JPH08315052A - Automatic ordering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce ordering work by ordering deficient articles of consumption in each terminal equipment by facsimile communication through a repeating installation connected to a network. CONSTITUTION: A terminal equipment informs a repeating installation 1 of the article number and name of a deficient article of consumption through a network. A supply information selecting means 12 in the installation 1 selects the received stockout data and stores the selected data in a stockout data storing means 13. An order list preparing means 15 prepares an order list by totalizing the number of ordered articles of the same article number at intervals of a previously set time. A facsimile transmission control means 17 transmits the order list to an order destination equipment.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ordering system for automatically ordering a shortage in a terminal device connected to a network by facsimile communication via a relay device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Offices such as printers or copying machines
In automation equipment, when supplies such as recording paper or toner are exhausted and supply is required, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation panel and the user is requested to supply. When a user requests a supply of recording paper from an office automation device such as a printer, the user places an order with a serviceman or a supplier by telephone. In order to save the user the trouble of placing an order by telephone or the like, a system has been proposed in which an order is automatically placed using a facsimile line when the recording paper or the like is used up.

[0003]

However, in the system for automatically ordering by using the facsimile line from the office automation device, it is necessary to connect the facsimile line to all the office automation devices, and the installation of the telephone line is required. May be enormous.

On the other hand, with the development of personal computers and workstations, LA for communicating data and the like between personal computers and workstations.
The network called “N” has developed and is spreading to general offices. Along with this, in order to use the functions of office automation equipment such as printers or copying machines from personal computers and workstations, office automation equipment having LAN connection means prepared in advance has been developed.

An object of the present invention is to reduce maintenance work by automatically ordering by facsimile communication through a relay device connected to a network without connecting a facsimile line to each terminal device.

[0006]

An automatic ordering system according to the present invention has a terminal device, a network and a relay device, and when the terminal device is connected to the relay device via the network and the consumable items are exhausted, Notify the relay device of the lost consumable part number and name via the network,
The relay device has a supply notification selecting means, a shortage data storage means, a time counting means, an order list creating means, and a facsimile transmission control means. The supply notification selecting means is selected from information from terminal devices connected via a network. The missing item data including the item number, item name and identification code of the terminal device of the missing consumable item is selected and sent to the missing item data storing means, and the missing item data storing means stores the missing item data received from the supply notification selecting means. The time counting means instructs the order list creation means and the facsimile transmission control means to create and send the order list at regular time intervals, and the order list creation means stores the data in the out-of-stock data storage means when receiving the instruction from the time counting means. The order list is created by totaling the number of orders of the same part number based on the missing data from each terminal device, and the facsimile transmission control means uses the order list. And transmits the vendor apparatus comprising means for storing in advance facsimile number ordering list created.

Further, when the order list creating means receives an instruction from the time counting means, the order list is sorted by the identification code of the terminal device based on the missing data of each terminal device stored in the missing data storage means. Good to create.

In addition, when the order list creating means receives an instruction from the time counting means, based on the stockout data of each terminal device stored in the stockout data storage means, an order classified by the network in which the terminal device is installed is placed. It is desirable to create a list.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the terminal device is connected to the relay device via the network, and when the consumable items are used up, the part number and the product name of the lost consumable items are notified to the relay device via the network so that the user Eliminate part number search work.

Further, the supply notification selecting means selects the out-of-stock data from the information from the terminal devices connected via the network, sends it to the out-of-stock data storage means, and stores it in the out-of-stock data storage means. The time counting means instructs the order list creation means and the facsimile transmission control means to create and send the order list at fixed time intervals, and collects out-of-stock data from each terminal device for a fixed time.

Further, when the order list creating means receives an instruction from the time counting means, the order list creating means creates an order list in which the number of orders of the same product number is totaled based on the missing product data of each terminal device stored in the missing product data storage means. , Clarify the number of orders for each product number.

Further, the facsimile transmission control means transmits the order list created by the order list creating means to the order destination device in which the facsimile number is stored in advance, and the missing item data received from the terminal device connected via the network is sent to the facsimile line. To send via.

When the order list creating means receives an instruction from the time counting means, the order list creating means creates an order list in the order of the identification codes of the terminal devices based on the missing product data of each terminal device stored in the missing product data storage means. Order the terminals in order.

Further, when the ordered terminal device is connected to another network, when the order list creating means receives an instruction from the time counting means, the missing product data of each terminal device stored in the missing product data storage means is sent. Based on this, an order list is created in the order of the networks in which the terminal devices are installed, and the order is placed in the order of the networks in which the terminal devices are installed.

[0015]

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the automatic ordering system includes a relay device 1, networks 2, 3, and a plurality of terminal devices 4a-4n, 5a-
With 5m. The relay device 1 is connected to the order destination facsimile device 7 via the facsimile line 6, and the network 2
The terminal devices 4a to 4n are connected via the. Further, the network 2 connects the terminal devices 5a to 5m through the network 3 as shown in the figure.

The relay device 1 has a network communication means 11 and a supply notification selecting means 1 as shown in the configuration diagram of FIG.
2, it has a stockout data storage unit 13, a time counting unit 14, an order list creation unit 15, an order destination storage unit 16, and a facsimile transmission control unit 17. The network communication unit 11 controls communication with the terminal devices 4a to 4n via the network 2 and receives information about the missing consumables from the terminal devices 4a to 4n. In the supply notification selecting means 12, the network communication means 11 is the terminal devices 5a to 5n, 7a to.
Out-of-stock data including the name of the product to be ordered, the product number, and the identification codes of the terminal devices 5a to 5n and 7a to 7m is selected from various information received from the 7m and sent to the out-of-stock data storage means 13. The out-of-stock data storage unit 13 stores the out-of-stock data received from the supply notification selection unit 12. Time counting means 1
Reference numeral 4 instructs the order list creation means 15 and the facsimile transmission control means 17 to create an order list and transmit the created order list at regular intervals. Order list creation means 15
Receives the instruction from the time counting means 14, the product name, the product number, and the terminal devices 5a to 5 stored in the out-of-stock data storage means 13.
An order list is created in which the number of orders of the same product number is aggregated based on the out-of-stock data including the identification codes of n and 7a to 7m. The order storage device 16 stores the facsimile number of the order facsimile device 3 in advance. Facsimile transmission control means 1
An order destination facsimile machine 3 stores the order list created by the order list creating means 15 in the order destination storing means 16.
Send to.

The terminal devices 4a-4n and 5a-5m are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, a consumables list storage means 41, a shortage product occurrence detection means 42, a shortage product number detection means 43, and a shortage data editing means 4
4 and the network transmission means 45, the consumables list storage means 41 stores the product numbers and names of the consumables used by the terminal devices 4a to 4n and 5a to 5m. When a consumable item such as recording paper or toner is exhausted, the out-of-stock occurrence detecting means 42 detects that fact and identifies the consumable item that has disappeared. The out-of-stock item number detecting means 43 checks the out-of-consumable item number storage means 41 for the item number and item name of the consumable item identified by the out-of-stock item occurrence detecting means 42. The missing item data editing means 44 is the missing item number detecting means 43.
Based on the item number and item name of the consumable item checked by, the missing item data including the network identification code, the identification code of the terminal device, the supply notification command, the item number, and the item name is created as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The network transmitting unit 45 transmits the missing item data created by the missing item data editing unit 44 to the relay device 1 via the networks 2 and 3, and notifies the missing item number and the like of the consumable item. Here, the network identification code included in the out-of-stock data is the network 2, 3 to which the terminal devices 4a to 4n and 5a to 5m that created the out-of-stock data are connected.
The supply notification command indicates that the information including the supply notification command is out-of-stock data.

The relay device 1 having the above-mentioned configuration is used as the terminal devices 4a-4.
The operation when the missing item data is received from n, 5a to 5m will be described.

For example, when the A4 size recording paper is exhausted in the terminal device 5a, the terminal device 5a will be out of stock detection means 42.
Detects that A4 size recording paper has run out, and specifies the consumable item that has run out. The out-of-stock product number detection means 43 checks the out-of-stock product occurrence detection means 42 from the consumables list storage means 41 for the product number and product name of the A4 size recording paper. The out-of-stock data editing unit 44 creates out-of-stock data based on the product number and product name of the A4 size recording paper checked by the out-of-stock product number detecting unit 43. The network transmission unit 45 notifies the relay device 1 of the missing item data created by the missing item data editing unit 44 via the networks 2 and 3.

When the network communication means 11 of the relay device 1 receives the information from the terminal device 7a, the supply notification selecting means 12 determines whether or not the received information includes a supply notification command indicating that the data is out of stock. Find out. When the supply notification selecting means 12 detects that the information received from the terminal device 7a includes the supply notification command, it registers the received network identification code, terminal device identification code, and product number with the order number 1. In this way, the supply notification selecting means 12 causes the terminal devices 5a to 5n and 7a to 7 to operate.
Since the out-of-stock data is selected from the various information received from m and sent to the out-of-stock data storage unit 13, the relay device 1 can prevent other information from being mixed in the out-of-stock data and causing a malfunction. . Further, since the out-of-stock data is stored as it is in the order of reception, it is possible to increase the processing speed at the time of receiving the out-of-stock data and use it as a history of the out-of-stock data reception when an abnormality occurs. Data recovery becomes easy.

In the relay device 1, for example, the terminal device 5n continues to use toner, the terminal device 5a uses A4 size recording paper, the terminal device 7a runs out of toner, the toner out-of-stock data from the terminal device 5m, and the terminal device 5a. When the shortage data is received in the order of the shortage data of the A4 size recording paper and the shortage data of the toner from the terminal device 7a, the same processing is performed as described above, and as shown in FIG. The missing item data is stored in the order of reception. In the figure, A is the identification code of the network 4, B is the identification code of the network 6, and Aa, An, Ba, and Bm are the terminal devices 5a, respectively.
The identification codes of 5n, 7a, and 7m are shown.

Next, the operation of creating an order list from the out-of-stock data stored in the out-of-stock data storage means 13 and transmitting it to the order destination facsimile machine 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The time counting means 14 always counts time,
At regular time intervals, for example, once or twice a day, the order list creating means 15 and the facsimile transmission control means 17 are instructed to create and send the order list (step S1). When the order list creating means 15 receives the instruction from the time counting means 14, it checks whether or not the out-of-stock data storage means 13 stores the out-of-stock data from each terminal device, and the out-of-stock data storage means 13 is out of order. If the product data is stored (step S
2) The stored out-of-stock data is sequentially read, and it is checked whether or not the product number included in the out-of-stock data is the one already processed and stored in the order list (step S3). If the part number included in the missing item data is not stored in the order list, the order list creating means 15 stores the part number and the part name included in the missing item data in the order list (step S).
4) Set the stored order number of the product number to 1 (step S
5) If the product number included in the out-of-stock data is the product number stored in the order list, 1 is added to the order number of the product number (step S6). The order list creating means 15 repeats the above-mentioned totalizing process until all the out-of-stock data stored in the out-of-stock data storage means 13 are processed (steps S3 to S).
7), create an order list as shown in FIG. When the order list creation unit 15 creates the order list, it deletes the missing item data stored in the missing item data storage unit 13 and prepares to receive the next missing item data.

When the order list creating means 15 creates the order list, the facsimile transmitting means 17 reads the previously stored facsimile number of the order destination facsimile apparatus 3 from the order destination storing means 16 and makes a call using the read facsimile number. The order list is sent by facsimile to the order destination facsimile machine 3 (step S8). Thus, the relay device 1 is the terminal device 4a on the networks 2 and 3.
4n, 5a to 5m, the missing data received is transmitted by facsimile.
Even if a facsimile line is not connected to n, 5a to 5m, the shortage of consumables can be automatically ordered from the terminal devices 4a to 4n and 5a to 5m.

Further, since the ordering party can easily know the number of orders for each product number, the stock can be easily confirmed.

Further, since the time counting means 14 instructs the order list creating means 15 and the facsimile sending means 17 to create and send the order list at regular time intervals, it is necessary to place an order by facsimile communication after a certain amount of order is accumulated. And the facsimile communication cost can be reduced,
The ordering work at the supplier can be reduced.

Next, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the number of orders is totaled for each product number, but the operation of the relay device 1 when totaling the missing item data for each terminal device identification code and placing an order will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It will be described with reference to FIG.

The time counting means 14 instructs the order list creation means 15 and the facsimile transmission control means 17 to create and send the order list at regular intervals (step S1).
1). When the order list creating means 15 receives the instruction from the time counting means 14, it checks whether or not the out-of-stock data storage means 13 stores the out-of-stock data. Order list creation means 1
If the out-of-stock data storage means 13 stores out-of-stock data 5 (step S12), the stored out-of-stock data is sequentially read, and the terminal device identification code included in the out-of-stock data has already been processed and an order is placed. It is checked whether or not the terminal device identification code is stored in the list (step S13). If the terminal device identification code included in the missing item data is not stored in the order list, the order list creating means 15 stores the terminal device identification code included in the missing item data in the order list (step S14). The order list creating means 15 is deficient when the terminal device identification code included in the out-of-stock data is already stored in the order list, or after the terminal device identification code included in the out-of-stock data is stored in the order list. The product number and product name included in the product data are stored in the corresponding place in the order list (step S15). Order list creation means 15
Repeats the above counting process until all the out-of-stock data stored in the out-of-stock data storage means 13 is processed (step S13).
(Step S16), an order list as shown in FIG. 9 is created. When the order list creation unit 15 creates the order list, the order list creation unit 15 deletes the missing item data stored in the missing item data storage unit 13 and prepares to receive the next missing item data.

When the order list creating means 15 creates the order list, the facsimile transmitting means 17 reads out the pre-stored facsimile number of the order destination facsimile machine 3 from the order destination storing means 16 and makes a call using the read facsimile number. Then, the order list is sent by facsimile to the order destination facsimile machine 3 (step S17). As described above, the relay device 1 classifies the order codes by the identification codes of the terminal devices, creates the order list, and sends the order by facsimile. Therefore, the delivered goods can be easily distributed to the terminal devices 5a to 5n and 7a to 7m.

Further, it is also possible to classify the out-of-stock data according to the terminal device identification code, total the number of orders for each product number according to the terminal device identification code, create an order list, and send by facsimile. Thereby, the delivered goods can be more easily sorted into the terminal devices 5a to 5n and 7a to 7m.

Further, the out-of-stock data may be categorized by network identification code to create an order list and then sent by facsimile. As a result, after delivery, the articles can be easily sorted into the networks 4 and 6.

In the above embodiment, when the order list creating means 15 creates the image data in the order list format, the order list creating means 15 creates the order list format image data without storing the number of orders in the missing item data storage means 13 as it is in the order of reception. Although the summary sorting is performed, even if the supply notification selecting unit 12 aggregates the order numbers in advance and stores them in the out-of-stock data storage unit 13 to prevent the storage capacity of the out-of-stock data storage unit 13 from increasing. good.

Also, when converting the image data in the order list format, the names and addresses of the places where the consumable items are ordered are installed, and the terminal devices 5a to 5n that ordered the consumable items are installed. The goods may be sent directly to the designated place. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the inspection work at the time the product is delivered to the place where the relay device 1 is installed.

[0034]

As described above, the present invention selects and stores out-of-stock data from the information received from the terminal device connected via the network, and stores the out-of-stock data stored after a certain period of time. Since the order list is created based on this, and the created order list is sent to the pre-stored order recipient, it is possible to place an order automatically from the terminal device even if the terminal device does not have a facsimile line connection function.

Furthermore, when the consumable items are exhausted, the terminal device notifies the relay device of the lost consumable item numbers and product names via the network, eliminating the need for the user to search for the product numbers. Etc. can be eliminated.

Furthermore, since ordering is carried out by totalizing for each product number, it is possible to prevent the ordering party from repeating the order receiving process for the same product number.
The order processing at the supplier can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the out-of-stock data is selected from the information from the terminal devices connected via the network,
It is possible to prevent malfunctions caused by mixing data other than the out-of-stock data.

Furthermore, since the order list is created every fixed time and the missing item data from each terminal device is collected for a fixed time, the cost of facsimile communication can be reduced and the ordering work at the ordering party can be reduced.

Further, based on the stored out-of-stock data from each terminal device, an order list is created in the order of identification of the terminal devices,
Since the goods are ordered in the order of the terminal devices, it is possible to easily distribute the goods to each terminal device after the goods are delivered.

Further, based on the stored out-of-stock data of each terminal device, an order list is created in the order of the network in which the terminal devices are installed, and the products are ordered in the order of the network in which the terminal devices are installed. You can easily sort by network.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a relay device.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a terminal device.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of out-of-stock data.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of out-of-stock data stored in an out-of-stock data storage unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of totaling by product number and transmitting by facsimile.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an order list when totaling the number of orders by product number.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of classifying by terminal device and transmitting by facsimile.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an order list when edited in order of terminal devices.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Relay device 2 Network 3 Network 4 Terminal device 5 Terminal device 6 Facsimile line 7 Order destination facsimile device 11 Network communication means 12 Supply notification selecting means 13 Missing item data storage means 14 Time counting means 15 Order list creating means 16 Order destination storage means 17 Facsimile transmission control means 41 Consumables list storage means 42 Out-of-stock occurrence detection means 43 Out-of-stock product number detection means 44 Out-of-stock data editing means 45 Network transmission means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device, a network, and a relay device are provided, and the terminal device is connected to the relay device via the network, and when the consumable items are exhausted, the item numbers and product names of the lost consumable items are passed through the network. Notify the relay device,
The relay device has a supply notification selecting means, a shortage data storage means, a time counting means, an order list creating means, and a facsimile transmission control means. The supply notification selecting means is selected from information from terminal devices connected via a network. The missing item data including the item number, item name and identification code of the terminal device of the missing consumable item is selected and sent to the missing item data storing means, and the missing item data storing means stores the missing item data received from the supply notification selecting means. The time counting means instructs the order list creation means and the facsimile transmission control means to create and send the order list at regular time intervals, and the order list creation means stores the data in the out-of-stock data storage means when receiving the instruction from the time counting means. The order list is created by totaling the number of orders of the same part number based on the missing data from each terminal device, and the facsimile transmission control means uses the order list. Automatic ordering system and transmits to the order destination device storing in advance facsimile number orders list of unit created. 2. When receiving an instruction from the time counting means, the order list creating means sorts the order list by the identification code of the terminal device based on the missing data from each terminal device stored in the missing data storage means. The automatic ordering system according to claim 1, wherein 3. The order list creating means, when receiving an instruction from the time counting means, places an order based on the stock data from each terminal device stored in the stock data storage means, classified by network in which the terminal device is installed. Claim 1 for creating a list
Automatic ordering system described.