Information processing apparatus, control method, information processing system and server

The present invention provides an information processing apparatus capable of performing appropriate processing under a predetermined usage agreement. To this end, the information processing apparatus receives information on an agreement period of a predetermined agreement from a server. Then, the information processing apparatus sets itself to a first state or a second state based on a current time and date and the agreement period received from the server, the first state being a state in which a predetermined service based on the predetermined agreement is unavailable, the second state being a state in which the service is available.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that allows reception of a service based on an agreement, a control method of the same, an information processing system, and a server.

Description of the Related Art

There is known a method of managing a usage agreement of an information processing apparatus with a management server capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-047590 discloses a method in which a user accesses an information management server via a personal computer (PC) to conclude or cancel an agreement in an image printing apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the configuration of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-047590, the user can perform setting to conclude or cancel the agreement at the current moment but cannot arbitrarily set or change a start date or an end date of the agreement to a future date. Meanwhile, the information processing apparatus sometimes cannot normally communicate with the server at a timing at which the user desires to conclude the agreement, due to circumstances in the server or a network. Accordingly, in the conventional configuration, the user cannot appropriately set a desired agreement period and receive an appropriate service in the desired period in some cases.

The present invention has been made to solve the aforementioned problem. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows the user to receive an appropriate service in a desired period.

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a server, comprising: a receiving unit that receives information on an agreement period of a predetermined agreement from the server; and a setting unit that sets the information processing apparatus to a first state or a second state based on a current time and date and an agreement start date indicated by the information on the agreement period, the first state being a state in which a predetermined service based on the predetermined agreement is unavailable, the second state being a state in which the predetermined service is available.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a server, comprising: receiving information on an agreement period of a predetermined agreement from the server; and setting the information processing apparatus to a first state or a second state based on a current time and date and an agreement start date indicated by the information on the agreement period, the first state being a state in which a predetermined service based on the predetermined agreement is unavailable, the second state being a state in which the predetermined service is available.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system including a server and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the server, the information processing apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives information on an agreement period of a predetermined agreement from the server; and a setting unit that sets the information processing apparatus to a first state or a second state based on a current time and date and an agreement start date indicated by the information on the agreement period, the first state being a state in which a predetermined service based on the predetermined agreement is unavailable, the second state being a state in which the predetermined service is available.

In a forth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus that sets itself to a first state or a second state based on a current time and date and an agreement start date of a predetermined agreement, the first state being a state in which a predetermined service based on the predetermined agreement is unavailable, the second state being a state in which the predetermined service is available, the server comprising: an unit configured to save information on an agreement period of the predetermined agreement including the agreement start date, and a sending unit configured to send the information processing apparatus the information on the agreement period in response to a request from the information processing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

<Schematic Configuration of Printing Apparatus>

FIG.1is an internal configuration diagram of an ink-jet printing apparatus1(hereinafter, printing apparatus1) usable as an information processing apparatus of the present invention. InFIG.1, an x direction is a horizontal direction, a y direction (sheet surface perpendicular direction) is a direction in which ejection ports are aligned in a print head8, and a z direction is a vertical direction.

The printing apparatus1is a multi-function peripheral including a print unit2and a scanner unit3and the print unit2and the scanner unit3can execute various processes relating to a printing operation and a reading operation individually or in cooperation. The scanner unit3includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) and a flatbed scanner (FBS) and can read originals automatically fed by the ADF and read (scan) an original placed on a document table of the FBS by a user. Although the embodiment is the multi-function peripheral including both of the print unit2and the scanner unit3, a mode including no scanner unit3may be employed.FIG.1illustrates a standby state where the printing apparatus1is performing neither the printing operation nor the reading operation.

A first cassette5A and a second cassette5B that contain print media (cut sheets) S are detachably installed in a bottom portion of the print unit2on the lower side in the vertical direction. Relatively small print media up to a size of A4 are contained in the first cassette5A while being stacked one on top of another and relatively large print media up to a size of A3 Are contained in the second cassette5B while being stacked one on top of another. A first feeding unit6A that separates the contained print media S from one another and feeds the print media S one by one is provided near the first cassette5A. Similarly, a second feeding unit6B is provided near the second cassette5B. In a case where the printing operation is performed, the print media S are selectively fed from one of the cassettes.

Conveyance rollers7, a discharge roller12, pinch rollers7a, spurs7b, a guide18, an inner guide19, and a flapper11are a conveyance mechanism that guides the print media S in a predetermined direction. The conveyance rollers7are arranged upstream and downstream of the print head8and are drive rollers driven by a not-illustrated conveyance motor. The discharge roller12is arranged just before a discharging port and is a drive roller driven by the not-illustrated conveyance motor. The pinch rollers7aare driven rollers that rotate by nipping the print media S before the printing together with the conveyance rollers7. The spurs7brotate by nipping the print media S subjected to the printing together with the conveyance rollers7or the discharge roller12.

The guide18is provided in a conveyance path of the print media S and guides the print media S in the predetermined direction. The inner guide19has a curved side surface that is a member extending in the y direction, and guides the print media S along this side surface. The flapper11is a member that switches the direction in which the print media S are conveyed in a duplex printing operation. A discharge tray13is a tray for stacking and holding the print media S for which the printing operation is completed and which are discharged by the discharge roller12.

The print head8of the embodiment is a full-line type color ink-jet print head and multiple ejection ports that eject inks according to print data are aligned in the y direction inFIG.1, corresponding to the width of the print media S. In a case where the print head8is at a standby position, an ejection port surface8aof the print head8is capped by a cap unit10as illustrated inFIG.1. In the printing operation, a print controller202to be described later changes the orientation of the print head8such that the ejection port surface8afaces a platen9. The platen9is formed of a flat plate extending in the y direction and supports the print medium S subjected to the printing operation by the print head8, from the back side.

An ink tank unit14stores inks of four colors to be supplied to the print head8. An ink supply unit15is provided in the middle of channels connecting the ink tank unit14and the print head8and adjusts the pressure and flow rate of each ink in the print head8to appropriate ranges. In the embodiment, a circulation ink supply system is employed and the ink supply unit15adjusts the pressure of each ink supplied to the print head8and the flow rate of the ink collected from the print head8to the appropriate ranges.

A maintenance unit16includes the cap unit10and a wiping unit17and activates these units at predetermined timing to perform a maintenance operation on the print head8. The maintenance operation is described in detail later.

FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration in the printing apparatus1. The control configuration is formed of a print engine unit200that mainly controls the entire print unit2, a scanner engine unit300that controls the entire scanner unit3, and a controller unit100that controls the entire printing apparatus1. The print controller202controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit200according to instructions of a main controller101in the controller unit100. The main controller101in the controller unit100controls various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit300. Details of the control configuration are described below.

In the controller unit100, the main controller101formed of a central processing unit (CPU) controls the entire printing apparatus1according to a program and various parameters stored in a read only memory (ROM)107while using a random access memory (RAM)106as a work area. For example, in a case where the main controller101receives a print job from a host apparatus400via a host interface (I/F)102or a wireless I/F103, an image processing unit108performs predetermined image processing on the received image data according to an instruction of the main controller101. Then, the main controller101sends the image data subjected to the image processing to the print engine unit200via a print engine I/F105. Moreover, for example, in a case where the main controller101receives a read command from the host apparatus400, the main controller101sends this command to the scanner unit3via a scanner engine I/F109.

Note that the printing apparatus1may obtain the image data from the host apparatus400through wireless communication or wired communication or obtain the image data from an external storage apparatus (USB memory or the like) connected to the printing apparatus1. Communication methods used in the wireless communication and the wired communication are not limited to certain methods. For example, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be applied as the communication method used in the wireless communication. Moreover. Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like can be applied as the communication method used in the wired communication.

A server I/F110is an interface used to connect the printing apparatus1to the Internet. The main controller101exchanges information with an agreement control server111and a charging server112via the server I/F110.

An operation panel104is a mechanism used by the user to perform input and output on the printing apparatus1. The user can instruct the printing apparatus1to perform operations such as copying and scanning, set a print mode, set and update agreement information of the printing apparatus1through the operation panel104.

A timer113manages current time. A counter114counts the number of images printed by the printing apparatus1in each of a color mode and a monochrome mode. Count values obtained by the counter114, state information of the printing apparatus to be described later, and the like are saved as necessary in a non-volatile memory115.

In the print engine unit200, the print controller202formed of a CPU controls various mechanisms included in the print unit2according to a program and various parameters stored in a ROM203, under an instruction of the main controller101. In this case, the print controller202uses a RAM204as a work area.

For example, in a case where the print controller202receives various commands and image data via a controller I/F201, the print controller202saves the various commands and the image data temporarily in the RAM204. The print controller202causes an image processing controller205to convert the saved image data to print data and this enables the image data to be used by the print head8in the printing operation.

After the generation of the print data, the print controller202causes the print head8to execute the printing operation based on the print data via a head I/F206. In this case, the print controller202drives the feeding units6A,6B, the conveyance rollers7, the discharge roller12, and the flapper11illustrated inFIG.1via a conveyance control unit207to convey the print media S. The printing operation by the print head8is executed along with the conveyance operation of the print media S according to an instruction of the print controller202and the print processing is performed.

A head carriage control unit208changes the orientation and position of the print head8depending on an operation state such as a maintenance state and a printing state of the printing apparatus1. An ink supply control unit209controls the ink supply unit15such that the pressure of the ink supplied to the print head8is within an appropriate range. A maintenance control unit210controls operations of the cap unit10and the wiping unit17in the maintenance unit16in a case where the maintenance operation is performed on the print head8.

In the scanner engine unit300, the main controller101controls a hardware resource of a scanner controller302according to the program and the various parameters stored in the ROM107while using the RAM106as a work area. The various mechanisms included in the scanner unit3are thereby controlled. For example, the main controller101controls the hardware resources in the scanner controller302to convey the originals mounted on the ADF by the user through a conveyance control unit304and read the originals with a sensor305. Then, the scanner controller302saves the read image data in a RAM303. Note that the print controller202converts the obtained image data to the print data as described above and this allows the print head8to execute the printing operation based on the image data read in the scanner controller302.

FIG.3is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the ink supply unit15(seeFIG.1) in the printing apparatus1. The ink supply unit15supplies the ink supplied from a main tank401attached to the ink tank unit14to the print head8while causing the ink to circulate at appropriate pressure. Although the configuration for an ink of one color is illustrated inFIG.3, the same configuration is provided for each ink color in the printing apparatus1.

The ink supply unit15includes a sub tank402, a connection channel403, a supply channel404, and a collecting channel405. The sub tank402is a tank that temporarily receives the ink to be supplied to the print head8and is connected to the print head8via the supply channel404and the collecting channel405. The ink circulates from the sub tank402to the supply channel404, to the print head8, to the collecting channel405and returns to the sub tank402. During the aforementioned circulation, the print head8ejects the ink according to the print data.

Performing such ink circulation control allows fresh ink to be stably supplied to the print head8. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the ejection operation of the print head8and maintain quality of an outputted image at a high level.

The amount of received ink in the sub tank402gradually decreases with the printing operation. Accordingly, in a case where the amount of received ink in the sub tank402reaches or falls below a predetermined value, the print controller202(seeFIG.2) drives a not-illustrated pump at predetermined timing and reduces the pressure inside the sub tank402. The sub tank402is thereby replenished with the ink from the main tank401connected to the sub tank402by the connection channel403. The main tank401whose ink is consumed is removed from the ink tank unit14and the user can replace it with a new main tank401. The print controller202performs such sub tank replenishment processing as a preparation stage of the printing apparatus1before the reception of the print job, as appropriate.

In the embodiment, the main controller101controls the aforementioned ink circulation and the printing operation by the print head8based on a conclusion state of a usage agreement of the printing apparatus1.

<Outline of Usage Agreement>

The printing apparatus1of the embodiment can receive a specific service under a subscription agreement. Contents of the subscription agreement are not limited to particular contents. In the embodiment, the subscription agreement is assumed to be an agreement in which a main tank being a target of service (hereinafter, referred to as service target tank) is available for printing of up to a predetermined number of sheets by paying a monthly flat-rate charge. The service target tank is a main tank allowed to be used only in a case where the subscription agreement is concluded. Moreover, the service target tank is the same type of tank as the general main tank (hereinafter, referred to as general tank) and both tanks can be attached to the ink tank unit14of the printing apparatus1. Note that a tank memory is attached to each of the main tanks and stores information such as information indicating whether the tank is the service target tank or the general tank and information on the color of the contained ink. Accordingly, the main controller101can determine whether the attached tank is the general tank or the service target tank by reading the information stored in the tank memory.

FIG.4Aillustrates a state of the printing apparatus1based on the subscription agreement. In the embodiment, in a case where the subscription agreement is not concluded, the printing apparatus1is assumed to be in a first state in which the service is unavailable. Meanwhile, in a case where the subscription agreement is concluded, the printing apparatus1is assumed to be in a second state in which the service is available. At the moment where the printing apparatus1is shipped, the printing apparatus1is in the first state. Then, if the user concludes the subscription agreement, the state of the printing apparatus1is switched from the first state to the second state. The user can switch the printing apparatus1between the first state and the second state by concluding or cancelling the subscription agreement. Moreover, in a case where the user has not canceled the subscription agreement but a state in which the printing apparatus1cannot communicate with the servers continues for a predetermined period, a service provider cannot manage the usage state of the printing apparatus1. Accordingly, the printing apparatus1of the embodiment is switched from the second state to the first state. The aforementioned state of the printing apparatus1is required to be appropriately set to allow the user to receive an appropriate service matching the agreement.

FIG.4Bis a diagram illustrating an information processing system of the embodiment. In the embodiment, the agreement control server111and the charging server112connected to the printing apparatus1via the Internet manage the subscription agreement of the printing apparatus1. The main controller101of the printing apparatus1periodically receives agreement information of the printing apparatus1from the agreement control server111and saves the agreement information in the non-volatile memory115(seeFIG.2). The received agreement information includes an agreement start time and date, an agreement end time and date, a monthly settlement time and date, and the like. Moreover, the main controller101can obtain a current time and date from the agreement control server111as necessary. The format of the current time and date is in compliant with ISO8601 (yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ). Employing the mode in which the current time and date is obtained from the agreement control server111allows time to be uniformly managed among all printing apparatuses1connected to the server. Although the expressions of “agreement start time and date”. “agreement end time and date”, and “settlement time and date” are used in the description, in the embodiment, these pieces of information do not have to necessary include information on time. In other words, these pieces of information may include information only on year, month, and date.

Meanwhile, the main controller101of the printing apparatus1periodically sends information on the number of sheets printed by the printing apparatus1and information on a remaining inks mount to the charging server112. In this case, the information on the number of printed sheets includes the number of sheets printed in the color mode and the number of sheets printed in the monochrome mode in a predetermined period. The charging server112compares the number of printed sheets with the contents of agreement and performs charging processing depending on the agreement. For example, in a case where the number of printed sheets is equal to or less than a defined value in a state where the subscription agreement concluded, the charging server112charges the monthly flat-rate charge. In a case where the number of printed sheets exceeds the defined value, the charging server112charges an excess charge in addition to the flat-rate charge. Moreover, the charging server112infers whether delivery of the main tank to be described later is necessary or not based on the received information on the remaining ink amount.

FIG.5is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the agreement control server111and the charging server112. InFIG.5, the same hardware configuration is assumed to be used for the agreement control server111and the charging server112. Hereinafter, the agreement control server111and the charging server112are simply referred to as servers111,112for the sake of convenience. Each of the servers111,112includes a network connection unit501, a hard disk unit502, and a main board510that controls the entire apparatus. The main board510includes a CPU511, an internal bus512, a program memory513, a data memory514, a network control circuit515, and a hard disk control circuit516. Although the system example in which the agreement control server111performs the agreement management and the charging server112performs the charging management and the delivery management is described in the example, the embodiment is not limited to this system example. For example, one server may perform functions of managing all of agreement, charging, and delivery. Alternatively, three or more servers may perform the functions of managing agreement, charging, and delivery in cooperation. A configuration including one or more servers is referred to as a server system and, in this embodiment, the server system is assumed to manage agreement, charging, and delivery.

The CPU511in a microprocessor form arranged in the main board510operates according to contents of the data memory514and a control program stored in the program memory513connected to the CPU511via the internal bus512. The CPU511connects to the Internet by controlling the network connection unit501via the network control circuit515and communicates with one or more printing apparatuses1and other servers. The CPU511can read data from and write data to the hard disk unit502connected to the CPU511via the hard disk control circuit516. An operating system and control software of the server111,112used by being loaded onto the program memory513are stored in the hard disk unit502in addition to various pieces of data.

In the case of the agreement control server111, the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date of the printing apparatus1and the like are stored in the data memory514in a rewritable manner. In a case where the server111receives a request for the agreement information from the printing apparatus1, the CPU511sends the printing apparatus1the information on the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date saved in the data memory514, via the network connection unit501. In the case of the charging server112, the number of sheets printed by the printing apparatus1and the like are saved in the data memory514in a rewritable manner. In a case where the charging server112receives the information on the number of printed sheets from the printing apparatus1, the CPU511saves the information received via the network connection unit501in the data memory514.

FIGS.6A and6Bare views illustrating a display screen of the operation panel104used by the user to conclude the subscription agreement and check the agreement state in the printing apparatus1.FIG.6Aillustrates the display screen in a case where the printing apparatus1is in the first state andFIG.6Billustrates the display screen in a case where the printing apparatus1is in the second state.

In a case where the printing apparatus1is in the first state, that is the subscription agreement is not concluded, as illustrated inFIG.6A, notices such as a notice indicating that the service target tank cannot be used and a notice indicating that communication with the servers is not performed are displayed on the operation panel104. In a case where the user presses an agreement start button801in a lower left portion of the screen, the printing apparatus1starts obtaining the agreement information from the agreement control server111. Note that, in this case, a separate subscription agreement is assumed to be concluded between the user and the service provider (sales company of the printer) in advance. Moreover, the agreement information (agreement start time and date, agreement end time and date, and the like) is assumed to be stored in the data memory514(seeFIG.5) of the agreement control server111based on the agreement contents. Thus, the printing apparatus1can obtain the agreement information by the pressing of the agreement start button801. In other words, the agreement start button801in this case can be also referred to as a communication start button.

Note that the method of agreement is not limited to the aforementioned method. For example, the subscription agreement may be concluded by an operation on the printing apparatus1even if there is no agreement concluded between the user and the service provider in advance. In this case, for example, pressing of the agreement start button801by the user causes the display screen to switch to a screen for agreement and the user can conclude the subscription agreement through the operation panel104. The conclusion information of the subscription agreement is sent to the agreement control server111and the agreement control server111saves the agreement start time and date, the agreement end time and date, and the like in the data memory514(seeFIG.5) according to the received information.

As described above, the agreement control server111sends the printing apparatus1the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date saved in the data memory514as necessary. This causes the printing apparatus1to switch itself from the first state to the second state.

In a case where the printing apparatus1is in the second state, that is the subscription agreement is concluded, a screen illustrated inFIG.6Bis displayed on the operation panel104. Specifically, there are displayed a notice indicating that the service target tank can be used, a notice indicating that the communication with the servers is performed, the number of sheets printed in the monochrome mode in this month, and the number of sheets printed in the color mode in this month. Pressing of an information update button802in a lower left portion of the screen by the user causes the main controller101to access the agreement control server111to obtain the latest information and update the display contents of the operation panel104based on the obtained information.

FIGS.11A and11Bare diagrams illustrating display contents in the aforementioned display screen. In an item of “service target tank”, “usable” or “unusable” is displayed. In an item of “server communication”, one of “-”, “currently executed”, and “error” is displayed. The sign “-” indicates that the server communication is not performed and the “currently executed” indicates that the server communication is currently executed. Moreover, the “error” indicates that the printing apparatus1accessed the server but was unable to normally communicate therewith. In the case of “error”, an error number associated with contents of the error is displayed.FIG.11Billustrates examples of association between the error numbers and the error contents.

“Number of sheets printed in monochrome in this month” indicates the number of sheets printed in the monochrome mode from the settlement time and date of the last month to the current moment. “Number of sheets printed in color in this month” indicates the number of sheets printed in the color mode from the settlement time and date of the last month to the current moment. Each of these numbers of printed sheets is calculated based on the value counted by the counter114and is saved in the non-volatile memory115. A method of counting the number of printed sheets is described in detail later.

FIGS.7A and7Bare diagrams illustrating an example of usage conditions of the main tank.FIG.7Aillustrates a usage condition in which the general tank and the service target tank are usable in the state where the subscription agreement is concluded and only the general tank is usable in the state where the subscription agreement is not concluded. Meanwhile,FIG.7Billustrates a usage condition in which only the service target tank is usable in the state where the subscription agreement is concluded and only the general tank is usable in the state where the subscription agreement is not concluded. As described above, the main controller101of the embodiment determines whether to allow the use of each of the attached main tanks based on whether the printing apparatus1is in the first state or the second state and whether the main tank is the general tank or the service target tank. Then, if the main controller101determines that the attached main tank is not usable, the main controller101adds restrictions to the ink circulation, the printing operation, and the like described inFIG.3. Although either of the usage condition ofFIG.7Aor the usage condition ofFIG.7Bcan be employed in the embodiment, description is given below of an example in which the usage condition ofFIG.7Ais employed.

For example, in a case where the ink amount in the sub tank402described inFIG.4reaches or falls below the predetermined value, the main controller101causes the print controller202to replenish the sub tank402with the ink from the main tank401in a case where the main tank401is usable. However, in a case where the main tank401is not usable, the main controller101does not cause the print controller202to replenish the sub tank402with the ink from the main tank401. Moreover, in a case where the printing apparatus1receives the print job, the main controller101transmits the received print job to the print engine unit200in a case where the main tank401is usable. However, in a case where the main tank401is not usable, the main controller101does not send the received print job to the print engine unit200.

<State Setting Sequence of Printing Apparatus>

The state of the printing apparatus1needs to be appropriately set to appropriately provide the service based on the subscription agreement. Accordingly, in the embodiment, in a case where the printing apparatus1is in the second state, the main controller101periodically accesses the agreement control server111and obtains the agreement information (seeFIG.4B).

FIG.8is a flowchart for explaining a state setting sequence performed by the main controller101. The main controller101periodically and repeatedly performs this processing according to the program stored in the ROM107while using the RAM106as the work area in a case where the printing apparatus1is in the second state. Moreover, the main controller101executes this processing also in a case where a certain operation relating to the subscription agreement is performed on the operation panel104.

In a case where this processing is started, in S801, the main controller101first obtains the agreement information from the agreement control server111. Specifically, the main controller101accesses the agreement control server111and obtains the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date saved in the agreement control server111as well as the current time and date.

In S802, the main controller101determines whether the obtaining of the agreement information in S801has been successful or has failed. In a case where the obtaining has been successful, the main controller101proceeds to S803and clears (deletes) the communication failure time and date saved in the non-volatile memory115.

In S804, the main controller101refers to the agreement start time and date, the agreement end time and date, and the current time and date obtained in S801and determines whether the current time and date is included in a period between the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date. Then, in a case where the current time and date is included in the period, the main controller101proceeds to S805and sets the printing apparatus1to the second state. Specifically, the main controller101writes information indicating that the printing apparatus1is in the second state, in a state information region of the non-volatile memory115.

In S802, the main controller101determines whether the obtaining of the agreement information in S801has been successful or has failed. In a case where the main controller101determines that the obtaining of the agreement information has failed, this processing is terminated. Meanwhile, in a case where the main controller101determines that the obtaining of the agreement information has been successful, the main controller101proceeds to S803and compares the current time and date with the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date obtained in S801to determine whether the current time and date is included in the agreement period between the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date. Then, in a case where the current time and date is included in the period, the main controller101proceeds to S804and sets the printing apparatus1to the second state. Specifically, the main controller101writes information indicating that the printing apparatus1is in the second state, in a state information region of the non-volatile memory115.

Meanwhile, in a case where the current time and date is not included in the agreement period between the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date, the main controller101proceeds to S805and sets the printing apparatus1to the first state. Specifically, the main controller101writes information indicating that the printing apparatus1is in the first state, in the state information region of the non-volatile memory115. Then, this processing is terminated.

FIG.8Bis a flowchart for explaining a state setting sequence periodically and repeatedly performed inside the printing apparatus1in a case where the printing apparatus1is in the second state. This processing is performed only by the internal configuration of the printing apparatus1, separate from the state setting sequence in FIG.8A performed via the server and is repeatedly performed at a shorter cycle than that of the state setting sequence inFIG.8A.

In a case where this processing is started, in S806, the main controller101determines whether the current time and date managed by the printing apparatus1is included in the period between the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date currently stored in the non-volatile memory115. Then, in a case where the current time and date is included in the period between the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date, the main controller101terminates this processing while maintaining the printing apparatus1in the second state.

Meanwhile, in a case where the main controller101determines that the current time and date is not included in the period between the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date in S806, the main controller101proceeds to S807and switches the printing apparatus1from the second state to the first state. Then, this processing is terminated.

As described above, according to the embodiment, it is possible to appropriately set the state of the printing apparatus1based on the agreement start time and date, the agreement end time and date, and the current time and date.

<Setting and Management of Agreement Period>

In this embodiment, the user can conclude and update the subscription agreement through the display screen on the operation panel104described inFIG.6. In this case, the user can independently set the agreement start date and the agreement end date. Then, the set agreement start date and agreement end date are sent to the agreement control server111and the agreement control server111saves received information on the agreement start time and date, the agreement end time and date, and the like in the data memory514(seeFIG.5). Note that, in this embodiment, the agreement end date does not have to be necessarily set. Ina case where the agreement end date is undecided, use of the following modes are conceivable: a mode in which the information on the agreement end date is not set; and a mode in which a time and date so far in the future that the agreement end date can be assumed to be substantially undecided is set as “temporary agreement end date”. In the latter mode, for example, a date and time 100 years later from the current time and date is inputted as the “temporary agreement end date” and the agreement end date is thereby assumed be substantially undecided. Accordingly, in a case where the agreement end date is undecided, in the former mode, information indicating that the agreement end date is undecided is stored in the memory514and, in the latter mode, a time and date in far future is stored in the memory514. Since the setting of the agreement end date, though a formality, is performed in the latter mode, this mode is preferable in terms of security.

Then, the main controller101of the printing apparatus1periodically receives the agreement start time and date, the agreement end time and date, and the current time and date from the agreement control server111and determines whether the printing apparatus1is in the first state or the second state.

FIG.9is a diagram illustrating how the state of the printing apparatus1is set based on the agreement start time and date, the agreement end time and date, and the current time and date. In a case where the current time and date is in the period between the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date, the main controller101sets the printing apparatus1to the second state. Moreover, in a case where the agreement end time and date is undecided and the agreement start time and date is earlier than the current time and date, the main controller101sets the printing apparatus1to the second state. In cases other than those described above, the main controller101sets the printing apparatus1to the first state.

Specifically, if the agreement start time and date and the agreement end time and date are both later than the current time and date while the main controller101repeatedly performs the two state setting sequences described inFIGS.8A and8B, the printing apparatus1is set to the first state. Then, if the current time and date exceeds the agreement start time and date, the printing apparatus1is set to the second state. Moreover, if the current time and date exceeds the agreement end time and date, the printing apparatus1is set to the first state again.

<Settlement Method for Number of Printed Sheets>

FIG.10is a diagram for explaining a settlement method for the number of printed sheets. InFIG.10, a case where the agreement start date is set to January 10th and the agreement end date is set to March 10th is described as an example. Moreover, the settlement date is 25th of each month and the number of sheets printed in a period from 26th of last month to 25th of this month is sent to the charging server112. Although the number of sheets printed in the color mode and the number of sheets printed in the monochrome mode are generally counted, description is given only for the number of sheets printed in the monochrome mode for the sake of simplification.

InFIG.10, the accumulated count value indicates the count value of the counter114(seeFIG.2) included in the printing apparatus1. The accumulated count value is zero at the arrival (product purchase) of the printing apparatus1and is then incremented by one every time printing of one page is performed in the monochrome mode. Specifically, the accumulated count value indicates the accumulated number of sheets printed in the monochrome mode from the arrival of the printing apparatus1.

If the current time and date becomes the agreement start date (1/10), the printing apparatus1is switched from the first state to the second state. Moreover, at this timing, the main controller101reads the accumulated count value of the counter114and saves the read value in the non-volatile memory115as “count value at agreement conclusion”.

If the current time and date becomes the first settlement date (1/25), the main controller101reads the accumulated count value of the counter114and subtracts the “count value at agreement conclusion” (100) saved in the non-volatile memory115from the read accumulated count value (300). Then, the main controller101sends the obtained value (300−100=200) to the charging server112as the number of sheets printed in this month. Moreover, the main controller saves the accumulated count value (300) at the current moment in the non-volatile memory115as “count value on settlement date”.

If the current time and date becomes the second settlement date (2/25), the main controller101reads the accumulated count value of the counter114and subtracts the “count value on settlement date” (300) saved in the non-volatile memory115from the read accumulated count value (500). Then, the main controller101sends the obtained value (500−300=200) to the charging server112as the number of sheets printed in this month. Moreover, the main controller updates the “count value on settlement date” saved in the non-volatile memory115to the accumulated count value (500) at the current moment.

If the current time and date becomes the agreement end date (3/10), the printing apparatus1is switched from the second state to the first state. Moreover, at this timing, the main controller101reads the accumulated count value of the counter114and subtracts the “count value on settlement date” (500) saved in the non-volatile memory115from the read accumulated count value (650). Then, the main controller101sends the obtained value (650−500=150) to the charging server112as the number of sheets printed in this month (final month). In this case, the main controller101may calculate the total number of sheets printed in the agreement period by subtracting the “count value at agreement conclusion” (100) saved in the non-volatile memory115from the accumulated count value (650) of the counter114.

The charging server112performs charging processing based on the number of printed sheets received on each settlement date. Specifically, in a case where the received number of printed sheets is a defined value or less, the charging server112charges a flat-rate charge. In a case where the received number of printed sheets exceeds the defined value, the charging server112charges an excess charge in addition to the flat-rate charge.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the number of sheets printed in each month can be appropriately managed by using the count value of the counter114and the “count value at agreement conclusion” and the “count value on settlement date” saved in the non-volatile memory115.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the user can set or update the agreement period to any desired period, at any time at or before the time and date at which the agreement is desired to be started. Accordingly, if the server cannot communicate at a timing at which the user intends to set the desired agreement period, the user can set this desired agreement period at another timing. Moreover, the main controller periodically and repeatedly checks the aforementioned agreement period and the current time and date and this allows the printing apparatus to be appropriately set to the first state or the second state from moment to moment. In other words, the user can receive an appropriate service in the desired period.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Description is given above of the mode in which the agreement control server111and the charging server112have independent functions and the printing apparatus1communicates with both servers. However, the agreement control server111and the charging server112may be one server having the functions of both servers. Alternatively, a server system including one or more servers may perform the functions of both servers.

Moreover, description is given above of a case where the ink-jet printing apparatus1is used as the information processing apparatus. However, the information processing apparatus may be an image printing apparatus that uses a coloring material other than the ink. For example, in a case where the subscription agreement is concluded with an image printing apparatus that uses toner as the color material being the information processing apparatus, a specific toner cartridge (container containing the toner) may be made usable.

Moreover, the information processing apparatus may be an apparatus other than the printing apparatus as long as the information processing apparatus is capable of commutating with the server saving the predetermined agreement information. In this case, the contents of the service based on the subscription agreement are not limited to particular contents and the information processing apparatus only needs to send the charging server a processing amount of processing unique to the information processing apparatus instead of the print processing in the aforementioned embodiment. Any apparatus can function as the information processing apparatus of the present invention as long as the apparatus is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the server saving the predetermined agreement information and is an apparatus capable of providing a certain service depending on the agreement conclusion state.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-061431 filed Mar. 30, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference wherein in its entirety.