JP2004234155A - Consumable article consumption prediction system, program, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new consumable article consumption prediction system, a prediction program, and a prediction method for accurately predicting a consumption of a consumable article only by registering an event. <P>SOLUTION: This consumable article consumption prediction system is provided with an event registration means registering an event using the consumable article using apparatus, a consumption calculation means calculating a consumption of a consumable item required before a predetermined time, and a consumable article consumption prediction means predicting a consumable article requiring additional supply from the predicted consumption and a stock amount. In this way, the future consumption of the consumable article can be accurately predicted for proper ordering, and optimum stock management without excess or shortage can be carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a consumable consumption amount prediction system, a prediction program, and a prediction method used in addition to a consumable use device typified by a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When using equipment that uses consumables such as printers, copiers, and facsimile machines, spare parts such as ink, toner, and printing paper may be kept in stock to prevent running out of consumables. Many.
As for the storage of such spare consumables, if the storage amount is too large, there is a problem that the space required for storage must be widened, and if the storage amount is too small, a large amount of printing suddenly occurs. In general, inventory management requires a great deal of labor and time, since it is not possible to cope with the situation and the business may be adversely affected.
[0003]
Therefore, for example, in the related arts shown in the following Patent Documents 1 to 3, etc., the usage and consumption of consumables from the past to the present regarding the equipment using the consumables are monitored and recorded, and based on the data. A system has been proposed which predicts the amount of consumables required in the future and predicts the purchase and ordering time of consumables.
Further, Patent Document 4 below proposes a system for predicting the amount of consumables required in the future in consideration of increase and decrease in seasonal demand.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-352846
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-228762 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-228762 A
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-2002-63250
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such conventional technologies, the future usage is predicted mainly based on the past usage status and seasonal demand. Even if a necessary event occurs, or if a scheduled event is canceled and consumable consumption decreases extremely, it will not be reflected in future predictions, making it difficult to make accurate predictions .
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention has been devised in order to effectively solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to accurately predict the amount of consumables required by simply registering a schedule for a future event. The present invention provides a new consumable consumption amount prediction system, a prediction program and a prediction method.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the consumables usage prediction system according to Invention 1
A consumable consumption forecast system attached to the consumable use device,
Event registration means for sequentially registering the scheduled date and time of the event using the consumable device and its contents,
A consumption calculating means for calculating an estimated consumption of the necessary consumables based on the content of the registered event;
Consumption that predicts the type and quantity of consumables that need to be additionally obtained from the predicted consumption obtained by the consumption calculation means, the remaining amount of consumables already mounted on the consumable device, and the stock amount. Product use amount predicting means.
[0008]
That is, the consumables usage amount prediction system of the present invention takes into consideration the occurrence of individual events scheduled in the future, and thereby can accurately predict future consumables usage amounts. As a result, an accurate order can be placed, and optimal inventory management without excess or deficiency can be performed. In addition, since the future consumption of consumables can be accurately predicted only by registering the scheduled date and time of the future event and its contents, the user can calculate the consumption of consumables required for each event each time. This eliminates the need for troublesome work such as performing.
[0009]
In addition, the consumables usage prediction system according to the second aspect of the present invention includes:
Consumable supplies ordering means for automatically ordering necessary consumables to a consumable supply source based on the forecast obtained by the consumables consumption amount predicting means and the delivery date thereof is further provided. Things.
Thereby, the work of ordering additional consumables and the like are performed automatically, so that the user's labor can be further reduced.
[0010]
In addition, the consumables usage prediction system according to the third aspect of the present invention includes:
Consumables order notifying means for prompting a user to order necessary consumables based on the prediction obtained by the consumables usage predicting means and the delivery date thereof is further provided. .
Thus, even if the user does not always know the predicted amount, timing, and the like, it is possible to place an additional order for the optimal amount of consumables at the optimal time.
[0011]
In addition, the consumables use amount prediction system according to the fourth aspect further includes a schedule analysis unit that extracts an event using the consumables use device from the events listed in the schedule table and estimates its scheduled date and time and its contents. It is a thing.
This eliminates the need for the user to register the date and time of the event and the content of the event in the system again, thereby reducing the labor of the user of the device using the consumables and effectively avoiding the inconvenience of forgetting to register. .
[0012]
In addition, the consumables usage amount prediction system according to the fifth aspect includes:
The above-mentioned consumables use device is a printer, and the consumables are ink or toner and printing paper.
This makes it possible to accurately grasp the amount of ink or toner used in a printer whose frequency of use varies greatly depending on the size or presence or absence of an event, and to use the optimum amount of ink or toner and printing at the optimal time. You can order paper.
[0013]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for estimating a consumables use amount, comprising:
Event registration means for sequentially registering the scheduled date and time of the event using the consumable device and its contents,
A consumption calculating means for calculating an estimated consumption of necessary consumables based on the content of each registered event;
As a consumables consumption amount predicting unit for predicting the type and quantity of the consumables that need to be additionally obtained from the predicted consumption amount obtained by the consumption amount calculating unit, the remaining amount of the mounted consumables and the stock amount thereof. It is characterized by functioning.
[0014]
Accordingly, in addition to the effects of the above-described invention 1, it is possible to use a computer that is originally provided in a general-purpose personal computer or a device using consumables as it is, so that dedicated hardware is manufactured. Compared to the case of realizing each of the above means, it is possible to achieve a significant cost reduction.
A consumables use amount prediction program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is to control a computer attached to the consumables use device,
Event registration means for sequentially registering the scheduled date and time of the event using the consumable device and its contents,
A consumption calculating means for calculating an estimated consumption of necessary consumables based on the content of each registered event;
A consumable use amount estimating means for estimating the type and quantity of consumables that need to be additionally obtained from the predicted consumption amount obtained by the consumption amount calculating means, the remaining amount of the installed consumables, and the stock amount; ,
Consumables automatic ordering means for automatically ordering the necessary consumables to the consumables supplier based on the forecast obtained by this consumables consumption forecasting means and the delivery date, or necessary for the user It is characterized by functioning as a consumables order notifying means for prompting ordering of a consumable.
[0015]
Thereby, in addition to the effect of the invention 6, in addition to the effects of the inventions 2 and 3, the work of ordering additional consumables is automatically performed, so that the labor of the user can be further reduced. Even if the user does not always know the predicted amount, timing, etc., it is possible to place an additional order for the optimal amount of consumables at the optimal time.
In addition, a consumables use amount prediction method according to an eighth aspect is a method for predicting the use amount of consumables used in a consumable use device.
The scheduled date and time of the event using the consumable device and its contents are sequentially registered, and based on the contents of each registered event, the expected consumption of the necessary consumables is calculated. The type and the number of consumables that need to be additionally obtained are predicted from the remaining amount of consumables mounted on the product using device and the stock amount of the consumables.
[0016]
As a result, the amount of consumables to be used in the future can be accurately predicted in the same manner as in Invention 1 and the like, so that an accurate order can be made, and optimal inventory management without excess or deficiency can be performed.
In addition, the method for predicting consumables consumption according to the ninth aspect is as follows.
In a method for predicting the amount of consumables used in a consumable device,
The scheduled date and time of the event using the consumable device and its contents are sequentially registered, and based on the contents of each registered event, the expected consumption of the necessary consumables is calculated. Predict the type and quantity of consumables that need to be additionally obtained from the remaining amount of consumables installed in the equipment and the inventory amount, and then calculate the consumables based on the predicted amount and the delivery date. Necessary consumables are ordered from a supplier.
[0017]
Accordingly, in addition to the same effects as those of the eighth aspect, the additional ordering of consumables and the like are automatically performed as in the second and third aspects, so that the user's labor can be further reduced. In addition, even if the user does not always know the predicted amount, timing, and the like, it is possible to place an additional order for the optimal amount of consumables at the optimal time.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a communication network provided with a consumable consumption amount prediction system according to the present invention.
As shown in the figure, an internal communication network 11 such as a LAN is installed in a local area 10 such as a home or an office. The internal communication network 11 includes a printer 12 which is one of consumables-using devices, A print instruction terminal 13 for controlling the printer 12 is connected, and the internal communication network 11 is communicably connected to a service company 15 which is a consumable supply source via an external communication network 14 such as the Internet.
[0019]
The print instruction terminal 13 is a general-purpose personal computer (PC) or a terminal other than a PC capable of giving a print instruction. The configuration of the print instruction terminal 13 is as shown in FIG. The display unit 22 includes a display unit 22, a print instruction unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a communication unit 25.
The schedule management unit 20 mainly has a function of transmitting a date and time of a future event registered by the user using the printer 12 through the input unit 21 and a print schedule as the content thereof to the printer 12 using the communication unit 25. The print instruction unit 23 mainly performs a function of processing predetermined print data and sending the print data to the printer 12 via the communication unit 25. The input unit 21, the display unit 22, and the storage unit 24 are each composed of hardware such as a keyboard, a mouse, a CRT or a liquid crystal display, a semiconductor memory, and a hard disk device, which are standardly provided in a general PC. Each function such as input, display, and storage of a print schedule created by the schedule management unit 20 is provided.
[0020]
On the other hand, the printer 12 always uses ink, toner, printing paper, or the like as a consumable when operating the printer 12. As shown in FIG. A display unit 31 formed of a liquid crystal screen or the like installed on the like, an operation panel 32 serving as a setting / operation interface (UI) of the printer 12, a communication unit 33 providing a communication function with the print instruction terminal 13, and the like; In addition to the original configuration of the printer, such as a storage unit 34 composed of a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like, a consumables management unit 35 for managing consumables dedicated to the printer is provided.
[0021]
The consumable supply management means 35 includes a consumable supply management unit 40, a schedule collection unit 41, a consumable supply usage analysis unit 42, and a consumable supply order unit 43.
The consumables management unit 40 manages the remaining amount of consumables currently used by the printer, the stock amount of consumables currently held for the printer, and the periodic delivery of the consumables to the printer. On the basis of information such as the scheduled delivery date of consumables, a "consumable goods holding schedule" indicating the relationship between the date and time and the holding amount of each consumable is integrally managed.
[0022]
For example, when a printer uses four types of inks (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow, K: black) and A4 printing paper as consumables, the consumables attached to the printer and In the case where the stock amount is as shown in FIG. 4, that is, as shown, ink of C: 7112, M: 3281, Y: 4155, K: 3212 and 150 sheets of A4 printing paper remain, and , M, and K ink cartridges, M ink cartridges, and A4 printing paper: two bundles (500 × 2) are stored in stock. As shown in FIG. 6, in a case where a predetermined consumable is delivered at a predetermined date and time, the relationship between the date and time and the holding amount of each consumable is as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 6, as of November 23, the stock amount of the consumables of the printer is C: 17112, M: 13281, Y: 8174, K: 13212, A4 paper: 1150. As shown in FIG. 5, the inks M and Y are delivered one by one at the time of the day, so that the stock amount at the time of November 25 increases to M: 23281 and Y: 18174 as shown in FIG. become. Further, according to the delivery schedule of FIG. 5, since one ink K is delivered on December 19 thereafter, the stock amount of the ink K as of December 19 increases by the delivered amount as shown in FIG. Will do.
[0023]
The schedule collection unit 41 collects events (scheduled to be printed) directly input by the printer user using the operation panel 32 or the like or transmitted from the print instruction terminal 13, gives an ID number to the collected events, and The function of registering an event in a “print schedule” as shown in FIG. 7 is exhibited. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when user B collects 20 Christmas cards on November 28, and user A collects 200 new year cards on December 20, the event is collected. , ID numbers (001, 002,...) Are assigned to each of them to identify them, and these are registered in a “print schedule” as shown in the figure in chronological order.
[0024]
The consumable consumption analysis unit 42 plans consumption of consumables to be consumed for each event based on the “print schedule” created by the schedule collection unit 41 and the “ink consumption approximate calculation table” known in advance. The amount is calculated, and the calculated estimated consumption amount is recorded as a “consumable supply consumption schedule”. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the consumption amount of the consumables for each event registered in the above-described “print schedule” is obtained using an “ink consumption amount approximate table” representing the ink consumption amount for each event. As shown in FIG. 9, in the event of printing 20 Christmas cards with ID: 001, C: 160 (8 × 20), M: 300 (15 × 20), and Y: 180 (9 × 20) ), K: 80 (4 × 20) ink is consumed, and in the event of printing 500 sheets of monochrome text with ID: 003, K: 10000 (20 × 500) ink and 500 sheets of A4 paper Are consumed, and these consumption amounts are reflected in a “consumable goods consumption schedule” as shown in FIG.
[0025]
The consumables ordering unit 43 monitors the schedule ahead of a certain period in the “consumables holding schedule”, and uses the communication unit 33 when the consumables holding amount falls below a certain level. In this case, an order processing is automatically performed with respect to the service company 15 to provide a function of controlling the consumables to be delivered at a desired delivery date. For example, when it is set that the order processing is performed when the stock amount of the A4 paper is less than 1000 sheets, the consumable supply ordering unit 43 sets the 500 sheets of the A4 paper on December 21 as shown in FIG. When it is determined that the stock is consumed and the stock amount is less than 1000 sheets as shown in FIG. 6, an order is placed with the service company 15 so that additional A4 paper is obtained by December 21. . Further, if it is known that the delivery time is about one week in advance, the order processing of the A4 paper is performed at least one week before the desired delivery date in consideration of the delivery time.
[0026]
Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, the “print schedule”, “ink consumption approximate table”, “consumable supply schedule”, “delivery schedule”, and “consumable supply inventory” shown in FIGS. The “consumable supply schedule” is stored in the storage unit 24 together with normal print data and the like, and is updated at regular time intervals or appropriately to the latest information. The service company 15 serving as a consumable supply source is not particularly limited, and may be a consumable supply device or a consumable supply store or manufacturer, or a maintenance / maintenance company entrusted with the business. ing.
[0027]
The specific operation flow of the present invention has been described above.
First, when the user of the printer 12 determines in the near future that an event that involves printing using the printer will occur, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 (step 100). Then, the print information is transmitted to the schedule collection unit 41 of the printer 12 via the internal communication network 11, and an ID for identifying the event (to be printed) is given, and the print information is transmitted together with the ID number in FIG. Is registered in the "print schedule" as shown in (steps S102 and S104). For example, when the user A uses the print instruction terminal 13 to input an event of “printing 200 New Year's cards on December 20”, the print information is transmitted to the consumables of the printer 12 via the internal communication network 11. The information is sent to the management unit 35, and the schedule collection unit 41 assigns an ID number 002 as shown in FIG. Next, the consumable consumption analysis unit 42 analyzes the print content of the new event registered in the “print schedule”, and estimates the consumption of the consumable used in the event (step S106), and FIG. Is added to the “consumable goods consumption schedule” (step S108), and the estimated value of the used amount is reflected in the “consumable goods holding schedule” as shown in FIG. 6 (step S110). For example, in the event of ID: 002, the ink consumption of C: 12, M: 5, Y: 11, and K: 8 per postcard according to the values in the New Year's card column of the ink consumption estimation table shown in FIG. In order to print 200 New Year's cards, ink of C: 2400, M: 1000, Y: 2200, and K: 1600 is consumed, and the approximate value is shown in FIG. The schedule is added to the column of December 20, and the estimated value of the consumable amount is calculated as the total amount of consumables at the end of the immediately preceding event (C: 16952, M: 22981, Y: 17994, K: 23052) (C: 14552, M: 21981, Y: 15794, K: 21452) are reflected in the column of “Consumables holding schedule” on December 20 in FIG.
[0028]
On the other hand, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the consumables holding amount management unit 40 monitors whether or not the actually performed print processing is the print registered in the “print schedule” (step S200), and is registered. If it is determined that the print job is a registered print job (YES), the registered print job is deleted from the “print schedule” (step S202), and if it is determined that the print job is not a registered print job (NO), The actual consumption of the consumable is measured as it is (step S204), and the measured value is reflected in the “consumable supply schedule” (step S206).
[0029]
Next, when the “consumable supply holding schedule” is changed in this way, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the consumable supply holding amount up to a certain period (event) is set for each consumable. It is determined whether or not the reference value can be maintained (step S300). If it is determined that the reference value can be maintained (YES), the process ends as it is, and if it is determined that the reference value cannot be secured (NO). ), The order processing is performed with respect to the service company 15 so that the amount of the consumables satisfies the reference value (step S302).
[0030]
When ordering consumables, the consumables ordering unit 43 recognizes the type, quantity, desired delivery date, etc. of the consumables determined based on the “consumables stock schedule” and automatically performs the ordering process. However, the user may directly perform the ordering process to the consumables ordering unit 43. In this case, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, the user himself inputs the type, quantity, desired delivery date, etc. of the consumables using the input unit 21 of the print instruction terminal 13 or the operation panel 32 of the printer 12 ( Step S400). Then, the consumable supplies ordering unit 43 receiving the request performs an ordering process to the server or the like of the service company 15 in response to the user's request (step S402), and a delivery schedule ID returned from the service company 15; After receiving the delivery date notification (step S404) and writing it in the “delivery schedule” shown in FIG. 5 (step S406), the consumables holding amount after delivery is calculated and reflected on the “consumables holding schedule”. I do. For example, when the minimum holding amount of each ink is set to 5000, as shown in FIG. 6, the holding amount of the ink K is 13052 as of November 28, and the printing of the event on December 21 is performed as it is. When it is determined that the amount of the ink K is significantly less than 5000 at the time of completion, the delivery date is set so that the new ink K is replenished by December 19 as shown in FIG. Will do. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, even if the event on December 20 ends, the minimum amount of ink held can be maintained, and a minimum consumable inventory can always be secured.
[0031]
When the ordered consumable is actually delivered, whether or not the ordered consumable is the ordered consumable is confirmed by the delivery schedule ID (step S500). Thereafter, the consumables that have been delivered are described in the “consumables inventory table” shown in FIG. 4, and the items of the consumables are deleted from the “delivery schedule” shown in FIG. 5 (step S504), and the actual delivery is performed. The supplied consumables are reflected in the “consumable supply holding schedule”. At this time, if the type and quantity of the consumables actually delivered are the same as those of the ordered consumables, the contents of the “consumables holding schedule” do not change at all, but if they are different, The contents of the "consumables holding schedule" change, and thereafter, the contents of the "consumable supplies holding schedule" are updated based on the contents.
[0032]
On the receiving side, that is, in the service company 15 that has received the order of the consumables, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, after receiving the order via the external communication network 14 (step S600). It is determined whether or not the printer user (user) can be delivered on the desired delivery date (date and time) (step S602). If possible (YES), the date is regarded as the delivery date and time. If (NO), the other day is determined as the delivery date and time (step S604), and then the delivery schedule ID is generated, and the determined delivery date and time together with the delivery schedule ID are sent to the user via the external communication network 14. It will be transmitted (step S608).
[0033]
On the other hand, when it is determined in advance that the registered event is canceled and the printing is not performed, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16, the printer user uses the print instruction terminal 13 in the same manner as the registration. Then, after the corresponding print schedule is deleted from the “print schedule” and the “consumable supply consumption schedule” (steps S700 and S702), the holding amount changed by the deletion is reflected on the “consumable supply holding schedule” (step S704). .
[0034]
When the delivery of the ordered consumables is canceled in conjunction with the cancellation of the printing, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, the corresponding delivery schedule is deleted from the “delivery schedule” (step S800). The retained amount changed by the deletion is reflected in the “consumables retained amount schedule” (step S802). Further, it notifies (requests) the cancellation of the order to the service company 15 via the external communication network 14.
[0035]
On the other hand, if the content of the “consumables holding schedule” changes and is updated due to execution of printing, registration / cancellation of print schedule, order / cancellation, etc., each consumable is held each time the update is performed. Although the amounts are confirmed, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18, it is determined whether or not the amount of each consumable item is within an arbitrary reference range determined by a certain time (step). S900), if it is below the reference, the order processing is performed according to the flow shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 (step S902), and if it exceeds the reference value, the order is canceled according to the order cancellation flow of FIG. 17 (step S904). ), It is possible to always have an appropriate amount of consumables.
[0036]
As described above, the present invention provides an event registration unit for registering a scheduled date and time of an event using a consumable device such as a printer and the content thereof, and an estimated consumable consumption amount required based on the content of the registered event. Means for calculating the amount of consumables that need to be additionally obtained from the obtained estimated consumption amount, the remaining amount of consumables already mounted on the consumables using device and the stock amount thereof. Therefore, the expected consumption of each event is reflected in the prediction of the consumption amount, and the consumption amount of the consumable can be accurately predicted.
[0037]
As a result, accurate ordering can be performed, and optimal inventory management without excess or shortage can be performed. In addition, since the future consumption of consumables can be accurately predicted only by registering the scheduled date and time of the future event and its contents, the user can calculate the consumption of consumables required for each event. Such troublesome work is not required.
In the above embodiment, the “event registration means for registering the scheduled date and time of the event and its contents” includes, for example, the input unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the print instruction terminal 13, the operation panel 32 of the printer 12, and the display unit. The “consumption calculating means for calculating the estimated consumption of necessary consumables based on the contents of the registered event” is implemented by, for example, a schedule that configures the consumables managing means 35 of the printer 12. This is realized by the collection unit 41 and the consumables usage amount analysis unit 42. Further, it is necessary to additionally obtain from the obtained estimated consumption amount, the remaining amount of consumables mounted on the consumables use device and the stock amount thereof. The “consumables usage amount predicting means for predicting the type and quantity of the consumables” is also realized by the schedule collecting unit 41 and the consumables holding amount managing unit 40.
[0038]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which a printer is used as the consumable-use device. However, the consumable-use device to which the present invention is applied inevitably consumes consumables during its operation. There is no particular limitation as long as it is an electronic or electric device that can automatically and accurately grasp its consumption by various sensors and the like, for example, a copying machine that uses toner or paper as consumables like a printer, Of course, it can be applied to a facsimile or the like.
[0039]
In addition, as an event that is an object of the present invention, an event in which use of a consumable device is inevitable as described above, that is, the consumable item is consumed by using a function of the consumable device when performing the event. Although it is not particularly limited as long as it is an event, it is most effective in an event where the occurrence is irregular and a large amount of consumables are consumed at one time. That is, for example, if the consumables use device is a printer or a copier, conferences and presentations that require a large amount of printed and copied materials at once, creation of flyers and advertisement posters, creation of questionnaires and test questions, etc. Also, if the consumable device is a facsimile, intensive orders or large-capacity document reception, which involves a large amount of reception, can be cited.
[0040]
Further, the consumables use amount prediction system does not necessarily need to be provided integrally with the consumables use device, and exists independently via a network, for example, the print instruction terminal 13 or a print (not shown) terminal. It may be incorporated in the server, or if the units are functionally interacting with each other, the units are separated from each other as in the present embodiment, for example, only the consumption calculating unit is connected to the printer 12. , And other means may exist in the print instruction terminal 13 or the printer server.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 3, personal schedule management software and the present system are linked to the consumables management means 35, and events using consumables-using devices are extracted from personal events listed in the schedule table. If the schedule analysis unit 44 having a function of estimating the scheduled date and time and the content thereof is further provided, the user does not need to register the date and time and the content of the event in the system again, and the use of consumables is not required. The labor of the user of the device can be reduced, and inconvenience such as forgetting to register can be effectively avoided.
[0042]
Also, in the consumable supply management unit 35 of FIG. 3, instead of the consumable supply ordering unit 43, a consumable supply order notifying unit that prompts a user to order a necessary consumable supply, for example, a necessary consumable supply by visual or audio. If a function for prompting the ordering of products is provided and the ordering operation is left to the user, it is possible to further simplify the system configuration and contribute to cost reduction.
[0043]
Incidentally, an event involving a printing operation and a specific example that can be considered as the content of the printing are as follows.
1. office
▲ 1 negotiations and outside meetings
Business negotiation materials → A4 color document 10 pages x 5 copies: A4 coated paper
(2) In-house meeting
In-house meeting materials → A4 monochrome document 4 pages x 15 copies: A4 plain paper
▲ 3 ▼ Report session
In-house report creation → A4 color document 3 pages x 20 copies: A4 plain paper
▲ 4 ▼ Exhibition
Poster → 5 sheets of A2 paper: 5 sheets of A2 high quality paper
Photos → 20 sheets of A2 paper: 20 sheets of 2L photo paper
▲ 5 ▼ Business trip
Documents distributed at the business trip report → A4 color document 5 pages x 5 copies: A4 plain paper
6) New equipment and equipment
Built-in simple manual → A4 monochrome document 1 page x 1 copy
: A4 plain paper
2. Sales office
(1) New product launch
Quotation, delivery note printing, poster printing for mass retailers
(2) Special sale at mass retailers
Poster printing
3. restaurant
▲ 1 ▼ New menu addition, photos, menus, POP, etc. for limited time service
4. Mass retailer
(1) POP, price tag, flyer, etc. when launching a new product
5. School, private supplementary school, preparatory school
▲ 1 ▼ Handouts, test questions, answer sheets, etc. related to classes and school events
6. Architectural office
▲ 1 ▼ Proposal materials for customers when introducing the plan
(2) Blueprints at the time of delivery of blueprints, blueprints (necessary parts and configurations), quotations
7. Personal appointment
Travel (print out photos and local information), birthday of friend (message card), meet with friend (photo sticker), birthday party for children, sports day, watching sports, returning home, grandchildren coming to play, hatsumode, etc. (Photo), New Year (New Year's postcard), go to meals (print shop information, print coupons), go shopping (flyers, coupons, etc.).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration to which a system of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print instruction terminal.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a “consumables stock table”.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a “delivery schedule”.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a “consumable supply holding schedule”.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a “print schedule”.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an “ink consumption approximate calculation table”.
FIG. 9 is a view showing a “consumable goods consumption schedule”.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow relating to a print schedule input.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of reacquisition of the consumables holding amount after printing.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating confirmation of a “consumable supply holding schedule”.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow relating to a consumable supply order.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow concerning supply of consumables.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow relating to a consumable supply order.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a flow relating to cancellation of printing.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow relating to cancellation of an order.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating confirmation of a “consumable supply holding schedule”.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Local area, 11 ... Internal communication network, 12 ... Printer (consumables use equipment), 13 ... Print instruction terminal, 14 ... External communication network, 15 ... Service company, 20 ... Schedule management unit, 21 ... Input unit, 22 ... Display unit, 23 ... Print instruction unit, 24 ... Storage unit, 25 ... Communication unit, 30 ... Print unit, 31 ... Display unit, 32 ... Operation panel, 33 ... Communication unit, 34 ... Storage unit, 35 ... Consumables management Means, 40: Consumables management unit, 41: Schedule collection unit, 42: Consumables consumption analysis unit, 43: Consumables ordering unit, 44: Schedule analysis unit

Claims (9)

A consumable consumption forecast system attached to the consumable use device,
Event registration means for registering the scheduled date and time of the event using the consumable device and the content thereof,
Consumption calculating means for calculating the estimated consumption of the necessary consumables from the content of the registered event;
Consumption that predicts the type and quantity of consumables that need to be additionally obtained from the predicted consumption obtained by the consumption calculation means, the remaining amount of consumables already mounted on the consumable device, and the stock amount. A consumables usage prediction system, comprising: a consumables usage prediction unit. The consumables usage amount prediction system according to claim 1,
A consumable supply, further comprising a consumable supply ordering means for ordering a necessary consumable from a consumable supply source based on the forecast obtained by the consumables consumption amount predicting means and the delivery date. Quantity forecasting system. The consumables usage amount prediction system according to claim 1,
A consumable supply notifying means for prompting a user to order necessary consumables based on the prediction obtained by the consumables usage amount predicting means and the delivery date thereof; Quantity forecasting system. In the consumables usage prediction system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A consumable consumption predicting system, further comprising: a schedule analyzer for extracting an event using a consumable device from the events listed in the schedule table and estimating the scheduled date and time and the contents thereof. In the consumables usage prediction system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The consumables use device is a printer, and the consumables are ink or toner and printing paper. The computer attached to the equipment using consumables
Event registration means for registering the scheduled date and time of the event using the consumable device and the content thereof,
A consumption calculating means for calculating an estimated consumption of necessary consumables based on the content of each registered event;
As a consumables consumption amount predicting unit for predicting the type and quantity of the consumables that need to be additionally obtained from the predicted consumption amount obtained by the consumption amount calculating unit, the remaining amount of the mounted consumables and the stock amount thereof. A consumable consumption forecast program characterized by functioning. The computer attached to the equipment using consumables
Event registration means for registering the scheduled date and time of the event using the consumable device and the content thereof,
A consumption calculating means for calculating an estimated consumption of necessary consumables based on the content of each registered event;
A consumable use amount estimating means for estimating the type and quantity of consumables that need to be additionally obtained from the predicted consumption amount obtained by the consumption amount calculating means, the remaining amount of the installed consumables, and the stock amount; ,
A consumables automatic ordering means for automatically ordering necessary consumables to a consumables supplier based on the forecast obtained by the consumables consumption amount predicting means and its delivery date;
Alternatively, a consumables consumption predicting program for functioning as a consumables order notifying means for urging a user to order necessary consumables. In a method for predicting the amount of consumables used in a consumable device,
After registering the scheduled date and time of the event using the consumable device and its contents, calculating the expected consumption of the necessary consumables based on the contents of each registered event, the predicted consumption and the above consumables are calculated. A method for predicting the amount of consumables used, wherein the type and quantity of consumables that need to be additionally acquired are predicted from the remaining amount of consumables mounted on the used equipment and the stock amount thereof. In a method for predicting the amount of consumables used in a consumable device,
After registering the prediction of the type and quantity of the event using the consumable device, calculating the predicted consumption of the required consumable based on the content of each registered event, the predicted consumption and the above consumable are calculated. Predict the type and quantity of consumables that need to be additionally obtained from the remaining amount of consumables installed in the equipment used and their inventory, and then supply consumables based on the predicted amount and the delivery date A method for estimating the amount of consumables used, wherein necessary consumables are ordered with respect to the source.

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