.

71. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein charges are made according to the relative movement value.

72. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein the printer is a robot having an arm with the discharging means attached to the tip thereof.

73. A printer management method according to claim 72, wherein the relative movement value of the robot is the distance the arm moves relative to the recording medium.

74. A printer management method according to claim 50, wherein the printer is a modeling device in which the discharging means discharges material onto the table to form a three-dimensional object.

75. A printer management system for printing by discharging material while discharging means moves relative to a recording medium or a table, comprising: a derivation means for deriving a relative movement value, which is a value based on the relative movement of the discharging means; a comparison means for comparing the relative movement value derived by the derivation means with a preset setting value; and a management means for managing the printer based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

76. A program for causing a computer provided in an information processing device that manages a printer that prints by discharging material while the discharging means moves relative to a recording medium or a table, to execute the following steps: a first step in which a deriving means derives a relative movement value, which is a value based on the relative movement of the discharging means; a second step in which a comparing means compares the relative movement value derived by the deriving means with a preset value; and a third step in which a managing means manages the printer based on the comparison result by the comparing means.

Images