Printing device capable of transitioning to specific printing mode under contract at a suitable timing, printing system including the printing device, and method for controlling the printing device

A printing system comprising:

• a printing device comprising a communication interface and a controller;
• and
• a server capable of offering a specific service for printing under a contract with the printing device, the server comprising:
• a server communication portion communicable with the communication interface of the printing device;
• and
• a sever controller,
• wherein:
• the controller of the printing device is configured to control transition of an operation mode of the printing device from a non-contract mode without any contract with the server to a contract mode where the printing device is recognized as a contract-covered device eligible for executing specific printing under the contract;
• the sever controller is configured to perform a transmission process to transmit, to the controller of the printing device, a transition command instructing the printing device to execute transition to the contract mode from the non-contract mode;
• in response to receiving the transition command from the server, the controller of the printing device is configured to perform:
• a determination process to determine whether the transition to the contract mode is to be executed in the printing device;
• and
• a mode control process to maintain the non-contract mode without executing the transition to the contract mode against the transition command in a case where the transition to the contract mode is determined not to be executed in the determination process;
• and
• the sever controller is configured to perform a recognition process to recognize the printing device as the contract-covered device in response to receiving a completion message from the printing device through the server communication portion, the completion message indicating completion of the transition to the contract mode in the printing device.

A method for controlling a printing device, the method comprising:

• in response to receiving a transition command from a server to execute transition of an operation mode of the printing device from a non-contract mode where no contract is made with the server to a contract mode where the printing device is recognized as a contract-covered device eligible for executing specific printing under a contract between the printing device and the server,
• a determination step to determine whether the transition to the contract mode is to be executed in the printing device;
• and
• a mode controlling step to maintain the non-contract mode without executing the transition to the contract mode against the transition command in a case where the transition to the contract mode is determined not to be executed in the determination step.