JP2004291628A - Device system using consumables, program using consumables, consumable using method, printer and consumables - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device system using consumables which can execute an inventory control of the consumables of the system, program using consumables, consumable using method, and a printer. <P>SOLUTION: The system is composed as follows. The consumable 200 equipped interchangeably in the device using consumables 100 is equipped with the memory unit 42. By memorizing the using condition of the device using consumables 100, the future using condition is estimated based on the using condition. The estimated result of the using condition is written and stored in the memory unit 42 of the above-mentioned consumables 100. By doing this, inventory control and maintenance service of the consumables related to the device using consumables which is used without being connected to an external network can be performed easily and accurately. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a consumables utilizing device system, such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, etc., in which the use of consumables such as ink and toner is indispensable for its operation, a consumables utilizing program, a consumables utilizing method, a printer and a consumables. Things.

  When using such a consumable device, in order to prevent inconveniences such as running out of consumables and expiration of the consumables, it is necessary for the user to manage the inventory of consumables by himself / herself. Proper inventory management often depends on long experience and perception, and mismanagement often results in excess or deficiency of consumable inventory, which has a significant impact on operations. There is.

For this reason, proposals have recently been made to outsource such troublesome management of consumables to a service provider or a maintenance company.
For example, in Patent Literature 1 below, the consumables use device (printer) is connected to an external network such as the Internet, and the printer itself transmits information on the consumption status of its consumables via a center server of a service company via the network. For example, a method has been proposed in which the center server receiving the information analyzes the usage status of each user and provides the consumables for the printer at an optimal timing.

On the other hand, in such a system for charging according to the consumption of the consumables of the equipment using the consumables, it is necessary to accurately grasp the consumption of the consumables.
Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 2 below, in a billing system that collects a fee according to the print amount of a printer, a consumable such as a toner cartridge set in the printer is provided with a storage device such as an IC memory and the like. A system in which information on the amount of ink actually consumed during printing is recorded in the storage device, the consumables are replaced / collected, and then the stored information is read and billed according to the amount of the consumables used. Has been proposed.
JP 2001-228762 A JP 2002-149020 A

  By the way, the former method of managing consumables is based on the premise that the equipment using consumables itself is connected to an external network. The above method cannot be adopted in the case where the method is used for banking business or business dealing with personal information, or in the case of a consumables use device used without connecting to a network of an individual user or the like.

Further, in the latter system, information on the consumption amount of the consumable is stored in the consumable itself for billing, and is not directly related to inventory management of the consumable itself.
Therefore, the present invention has been devised in order to effectively solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a consumable supply device that is used without being connected to an external network such as the Internet. An object of the present invention is to provide a new consumables utilization device system, a consumables utilization program, a consumables utilization method, a printer, and a consumables which can easily and accurately perform inventory management and device maintenance services.

[Invention 1] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a consumables utilization device system according to Invention 1 comprises:
A consumables use device system including a consumable having a storage unit and a consumables use device having the consumables exchangeably provided, wherein the consumables use device records a use status of the consumables use device. Usage status recording means, usage prediction means for predicting a future usage status from the usage status recorded in the usage status recording means, and use prediction result information obtained by the usage prediction means for storing the consumable supplies. And communication means for writing and storing the information in the storage device.

That is, the consumables use device according to the present invention records its own use status as needed by the use status recording device, and the use prediction device predicts the future use status from the past use status stored in the use status recording device. The communication means writes and saves the use prediction result obtained by the use prediction means in the storage unit of the consumable.
Therefore, if the salesman or serviceman of the management company that manages this system collects these consumables and decides the delivery time of new consumables based on the usage prediction results stored in its storage unit, it will be accurate. Consumables can be delivered to the user at an appropriate timing.
In addition, even if a consumable item is used without being connected to an external network such as the Internet, inventory management of the consumable item can be performed easily and accurately.

[Invention 2] In addition, the consumables utilization equipment system of Invention 2 comprises:
A consumables use device system comprising a consumable having an original storage unit and a consumables use device having the consumables exchangeable between new and old, wherein the consumables use device uses the consumables use device. A use status recording unit that records the status as needed, a use prediction unit that predicts a future use status from a past use status stored in the use status record unit, and a use prediction result obtained by the use prediction unit. Communication means for writing and storing in a storage unit for the consumables via an interface with the consumables.

As a result, a salesperson or a serviceman of the management company that manages the present system collects the consumables in the same manner as in the invention 1, and delivers new consumables based on the use prediction result stored in the storage unit. Is determined, the consumable can be delivered to the user at an appropriate timing.
In addition, even if a consumable item is used without being connected to an external network such as the Internet, inventory management of the consumable item can be performed easily and accurately.

[Invention 3] The consumables utilization device system of Invention 3 is
A consumables use device system including a consumable having a storage unit and a consumables use device having the consumables replaceable, wherein the consumables use device has an error and a usage status of the consumables use device. And a communication unit for writing and storing the inspection result information obtained by the module execution unit in the storage unit of the consumable item. It is assumed that.

That is, the consumables utilization device according to the present invention reads out and executes the inspection module by the module executing means, inspects its own error and the use status, and then transmits the inspection result information to the consumables using the communication means. It is written and stored in a storage unit.
In the same manner as in Invention 1, if a sales person or service person of a management company that manages this system collects the consumables and makes a failure prediction based on the inspection result information stored in its storage unit, the Internet Even when a consumable device is used without being connected to an external network, the maintenance of the consumable device is performed at an appropriate timing, and the life of the device and the replacement time are accurately predicted. be able to.

[Invention 4] Also, the consumables utilization device system of Invention 4 is
A consumable device system comprising a consumable device having a unique storage unit and a consumable device using the consumable item which can be replaced by a new or old device, wherein the consumable device uses an error of the consumable device. Execution means for reading and executing at a predetermined timing an inspection module for inspecting the usage status and the usage status, and writing and storing the inspection result obtained by the module execution means in the storage unit of the consumable via an interface unit And communication means for performing the communication.

  As a result, similarly to the first invention, if a sales person or a service person of a management company that manages the present system collects the consumables and makes a failure prediction based on the inspection result information stored in its storage unit, Consumables that are used without being connected to an external network, such as the Internet, perform maintenance on the consumables at the right time, and accurately predict the service life and replacement time of the equipment. can do.

[Invention 5] In addition, the consumables utilization device system of Invention 5 comprises:
In the consumables using equipment system according to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the inspection module is stored in a storage unit of the consumables, and the module executing means of the consumables using equipment uses the consumables using the consumables. It is characterized in that it is read out from the storage unit of the article and executed.

That is, as the inspection module for inspecting the state of the consumables utilizing device, a module built in the consumables utilizing device itself may be used. However, as in the present invention, this inspecting module is stored in advance in the storage unit of the consumables. If the test module is stored, and the test module stored in the storage unit is read out and executed, it is possible to always provide the latest test module every time a consumable is replaced.
As a result, a service such as a version upgrade of the inspection module can be easily and reliably implemented even for a consumable-use device used without being connected to an external network. In addition, since the consumables use device only needs to load and execute the test module, it is possible to save a memory capacity for storing and holding the test module.

[Invention 6] In addition, the consumables utilization equipment system of Invention 6 comprises:
In the consumables utilizing equipment system according to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the inspection module is stored in a storage unit of the consumables, and the module executing means of the consumables utilizing equipment is configured to execute the inspection module by a predetermined number. The consumables are read from the storage unit and executed at a timing.

  As a result, similarly to the fifth aspect, it is possible to easily and surely perform services such as upgrading the version of the inspection module for a consumable-use device that is used without being connected to an external network. In addition, since the consumables use device only needs to load and execute the test module, it is possible to save a memory capacity for storing and holding the test module.

[Invention 7] The consumables utilization device system of Invention 7 is
In the consumables utilization equipment system according to the sixth aspect, the execution timing of the inspection module may be any time immediately after the activation of the consumables utilization equipment, when a predetermined amount or more is used, or every time a predetermined time elapses after the activation. It is characterized by the following.
In other words, these timings are generally timings at which an error is likely to occur in the consumables utilization device. If the inspection module is executed at this timing, the error can be accurately detected.

[Invention 8] Also, the consumables utilization device system of Invention 8 is
The consumables utilization device is a printer.
As a result, it is possible to deliver consumables at an appropriate timing or to perform a maintenance service to a printer, which is a typical example of a consumables utilization device, without using communication of an external network. .

[Invention 9] In addition, the consumables utilization equipment system of Invention 9 comprises:
The consumables are an ink cartridge containing multi-color or single-color ink, a toner cartridge containing multi-color or single-color toner, a photoconductor, and a transfer unit.
As a result, various ink cartridges, toner cartridges, photoconductors, and transfer units, which are consumables, can be delivered to printers not connected to the external network at appropriate timing.

[Invention 10] In addition, the consumables utilization device system of Invention 10 includes:
The consumables utilization device system according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the usage status of the consumables utilization device is a consumption amount of consumables accompanied by calendar information, the number of prints, and a print quality. It is.
That is, the relationship between the error occurrence rate and the usage status can be known by grasping the consumption amount, the number of prints, and the print quality of these consumables together with the date and time. It is possible to accurately predict a change in the error rate.

[Invention 11] The consumables utilization program of Invention 11 is:
A computer for a consumable device using a consumable device having a storage unit that can be exchanged is connected to a use status recording unit for recording the use status of the consumable device, and a future use status stored in the use status recording unit. And a communication unit for writing and storing the usage prediction result information obtained by the usage prediction unit in the storage unit of the consumable supplies. It is.

  As a result, in addition to being able to exhibit the same effects as those of the first aspect, the computer system originally provided in the consumables utilization device can be used as it is, so that new hardware and a computer system are prepared. The function can be realized economically and easily as compared with the case of realizing the function.

[Invention 12] The consumables utilization program of Invention 12 is
A computer for a consumable device using a consumable device having an original storage unit that can be exchanged between new and old devices. Functioning as a use prediction means for predicting a future use state from a past use state, and a communication means for writing and storing the use prediction result obtained by the use prediction means in the storage unit of the consumable via an interface unit It is characterized by the following.
As a result, in addition to being able to exhibit the same effects as those of the first aspect, the computer system originally provided in the consumables utilization device can be used as it is, so that new hardware and a computer system are prepared. The function can be realized economically and easily as compared with the case of realizing the function.

[Invention 13] The consumables utilization program of Invention 13 is:
Module execution means for reading out and executing an inspection module for inspecting an error and a use state of the consumable use device by using a computer of a consumable use device having a storage unit which is capable of replacing consumables, and the module execution means And a storage unit for storing the test result information obtained in step (1).
Thus, in addition to the same effects as those of the third aspect, the functions can be realized economically and easily as with the tenth aspect.

[Invention 14] The consumables utilization program of Invention 14 is
A computer for a consumables-equipped device equipped with a consumable that has its own storage unit that can be exchanged for new and old.
A module executing means for reading out and executing at a predetermined timing an inspection module for inspecting an error and a use state of the consumable use device; and storing the inspection result obtained by the module executing means in the storage unit of the consumable. It is characterized by functioning as writing means.
Thus, in addition to the same effects as those of the third aspect, the functions can be realized economically and easily similarly to the thirteenth aspect.

[Invention 15] The consumables utilization program of Invention 15 is
The consumables utilization program according to the invention 13 or 14, wherein the inspection module is stored in a storage unit of the consumables.

  Thus, the function inspection of the consumables utilizing device can be always performed using the latest inspection module as in the invention 5, and the function can be realized economically and easily as in the invention 13 and the like. . In addition, since the consumables use device only needs to load and execute the test module, it is possible to save a memory capacity for storing and holding the test module.

[Invention 16] The consumables utilization program of Invention 16 is:
In the consumables use program according to the fourteenth aspect, the execution timing of the inspection module may be any of immediately after the start of the consumables use device, when a predetermined amount or more is used, or every time a predetermined time elapses after the start. It is characterized by being.
Thus, similarly to the sixth aspect, if the inspection module is executed at this timing, an error can be accurately detected.

[Invention 17] The consumables utilization program of Invention 17 is:
The consumables utilization program according to any one of inventions 11 to 16, wherein the consumables utilization device is a printer.
As a result, as in the case of the eighth aspect, the consumables are delivered to the printer, which is a representative example of the consumables utilizing device, at an appropriate timing and the maintenance service is performed without using the communication of the external network. It is possible to do.

[Invention 18] The consumables utilization program of Invention 18 is
In the consumables utilization program according to the seventeenth aspect, the consumables are an ink cartridge containing multi-color or single-color ink, a toner cartridge containing multi-color or single-color toner, a photoconductor, and a transfer unit. It is characterized by the following.
As a result, various ink cartridges, toner cartridges, photoconductors, and transfer units, which are consumables, can be delivered to printers that are not connected to an external network at an appropriate timing as in the ninth aspect.

[Invention 19] In addition, the consumables utilization program of Invention 19 includes:
The consumables utilization program according to any one of inventions 11 to 18, wherein the usage status of the consumables utilization device is a consumption amount of consumables accompanied by calendar information, the number of prints, and a print quality. is there.
As a result, similarly to the tenth aspect, it is possible to accurately predict a future change in the error rate by grasping the use status of these.

[Invention 20] The consumables utilization method of Invention 20 is as follows.
A storage unit is provided for a consumable that is exchangeable with the consumable using device, and the usage status of the consumable using device is stored, and at a predetermined timing, the stored usage status of the past consumable using device is stored. From the future, and the result of the prediction of the use situation is written and stored in the storage unit of the consumable.

  As a result, as in the case of the first aspect, after the consumables are collected and the future use prediction result information written in the storage unit is examined, the consumables used without being connected to an external network such as the Internet can be used. Even in the case of equipment, inventory management of consumables can be easily and accurately performed.

[Invention 21] A method for using consumables according to Invention 21 is as follows.
Consumables equipped with new and old consumables are provided with their own storage unit, and the status of use of the consumables is constantly monitored and stored. The present invention is characterized in that a future use situation is predicted from the use situation of the article use device, and then the use prediction result information is written and stored in the consumable supply storage unit.

  As a result, as in the case of the first aspect, after the consumables are collected and the future use prediction result information written in the storage unit is examined, the consumables used without being connected to an external network such as the Internet can be used. Even in the case of equipment, inventory management of consumables can be easily and accurately performed.

[Invention 22] A method for using consumables according to Invention 22 is as follows.
A storage unit is provided for the consumables that are exchangeably provided for the consumables use device, and an inspection module for inspecting an error and a usage state of the consumables use device is executed at a predetermined timing. It is characterized in that the result information is written and stored in the storage unit of the consumable.

  As a result, similar to the third aspect, after collecting the consumables and checking the state of the equipment based on the inspection result information stored in the storage unit, maintenance can be performed on the equipment using the consumables at an appropriate timing. Can be performed.

[Invention 23] The consumables utilization method of Invention 23 is as follows.
Consumables that use new and old consumables are equipped with their own storage unit, and an inspection module that checks the errors and usage status of the consumables using equipment is executed at a predetermined timing. Writing the inspection result in the storage unit of the consumable supplies and storing the result.
As a result, similar to the third aspect, after collecting the consumables and checking the state of the equipment based on the inspection result information stored in the storage unit, maintenance can be performed on the equipment using the consumables at an appropriate timing. Can be performed.

[Invention 24] A method for using consumables according to Invention 24 is as follows.
In the consumables utilization method according to the invention 22 or 23, the inspection module is stored in the storage of the consumables, and the inspection module stored in the storage is read into the consumables utilization device side for each inspection. It is characterized by being executed.
As a result, it is possible to always perform the inspection of the consumable device using the latest inspection module, as in the case of the fifth invention. Services such as version upgrades can be implemented easily and reliably.

[Invention 25] A method for using consumables according to Invention 25 is as follows.
The consumables utilization method according to the invention 22 or 23, wherein the inspection module is stored in a storage unit of the consumables, and the inspection module is read into a consumables utilization device and executed. Is what you do.
As a result, it is possible to always perform the inspection of the consumable device using the latest inspection module, as in the case of the fifth invention. Services such as version upgrades can be implemented easily and reliably.

[Invention 26] The consumables utilization method of Invention 26 is as follows.
In the consumables utilization method according to the invention 23 or 24, the execution timing of the inspection module is set immediately after the activation of the consumables utilization device, when a predetermined amount or more is used, or every time a predetermined time elapses after the activation. It is one of the features.
In other words, these timings are generally timings at which an error is likely to occur in the consumables utilization device. If the inspection module is executed at this timing, the error can be accurately detected.

[Invention 27] A method for using consumables according to Invention 27 is as follows.
In the consumables utilization method according to any one of inventions 20 to 26, the consumables utilization device is a printer.
As a result, the consumables are delivered to the printer, which is a representative example of the consumables utilizing device, at an appropriate timing, and the maintenance service is performed, without using the communication of the external network, as in the seventh aspect. It becomes possible.

[Invention 28] A method for using consumables according to Invention 28 is as follows.
In the consumables utilization method according to the twenty-seventh aspect, the consumables are an ink cartridge containing multi-color or single-color ink, a toner cartridge containing multi-color or single-color toner, a photoconductor, and a transfer unit. It is characterized by the following.
As a result, various ink cartridges, toner cartridges, photoconductors, and transfer units, which are consumables, can be provided to printers not connected to an external network at an appropriate timing as in the eighth aspect.

[Invention 29] A method of using consumables according to Invention 29 is as follows.
The consumables utilization method according to any one of inventions 20 to 28, wherein the usage status of the consumables utilization device is a consumption amount of consumables accompanied by calendar information, the number of prints, and a print quality. is there.
That is, the relationship between the error occurrence rate and the usage status can be known by grasping the consumption amount, the number of prints, and the print quality of these consumables together with the date and time. It is possible to accurately predict a change in the error rate.

[Invention 30] A printer according to Invention 30 includes:
What is claimed is: 1. A printer which has a storage unit and is provided with exchangeable consumables, wherein a usage status recording means for recording the usage status of the printer, and a future usage status is predicted from the usage status recorded in the usage status recording means. It is characterized by comprising a use predicting means, and a communication means for writing and storing the use prediction result information obtained by the use predicting means in the storage unit of the consumable.

That is, the printer according to the present invention records its own usage status as needed by the usage status recording device, and the usage prediction device predicts the future usage status from the past usage status stored in the usage status recording device, and performs communication. The means writes and saves the use prediction result obtained by the use prediction means in the storage unit of the consumable.
Therefore, if a sales person or a service person of a management company that manages the printer collects the consumables and determines the delivery time of new consumables based on the use prediction result stored in the storage unit, it is accurate. Consumables can be delivered to the printer at the appropriate timing.

  In addition, even if the printer is used without being connected to an external network such as the Internet, inventory management of the consumables can be easily and accurately performed.

[Invention 31] A printer according to Invention 31 includes:
What is claimed is: 1. A printer comprising a storage unit having a replaceable consumable, comprising: a module execution unit for reading and executing an inspection module for inspecting an error and a use state of the printer; and an inspection result obtained by the module execution unit. Communication means for writing and storing information in the storage unit for the consumables.

That is, the printer according to the present invention reads out and executes the inspection module by the module execution unit, inspects its own error and usage status, and stores the inspection result information in the storage unit of the consumables using the communication unit. It is written and saved.
In the same manner as the invention 30, if a sales person or a service person of a management company that manages the printer collects the consumables and predicts a failure based on the inspection result information stored in the storage unit, the Internet is used. Even if the printer is used without being connected to an external network, maintenance can be performed on the printer at an accurate timing, and the life of the device, the replacement time, and the like can be accurately predicted.

[Invention 32] A printer according to Invention 32 includes:
In the printer according to the thirty-first aspect, the inspection module is stored in a storage unit of the consumable, and the module execution unit reads out the inspection module from the storage of the consumable and executes the inspection module. It is characterized by having become.
That is, the inspection module for inspecting the state of the printer may be a module built in the printer itself, but this inspection module is stored in advance in the storage unit of the consumables, and the inspection module stored in this storage unit is stored. Is read and executed, it is possible to always provide the latest inspection module every time a consumable is replaced.

  As a result, services such as version upgrade of the inspection module can be easily and reliably implemented even for a printer used in a state where it is not connected to an external network.

[Invention 33] A printer according to an invention 33,
In the printer according to the thirty-first aspect, the execution timing of the inspection module is immediately after the start of the consumable-use device, when a predetermined amount or more is used, or every time a predetermined time elapses after the start. It is characterized by the following.
Thus, similarly to the sixth aspect, if the inspection module is executed at this timing, an error can be accurately detected.

[Invention 34] A printer according to Invention 34 includes:
In the printer according to any one of Inventions 30 to 33, the consumables include an ink cartridge containing multicolor or single color ink, a toner cartridge containing multicolor or single color toner, a photoconductor, and a transfer unit. It is characterized by having.
As a result, various ink cartridges, toner cartridges, photoconductors, and transfer units, which are consumables, can be delivered to printers that are not connected to an external network at an appropriate timing as in the ninth aspect.

[Invention 35] A printer according to Invention 35 includes:
The printer according to any one of inventions 30 to 34, wherein the usage status is consumption of a consumable with calendar information, the number of prints, and print quality.
Thus, similarly to the tenth aspect, it is possible to accurately predict a future change in the error rate by grasping the usage status of these.

[Invention 35] Consumables of Invention 35 include:
Consumables that can be exchangeably provided in the consumables use device, a communication unit that acquires information about the consumables use device, and a storage unit that stores the information about the consumables use device by storing the storage unit acquired by the communication unit. And means.
As a result, it is possible to easily estimate the use status such as an error and the like of the consumable-use device by simply checking the information on the consumable-use device stored in the storage unit of the consumable.

[Invention 36] The expendable supplies of Invention 36 include:
The consumable according to the twenty-fifth aspect, characterized in that the storage means includes an inspection module for inspecting an error and a usage state of the consumable use device.
In this way, if the inspection module is stored in advance in the storage unit for consumables, and the inspection module stored in the storage unit is read out and executed, the latest inspection module is always provided every time the consumable is replaced. It is possible to do.

  As a result, a service such as a version upgrade of the inspection module can be easily and reliably implemented even for a consumable-use device used without being connected to an external network. In addition, since the consumables use device only needs to load and execute the test module, it is possible to save a memory capacity for storing and holding the test module.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a consumable goods utilizing device system 300 according to the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the consumables use equipment system 300 includes a printer 100, which is one of the consumables use equipment for which the use of consumables is indispensable for its operation, and inks and toners used as consumables used in the printer 100. And the like. The cartridge 200 mainly includes a cartridge 200 in which the cartridge 200 is housed, and the cartridge 200 is freely replaceable (detachable) with a new or old product with respect to the printer 100 according to the consumption amount, the usage period, and the like. .

  The printer 100 includes a computer system 10 including a CPU, a main memory and input / output functions as shown in FIG. 2 in addition to functions essential for general printing equipment such as a printing function, a paper feeding function, and an operation panel. A communication unit 12, a use prediction unit 14, a use state recording unit 16, a module execution unit 18, and a storage unit 20 in addition to an interface unit 30 that enables information exchange with the cartridge 200. Has become.

  The communication unit 12 provides a communication function for exchanging information with the cartridge 200 via the interface unit 30 on the printer 100 side and the interface unit 32 on the cartridge 200 side. A function of reading data to the printer 100 or writing information in the printer 100 to the cartridge 200 is realized. Specifically, the communication unit 12 realizes its function by a computer system including the CPU 10 and the like of the printer 100 reading and executing a read / write program stored in the storage unit 20 and the like in advance. It has become.

  The use prediction unit 14 provides a function of predicting future use from the past use status (print log information) of the printer 100 itself acquired and recorded by the use status recording unit 16 described below. Specifically, the computer system of the printer 100 implements the function by executing a use prediction program stored in the storage unit 20 or the like in advance. A specific example of this usage prediction method will be described later in detail.

  The use status recording unit 16 provides a function of acquiring and recording the amount of consumption of each toner or ink, which is a consumable, in addition to the contents such as the date and time of printing actually performed by the printer 100, the number of prints, the print quality, and the like. The information from various sensors for detecting the amount of consumption of each consumable is acquired, and stored and stored as log information in the storage unit 20 together with calendar information (date and time).

  The module executing means 18 has a function of executing an inspection module for inspecting information on an error (paper jam or the like) that has actually occurred and the status of use of the printer of the user at a predetermined timing, and storing the inspection result in the storage unit 20. Specifically, the computer system of the printer 100 reads and executes an inspection module stored in the cartridge 200 by a module execution program stored in advance in the storage unit 20 or the like, thereby executing the program. Function is realized. Note that the use status here includes, for example, trouble information of equipment and future trouble prediction information based on statistics thereof.

  On the other hand, the cartridge 200, which is a replaceable (removable) consumable for the printer 100, has the functions of supplying the consumables such as ink and toner to the printer 100 as needed. An interface unit 32 capable of exchanging information with other computer systems, a storage unit 42 including rewritable storage means such as an IC memory (flash memory, EPROM (Erasable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically EPROM), etc.); A communication unit 40 capable of communicating with the communication unit 12 of the printer 100 via the interface unit 32 is provided.

The inspection module stored in the storage unit 42 is provided to the printer 100 via the communication unit 40, and various information such as usage information and prediction information of the printer 100 is stored in the storage unit 42 and the information is stored in the storage unit 42. Can be collected together with the cartridge body.
The computer system 10 incorporated and used in the printer 100 is, as shown in FIG. 2, specifically, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50 that is a central processing unit that performs various controls and arithmetic processing. A random access memory (RAM) 51 used for a main storage device (Main Storage), a read only memory (ROM) 52 that is a read-only storage device, and an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor memory. A Secondary Storage (53) and an output device 54 and an input device 55 including a printing unit and the input / output interface (I / F) 56 and the like are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interco.). The bus is connected by various internal / external buses 57 such as a processor bus, a memory bus, a system bus, and an input / output bus such as an ISA (Industrial Standard Architecture) bus and an ISA (Industrial Standard Architecture) bus. The CPU 50 reads various programs stored in the auxiliary storage device (the storage unit 20) 53 and the like, loads the programs into the RAM 51, and executes various instructions in accordance with the loaded programs. In addition, a usage prediction function of the usage prediction unit 14, a usage prediction recording function of the usage status recording unit 16, a module execution function of the module execution unit 18, and the like are realized.

In the above, the flow of operation and the operation and effect of the consumable goods utilization equipment system 300 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
First, the flowchart of FIG. 3 shows a flow of predicting a future use state of the cartridge (consumables) 200 provided in the printer (consumables use device) 100 and recording the same.

As shown in the figure, when the printer 100 receives print data and a print instruction from a print instruction terminal (not shown) such as a PC (personal computer) in the first step S100, the printer 100 The printing process is performed in order to provide the printed material required by the user.
Next, when the predetermined print processing is completed, the printer 100 proceeds to the next step S102 and outputs information on the print processing, for example, the consumption amount of ink and toner used in the print, the print content (the number of prints). , Print quality, etc.) and user information (user name, affiliation, etc.) are acquired together with calendar information, which is the print date and time, and are recorded in the storage unit 20 of the printer 100, and the process proceeds to the next step S104.

  In the next step S104, the printer 100 checks the remaining amount of the consumables (the remaining amount of ink and toner), determines whether the remaining amount is less than a predetermined amount, and determines that the remaining amount is not less than the predetermined amount (No). ), The process proceeds to step S106, and it is further determined whether or not the print processing amount is greater than a predetermined amount. If it is determined that the print processing amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount (Yes), the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S104 that the remaining amount of consumables has become smaller than the predetermined amount (Yes), and when it is determined in step S106 that the print processing amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount (Yes), both steps are performed. After proceeding to S108 to predict the future use situation, the result of the future use situation prediction is recorded in the storage section 42 of the cartridge 200, and the process ends.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of a method of predicting a future usage state using the toner consumption amount as an example of the consumables. The vertical axis represents the toner consumption amount (the number is the number of toner cartridges), and the horizontal axis represents the toner consumption amount. The time (mm / yy) is shown. It should be noted that the actual information is not a graph as shown, but is visually described for convenience of explanation.
First, in the example of FIG. 5, the first toner cartridge is mounted on the printer 100 at a certain time “T0”, and at the next time “T1”, the first toner cartridge is consumed and two toner cartridges are consumed. The second toner cartridge is consumed and replaced with a third toner cartridge at a time "T2" after the time "T2", and is replaced with a third toner cartridge at a time "T3" and "T4" thereafter. This shows a situation where the toner cartridges are replaced with fourth and fifth toner cartridges, respectively.

The printer 100 stores the user's usage status in the past together with the calendar (date and time) information in the storage unit 20 as described above.
In general, the frequency of use of a printer is not always constant, and as shown in the figure, the frequency of use varies greatly depending on the time. For example, one cartridge may be consumed in one month. May last more than six months. The amount of consumption greatly varies depending on the timing and the contents of the work of the user, but a certain tendency (cycle) is observed for each user.

  In the example of the figure, a large amount of toner is always consumed at a constant rate during the period from “T0” to “T1”. In the period from “T1” to “T2”, the first half is relatively A large amount of toner is consumed (the printer is frequently used), but the latter half tends to consume less (the printer is not frequently used). Further, there is a tendency that the toner is hardly consumed in the first half of the period from “T2” to “T3”, and the toner is rapidly consumed in the second half. Further, in the period from “T3” to “T4”, it can be seen that one toner cartridge is consumed in substantially the same period as the period from “T0” to “T1”.

  Therefore, it is possible to predict the future use to some extent by recording such a past use situation and analyzing its contents. For example, in the example of the figure, the same tendency is observed in the amount of toner consumed during the period from “T0” to “T1” and the amount of toner consumed during the period from “T3” to “T4”. As for the toner consumption after “T4”, a consumption curve similar to the consumption curve between times “T1” and “T2” is predicted as indicated by the broken line in the figure. The replacement time “T5” can be easily obtained.

Therefore, based on the replacement time prediction information, a salesman or serviceman of the management service company delivers a new cartridge (consumable) 200 to the user (printer 100), adjusts the production amount of the consumable, and the like. By doing so, it is possible to achieve an optimal inventory management of consumables without waste.
In the present embodiment, as the timing of predicting and recording the future usage status, either when the remaining amount of consumables is small in step 104 or when the amount of print processing is large in step S106 is adopted.

  The reason is that when the consumables are consumed in large quantities and the cartridge replacement time is approaching, the future usage situation is forecasted and recorded, so that the latest usage situation is reflected in the forecast as much as possible. However, even if the algorithm is such that the future use status is predicted and recorded automatically every time a print process is performed or at a fixed cycle, regardless of the remaining amount of consumables or the amount of print processing, etc. good. Further, the number of prints and the like may be considered as the timing of predicting the future usage status and recording the future usage status.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 3 shows an example of the flow of an inspection using an inspection module stored in the storage unit 42 of the cartridge 200.
As shown in the figure, the printer 100 first accesses the cartridge 200 in the first step S200, checks whether or not an inspection module is present in the storage unit 42, and if it is determined that the inspection module is not present (No), the printer 100 is left as it is. The process is terminated, but if it is determined that the inspection module exists (Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S202 for determining the execution timing of the inspection module.

In the first step S202, it is determined whether or not the printer 100 has just been started. If it is determined that the printer 100 has just been started (Yes), the process jumps to step S208, but if it has been determined that the printer 100 has not been started (No). Shifts to the next step 204.
In step 204, it is further determined whether or not a large amount of printing, that is, printing of a predetermined amount or more, has been performed within a predetermined time by the printer 100. If it is determined that the printing has been performed (Yes), the process jumps to step S208. If it is determined that the operation has not been performed (No), the process proceeds to the next step 206.

In step 206, the elapsed time after the start of the printer 100 is further measured, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the printer 100. If it is determined that the elapsed time has not elapsed (No), the process is terminated as it is. That is, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes), the process similarly proceeds to step S208.
Next, if any of the conditions is satisfied immediately after the start of the printer 100, when a large amount of printing is performed, or when a certain time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S208. After reading out the inspection module on the side, the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, the inspection module is executed to inspect its own functions and usage status. After the inspection is completed, the inspection result is stored in the storage unit on the cartridge 200 side. By writing and storing the data in the inspection module 42, the inspection processing of the printer 100 by the inspection module is completed.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of prediction of a future error rate in the printer 100.
In the example of FIG. 6, it is predicted that the printer 100 will completely fail at the time “T3”. In this prediction, in addition to the error occurrence amount obtained as a result of the inspection by the inspection module, 5 is used.

That is, when the error occurrence amount at the time of “Δt1” when the use frequency of the printer 100 is low in FIG. 6 is examined, the error occurrence amount of the printer 100 is low as shown in FIG. An examination of the error occurrence amount at the time of “Δt2” where 100 is frequently used reveals that the error occurrence amount is also high as shown in FIG.
From this, the error occurrence rate is related to the frequency of use of the printer 100, and is related to the error occurrence rate of a normal printer (that is, the number of errors is small after repairing an initial defect, and the error tends to increase dramatically at the end of the service life). 6), the error rate prediction and the failure time prediction as shown in FIG. 6 can be performed.

The error rate prediction and the failure time prediction obtained in this way are performed for each collection of the cartridge 200, so that the management service company or the like performs maintenance service and replacement / sale of equipment at a precise timing. It becomes possible.
As a result, even when the apparatus is used without being connected to an external network such as the Internet, it is possible to achieve optimal waste management of consumables without waste.

  In the present embodiment, as the read timing of the inspection module, either a case where a large amount of printing is performed immediately after the printer 100 is started or a case where a certain time has elapsed is adopted. In addition, in addition to these timings or in place of these timings, the inspection module is executed every time normal printing is performed or at any timing. Is also good.

  Further, in the present embodiment, each function test of the printer 100 is performed by using the test module of the cartridge 200 side, but another test module is stored in the printer 100 side in advance not only in the cartridge 200 side. Then, a similar inspection process may be performed using the inspection module. For example, even if a trouble occurs such that the inspection module on the cartridge 200 side cannot be read out or cannot be used for some reason, if the inspection module on the printer 100 side is used as a spare inspection module, the inspection by the latest inspection module cannot be performed. None, but only basic testing is at least feasible.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a printer has been described as a specific example of the consumables utilization device 100, and an example using a toner (ink) cartridge as the consumables 200 has been described. However, the present invention is limited to this specific example. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to all known electronic and electric devices that can use consumables. For example, when an (LCD) projector is used as the consumables utilization device 100, a lamp is an object of the consumables 200, and the usage status specific to the projector includes the number of ON / OFF times, the projection time, and the like. In addition, errors specific to the projector include, for example, lamp burnout and inclination correction.

It is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a consumables use equipment system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration for implementing a computer system. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a future use situation prediction result. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow regarding execution of an inspection module. FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a relationship between toner consumption and time. FIG. 7 is a graph showing a relationship between an error rate leading to a failure and time.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... CPU, 12 ... Communication means (consumables use equipment side), 14 ... Use prediction means, 16 ... Use status recording means, 18 ... Module execution means, 20 ... Recording unit (consumables use equipment side), 40 ... Communication Means (consumables side), 42: storage unit (consumables side), 100: consumables use device (printer), 200: consumables (cartridge), 300: consumables use equipment system.

Claims (20)

A consumables using device system having a consumable having a storage unit and a consumables using device provided with the consumables so as to be exchangeable,
The consumables utilization device includes:
Usage status recording means for recording the usage status of the consumable use device;
Use prediction means for predicting a future use state from the use state recorded in the use state recording means;
A communication unit for writing and storing the usage prediction result information obtained by the usage prediction unit in the storage unit for the consumables. A consumables using device system having a consumable having a storage unit and a consumables using device provided with the consumables so as to be exchangeable,
The consumables utilization device includes:
Module execution means for reading and executing an inspection module for inspecting an error and a usage state of the consumables use device,
A communication unit for writing and storing the inspection result information obtained by the module execution unit in the storage unit for the consumables; The consumables utilization equipment system according to claim 1 or 2,
The inspection module is stored in the consumable supply storage unit, and the module executing means of the consumable supply utilizing device reads out the inspection module from the consumable supply storage unit and executes the inspection module. A consumables utilization device system, characterized in that: The consumables utilizing device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The consumables utilizing device system is characterized in that the consumables utilizing device is a printer. The consumables utilization device system according to claim 4,
The consumables-using device, wherein the consumable is any one of an ink cartridge containing multi-color or single-color ink, a toner cartridge containing multi-color or single-color toner, a photoconductor, and a transfer unit, respectively. system. A computer of a consumables utilizing device having a replaceable consumable having a storage unit,
Usage status recording means for recording the usage status of the consumable use device,
Use prediction means for predicting a future use state from the use state stored in the use state recording means;
A consumable goods use program characterized by functioning as communication means for writing and storing the use prediction result information obtained by the use prediction means in the storage part of the consumable supplies. A computer of a consumables utilizing device having a replaceable consumable having a storage unit,
Module execution means for reading and executing an inspection module for inspecting an error and a usage state of the consumables utilization device,
A consumable goods use program characterized by functioning as a writing means for storing the inspection result information obtained by the module executing means in the storage part of the consumable goods. The consumables utilization program according to claim 6 or 8,
The consumables use program, wherein the inspection module is stored in a storage unit for the consumables.   A storage unit is provided for a consumable that is exchangeable with the consumable using device, and the usage status of the consumable using device is stored, and at a predetermined timing, the stored usage status of the past consumable using device is stored. A method of using a consumable, comprising: predicting a future use situation from the storage device;   A storage unit is provided for the consumables that are exchangeably provided for the consumables use device, and an inspection module for inspecting an error and a usage state of the consumables use device is executed at a predetermined timing. A method of using consumables, comprising writing and storing result information in a storage unit for the consumables. The consumables utilization method according to claim 9 or 10,
A method of using a consumable, wherein the inspection module is stored in a storage unit of the consumable, and the inspection module stored in the storage is read and executed by a consumable using apparatus for each test. The consumables utilization method according to claim 9 or 10,
The method of using a consumable item, wherein the execution timing of the inspection module is either immediately after starting the consumable item using device, after a predetermined amount or more is used, or every time a predetermined time elapses after the start. . The method for using consumables according to claim 9,
The consumables utilization device is a printer, wherein the consumables utilization device is a printer. The method for using consumables according to claim 13,
The method of using a consumable, wherein the consumable is any one of an ink cartridge containing multi-color or single-color ink, a toner cartridge containing multi-color or single-color toner, a photoconductor, and a transfer unit, respectively. . The method for using consumables according to any one of claims 9 to 14,
The method of using a consumable, wherein the usage status of the consumable using device is any of a consumption of the consumable with calendar information, the number of prints, and a print quality. A printer provided with replaceable consumables having a storage unit,
Usage status recording means for recording the usage status of the printer;
Use prediction means for predicting a future use state from the use state recorded in the use state recording means;
A communication unit for writing and storing the usage prediction result information obtained by the usage prediction unit in the storage unit of the consumable supplies. A printer provided with replaceable consumables having a storage unit,
Module execution means for reading and executing an inspection module for inspecting an error and a usage state of the printer;
A communication unit for writing and storing the inspection result information obtained by the module execution unit in the storage unit of the consumable supplies. The printer according to claim 17,
The inspection module is stored in the consumable supply storage unit, and the module executing means of the consumable supply utilizing device reads out the inspection module from the consumable supply storage unit and executes the inspection module. A printer characterized in that: Consumables that are provided to be exchangeable with the consumables use device,
Communication means for acquiring information on the consumables utilizing device;
A storage unit for storing information relating to a consumables utilization device in the storage unit acquired by the communication unit. 20. The consumable according to claim 19,
A consumable item, wherein the storage unit includes an inspection module for inspecting an error and a usage state of the consumable item using device.

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