JP7684928B2 - Display method, electronic device, program, and management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a display method, an electronic device, a program, and a management system.

Conventionally, printers such as inkjet printers have been widely used. In addition, as a method for controlling the operation of a printer, for example, a method using a PC that performs RIP processing is widely used (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-138583 A

When controlling the operation of a printer using a PC or the like that performs RIP processing, the printer status can be managed, for example, by running a program (application software) that manages the printer status on the PC. However, depending on the printer's intended use, it may be desirable to manage the printer status in a more appropriate manner. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a display method, electronic device, program, and management system that can solve the above problems.

The inventors of the present application have conducted extensive research into how to manage printers. They came up with the idea of not simply managing the printer status using a PC for RIP processing, but rather collecting information indicating the printer status on a server and obtaining the information from the server to check the printer status. With this configuration, it is possible to check the printer status in various locations, not just the location where the printer is installed. This also allows, for example, people other than the operator who operates the printer to check the printer status as necessary.

It is conceivable that printers can be managed by associating them with the printer's user, for example. The inventor of the present application also considered managing printers by dividing them into groups, for example. With this configuration, it is possible to more easily and appropriately manage printers, for example, when multiple printers are associated with one user or one organization of users. In this case, it is also conceivable that the electronic device that displays information for checking the printer's status can display the information in a manner that is selected from multiple display methods, for example, according to the user's instructions. With this configuration, for example, when information about multiple printers is managed by a server, it is possible to appropriately display the information that the user needs on the electronic device. This also makes it possible to more appropriately manage the printer's status, for example.

Furthermore, the inventor of the present application, through further intensive research, discovered the features necessary to obtain such an effect, and arrived at the present invention. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a display method for displaying information on an electronic device in a printing system including a printer, a management server that manages printer information, which is information indicating the status of the printer, and an electronic device that performs a display based on the printer information acquired from the management server, the display method including an information transmission step of transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from the management server to the electronic device, and a display step of displaying information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device in the information transmission step, the management server manages the printer in association with a user of the printer, and manages the printer by dividing it into groups including one or more printers, and the user who operates the electronic device is connected to the management server. When the management server manages a plurality of printers associated with the user, in the display step, the display method based on the printer information is selected from a plurality of display methods including a printer-by-printer display that displays information about each printer, a group display that displays information about the printers included in any of the groups, and a full display that displays information about all of the printers associated with the user, and the electronic device is caused to display information based on the printer information in response to an instruction from the user, by selecting one of a collective display in which the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the full display are displayed on one screen, and an individual display in which one of the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the full display is selected and displayed.

With this configuration, for example, when a management server manages multiple printers associated with a user, the display method based on the printer information can be selected from multiple methods. In this case, depending on the user's instructions, either a collective display in which the display by printer, the group display, and all display are performed on one screen, or an individual display in which one of the display by printer, the group display, and all display is selected and displayed, and information based on the printer information is displayed on the electronic device, thereby, for example, allowing the information required by the user to be appropriately displayed on the electronic device. This also allows, for example, the status of the printer to be appropriately understood.

In addition, if the management server manages multiple printers associated with a user who operates an electronic device, in the display stage, the electronic device may display, for example, a summary display that aggregates and displays information about the multiple printers associated with the user, and a printer-by-printer display that displays information about each individual printer, on a single screen. In this case, in the summary display, the electronic device may display, for example, either a group summary display that aggregates information about printers in the same group, or a total summary display that aggregates information about all printers associated with the user. Even in this configuration, for example, the electronic device may be made to appropriately display information required by the user. This may also make it possible, for example, to more appropriately manage the status of the printers.

In this configuration, the printers associated with the user are divided into groups, for example, by user manual setting by user operation or automatic setting based on a preset rule. With this configuration, for example, printers can be grouped appropriately. With regard to grouping, it is also possible to group the printers associated with the user, for example, by production line where the printer is used to produce products, or by product. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately group the printers according to how they are used. This also makes it easier to tally up production volume and costs for the production of products using the printer. In this configuration, at the display stage, it is possible to display at least one of the following on the electronic device based on the printer information: a printer overview showing an overview of the printer, a printer status showing the printer's status, the printer's operation record, and the maintenance history for the printer. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately check the printer's status based on the printer information.

The present invention can also be configured, for example, as an electronic device, a program, and a management system having the same characteristics as those described above. In this case, the program can be considered, for example, as a program executed in at least one of a management server and an electronic device to display information on the electronic device. The management system can be considered, for example, as a system that manages printers in a printing system. Even with these configurations, for example, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

The present invention makes it possible, for example, to more appropriately manage the status of a printer.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating specific configurations of a user base 14 and an external management unit 16. Fig. 2A shows an example of the configuration of a user base 14. Fig. 2B shows an example of the configuration of the external management unit 16. 10 is a diagram illustrating how printer information is managed by the management server 12. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a list of printers 114 is displayed on a PC 112 or the like. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed regarding a plurality of printers 114. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how to change the aggregation period. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing more detailed information for a portion of the information relating to the printer 114. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the printing system 10 is a system that performs printing using a printer, and includes a management server 12, a user base 14, and an external management unit 16. Except as described below, the printing system 10 may have the same or similar features as known printing systems.

The management server 12 is a server that manages printer information, which is information indicating the status of the printers used in the printing system 10. In this example, the management server 12 is a cloud server that communicates with other configurations via a wide area network such as the Internet, and manages the printer information according to a program executed on the cloud. The management server 12 also acquires printer information related to the printers installed at the user base 14, for example, by communicating with electronic devices installed at the user base 14 via the wide area network. The management server 12 also supplies printer information to the electronic devices by communicating with electronic devices installed at the user base 14 and the external management unit 16 via the wide area network. As a result, the management server 12 causes the electronic devices to display based on the printer information. The operation of causing the electronic devices to display based on the printer information will be explained in more detail later.

The management server 12 may be, for example, a server provided by a cloud server provider. In this case, the computer that functions as the management server 12 may be managed by a person other than the administrator of the user base 14 and the external management unit 16. In this case, it may be possible to control a server provided by the cloud server provider from the external management unit 16 to function as the management server 12. In a modified configuration of the printing system 10, it may be possible to use, for example, a computer managed by the same administrator as the administrator of the user base 14 or the external management unit 16 as the management server 12. In this case, the management server 12 may be installed, for example, in the user base 14 or the external management unit 16.

The user base 14 is a base where printing operations are performed in the printing system 10. The user base 14 can be considered, for example, as a base where a printer to be managed by the management server 12 is installed. The user base 14 can also be considered, for example, as a base managed by an administrator of the printer used in the printing system 10. The external management unit 16 is configured to manage at least a part of the printing system 10 outside the user base 14. In this example, the external management unit 16 is a base of a business that provides services such as maintenance for the printer at the user base 14, and provides services such as maintenance for the printer at the user base 14 based on printer information obtained from the management server 12. The external management unit 16 can be considered, for example, as a base managed by an administrator different from the administrator of the user base 14. The user base 14 and the external management unit 16 can be configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.

Figure 2 is a diagram explaining the specific configuration of the user base 14 and the external management unit 16. Figure 2 (a) shows an example of the configuration of the user base 14. Figure 2 (b) shows an example of the configuration of the external management unit 16. In this example, the user base 14 is a base that produces works (printed materials) printed using a printer, and has multiple production bases 102 and a management department 104. The production base 102 is a base where the printers are installed. In this example, the production base 102 also has a PC 112, multiple printers 114, and an electronic device 116. The PC 112 is a computer that controls the printing operation of the printer 114. In this example, the PC 112 is a computer for RIP processing (RIP-PC), and controls the operation of the printer 114 by supplying data generated by the RIP processing to the printer 114. In this case, for example, as shown in the figure, the operation of multiple printers 114 may be controlled by one PC 112.

In this example, the PC 112 is an example of an electronic device that displays information based on the printer information acquired from the management server 12, and has a communication interface and a monitor. In this case, the communication interface can be considered as an example of a communication unit that receives printer information associated with the printer 114 managed by the PC 112 from the management server 12. The monitor can be considered as an example of a display unit that displays information based on the printer information sent from the management server 12. In this case, the display unit can be considered to include a configuration for controlling the display content on the monitor. In this example, the PC 112 further communicates with the printer 114 to acquire information about the printer 114, and transmits it to the management server 12, thereby updating the printer information in the management server 12. In this case, the PC 112 can also be considered to have a configuration that detects the status of the printer 114 and notifies the management server 12. More specifically, the PC 112 detects the status of the printer 114 periodically at a predetermined timing, and updates the printer information in the management server 12 based on the detected status. In this case, the PC 112 may automatically detect the printer 114 and update the printer information, for example, without relying on user operations, etc.

Printer 114 is a printer for producing products at production site 102, and executes printing operations under the control of PC 112. In this example, printer 114 is a color printer that prints using ink of multiple colors. As printer 114, for example, an inkjet printer having the same or similar configuration as a known inkjet printer can be suitably used.

The electronic device 116 is an information display device such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or personal computer. In this example, the electronic device 116 is also an example of an electronic device, and performs display based on printer information obtained from the management server 12. In this case, the communication interface of the electronic device 116 can be considered, for example, as an example of a communication unit. Also, the screen of the electronic device 116 can be considered, for example, as an example of a display unit. In this case, the configuration for controlling the display content on the screen may be considered as an example of a display unit. Also, in this example, the electronic device 116 can be considered, for example, as an electronic device that performs display based on printer information without updating the printer information in the management server 12.

By using the production base 102 having such a configuration, for example, the PC 112 and the electronic device 116 can appropriately display based on the printer information. In addition, the PC 112 can appropriately update the printer information in the management server 12, for example. The specific configuration of the production base 102 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and may be variously different. For example, the number of printers 114 managed by the PC 112 may be one or three or more. In addition, the number of PCs 112 and electronic devices 116 in one production base 102 may be multiple. In addition, the number of PCs 112, printers 114, and electronic devices 116, and the number of printers 114 managed by one PC 112, etc. may differ for each production base 102. In addition, the number of production bases 102 is not limited to the number shown in the figure, and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, it is also possible to use a configuration in which the number of printers 114 in the printing system 10 is only one, for example, as the production base 102.

As described above, in this example, the user base 14 further includes a management department 104 in addition to the multiple production bases 102. The management department 104 is configured to manage the multiple production bases 102, and includes a PC 112. In this example, the PC 112 in the management department 104 is also an example of an electronic device that displays information based on printer information acquired from the management server 12. More specifically, for example, the PC 112 is a computer for the administrator of the entire user base 14, and displays information based on printer information acquired from the management server 12, similar to the PC 112 in the production base 102. The PC 112 in the management department 104 can also be considered, for example, as an electronic device that displays information based on printer information without updating the printer information in the management server 12.

In this example, the external management unit 16 has a marketing department 106 and a support department 108. The marketing department 106 is a department that provides items and information related to the printer 114 to the user of the printer 114 at the user base 14. In this case, the provision of items related to the printer 114 may include, for example, selling ink and media. In addition, for example, in cooperation with the marketing department 106, it may be possible to sell consumables that are replaced during maintenance of the printer 114. The support department 108 is a department that provides maintenance services to the user of the printer 114. In this example, the marketing department 106 and the support department 108 have a PC 112. The PC 112 in the marketing department 106 and the support department 108 is also an example of an electronic device that displays based on the printer information acquired from the management server 12. In this case, by displaying based on the printer information on the PC 112 in the marketing department 106, it becomes possible to carry out marketing activities according to the status of the printer 114, for example. In addition, by displaying printer information on the PC 112 in the support department 108, the status of the printer 114 can be easily and appropriately understood, for example, without having to visit the production site 102 where the printer 114 is installed. This also makes it possible, for example, to reduce the number of visits to the production site 102 and provide higher quality maintenance services at lower cost.

Here, as described above, in the printing system 10 of this example, information is displayed on the PC 112 and the electronic device 116, which are examples of electronic devices, based on the printer information managed by the management server 12. Such an operation can be considered, for example, as an example of the operation of a display method for displaying information on an electronic device. In this case, the operation of transmitting printer information from the management server 12 to the PC 112 or the electronic device 116 (hereinafter referred to as the PC 112, etc.) can be considered, for example, as an example of the operation of the information transmission stage. The information transmission stage can be considered, for example, as a stage in which the printer information associated with the printer 114 is transmitted from the management server 12 to the PC 112, etc. In addition, the operation of causing the PC 112, etc. to perform a display based on the printer information transmitted from the management server 12 can be considered, for example, as an example of the operation of the display stage. The display stage can be considered, for example, as a stage in which the PC 112, etc. displays information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server 12 to the electronic device in the information transmission stage.

In addition, the PC 112 etc. may display information based on the printer information using, for example, a web browser (internet browser). In this case, the management server 12 communicates with the PC 112 etc. using a specific protocol such as the HTTP protocol, and transmits data for displaying a web page to the PC 112 etc. in response to a request from the PC 112 etc. In this case, sending this data from the management server 12 to the PC 112 etc. can be thought of as sending printer information, for example. In addition, in this case, the PC 112 etc. displays information based on the printer information by displaying information based on the data sent from the management server 12 using a web browser. Depending on the configuration of the PC 112 etc., the display based on the printer information may be performed using, for example, a dedicated application program without using a web browser.

In addition, in the printing system 10 of this example, the operation of displaying information on the PC 112, etc. can be considered to be executed by a program executed on at least one of the management server 12 or the PC 112, etc. In this case, the process of transmitting information from the management server 12 to the PC 112, etc. according to this program can be considered to be, for example, an example of an information transmission process. Also, the process of displaying a screen on the PC 112, etc. can be considered to be, for example, an example of a display process. Also, in this example, for example, the management server 12 can be considered to display information on the PC 112, etc. by sending data from the management server 12 to the PC 112, etc. according to a program executed on the management server 12. Also, for example, it can be considered that the display based on the printer information is performed on the PC 112, etc. according to a program executed on the PC 112, etc. Depending on the configuration of the printing system 10 and the way of thinking about the relationship between the operation and the program, it can also be considered that the information is displayed on the PC 112, etc. by the functions of both the program executed on the management server 12 and the program executed on the PC 112, etc.

As can be understood from the above explanation, in this example, the printer 114 can be considered to be managed by at least a portion of the configuration in the printing system 10. Therefore, for example, at least a portion of the printing system 10 can be considered to be a management system that manages the printer 114 in the printing system 10. In this case, the management system can be considered to be a configuration that includes, for example, the management server 12 in the printing system 10. The management system may also be considered to include further configuration other than the management server 12. In this case, for example, the management system can be considered to include a PC 112, etc.

Next, the printer information etc. managed by the management server 12 will be explained in more detail. Figure 3 is a diagram explaining how the printer information is managed by the management server 12, and shows a simplified example of items managed in association with the printer information. In this example, the management server 12 is a server accessed from the user base 14 and the external management unit 16 (see Figure 1), etc., and manages the printer information while identifying the user of the printer 114 (see Figure 2) through user authentication.

More specifically, in this example, the management server 12 manages the correspondence between users and printers 114 by associating user information for identifying a preregistered user with a printer ID for identifying the printer 114. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of printers 114 with printer IDs bbb1 to 5 are associated with one user or one organization as a user whose user information is aaa1. In this case, the association between user information and printers 114 can be considered as an example of the association between users and printers 114. In addition, when user information indicates an organization, the organization can be considered as a user identified by the user information. In addition, a printer 114 with a printer ID of bbb6 is associated with a user whose user information is aaa2. In an actual management server 12, it is conceivable to manage the association between users and printers 114 for even more users.

In addition, as in this example, when multiple printers 114 are associated with one user or one organization as a user, it is possible to manage the multiple printers 114 by dividing them into groups. More specifically, for example, when the user base 14 has multiple production bases 102 (see FIG. 2), it is possible to group the printers 114 for each printer 114 installed at the same production base 102. In addition, when there are multiple operators at the production base 102 who perform work according to the instructions of a user to which multiple printers 114 are associated, it is also possible to divide the groups for each operator. Therefore, in this example, the management server 12 makes it possible to manage the multiple printers 114 by dividing them into groups by associating the groups with the printer IDs. For example, in the case shown in the figure, the multiple printers 114 with printer IDs bbb1 to 3 belong to group X. The multiple printers 114 with printer IDs bbb4 to 5 belong to group Y. Additionally, printer 114, whose printer ID is bbb6, belongs to group Z.

In this example, the management server 12 associates printer information with each printer 114 identified by the printer ID. As the printer information, various information related to the status and past history of the printer 114 can be used. According to this example, for example, the printer information corresponding to the printer 114 can be appropriately managed. This also makes it possible to appropriately manage the printer 114, for example, by using the printer information. In this case, the PC 112 or the like can display a list of the printers 114 associated with the user and the status of the printer 114, based on the printer information. In this case, the PC 112 or the like can display a list of the printers 114 in relation to the display of the status, for example, as shown in FIG. 4.

Figure 4 shows an example of a display screen when displaying a list of printers 114 on a PC 112 or the like, and shows two types of display screen examples selected according to the electronic device that displays the screen. More specifically, in the figure, the left side shows an example of a display screen when displaying on a large screen when, for example, a personal computer is used as the PC 112 or electronic device 116. The right side shows an example of a display screen when displaying on a narrow screen when, for example, a smartphone is used as the electronic device 116. In this case, it can be considered that the examples of screen displays on both the left and right sides display substantially the same content depending on the purpose of the screen display.

In this example, when the PC 112 or the like is made to display a screen, the user who operates the PC 112 or the like performs user authentication on the management server 12 (see FIG. 1) to sign in to the management server 12. Then, the PC 112 or the like displays information on the printer 114 associated with the user who has been authenticated by the user authentication on the screen. In this case, on the display screen that displays a list of the printers 114, the PC 112 or the like displays information indicating the printers 114 associated with the user in a line, as shown in the figure. More specifically, for example, in the case shown in FIG. 4, the PC 112 or the like displays the name, model, and operating status of the printer 114 for all the printers 114 associated with the user. In this case, the name of the printer 114 can be considered to be, for example, a printer name determined by the user to identify the printer 114. In addition, the operating status can be considered to be, for example, information indicating the state of the printer 114 in relation to the printing operation. More specifically, in this example, the operating state is information indicating whether the operating state is printing, waiting, error stopped, or offline. In this case, printing can be considered, for example, as a state in which printing is being performed by the printer 114. Waiting can be considered, for example, as a state in which the printer 114 is waiting in a state in which printing can be started. Error stopped can be considered, for example, as a state in which the printer 114 is stopped due to some error. Offline can be considered, for example, as a state in which the status of the printer 114 cannot be obtained. Also, offline can be considered, for example, as a state in which the management server 12 cannot grasp the latest status of the printer 114. In this case, offline can be considered, for example, as a state in which the printer 114 is not turned on, or a state in which the status of the printer 114 cannot be grasped due to a problem with the communication path or the management server 12. Also, in this example, offline can be considered, for example, as a state in which the latest status of the printer 114 cannot be obtained from the management server 12.

In this example, the PC 112 etc. can also display a list of printers 114 for each printer 114 status by displaying using the tabs 202. In this case, the PC 112 etc. displays a list of printers 114 in a status associated with the tabs 202 in response to a user's operation to select the tabs 202. More specifically, in the case shown in the figure, the PC 112 etc. displays tabs 202 for switching the display between all, waiting, printing, error stopped, and offline. In this case, when the tab 202 corresponding to all is selected, all printers 114 associated with the user are displayed. Also, when any other tab 202 is selected, the printers 114 associated with the user that are in a status corresponding to the selected tab 202 are displayed. With this configuration, for example, the status of the printers 114 managed by the user can be easily and appropriately confirmed.

In this example, the PC 112 etc. can also display more detailed information about the printer 114 based on the printer information received from the management server 12. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to cause the PC 112 etc. to display information based on the printer information for the printer 114 selected by the user from a list of printers 114. In addition, by selecting all printers 114 associated with the user or printers 114 included in a group, for example, to display information about multiple printers 114 on the PC 112 etc., as shown in Figures 5 to 7.

Figures 5 to 7 are diagrams showing examples of display screens displayed on the PC 112, etc., and show examples of information displayed based on printer information for multiple printers 114 selected by the user. Figure 5 shows an example of information displayed for multiple printers 114. Figure 6 shows an example of how to change the aggregation period for tallying up the displayed information. Figure 7 shows an example of a display screen showing more detailed information for a portion of the information related to the printer 114. For ease of illustration, Figures 5 to 7 only show an example of a screen corresponding to one of the two types of screen displays shown in Figure 4.

As indicated by the words "Printer tally within organization" in the figures, Figures 5 and 6 show the status of printers 114 tallied for printers 114 within an organization. In this case, the printers 114 within an organization can be considered to be, for example, printers 114 managed in the management server 12 in association with the same user. The display screen for the printer tally within organization can be considered to be, for example, an example of a display screen that the PC 112 displays in response to a user's instruction when multiple printers 114 are associated with one user or one organization as a user. The association of multiple printers 114 with one user or one organization as a user can be considered to be, for example, multiple printers 114 registered in the management server 12 in association with the same user.

In this example, the PC 112 etc. displays a screen having a display target selection section 222 and a period setting section 224 as shown in the figure, for example, as a screen display regarding the intra-organization printer tally. In this case, the display target selection section 222 is a selection section for selecting the printer 114 to be tallyed in the items displayed on the screen display by the PC 112 etc. More specifically, in this example, when multiple printers 114 are associated with a user, the display target selection section 222 accepts a selection from the user regarding the printer 114 to be tallyed, for example, all printers 114, grouped printers 114, and individual printers 114. In this case, all printers 114 can be considered to be, for example, all printers 114 associated with the user who operates the PC 112 etc. The user who operates the PC 112 etc. can be considered to be, for example, a user who signs in to the management server 12 to operate the PC 112 etc. Also, the grouped printers 114 can be considered to be, for example, at least a part of all printers and printers 114 belonging to the same group. Each printer 114 can be considered to be, for example, an individual printer 114 included in all printers 114. Also, in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a state in which all groups are selected in the display target selection section 222 is shown. In this case, the selection of all groups can be considered to correspond to, for example, the selection of all printers 114.

The PC 112 etc. performs a screen display based on the printer information for at least one of the full display, group display, and printer-by-printer display, depending on the user's selection in the display target selection unit 222. In this case, the full display can be considered to be, for example, displaying information about all printers 114 associated with the user. The group display can be considered to be, for example, displaying information about the printers 114 included in any group. The printer-by-printer display can be considered to be, for example, displaying information about each printer 114. In this example, the full display is a screen display that is performed when all printers 114 are selected. The group display is a screen display that is performed when a grouped printer 114 is selected. The printer-by-printer display is a screen display that is performed when an individual printer 114 is selected. In addition, when the management server 12 manages multiple printers 114 associated with a user who operates the PC 112 etc., the PC 112 etc. selects one of multiple display methods including the full display, group display, and printer-by-printer display for the display method based on the printer information, depending on the user's instruction. In this case, this selection can be thought of as, for example, selecting at least one of full display, group display, and printer-by-printer display.

5 and 6 show an example of the case where the screen display of the PC 112 or the like is selected from among the all display, group display, and printer display. In addition, in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the PC 112 or the like displays a summary of the printer operation results for all the printers 114 (printers 114 of all groups). In addition, as the summary of the operation results, a summary of the usage results, the ink usage amount, and the printing area are displayed. The summary of the usage results of the printer 114 can be considered, for example, as a summary of the operating state of the printer 114. In addition, in this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, as a summary of the operating state, the time and ratio in the waiting, printing, error stop, and offline states during the summary period, as shown in the figure. The summary of the ink usage amount can be considered, for example, as a summary of the amount of ink used by the printer 114 to be summarized. In addition, in this example, the PC 112 or the like displays, for example, as a summary of the ink usage amount, the total usage amount and cost for the period for each ink set, as shown in the figure. The PC 112 etc. also displays a button for showing more detailed information for each ink set. The printing area tally can be thought of as, for example, tallying up the area printed by the printer 114 being the target of tallying. In this example, the PC 112 etc. also displays the printing length, printing area, and cost as shown in the figure as the printing area tally. With this configuration, for example, when multiple printers 114 are associated with one user or one organization as users, the status of the multiple printers 114 can be properly understood as necessary. This also makes it possible, for example, to more easily and properly manage the printers 114.

In addition, in the screen displays shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the collection period for information related to the printer 114 can be changed using the period setting unit 224. The period setting unit 224 is a setting unit for setting the collection period for collecting items displayed on the screen display of the PC 112 or the like. The period setting unit 224 can also be considered, for example, as a configuration for receiving a period specification in a user interface (UI) of the PC 112 or the like. In this example, the period setting unit 224 sets the collection period by receiving a method for setting the period and a period specification from the user, as shown in Fig. 6, for example. With this configuration, for example, the collection period desired by the user can be appropriately set. This also makes it possible, for example, to more appropriately check the status of the printer 114.

As explained above, in this example, the PC 112 etc. further displays a button for showing more detailed information for each ink set regarding the total amount of ink used. Then, when the user presses a button corresponding to any of the ink sets, the PC 112 etc. displays more detailed information about the ink set, as shown in FIG. 7, for example. With this configuration, it is possible to more appropriately manage ink-related costs, for example.

Here, a more detailed explanation will be given of how the screen display is performed on the PC 112 etc. In this example, when multiple printers 114 are associated with a user, the PC 112 etc. receives an instruction from the user to select whether to target all printers 114, grouped printers 114, or individual printers 114, as described above. With this configuration, for example, the printer 114 for which information is to be displayed can be appropriately changed depending on the content that the user wishes to confirm. This also makes it possible, for example, to appropriately display the information required by the user on the PC 112 when information on multiple printers 114 is managed by the management server 12.

In addition, FIG. 5 and other figures show an example of a case where the way of displaying information on the PC 112 and other devices is selected from among the ways of displaying information corresponding to the all-display, group display, and printer-by-printer display. In contrast, the PC 112 and other devices may further display information in a manner different from that shown in FIG. 5 and other figures, for example, in response to a user's selection. In this case, the PC 112 and other devices select whether to display information in a list (all at once) or individually, for example, in response to a user's instruction. More specifically, in this example, the PC 112 and other devices select either the all-display or the individual display, in response to a user's instruction, for the way of displaying information based on the printer information, for example, the all-display, group display, and printer-by-printer display. In this case, the all-display can be considered to be, for example, a display in which the all-display, group display, and printer-by-printer display are performed on a single screen. The individual display can be considered to be, for example, a display in which one of the all-display, group display, and printer-by-printer display is selected and displayed.

In this case, when multiple items are displayed on one screen on the PC 112, etc., it can be considered that the items are displayed in a state that can be handled as one screen on the PC 112, etc. For example, when a screen is displayed on a web browser on the PC 112, etc., it can be considered that a display corresponding to one screen on the web browser is performed. Furthermore, one screen on the web browser can be considered as, for example, a range that can be displayed without moving pages. The range that can be displayed without moving pages can be considered as, for example, a range that can be displayed without changing the URL. According to this example, when the management server 12 manages multiple printers 114 associated with a user, the method of display based on the printer information can be appropriately selected from multiple methods depending on, for example, the purpose of checking the information. This can also, for example, more appropriately show the information that the user needs to the user.

When displaying a group, the PC 112 etc. displays, for example, summary information for the group or information for each printer 114 belonging to the group, depending on the user's selection. In this case, the summary information for the group can be considered, for example, summary information for the printers 114 included in the same group. The information for each printer 114 belonging to the group can be considered, for example, information for each printer 114 included in the group. With this configuration, for example, information about the group can be appropriately displayed depending on the user's wishes.

In addition, the PC 112, etc. may display, on one screen, a summary display regarding the summary on a group basis or the like, and a printer-by-printer display regarding each printer 114, for example, in response to a user's selection. In this case, the summary display can be considered, for example, as a display in which information on multiple printers 114 associated with the user is summarized. The printer-by-printer display can be considered, for example, as a display of information on each individual printer. In addition, in this case, the summary display is not limited to a display on a group basis, and may display, for example, a summary for all printers 114. More specifically, in this case, the PC 112, etc., in the summary display, displays at least one of a group summary display and a total summary display, for example, in response to a user's selection. In addition, the group summary display can be considered, for example, as a display in which information on printers 114 included in the same group is summarized. The total summary display can be considered, for example, as a display in which information on all printers 114 associated with the user is summarized. In this case, the PC 112, etc., performs only one of the group summary display and the total summary display as the summary display, for example, in response to a user's instruction. Also. For example, depending on the information desired by the user, it is possible to display both the group tally display and the total tally display as the tally display. With this configuration, for example, the information required by the user can be more appropriately displayed on the PC 112, etc. This also allows the status of the printer 114, for example, to be more appropriately understood.

In this example, the printers 114 associated with the user are divided into groups, for example, by user manual setting by user operation or automatic setting based on a preset rule. With this configuration, for example, the printers 114 can be appropriately grouped. In this case, for grouping by automatic setting, for example, grouping can be performed according to at least one of the following: how the printers 114 are used, the introduction time of the printers 114, the maintenance history of the printers 114, the operation record of the printers 114, and the production target set for the printers 114. Grouping from these viewpoints can also be performed in the same way with grouping by manual setting. Also, for example, when focusing on how the printers 114 are used, it is possible to group the printers 114 associated with the user, for example, by production line that produces products using the printers 114, or by product. With this configuration, for example, grouping can be appropriately performed according to how the printers 114 are used. This also makes it easier to tally up production volume and costs for the production of products using the printers 114.

As described above, according to this example, for example, by displaying on the PC 112 or the like based on the printer information obtained from the management server 12, the status of the PC 112 can be properly understood. Furthermore, in cases where a user is associated with multiple printers 114, the information required by the user can be properly displayed on the PC 112 or the like by using display methods such as full display, group display, and printer-by-printer display. This also makes it possible to easily and properly understand the status of multiple printers 114, for example.

In addition, regarding the information displayed based on the print information, the PC 112 etc. may display other information in addition to the information shown in FIG. 5 etc. More specifically, the PC 112 etc. may display, for example, at least one of a printer overview showing an overview of the printer, a printer status showing the printer's status, the printer's operation history, and the maintenance history for the printer, based on the printer information. In this case, it is conceivable that a screen display relating to other information can be selected on a screen for selecting the display screen shown in FIG. 5 etc. By configuring in this manner, for example, the status of the printer 114 can be more appropriately confirmed based on the printer information.

In the above, the printer 114 used in the printing system 10 has been described as being, for example, an inkjet printer. However, the printer 114 used in the printing system 10 may be a printer other than an inkjet printer. In addition, it is also conceivable to use, for example, a 3D printer as the printer 114 used in the printing system 10.

The present invention can be suitably used, for example, as a display method for displaying information on electronic devices.

10: Printing system, 102: Production base, 104: Management department, 106: Marketing department, 108: Support department, 112: PC, 114: Printer, 116: Electronic device, 12: Management server, 14: User base, 16: External management unit, 222: Display target selection unit, 224: Period setting unit

Claims (11)

A display method for displaying information on an electronic device in a printing system including a printer, a management server that manages printer information that is information indicating a status of the printer, and an electronic device that performs a display based on the printer information acquired from the management server, comprising:
an information transmitting step of transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from the management server to the electronic device;
a display step of displaying, on the electronic device, information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device in the information transmission step,
the management server manages the printers in association with users of the printers, and manages the printers by dividing them into groups each including one or more of the printers;
In a case where the management server manages a plurality of the printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device, in the display step, a display method based on the printer information is
a printer display for displaying information about each of the printers;
a group display that displays information about the printers included in any of the groups;
a full display that displays information about all of the printers associated with the user, in response to an instruction from the user;
a collective display in which the printer display, the group display, and the entire display are displayed on one screen;
A display method characterized by selecting one of the individual display, which is a display by printer, the group display, or the full display, and displaying information based on the printer information on the electronic device. A display method for displaying information on an electronic device in a printing system including a printer, a management server that manages printer information that is information indicating a status of the printer, and an electronic device that performs a display based on the printer information acquired from the management server, comprising:
an information transmitting step of transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from the management server to the electronic device;
a display step of displaying, on the electronic device, information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device in the information transmission step,
the management server manages the printers in association with users of the printers, and manages the printers by dividing them into groups each including one or more of the printers;
In a case where the management server manages a plurality of the printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device, in the display step,
a summary display that summarizes and displays information about the plurality of printers associated with the user;
a printer display for displaying information about each of the printers on one screen of the electronic device;
And in the above summary display,
a group summary display that summarizes information about the printers included in the same group;
a total summary display that summarizes information about all of the printers associated with the user, wherein the electronic device is caused to perform either one of the display methods. The display method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the printers associated with the user are divided into the groups by manual setting by the user's operation or by automatic setting based on a preset rule. The display method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the multiple printers associated with the user are divided into the groups by production lines that use the printers to produce works, or by works. The display method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the display step, at least one of a printer overview showing an overview of the printer, a printer status showing the state of the printer, the operation history of the printer, and a maintenance history for the printer is displayed on the electronic device based on the printer information. An electronic device that performs a display based on printer information, which is information indicating a printer status,
a communication unit that receives the printer information associated with the printer from a management server;
a display unit that displays information based on the printer information received from the management server;
Equipped with
The printers are managed in association with users of the printers, and the printers are managed in groups each including one or more of the printers;
In a case where a plurality of the printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device are managed, a method of displaying the printer information based on the printer information is
a printer display for displaying information about each of the printers;
a group display that displays information about the printers included in any of the groups;
a full display that displays information about all of the printers associated with the user, in response to an instruction from the user;
a collective display in which the printer display, the group display, and the entire display are displayed on one screen;
an electronic device characterized in that information based on the printer information is displayed on the display unit by selecting one of an individual display that selects and displays any of the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the full display. An electronic device that performs a display based on printer information, which is information indicating a printer status,
a communication unit that receives the printer information associated with the printer from a management server;
a display unit that displays information based on the printer information received from the management server;
Equipped with
The printers are managed in association with users of the printers, and the printers are managed in groups each including one or more of the printers;
When a plurality of the printers are managed in association with the user who operates the electronic device,
a summary display that summarizes and displays information about the plurality of printers associated with the user;
a printer display for displaying information about each of the printers on the display unit in one screen;
And in the above summary display,
a group summary display that summarizes information about the printers included in the same group;
a total summary display that summarizes information about all of the printers associated with the user. A program for displaying information based on printer information, which is information indicating a printer status, on an electronic device, comprising:
an information transmission process for transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from a management server to the electronic device;
a display process for displaying information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device on the electronic device, the display process being executed by at least one of the management server and the electronic device;
The printers are managed in association with users of the printers, and the printers are managed in groups each including one or more of the printers;
In a case where a plurality of the printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device are managed, in the display process, a display method based on the printer information is
a printer display for displaying information about each of the printers;
a group display that displays information about the printers included in any of the groups;
a full display that displays information about all of the printers associated with the user, in response to an instruction from the user;
a collective display in which the printer display, the group display, and the entire display are displayed on one screen;
A program characterized by selecting one of the individual display, which is an individual display that selects and displays any of the printer-by-printer display, the group display, and the full display, and displaying information based on the printer information on the electronic device. A program for displaying information based on printer information, which is information indicating a printer status, on an electronic device, comprising:
an information transmission process for transmitting the printer information associated with the printer from a management server to the electronic device;
a display process for displaying information based on the printer information transmitted from the management server to the electronic device on the electronic device, the display process being executed by at least one of the management server and the electronic device;
The printers are managed in association with users of the printers, and the printers are managed in groups each including one or more of the printers;
In a case where a plurality of the printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device are managed, in the display process,
a summary display that summarizes and displays information about the plurality of printers associated with the user;
a printer display for displaying information about each of the printers on one screen of the electronic device;
And in the above summary display,
a group summary display that summarizes information about the printers included in the same group;
a total summary display that summarizes information about all of the printers associated with the user, or a total summary display that summarizes information about all of the printers associated with the user. A management system for managing a printer in a printing system including a printer, comprising:
a management server for managing printer information which is information indicating the status of the printer;
the printing system is a system including the printer, the management server, and an electronic device that performs display based on the printer information acquired from the management server, and the management system is a system that constitutes at least a part of the printing system;
the management server manages the printers in association with users of the printers, and manages the printers by dividing them into groups each including one or more of the printers;
In a case where the management server manages a plurality of the printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device, the method of displaying the printer information based on the printer information is as follows:
a printer display for displaying information about each of the printers;
a group display that displays information about the printers included in any of the groups;
a full display that displays information about all of the printers associated with the user, in response to an instruction from the user;
a collective display in which the printer display, the group display, and the entire display are displayed on one screen;
A management system characterized by selecting one of an individual display that selects and displays either the printer-by-printer display, the group display, or the full display, and displaying information based on the printer information on the electronic device. A management system for managing a printer in a printing system including a printer, comprising:
a management server for managing printer information which is information indicating the status of the printer;
the printing system is a system including the printer, the management server, and an electronic device that performs display based on the printer information acquired from the management server, and the management system is a system that constitutes at least a part of the printing system;
the management server manages the printers in association with users of the printers, and manages the printers by dividing them into groups each including one or more of the printers;
When the management server manages a plurality of the printers associated with the user who operates the electronic device,
a summary display that summarizes and displays information about the plurality of printers associated with the user;
a printer display for displaying information about each of the printers on one screen of the electronic device;
And in the above summary display,
a group summary display that summarizes information about the printers included in the same group;
a total summary display that summarizes information about all of the printers associated with the user, or a total summary display that summarizes information about all of the printers associated with the user.

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