JP2002288494A - Consumable goods order system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a consumable goods order system where the number of received goods is not necessary to be set in an image forming device even if the consumable goods are received, work for input is not generated when the goods are received, an order can be given even if a person in charge is absent and stock management can appropriately performed. SOLUTION: At the time of ordering from the display part of the image forming device, a peculiar number kept in the image forming device is transmitted to an ordering server. Thus, customer information and the usable consumable goods are collected and an ordering picture is generated in the ordering server. A performing result is displayed on the image forming device and a user is caused to order the consumable goods. Thus, the consumable goods can be ordered without an error without the need of the special person in charge, and the job of the special person in charge is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a consumables ordering system for an image forming apparatus connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimile machines have been widely used, but these require consumables such as transfer paper and toner related to image formation.
When ordering the consumables, call the supplier or call F
I had ordered the AX by contacting the name and quantity of the necessary consumables. Therefore, it was necessary to check the model number specified in the instruction manual and the like, and to check the contact information of the ordering party. Also, there are various types of transfer paper, such as paper size, paper quality such as plain paper and recycled paper, colors, and the like. In order to check the model number, an instruction manual must always be available.

[0003]

In order to eliminate such troublesome ordering, a system as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-301451 has been proposed. In this method, the order of consumables is performed by a simple operation from the operation display section of the image forming apparatus of the copying machine, and a means for transmitting the order contents to the outside from a display screen of the operation section through a public line is provided. There is disclosed a method in which a product can be ordered, the model number and quantity of the ordered consumable are stored in the image forming apparatus, and the quantity received is input to the image forming apparatus together with the arrival. If an order for the same consumable is made before arrival, a duplicate order warning is displayed to prevent the duplicate order.

However, in such a consumables ordering system, when consumables arrive, it is necessary to set the number of arrivals in the image forming apparatus, and an input operation occurs when the consumables arrive. In addition, since only the person in charge of consumables performs the process from ordering to receiving goods, there is a problem that if the person in charge is absent, orders cannot be placed or inventory management is not performed properly. .

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional consumable supplies ordering system, and it is not necessary to set the number of arrivals in the image forming apparatus even when consumables arrive, so that it is possible to receive the consumables. No work to enter when you do,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a consumables ordering system in which orders can be made even when a person in charge is absent and inventory management is properly performed.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In recent years, some WWW technologies, such as a Java applet, execute a request from a client on a server side and notify the client of an execution result. According to this technology, the client does not need to know anything about the execution of the program, and receives the service of the server. Therefore, if the client has a display function such as a WWW browser, various operations can be performed. .

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object in such a situation, a display unit of an image forming apparatus is provided. By sending the unique number held in the image forming apparatus to the ordering server when ordering from, customer information and available consumables are collected, an ordering screen is created on the ordering server, and the execution result is displayed. By displaying the image on the image forming apparatus and asking the user to order consumables, it is possible to order consumables without error, without requiring a specific person in charge, and at the same time, It becomes possible to reduce.

According to the present invention, when ordering consumables of an image forming apparatus having no satisfactory display function for ordering, an external terminal such as a personal computer is used. , Customer I added for each customer
By sending D to the ordering server, customer information and available consumables are collected, an ordering screen is created on the ordering server, and the execution result is displayed on the display of the external terminal that has made the ordering request. By allowing users to order consumables, it is possible to order consumables that were not possible with conventional technology, and to order consumables without the need for a specific person and without errors At the same time, it is possible to reduce the work of a specific person in charge.

Next, in the invention according to claim 3,
When placing an order from a terminal device, it is possible to place an order regardless of the customer. Therefore, it is checked whether there is an unauthorized login from the customer ID and information such as a personal identification number and a telephone number. Unauthorized transactions can be prohibited by permitting an order only when the contents match.

Next, in the invention according to claim 6,
The order quantity can be confirmed by confirming the stock quantity of the ordered consumables and displaying the estimated delivery date at the end of order reception. In addition, since the contractor does not need to notify the estimated delivery date, the work of the contractor of the contractor can be reduced, and the work of the specific contractor can be reduced.

Next, in the invention according to claim 7,
Since the order received and scheduled delivery date can be confirmed from the unique number of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to know the expected delivery date of the necessary consumables without the need for a specific person in charge. It becomes possible to reduce. In addition, since the contractor does not need to notify the estimated delivery date, the work of the contractor of the contractor can be reduced, and the work of the specific contractor can be reduced.

Next, in the invention according to claim 8,
Since the customer ID can be used to confirm the order received and the expected delivery date, it is possible to know the expected delivery date of the necessary consumables without the need for a specific person, so it is possible to reduce the work of the specific person become.

Next, in the invention according to claim 9,
If the customer ID and personal identification number or telephone number entered when placing an order from the terminal device do not match the contents of the customer information database, a warning message will be displayed to prompt re-entry, It is possible to prohibit such transactions.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of this embodiment. In this embodiment, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, etc., which can be connected to a communication line; Terminal device such as a personal computer, 3 is a communication line, 4 is an ordering server for receiving an order transmitted from the communication line 3, 5 is a customer name, a consumables delivery destination, information on a used model, and ordering so far. Customer information database that stores the used consumables, etc., 6 is an inventory information database that stores the stock status of each consumable, 7 is a model information database that stores information of consumables that can be used for each model, and 8 is an ordered product. Product and quantity,
1 shows an order management database for storing information about an order such as a delivery destination and a scheduled delivery date.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the order receiving process of the order server 4. When receiving the order processing request, the order server 4 performs processing according to the requested terminal. When the type is received from the terminal device 2 in response to the request from the terminal device 2, the image forming apparatus 1 owned by the requesting customer is searched from the customer information database 5, and display data for selecting a model as shown in FIG. I do. When the result of the model selection is received, consumables such as toner and paper that can be used with the model are picked up from the model information database 7.

When the type of the order processing is a request from the image forming apparatus 1 and the unique number is received, a search is made for a customer having the unique number transmitted from the customer information database 5, and then a search is made from the model information database 7. Pick up consumables such as toner and paper that can be used with the model. When the pickup of the consumables is completed, the display data of the order screen as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 16 is transmitted.

When the order input data is received, the stock information database 6 is searched to derive the expected delivery date from the stock quantity of the ordered product, and the expected delivery date display data as shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. Send When the correction button is pressed, the display data of the order screen as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 16 is transmitted again. When the confirmation button is pressed, the ordered product, quantity and delivery date are registered in the order management database 8. By being registered in the order management database 8, a shipping instruction is issued to the stock area. After the goods are delivered to the customer, the delivery completion is registered in the order management database 8, and the information is deleted from the order management database 8.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the order status confirmation processing of the order server 4. Processing is performed according to the terminal requested to confirm the order status. When the customer ID is received in response to the request from the terminal device 2, the order management database 8
Retrieves the undelivered ordered items, quantity, and expected delivery date for the customer ID requested from. If the type of the order processing request is a request from the image forming apparatus 1 and the unique number is received, the customer information database 5 is searched for a customer having the transmitted unique number, and then the customer is requested from the order management database 8. An undelivered ordered product, quantity, and scheduled delivery date for the customer ID are searched. When the search is completed, as shown in FIG. 13 or FIG.
The display data of the order status screen for displaying the expected delivery date is transmitted.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the order processing in the image forming apparatus 1. When the order key is pressed,
The communication line 3 is used to connect to the ordering server 4. When the connection with the ordering server 4 is established, a unique number assigned to each image forming apparatus 1 and stored in the image forming apparatus 1 is read out, an order request is transmitted, and the unique number is also transmitted. When the order request is accepted, the display data is sent from the order server 4, and the received display data is displayed on the display unit 11 of the operation unit. When the operation of the input button in the display data from the order server 4 is performed, the content is transmitted to the order server 4 every time the operation is performed. When the end key in the display screen is pressed, the connection with the ordering server 4 is disconnected, and the process is terminated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing order status confirmation processing in the image forming apparatus 1. When the order confirmation key is pressed, connection to the order server 4 is made using the communication line 3. Once you have a connection with the order server 4,
A unique number assigned to each image forming apparatus 1 and stored in the image forming apparatus 1 is read out, an order status confirmation request is transmitted, and the unique number is also transmitted. When the order confirmation request is received, the display data is sent from the order server 4, and the received display data is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit. When the operation of the input button in the display data from the order server 4 is performed, the content is transmitted to the order server 4 every time the operation is performed. When the end key in the display screen is pressed, the connection with the ordering server 4 is disconnected, and the process is terminated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the order processing in the terminal device 2. When the terminal device 2 logs in to the order processing from a browser or the like, a connection to the order server 4 is made. Once you have a connection with the ordering server 4,
Send the customer ID telephone number. When the order request is accepted, the display data is sent from the order server 4, and the received display data is displayed on the display unit 11 of the operation unit. When the operation of the input button in the display data from the order server 4 is performed, the content is transmitted to the order server 4 every time the operation is performed. When the browser is closed or another server is accessed, the connection with the order server 4 is disconnected (logout).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the order status confirmation processing in the terminal device 2. If you log in to the order status confirmation process from a browser or the like on the terminal device 2,
The connection to the order server 4 is made. When the connection with the order server 4 is established, the customer ID and the telephone number are transmitted. When the order status request is accepted, the display data is sent from the order server 4, and the received display data is displayed on the display unit 11 of the operation unit. When the operation of the input button in the display data from the order server 4 is performed, the content is transmitted to the order server 4 every time the operation is performed. When the browser is closed or another server is accessed, the connection with the order server 4 is disconnected (logout).

FIG. 8 shows an example of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 1. Reference numeral 11 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal having a touch panel. Reference numeral 12 denotes a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value. A start key 13 is used to start the execution of the image forming operation. Reference numeral 14 denotes a clear / stop key used to instruct interruption of an image forming operation or to clear an input numerical value. A reset key 15 is used to return the set image forming conditions to the initial state.

A description will be given based on the operation procedure in the above embodiment. To place an order from the image forming apparatus 1, the operator A presses an order key provided in the image forming apparatus 1 in advance. When the order key is pressed, the order server 4 is accessed via the communication line 3 and displayed according to the display data from the order server 4.

First, the ordering server 4 searches the customer information database 5 from the unique number transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 and picks up information such as a customer name, a customer ID, and a destination. Next, a consumable item that can be used is searched from the model information database 7 using the unique number. When the search for the customer information and the consumables is completed, the ordering server 4 transmits the display data of the order form creation screen shown in FIG. 10 to the image forming apparatus 1 and displays it on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus 1.

When the order form creation screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed,
The operator A selects a consumable item to be ordered and inputs a quantity using the numeric keypad. If all of the consumables cannot be displayed on one screen, a next page key is displayed. When the next page key is pressed, consumables that cannot be entered on the next page are displayed. To return to the previous page, the user can return to the previous page by pressing the previous page key. When the previous page key does not have a previous page and the next page key does not have a next page, it is displayed in half-brightness, and the request is not accepted even if pressed. When all the quantities have been input for the consumables to be ordered, the user presses the send key in the order form creation screen of FIG. If the user wants to stop the order form creation screen and the order processing, the user presses the cancel key or the end key.

When the transmission key is pressed on the order form creation screen shown in FIG. 10, the displayed model number and quantity of the consumable are transmitted to the order server 4. Each time a numerical value is input, it can be transmitted to the ordering server 4 and the result can be displayed. Upon receiving the model number and quantity of the consumable item to be ordered, the order server 4 accesses the stock information database 6 to check the stock status and determine the expected delivery date. When the scheduled delivery dates of all the ordered consumables are determined, the order server 4 displays an order confirmation screen shown in FIG.

The operator A enters a consumable name on the order confirmation screen,
After confirming the quantity and delivery date, if it is determined that the order can be placed as it is, the confirmation key is pressed. To change or cancel the contents of the order, press the correction key. When the correction key is pressed, the order server 4 transmits display data to the image forming apparatus 1 so as to display the order form creation screen of FIG. After correcting the item to be corrected, the operator A presses the transmission key again in the twelve order form creation screen to perform the processing after the transmission key in FIG. The operator A ends the operation by pressing the confirmation key in FIG.

In FIG. 11, when the confirmation key is pressed by the operator A, the order server 4 registers the customer ID, the unique number, the consumable part number, and the quantity in the order management database 8. When registered in the order management database 8, a delivery instruction is issued to the stock ward.

In order to confirm the order status from the image forming apparatus 1, the operator A presses an order confirmation key provided in the image forming apparatus 1 in advance. When the order confirmation key is pressed, the order server 4 is accessed via the communication line, and the display is performed according to the display data from the order server 4. First, the ordering server 4 searches the customer information database 5 from the unique number transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 and picks up a customer ID. Next, the order management database 8 is accessed to search for an order for the transmitted unique number. If there is an order remaining, the model number, customer ID, quantity, and scheduled delivery date are picked up. The model information database 7 is accessed to search for the model name of the model number, and data for displaying an ordering information confirmation drawing as shown in FIG. 13 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1. By checking the contents displayed on the image forming apparatus 1, the operator A can know whether there is any remaining order, the consumables ordered, the quantity, and the scheduled delivery date.

When ordering from the terminal device 2, the operator A accesses the ordering server 4 using a browser or the like of the terminal device 2. When the log-in screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed, a business order is selected, a customer number and a telephone number are input, and a log-in button is operated. First, the ordering server 4 permits login if the customer number and telephone number transmitted from the terminal device 2 match the information registered in the customer information database 5, and is registered in the customer information database 5. Investigate the models that have
Is displayed on the terminal device 2. If the customer number and the telephone number do not match the information registered in the customer information database 5, a warning is displayed as shown in FIG. 20 and a message is displayed so as to log in again.

On the model selection screen shown in FIG. 16, the operator A selects one model using the consumable item to be ordered and operates the transmission button. When the transmission button is operated, the terminal device 2 notifies the ordering server 4 of the selected model. The order server 4 notifies the selected model.
The ordering server 4 searches the model information database 7 for consumables usable in the selected model, and causes the terminal device 2 to display an ordering screen shown in FIG. In this embodiment, one model is selected. However, there is a method of selecting a plurality of models and displaying consumables usable in each model.

In FIG. 17, the operator A selects a consumable item to be ordered, inputs a quantity, and operates an order transmission button when the input operation is completed. By operating the clear button, it is also possible to delete all the input contents.
When all the input contents are deleted, it is necessary to set the consumables to be ordered again and input the quantity.

When the order transmission button is operated, the order server 4 confirms the model number and quantity of the consumable item for which the order has been requested, accesses the stock information database, and checks the stock of the corresponding consumable item. A predetermined scheduled delivery date is determined according to the stock status and the destination. When the delivery dates of all the consumables for which an order has been requested are determined, an order confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 18 listing item names, quantities, and expected delivery dates for each model number is displayed on the terminal device 2. There are two methods for determining the estimated delivery date: a method for determining the consumables for each consumable, and a method for reflecting the latest estimated delivery date among all the consumables for which the order was requested among the consumables for which the order was requested. is there.

The operator A checks the contents of the order confirmation screen, and operates the confirmation button if there is no error in the contents to be ordered, and operates the correction button to modify the contents. When the confirmation button is operated, the order server 4
Receives the order and stores the customer I in the order management database 8.
D, unique number, consumable part number, and quantity are registered. When registered in the order management database 8, a delivery instruction is issued to the stock ward. When the correction button is operated, the order server 4 displays the order screen shown in FIG. 17 so that the operator A can input again. At this time, the display is performed in accordance with the contents previously input. The operator A operates the order transmission button when re-entering the data of the portion to be corrected. The operation after the operation of the order transmission button is as described above.

To confirm the order status from the terminal device 2, the operator A accesses the order server 4 using the browser of the terminal device 2 or the like. When the log-in screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed, the user selects the order status check operation, inputs the customer number and telephone number, and operates the log-in button. First, the ordering server 4 permits login if the customer number and telephone number transmitted from the terminal device 2 match the information registered in the customer information database 5, and is registered in the customer information database 5. Investigate the possessed models and display the model selection screen shown in FIG. If the customer number and the telephone number do not match the information registered in the customer information database 5, a warning is displayed as shown in FIG. 20 and a message is displayed to log in again.

On the model selection screen shown in FIG. 16, the operator A selects one model to confirm the order status and operates the transmission button. When the transmission button is operated, the terminal device 2
Notifies the ordering server 4 of the selected model. The ordering server 4 accesses the ordering management database 8 and searches the model information transmitted from the terminal device 2 for an order for the transmitted unique number. If there is an order remaining, the model number, customer ID, quantity, and scheduled delivery date are picked up. The model information database 7 is accessed to search for the model name of the model number, and data for displaying an order status confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 21 is transmitted to the terminal device 2.

If there is no order remaining, data for displaying an order status confirmation screen as shown in FIG.
Send to By checking the content displayed on the terminal device 2, the operator A can know the presence or absence of the remaining order, the consumables ordered, the quantity, and the scheduled delivery date.

[0039]

The present invention is as described above. According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, information on available consumables for each model is managed in a model information database. By displaying the consumables data that can be ordered from the ordering server on the display unit of the forming apparatus, it is not necessary to check the data such as the model number of the consumables to be ordered in the instruction manual. It is possible to prevent errors, and by managing the consumables information that can be used for each model in the model information database, it is possible to change the settings of the image forming apparatus even when a new product becomes available. The latest information can always be obtained, it is possible to place an order with a simple operation from the image forming apparatus, and it is possible to perform the ordering work without providing an ordering person, specific It is possible to reduce the applied to the personnel business, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce labor costs.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an order server is accessed from a terminal device using a browser or the like.
By displaying consumables data that can be ordered from customer information and model information on the display connected to the terminal device, it is not necessary to check the data such as the model number of the consumables you want to order in the instruction manual That is, it is possible to prevent an error in ordering. Also, by managing the consumables information that can be used for each model in the model information database, even when a new product becomes available, the latest information is always obtained without changing the settings of the image forming apparatus. It is possible to place an order with a simple operation from the image forming apparatus, and it is possible to perform the ordering work without assigning a person in charge of ordering. This has the effect of reducing labor costs.

According to the third and ninth aspects of the present invention, when accessing the ordering server from the terminal device, the customer ID, the personal identification number or the telephone number, etc. are input and coincide with the information registered in the customer database. By accepting order confirmation and order status confirmation work only when they match, it is possible to prevent intentional illegal transactions, ordering to the wrong customer, and confirming order information. There is.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the scheduled delivery date of the ordered consumable is displayed.
Since the operator can confirm that the order has been accepted, it is possible to prevent erroneous orders due to input mistakes and the like, and it is necessary for the contractor to notify the orderer of the expected delivery date. Therefore, the work of the person in charge of receiving the order can be reduced, and the work of the specific person in charge can be reduced. This has the effect of reducing labor costs.

According to the seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention, by displaying the estimated delivery date of the consumables already ordered, anyone can confirm the delivery date of the ordered consumables, and Prevents duplicate orders, and reduces the work of the contractor's order clerk because the contractor does not need to respond to the expected delivery date query, thereby reducing Since the number of operations can be reduced, labor costs can be reduced.

[0044]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an order receiving process of the order receiving server.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an order status confirmation process of the order receiving server.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an ordering process in the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of order status confirmation processing in the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an ordering process in the terminal device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an order status confirmation process in the terminal device.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an operation display unit of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a state display diagram of the above.

FIG. 10 is a display data diagram of an occurrence screen.

FIG. 11 shows display data of a scheduled delivery date.

FIG. 12 is an order table creation screen.

FIG. 13 is an order status screen.

FIG. 14 is another status screen of the above.

FIG. 15 is a model selection screen.

FIG. 16 is another model selection screen.

FIG. 17 is an order screen.

FIG. 18 is an order confirmation screen.

FIG. 19 is an order confirmation display.

FIG. 20 is a warning display.

FIG. 21 is an order status confirmation screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Terminal device 3 Communication line 4 Order server 5 Customer information database 6 Inventory information database 7 Model information database 8 Order management database 11 Display section 12 Numeric keys 13 Start key 14 Clear / Stop key 15 Reset key

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus having a display function in a main body connected to a network, an order management server capable of accepting an order, a database storing consumables used for each model of the image forming apparatus, and a customer In a consumables ordering system composed of a customer information database that stores names, addresses, and ordered consumables, an inventory management database that manages the inventory of consumables, and an ordering database that manages the order status of consumables, By sending the unique number assigned to each forming device to the order management server, the customer number and the consumables information of the corresponding model are searched from the unique number, and the search result is displayed on the display unit of the image forming device. A consumables ordering system characterized by 2. An image forming apparatus having no display function in a main body connected to a network, a communicable personal computer, an order management server capable of accepting an order, and a consumable used for each model of the image forming apparatus. It consists of a database that stores supplies, a customer information database that stores customer names, addresses, and ordered consumables, an inventory management database that manages inventory of consumables, and an order database that manages the order status of consumables. In the consumables ordering system, by accessing the order management server from a personal computer and entering a pre-registered customer ID, the customer information of the image forming apparatus used and the consumables information of the corresponding model can be obtained. A consumables ordering system for searching and displaying the search results on a personal computer. 3. The consumables ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the personal identification number and the telephone number of each customer are set to a unique number assigned to each image forming apparatus registered in the customer information database. A consumables ordering system characterized by permitting the ordering of consumables only when the password matches the password or the customer's telephone number. 4. A consumable goods ordering system according to claim 2, wherein a customer who owns a plurality of image forming apparatuses is provided.
By displaying all the image forming apparatuses owned by the user and selecting a required image forming apparatus from the list, it is possible to search for consumables information of the selected image forming apparatus and display the search result on a personal computer. Consumables ordering system. 5. The consumables ordering system according to claim 1, wherein one or more products to be ordered are selected from the displayed consumables list, and the result is transmitted to an order management server. A consumables ordering system characterized by performing an ordering process. 6. The consumables ordering system according to claim 4, wherein the inventory of the ordered consumables is searched, and a scheduled delivery date of the consumables is displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus or a display of a personal computer. A consumables ordering system characterized by the following. 7. The consumables ordering system according to claim 4, wherein the unique number of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the ordering server, so that the order of the consumables ordered by the image forming apparatus having the transmitted unique number is transmitted. A consumables ordering system characterized by confirming the following. 8. The consumables ordering system according to claim 4, wherein the customer ID is transmitted to the ordering server, thereby confirming the ordering status of the ordered consumables with the transmitted customer ID. Forming equipment. 9. A consumables ordering system according to claim 3, wherein the personal identification number and the customer telephone number set for each customer do not match the personal identification number and the customer telephone number registered in the customer information database. , A consumables ordering system characterized by displaying a warning.