JP2004070444A - System and method for managing consumable of image processor, computer program, and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately manage setting of the operation guarantee period of a secondhand product and the time to replace consumables used with the secondhand product. <P>SOLUTION: A consumable management system is so formed that information indicating the amount that consumables are used with an image processor 152 is accumulated in a centralized management database system 100 from the image processor 152 through a communication line 156. When the use of the image processor 152 is complete and it is to be recycled and sold as a secondhand product, the degree to which the consumbales were used is calculated on the basis of the accumulated information indicating the amount that the consumables were used. Further, based on the degree to which the consumables were used, the setting of the guarantee period of the secondhand product and the time to replace the consumables are managed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and method for managing consumables of an image processing apparatus, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium. The consumables management system and method of the image processing apparatus for managing the warranty period and replacement / replenishment information of consumable parts when the machine is stored and resold as a used machine from the information in the database, a computer program, and a computer readable It relates to a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus such as a copier or a multifunction peripheral having a function such as a copier and a facsimile, information such as a use situation, a failure, and a failure is transmitted to a server computer of a store using a network or a telephone line. There is a collecting mechanism.
[0003]
In addition, there has conventionally been a sales method of collecting such devices once used by a consumer and selling them as used products at a lower price than new products.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, at the present time, when selling as a used product, a rough period is set for the subsequent operation guarantee period of the machine. At the present time, the replacement time of consumable parts is hardly managed. For this reason, there is a problem that an accurate period is not necessarily guaranteed for consumables.
[0005]
Further, for the same reason, there is a problem that a user of a used product cannot know exactly when to replace parts.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and its purpose is to accurately set the operation guarantee period of a used product and to accurately replace timing of a consumable used in the used product. An object of the present invention is to provide a consumables management system for an image processing apparatus that can be managed.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an image processing apparatus and a database system for managing consumables used in the image processing apparatus, which are connected via a network. An expendable supplies management system for an apparatus, wherein the database system stores information indicating the usage amount of the expendable supplies input from the image processing apparatus, and stores the information of the consumable supplies stored by the storing means. Means for setting a guarantee limit for the consumable when the use of the image processing apparatus is completed, collected and sold as a used product, based on the information indicating the usage amount, and the consumable set by the setting means. Means for managing the replacement time of the consumable based on the guarantee limit of the consumable.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the consumables management system for an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the usage amount of the consumable is controlled by a timer, a counter, or a sensor attached to the image processing apparatus. It is characterized by being measured.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the consumable goods management system for an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the image processing apparatus transmits information or receives information from the database system. Means for transmitting information indicating the usage amount of the consumable item through the interface means.
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the consumables management system for the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the database system stores in advance a guarantee limit when the consumable is new. The setting of the usage limit of the consumable is performed based on a guarantee limit when the consumable is new and information indicating the usage amount of the consumable.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 5 is a consumables management method for an image processing apparatus performed by using a database system connected to the image processing apparatus via a network, wherein the image input from the image processing apparatus is performed. Accumulating information indicating the amount of consumables used in the processing apparatus; and using the image processing apparatus based on the accumulated information indicating the used amount of consumables. Setting a warranty limit of the consumable when sold as a product, and managing replacement time of the consumable based on the set warranty of the consumable. And
[0012]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method for managing consumables of the image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the usage of the consumable is controlled by a timer, a counter, or a sensor attached to the image processing apparatus. It is characterized by being measured.
[0013]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the consumables management method for the image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the image processing apparatus transmits information or receives information from the database system. The information indicating the consumption of the consumable is transmitted through an interface.
[0014]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the consumables management method for an image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the database system stores in advance a guarantee limit when the consumable is new. The setting of the usage limit of the consumable is performed based on a guarantee limit when the consumable is new and information indicating the usage amount of the consumable.
[0015]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program, which is used in the image processing apparatus, which is input from the image processing apparatus to a database system connected to the image processing apparatus via a network. Accumulating information indicating the amount of used consumables, and, based on the information indicating the accumulated amount of used consumables, when the use of the image processing apparatus is terminated and collected and sold as a used product. A step of setting a guarantee limit of the consumable item and a step of managing replacement time of the consumable item based on the set guarantee limit of the consumable item are executed.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that the computer program according to claim 9 is stored in a computer-readable storage medium.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the life cycle of a recycling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The life cycle flow from the production of a product to its disposal, that is, production, sales, use, maintenance, collection, and repair , Used sales, and disposal are indicated by solid lines. The exchange of information with the centralized management database system corresponding to each step in the product life cycle is indicated by a broken line.
[0019]
First, the flow of the product life cycle will be described. Products are "manufactured" by factory production lines and the like. After that, it is shipped to a sales company or a mass retailer, where it is "sold" and delivered to the user. So the user actually "uses" the product. In the meantime, they use the product while receiving "maintenance" such as replacement of consumables and repair.
[0020]
Thereafter, when the user no longer needs the product or purchases a new replacement product, the previously used product is "collected". Depending on the state, the collected products are classified into those that are “used for sale” as they are, those that are “repaired” and “used for sale”, and those that are “discarded” as they are. Those that are "used for sale" are again "used" by consumers.
[0021]
Next, the exchange of data with the centralized management database system 100 in each step of the life cycle, which is indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1, will be described.
[0022]
When a product is "manufactured" by a factory production line or the like, the terminal of the factory accesses the centralized management database system 100 via a predetermined communication line, and registers "initial settings" such as information on the product. Then, when shipped to a sales company or a mass retailer and "sold" there and delivered to the user, the terminal of the user or the store accesses the centralized management database system 100 via a predetermined communication line. Then, "setting at the time of sale" such as user registration is registered. While the user is actually "using" the product, or while using the product while undergoing "maintenance" such as replacement of consumables or repairs, a centralized management database is available from the terminal of the service center or the image processing device. Register information such as usage status and maintenance status in the system 100 or update the information. Registration of information such as usage status and maintenance status can be performed by a known maintenance system. Notification information based on information detected by various sensors provided in a product (for example, an image forming apparatus) is directly transmitted from the apparatus, or This is realized by a mechanism for notifying the central management database system 100 / service center (information processing device) via a predetermined communication line via an external information processing device. Detailed description is omitted here.
[0023]
In this way, information such as the history of the machine and market trends is recorded in the centralized management database system 100. When a product that has been used so far is “collected”, a “purchase price” calculated from information such as the history of the machine and market trends recorded in the database is presented. Also, when the collected products are classified into those that are “used for sale” as they are, those that are “repaired” and “used for sale”, and those that are simply discarded, Make decisions using the recorded machine history. Those that have been "pre-sold" will return to the market and return to the "use" step.
[0024]
Next, a recycling support system for inputting and outputting product information to and from the centralized management database system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0025]
The connection with the centralized management database system 100 in the present embodiment is separated from the exchange of information on the user side using the communication line 156 and the exchange of information on the manufacturer side using the communication line 158. Take form to access.
[0026]
The base for performing the work of each step of the life cycle in the present embodiment is as follows.
[0027]
"Manufacturing" is a "factory", "Sales" and "Used" are "Resellers", "Uses" are "Users", "Maintenance" and "Repairs" are "Service center", "collection" is "collection company", and "disposal" is "disposal company".
[0028]
Note that the relationship between this step and the work site is an example, and the combination can be freely determined. Therefore, for example, “sales” and “used sales”, “maintenance” and “repair” may have different bases, or “collection”, “repair” and “used sales” may be in one place. It is good.
[0029]
A data communication interface (I / F) 502 is connected to an image processing apparatus (also referred to as an image forming apparatus) 152 such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile used by a user. Is transmitted to the centralized management database system 100 through the communication line 156. As described above, the notification of various information from the image processing apparatus via the communication line may be performed via an external server (information processing apparatus) which can communicate with the image processing apparatus. Absent. The same applies to the case where the factory terminal 160, the sales terminal 162, the service center 164, the collection company terminal 166, and the disposal company terminal 168 communicate via the communication line 158.
[0030]
Further, at each of the bases of “factory”, “dealer”, “service center”, “collector” and “disposer”, a factory terminal 160 which is a computer connected to the communication line 158, a dealer terminal 162, a service center terminal 164, a collection company terminal 166, and a disposal company terminal 168 are provided, and are configured so that information can be input / output therefrom.
[0031]
The exchange of information between these sites and the centralized management database system 100 is performed using the communication lines 156 and 158. In this case, a public line such as a telephone line may be used, or a dedicated line such as an optical cable may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the communication line 156 on the user side and the communication line 158 on the maker side are separated from each other is described. -It may be connected to the system 100, or one line may be shared for all communications.
[0032]
Next, the image processing device 152 and the data communication I / F 502 according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a typical configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet.
[0034]
The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like.
[0035]
The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 to be compressed. The compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line. The hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4 and can temporarily store the received compressed image data.
[0036]
A magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file unit 5, and the file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and includes a keyword for searching the image data together with a keyword. Is stored in the magneto-optical disk set in the storage device. The file unit 5 searches compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, decompresses the image data, and decompresses the decompressed image data. The data is transferred to the core unit 10.
[0037]
The computer interface unit 7 is an interface between the personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 and the core unit 10. The formatter unit 8 expands code data representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data recordable by the printer unit 2, and the image memory unit 9 temporarily stores the data transferred from the PC / WS 11. Is what you do.
[0038]
Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9. Things.
[0039]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. The document feeder 101 of the reader unit 1 feeds a document one by one sequentially from the last page onto the platen glass 102, and discharges the document on the platen glass 102 after the reading operation of the document is completed.
[0040]
When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started, and the document is exposed and scanned. The light reflected from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 109 by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108. Thus, the scanned image of the original is read by the CCD 109. The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing and then transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3.
[0041]
The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201, and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to a portion of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203.
[0042]
A plurality of cassettes are prepared for the paper feed cassettes 204 and 205 depending on the size, length, width, and color of output paper. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, the recording paper is fed from one of the paper feeding cassette 204 or the paper feeding cassette 205 and the manual paper feeding unit 230 and is conveyed to the transfer unit 206, The developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to a recording sheet. The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is transported to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207.
[0043]
The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by discharge rollers 208, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper. Note that the sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin when the sorting is not set.
[0044]
When double-sided recording is set, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path by the flapper 209. When the multiple recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path is supplied to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.
[0045]
It is assumed that the operation control is controlled by a body operation control unit, which will be described in detail later.
[0046]
FIG. 5 is an internal block diagram of the connection status of the reader unit 1, the printer unit 2, the image input / output control unit 3, the machine operation control unit 501, and the data communication I / F 502. In the figure, arrows indicated by solid lines indicate the flow of image data, and arrows indicated by broken lines indicate the flow of control signals and data.
[0047]
The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and is subjected to shading correction.
[0048]
The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 and to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3.
[0049]
The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 according to the settings set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode in which a copy is performed by performing a trimming process using the operation unit 115 is set, the image processing unit 111 performs the trimming process and transfers the image data to the printer unit 2.
[0050]
The printer unit 2 prints out image data from the reader unit 1 according to a control signal from the CPU 114.
[0051]
Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. The memory 116 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114.
[0052]
Further, the CPU 114 inputs various kinds of information such as machine operation information, parts information, and failure information from sensors, counters, timers, and the like attached to the reader unit 1, the printer unit 2, and the image input / output control unit 3. Then, they are output to the data communication I / F 502.
[0053]
The data communication I / F 502 is connected to the CPU 114 in the machine operation control unit 501, and outputs various information such as machine operation information, component information, and failure information input from the CPU 114 to the communication line 156 shown in FIG. At the same time, a portable terminal 503 such as a PDA, a palmtop computer, a notebook personal computer, a PHS, etc. can be connected.
[0054]
Further, the data communication I / F 502 also plays a role of an I / F when downloading the upgraded control program into the memory 116 via the network.
[0055]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the core unit 10. The image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 123.
[0056]
The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing, and image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 responds to a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. Then, the data is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7 via the interface 120.
[0057]
Further, the code data representing the image input through the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be developed into image data. Is transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2.
[0058]
The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7.
[0059]
The image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, and computer interface unit 7.
[0060]
The CPU 123 performs such control according to a control program stored in the memory 124 and a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 124 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123. As described above, the processing combining the functions of reading the original image, printing the image, transmitting and receiving the image, storing the image, and inputting and outputting data from the computer (terminal) can be performed mainly on the core unit 10. It is possible.
[0061]
Next, the exchange of information with the centralized management database system 100 in each step of the product life cycle will be described in detail.
[0062]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing exchange of information performed at the time of “manufacturing”. At this time, information is input to the centralized management database system 100 from the factory terminal 160 installed at the “manufacturing” base (“factory” in the present embodiment).
[0063]
The contents include “Product ID” for identifying the product model and individual products, “Production date” of the product, “Basic consumable settings” used for the product, and Various "software versions" used. The details of the “basic set value of consumables” will be described later.
[0064]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the exchange of information performed at the time of “sales”. At this time, input / output of information to / from the centralized management database system 100 is performed using the dealer terminal 162 installed at the “sales” base (“seller” in the present embodiment). Alternatively, information may be input / output by connecting the portable terminal 503 or the like to the data communication I / F 502 connected to the image processing device 152 of the “user”. In addition, a form in which information is input / output via an information processing device used by a user is also assumed. In the following description, the point of sale terminal 162 is replaced with the mobile terminal 503 or an information processing device used by the user. You can do it.
[0065]
The contents of work using the dealer terminal 162 include registration of a “user”, which is information on a place where the product is actually used and an administrator, setting of a “sale date” in which the product is installed, and information on the product. Resetting of the "number of copies", "failure information", and "maintenance information" set as "." If the software of the image processing apparatus 152 has already been updated to a new version, the “software version” is also updated (upgraded) through the communication line 156.
[0066]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing exchange of information performed at the time of “use”. The base at this time is the “user” where the product is installed, and the state of the image processing device 152 is input from the image processing device to the central management database system 100 via the data communication I / F 502.
[0067]
The contents include "power-on time information" indicating the time actually used with the power turned on, "number of copies", "consumable consumption", as well as jams, poor printing, running out of toner, and electric circuit failure. For example, there is "failure information" in the event of a failure. When the "failure information" is updated, the information is immediately notified from the centralized management database system 100 to the service center terminal 164, and the serviceman in the service center goes to product maintenance. The updating of the “consumable consumption amount” will be described in detail later.
[0068]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing exchange of information at the time of “maintenance”.
[0069]
At this time, the data communication I / F 502 connected to the service center terminal 164 installed at the “maintenance” base (“service center” in the present embodiment) or the “user” image processing device 152 A portable terminal 503 or the like is connected to input / output information to / from the centralized management database system 100.
[0070]
The contents are as follows. In the case of regular regular maintenance, the service person accesses the centralized management database system 100 from the service center terminal 164, checks the "number of copies" for calculating the counter fee, and instructs the replacement time of consumables. Check the amount of consumable parts used.
[0071]
In addition, when the central processing database system 100 notifies the service center terminal 164 of the failure information from the image processing apparatus 152, and the service center staff performs maintenance, the failure of the “trouble information” by the serviceman is performed. By checking, the cause is investigated, the contents of repair are examined, and parts for repair are prepared. Thereafter, actual maintenance is performed, the centralized management database system 100 is accessed from the portable terminal 503, and the contents are registered as “maintenance information”.
[0072]
In addition, when the consumables are replaced due to repair of a failure, or when the amount of consumables exceeds the guaranteed amount and is replaced with a new one, the portable terminal 503 accesses the centralized management database system 100. Then, the “consumable part usage” corresponding to the replaced consumable is reset.
[0073]
At the time of maintenance, when the version of the product software is upgraded, or when there is a request for purchasing software set as an option from the user, the information registered in the central management database system 100 is referred to as “ The software version is also updated (version upgrade).
[0074]
The “reset of the used amount of the replaced consumable part” will be described later in detail.
[0075]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing exchange of information at the time of “collection”.
[0076]
At this time, the collection company terminal 166 installed at the “collection” base (“collection company” in the present embodiment), the operation unit connected to the main body of the image processing apparatus 152, or the “user” image processing A portable terminal 503 or the like is connected to the data communication I / F unit 502 connected to the device 152 to input and output information to and from the centralized management database system 100.
[0077]
Further, all the arithmetic processing in the present embodiment is performed by the centralized management database system 100. The contents are as follows.
[0078]
First, when the image processing apparatus 152 is collected, the “user” registered on the centralized management database system 100 is deleted.
[0079]
When the image processing device 152 is collected as a trade-in at the time of replacement, or when the product can be sold as a used product in the future, it is necessary to present a purchase price to the user. At this time, information such as “sale date”, “energization time information”, “number of copies”, and “consumable parts usage” are required as information for performing the assessment, but they are all centralized management database systems. It is assumed that the information is accumulated in 100. In addition to the above, a “purchase reference price” set based on market trends such as the number of product failures accumulated in the centralized management database system 100 and the number of units sold is also used. It is assumed that the information has been input into the management database system 100.
[0080]
In determining the purchase price, information that needs to be newly input at the time of collection is the state of the exterior (scratch, dirt, etc.) of the used product. The collection company accesses the centralized management database system 100 using the collection company terminal 166, inputs the ID number of the product, specifies the product, and sets the exterior state as "exterior level" to the centralized management database. -Register in the system 100.
[0081]
Then, the central management database system 100 calculates the “purchase price” from the accumulated history data of each product, the input exterior level, the purchase reference price, and the like, and obtains the collection agent terminal 166 and the main body of the image processing device 152. Is transmitted to the data communication I / F 502 connected to the.
[0082]
In addition, information on whether to send to the “repair”, “second-hand sale”, or “disposal” step after collection is determined based on accumulated product-specific history data and the entered exterior level. Information is sent to the trader terminal 166 and the data communication I / F 502 connected to the image processing apparatus 152 main body. The method of calculating the purchase price at the time of “collection” and the criterion of the next step will be described in detail later.
[0083]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing exchange of information at the time of “repair”.
[0084]
At this time, information is input to and output from the centralized management database system 100 by the service center terminal 164 installed at the “repair” base (“service center” in this embodiment).
[0085]
Further, all the arithmetic processing in this embodiment is performed by the centralized management database system 100. The contents are as follows.
[0086]
First, in repairing the collected image processing apparatus, it is necessary to determine which part needs to be repaired. For this purpose, “power-on time information”, “consumable parts usage”, “exterior condition”, “software version” used, etc. are required, but they are all centralized management database systems. The information is stored in the centralized management database system 100.
[0087]
Therefore, at the time of "repair", by accessing the centralized management database system 100 from the service center terminal 164 and inputting the product ID for specifying the machine, only the information for designating the repair location is stored in the centralized management database system 100. 100 is sent to the service center terminal 164.
[0088]
The service center staff repairs the product based on the information and moves on to the "second-hand sale" step. When the version of the software used in the image processing apparatus 152 is confirmed and an old version of the software is used, the “software version” registered in the central management database system 100 is changed. Update to the latest version and upgrade the software of the applicable device to the latest version. If optional software that is considered unnecessary is added to the image processing apparatus 152, the corresponding “software version” registered in the central management database system 100 is deleted in this step, Delete the software from the device. The method of determining a replacement part in this case will be described later in detail.
[0089]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the exchange of information at the time of “used sales”. At this time, the user can use the dealer terminal 162 installed at the “second-hand sales” base (“seller” in this embodiment), the operation unit attached to the main body of the image processing apparatus 152, or use the used product. The mobile terminal 503 and the like are connected to the data communication I / F unit 502 connected to the image processing device 152 of the “user” used as the “user” to input / output information to / from the centralized management database system 100.
[0090]
It is necessary to set a selling price for selling as a used product. At this time, "power-on time information", "number of copies", "consumable part usage", "exterior condition", and the like are required as information for setting a price. Has been accumulated. In addition to the above, the "second-hand reference price" set from information such as the number of troubles in the market concerning the products accumulated in the centralized management database system 100 and market trends such as the number of units sold is also used as the centralized management database system. It is set to 100.
[0091]
Therefore, the input and output of information at the time of "second-hand sale" is performed by inputting a product ID designating the machine into the central management database 100 from the store terminal 162 or the like. The centralized management database system 100 calculates the used selling price using the information corresponding to the designated product ID among the accumulated information. The used selling price is sent from the central management database system 100 to the store terminal 162. The price determination method in this case will be described in detail later.
[0092]
After resale as a used product is decided and delivery is completed, the centralized management database system 100 is accessed from the portable terminal 503 to re-register the "user" which is information on the place of use and the manager, and the product is registered. Set the installed “Used product sales date”.
[0093]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the exchange of information at the time of “discard”. At this time, input / output of information to / from the centralized management database system 100 is performed by the disposal company terminal 168 installed at the “disposal” site (in this embodiment, “disposal company”).
[0094]
In this case, the “data on the product” is deleted from the central management database system 100. At this time, information necessary for market research or the like may be secured or moved to another database.
[0095]
The above is the contents of the exchange of information with the centralized management database system 100 in each step of the product life cycle.
[0096]
Next, a description will be given of the amount of consumables used in each step of the life cycle. The consumables in this case include toner, fixing oil, and the like, as well as components such as a halogen lamp for irradiating a document, a photosensitive drum, a charger, an electric circuit board, and a power supply unit.
[0097]
For these consumables, the quality guarantee period (guarantee limit) is determined for each. When the amount of the toner or the fixing oil becomes smaller than a predetermined amount, it is necessary to replace or replenish the toner or the fixing oil. For a halogen lamp, a photosensitive drum, a charger, and the like, the guaranteed number of times is determined by the number of times of scanning or printing. For a power supply unit, an electric circuit board, and the like, a warranty period is determined based on how many hours of energization time.
[0098]
The purchase price when collecting products, the selling price when selling them as used products, and how much of these consumables can be used as a criterion as maintenance information for used products (recycled products). Judgment is important.
[0099]
In view of this, the present invention is characterized in that the consumable level of each consumable is calculated from the warranty period and the usage amount, and is used as a reference when determining a purchase price and a used selling price.
[0100]
Next, the consumable level will be described. The consumable level is represented by a fraction in which the expiration date of each consumable is used as a denominator and the usage of the part is used as a numerator. In this case, the unit of the warranty period and the amount of use differs depending on the component.
[0101]
For example, the level of consumables relating to toner, fixing oil, and the like is represented by the amount (unit: gram) when it is completely contained, and the numerator is the amount actually used. In other words, when the toner is completely replenished and 500 g is used and 200 g is used, the consumable level of the toner is 200/500 = 2/5.
[0102]
The consumables level of the photosensitive drum, the charging device, and the like is based on the guaranteed number of prints (unit: sheets) as a denominator, and the number of times of actual printing is a numerator. In other words, when 50,000 prints are made on a photosensitive drum having a guaranteed number of use of up to 500,000, the consumable level of the photosensitive drum is 50,000 / 500000 = 1/10.
[0103]
The consumable level of the power supply unit, the electric circuit board, and the like is based on the guaranteed energization time (unit: time) as a denominator, and the total of the actual energization times is a numerator. In other words, when power is supplied for 150,000 hours using a power supply unit whose power supply guarantee time is 200,000 hours, the consumables level of the power supply unit is 150,000 / 200000 = 3/4.
[0104]
As described above, the usage amount of the consumable is a value determined by the amount and the number of times the consumable is used, and the consumable level is a value indicating the degree of use of the consumable as a reference value such as the expiration date and the number of usable times. Note that
[0105]
A description will be given of how to calculate the consumable level in the life cycle of the product according to the present embodiment.
[0106]
At the time of manufacturing, the factory terminal 160 is used in the factory to set “basic setting values for consumables” in the centralized management database system 100. This is to set a warranty period for all consumables of each product. That is, at this point, a value to be a denominator of each consumable level is set.
[0107]
Next, at the time of sale, the number of copies is reset and the value of the amount of consumables used is reset and installed.
[0108]
After installation, information from sensors, counters, timers, and the like attached to various parts of the image processing apparatus 152 is transmitted from the user through a data communication I / F 502 connected to the image processing apparatus 152, and a centralized management database system. It is sent to 100 and the “consumable consumption” is updated. Specifically, the remaining amount of toner and fixing oil is detected by a sensor, the number of copies and the number of prints are detected by a counter, and the energization time and the like are detected by a timer. And the “consumable consumption” is updated.
[0109]
For the consumables replaced or replenished at the time of maintenance, the service person accesses the centralized management database system 100 from the portable terminal 503 and resets the “usage of replaced consumable parts”. That is, when toner is replenished, the amount of toner used is reset, and when the power supply unit is replaced, the amount of use for the power supply unit is reset.
[0110]
Next, a detailed description will be given of a method of assessing the purchase price at the time of “collection”.
[0111]
The assessment at the time of collection is performed by the data communication I / F 502 connected to the collection company terminal 166 installed at the “collection” base (“collection company” in the present embodiment) or the image processing device 152 of “user”. A portable terminal 503 and the like are connected to input / output information to / from the centralized management database system 100.
[0112]
As described above, the collection company accesses the centralized management database system 100 using the collection company terminal 166, and determines the purchase price at the time of assessment as “sale date” and “energization time information”. , The “number of copies”, the “consumable part usage amount”, and the “exterior condition” indicating scratches and dirt on the exterior, and confirm the contents. In addition, demand in the market for used products, etc., is also a large criterion for determining the purchase price at the time of the assessment by the collection company terminal 166.
[0113]
Hereinafter, a method of determining the purchase price in the present embodiment will be described in detail.
[0114]
First, the consumables level of each consumable used for the collecting machine and the consumables point are stored in the collecting agent terminal 166 in association with each other. In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, 100 points are used for items that are not used at all, that is, those with a consumable level = 0, and 75 points, 1 / Consumable points are set such that 50 points are set for items larger than 4 and less than 1/2, 25 points are set for items larger than 1/2 and 3/4 or less, and 0 points are set for items larger than 3/4. Shall be performed.
[0115]
In addition, with respect to the exterior, which is another criterion, five levels of evaluations (levels) from A to E are defined from good to bad conditions of dirt and scratches. Exterior points as shown in FIG. 16 are set. In the present embodiment, for exterior level A, exterior point 100, exterior level B, exterior point 75, exterior level C, exterior point 50, exterior level D, The exterior point 0 is set for the exterior point 25 and the exterior level E.
[0116]
Next, a method of calculating the purchase price executed by the collection agent terminal 166 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0117]
First, a weight value indicating the importance of the consumable is set depending on the type of the consumable. For example, toner or fixing oil which is relatively easy to replace or replenish is "weighted 1", and if used a certain number of times during use, such as a halogen lamp used for a photosensitive drum or a scanner, it needs to be replaced. The setting is made such as “weight 2” for the component, and “weight 3” for the parts that are considered to be hardly necessary to be replaced, such as the power supply unit and the electric board.
[0118]
Assuming that there is a product A, when the sum of the consumable points when the product A is new is calculated, it is as shown in Expression 1 in FIG. That is, since all the consumables points at the time of a new article are 100 points, by multiplying the number of parts set as “weight 1” by the number of points 100 and “weight 1”, the “weight value” is obtained. The total of the points when the part set to “1” is new is calculated. Similarly, the sum of the new points of the parts set as “weight 2” is obtained by multiplying the number of parts of the parts set as “weight 2” by the number of points 100 and “weight 2”. It is calculated by The above calculation is performed for all types of the set weights. The sum of the points of the parts having the respective weights is the consumable point when the product A is new.
[0119]
Next, a method of calculating a consumable point when the product A is collected will be described. At the time of collection, consumable points differ depending on each part. The consumable points at the time of collection are calculated by adding up the consumable points for each type of weight and calculating the sum of the values multiplied by the weight. That is, as shown in Expression 2 in FIG. 17, a value obtained by multiplying the sum of each consumable point corresponding to “weight 1” by “weight 1” and the sum of each consumable point corresponding to “weight 2” An operation is performed for each consumable point corresponding to each weight, such as a value obtained by multiplying the total by "weight 2". Finally, the total value is obtained and set as a consumable point when the product A is collected.
[0120]
As described above, dirt and scratches on the exterior are also important criteria for determining the price. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the exterior point is also used as a criterion for determination as the total point of the product A. That is, the weight value P indicating the importance of the consumables and the weight value Q indicating the importance of the exterior are set. The weight value P and the weight value Q are settings such as how much the level of the exterior of the consumable is considered. That is, when the price is determined with emphasis on the consumables, the value of the weight value P becomes larger than the weight value Q. Conversely, when the price is determined with emphasis on the exterior, setting is made so that the value of the weight Q becomes larger than the weight P.
[0121]
First, based on the weights P and Q, a total point of the product A when it is new is calculated. As shown in Equation 3, the total point when the product A is new is the sum of the value obtained by multiplying the consumable point by the weight value P and the value obtained by multiplying the exterior point of the exterior level A, that is, 100, by the weight value Q. It becomes.
[0122]
At the time of collection, a total point at the time of collection of the product A is calculated. As shown in Expression 4, the total point at the time of collection of the product A is a sum of a value obtained by multiplying the consumable point at the time of collection by the weight value P and a value obtained by multiplying the exterior point by the weight value Q.
[0123]
Finally, the price at the time of purchase is calculated from the total points when the product A is new and the total points when the product A is collected. At this time, a “purchase reference price” serving as a reference for the purchase price of the product A is set in advance. The "purchase reference price" is determined in consideration of the number of products used in the market, the operating status, the number of failures, the demand for used products, etc., collected in the centralized management database system 100. The price to put. Many of the same products are still used in the market, there are few failures and complaints, and prices for products that are expected to be sufficiently used as second-hand products are set at a high price.
[0124]
The collection company terminal 166 calculates the purchase price by multiplying the purchase reference price by (total points when the product A is collected / total points when the product A is new) (Equation 5).
[0125]
When the collection is completed at the calculated price, the collection company accesses the centralized management database system 100 using the collection company terminal 166 and deletes “user registration”.
[0126]
With reference to FIG. 18, an example of calculating the purchase price for the product A will be described. Table 1 in FIG. 18 is a table showing the weight value of the product A, the consumable level of each part, the consumable point corresponding to each consumable level, and the calculation result using those values.
[0127]
In the present embodiment, the consumable level is set as the consumable for the product A, and the components to be considered in the calculation of the purchase price are five components: toner, fixing oil, photosensitive drum, halogen lamp in the scanner, and power supply unit. . Further, the weight value of each consumable part is set to "1" for the toner and the fixing oil, "2" for the photosensitive drum and the halogen lamp, and "3" for the power supply unit.
[0128]
At this time, the consumables point of the product A at the time of a new article is 900 points as shown in Expression 1.
[0129]
The consumable point at the time of collection is calculated as shown in Expression 2 according to the consumable level of each consumable.
[0130]
The toner has a consumable level of 3/5, so the consumable point is 25, and the fixing oil has a consumable level of 1/4, so the consumable point is 75 points. Therefore, the point value related to the component for which the weight value is set to 1 is (25 + 75) × 1 = 100 points.
[0131]
Since the level of the photosensitive drum is 1/3, the consumable point is 50 points, and the consumable point of the halogen lamp is 3/4, so the consumable point is 25 points. Therefore, the point value relating to the component for which the weight value is set to 2 is (50 + 25) × 2 = 150 points.
[0132]
Similarly, since the power supply unit has a level of 2/3, the consumable point is 25 points. Therefore, the point value relating to the component for which the weight value is set to 3 is 25 × 3 = 75 points.
[0133]
A total of 100 + 150 + 75 = 325 points of the points for each weight value is the consumable point when the product A is collected.
[0134]
Next, regarding the level and points related to the exterior, it is assumed that the exterior level at the time of collection of the product A in this embodiment is “C”. Therefore, it is assumed that the number of exterior points in this case is 50 (Equation 3).
[0135]
Next, the total points of the product A when it is new and the total points when it is collected are calculated.
[0136]
In this embodiment, it is assumed that the weight value P for the consumables related to the product A is set to “2” and the weight value Q for the exterior is set to “7”.
[0137]
At this time, the total point of the product A when it is new is 2500 points as shown in Expression 4. In addition, the total points at the time of collection of the product A are 1000 points as shown in Expression 5.
[0138]
Assuming that the purchase reference price for product A is set to 300,000 yen, the purchase price at the time of collection is calculated to be 120,000 yen, as shown in Expression 6. The above is an example of the purchase price calculation.
[0139]
The price is calculated by this assessment. The collection company browses the price calculated by the collection company terminal 166, and if it determines that the product is not worthy of second-hand sale, proceeds to the step of "discarding". FIG. 19 shows an example of a criterion when the centralized management database system 100 makes a decision at this time.
[0140]
In the present embodiment, four conditions are set as criteria for performing “disposal” after “recovery” for the product A.
[0141]
Condition 1 is when a consumable level of a part having a weight value of “3” is 4/5 or more. In other words, it is used when parts that need hardly need to be replaced need to be replaced. Condition 2 is when the exterior level is determined to be “E”. That is, when the exterior is too dirty or damaged. Condition 3 is when the total number of consumable points is 250 points or less. In other words, this is when the consumables are used as a whole. Condition 4 is a case where the total of the total points is 500 points or less. That is, when the product is used as a whole.
[0142]
If any one of the above four conditions is satisfied, the product A is "discarded" after "collection". In the present embodiment, the above four conditions are set. However, it is not always necessary to follow these conditions, and various conditions may be set for each product based on information that can be obtained from the central management database system 100. .
[0143]
In the case of the above-described product A, since none of the above four conditions is satisfied, the product A is to be “used for sale” through the “repair” step.
[0144]
Next, a detailed description will be given of a method of determining replacement of a consumable part performed by the service center terminal 164 when performing “repair”.
[0145]
In the present embodiment, the repair content is changed depending on the weight of each consumable item. In other words, as shown in FIG. 20, it is determined that all the replacements and replenishments should be performed for the ones set to the weight value “1” because the replacement and the replenishment can be easily performed. Since the replacement and replenishment of the parts set with the weight value “2” take some time, it is determined that the replacement and replenishment should be performed on the parts having the consumable level of 以上 or more. Since the replacement and replenishment of the one set with the weight value “3” is very troublesome, it is determined that the replacement and replenishment should be performed on the parts having the consumable level of ／ or more.
[0146]
For the replaced part, the consumable level is reset to "0" as in the "service".
[0147]
Therefore, when the product A shown in FIG. 18 is repaired, as shown in FIG. 21, the toner, the fixing oil, and the halogen lamp are replaced and replenished, and the consumable level becomes “0”. As for the other parts, since the consumable level does not reach the replacement condition of each weight value, the parts are transferred to "used sales" at the same consumable level without repair.
[0148]
In the present embodiment, the above three conditions are set. However, it is not always necessary to follow these conditions, and various conditions may be set for each product based on information obtainable from the centralized management database system 100. Absent.
[0149]
Next, a detailed description will be given of a method of determining whether or not to replace a component on the exterior, which is performed by the service center terminal 164 when performing “repair”.
[0150]
Regarding the exterior, the repair content is set according to the “exterior level” described above. That is, as shown in FIG. 22, the exterior level E is discarded without performing “repair” under the condition of “discard” described above.
[0151]
Regarding the exterior level C and D, it is determined that a dirty exterior part or a damaged exterior part should be replaced. In addition, with respect to the exterior level A and B, it is determined that a dirty exterior component or a damaged exterior component is not replaced.
[0152]
That is, as shown in FIG. 23, since the exterior level at the time of collection of the product A in this embodiment was “C”, the exterior was replaced, and the exterior level after replacement was reset to “A”. It becomes. The service person makes settings for the centralized management database system 100 from the service center terminal 164.
[0153]
In the present embodiment, the above conditions are set, but it is not always necessary to comply with the conditions, and various conditions may be set for each product based on the exterior level and the state of the machine.
[0154]
Next, a detailed description will be given of the price determination method executed by the dealer terminal 162 at the time of “used sales”.
[0155]
With reference to FIG. 24, a method of calculating the price at the time of second-hand sale will be described. First, a weight value is set in the store terminal 162 for each type of consumable. For example, replacement or replenishment is relatively easy, for example, toner or fixing oil is "weighted A", and when used a certain number of times during use, such as a halogen lamp used for a photosensitive drum or scanner, the replacement is not possible. The necessary values are set as "weight B", and the components such as the power supply unit and the electric board which are considered to be hardly required to be replaced are set as "weight C".
[0156]
Assuming that there is a product A and the sum of the consumable points when the product A is new is calculated as shown in Equation 1 in FIG. That is, since all the consumables points at the time of a new article are 100 points, multiplying the number of parts set as “weight A” by the number of points 100 and “weight A” gives the “weight value”. The sum of the points of the parts set with “A” when they are new is calculated. Similarly, the sum of the new points of the parts set as “weight B” is multiplied by the number of parts of the parts set as “weight B”, the number of points 100, and “weight B”. It is calculated by The above calculation is performed for all types of the set weights. The sum of the points of the parts having the respective weights is the consumable point when the product A is new.
[0157]
Next, a method of calculating a consumable point at the time of second-hand sale of the product A, which is executed by the store terminal 162, will be described. At the time of second-hand sales, consumable points differ for each part depending on how it was used before and the degree of repair. The consumable points at the time of second-hand sale are calculated by adding those consumable points for each type of weight and calculating the sum of the values multiplied by the weight. That is, as shown in Equation 2 of FIG. 24, a value obtained by multiplying the sum of the consumable points corresponding to the “weight A” by the “weight A” and the sum of the consumable points corresponding to the “weight B” Calculation is performed for each consumable point corresponding to each weight, such as a value obtained by multiplying the total by "weight B". Finally, the total value is obtained and set as a consumable point at the time of second-hand sale of the product A.
[0158]
As described above, dirt and scratches on the exterior are also important criteria for determining the price. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the exterior point as a total point of the product A is also used as a criterion for determination. That is, the weight value p for the consumables and the weight value q for the exterior are set. The weight p and the weight q are settings such as how much the level of the exterior of the consumable is considered. That is, when the price is determined with emphasis on the consumables, the value of the weight p becomes larger than the weight q. Conversely, when the price is determined with emphasis on the exterior, setting is made such that the value of the weight q becomes larger than the weight p.
[0159]
First, a total point when the product A is new is calculated based on the weights p and q. As shown in Equation 3, the total point when the product A is new is the sum of the value obtained by multiplying the consumable point by the weight p and the value obtained by multiplying the exterior point of the exterior level A, that is, 100, by the weight q. It becomes.
[0160]
At the time of second-hand sale, a total point at the time of second-hand sale of the product A is calculated. As shown in Equation 4, the total point of the product A at the time of secondhand sale is the sum of the value obtained by multiplying the consumable point at the time of secondhand sale by the weight value p and the value obtained by multiplying the exterior point by the weight value q. .
[0161]
Next, the price at the time of purchase is calculated from the total points when the product A is new and the total points when the product A is second-hand sold. At this time, a “second-hand sales reference price” that is a reference of the second-hand sales price of the product A is set in advance. The “second-hand reference price” is a price that is determined in consideration of the number of products used in the market and the operation status of each product, the number of occurrences of failures, demand for used products, and the like. Many of the same products are still used in the market, there are few failures and complaints, and prices for products that are expected to be sufficiently used as second-hand products are set at a high price. The setting of the "second-hand reference price" also uses information sent from the user to the centralized management database system 100.
[0162]
The used selling price is calculated by multiplying the used selling base price by (total points of used product A at the time of second-hand sales / total points of new product A).
[0163]
With reference to FIG. 25, a description will be given of a calculation example of the used selling price for the product A executed by the store terminal 162. Table 1 in FIG. 25 shows the weight value, the consumable level of each part, the consumable point corresponding to each consumable level, and the values for the product A after the “recovery” and the “repair” are performed. It is a table showing the calculation result used.
[0164]
In this embodiment, the consumables level is set as a consumable for the product A, and the parts to be considered in calculating the secondhand selling price include five parts: toner, fixing oil, photosensitive drum, halogen lamp in the scanner, and power supply unit. I do. Further, the weight value of each consumable part is set to "1" for the toner and the fixing oil, "2" for the photosensitive drum and the halogen lamp, and "3" for the power supply unit.
[0165]
At this time, the consumable point for the product A at the time of a new article is 900 points as shown in Expression 1.
[0166]
The consumable point at the time of second-hand sales is calculated as shown in Expression 2 according to the consumable level of each consumable.
[0167]
Since the toner is replenished at the time of "repair" and the consumable level is 0, the consumable point is 100. The fixing oil is also replenished at the time of "repair" and the consumable level is 0, so the consumable point is 100 points. Therefore, the point value relating to the component for which the weight value is set to 1 is (100 + 100) × 1 = 200 points.
[0168]
Also, since the photosensitive drum has not been replaced at the time of "repair", the consumable level is the same as that at the time of "collection". That is, the consumable point is 50. Since the halogen lamp is replaced at the time of "repair" and the consumable level is 0, the consumable point is 100 points. Therefore, the point value relating to the component for which the weight value is set to 2 is (50 + 100) × 2 = 300 points.
[0169]
Similarly, the power supply unit has not been replaced at the time of "repair", so the consumable level at the time of "recovery" is 2/3. Since the consumables point is 25, the point value of the component for which the weight value is set to 3 is 25 × 3 = 75 points.
[0170]
The sum of the points for each weight value, that is, 200 + 300 + 75 = 575 points is the consumable point at the time of second-hand sale of the product A.
[0171]
Next, regarding the level and points related to the exterior, the exterior level at the time of collection of the product A in this embodiment is “C”, and the exterior level is “A” because the product A was replaced at the time of “repair”. Therefore, the exterior points in this case are assumed to be 100 points (Equation 3).
[0172]
Next, the total points of the product A at the time of a new article and the total points at the time of second-hand sale are calculated.
[0173]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the weight p for the consumables regarding the product A is set to “2” and the weight q for the exterior is set to “7”.
[0174]
At this time, the total point of the product A when it is new is 2500 points as shown in Expression 4. Further, the total points at the time of collecting the product A are 1850 points as shown in Expression 5.
[0175]
Assuming that the used selling base price for the product A is set to 500,000 yen, the price at the time of used selling is calculated to be 370000 yen, as shown in Expression 6. The above is an example of price calculation at the time of second-hand sale.
[0176]
In the present embodiment, the weight value of each consumable item, the weight value of the consumable item and the exterior, and the like are set to the same values as those at the time of “recovery”, but this is not always necessary. In the present embodiment, the consumables for which the price is to be calculated are the same at the time of “collection” and “second-hand sale”, but are not necessarily the same.
[0177]
The structure in the centralized management database system 100 is as shown in the example of FIG. Data is compiled for each product, and data for each product is divided into data for each machine and data for the entire product. The arithmetic processing unit 2602 registers, updates, or deletes data of each product.
[0178]
In the arithmetic processing unit 2602 shown in the figure, the product to be processed is specified based on the input product ID, information necessary for the process is input, the purchase price at the time of “collection” of each product is calculated, and “repair” is performed. All the calculations and data processing related to the determination of the repair location at the time of "" and the calculation of the used selling price at the time of "used selling" are performed.
[0179]
As shown in FIG. 27, the contents of the data of each aircraft are managed by the product ID, and the date of manufacture, the date of sale, the version of the software used, the basic value of each part, Data such as the amount is stored. The information for each machine in each step of the life cycle has a mechanism in which the machine is specified by inputting a product ID, and necessary information can be called and written.
[0180]
Further, as shown in FIG. 28, the total data of each product includes the total number of failures and complaints, the number of failures and complaints by content, the number of units operated in the market, the number sold monthly, the number of new orders, and used products. The information such as the number of orders is stored, and based on this information, the "standard purchase price" for "collection" and the "standard price for second-hand sales" for "second-hand sales" are set.
[0181]
As described above, in the present embodiment, information such as the usage status, failure, and failure at the time of use has been made into a database through a network, and from the history of the usage status of the machine, the purchase price and the used selling price as a used product have been obtained. By calculating and selling at the used selling price, the image processing apparatus can be sent back to the market.
[0182]
In the present embodiment, when selling a used product, the warranty period of each consumable is set based on the consumption of the consumable of each machine accumulated in the centralized management database system 100, and It is also possible to accurately ascertain the timing of product replacement. This processing is realized by storing in advance the guarantee limit (guaranteed period, guaranteed number of sheets, guaranteed energizing time, etc.) when the consumable is new in the centralized management database system 100.
[0183]
For example, regarding the product A, the consumable level of each consumable at the time of second-hand sale of the product A is as shown in FIG. That is, since the toner, the fixing oil, and the halogen lamp are replenished or replaced at the time of “repair”, the consumable level becomes “0”, and the same warranty period as that of a new one can be set.
[0184]
Since the photosensitive drum has not been replaced at the time of "repair", the consumables level is 1/3 that at the time of "recovery". That is, if the pre-stored quality assurance number of the photosensitive drum at the time of a new article is 50,000 sheets, it is guaranteed up to 50,000 × (1-1 / 3) = 33333 sheets after being installed as a used product.
[0185]
Similarly, the power supply unit has not been replaced at the time of “repair”, so that the consumable level is 2/3 as at the time of “recovery”. In other words, if the pre-stored quality assurance energizing time of the new power supply unit is 150,000 hours, it is guaranteed up to 150,000 × (1-2 / 3) = 50,000 hours after being installed as a used product. .
[0186]
In this way, in the centralized management database system 100, the guarantee limit when the consumable is new is stored in advance, and the setting of the use limit of the consumable is set to the guarantee limit when the consumable is new. The processing performed based on the information indicating the usage amount of the consumable is realized.
[0187]
Also, regarding the consumable level, since the content is not reset at the time of second-hand sale, the content of the centralized management database system 100 is continuously updated via the network after the second-hand sale. , The information indicating that the warranty period has expired will be notified from the centralized management database system 100 to the service center terminal 100, so that the timing of performing work such as repair and replacement can be accurately known. Becomes possible.
[0188]
In this way, the information indicating the amount of consumption of the consumables input from the image processing apparatus is accumulated in the centralized management database system 100, and based on the information indicating the accumulated amount of consumption of the consumables, the image processing apparatus is used. A process of setting a guarantee limit for consumables when used, collected, and sold as a used product, and managing replacement timing of consumables based on the set guarantee limit for consumables is realized.
[0189]
According to the present invention, a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the stored program code.
[0190]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0191]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. Can be.
[0192]
The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program code. In addition, the OS or the like running on the computer executes one of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. The functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by performing all or part of the processes.
[0193]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.
[0194]
It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where the program is delivered to a requester via a communication line such as a personal computer communication from a storage medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded. No.
[0195]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, information such as the usage status at the time of use, the usage of consumable parts, and information such as failures and failures is stored in a database through a network and managed, so that when selling as a used product, Can be set accurately for each consumable part. Further, it is possible to accurately know the timing of performing work such as repair and replacement of consumable parts.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a life cycle flow of a product and exchange of data with a database according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a network configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed processing configuration inside a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a connection between a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing connection of a core unit 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing exchange of information with a database at the time of product “manufacturing” according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing exchange of information with a database at the time of “sale” of a product according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing exchange of information with a database when a product according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing exchange of information with a database at the time of “maintenance” of a product according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing exchange of information with a database at the time of “collection” of a product according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing exchange of information with a database at the time of “repair” of a product according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing exchange of information with a database at the time of “second-hand sale” of a product according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing exchange of information with a database when a product is “discarded” according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing consumable levels and consumable points according to the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing exterior levels and exterior points according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a purchase price calculation method at the time of “collection” according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a purchase price calculation method at the time of “collection” according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing conditions of “discard” according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing conditions for repairing consumables according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing consumables levels before and after repair of a product A according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing conditions for performing repair with an exterior level according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing exterior levels before and after repair of a product A according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a method of calculating a used selling price at the time of “used selling” according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a used selling price calculation method at the time of “used selling” according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a centralized management database system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing contents of each machine data in the central management database system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the contents of the entire product data in the centralized management database system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 3 image input / output control unit 4 facsimile unit 5 file unit 6 magneto-optical disk drive unit 7 computer interface unit 8 formatter unit 9 image memory unit 10 core unit 12 hard disk 100 centralized management database system 101 Transmission device 102 Platen glass 103 Lamp 104 Scanner unit 105 Mirror 108 Lens 110 A / D / SH unit 111 Image processing unit 115 Operation unit 116 Memory 120 Interface 121 Data processing unit 124 Memory 152 Image processing device 152 Image processing device 156 Communication line 158 Communication line 160 Factory terminal 162 Dealer terminal 164 Service center terminal 166 Collection company terminal 168 Disposal company terminal 200 Centralized management database system 201 The light emitting unit 202 Photosensitive drum 203 Developing device 204 Paper feed cassette 205 Paper feed cassette 206 Transfer unit 207 Fixing unit 208 Discharge roller 209 Flapper 220 Sorter 221 Paper feed unit 501 for laser driver 230 Machine operation control unit 502 Data communication I / F
503 Mobile terminal 2602 Arithmetic processing unit

Claims (10)

An image processing apparatus and a consumables management system for the image processing apparatus, wherein a database system for managing consumables used in the image processing apparatus is connected through a network, wherein the database system includes:
Means for storing information indicating the used amount of the consumables input from the image processing apparatus,
Means for setting a guarantee limit of the consumable when the use of the image processing apparatus is completed and collected and sold as a used product, based on the information indicating the amount of use of the consumable stored by the storing means. ,
Means for managing the replacement time of the consumable based on the guarantee limit of the consumable set by the setting means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage amount of the consumable is measured by a timer, a counter, or a sensor attached to the image processing apparatus. Consumables management system. 2. The consumables management system for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus includes an interface unit for transmitting information or receiving information from the database system, and the consumable supplies through the interface unit. A consumables management system for an image processing apparatus, comprising transmitting information indicating a usage amount of an image processing apparatus. The consumables management system for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the database system stores in advance a guarantee limit when the consumable is new, and the setting of the use limit of the consumable includes setting the use limit of the consumable. A consumables management system for an image processing apparatus, wherein the management is performed based on a guarantee limit when the consumable is new and information indicating the usage amount of the consumable. A consumables management method for an image processing apparatus, which is performed using a database system connected to the image processing apparatus via a network,
A step of storing information indicating the amount of consumables used in the image processing apparatus, which is input from the image processing apparatus,
Setting a guarantee limit for the consumable when the use of the image processing apparatus is terminated and collected and sold as a used product, based on the information indicating the amount of use of the stored consumable;
Managing the replacement time of the consumables based on the set guarantee limit of the consumables. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the usage amount of the consumable is measured by a timer, a counter, or a sensor attached to the image processing apparatus. Consumables management method. 6. The consumables management method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image processing apparatus transmits the information or receives information from the database system through an interface for indicating the usage of the consumable. A consumables management method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: 6. The consumables management method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the database system stores in advance a guarantee limit when the consumable is new, and sets the use limit of the consumables according to the setting. A consumables management method for an image processing apparatus, wherein the method is performed based on a guarantee limit when the consumable is new and information indicating the usage amount of the consumable. For a database system connected to the image processing device via a network,
A step of storing information indicating the amount of consumables used in the image processing apparatus, which is input from the image processing apparatus,
Setting a guarantee limit for the consumable when the use of the image processing apparatus is terminated and collected and sold as a used product, based on the information indicating the amount of use of the stored consumable;
Managing replacement time of the consumables based on the set guarantee limit of the consumables. A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 9.

Images