JP2002304278A - Network system related to management of equipment and product, server device, information processor, output device, and method, medium and program for management of equipment and product - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently provide users with appropriate related products or pieces of support information that match information about the operation of an output device, by selecting the products or pieces of information from among a plurality of related products prepared for the output device or from difference pieces of support information. SOLUTION: A network system includes a transmission means for transmitting information about the operation of the output device to a host computer connected to the output device, a search means for searching product information matching the operation information transmitted by the transmitting means to a center server connected to the host computer through the Internet, and a generation means for generating display screen information for causing the product information searched by the search means to be displayed on the host computer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network system, a server device, an information processing device, an output device, a device product management method, a storage medium, and a program for managing consumables.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The use environment and usage of output devices such as printers, copiers, facsimile machines and scanners have been diversifying year by year. In the use environment, although the environment used as a stand-alone still remains as before, an environment connected to a local area network and the Internet so as to be usable and used jointly by a plurality of users is also becoming widespread. Accordingly, the usage of the output device has been diversified. In order to cope with this, for example, in an ink jet printer, a recording head portion and an ink tank portion of the printer are designed to be replaceable so as to cope with various specifications. For example, a recording head for color recording, a Bk recording head capable of printing an ultra-high-speed Bk image instead of being able to perform only monochrome printing in the same shape as the color head, and a recording head having a photo head for recording a photo-like image. A plurality of heads are provided to provide an environment where the user can exchange the heads according to the purpose of use. In addition, large-capacity tanks having larger ink capacities than usual have been provided for heavy-duty users in ink tanks. Of course, many printers having various characteristics have been developed and put on the market according to various purposes. The same can be said for output devices such as a copier, a facsimile, a scanner, and the like. For example, in a facsimile, there is an example in which an option board or the like for preparing a telephone line to be added is prepared.

[0003]

However, according to the above-described conventional mechanism, the user cannot always determine the most suitable output device such as a printer or the like including the most suitable consumables corresponding to the output device. There is. It is very difficult and complicated to understand all that a plurality of types of products and options are set for a specific output device.

[0004] In addition, the user himself / herself does not always accurately grasp the situation where an output device such as a printer is actually used. Even a user who recognizes that color images are frequently recorded may use black-and-white printing devices throughout the year, or may be limited to extremely limited periods such as the New Year's card season. They use color and use little printers throughout the year. In addition, there is a mechanism that informs the service center of the printer usage status and operation status using questionnaire postcards. However, such a mechanism often makes it difficult for users to write postcards. It was difficult for the center side to easily know the operation information of the output device used by the user, and it was difficult to use the operation information of the user for reference of a new product or for reference of a production plan.

[0005] In addition, when the product information related to the output device, for example, information on the consumables of the ink used in the ink jet printer is known through a book or the like, the consumables are actually used up and newly needed. The timing is not necessarily the same time. In fact, in many cases, the user often goes to a book store when the need for consumables is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to supply consumables, options, and the like used in an output device according to operation information of the output device used by a user. For the purpose of efficiently providing related product information or support information to be recommended by a user without imposing a load on a user, for example, a plurality of consumables prepared for a specific output device are used to output the output device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of notifying a user of optimal consumable information according to the operation information of the user.

Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a method in which a plurality of types of related product information or support information prepared for an output device is used when a user needs the product information or support information. In this case, another object is to efficiently present the information. For example, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism that can provide the recommended product information at a timing when the remaining amount of the consumable becomes small and a new predetermined consumable is needed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a user interface screen for operating an instruction such as an output instruction to an output device so that acquisition of product information or support information related to the output device can be instructed. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly convenient operation screen.

[0009]

The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

[0010] The network system according to the present invention comprises a transmitting means for transmitting operation information of the output device to a host computer connected to the output device, and a transmitting means to a center server connected to the host computer via the Internet. A search unit for searching for product information corresponding to the operation information transmitted by the search unit, and a generation unit for generating display screen information for displaying the product information searched for by the search unit on the host computer. And

Alternatively, a server device according to the present invention is a server device capable of communicating with an output device via a first predetermined communication line, and receives output device information including at least operation information of the output device. Receiving means, specifying means for specifying recommended consumable information according to the output device information including at least the operation information received by the receiving means, the output device, the recommended consumable information specified by the specifying means, or The information processing apparatus further includes a transmission unit configured to transmit to the information processing apparatus connected to the output device via a second predetermined communication line.

Alternatively, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
An information processing device capable of communicating with an output device via a first communication line and communicating with a server device via a second communication line, wherein the remaining amount of consumables used in the output device is In order to search for product information corresponding to operation information of an output device capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus in response to the output device notifying that the amount has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the operation generated by the output device is performed. It is characterized by having transmission means for transmitting information to the server device.

Alternatively, the output device according to the present invention is an output device capable of communicating with a server device via a predetermined communication line or communicating with an information processing device capable of communicating with the server device. Acquiring means for acquiring a transmission destination of the server device; and transmitting means for transmitting operation information to the transmission destination acquired by the acquisition device, wherein the operation information is determined by the server device according to the operation information. It is characterized by specifying special product information.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Network Configuration> FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a network to which a printer 103 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a network, and the lower layer protocol is Ethernet (registered trademark) of 10BASE-T standard, and LAN of TCP / IP protocol.
(Network). The network 100 is connected to a manager (network monitoring terminal), an agent (a component in a management network device such as a host, a printer, a gateway, or a terminal server) and the like. The network terminal is
According to the SMTP protocol defined in RFC821,
It is possible to exchange e-mails to which a mail header of the specification specified in RFC822 is added.

The present invention also envisions a configuration in which a network manager and an agent (host and printer) are connected by wireless communication. In this case, for example, a recent wireless communication system using the 2.4 GHz band has been proposed. Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like can be considered as one that has attracted attention.

The agent P, which is an information processing device,
In the present invention, a configuration in which C units are connected to n units including a computer (not shown) is also assumed. Reference numeral 101 denotes a personal computer (agent PC), which is connected to the network 100 via a network cable, can execute various programs such as application programs, and has print data (PDL: Page Description).
The printer driver has a function of converting the Pt. Language into a printer language corresponding to the printer. It is assumed that a printer driver corresponding to a plurality of printer languages is assumed.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a manager, which is connected to the network 100 via a network cable, stores files used in the network, and monitors the use state (operating information) of the network. The manager according to the present embodiment has a server function of notifying the agent PC of IP information of the printer (agent printer) 103 on the network and information of the job received in the buffer.

Reference numeral 103 denotes an agent printer, which is an image recording device on a network, and is connected to the network 100 via a network interface.

As described above, the manager and the agent P
C, the role of the agent printer is divided, so that computers and printers are effectively used and the burden on the network is reduced.

As another connection configuration between the agent PC and the agent printer, an RS-
The present invention also envisions a form in which the connection is made via a predetermined communication cable 203 such as 232C or USB. In addition,
Since the functions of the agent PC and the agent printer are the same as those described above, detailed description will be omitted here.

<Overview of Information Processing Apparatus> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a general information processing apparatus. The agent PC 102 shown in FIG. 1 and the agent PC 20 shown in FIG.
1. The manager 102 (single terminal for network management) corresponds to this.

Reference numeral 302 denotes C which is control means of the information processing apparatus.
PU, the external storage device 306 or the memory 30
3 (ROM) to execute an application program, a printer driver program, an OS, a network printer control program, and the like.
Control to temporarily store files and so on. The RAM
Is a temporary storage unit, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 302. The ROM of the memory unit 303 stores programs such as a basic I / O program, and various data such as font data and template data used in document processing.

A keyboard 307 is an instruction input unit.
The pointing device is a pointing device such as a mouse, and is, for example, a unit in which a user inputs an instruction of a device control command to the agent PC 101.

Reference numeral 307 includes a display means such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display. This is a means for displaying a command input from the input unit 307, printer status information received via the interface 304, and the like. The display of the display unit 308 is performed by the CPU described above.
It is assumed that the control is realized by the control of 302.

Reference numeral 309 denotes a system bus, which is a means for controlling the flow of data in the information processing apparatus.

Reference numeral 304 denotes an interface as input / output means for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device. The information processing device exchanges data with the external device via a network board which is an interface in this embodiment. . For example, by mounting an agent on a network board, an agent PC is managed by network software. The interface 304 is not limited to a network board, but includes a general input / output interface.

<Overview of Agent Printer> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an agent printer which is a recording device as an example of an output device in the present embodiment. The agent printer refers to an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet printer, an electrophotographic electrophotographic printer, and a copying machine.

Reference numeral 406 denotes a CPU serving as control means, which controls the entire recording apparatus. 407 is a ROM as a memory means
A / RAM, which includes a control program for controlling the CPU 406, constant data, transmission destination e-mail address information for transmitting information from the printer, and a buffer for temporarily storing printer information to be transmitted. Where RO
M indicates a non-volatile storage means, and EEP
ROM (Electrically Erasable)
Programmable Read-Only M
memory), a flash memory, and the like, are also contemplated in the present invention.

Reference numeral 408 denotes a display unit which is a display panel for displaying data temporarily stored in the memory means 407, operation status, and the like. It also has an input function for inputting the operation mode of the agent printer and other various setting values. The display unit 408 is controlled by the CPU 302 described above.

A printer printing unit 402 prints out bitmap data generated by the CPU 406 based on a program stored in the memory unit. Here, printing includes printing of graphic images and the like.

Reference numeral 404 denotes an input / output interface.
The interface transmits and receives data to and from an external device via the interface. The external device includes a manager 102, an agent printer PC 101, and the like shown in FIG.
A center server not shown but described below,
This corresponds to the agent PC 201 in FIG.

The communication unit 403 is for performing information transmission / reception processing with an external device, and has, for example, a function of executing transmission / reception of e-mail based on the SMTP protocol on the TCP / IP protocol. Through this communication unit 403, the agent printer executes transmission and reception of information with the agent PC or a center server described later.

A communication line 405 enables communication between the agent printer and an external device via the communication line. The communication line may be wired or wireless.

<Operation Information Transmission Processing Procedure> Next, the e-mail transmission processing procedure shown in FIG. 5 will be described. Note that the processing in each step of the flowchart is realized by the CPU 406 shown in FIG. 4 executing processing based on the program code stored in the memory 407.

In FIG. 5, in S501, it is monitored whether the power of the recording apparatus is turned on or whether the elapsed time from the power on has reached 24 hours. If it is determined that the power is turned on or 24 hours have passed since the power was turned on,
Acquisition of the destination mail address of the operation information of the recording device (S502) and acquisition of the information of the recording device (S503) are performed. In S502, acquisition of at least information including at least operation information of the printing apparatus and model information of the main body is executed. Here, the timer function for determining whether or not 24 hours have elapsed is determined by the CPU 406 using an RO provided in the recording apparatus.
M is a function achieved by reading a program for realizing a timer function stored in a non-volatile storage means such as M, and executing a process based on the read program. Information is attached.

Further, information including at least the obtained operation information of the recording apparatus and the main body model information is transmitted to the transmission destination mail address obtained in S502. The transmission destination mail address is obtained from, for example, the memory means (ROM) 407 which is a nonvolatile storage means provided in the recording apparatus. The operation information is also acquired from, for example, the memory means (ROM) 407 which is a nonvolatile storage means provided in the recording device.

Further, as the operation information of the recording apparatus in this embodiment, “the number of printed color originals”, “the number of printed Bk originals”, and the number of times of head recovery (refresh) within 24 hours of turning on the power are exemplified. But this is
Each time the CPU provided in the recording apparatus receives an instruction to print an original or to recover the head, the memory means (non-volatile R
OM) 407 to update the operation information such as the number of prints and the number of times of recovery.

Further, by adding a clock function to the timer function described above, it is assumed that the detected time information is added to each operation information detected by the detection means such as the number of recovery times. The center server that receives the information based on the time information attached to the operation information can analyze when and what operation information has occurred.

In step S502, when the CPU detects that the power has been turned on, the power supply is turned off last time.
Since the untransmitted information immediately before ff is stored in the memory means (non-volatile RAM) 407, the information is transmitted to the transmission address. It is also conceivable to make S502 determine whether or not the power is turned off. In such a case, the operation information stored in the memory of the recording device by the storage unit is transmitted from when the power is turned on to when the power is turned off. When the processing as shown in FIG. 5 is executed, the operation information does not necessarily need to be stored in the non-volatile storage means, and the object of the present invention can be achieved by the volatile storage means. Further, the present invention also envisages a form in which the operating information is stored in an information processing device such as an agent PC that can communicate with the storage device, instead of the recording device main body.

Next, the creation of the body of the mail to be transmitted is performed in S50.
Perform in step 4. In the present embodiment, a description will be given assuming that the mail template is already stored in the memory means (ROM) 407 and the mail text is created in a format in which only information necessary for the template is added. The present invention also envisages a form in which the apparatus body creates the template from the body text of the mail.

Next, in step S506, the number of prints,
Reset the operation information such as the number of recovery times.

Next, the information of the number of printed sheets and the number of times of recovery is reset. The transmission information in this embodiment describes the number of color originals printed within a specified time, the number of Bk originals printed, and the number of head recovery times, but is not limited thereto. (Print du
ty) and print processing statistical information to which other information such as a print interval is added can of course be assumed. Further, if error information such as a paper jam is added to the error information, the user can receive maintenance information and the like corresponding to the error information calculated by the center server.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a mail body to be created. In the figure, each information is embedded by a CPU 406 in a header portion as supplementary information of the body part of the e-mail, and a mail address “xxx @” corresponding to the recording device or the agent PC is stored in a “From” field. yyy.co.jp "is embedded,
In the “To” field, the destination mail address “zzz@----.co.jp” read in S502 of FIG.
Is embedded. The template of each field is already embedded in the body part, and the topmost field is “color original printing: XX sheets”, hereinafter “Bk original printing: XX sheets”, “pump count: ○ Fields such as "times" are embedded. The information acquired from the memory means (non-volatile ROM) 407 is embedded in the above-mentioned "XX" to generate a mail text. Although not shown, it is assumed that model information of the recording apparatus is also embedded. Further, when a consumable such as an ink cartridge is provided with a memory for storing the model of the consumable, a mode in which the model information of the consumable read from the memory is embedded in the mail is also conceivable.

The mail body created above is sent to the communication unit 4
03 to the sending mail address (S50
5). Here, the destination of the transmission mail address is a center server (not shown in FIG. 1) which is connected to the outside of the recording device via a predetermined communication line such as the Internet and is capable of communication. The server has a function of providing service information such as product information and maintenance information, which will be described later, to the user. Specifically, the center server is a server provided so as to be able to communicate externally via a predetermined communication line such as the Internet via the manager 102 in FIG. 1, and the basic configuration is shown in FIG. It shall be the same as the one.

Here, in the above description, when the CPU of the recording apparatus turns on the power or determines that 24 hours have elapsed since the power was turned on,
Although it has been described that the acquisition and transmission of the operation information of the recording apparatus are executed by the recording apparatus, here, another form is described as the timing at which the information about the recording apparatus including the operation information is acquired or transmitted. This will be described with reference to 7, 8, 9, and 10.

FIG. 7 shows a process of transmitting the operation information of the recording apparatus to the center server when it is detected that the remaining amount of the consumables used in the recording apparatus has become smaller than a predetermined amount. is there. The processing in each step of the flowchart is performed by the CPU 406 shown in FIG.
Is executed by executing a process based on the program code stored in the memory 407.

First, in step S701, the process starts.

Next, in step S702, the remaining amount of the consumables used in the recording apparatus is detected, and it is determined whether the remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount may be a fixed value stored in the storage means in advance, but an input field in which a user can set a predetermined value is provided in the operation panel (4) of the printer.
07) or by displaying it on the display unit 308 of the agent PC and storing and storing the setting information input via the display screen in the recording device, the timing of executing the flow of FIG. It is possible to realize more flexibly.

The detection of the remaining amount of the consumables is performed by a consumables remaining amount sensor (a detecting unit 409 in FIG. 4) provided in the recording apparatus. The consumables include ink used in an inkjet printer, toner used in an electrophotographic recording device, a photosensitive drum, an intermediate transfer drum,
Alternatively, various sizes of printing paper or the like may be used as the recording medium.

In step S703, a notification of information indicating that the amount has become equal to or less than the predetermined amount in step S702 is transmitted to the host computer PC.
Will be notified. Here, the host PC notified of the information in S703 generates display information for displaying information as shown in FIG.

The display screen of FIG. 8 shows a message indicating that the amount of consumables is low or exhausted (801 in FIG. 8), and prompts the user to provide product information according to the operation information. It is. 802, 80
Reference numeral 3 denotes an input field for specifying the product information desired by the user in detail, and information for specifying the product input through the input field is notified to the recording apparatus.
6 is controlled to be included in the information transmitted. This is a user interface for notifying the center server of what kind of product the user wants. In order for the center server to notify the user of information on the information specified via the user interface. This can prevent transmission of extra information to the user. For example, when “ink information” is selected in FIG. 8, the information created in S706 includes information requesting the ink information. By displaying such a message,
The user can receive product information (for example, an ink cartridge) at the timing of purchasing a new consumable item.

S704 is a process performed when input information corresponding to the “diagnosis” button is notified to the recording device on the user interface of FIG. 8 displayed according to the process of S703, and is a destination mail. The address is obtained from the memory 407.

In step S705, operation information of the printing apparatus is obtained. The operation information is stored in the memory 407.

In step S706, the operation information of the recording device obtained in step S705 is transmitted to the destination mail address obtained in step S704. The transmission is performed from the recording device to the agent PC 101 or the manager 102.
The transmission of operation information from the user to an external center server connected via a predetermined communication line is actually performed by the manager 102,
Alternatively, it is executed by the agent PC 101.
Of course, if the agent printer 103 can directly transmit and receive information to and from an external center server via a predetermined communication line, the agent printer 103 and the center server can directly exchange information. Becomes

As described above, if the operation information of the recording apparatus is transmitted to the center server at the timing when the remaining amount of the consumable becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the timing at which the user newly purchases the consumable is obtained. The user can purchase new consumables smoothly because the user can get product information and know which consumables to select from among multiple types of consumables. be able to.

Further, the timing for displaying the user interface as shown in FIG. 8 is not limited to the timing when the amount of consumables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. When an error occurs, a timing that satisfies a predetermined use condition of the output device, such as a case where the use period of the printer exceeds a predetermined period, is assumed.

The order of the steps in FIG. 7 is not limited to that shown in FIG.
The object of the present invention can be achieved even if control is performed so that the order of steps S706 to S706 is appropriately changed.

Next, FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 9 shows a process for enabling a user to receive a service any number of times at an arbitrary timing as a timing for transmitting operation information of the recording apparatus from the user to the center server. Note that the processing in each step of the flowchart is realized by the CPU 406 shown in FIG. 4 executing processing based on the program code stored in the memory 407.

Here, the difference from the processing of FIG.
Is performed to determine whether or not there has been an operation information transmission instruction from the host PC. The processing after it is determined that the host PC has received the operation information transmission instruction is the same as the processing in S704 to S707 in FIG.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a user interface for the user to instruct the recording apparatus to acquire operation information and transmit the information to the host PC from the host PC.

FIG. 10 shows a display screen of a setting screen for making print settings. For example, it is displayed on the display unit 308 of the agent PC or the display unit 408 of the agent printer in FIG. 1003 is S902
Is an input button for instructing acquisition and transmission of operation information of the printing apparatus corresponding to. Keyboard 20
6, or an input instruction is made via a pointing device such as a mouse, and when information indicating the instruction is notified to the recording apparatus, it is determined in S902 that an instruction to transmit operation information has been issued, and the processing in S903 and subsequent steps is performed. Done. By displaying the user interface as shown in FIG. 10 in this way, the user can obtain the product information corresponding to the operation information at an arbitrary timing.

<Aggregation of Acquisition Information>
S505 of FIG. 7, S707 of FIG. 7, and processing of the center server in accordance with the processing of 906 in FIG. 9, and the operation information transmitted via the manager in FIG.
This processing is performed in accordance with the operation information transmitted from the agent PC or the operation information transmitted from the agent printer.

Here, in the center server, the destination address "zzz@--.co.jp" shown in FIG.
The transmission information transmitted from the printers is collected for each source address (that is, for each printer) and stored in the storage unit.

The data transferred from the source address is data in the above-described predetermined format.
By aggregating the data of the known fields in the text, known data within a known period (for example, “color document printing”, “Bk document printing”, and “pump count” within 24 hours in this embodiment) can be obtained. Aggregation can be performed for each user.

<Utilization of Total Data> Based on the data totaled as described above, search and provision of the most suitable product information for each individual user are performed by the center server.
Hereinafter, a specific description will be given with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an example of a correspondence table between the tallying result and the content of the user announcement, which is stored in the storage means in the center server. In this embodiment, a model case of use frequency is set for each printer owned by each user. For example, rank management is performed according to the printing ratio of Bk originals, and Bk
If the frequency of printing is high, a program for giving an instruction to introduce a large-capacity ink tank is stored (FIG. 11). By using a large-capacity tank, users can expect to reduce running costs.

Further, when the printing ratio of Bk is high, control is performed so as to introduce a printer for high duty recording (FIG. 11). The same control as described above is performed according to the printing ratio of the color document. If the printing frequency of the color document exceeds the predetermined value and the printing frequency is high, a large-capacity tank of color ink is introduced. If it is high, a search is performed to introduce a printer for recording color high duty mainly on printing of color originals.

When the recording ratio of the Bk document is higher than the assumed frequency of the printer owned by the user based on the ratio between the color recording and the Bk recording, the recording head dedicated to the Bk printing or the printing of the Bk document is performed. (Fig. 12). Similarly, when the recording ratio of a color document is higher than the expected frequency of the printer owned by the user, an introduction of a recording head centering on color printing and a color printer capable of printing color documents at high speed (FIG. 12) By storing each correspondence table as described above in the center server, it is possible to efficiently provide the user with product information corresponding to the operation information of the output device. it can. Further, if a correspondence table in which maintenance information and the like are associated with the number of errors is stored, it is possible to provide support information to the user. As described above, the correspondence table according to the present invention is not limited to those described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, and a correspondence table for providing various product information and support information is assumed.

Next, a mechanism for providing information to the user will be described with reference to FIG. In the same figure, “Fro
The address of the center server is embedded in the “m” field, and the mail address “xxx@yyy.co.jp” of the recording device is embedded in the “To” field.
A text set in advance according to the content of the announcement is embedded in the body part, and is transmitted to a transmission mail address by an e-mail transmission / reception unit (not shown). It goes without saying that the content of the announcement is obtained from a memory means (not shown) in the server and is transcribed into the mail text.

The data on the number of pumps in this embodiment is used to determine the life of the head. If the frequency at which the pump is performed is greater than a predetermined value, the life of the printhead is determined and a comment prompting replacement of the printhead is transmitted from the center server to the user in the same manner as described above.

The recording ratio of the Bk document and the color document is
Use the value obtained by dividing the total number of printed pages of each color original by the elapsed time since the recording device was installed. Of course, it is good.

Here, a flowchart showing the processing of the center server described above will be described. It should be noted that the processing in each step of the flowchart is the same as that shown in FIG.
The PU 302 is connected to the external storage unit 306 or the memory (R
It is assumed to be realized by executing a process based on the program code stored in the OM (303).

At S1401, operation information and main body model information are received. In step S1402, it is determined whether the information received in step S1401 includes information that specifies a product, as illustrated in 802 and 803 in FIG.

If No in S1402, a search process for a product corresponding to the operation information is executed. Also, S1
If Yes in 402, a search process for the product specified by the product specification information is performed.

Then, in S1405, S140
3. Transmission of the result information searched in S1404 is performed. Note that the information transmitted in S1405 is display information to be displayed on the display unit of the agent PC or the agent printer of the user. Also, S140
In the case where the specified information of the product is included in 2, the search processing of the product information other than once specified is performed, and the specified product information is transmitted at the time of transmitting the search result information in S 1405. The present invention also envisages processing for extracting corresponding information.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the description has been given of the case where mail information for searching for product information at the center server is generated by the recording apparatus main body (agent printer). In the present invention, it is also assumed that the agent PC executes the processing performed by the recording apparatus main body in the first embodiment. Also, the manager 10
2 can execute the same processing as the agent PC.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of the processing performed by the agent PC. The processing in each step of the flowchart of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 described later is performed by the CPU 302 shown in FIG.
3 or by executing a process based on the program code stored in the external storage device 306.

At S1502, the status of the power supply of the recording apparatus is monitored. The mechanism for acquiring the power supply status is realized by polling processing, trapping processing from a recording device, or the like, but the form is not particularly limited. In step S1502, the power of the printing apparatus is turned on from off.
If it is detected that the power supply has been activated or the power supply has been activated for 24 hours, the process proceeds to S1503.

In step S1503, the destination address information of the operation information of the printing apparatus is extracted and acquired from the printer driver program. It is assumed that the printer driver program is stored and held in the agent PC.

In step S1504, operation information is obtained from the recording device. Note that S1503 and S1504 may be reversed, and the order is not particularly limited.

At S1505, a mail body is generated, and at S1506, the mail is transmitted.

Next, FIG. 16 will be described.

In step S1602, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not information on the remaining amount of consumables has been notified from the recording apparatus. If it is determined that the notification has been made, S160
Move to 3. Here, the processing of S1603 to S1606 corresponds to the processing of S1503 to S1506 in FIG. 15, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, although not shown, the present invention also envisages a form in which, for example, the process of FIG. 9 is executed by the agent PC.

In this embodiment, the contents of the aggregated data are “the number of printed color originals”, “the number of printed Bk originals” and “the number of pumps” during a predetermined period, and the announcement contents are “type of tank” and “number of pumps”. Head type "Printer type"
And However, the total data and the announcement contents are not limited to the above contents, and the number of items can be increased or decreased as needed. Announcements include not only product introductions, but also services related to maintenance, such as maintenance contracts, and guidance on workshops on how to use printers, etc.

By performing control as described above, it is possible to accurately and reliably acquire the information on the user's use of the recording device, which is not always accurately grasped, without being biased toward storage and images. Becomes possible. In particular, with regard to network printers used by unspecified majority, a remarkable effect can be expected as compared with the conventional information acquisition method.

The information can be obtained by processing the information individually sent from the printer as individual information, or combining the information of a plurality of printers into an overall tendency and processing the information into a desired form. it can.

Further, a purchase request may be made on the spot using electronic mail.

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), an apparatus (for example, a single device) , Copier,
Facsimile machine, etc.). For example, in the above description, an agent printer having the function of an agent PC is also assumed.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a device module, a user module, a service module, and a software module, which realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments by executing the software program codes of the procedures of the respective steps in the respective flowcharts in accordance with the execution subject. The recording medium (or recording medium) recorded for each is supplied to a device (for example, an agent printer) or a personal computer (for example, an agent PC or a manager), which is an execution subject, and these (or CPU, MPU) are stored in a storage medium. It is also achieved by reading and executing the stored program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of each embodiment and the function of each step of each flowchart, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Will do.

Further, when the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. For example, as described above,
In the present invention, a mode in which the storage process of the operation information of the recording device is executed by a host computer (agent PC) connected to the recording device is also assumed.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided with a function expansion card inserted into the computer or an expansion unit connected to the computer, the function of the program is determined based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU included in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Although the above description has been made with reference to a printer, the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral, or an output apparatus such as an image forming apparatus or a scanner. It is possible.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an image recording apparatus connected as one of the network terminals to a network capable of transmitting and receiving e-mail between the network terminals, transmission of information of the image recording apparatus is performed. Destination address storage means for storing a destination e-mail address;
Transmission information storage means for temporarily storing the transmission information in the memory means of the recording device, e-mail creation means for creating an e-mail containing the transmission information as mail contents, and sending the created e-mail to the destination address With the provision of the e-mail transmitting means, it is possible to accurately and reliably acquire the actual use situation of the user without being biased by the memory and image relating to the user's use of the recording device, which is not always accurate. In particular, for a network printer used by an unspecified majority, a remarkable effect can be expected as compared with the conventional information acquisition method.

Further, it is possible to provide a mechanism capable of providing information on consumables and new product information suitable for each user based on the acquired information in a timely and accurate manner.

As described above, according to the network system, the server device, the information processing device, the output device, the device product management method, the medium, and the program according to the present invention, the output used by the user obtained from the user is provided. According to the operation information generated by the device, it is possible to provide information on suitable related products and new product information. That is, a plurality of related product information prepared for the output device, or
The user can receive the support information, and can receive the product information or the support information suitable for the operation state of the output device, which was complicated and difficult in the past.

On the service provider side,
The operation information of the output device on the user side can be obtained through the network much more efficiently than before,
Use of the obtained information for future product development plans, production plans, and the like can be considered as an effect.

Further, particularly in the recording apparatus, the remaining amount of the consumables used in the recording apparatus is very small, and when the user needs to purchase a new consumable, the user can use the recording apparatus. The user is alerted to search for an appropriate consumable from among a plurality of prepared consumables according to the operation information, so that the user does not need to go to a book store or the like, and to check for an appropriate consumable. It is also possible to prevent forgetting things. In addition, the service provider can provide appropriate information at a timing when the user actually wants the information, and can promote sales.

Further, in particular, in the recording apparatus, a screen is displayed so that the user can select which item related to the recording apparatus is to be searched for a related product or support information. With this configuration, it is possible to respond to the user's request more, that is, to provide product information more in accordance with the user's request.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a configuration in which an output device and an information processing device are connected via a network.

FIG. 2 is an example of a configuration in which an output device and an information processing device are connected via a cable.

FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of an information processing device.

FIG. 4 is an example of a block diagram of an output device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when the output device transmits operation information to an external device.

FIG. 6 is an example showing the contents of a mail text.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process when an output device transmits operation information to an external device.

FIG. 8 is an example of a display state for promoting service provision displayed on a display unit of an information processing apparatus at a user destination.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process when the output device transmits operation information to an external device.

FIG. 10 is an example of a user interface for performing a diagnosis displayed on a display unit of an information processing apparatus at a user destination.

FIG. 11 is an example of a table for analyzing related products or support information according to operation information in a server device that provides a service.

FIG. 12 is an example of a table for analyzing related products or support information according to operation information in a server device that provides a service.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the content of a mail body generated by a server device that provides a service.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of searching for product information in a server device that provides a service.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process related to transmission of operation information to a server device in an information processing device at a user destination;

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Network 101 Agent PC 102 Manager 103 Agent Printer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AQ05 AR01 HH03 HJ08 HK11 HK15 HN02 HN05 HN15 HN26 HP06 HQ17 HV13 HV14 HV35 5B021 AA01 AA05 AA19 NN16 NN17 NN19 5B089 GA13 J13 KBB

Claims (16)

[Claims] A transmitting means for transmitting operation information of the output device to a host computer connected to the output device; and an operation information transmitted by the transmitting means to a center server connected to the host computer via the Internet. A network system, comprising: a search unit that searches for product information corresponding to the search condition; and a generation unit that generates display screen information for displaying the product information searched by the search unit on the host computer. 2. A detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of a consumable used by the output device, and an instruction for instructing the host computer to display screen information for prompting transmission of the operation information by the transmitting means. Means for instructing the host computer to display screen information for urging the host computer to transmit the operation information at a timing when the detection means detects that the remaining amount of the consumable has become a predetermined amount or less. A network system characterized by: 3. The screen information includes information for displaying an input field for specifying a product, and the transmitting unit transmits information for specifying the product input through the input field. The network system according to claim 2, wherein the transmission is performed together with the operation information. 4. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the product information corresponding to the operation information is consumable information corresponding to the operation information. 5. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the operation information includes at least information on the number of printed originals. 6. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the operation information includes at least a consumption amount of a consumable material for each color. 7. A server device capable of communicating with an output device via a first predetermined communication line, wherein the receiving device receives output device information including at least operation information of the output device; Specifying means for specifying recommended consumables information in accordance with the received output device information including at least operation information; and outputting the recommended consumables information specified by the specifying means to the output device or the output device and a second predetermined Transmitting means for transmitting the information to an information processing apparatus connected via the communication line. 8. An output means for analyzing the operation information, wherein the output device information includes output device specifying information for specifying the output device, or consumables for specifying a consumable used by the output device. Product specifying information is included, and the specifying unit specifies the analysis result analyzed by the analysis unit and the output device specifying information, or the consumable item specifying information and the recommended consumable item information. Server device. 9. An information processing apparatus communicable with an output device via a first communication line and communicable with a server device via a second communication line, comprising: The output device is configured to search for product information corresponding to operation information of an output device capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus in response to the notification from the output device that the remaining amount of the product has become a predetermined amount or less. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the operation information generated in (1) to the server device. 10. An output device capable of communicating with a server device via a predetermined communication line or communicating with an information processing device capable of communicating with the server device, and acquiring a transmission destination of the server device. Obtaining means, and transmitting means for transmitting operation information to the transmission destination obtained by the obtaining means, wherein the operation information is used by the server device to specify optimum product information according to the operation information. An output device, characterized in that: 11. A transmission step of transmitting operation information of the output device to a host computer connected to the output device, and the operation information transmitted by the transmission step in a center server connected to the host computer via the Internet. Device product management, comprising: a search step of searching for product information according to the following; and a generation step of generating display screen information for displaying the product information searched for in the search step on the host computer. Method. 12. A device product management method in a server device capable of communicating with an output device via a first predetermined communication line, comprising: a receiving step of receiving output device information including at least operation information of the output device. A specifying step of specifying recommended consumables information according to output device information including at least operation information received by the receiving unit; and the output device or the output device supplies the recommended consumables information specified by the specifying step. And a transmitting step of transmitting the information to an information processing apparatus connected via a second predetermined communication line. 13. An apparatus product management method by an information processing device capable of communicating with an output device via a first communication line and communicating with a server device via a second communication line, In response to notification from the output device that the remaining amount of consumables used in the device has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount, search for product information corresponding to operation information of the output device capable of communicating with the image forming device. Transmitting an operation information generated by the output device to the server device. 14. An apparatus product management method using an output device capable of communicating with a server device via a predetermined communication line or communicating with an information processing device capable of communicating with the server device, wherein the server device And a transmission step of transmitting operation information to the destination acquired in the acquisition step, wherein the operation information is an optimal product in which the server device responds to the operation information. A device product management method for identifying information. 15. A storage medium storing a program code for executing the device product management method according to claim 11 in a computer readable form. 16. A program for realizing the device product management method according to claim 11. Description: