JP2002347318A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lessen the burden of work for recognition or ordering by managing consumption (residual quantity) of supply, e.g. recording sheets, on the side of an imaging apparatus. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus connected, through a telephone line 110, with an external unit 130 for receiving order information of supply being consumed in imaging operation comprises an operation display section 102 displaying a previously inputted order set amount of supply, a number of copies counting section 103 for counting consumption of supply, an operating section 101 for determining whether consumption counted at the number of copies counting section 103 has reached the order set amount or not, and a main control section 104 for controlling the operation display section 102 to display necessity of supply order when a decision is made that consumption has reached the order set amount based on the operation results at the operating section 101.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a communication system having a facsimile transmission / reception function via a communication line, and more particularly to counting a supply amount of recording paper or the like and consuming a predetermined amount. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that prompts a supply order when the order is made, or automatically orders a supply.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a digital copying machine, recording paper (thermal paper) or toner (ink) is consumed every time an image forming process is performed. The supplier checks the supply consumption status of the equipment, and when it is determined that replenishment is necessary, each time the supplier contacts the supply supplier being used or the contracted service center to replenish the supply. ing. In particular, in an office environment where a large amount of recording paper is consumed, management of the remaining amount of recording paper and management of orders are frequently performed.

As reference technical documents relating to such supply management, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-250
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 802 discloses that the number of recording sheets used by a total counter of a copying machine, a printer, and the like and the number of sheets used according to a paper feeding size are counted and held, and a maintenance fee is charged based on the counted value. Further, a system for diagnosing the usage status of a device at a remote service center or the like via a communication line is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-98555. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-146423 discloses a system for diagnosing an exchange unit by the number of copies.

[0004]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, an administrator or an operator of the apparatus checks the state of consumption of supplies such as recording paper and takes necessary measures. In such a case, the supply ordering work is performed, so that there is a problem that the management is complicated and the work is hindered when the recording paper or the like runs out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and the work load of confirmation and ordering work is reduced by managing the consumption (remaining amount) of supplies such as recording paper on the apparatus side. The purpose is to do.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a communication line with an external device for receiving order information of supplies consumed by image formation. Connected to the image forming apparatus, the order setting amount of the supply is input in advance,
Input display means for displaying, consumption counting means for counting consumption of the supply, calculation means for calculating whether the consumption amount counted by the consumption counting means has reached the order setting amount, and the calculation means And control means for controlling the input display means to display a supply order required when it is determined from the calculation result of the means that the consumption amount has reached the set order amount.

According to the present invention, for example, in a facsimile machine, a supply order set amount (notification amount) is set in advance, the number of supplies consumed at the time of reception is counted, and the supply order set amount is calculated from the count value. (Notification amount) is calculated, and when the set order amount (notification amount) is reached, the fact is displayed on the input display means such as the operation display unit, thereby realizing supply management on the device side. Further, it is possible to reliably inform the operator of the order timing.

In the image forming apparatus according to a second aspect, when a predetermined order input operation is performed after the display of the supply order required, the control means is configured to perform the operation in accordance with the information in the order input operation. The supply is ordered to the external device.

According to the present invention, in the first aspect, when it is displayed that the preset order setting amount (notification amount) has been reached, the operator operates the external device connected to the communication line. By ordering supplies, a timely supply ordering operation is realized.

When the control means determines from the result of the calculation by the calculation means that the consumption amount has reached the set order amount, the control means orders the corresponding supply to the external device.

According to the present invention, in claim 1, when the order setting amount (notification amount) reaches a preset order amount, the supply order is automatically performed via an external device connected to the communication line. This eliminates the need for manual supply ordering.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising a human body detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an operator in front of or in the vicinity of the apparatus, and further comprising a remote location management system for maintaining and managing the image forming apparatus. And an image forming apparatus connected via a communication line, wherein input order setting amount of a supply is input and displayed in advance, consumption amount counting means for counting supply amount, and the consumption amount counting unit. Calculating means for calculating whether the consumption amount counted by the means has reached the order setting amount,
When it is determined from the calculation result of the calculation means that the consumption amount has reached the order setting amount, and when the presence of an operator is detected by the human body detection means, the input display means displays a supply order required. Control means for controlling;
It is provided with.

According to this invention, for example, in an image forming apparatus connected to a service center or the like via a communication line and provided with a human body detecting means, an order setting amount (notification amount) of a supply is set in advance, The number of supplies consumed at the time of reception is counted, and from the count value, it is calculated whether or not the supply order set amount (notification amount) has been reached, the order set amount (notification amount) is obtained, and the presence of a person is detected by the human body detection means. By displaying the fact on the input display means such as the operation display unit when the power supply is detected, it is possible to reliably inform the operator of the supply order timing.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the supply is ordered to the remote location management system according to the information in the order input operation.

[0015] According to the present invention, in the fourth aspect, when it is displayed that the preset order setting amount (notification amount) has been reached, the operator can operate the remote control unit such as a service center connected to the communication line. By ordering supplies via the land management system, a timely supply ordering operation is realized.

In the image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means performs a predetermined order input operation after the display of the supply order required, and the operator detects from the apparatus by the human body detecting means. When it is determined that you have left,
The supply is ordered to the remote location management system.

According to the present invention, when the order setting amount (notification amount) reaches a preset order amount, the supply of the supply is performed via a remote location management system such as a service center connected to the communication line. By automatically ordering, there is no need for a manual supply ordering operation.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the input display means includes a supply order mode for inputting supply order information.

According to the present invention, by providing an operation mode for managing and ordering the supply by setting the remaining amount of the supply in the input display means such as the operation display section in any one of the first to sixth aspects, It is possible to manage on the device the remaining amount and ordering.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 8, the supply is set in the apparatus.
Or a plurality of types of recording paper.

According to the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the supply is one or a plurality of sizes of recording paper set in the apparatus, and the notified number of recording papers is set in advance. By calculating from the count value whether or not the notice number has been reached, when the notice number has been reached, the ordering time is displayed or an order is placed for a predetermined connected device, so that the troublesome recording paper remaining amount is obtained. The burden of operations such as management and order placement is reduced.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In this embodiment, a recording sheet will be described as an example of a supply used in an image forming apparatus.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. This image forming apparatus 100 includes, as described below,
It includes a calculation unit 101, an operation display unit 102, a copy number counting unit 103, a main control unit 104, a data storage unit 105, and a communication control unit 106.

The image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a laser facsimile apparatus using an electrophotographic process, a digital copying machine having a facsimile function, or a facsimile apparatus such as a thermal system or an ink jet system, and its recording paper is either sheet or roll paper. It may be. Note that the image forming mechanism, the paper feed mechanism, and the like are generally known devices, and thus are omitted here.

The arithmetic unit 101 calculates the difference between a preset number of recording sheets (the remaining amount of recording sheets) and the number of recording sheets consumed by the image forming operation of the apparatus. The operation display unit 102 is provided in the apparatus main body,
It is provided with a group of numeric keys for performing various input settings, switches, a liquid crystal panel for displaying the status of the apparatus, messages, and the like.

The copy number counting unit 103 counts and holds the number of consumed recording sheets (such as the number of fed sheets, the number of recorded sheets, and the number of discharged sheets). The count is, for example,
A counting method disclosed in JP-A-6-250802, that is, a method of counting the number of used sheets by size and storing the data in a readable manner, or a mechanical number of sheets linked with a sheet feeding operation This is realized by using a method of integrating the count value of the counter.

The main controller 104 controls the entire image forming apparatus by a microcomputer system. That is, the main control unit 104
Includes a CPU 107 that executes control using control programs and parameters, a ROM 108 in which control programs and various parameters are stored, and a RAM 109 used as a working memory during control.

The data storage unit 105 stores, for example, NVRA
Stores data such as the number of copies counted by the writable / readable copy number counting unit 103 such as M (non-volatile memory), the paper size of the paper feed tray, the number of paper feeds for each paper feed tray, and the total number of paper feeds. It is something to keep.

The communication control unit 106 controls the telephone line 1
10 and is connected to an external device 13 of a supply order destination in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol (facsimile transmission procedure).
0 and facsimile communication and data communication.

The external device 130 is a device such as a supplier connected to the telephone line 110, and may have any form as long as facsimile information can be read.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the operation display unit 102. The operation display unit 102 includes at least
A display panel 120 to be described later, a numeric keypad 121 for inputting a destination number, a supply amount, and the like, a supply order mode key 122, a start button 123 pressed at the start of transmission, and used when transmission is stopped or erroneous input is performed. Clear / stop key 124.

The display panel 120 is composed of, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display panel with buttons displayed and output by software, and displays information such as the destination number and the number of pages related to facsimile transmission and reception.
The display of the remaining amount setting of the supply and the information on the supply order are displayed. The supply order mode key 122 is
This is a key for shifting to / not shifting to a mode for inputting supply order information. The supply order mode key 122 does not need to be provided if it is configured as a touch panel on the display panel 120.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described. The operator inputs in advance from the operation display section 102 how many sheets of recording paper are to be notified (notification number). In addition, when stacking recording paper on the paper feed tray, the number of stacked papers (set number of recording papers) is input. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of paper feed trays as generally known, and exemplifies an apparatus corresponding to a plurality of types of recording paper sizes.

These input data are stored in the data storage unit 105.
Is stored in a readable manner. When the recording operation (feed operation) is actually performed, the data of the set number of recording sheets is decremented each time the counter counts up, and it is calculated whether the value has reached the value of the notified number. Is displayed on the display panel 120 of the operation display unit 102 at the point in time. Hereinafter, these operations will be described with reference to flowcharts and the like.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
When the image output operation is performed, first, the remaining number (notification number) with respect to the preset number of recording sheets is detected (step S11). Subsequently, the display panel 120 of the operation display unit 102 displays that the remaining number of recording sheets has reached the set notification number (step S12), and further displays "Do you want to order recording paper?" (Step S
13). This display example is shown in FIG.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an order has been inputted (step S14), and an order is inputted (in FIG. 4, the Yes button 121 is turned on for an order, and the No button 122 is turned on for no order). ), Order information input processing is performed (step S15), and the input information is displayed on the operation panel 102 of the operation display unit 102, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 (step S16).

Further, it is determined whether or not the contents of the order information on the display panel 120 have been confirmed (in FIG. 5, the confirmation button 125 is turned on if OK, and the cancel button 126 is turned on if cancellation) (step S17). ). When the order contents are confirmed, the order information is transmitted from the communication control unit 106 to the external device 130 of the supply order via the telephone line 110 (step S18).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of detecting the set remaining number according to the embodiment of the present invention. First,
Input processing of the number of notices input from the operation display unit 102 is performed (step S21), and the input data is stored in the data storage unit 105 (step S22). Further, input processing of the number of recording sheets in the paper feed tray input from the operation display unit 102 is performed (step S23), and the input data is stored in the data storage unit 105 (step S2).
4).

After these input processes, normal image output is performed (step S25), and the number of recording sheets by the image output is counted down from the number of recording sheets in the paper feed tray (step S26). The number is compared with the number of sheets (step S27), and it is determined whether or not the notified number of sheets = the number of recording sheets (step S28). If the number of notices is not equal to the number of recording sheets, the process returns to step S25.
If it is determined that the notified number is equal to the number of recording sheets, the set remaining number is detected (step S29), and the processing from step S12 in FIG. 3 described above is executed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting the number of paper feed trays according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, the recording paper is set on the paper feed tray (step S3).
1) The operation display unit 102 displays the set number of recording papers.
(Step S32). Further, the stored current number of recording sheets is read out (step S33), and the above data is added thereto and stored in the data storage unit 105 as the number of recording sheets (step S34).

As described above, each time a recording sheet is set in the sheet feeding tray, the number of sheets set is input, thereby updating the number of recording sheets in the sheet feeding tray. In addition, by using the size information in the paper feed tray, the number of recording sheets for each paper feed tray or each size can be managed. Further, by inputting the number of owned recording papers in addition to the number of recording papers set in the paper feed tray, it is possible to manage and notify based on the remaining amount of recording paper held, not for each paper feed tray.

The present invention can be applied not only to the sheet-type (cut paper) recording paper as described above, but also to roll paper used in a heat-sensitive type. That is,
By inputting the length of the roll paper and incrementing the length of the roll paper for printing, the length of the roll paper may be used. Conversely, the remaining roll paper length may be obtained by decrementing the roll paper from the initial length as needed.

When the preset number of notices is reached, the order of the recording paper may be automatically ordered to the external device 130 of the supply order destination according to the preset order contents. This process is shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, as described above, detection processing of the set remaining number (see FIG. 6) is performed (step S41). When the detection is performed, the order information is sent to the external device 130 connected to the telephone line 110. Perform (Step S
42).

When ordering recording paper by the facsimile communication function, the order format (the number of sheets, the number of sheets,
The input value is entered in the portion of (recording paper size, etc.) and transmitted in a form conforming to the facsimile communication protocol (facsimile transmission procedure).

As described above, by automatically ordering the recording paper when the notified number of sheets is reached, the operator does not need to supervise the recording paper or interrupt the work due to the running out of the recording paper, and can perform complicated ordering of the recording paper. Work is reduced.

(Embodiment 2) An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 is connected to a remote diagnostic unit host such as a service center via a communication line, and further detects a human body detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a person with respect to the apparatus. In accordance with the detection information, an indication that the notified number of recording papers has been reached or an automatic order for recording paper is made by a remote communication system. This will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus 200 includes an operation unit 101, an operation display unit 102, a copy number counting unit 103, a main control unit 104, a data storage unit 105, a human body detection sensor 201, and a communication control unit 202. Have. Elements having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The human body detection sensor 201 detects that an operator is standing in front of the apparatus and performing an operation. The communication control unit 202 controls communication with the remote diagnostic unit host 220 connected via the communication line 210 according to a predetermined communication protocol.

As the communication line 210, a LAN (Local Area Network) for constructing a network is used.
k) If the system has the Internet function, or if it has the Internet function, TCP / IP (Transmission Con
torol Protocol / Internet P
protocol).

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. When the image output operation is performed, first,
As in the flowchart of FIG. 6 described above, the remaining number (notification number) with respect to the preset number of recording sheets is detected (step S51). Further, it is determined whether or not a human body has been detected by the human body detection sensor 201, that is, whether or not there is a person in front of the apparatus (step S52).

If a human body is detected by the human body detection sensor 201, it is displayed on the operation display section 102 that the remaining number of recording papers has reached the set value (step S53). Is displayed (step S54), and this display example is as shown in FIG.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is an input to place an order (in FIG. 4, the Yes button is turned on for an order, and the No button is turned on for no order) (step S55). If there is, the order information input is displayed (step S56), and the input information is displayed on the operation panel 102 of the operation display unit 102, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 (step S57).

Further, it is determined whether or not the contents of the order information on the display panel 120 have been confirmed (in FIG. 5, the confirmation button 125 is turned on if OK, and the cancel button 125 is turned on if canceled) (step S58). ). When the order content is confirmed, the human body detection sensor 201 is further added.
It is determined whether the human body detection has been performed (step S59). Here, if it is determined that no human body is detected, that is, if there is no person in front of the apparatus, the order information is transmitted from the communication control section 202 to the remote diagnosis section host 220 via the communication line 210 (step S60).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S52 that there is no operator in front of the apparatus by the human body detection, it is further determined whether or not the human body is detected periodically after the image is output (step S61). If the human body is regularly detected, the process skips to step S53 and executes the subsequent processing.

As in the first embodiment, when the number of notices reaches a preset number, a recording paper is automatically ordered to the remote diagnostic unit host 220 based on the preset order contents. You may. This process is shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, as described above, the process of detecting the set remaining number (see FIG. 6) is executed (step S81). Further, the presence of a person is detected by the human body detection sensor 201, and it is determined whether or not a human body is detected (step S82). Here, if it is determined that the presence of a person is not recognized, the order information is placed to the remote diagnostic unit host 220 connected to the telephone line 210 (step S8).
5).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S82 that there is a person in front of the apparatus, a normal image output operation is performed (step S83), and it is further determined whether a human body is detected periodically (step S84). . Here, if it is determined that the presence of a person is not recognized, the order information is placed to the remote diagnosis unit host 220 connected to the telephone line 210 (step S85).

As described above, in the second embodiment, for example, when the operator executes a large number of copy modes and leaves the apparatus, the remaining number of sheets is detected as described above and the above-mentioned display is immediately displayed. In consideration of the low possibility of confirming the number, when the human body detection sensor 201 detects that an operator is present in front of the apparatus, it indicates that the notified number has been reached. Thereby, the operator recognizes that the remaining amount of the recording paper is low before the recording paper runs out, and can efficiently add or order thereafter.

If the operator is away from the apparatus when the number of remaining sheets is detected, the notice number is displayed after detecting that the operator is in front of the apparatus by the human body detection sensor 201. By doing so, it is possible to reliably notify the operator.

Further, since the ordering operation is performed after the operator is away from the front of the apparatus, the remaining amount of the recording paper becomes short and reaches the notified number, and when the ordering operation is immediately performed, the operator performs copying or facsimile operation by the apparatus. It is possible to avoid a situation in which an operation to be performed occupies a communication line due to an ordering operation, and further occupies control by a main control unit, thereby affecting an operator's operation.

[0060]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 1), in a facsimile machine, for example, a supply order setting amount (notification amount) is set in advance and a The number of supplies consumed in the system is counted, and from the count value, it is calculated whether or not the supply order set amount (notification amount) has been reached. If the supply order set amount (notification amount) has been reached, input display means such as an operation display unit This is a relatively simple configuration, such as displaying a message to that effect, so that supply consumption can be managed on the equipment side, and it is also possible to reliably inform the operator of the ordering time. It can be done smoothly.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 2), when it is displayed in claim 1 that the order setting amount (notification amount) which has been set in advance is displayed, the operator can: Since the supply order is made via the external device connected to the communication line, it is possible to reduce the supply ordering operation when the number of sheets to be notified is reached.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 3), when it is determined in claim 1 that the preset order setting amount (notification amount) has been reached, the image forming apparatus is connected to the communication line. Since the supply order is automatically performed via the external device, the supply ordering operation by hand becomes unnecessary, and the supply ordering operation can be further reduced.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 4), for example, in an image forming apparatus connected to a service center or the like via a communication line and provided with a human body detecting means, the order of a supply is previously determined. A set amount (notification amount) is set, the number of supplies consumed at the time of reception is counted, and whether or not the supply order setting amount (notification amount) has been reached is calculated from the count value, and the order setting amount (notification amount) is calculated. ), And when the presence of a person is detected by the human body detection means, the existing configuration is used to display that fact on the input display means such as the operation display unit, so that no special mechanism is provided. It is possible to reliably inform the operator of the supply order timing, and the subsequent work by the operator is reduced.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 5), when it is displayed in claim 4 that the preset order setting amount (notification amount) has been reached, the operator can: Since the supply order is placed via a remote location management system such as a service center connected to the communication line, the supply ordering operation when the number of notifications reaches the number can be reduced.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 6), when the order setting amount (notification amount) reaches a preset order amount in claim 4, the service connected to the communication line is set. Since supply ordering is automatically performed via a remote location management system such as a center, manual supply ordering work becomes unnecessary, and supply ordering work can be further reduced.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 7), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the management of the supply by setting the remaining amount of the supply on the input display means such as the operation display section can be performed. By providing an operation mode for ordering, it is possible to manage the remaining amount of supplies and ordering on the device, so that management tasks can be performed in contrast to conventional management tasks such as supply ledger management. The burden can be reduced.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention (claim 8), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the supply may be one or more types of recording paper set in the apparatus. The notification number of recording paper is set in advance, and whether the notification number has been reached is calculated from the count value, and when the notification number has been reached, the ordering time is displayed or the specified device connected to Since the ordering is performed by the user, the burden on the management of the remaining amount of the recording paper and the ordering work can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of an operation display unit when the number of notifications reaches.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input screen when recording paper is ordered.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of detecting a set remaining number according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for setting the number of paper feed trays according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an automatic ordering procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an automatic ordering procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100, 200 image forming apparatus 101 arithmetic unit 102 operation display unit 103 copy number counting unit 104 main control unit 105 data storage unit 106, 202 communication control unit 110 telephone line 130 external device 201 human body detection sensor 220 remote diagnostic unit host

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 KM 17/60 318 17/60 318G H04N 1/00 106 H04N 1/00 106B F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 CQ34 CQ39 CQ40 HH03 HJ07 HK11 HK15 HN05 HN15 HV13 HV14 2H027 DA29 DA45 DD00 DE07 EJ08 EJ13 EJ15 GB03 GB11 HB02 HB05 HB13 HB14 HB15 A02 A02 A02 A02 A02 A00 AC58 AF15 BA04

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus connected via a communication line to an external apparatus for receiving supply order information of a supply consumed by image formation, wherein an input setting amount of a supply is previously input and displayed. Consumption amount counting means for counting the supply consumption amount; calculation means for calculating whether the consumption amount counted by the consumption amount counting means has reached the order setting amount; and a result of the calculation by the calculation means And control means for controlling the input display means to display a supply order required when it is determined that the consumption amount has reached the set order amount. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined order input operation is performed after the display of the supply order required, the control unit orders the supply to the external device in accordance with information on the order input operation. Claim 1.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The control unit orders the supply from the external device when the control unit determines from the calculation result of the calculation unit that the consumption amount has reached the set order amount. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 4. An image forming apparatus having a human body detecting means for detecting presence or absence of an operator in front of or near the apparatus, and further connected to a remote location management system for maintaining and managing the image forming apparatus via a communication line. Input display means for inputting and displaying the order setting amount of the supply in advance; consumption counting means for counting the consumption of the supply; consumption amount counted by the consumption counting means being the order setting amount; Calculating means for calculating whether or not the consumption amount has reached the order setting amount, and when the presence of an operator is detected by the human body detecting means, supply ordering is performed. Control means for controlling the input display means so as to perform a necessary display. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the supply is ordered with respect to the previous remote location management system according to the information in the order input operation. 6. The remote value management system according to claim 6, wherein a predetermined order input operation is performed after the display of the supply order required, and the human body detecting means determines that the operator has left the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the supply is ordered by the user. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input display unit has a supply order mode for inputting supply order information. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply is one or a plurality of types of recording paper set in the apparatus.