Abstract: An information management device 30 receives an object image to be retouched and printed and a specification of retouching to be performed on the object image as a retouching request from one of multiple printing apparatuses 50a and 50b, and transmits the received retouching request to a computer 60a or 60b of a selected retoucher. The information management device 30 receives a resulting image retouched in response to the transmitted retouching request from the computer 60a or 60b of the selected retoucher and transmits the resulting retouched image to the printing apparatus that has sent the retouching request. The information management device 30 also carries out an accounting process to calculate a charge for the retouching request to each of the multiple printing apparatuses 50a and 50b and a payment process to calculate a payment for retouching of the object image to each of the retouchers, based on reception of the retouching request and transmission of the resulting retouched image.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention reads job management data including an ID allocated to a printing apparatus receiving each print job and an ID allocated to a printing apparatus executing the print job from each of printing apparatuses 50a and 50b at regular intervals. The technique calculates profit distributions, cost distributions, and charge distributions at preset division rates to the printing apparatus receiving each print job and the printing apparatus executing the print job, based on the job management data. The technique then notifies each printing apparatus or each administrator of printing apparatuses of the calculated profit distributions, cost distributions, and charging distributions.

Abstract: In a printing management system of the invention, multiple printing devices 50a and 50b are connected via a network 22 with an information management apparatus 30 that manages the whole system, and are divided into plural blocks according to language, currency, and geographical factors. A jurisdiction management server 40 is provided in each of the plural blocks and is connected to the network 22. The information management apparatus 30 receives expendable consumption data regarding an expendable consumed by each of the multiple printing devices 50a and 50b at regular time intervals and transfers the received expendable consumption data to the corresponding jurisdiction management server 40 in the group to which the printing device belongs.

Abstract: A decurl roller 22 of a decurl unit 20 is an axially rotatable member that eliminates curl of printing paper 24 drawn out of roll paper holders 21b. The decurl roller 22 is pressed by tension springs 23b, which are respectively spanned between the periphery of a roll paper shaft 21a of roll paper 21 and a roller shaft 22a of the decurl roller 22, to be continuously in contact with a cylindrical face of the roll paper 21 wound in a cylindrical roll. The decurl roller 22 moves to approach the roll paper shaft 21a with a decrease in remaining amount of the roll paper 21. As the remaining amount of the roll paper 21 decreases, the decurl roller 22 linearly moves along guide rails 23c, which are formed in support members 23a, toward an eccentric position from the roll paper shaft 21a to increase a contact area and a contact angle ?PQR of the decurl roller 22 with the printing paper 24.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention reads expendable consumption data regarding expendables consumed by each of printing devices 50a and 50b at regular intervals, sums up consumptions of each expendable with respect to each expendable manufacturer, and sets a convertible point corresponding to the summed-up consumption. The technique then notifies a computer 60a or 60b of each expendable manufacturer of the setting convertible point. This arrangement automatically sets a total point to each expendable manufacturer, based on the consumptions of the respective expendables consumed by the printing devices 50a and 50b.

Abstract: A decurl roller 22 of a decurl unit 20 is an axially rotatable member that eliminates curl of printing paper 24 drawn out of roll paper holders 21b. The decurl roller 22 is pressed by tension springs 23b, which are respectively spanned between the periphery of a roll paper shaft 21a of roll paper 21 and a roller shaft 22a of the decurl roller 22, to be continuously in contact with a cylindrical face of the roll paper 21 wound in a cylindrical roll. The decurl roller 22 moves to approach the roll paper shaft 21a with a decrease in remaining amount of the roll paper 21. As the remaining amount of the roll paper 21 decreases, the decurl roller 22 linearly moves along guide rails 23c, which are formed in support members 23a, toward an eccentric position from the roll paper shaft 21a to increase a contact area and a contact angle ?PQR of the decurl roller 22 with the printing paper 24.

Abstract: In a printing management system of the invention, multiple printing devices 50a and 50b are connected via a network 22 with an information management apparatus 30 that manages the whole system, and are divided into plural blocks according to language, currency, and geographical factors. A jurisdiction management server 40 is provided in each of the plural blocks and is connected to the network 22. The information management apparatus 30 receives expendable consumption data regarding an expendable consumed by each of the multiple printing devices 50a and 50b at regular time intervals and transfers the received expendable consumption data to the corresponding jurisdiction management server 40 in the group to which the printing device belongs.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention reads job management data including an ID allocated to a printing apparatus receiving each print job and an ID allocated to a printing apparatus executing the print job from each of printing apparatuses 50a and 50b at regular intervals. The technique calculates profit distributions, cost distributions, and charge distributions at preset division rates to the printing apparatus receiving each print job and the printing apparatus executing the print job, based on the job management data. The technique then notifies each printing apparatus or each administrator of printing apparatuses of the calculated profit distributions, cost distributions, and charging distributions.

Abstract: An information management device 30 receives an object image to be retouched and printed and a specification of retouching to be performed on the object image as a retouching request from one of multiple printing apparatuses 50a and 50b, and transmits the received retouching request to a computer 60a or 60b of a selected retoucher. The information management device 30 receives a resulting image retouched in response to the transmitted retouching request from the computer 60a or 60b of the selected retoucher and transmits the resulting retouched image to the printing apparatus that has sent the retouching request. The information management device 30 also carries out an accounting process to calculate a charge for the retouching request to each of the multiple printing apparatuses 50a and 50b and a payment process to calculate a payment for retouching of the object image to each of the retouchers, based on reception of the retouching request and transmission of the resulting retouched image.

Abstract: A printing management apparatus 30 reads data, such as a paper consumption, from each of multiple printing devices 50a and 50b at regular time intervals. An instruction for printing a preset test pattern image is given to each object printing device, when a certain condition is fulfilled, for example, when at least a preset time period has elapsed since a latest instruction for printing the test pattern image was given to the object printing device. The printing management apparatus 30 receives image data, which has been printed by the object printing device in response to the instruction and has been read by a scanner connecting with the object printing device, from the object printing device. The printing management apparatus 30 compares the received image data with original data of the test pattern image registered in a printing execution database 34 to check for abnormality of printing.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention reads expendable consumption data regarding expendables consumed by each of printing devices 50a and 50b at regular intervals, sums up consumptions of each expendable with respect to each expendable manufacturer, and sets a convertible point corresponding to the summed-up consumption. The technique then notifies a computer 60a or 60b of each expendable manufacturer of the setting convertible point. This arrangement automatically sets a total point to each expendable manufacturer, based on the consumptions of the respective expendables consumed by the printing devices 50a and 50b.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention reads image-related data, which includes a print size of each image and an ID of a digital still camera used for shooting the image, from each of printing apparatuses 50a and 50b at regular intervals. The technique sums up the number of printed images in each print size with regard to each manufacturer of the digital still camera and sets a convertible point, where each printed image is shot with the digital still camera of the manufacturer and is printed with either of the printing apparatuses 50a and 50b. The technique then notifies a computer 60a or 60b of the manufacturer of the setting point.

Abstract: A printing system includes a computer system to receive a digital image. A server computer, connected to the computer system, receives the digital image transmitted from the computer system. At least one printer is connected to the server computer to print the digital image. A remote monitoring server, having a connection with the server computer, monitors conditions of at least one of the server computer and the at least one printer. The remote monitoring server is operated by a lessor, and the server computer and the at least one printer are leased out to an end user under a lease agreement.