JP2003187123A - Management device for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate ordering work of consumables for an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: A management device reads the residue of supply articles when the residual quantity confirmation of consumables is instructed (step 100). At this time, it also reads the residual quantities of the supply articles of respective image forming devices from other management devices. Thereafter, a confirmation/estimation request screen is displayed, a supply article is selected to request an estimation, and when the estimation is acquired, an order confirmation screen is displayed (steps 102-110). When an order is designated, the ordering based on the order confirmation screen is performed, and when an order receipt report is received, it is confirmed whether the order receipt report is stored or not, and when the storage is designated, the order receipt report is stored as order history (steps 112-124). According to this, the order management of supply articles of two or more image forming devices can be collectively performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on recording paper or the like, and more particularly to a management apparatus for managing consumables of the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording paper is provided with a copier for reading an original image and forming an image corresponding to the original image on the recording paper, or image data input via a telephone line or the like. There is a facsimile etc. which forms an image according to the above on a recording paper. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a printer (network printer) that forms an image according to image data input from an image processing terminal such as a PC via a network, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions. is there.

By the way, in such an image forming apparatus,
When not only recording paper but also consumables such as toner and consumables (supply supplies) such as toner cartridges, it is necessary to replenish and replace them. The management of supplies has become complicated.

For this reason, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-210934, an image forming apparatus is connected to a network to collect consumables information and the like, and the collection result can be transmitted to a host computer or the like. As a result, on the host computer, it is possible to collectively grasp the usage status of the supply supplies for each of the plurality of image recording devices, and notify the user of the fact that the supply supplies need to be replenished. I am trying.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-206834, the host computer is further connected to a maintenance server or the like of the manufacturer so that the manufacturer can notify the quotation and the delivery date before the consumables need to be replenished. I am able to do it.

[0006]

However, in such a management system for an image forming apparatus, the manager of the image forming apparatus needs to make a document order for the final ordering of supplies. In addition, there are many kinds of supplies that need to be replenished or replaced even with one image forming apparatus, and even if the same product name is used, the product number may differ depending on the model. It is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and it is an object of the present invention to propose an image forming apparatus management apparatus capable of more efficiently managing the image forming apparatus.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a management device for an image forming apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet, the management apparatus comprising: Remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of consumables, connecting means for exchanging data with the external consumables managing means for estimating and ordering the consumables of the image forming apparatus, and the connecting means for connecting the means. The external consumables management means includes an ordering means for making an estimate request and an ordering request for the consumables based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting means.

According to the present invention, the estimation request and the ordering are performed based on the remaining amount of the consumable item detected by the remaining amount detecting means. That is, the image forming apparatus directly issues an estimate request to the external consumable item management means and places an order based on the estimate.

Thus, for example, when the remaining amount detecting means detects that the consumable item needs to be replaced, the request for quotation and the order can be made on the spot. It becomes easy and it is possible to prevent forgetting to place an order.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the consumables and the remaining amount for each consumption are displayed on the display means, and the consumables and the order quantity to be displayed on the display means are set by the operating means, It is characterized in that the ordering means makes an estimate request based on the display of the display means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to visually confirm by displaying the consumables for which an estimate is requested and the quantity thereof on the display means, and it is possible to easily and accurately request the estimate.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the consumables and the remaining amount of the consumables are displayed on the display means in an order based on a preset condition.

According to the present invention, by displaying, for example, consumable items having a high degree of urgency in order from the remaining amount and the like,
It is possible to improve the listability when a plurality of consumables are displayed side by side, and it is possible to prevent an erroneous consumable from being omitted from a request for quotation or an order.

The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the ordering means displays an estimate input from the external consumables management means on the display means and transmits ordering data based on the displayed contents. .

With this, since the order of the consumable item is made based on the display of the display means, it is possible to place an accurate order.

According to the present invention, when the consumables and the quantity of the consumables displayed on the display means are changed by the operating means, the external consumables management means is controlled based on the changed display contents. It is preferable to request a re-estimate so that an appropriate order can be placed.

The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that the display means displays an order notice returned from the external consumable goods management means based on an order request.

As a result, it is possible to confirm whether or not the order is properly placed, and it is possible to prevent the order from being omitted.

Further, the invention of claim 7 includes storage means for storing order data, and selection means for selecting whether or not to store the order data in the storage means together with the order notification. It is characterized by

According to the present invention, since the order history can be stored in the storage means, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the order is missed even after the order is placed. Further, since the history can be selected not to be stored, it is possible to prevent the order history from occupying a large storage area of the storage means.

Further, in the invention of claim 8, the ordering means requests the external consumable goods management means and makes an order based on the consumable goods code set for each of the consumable goods by the external consumable goods management means. At the same time, the display means displays the consumable item name set based on the consumable item code.

According to the present invention, the specific merchandise name and the like are displayed on the display means, but with the external consumable goods management means, it is performed based on the consumable goods code which has been set in advance. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent an ordering error or the like from occurring.

Further, the invention according to claim 9 includes a selection means for selecting whether or not to display a quotation request on the display means when the remaining quantity detection means reaches the remaining quantity required for ordering. Characterize.

As a result, when it becomes necessary to place an order,
You can easily start work for ordering.

In the present invention as described above, when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via the connecting means, it is preferable to detect the remaining amount of the consumable item from each image forming apparatus. It is more preferable that the consumable information can be exchanged by being connected to each other when provided in each of the image forming apparatuses.

As a result, it is possible to collectively manage a plurality of image forming apparatuses and improve the manageability of consumables.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a management device 12 is provided in the image forming apparatus 10 applied to this embodiment. Note that the management device 12 may be externally connected to the image forming apparatus 10, but in the present embodiment, it is incorporated in the image forming apparatus 10 and some of the components are imaged. The description will be given assuming that the components can be shared with the components of the forming apparatus 10.

Image forming apparatus 1 provided with management apparatus 12
As 0, any configuration for forming an image on a recording sheet can be applied. For example, according to a copy function of reading an image recorded on a document image and forming and outputting the image recorded on the document image on a recording sheet, or image data input from various image processing terminals such as a personal computer. Documents such as a printer function that forms and outputs images on recording paper, a network printer function, and a facsimile function that forms and outputs images according to image data input through a communication line such as a telephone line on recording paper. It is sufficient as long as it has at least one arbitrary function of forming an image or an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 having a conventionally known basic structure is applied, and the basic description of the image forming apparatus 10 will be omitted below.

Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 are connected via a network 14 such as a LAN. In FIG. 1, three image forming apparatuses 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) are shown as an example. The image forming apparatuses 10A to 10C may have the same processing function or may have different processing functions.

A management device 12 (12A, 12B, 12C) is provided in each of the image forming apparatuses 10A to 10C. These management devices 12 have the same basic configuration, and hereinafter, the image forming device 10A will be mainly described as the image forming device 10, and the management device 12A provided in the image forming device 10 will be described as the management device 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the management device 12 uses the CP
The U16, the ROM 18, the RAM 20 and the like are connected to the bus 22 in a general configuration. Further, the management device 12 is provided with a storage unit 24 having a non-volatile memory as a storage unit, and the storage unit 24 is connected to the bus 22.

As the storage unit 24, a semiconductor memory is used as long as the recorded data does not disappear even when the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned off or the power is not supplied. Also, various storage media such as a hard disk drive (HDD) may be used.

On the other hand, the management device 12 is provided with an operation section 26. This operation unit 26 has an operation panel 28 and a display panel 3 via an interface (not shown).
0 is connected. As a result, the management device 12 can display various information on the display panel 30 by a key operation (not shown) on the operation panel 28, and can also issue various processing instructions based on the information displayed on the display panel 30. Has become.

The display panel 30 may be of a touch type and also has a part of the functions of the operation panel 28. In the present embodiment, the operation panel 28 and the touch type display panel 30 are taken as an example. It will be described as being used.

The management device 12 is provided with a communication interface (communication I / F 32).
This communication I / F 32 allows other image forming apparatus 10
It is connected to the management device 12 provided in the so as to be able to exchange data (see FIG. 1).

At this time, in each management device 12,
The management apparatus 12 connected to each other and the image forming apparatus 10 provided with each management apparatus 12 are registered.

By the way, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with the remaining amount detecting means 34. This remaining amount detecting means 34
For example, when the image forming apparatus 10 forms a color image using toner of each color of Y, M, C, and K, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge of each color is detected. Further, when the toner drum cartridge is replaced after being used for a certain period, the remaining amount detecting means 34 detects the period until the replacement time.

That is, the remaining amount detecting means 34 detects the remaining amount so that it is possible to determine the replacement time and the replenishment time of each of various consumables (hereinafter referred to as "supply supplies") used in the image forming apparatus 10. . A known structure can be used as the remaining amount detecting means 34.

The management device 12 has an interface (I
/ F36) is provided, and the remaining amount detecting means 34 is connected via this I / F36. As a result, the management device 12 can determine the replacement and replenishment times of all the supplies used in the image forming apparatus 10.

On the other hand, the management device 12 is connected to the network 14
The remaining amount of the supplies of each image forming apparatus 10 can be read from the management apparatus 12 of the other image forming apparatus 10 connected via the.

As a result, one image forming apparatus 10 (management apparatus 12) judges the usage status of the supplies used in all the image forming apparatuses 10 network-connected to this image forming apparatus 10, and Can be managed.

Further, the management device 12 has a network 14
Is connected to a public communication network 38 such as the Internet via a server or the like not shown, so that the image forming apparatus 1
It is possible to connect to a server (hereinafter referred to as "center server 40") for receiving an order from a manufacturer or retailer of supply items used for 0.

In the center server 40, the public communication network 38
Management device 12 and its management device 1 connected via
The image forming apparatus 10 provided with No. 2 is registered in advance.

As a result, by connecting to the center server 40, the management device 12 can request a quote before ordering supplies and order the supplies. At this time, the storage unit 24 of the management device 12 stores a name (generic name) corresponding to the product number of the supply item, and the management device 12 displays the name based on the product number. Further, when requesting an estimate or placing an order based on the display of the name, the product number or the name and the product number based on the name are used.

Furthermore, in the management device 12, when an order for a supply item is placed, the order information is stored in the storage section 24 and displayed on the display panel 30 at an arbitrary timing such as receipt of an ordered item or payment. , Can be printed out on recording paper.

As an operation of the present embodiment, management of supplies for the image forming apparatus 10 using the management device 12 will be described below.

In the image forming apparatus 10, when the remaining amount of the supply article detected by the residue detecting means 34 is read at an arbitrary timing, when the remaining quantity reaches a predetermined amount preset for each supply article, the display panel The display indicates that the remaining amount of the supply item corresponding to 30 is low and that the supply item is replenished (ordered) for that purpose.

As a result, in the image forming apparatus 10, it is possible to clearly determine that the supply supplies are running low and the order or the replenishment is necessary before the supply supplies run out (the remaining amount runs out).

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 10, the management apparatus 1
It is possible to check, estimate, and place an order for supply supplies at any time, not limited to this when the shortage of supply supplies is displayed using 2.

For example, a screen for ordering may be automatically displayed on the display panel 30 when it is detected that the remaining amount of supplies is insufficient. FIG. 3 shows a setting screen 50 for automatic display. In this automatic display setting screen 50,
Select keys 52A and 52B are provided, and the select key 5
By touching 2A, when a supply item that needs to be ordered due to insufficient remaining amount is detected, the display panel 30 displays a screen for ordering the supply item. Note that FIG. 3 shows a state in which the automatic display of the ordering screen is selected.

This makes it possible to easily start the ordering process when it becomes necessary to order supplies.

Here, the outline of the ordering process using the management device 12 provided in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is executed by selecting a preset process such as checking supplies, making a quotation, ordering request, etc. by a key operation (not shown) provided on the operation panel 28.
In the first step 100, the remaining amount of supplies is read.

At this time, the management apparatus 12 has a remaining amount detecting means 3 of the image forming apparatus 10 (10A) in which the management apparatus 12 is provided.
4 reads the remaining amount of each supply item, and with respect to the management apparatus 12 (12B, 12C) provided in the other registered image forming apparatus 10 (10B, 10C),
Each image forming apparatus 10 is requested to check the remaining amount of supplies and output the detection result of the remaining amount.

As a result, each management device 12
The remaining amount detecting unit 34 of the image forming apparatus 10 provided by itself detects the remaining amount of each supply item and outputs the detection result.

When the management device 12 reads the remaining amount of the supplies for each image forming apparatus 10 in this manner, the management device 12 proceeds to step 102 to display a quote request screen for each supplies on the display panel 30. .

FIG. 5 shows a consumables confirmation / estimation request screen 54 as an example of the display screen at this time. On this confirmation / estimation request screen 54, a display window 56
The registered name of the image forming apparatus 10 (for example, "Machine 1") is displayed in the upper part of the, and the supply item name is displayed in the lower column. This supply item name is sequentially fed by the up key 58A and the down key 58B. This allows
It is possible to display all the supplies of the displayed image forming apparatus 10.

On the confirmation / estimation request screen 54,
Switching keys 60A, 6 displayed on both sides of the registered name
Image forming apparatus 10 for displaying by operating 0B
By switching, the supply item names for all the image forming apparatuses 10 registered in advance are displayed.

On the confirmation / estimation request screen 54,
The supply item name and the remaining amount of the supply item are displayed. At this time, the management device 12 is configured to display the supply items in the image forming devices 10 in the order of necessity of replacement.

As a result, when the image forming apparatus 10 (machine name) is switched, the supply items that are most needed to be replaced are displayed in the uppermost row, so that a request for quotation or omission of order when actually placing an order is omitted. It is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of.

Further, in the management device 10, the display panel 3
When displaying 0, the model and product number of the image forming apparatus 10,
It is possible to display the model name or a registered name that is set arbitrarily, instead of the product code. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from making a mistake such as confusing the device displayed on the display panel 30.

In addition, since the management device 12 also uses commonly used names and the like for supply supplies instead of product numbers and the like, what supply supplies are insufficient or an urgent order is required. It is possible to confirm clearly.

That is, as shown in Table 1, the management device 12 stores the product name, product code, and the like of the supplies for each registered model, and when the product is displayed on the display panel 30, the product code is displayed. By displaying the product name without displaying, the user can easily and definitely recognize the displayed supplies.

[0065]

[Table 1]

The confirmation / estimation request screen 54 of FIG. 6 is displayed.
As shown in A, the supply item name (product name) may be displayed in the order registered in advance, or an arbitrary display method such as displaying by type can be applied.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, on the confirmation / estimation request screen 54, a quantity input field 62 is provided.
In the quantity input field 62, for example, after touching and selecting the supply item name displayed in the display window 56,
Up key 58A, down key 58B or operation panel 2
The number of orders can be entered using the ten-key pad (not shown).

Step 10 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
In FIG. 6, a supply item to be quoted for ordering is selected from the confirmation / estimation request screen 54, and after inputting the number of orders of the selected supply item, the estimate key 64 (see FIG. 5) is operated. Then, step 108
Then, the quotation request is transmitted to the center server 40.

At this time, the management device 12 transmits the selected supply item as the product code shown in Table 1 instead of the product name. As a result, the center server 40 can accurately identify the supply item for which the estimate has been requested.

That is, when the management device 12 displays the product name on the display unit 30, the user can easily and accurately confirm the product name and the like.
By using a product code or the like with the center server 40 or the like, necessary products can be accurately transmitted.

When the center server 40 receives a request for quotation from the registered management device 12, it creates and returns quotation data.

When the management device 12 receives the quotation data from the center server 40 in step 110, the management device 12 proceeds to step 112 and displays an order confirmation screen on the display panel 30 based on the quotation data.

FIG. 7 shows an order confirmation screen 66 as an example. In this order confirmation screen 66, the management device 12
The machine name, the supply item name, the unit price, and the quantity of the image forming apparatus 10 registered in (2) are displayed, and the total amount is displayed in the amount column 68.

The order confirmation screen 66 is provided with an order key 70, a correction key 72 and a delete key 74.

Here, by selecting a supply item by operating the up key 58A, the down key 58B or a touch operation without operating the order key 70, it becomes possible to delete or change the quantity of the selected supply item.

At this time, when the orders of the selected supplies are put together, the delete key 74 is operated. As a result, the supply item selected from the order confirmation screen 66 is deleted.

When changing the quantity, after selecting supplies, the up key 58A and the down key 5
8B or the numeric keypad (not shown) is operated to change the quantity.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, when the order confirmation screen 66 is displayed, the process proceeds to step 112,
Confirm whether to order. At this time, the order key 70
If the delete key 74 is operated or the quantity is changed without being operated, a negative determination is made in step 112, and the process proceeds to step 114 to accept the change of the ordered product.

After that, the correction key 72 is operated to move to step 106 to make another estimate request.

On the other hand, when the confirmation of the ordered product is completed and the order key 70 is operated on the order confirmation screen 66 of FIG. 7, an affirmative decision is made in step 112 in the flowchart of FIG. The order data is transmitted based on the display on the screen 66.

Upon receipt of the order from the management device 12, the center server 40 arranges the ordered products and sends back an order notice. When the management device 12 receives this order notice in step 118, step 12
The display shifts to 0 and displays the order display screen on the display panel 30.

FIG. 8 shows the order notice screen 76 as an example. On the order notification screen 76, for example, the order acceptance number at the center server 40 and the date and time are displayed. Further, on the order notice screen 76, select keys 78A, 7
8B is provided, and the order data and the order notification can be stored in the recording unit 24 by touching the selection key 78A and selecting "save".

In the flow chart of FIG. 4, after displaying the order notice screen 76, it is confirmed whether the order history is to be saved,
At this time, if the selection key 78A is operated on the order notice screen 76 and the save is designated, an affirmative decision is made in step 122, the process proceeds to step 124, and the order history is saved based on the order notice.

The order history thus saved can be displayed on the display panel 30 for confirmation at any time. FIG. 9A shows an order history confirmation screen 80 at this time. On this order history confirmation screen 80,
History based on the order notification is displayed in order. At this time, the details of the order contents are displayed by operating the content display key 82 while any history is selected by the up key 58A, the down key 58B or the touch operation.

FIG. 9B shows the detailed content display screen 84 at this time. On the detailed content display screen 84, by using the up key 58A and the down key 58B, it is possible to switch the display items and generate all ordered supplies and their quantities.

As described above, in the management device 12, since the order history can be saved and the order contents can be checked at an arbitrary timing, it is easy to check whether or not there is an order omission. When (supplies) are received, it is possible to easily compare them with the contents of the order, and it is possible to prevent mistakes in receiving.

When the order history is stored, not only the management apparatus 12 that performed the order processing but also another management apparatus 1
It is preferable to store it according to 2. This allows
In each of the image forming apparatuses 10, when the remaining amount of the supplies is low, it is possible to appropriately confirm whether or not the corresponding supplies have already been ordered.

The above-described present embodiment shows an example of the present invention and does not limit the configuration of the present invention.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to directly order the consumable item from the image forming apparatus, so that it is possible to improve the workability when performing the ordering process.

Further, when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are provided, they can be managed collectively, so that it is possible to further improve workability when ordering consumables. Is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a connection between an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a management device provided in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen for setting automatic display of an ordering screen.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of ordering processing.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a supply item confirmation / estimation request screen.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a confirmation / estimation request screen.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an order confirmation screen.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an order notification screen.

9A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an order history confirmation screen, and FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a detailed order history display screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 image forming apparatus 12 Management device 24 Memory 26 Operation part 28 Operation panel 30 display panel 32 Communication I / F 34 Remaining amount detecting means 40 center server

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Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A management device of an image forming apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet, the remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of a consumable item in the image forming apparatus, A connection means for data exchangeable connection with an external consumable goods management means for accepting an estimate and an order for consumable goods of the image forming apparatus, and a detection result of the remaining amount detection means to the external consumable goods management means via the connection means. An image forming apparatus management apparatus, comprising: an ordering means for making an estimate request and an order request for a consumable item based on the above. 2. The ordering means displays the consumable goods and the remaining amount for each consumption on the display means, and when the operating means sets the consumable goods and the order quantity to be displayed on the display means, The management device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the estimate request is made based on the display of the display means. 3. The management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the consumable item and the remaining amount of the consumable item are displayed on the display unit in an order based on a preset condition. 4. The ordering means displays an estimate input from the external consumable goods management means on the display means,
The management device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ordering data is transmitted based on the display content. 5. When the consumable item and the quantity of the consumable item displayed on the display unit are changed by the operation unit, the external consumable item management unit is requested to re-estimate based on the changed display content. The management device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: 6. The management device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an order notification returned from the external consumables management means based on an order request is displayed on the display means. . 7. A storage unit for storing order data, and a selection unit for selecting whether or not to store the order data in the storage unit together with the order notice, as a selection history. 6. An image forming apparatus management apparatus according to item 6. 8. The ordering means sends an estimate request and orders to the external consumables management means based on the consumables code set for each of the consumables by the external consumables management means, and the display means displays the 3. The consumable item name set based on the consumable item code is displayed.
9. The management device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 7. 9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the remaining amount detecting means includes a selecting means for selecting whether or not to display the estimate request on the display means when the remaining amount for ordering is reached. The management device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 8. 10. The remaining amount of the consumable item is detected from each of the image forming apparatuses when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via the connecting means. 9. An image forming apparatus management apparatus according to any one of 9 above. 11. The image forming apparatus management apparatus according to claim 10, wherein consumable information can be exchanged by being connected to each other when the image forming apparatus is provided in each of the image forming apparatuses.