INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS CHANGING PROVISION STATE OF SERVICE WHEN DETERMINING THAT PRESCRIBED CONDITION IS MET

An information processing apparatus includes a memory and a controller. The memory is for storing therein provision state information. The provision state information indicates a provision state of a service. The provision state is one of at least two states including a first state and a second state. In the first state, a new consumable is delivered to a user when a residual quantity of a consumable has dropped below a predetermined residual quantity. In the second state, procurement request information is outputted to the user when the residual quantity of the consumable has dropped below the predetermined residual quantity. The procurement request information requests the user to obtain a new consumable in a manner not reliant on delivery. The controller is configured to determine whether a prescribed condition for changing the provision state is met, and to change the provision state when determining that the prescribed condition is met.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-123280 filed on Jul. 28, 2023. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally known technologies enable a user to print a preset number of sheets at a flat rate every predetermined period during the term of the contract. The manufacturer with which the user has entered into the contract delivers consumables to the user so that the user can obtain consumables without having to go somewhere to purchase them.

SUMMARY

Even when a service contract in which a manufacturer is to deliver consumables to a user is in effect therebetween, as described in the conventional technologies, certain circumstances may make it more convenient for the user or the manufacturer to have the user obtain consumables in a manner other than by delivery. However, no specific consideration is given for such circumstances in the conventional technologies.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an information processing apparatus that can improve convenience for the user or the manufacturer by enabling the user to obtain a consumable in a manner other than delivery, even when a contract for the delivery of consumables to the user is in effect.

In order to attain the above and other objects, the present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus for managing a contract for a service to provide a consumable to a user. The information processing apparatus includes a memory and a controller. The memory is for storing therein provision state information indicating a provision state of the service. The provision state is one of at least two states including a first state and a second state. In the first state, a new consumable is delivered to the user when a residual quantity of a consumable in use under the service has dropped below a predetermined residual quantity. In the second state, procurement request information is outputted to the user when the residual quantity of the consumable in use under the service has dropped below the predetermined residual quantity. The procurement request information requests the user to obtain a new consumable in a manner not reliant on delivery. The controller is configured to perform determining whether a prescribed condition for changing the provision state is met. The controller is configured to further perform changing the provision state when determining that the prescribed condition is met.

In the above configuration, the controller determines whether the prescribed condition for changing the provision state is met, and changes the provision state when determining the prescribed condition is met. This configuration enables the provision state to be changed to a state convenient for the user or manufacturer. Therefore, the user can obtain a consumable in a manner not reliant on delivery even in a state where a contract for consumables to be delivered to the user is in effect, thereby improving convenience for the user or manufacturer.

DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings.

<Overall Configuration of a Printing Service Provision System>

FIG.1shows an example system configuration of a printing service provision system1according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The printing service provision system1of this embodiment provides a prepaid printing service in which users (i.e., customers) pay a fee in advance to use the printing functions of a printer200. As shown inFIG.1, the printing service provision system1includes a management server100, a printer200, a mobile terminal300, and a transaction server400. The management server100, printer200, mobile terminal300, and transaction server400are connected to a network NT and can communicate with each other. The network NT includes cell phone communication lines. The management server100is an example of the information processing apparatus. The printer200is an example of the printing apparatus and is also an example of the prescribed process apparatus.

The management server100is a server that is installed and managed by the manufacturer of the printer200, for example. As shown inFIG.1, the management server100includes a processor110, a storage device115, and a communication interface190. The processor110, storage device115, and communication interface190are interconnected via a bus105and can exchange data with one another.

The storage device115includes a volatile storage device120, and a nonvolatile storage device130. The volatile storage device120is DRAM, for example, and stores various programs and data to be used for processing. The nonvolatile storage device130is a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive, for example. The nonvolatile storage device130has a program storage area131, and a user database storage area132.

The program storage area131stores therein various programs. The programs include a program related to switching the delivery mode based on the sequence chart inFIG.6and the like described later, and the various processes that need to be performed in conjunction with this switching process. The user database storage area132stores various information on users who have entered into a contract for the prepaid printing service. This user database will be described later in greater detail with reference toFIG.3.

The processor110is a device such as a CPU that performs data processing. The processor110executes various programs stored in the program storage area131, including the program related to switching the delivery mode and other necessary processes. The processor110performs various processes including a process to perform data communications with the mobile terminal300, printer200, and transaction server400connected to the network NT. The processor110also performs a process to purchase printing authorization in the printing service provision system1according to the present embodiment. The nonvolatile storage device130is an example of the memory. The processor110is an example of the controller.

The communication interface190is a wired LAN interface or a wireless interface for communicating with other devices. The communication interface190is connected to the network NT.

The storage device115is not limited to the component configuration described above. For example, the storage device115may be configured of RAM, ROM, EEPROM, a hard disk drive, a portable storage medium such as USB memory detachably mounted in the management server100, a buffer provided in the processor110, or any combination thereof.

The storage device115may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media include storage media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. This also applies to a storage device215of the printer200described later.

The printer200is owned by a user receiving the prepaid printing service provided through the printing service provision system1, for example. As shown inFIG.1, the printer200includes a processor210, a storage device215, a display240, an operation unit250, a communication interface270, and a printing engine290. The processor210, storage device215, display240, operation unit250, communication interface270, and printing engine290are interconnected via a bus205and can exchange data with one another.

The storage device215includes a volatile storage device220, and a nonvolatile storage device230. The volatile storage device220is DRAM, for example. The volatile storage device220has an image data storage area221for storing image data to be printed. The nonvolatile storage device230is flash memory, for example. The nonvolatile storage device230has a program storage area232, and a data storage area233. The program storage area232stores therein various programs as firmware, for example. The data storage area233stores the number of printable pages, a printer ID for identifying the printer200, and the like.

The processor210is a device such as a CPU that performs data processing. The processor210executes the various programs stored in the program storage area232.

The display240can display various information. The display240is a liquid crystal display, for example. The operation unit250is a device configured to receive user operations. By operating the operation unit250, the user can input various instructions into the printer200. The communication interface270is a wired or wireless network interface for communicating with other devices. The communication interface270is connected to the network NT.

The printing engine290feeds sheets of paper from a paper tray and conveys the sheets with a conveying mechanism (not shown) while printing images on the conveyed sheets according to a prescribed method. While there are no particular restrictions on the type of printing method, printing may be performed according to the inkjet method or laser method, for example. While not illustrated in the drawings, the printing engine290forms images on sheets of paper using ink from ink cartridges or toner from toner cartridges based on a print job received from the mobile terminal300or based on a print job generated by the printer200itself in response to operations on the operation unit250.

FIG.2shows an example system configuration of the mobile terminal300. The mobile terminal300is a portable terminal owned by the user, such as a smartphone. The mobile terminal300is configured to be connected to the network NT through wireless communication. As shown inFIG.2, the mobile terminal300includes a CPU310, a memory320, a communication control unit330for connecting the mobile terminal300to the network NT through wireless communication, a touchscreen340, and a large-capacity storage device350.

The large-capacity storage device350is flash memory, for example. The large-capacity storage device350has a program storage area351, and a data storage area352. The program storage area351stores therein various programs, for example as applications. The CPU310executes the various programs stored in the program storage area351. The CPU310executes various processes including a process to perform data communications with the management server100connected to the network NT. The data storage area352stores therein information such as a user ID for identifying the user corresponding to the mobile terminal300. The user ID is issued based on the above programs or the printing service described above.

The touchscreen340of the mobile terminal300is an integral combination of a liquid crystal display and a touch pad. The touchscreen340displays various information and receives various user operations. By operating the touchscreen340, the user can input various instructions into the mobile terminal300.

In place of the portable terminal described above, a tablet computer, desktop computer, or other information terminal may be used as the mobile terminal300.

The transaction server400shown inFIG.1is a server for settling online payments over the network NT. While not shown in the drawings, the transaction server400includes a processor, a storage device, and a communication interface for connecting the transaction server400to the network NT.

FIG.3schematically illustrates some content of the user database related to the prepaid printing service. The user database is stored in the user database storage area132of the nonvolatile storage device130in the management server100. The user database stores records therein information on users who have entered into a contract for receiving the prepaid printing service of the printing service provision system1. The user database in the example ofFIG.3records therein an ID for each user, which is identification information for uniquely identifying that user. The user database further records therein, in association with each ID: the username of the user identified by that ID; an owned model number, which is model number information specifying the printer200owned by this user; the number of printable pages remaining for the printer200at this time; the delivery mode (i.e., delivery mode information indicating the delivery mode); and the last delivery date. The delivery mode and the last delivery date will be described later.

In the printing service provision system1according to the present embodiment, the management server100, printer200, mobile terminal300, and transaction server400are connected and can exchange information with each other over the network NT. The management server100centrally manages procedures for purchasing printable pages (described later), which are performed on the mobile terminal300of a given user for the printer200owned by the same user, and the status of increases and decreases in the number of printable pages for that printer200.

The printing service provided in the printing service provision system1of the present embodiment is a prepaid printing service. In this prepaid printing service, the user pre-purchases a printing authorization that guarantees a corresponding number of printable pages (i.e., a corresponding number of printing credits), the corresponding number of printable pages is added to the current number of printable pages for the target printer200, and the user can print on the printer200up to the resultant number of printable pages (i.e., the sum of the current number of printable pages and the newly purchased printable pages). For example, the processor110of the management server100adds the purchased number of printable pages to the current number of printable sheets (i.e., increases the number of printable sheets by the purchased number of printable pages). The processor100transmits the calculated number of printable pages (i.e., the increased number of printable pages) to the printer200at regular intervals, for example. The number of printable pages is stored in the user database storage area132of the nonvolatile storage device130on the management server100and in the data storage area233of the nonvolatile storage device230on the printer200, for example. Each time a print is performed, the number of printable pages is reduced by the number of printed pages. For example, the processor210of the printer200reduces the number of printable pages after a print and transmits the new number of printable pages (i.e., the reduced number of printable pages) to the management server100at regular intervals. The number of printable pages is an example of the printable quantity.

The printing service provision system1of the present embodiment offers, as a form of purchasing printing authorization, a method of purchasing printing authorization based on the user's purchase request. In this method, the user performs a prescribed operation on the mobile terminal300to transmit an application to purchase a printing authorization from the mobile terminal300to the management server100, and when the management server100accepts the application, this purchase of the printing authorization is performed. Note that the user can purchase a printing authorization according to this method at any desired timing. In this method, the user selects one printable page addition plan from among a plurality of printable page addition plans having different numbers of printable pages and different purchase prices and purchases a printing authorization corresponding to the selected printable page addition plan. For example, the printable page addition plans may include 50 printable pages for 500 yen, 100printable pages for 900 yen, and 250 printable pages for 2,000 yen.

A key point of the business model for such a prepaid printing service is that the only fee a user must pay for the service is the purchase price of the printing authorization, and no other payments are required. Hence, in the prepaid printing service according to the present embodiment, when consumables in the printer200, such as paper, ink, or toner, become low and need to be replenished or replaced due to printing using the printer200, either service personnel comes directly to replenish or replace those consumables, or the consumables are delivered through a delivery service and the user replenishes or replaces the consumables themselves. However, the prepaid printing service according to the present embodiment does not incur any additional cost to the user when replenishing or replacing consumables since the purchase prices of the replenished or replacement consumables themselves and the delivery and handling fees are already included in the purchase price of printing authorization.

<Features of the Embodiment>

In the prepaid printing service described above, when consumables in a printer become low, new consumables are automatically delivered to the user's home or other location. This can eliminate the need for users to physically purchase consumables themselves and, hence, is highly convenient for the users. However, some users may wish to avoid registering their personal information required for this service, such as their address, and may instead prefer to go to the nearest retail store, purchase the consumables, and replenish or replace the depleted consumables themselves. Users who are in a hurry to print may also wish to purchase the consumables themselves in order to continue printing immediately without having to wait for the consumables to be brought by the delivery service or service personnel.

In view of the foregoing, in the printing service provision system1according to the present embodiment, the user can select between an automatic delivery mode in which new consumables are automatically delivered to the user when the residual quantity of the consumable falls below a predetermined residual quantity, and a non-delivery mode in which procurement request information is outputted to the user requesting the user to obtain new consumables in a manner not reliant on delivery.

Moreover, upon purchasing printing authorization, the user has already paid an amount equivalent to the cost of the consumables for the user's own consumption and the delivery fees, as described above. Therefore, if the user had to purchase new consumables by paying the fee for the new consumables in the non-delivery mode, the user would be doubly burdened. For this reason, the management server100in the present embodiment issues the user a voucher with which the user can obtain consumables at no cost when the non-delivery mode has been selected.

As described above, the present embodiment can improve convenience for the user or manufacturer by allowing the user to obtain a consumable in a manner not dependent on delivery, even in a state where a contract for consumables to be delivered to the user is in effect (i.e., a state where the user has entered into a contract for consumables to be delivered to the user).

<Detailed Description of the Automatic Delivery Mode and the Non-delivery Mode>

FIG.4schematically illustrates the process flow in the printing service provision system1when the automatic delivery mode is selected and executed.FIG.5schematically illustrates the process flow in the printing service provision system1when the non-delivery mode is selected and executed. In both modes shown inFIGS.4and5, the user first prepays a fee via the management server100and transaction server400(not shown in these drawings) in order to increase the number of printable pages for the printer200owned by the same user. As described above, the fee that the user prepays at this time includes the cost of consumables corresponding to the increase in the number of printable pages and the delivery fees for delivering those consumables.

When the residual quantity of a particular consumable, such as paper, ink, or toner, falls below the predetermined residual quantity as a result of printing operations performed on the printer200, the printer200self-detects this and notifies the mobile terminal300. Upon receiving such a notification, the mobile terminal300displays information on the touchscreen340indicating the low level of this consumable and receives input from a user operation selecting whether the user wishes to obtain the consumable in the automatic delivery mode or in the non-delivery mode. When the user has selected the automatic delivery mode, as illustrated inFIG.4, the mobile terminal300transmits information indicating this selection to the management server100together with information indicating which consumable has become low.

Upon receiving this information, the management server100references the user database to obtain the corresponding username and address and sends a request to a delivery center500, requesting the delivery center500to individually deliver the required consumable to the user at this address. The delivery center500then delivers the requested consumable to the address of the target user. Upon receiving the consumable, the user replenishes or replaces the consumable themselves to continue printing.

On the other hand, when the user has selected the non-delivery mode on the mobile terminal300, as illustrated in the example ofFIG.5, the mobile terminal300transmits information indicating this selection to the management server100together with information indicating which consumable has become low. Upon receiving this information, the management server100issues a new and uniquely generated voucher QR code and sends display information to the mobile terminal300for displaying this QR code and for requesting that the user obtain the consumable themselves. Note that “QR code” is a Japanese registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED. The user goes to the nearest retail store600and presents the voucher QR code displayed on the mobile terminal300. An employee at the retail store600reads the voucher QR code at a register terminal (not shown) and transmits information read from this QR code to the management server100to confirm its validity. The voucher QR code is an example of the procurement request information. The display on the terminal device300of the request requesting the user to obtain the consumable themselves is an example of the purchase request notification.

When the validity of the QR code is confirmed on the management server100side and the register terminal at the retail store600receives a notification to that effect, the retailer provides the consumable to the user free of charge. The user can then continue printing after replenishing or replacing the consumable themselves. In this way, the user does not have to pay for the consumable, thereby avoiding a double payment. Once the voucher QR code has been used, the management server100invalidates the used voucher QR code, thereby suppressing the free-exchange from being performed multiple times using the same voucher QR code. The management server100subsequently issues a request to the delivery center500, requesting the delivery center500to restock the retail store600with the consumable. Then, the delivery center500delivers the consumable to the retail store600.

While the above automatic delivery mode requires that the user has already registered the user's address in the user database, the non-delivery mode can be utilized without registering an address. In the above description, the user is prompted to select a delivery mode each time the residual quantity of a consumable falls below the predetermined residual quantity, but the user may select a desired delivery mode in advance and set this delivery mode as a default setting or a fixed setting in the user database on the management server100. The mobile terminal300may also confirm whether this default setting or fixed setting is still appropriate each time the residual quantity of a consumable falls below the predetermined residual quantity.

When the required delivery time period, i.e., the time period required for delivering the consumable is predicted to be long due to the user's address registered in the user database being far from the delivery center500, the delivery mode is forcibly set to the non-delivery mode, irrespective of the user's selection. Additionally, when the consumable is found to have reached a low level within a short time since the last delivery date registered in the user database, it is predicted that the new consumable cannot be delivered before the current consumable is completely depleted because a recent high frequency of printing results in a high rate of consumption of the consumable. As a remedy, in this embodiment, the delivery mode is forcibly set to the non-delivery mode without regard for the user's selection and the user is requested to obtain the necessary consumable as soon as possible. For this purpose, last delivery dates must be registered in the user database by type of consumable.

The automatic delivery mode is an example of the first state. The non-delivery mode is an example of the second state. The delivery mode is an example of the provision state. The user's selection, the required delivery time period, and the consumption rate are each an example of the prescribed condition.

<Processing Sequence When a Consumable Becomes Low>

Next, the sequence of processes performed on devices in the printing service provision system1according to the present embodiment when a consumable becomes low will be described with reference toFIG.6. This processing sequence begins when the printer200detects that the residual quantity of a particular consumable has dropped below the predetermined residual quantity.

In ST10the mobile terminal300displays information on the touchscreen340indicating what consumable has a residual quantity less than or equal to the predetermined residual quantity and receives a user operation to select a desired delivery mode in which the user wishes to obtain this consumable. In ST15the mobile terminal300transmits to the management server100a notification including: consumable low residual quantity information indicating the residual quantity of the consumable is low; and information indicating the selected delivery mode.

Upon receiving this notification, in ST20the processor110of the management server100determines whether the selected delivery mode is the automatic delivery mode. The processor110of the management server100advances to ST25when determining that the selected delivery mode is the automatic delivery mode, i.e., that the automatic delivery mode has been selected (ST20: YES). In ST25the processor110of the management server100references the user address in the user database and compares this address to the address of the delivery center500to determine whether the required delivery time period is equal to or longer than a prescribed time period. When the required delivery time period is sufficiently short, i.e., the required delivery time period is shorter than the prescribed time period (ST25: NO), in ST30the processor110of the management server100references the last delivery date in the user database and compares this date to the current date to determine whether the consumption rate of the consumable (i.e., the rate at which the consumable is consumed) is equal to or faster than a prescribed rate. When the consumption rate is sufficiently slow, i.e., the consumption rate of the consumable is slower than the prescribed rate (ST30: NO), the processor110of the management server100advances to ST33.

In ST33the processor110of the management server100internally sets the delivery mode to the automatic delivery mode and sets related parameters to values for the automatic delivery mode. At this time, in the user database, the processor110updates the delivery mode information associated with both the current user and the target consumable. More specifically, when the delivery mode information indicates that the delivery mode is the non-delivery mode, in ST33the processor110updates the delivery mode information so that the delivery mode information indicates that the delivery mode is the automatic delivery mode (i.e., in ST33the processor110changes the delivery mode from the non-delivery mode to the automatic delivery mode). However, when the delivery mode information indicates that the delivery mode is the automatic delivery mode, in ST33the processor110retains the delivery mode information so that the delivery mode information continues to indicate that the delivery mode is the automatic delivery mode (i.e., in ST33the processor110maintains the delivery mode in the automatic delivery mode). In ST35the management server100executes the process according to the automatic delivery mode. That is, the processor110of the management server100references the user database and transmits a notification to the delivery center500requesting the delivery center500to individually deliver the target consumable to the user's address referenced in the user database. At this time, in the user database, the processor110of the management server100updates the last delivery date associated with both the current user and the target consumable. This completes the sequence ofFIG.6. The delivery mode information recorded in the user database is an example of the provision state information.

On the other hand, when the processor110of the management server100determines in ST20that the selected delivery mode is the non-delivery mode, i.e., the non-delivery mode has been selected (ST20: NO) or when the processor110of the management server100determines in ST25that the required delivery time period is equal to or longer than the prescribed time period (ST25: YES) or when the processor110of the management server100determines in ST30that the consumption rate of the consumable is equal to or faster than the prescribed rate (ST30: YES), then in ST38the processor110of the management server100internally sets the delivery mode to the non-delivery mode and sets related parameters to values for the non-delivery mode. At this time, in the user database, the processor110updates the delivery mode information associated with both the current user and the target consumable. More specifically, when the delivery mode information indicates that the delivery mode is the automatic delivery mode, in ST38the processor110updates the delivery mode information so that the delivery mode information indicates that the delivery mode is the non-delivery mode (i.e., in ST38the processor110changes the delivery mode from the automatic delivery mode to the non-delivery mode). However, when the delivery mode information indicates that the delivery mode is the non-delivery mode, in ST38the processor110retains the delivery mode information so that the delivery mode information continues to indicate that the delivery mode is the non-delivery mode (i.e., in ST38the processor110maintains the delivery mode in the non-delivery mode). Subsequently in ST40the processor110of the management server100generates a new voucher QR code and issues this QR code to the mobile terminal300.

In ST45the user displays the voucher QR code on the mobile terminal300and presents this QR code to an employee at the retail store600. In ST50the employee reads the QR code with a register terminal and the register terminal confirms the validity of the voucher QR code with the management server100. When validity is confirmed, in ST55the processor110of the management server100returns a notification to the register terminal indicating that the voucher QR code is valid. Upon receiving this notification, in ST60the register terminal performs an accounting process allowing the user to exchange the voucher for the consumable free of charge. Thereafter, in ST65the processor110of the management server100performs a process to invalidate the voucher QR code and in ST70issues a notification to the delivery center500requesting the delivery center500to deliver the consumable to the retail store600for replenishment. Subsequently, the sequence inFIG.6ends.

The processes in ST25and ST30are each an example of the determining whether a prescribed condition for changing the provision state is met. The processes in ST33and ST38are each an example of the changing the provision state.

<Effects of the Embodiment>

As described above, the management server100provided in the printing service provision system1of the present embodiment stores the delivery mode in the user database indicating one of at least two modes including the automatic delivery mode and the non-delivery mode. The automatic delivery mode is a state in which a new consumable is delivered to the user when the residual quantity of the consumable currently in use under the prepaid printing service falls below the predetermined residual quantity. The non-delivery mode is a state in which procurement request information is outputted to the user when the residual quantity of the consumable currently in use under the prepaid printing service falls below the predetermined residual quantity. The procurement request information is information for requesting the user to obtain a new consumable through other means than delivery.

By performing the determinations in ST25and ST30, the processor110determines whether a prescribed condition for changing the delivery mode have been met and changes the delivery mode when determining that the prescribed condition is met. As a result, the delivery mode can be changed to a mode convenient for the user or manufacturer.

For example, users must register an address and other personal information when having consumables delivered in the automatic delivery mode, but this is an inconvenience for users who do not wish to divulge their personal information. Changing the delivery mode to the non-delivery mode in such cases allows the user to obtain consumables using a voucher QR code rather than through delivery, thereby improving convenience for the user.

Further, for example, the time and cost required for the manufacturer to deliver consumables may be significant due to the user living in a remote location or other circumstances. Changing the delivery mode to the non-delivery mode in such cases enables the user obtain consumables themselves through other means than delivery. Therefore, the need for the manufacturer to ship the consumables can be eliminated, thereby improving convenience for the manufacturer.

The embodiment described above enables the user to obtain consumables in a manner that does not require delivery by changing the delivery mode to the non-delivery mode to suit the convenience of the user or manufacturer as described above, thereby improving convenience for the user or manufacturer.

A particular feature of this embodiment is that the information requesting users to obtain consumables themselves is in the form of a voucher QR code that is exchangeable for a new consumable. This enables the user to easily obtain a new consumable simply by presenting the voucher QR code at the retail store600or the like and exchanging the voucher for that new consumable.

Another feature of the present embodiment is that in the automatic delivery mode a new consumable is delivered to the user in response to the residual quantity of the consumable dropping below the predetermined residual quantity. However, the required delivery time period, i.e., the time period required for a consumable to reach the user after the consumable is shipped from the manufacturer, may be long due to the user's residence being in a remote location or other circumstances. In such cases, the management server100in the present embodiment determines in ST25ofFIG.6that the required delivery time period is greater than or equal to the prescribed time period, i.e., that the prescribed condition is met. Thus, the delivery mode can be changed from the automatic delivery mode to the non-delivery mode.

By changing the delivery mode to the non-delivery mode when predicting that much time is required to deliver a new consumable, the user can obtain a new consumable quickly without relying on shipment from the manufacturer.

While not illustrated in the drawings, the delivery cost may also be used as a prescribed condition for changing the delivery mode because changing the delivery mode to the non-delivery mode for having the user purchase a consumable themselves can be more advantageous for the manufacturer when delivery costs are likely to be high. Also, if the number of consumables to be delivered is large, it may be advantageous for the manufacturer to change the delivery mode to the non-delivery mode and have the user purchase the consumables themselves since the labor and cost for such delivery is high. Therefore, the number of consumables to be delivered may be used as a prescribed condition for changing the delivery mode.

Another feature of the present embodiment is that in the automatic delivery mode a new consumable is delivered to the user in response to the residual quantity of the consumable falling below the predetermined residual quantity. However, the consumable currently in use may become completely depleted before the new consumable shipped from the manufacturer reaches the user due to such reasons as the rate at which the user consumes the current consumable being faster than the prescribed rate anticipated by the manufacturer. In such cases, the management server100of the present embodiment can change the delivery mode from the automatic delivery mode to the non-delivery mode since the management server100determines in ST30that the consumption rate is equal to or faster than the prescribed rate, i.e., that the prescribed condition is met.

When the management server100of the present embodiment predicts that a new consumable cannot be delivered in time owing to the user's usage status, the management server100can change the delivery mode to the non-delivery mode, enabling the user to acquire a new consumable quickly without waiting for a consumable to be shipped from the manufacturer.

Another feature of the present embodiment is that the management server100switches the delivery mode from the automatic delivery mode to the non-delivery mode in ST38when the management server100receives a request to change the delivery mode through a suitable operation performed by the user. Thus, users can switch the method by which consumables are provided to suit their own convenience.

In the automatic delivery mode, for example, a new consumable is delivered to the user in response to the residual quantity of the consumable dropping below the predetermined residual quantity. Here, users must register an address and other personal information when having consumables delivered, but this is an inconvenience for users who do not wish to divulge their personal information. In such cases, the user can perform their own operations to change the delivery mode to the non-delivery mode, enabling the user to obtain consumables without relying on shipments from the manufacturer. Thus, this embodiment can improve convenience for the user.

<Variations of the Embodiment>

(1) A configuration of returning profits equivalent to the purchase costs and delivery fees for consumables to the user

In the above embodiment, a voucher QR code that can be exchanged for a consumable free of charge is issued when the user is required to obtain consumables themselves in the non-delivery mode in order to avoid charging the user twice for consumable-related costs already included in the prepaid fee, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. As an alternative, when the user obtains a consumable by paying the purchase price at a retail store under the non-delivery mode, the manufacturer may return a profit to the user equivalent to the purchase price and delivery fee for the consumable after the fact.

For example, the management server100may perform a printable page increasing process to increase the number of printable pages by a guaranteed number of printable pages immediately after a consumable is purchased or may perform a printable page increasing process to increase the number of printable pages by the guaranteed number of printable pages either free of charge or at a discount at the next billing. Here, the guaranteed number of printable pages is a number of printable pages equivalent to a total profit of a first profit and a second profit. The first profit is a profit corresponding to the purchase price at which the user purchased the consumable, and the second profit is a profit corresponding to the delivery fee for that consumable, for example. When a configuration is employed in which the number of printable pages is increased by the guaranteed number of printable pages immediately after a consumable is purchased, the processor110of the management server100may execute steps ST80-ST95in the sequence chart ofFIG.7, in place of steps ST40-ST70for the non-delivery mode in the corresponding sequence chart ofFIG.6. That is, in ST80the processor110of the management server100transmits purchase request information to the mobile terminal300, encouraging the user to purchase the consumable themselves. After the actual purchase has been confirmed, in ST85the processor110of the management server100increases the number of printable pages in the user database by an amount equivalent to the total of the purchase price and the delivery fee. In ST90and ST95the processor110of the management server100transmits commands to the respective mobile terminal300and printer200to increase the number of printable pages by the same amount. The process from ST85to ST95is an example of the granting the user a first benefit and is also an example of the granting the user a second benefit. The process to increase the number of printable pages by the amount equivalent to the total of the purchase price and the delivery fee is an example of the granting the user a process authorization.

Thus, when the delivery mode is switched to the non-delivery mode in this variation, the management server100requests users to purchase consumables themselves by transmitting purchase request information to the users encouraging them to purchase the consumables themselves. When a user agrees to purchase a consumable, in ST85-ST95the management server100returns to the user the first profit corresponding to the purchase price of the new consumable in order to compensate the user for the purchase. In other words, in ST85-ST95the management server100grants a first benefit corresponding to the purchase price of the new consumable in order to compensate the user for the purchase.

This variation is advantageous for the manufacturer because consumables no longer need to be delivered to the user and is advantageous for the user because the user can obtain consumables at a desired store while being compensated for the purchase price so as not to incur any loss to him or herself.

A particular feature of this variation is that the user can gain an increase in the number of printable pages on the printer200of an amount equivalent to the purchase price of the consumable. Thus, this variation can reliably offset at least the purchase price that the user pays for purchasing consumables.

Another feature of this variation is that, according to the service contact, the number of printable pages is set for the printer200based on the fee the user prepaids. Further, when the user purchases a new consumable himself or herself, the management server100grants the user a process authorization on the printer200corresponding to the purchase price of the new consumable. In this variation, the granting of the process authorization is executed by increasing the number of printable pages for the printer200. Thus, this variation can offset the price paid by the user when purchasing a consumable with an increase in the number of printable pages for the printer200.

Another feature of this variation is that when the delivery mode is switched to the non-delivery mode and the user obtains consumables themselves, in ST85-ST95the management server100returns to the user the second profit corresponding to the delivery fee required for delivering the new consumable to the user, i.e., grants the user a second benefit corresponding to the delivery fee required for delivering the new consumable to the user, in order to return the amount of profit that the manufacturer gains by eliminating delivery of the consumable to the user.

This variation is advantageous for the manufacturer by eliminating the need for delivery and is advantageous for the user by enabling the user to acquire consumables at a desired store and by returning the profit margin the manufacturer receives for the elimination of delivery costs, which can give the user a sense of satisfaction rather than one of unfairness.

Another feature of this variation is that the user gains an increase in the number of printable pages for the printer200of an amount equivalent to the delivery fee for the consumable. Thus, the portion of the manufacturer's profits corresponding to the eliminated requirement for delivery can be reliably returned to the user.

Another feature of this variation is that, according to the service contact, the number of printable pages is set for the printer200based on the fee the user prepaids. Further, when the user purchases a new consumable himself or herself, the management server100grants the user a process authorization on the printer200corresponding to the delivery fee for the new consumable. In this variation, the granting of the process authorization is executed by increasing the number of printable pages for the printer200. Thus, in this variation, the amount equivalent to the profit to be returned from the manufacturer corresponding to the delivery fee can be applied to an increase in the number of printable pages for the printer200.

Instead of increasing the number of printable pages on the printer200, the total profit corresponding to the purchase price and delivery fee for the consumable can be returned to the user via the transaction server400as a direct refund, i.e., a cash refund. In other words, instead of increasing the number of printable pages on the printer200, the management server100may grant the user a benefit corresponding to the total amount of the purchase price and delivery fee for the consumable via the transaction server400as a direct refund, i.e., a cash refund.

The sequence charts shown inFIGS.6and7in the above description do not limit the present disclosure to the steps indicated therein. Steps may be added or deleted, or their order may be rearranged, without departing from the spirit and technical ideas of the present disclosure.

In addition to what has already been described, the methods according to the embodiment and its variations described above may be used in suitable combinations.

In addition, although not illustrated individually, the present disclosure may be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.