JP2007079290A - Consumables management system and machine to be managed using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the downtime of a machine to be managed to the utmost with a more simple method independent of a communication means. <P>SOLUTION: Regarding the consumables management system used for the machine 1 to be managed wherein replaceable consumables 2 are loaded, the system includes a warning means 3 for giving warning that the replacement time of the consumables 2 comes soon, a releasing operation means 4 for releasing the warning given by the warning means 3 and a job performance limiting means 5 for allowing the machine 1 to be managed to perform the following job under such the condition that the releasing operation is performed by the releasing operation means 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a consumable management system for managing replaceable consumables, and more particularly, to a consumable management system based on a consumable replacement notification from a user and an improvement of a managed machine using the consumable management system.

In general, many image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and prints are provided with consumables such as a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge. Consumables such as drum cartridges must be replaced as they are used. If they are used without replacement, there is a concern that they may cause image defects in the copied or printed images. May also damage the machine body.
Therefore, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a mechanism is provided in which a counter is provided in a memory mounted on a consumable item, and the machine determines that the replacement is necessary when an appropriate count value is reached, and prompts the user to replace it with a new consumable item. Many have been adopted.

Japanese Patent No. 3476399 (Embodiment of the Invention, FIG. 5) Japanese Patent No. 3476122 (Embodiment of the Invention, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent No. 3501762 (Embodiment of the Invention, FIG. 2)

For example, in the method shown in Patent Document 1, from the viewpoint of machine protection, when the end of the service life is reached, an image forming instruction (copying or printing instruction) is not easily accepted by a normal operation, It is often designed to encourage replacement of consumables (hereinafter, this state is expressed as “hard stop”), so if the user does not have an immediate replacement consumable, downtime However, there is a technical problem that the user convenience is greatly impaired.
In order to explain this technical problem in more detail, the case where consumables have been prepared now and the case where they have not been prepared are schematically divided as follows.
[State A]: = Consumables prepared before hard stop → (Down time) = (Replacement work time)
[State B]: Consumables prepared after hard stop → (Downtime) = (Consumables acquisition time) + (Replacement work time)

In a general image forming apparatus, the replacement work of consumables is performed in a very short time or, depending on the machine, can be replaced during an image forming operation. Then, the consumable acquisition time greatly affects downtime. Since this depends on the support system including logistics and the form of contract, it cannot be generally stated, but it will generally be several hours to several days.
For this reason, normally, an appropriate warning is displayed just before the time when replacement is necessary, a time delay is provided until the corresponding consumables are prepared, and the system is guided to [State A] as much as possible to minimize the downtime. Design to be able to be suppressed. However, even if this warning is displayed, there are cases where the grace period has passed and a hard stop has been reached due to various reasons such as often overlooking the warning or troublesome contact for ordering consumables (state B). There are many.

In order to solve this kind of technical problem, various approaches have been made from various viewpoints. The method and problems are described below.
One is a method for enhancing the appeal effect of warning. There is a method in which the lighting period of the warning display is long, the number of times is not only once, but is divided into two times, and the wording of the display is gradually changed to a more urgent content. In addition, a device has been devised to draw the user's attention, such as pop-up display on the control panel or blinking a warning LED.
However, making the warning period unnecessarily long is not a preferable method from the viewpoint of using up the consumables to the end. In recent years, when a plurality of clients and printers are connected to a network and used as a network printer, factors such as the fact that the machine control panel itself is less often viewed when issuing a print instruction and the effect is not readily achieved. There is also. In any case, the essential problem of these methods is that even if a warning is issued, the printing process is performed as usual, so if the user thinks only about the immediate area, the user can ignore it. The point is that it is sufficiently possible, and in that case, it will surely fall into [state B].

As a second method, many methods using a communication line have been proposed instead of relying on the user for notification of consumable life (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3). In this method, the machine and the service base are connected by some kind of communication, and when replacement of consumables is near, the service base is automatically notified.
In this method, the user is automatically notified to the service base without knowing the replacement period of the consumables, so that the consumables can be replaced at an appropriate timing and [state A] can be maintained. If an appropriate system is assembled, it is possible to keep the consumables inventory on the user side to the minimum necessary, and there is a great merit such that the distribution of the consumables delivery on the service base side can be optimized. In this way, this method is certainly the most ideal form of maintenance service, but of course, not only the cost of the equipment itself, but also the cost of maintenance / maintenance of the communication infrastructure with the service base, etc. Take it. In the first place, not all machines can be connected to a communication line.

Such a technical problem is not limited to the management of consumables in the image forming apparatus, but can occur widely in managed machines equipped with replaceable consumables.
The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problems, and a consumable management system capable of suppressing downtime of a managed machine as much as possible by a simpler method that does not rely on communication means, and A managed machine using this is provided.

That is, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, in the consumable item management system used for the managed machine 1 equipped with the replaceable consumable item 2, a warning means for warning that the replacement time of the consumable item 2 is near. 3, a release operation unit 4 that cancels the warning by the warning unit 3, and a job execution restriction unit 5 that allows the managed machine 1 to execute the next job on condition of the release operation by the release operation unit 4. It is characterized by providing.
The present invention is premised on a mode in which no communication means capable of automatically communicating information on the managed machine 1 is added.

In such technical means, as long as the machine to be managed is equipped with a replaceable consumable 2, the machine includes a wide range of other than the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer. The number of consumables 2 is not particularly limited, and all consumables 2 may be managed, or only a specific consumable 2 may be managed.
Furthermore, the warning means 3 is not limited to the display method as long as warning is possible, and other methods using voice or the like may be used. Here, examples of the display method include a display unit that displays a warning.
Furthermore, the release operation means 4 is typically a password input method to be described later, but is not limited to this and includes a wide range of operations that spontaneously indicate the intention of the release operation.
Further, the job execution restriction unit 5 may be any one that can execute the next job of the managed machine 1 on the condition of the release operation. Anything that makes it impossible to execute the next job is acceptable.

Moreover, in the aspect provided with the display part as which the warning is displayed as the warning means 3, it is preferable to display the content which urges | contacts the service base S of consumables 2 replacement | exchange on the display part. In this case, it is preferable in that the consumables replacement notification can be reliably performed to the service base S.
Further, as a consumable management system used for the managed machine 1 in which a plurality of consumables 2 can be replaced, the warning means 3 displays a plurality of consumable codes corresponding to the consumables 2 on its display unit. Is preferred. In this case, it is possible to code a plurality of consumables 2 and efficiently manage the consumables.
Further, as the warning means 3, the operation by the normal operation by the managed machine 1 may be temporarily stopped after a single warning. However, as another mode, the warning is performed after the advance warning is issued and the management target machine 1 is operated. The operation by the normal operation by the machine 1 may be temporarily stopped.

Further, as the release operation means 4, during the warning operation by the warning means 3, the warning by the warning means 3 is automatically issued under the condition that the consumable 2 corresponding to the warning target is replaced with the consumable 2 with the remaining life. It is preferable that it is released. In this embodiment, when the consumable 2 near the end of its life is replaced with a consumable 2 with a remaining life (including not only new but also used ones), the release operation means 4 automatically issues a warning without performing the warning release operation. It is preferable in that the warning is released easily.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the release operation unit 4 is a unit for releasing the warning by the warning unit 3 or performing a warning handling process under a condition in which the warning by the warning unit 3 is released. The warning dealt processing here refers to, for example, a display indicating that consumables have been arranged.
In this case, since the warning is cancelled along with the warning canceling operation, an annoying warning display has been continuously displayed, even though the consumable 2 has been arranged by looking at the consumable warning display, for example. This can be erased. Further, as the warning display continues to appear, it is possible to surely avoid double arrangement mistakes such that another person of the user also contacts the consumable 2 arrangement.

Furthermore, as a typical aspect of the release operation means 3, there is one that involves a password input operation.
In this aspect, in the consumable management system used for the management target machine 1 in which a plurality of consumables 2 can be replaced, the release operation unit may be releasable with a different password for each consumable, or a plurality It may be possible to release the consumables 2 with a common password. Further, as a password generation method, a different password may be used for each managed machine 1, and in this case, it is preferable in that management for each managed machine 1 becomes easy.
The purpose of this password input method is as follows.
For example, when an image forming apparatus is taken as an example of the management target machine 1, when a warning display that the consumable 2 is about to reach its end of life appears on the screen, the user U may ignore the warning (or press the OK button). Copying and printing can be performed only by a simple operation such as pressing), but copying or printing cannot be performed unless a specific “password” is input. This “password” can be easily obtained by inquiring the service base S by telephone or the like, and thereafter, a certain predetermined number of sheets can be continuously copied or printed. While the continuous copying or printing is being performed, the service base S may provide the user U with the necessary consumables 2.

In addition, a warning message for prompting the user to input the “password” may be displayed on the warning display screen to inform the service base S, and when there are a plurality of different consumables, the consumables symbol or name, etc. May be displayed.
Further, as the release operation means 4, it is preferable that the password to be input has a certain valid period and a different password is required after the valid period elapses, which is preferable for ensuring the effectiveness of the password.
For example, it is desirable that the “password” be changed every day or every predetermined effective period according to a certain rule that cannot be easily deciphered normally so that it does not become the same number every time.

In addition, it is preferable that the cancel operation unit 4 variably sets the job limit amount by the job execution limit unit 5 with a password in consideration of the influence of date and time (for example, whether it includes weekends or holidays).
For example, there are multiple password types, such as “normal”, “night / holiday”, “remote”, etc., and the number of continuous copies or prints is variable depending on the password type. . If you do this, it ’s usually a good setting that does n’t cause image quality defects. If you get an unattended answering call at night or on a holiday, or if you ’re expecting a long delivery time, More flexible measures can be taken, such as setting for longer copying or printing.

Furthermore, it is preferable in that it is not necessary to view a troublesome screen by turning off the warning display of the consumable 2 after entering the password, and errors such as double arrangements are reduced.
Further, for a user who uses a printer as a printer with a network connection or the like hardly seeing the machine screen, the printer can often only determine whether the printer is “printable” or “not printable”. Therefore, in the past, when “printing is not possible” for the first time, it is a hard stop, and if consumables are not in stock at that time, immediately [state B] (consumables ready after hard stop) ). However, if this system is used, for example, the machine once stops with a warning display, so even if it becomes “printing impossible” for the first time, it can be used again by listening to and inputting the “password”. For this reason, even if the consumable item 2 is not in stock, the consumable item 2 is automatically arranged, so that it can be guided to [State A] (a state where the consumable item is prepared before the hard stop).

  Further, as the release operation means 4, a preliminary operation unit that enables a release operation without using a password may be provided separately from the release operation using a password. In this case, it is only necessary to be able to set on the managed machine 1 side, and in the aspect including such a preliminary operation unit, it is possible to cope with an emergency.

Further, as a typical mode of the job execution restriction unit 5, there is one in which a job can be executed within the range of the job restriction amount after the warning is released by the warning unit 3.
Further, as another mode of the job execution restriction unit 5, the job can be executed within the range of the job limit amount after the warning is canceled by the warning unit 3, and a consumable replacement request is issued under the condition that the job limit amount is reached. The management target machine 1 may be disabled from normal operation.
In this case, the management target machine 1 is forcibly stopped together with the replacement request for the consumable 2 in a situation where the operation of the management target machine 1 cannot be guaranteed.
Further, in the latter mode, the job execution restriction unit 5 includes an approval determination unit that can be approved by the user U that the operation of the managed machine 1 cannot be guaranteed. In other words, the consumable replacement request may be canceled and the operation of the managed machine 1 may be permitted. In this aspect, the managed machine 1 can be used only under the condition that the user accepts the situation in which the operation as the managed machine 1 cannot be guaranteed (for example, if an image forming apparatus is taken as an example, an image defect occurs and the risk of mechanical failure). It is possible to operate.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described consumable item management system, but also targets managed machines using the same.

As described above, according to the present invention, the warning means for warning that the expendable parts replacement time is near, the release operation means for releasing the warning by the warning means, and the release operation by the release operation means. Since the job execution restriction means that enables the managed machine 1 to execute the next job is provided as a condition, the operation of the managed machine cannot be ensured unless a warning cancellation operation is performed. For this reason, for example, by asking the service base for the password required for the warning canceling operation, if the consumable replacement notification is associated with the warning canceling operation, the consumables can be arranged and the spare consumables arrive at the same time. In the meantime, the managed machine can be operated, and accordingly, consumables can be reliably arranged in advance with almost no downtime.
In addition, according to the present invention, even in a situation where the machine display unit or the like is hardly viewed on a network-connected managed machine or the like, the operation of the managed machine cannot be ensured unless a warning release operation is performed. As a result, the operation of the managed machine must be temporarily stopped to cancel the warning, and as a result, it is possible to prepare consumables before the hard stop of the target managed machine. The occurrence of downtime can be effectively suppressed.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the consumables replacement notification is not received after the service base also becomes a hard stop, so it is possible to supply the consumables after a logistics schedule has been established in advance.
Furthermore, according to the managed machine using the consumable management system according to the present invention, it is possible to easily construct a managed machine that can efficiently manage consumables.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
In the figure, the image forming apparatus is a so-called tandem type color image forming apparatus (in this example, a printer), and four colors (yellow (Y), magenta (M), Drum cartridges 22 (specifically, 22a to 22d) as cyan (C) and black (K) image forming units are arranged in the vertical direction, and a sheet feeding unit 24 is provided below the drum cartridges. A cassette 23 is disposed, and a sheet conveyance path 25 serving as a conveyance path for the sheet 24 from the sheet feeding cassette 23 is arranged in a vertical direction at a position corresponding to each drum cartridge 22.

In the present embodiment, the drum cartridges 22 (22a to 22d) form toner images for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, for example, in order from the upstream side of the paper transport path 25. For example, an exposure device 40 common to the drum cartridges 22 is disposed on the opposite side of the sheet conveyance path 25 of the cartridge 22.
Here, the drum cartridge 22 includes, for example, a photosensitive drum 31, a charging roll 32 that precharges the photosensitive drum 31, and an electrostatic device that is exposed and formed on the charged photosensitive drum 31 by the exposure device 40. A developing device 33 that develops a latent image with a corresponding color toner (eg, negative polarity in the present embodiment) and a cleaning device 34 that removes waste toner on the photosensitive drum 31 are integrally formed into a cartridge. .
The drum cartridge 22 is detachably attached to the apparatus housing 21, and the attachment / detachment operation is performed by opening the front cover 21 a of the apparatus housing 21.
On the other hand, the exposure apparatus 40 stores a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an imaging lens, and a mirror (not shown), deflects and scans the light from the semiconductor laser with the polygon mirror, and passes through the imaging lens and the mirror to the photosensitive drum 31. A light image is guided to the upper exposure point.

Further, in the present embodiment, a conveyance belt 50 that circulates and moves along the sheet conveyance path 25 is disposed at a location corresponding to each photosensitive drum 31 of each drum cartridge 22.
The conveyor belt 50 is made of a belt material (rubber or resin) that can electrostatically adsorb the paper 24, and is stretched between a pair of stretching rolls 51 and 52. The tension roll 52 is a driving roll, and the lower tension roll 51 is a driven roll. Reference numeral 54 denotes a suction roll for electrostatically attracting the paper 24 to the transport belt 50.
A belt cleaner 55 is attached to one side in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 50. The conveyor belt 50 and the belt cleaner 55 are assembled on the front cover 21a side of the apparatus housing 21, and are opened and closed together with the front cover 21a. It is supposed to be.

Furthermore, a transfer roll 60 is disposed on the back side of the conveyance belt 50 corresponding to the photosensitive drum 31 of each drum cartridge 22, and the sheet 24 on the photosensitive drum 31 and the conveyance belt 50 is arranged by the transfer roll 60. And come to adhere. A predetermined transfer bias from a transfer bias power source is appropriately applied between the transfer roll 60 and the photosensitive drum 31.
Further, toner cartridges 70 (specifically, 70 a to 70 d) corresponding to the respective drum cartridges 22 are disposed on the back side of the exposure device 40 in the apparatus housing 21. Each toner cartridge 70 is detachably provided in the apparatus housing 21 and can be attached and detached by opening a side cover (not shown) located on the front side in FIG. 2, for example. A toner supply duct 71 is disposed in a portion of the toner cartridge 70 and the developing device 33 of each drum cartridge 22 that bypasses the exposure device 40, and is conveyed into the toner supply duct 71. An auger 72 is provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, a feeder 61 that sends out the paper 24 at a predetermined timing is provided in the vicinity of the paper feed cassette 23, and the sent paper 24 is transported by the transport roll 62 and the transport in the paper transport path 25. The drum 50 is fed to the transfer position of each drum cartridge 22 via the belt 50.
Furthermore, a fixing device 64 is provided in the paper transport path 25 located on the downstream side of the most downstream drum cartridge 22d, and a discharge roll 66 for discharging paper is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 64. The discharged paper is stored in a storage tray 67 formed on the upper portion of the apparatus housing 21.

In the present embodiment, a control panel 80 as a UI (User Interface) is provided on the upper front side of the apparatus housing 21, and a consumable (for example, the drum cartridge 22) is included in a part of the control panel 80. , Toner cartridge 70, etc.) is provided with a display screen 81 for warning display and warning release operation accompanying replacement.
This display screen 81 shows, for example, a message field 91 for displaying a warning message, a password input field 92 for inputting a release password for canceling the warning display of the message field 91, and the end of input of the password input field 92. An OK button 93 is provided.
Further, in the present embodiment, each drum cartridge 22 is provided with a cartridge memory 82 in which each life information can be rewritten, and the number of times of image formation by each drum cartridge 22 (for example, the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum). In addition, the life count of the cartridge memory is counted according to the image forming mode (monochrome, bicolor, full color mode, etc.).
For determining the life of each toner cartridge 70, a toner empty detection sensor (not shown) is used.

  In the apparatus housing 21, a control apparatus 100 configured by, for example, a microcomputer system (CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O port, etc.) is disposed. The control device 100 has a consumables replacement program in addition to a series of image forming programs, executes various programs based on input information from the control panel 80, cartridge memory 82, toner empty detection sensor, etc. A predetermined control signal is sent to various image forming devices such as 22 and the display screen 82 of the control panel 80 to perform a series of image forming process control, consumable replacement warning display and replacement instruction control. It is what.

Next, FIG. 3 shows the flow of the consumable management system for the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
In the figure, the definition of mathematical symbols is as follows.
C: Consumable life counter (here, it is an integration counter, but it can also be applied to a subtraction counter)
L: Consumable life threshold L (Warning) = Consumable life warning timing L (End) = Consumable hard stop timing (Normal L (End) ≥ L (Warning))
UI: UI screen status UI (Ready) = Printable display UI (Warning) = Consumables life warning display UI (Ordered) = Consumables ordered display UI (End) = Consumables hard stop display MC: Machine print operation acceptance status MC (Ready) = Print is possible MC (Stop) = Print is not possible

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the life of the consumables reaches the warning time (C ≧ L (Warning)), the control device 100 displays the consumable warning time on the display screen of the control panel. Simultaneously with the display, the machine print operation is prohibited (UI (Warning), MC (Stop)).
For example, if the life of the black drum cartridge 22d reaches the warning time, a display screen as shown in FIG. 4A is displayed, and the life of the yellow, magenta, and cyan drum cartridges 22a to 22c reaches the warning time. If it does, it will become a display screen as shown to Fig.5 (a).
In this embodiment, in addition to the warning message “Drum cartridge K is time to replace” or “Drum cartridges C, M, and Y are time to replace”, “Contact your service center and provide the release code below. Please enter ". A message prompting you to contact the service location is displayed.

Here, for example, the process shown in FIG. 6 is performed for determining the life of the drum cartridge 22. That is, the apparatus housing 21 is provided with a set presence / absence sensor (not shown) for detecting the set state of each drum cartridge 22, and the control device 100 performs drum cartridge based on information from the set presence / absence sensor. 22 is determined, and if it is determined that the drum cartridge 22 is set, the presence or absence of the cartridge memory is checked, the accumulated value is read from the cartridge memory, and this accumulated value corresponds to Lw (L (Warning)). ) Is determined, and if it is Lw (corresponding to L (Warning)) or more, a warning is displayed and then printing is stopped. On the other hand, when the accumulated value of the cartridge memory is less than Lw (corresponding to L (Warning)), the normal printing operation is performed, the rotation number of the photosensitive drum is counted, the accumulated value of the cartridge memory is updated, and The updated accumulated value can be read out.
The accumulated amount may be a PV (Print Volume) number, a pixel count number, or the like, in addition to the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum, or a combination thereof. Further, the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum may be divided into the number of rotations where voltage is applied and the number of rotations where voltage is not applied, and the film reduction amount of the photosensitive drum may be calculated from these values by prediction calculation. Further, more direct physical quantity measurement results may be used. For example, in a drum cartridge using a BCR (Bias Charge Roll), the DC component of the current flowing through the photosensitive drum and the BCR is measured, and this current value is measured. A method is also known in which a film thickness is calculated from the above and compared with a threshold value to give a warning.
In many cases, the toner cartridge and the toner collection bottle do not have a memory. In this case, the warning timing may be determined by means of measuring a physical quantity such as a transmission sensor (empty detection, full tank detection), a TC (Toner Concentration) sensor, or the like. Further, from the warning to the hard stop, the integrated amount such as the number of printed sheets, the pixel count, the cycle number, and the toner dispensing time may be stored in the main body memory and used.

Further, in the display screen of FIG. 4A or 5A, each consumable is coded, and the code number is displayed in the message field 91.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the code number distinguishes each consumable item (drum cartridge 22, toner cartridge 70, etc.) with a three-digit number. For example, the black (K) drum cartridge 22d is' 001 ', and the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) drum cartridges 22a to 22c are' 004 '003'002'. .

Even if the user ignores the warning message and tries to perform the printing operation, the printing operation cannot be performed, and the user has to contact the service base according to the display screen in order to resume the printing operation.
The service base collects customer information and screen information (message information, consumables code, etc.) by contact from the user, and obtains / analyzes machine information from these information. Then, the service base instructs the release password generated in accordance with a predetermined password generation rule, and performs a consumables shipment process.

Here, an example of a password generation method will be described.
For example, the service base generates a password using the last digit of the machine number and the consumable code. For example, it may be created from the consumable code and the machine number using the random number table shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 shows an example in which the password is a four-digit integer, and is specifically as follows.
For drum cartridge (K), machine number 123456: 6829
For drum cartridge (M), machine number 234567: 7240
As another example of the password generation method, for example, the password may be created from the consumable code and the machine number using the random number table shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 shows an example in which the password is a four-digit alphabet, and is specifically as follows.
For drum cartridge (K), machine number 123456: ETDU
Drum cartridge (M), machine number 234567: XGRX
Note that passwords may be selected as appropriate, and alphabets and numbers may be mixed. Further, the random number table to be used may be switched depending on the date when the machine is stopped. For example, the date when the machine is stopped is from 1st to 10th: using random number table 1, from 11th to 20th: using random number table 2, from 21st to 31st: using random number table 3. is there.
In particular, from the viewpoint of enhancing the effectiveness of passwords, it is preferable to change the password generation rule with a validity period. The effective period here may be selected as appropriate, and may be selected as appropriate in units of one day, one week, two weeks, one month, and the like. Further, since the period itself varies depending on the print usage, it may be an effective period depending on the number of times. For example, the same password seems to be valid up to three, five, and ten times. It should be noted that the user who can be surely contacted among the users may extend the validity period or allow the use of the same password.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4 (a) or FIG. 5 (a), the user may input the release password instructed from the service base in the password input field, and press the OK button after the input.
At this time, if an incorrect release password is input, for example, a display as shown in FIG. 4E or 5E is made, and therefore it is not possible to proceed to the next step without knowing the release password. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), when a plurality of consumables have reached the replacement time at the same time, it is not possible to proceed to the next step unless a correct release password is entered in each password entry field.
When a correct password input operation is performed, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 100 displays a display indicating that the consumables to be replaced have been ordered, but the machine operation has been performed for a certain period of time. Possible (the machine can be operated).

At this time, the control device 100 executes a password check process as shown in FIG.
That is, when the release password is input, the control device 100 refers to the password generation rule with a validity period similar to the password generation rule generated at the service base, and whether the input release password matches the password generation rule. If it does not match, the password is accepted, and if it does not match, the password is rejected, and a password re-input instruction is displayed on the display screen.
When a correct password input operation is performed, for example, the display shown in FIG. 4B or 5B is displayed on the display screen, and then shown in FIG. 4C or FIG. 5C. Is displayed.
The display shown in FIG. 4 (b) or FIG. 5 (b) prompts the user again for a consumable replacement request message, and proceeds to the next step by pressing the OK button.
The display shown in FIG. 4 (c) or 5 (c) shows information on the point that the consumables are to be replaced, the point that the service base has been contacted, and the remaining number of printable sheets. However, in the case of FIG. 5C, the shortest printable number of drum cartridges (C, M, Y) is displayed.

Since the operation of the image forming apparatus is temporarily stopped until the input operation of the release password is completed, the downtime of the image forming apparatus is input from the time when the warning of consumables life is displayed. Only a short period until the operation is completed.
Thereafter, the user can operate the image forming apparatus by the remaining number of printable sheets (print limit amount), and when the remaining number of printable sheets ends (reach C ≧ L (End)), FIG. As shown, the operation of the image forming apparatus is completely stopped.
However, since the service base has already sent out the consumables when the unlock password is entered, if the operation of the image forming apparatus is completely stopped, it is usually the user's hand. There is a situation where consumable parts for replacement are prepared.
For this reason, when the operation of the image forming apparatus is completely stopped, it is possible to immediately replace the consumables and there is almost no downtime of the image forming apparatus at this stage. .
As shown in FIG. 3, when the consumable replacement operation is performed, the control device 100 clears the consumable life counter, instructs the display screen to display a UI (Ready), and forms an image. Return the device to an operable state (MC (Ready)).
In this state, as shown in FIG. 4 (d) or FIG. 5 (d), a message “printing is possible” is displayed on the display screen.

Next, FIG. 19 shows a flow of the consumable management system according to the comparative example in evaluating the consumable management system according to the present embodiment. The definitions of the mathematical symbols in FIG. 19 are the same as those shown in FIG.
In the figure, the consumable item management system according to the comparative embodiment displays the consumable item warning time when the life of the consumable item reaches the warning time, but enables the machine printing operation.
At this time, if the user voluntarily contacts the service base and makes a consumable replacement request, the machine information can be obtained / analyzed from the customer information and the consumable can be shipped. There is no problem.
However, even if a consumables warning is displayed, if the user ignores the consumables warning display and continues the machine printing operation in a situation where the machine printing operation is possible, the consumables life will be hard-stopped. At this stage, there is a possibility that a consumable item is not prepared at the user's hand.
Then, when the consumables life reaches the hard stop time, even if you contact the service base and request replacement of the consumables, the image forming device will not operate until the consumables reach the user. There is a concern that the downtime of the image forming apparatus will be unnecessarily prolonged.
As described above, it is understood that the consumable item management system according to the present embodiment is preferable in that the downtime of the image forming apparatus can be shortened as compared with the consumable item management system according to the comparative example.

In the present embodiment, the consumable life determination method, the processing when the print limit amount is reached, and the like may be appropriately changed as shown in the following modifications.
For example, taking a consumable life determination method as an example, in the present embodiment, for example, the life of a drum cartridge is determined based on one threshold Lw. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 11, two levels of threshold values (Lw1, Lw2: Lw1 <Lw2) are prepared. For example, if the accumulated value of the cartridge memory is equal to or greater than the threshold value Lw1 and less than the threshold value Lw2, the advance warning is performed without stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus. This warning may be issued when the accumulated value of the cartridge memory reaches a threshold value Lw2 (corresponding to L (Warning)) or more, and the operation of the image forming apparatus may be stopped.

In this embodiment, when the consumables have reached the hard stop timing (when the print limit is reached), the operation of the image forming apparatus is restarted on the condition that the consumables are replaced. It is not limited to this, and the system that exceptionally allows the operation of the image forming apparatus is adopted only when the user expresses his / her intention to acknowledge that there is a risk of image quality defects or machine breakage. May be. In this case, on the display screen, for example, the display as shown in FIG. 12 (f) is performed, and the key “Yes” or “No” for selecting whether or not to accept the display items is provided, so that the user's intention display can be confirmed. It is preferable to do so.
Since the operation of this type of image forming apparatus is exceptional and corresponds to an emergency, it is preferable to display a message that promptly replaces when a new consumable (for example, a drum cartridge) arrives. .

Embodiment 2
FIG. 13 shows a main part of a consumable item management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
The basic configuration of the consumable management system according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. However, unlike the first embodiment, a plurality of consumables are assigned as a collective consumable code, and the collective release password is assigned. The consumables warning display is canceled all at once.
In the present embodiment, the display screen 81 of the control panel 80 has a password input field 94 in which a collective cancellation password can be input, as shown in FIG. The screen display is changed as shown in FIGS. 13B to 13E in accordance with the input operation of the collective cancellation password.

Here, an example of a method of generating the collective consumable code is shown in FIG. The collective consumables code is one in which consumables are assigned to logical bits and are collectively represented in binary, hexadecimal or decimal. For example, if the number of consumables is 8 as an example, the minimum state value is that all logical bits are '0' (binary notation '00000000', hexadecimal notation '00', decimal notation '0'), maximum The status value of “1” (binary notation “11111111”, hexadecimal notation “FF”, decimal notation “255”), for example, when the drum cartridges C, M, and Y have reached the warning time. The logical bits corresponding to these are '1' and the others are '0' (binary notation '01110000', hexadecimal notation '70', decimal notation '112').
In this way, in Embodiment 1, individual codes are assigned to a plurality of consumables. However, in this embodiment, even if a plurality of consumables reach the warning time at the same time, the overall status value As a simple display.
For example, when the drum cartridges C, M, and Y reach the warning time at the same time, in the first embodiment, a plurality of consumable codes: “002” 003 ”004” are displayed. , Consumables code: It can be displayed as a code collectively with '70' (hexadecimal notation) or '112' (decimal notation).
In particular, when not only drum cartridges and toner cartridges but also replaceable consumables (for example, collected toner bottles, transfer units, fixing units, etc.) are written together, the number of digits can be reduced by using hexadecimal notation. Convenient.

In the present embodiment, a batch release password is assigned to each batch consumable code.
The method for generating the batch release password may be selected as appropriate, but the batch release password is generated using the last digit of the machine number and the batch consumable code. For example, it may be created from the collective consumable code and the machine number using the random number table shown in FIG.
For example, in the case of drum cartridges C, M, Y (collective consumables code = 70 (hexadecimal notation)) and machine number 123456: 5092
For example, in the case of drum cartridges C, M, and Y (collective consumable code = 70 (hexadecimal notation)) and machine number 234567: 7345
As the random number table, not only alphabets but also a combination of numbers and letters can be selected as appropriate.

In addition, as another method for generating the collective cancellation password, there are a method using an MD5 value, a method of uniquely determining using a hash function, and the like.
Here, a specific example of the method using the MD5 value will be described. When the collective consumables code (for example, “70”) and the machine number (for example, “123456”) are arranged, “7013456” is obtained. It is as follows.
MD5 (7013456)
= "F368893792119a77f25e8431cebc8f58"
Further, in the case of the machine number “234567”, the MD5 value is as follows.
MD5 (70234567)
= "53b5c71dbc0060939e600df57909f12d"

Embodiment 3
FIG. 16 shows a main part of Embodiment 3 of the consumable management system in the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
As in the second embodiment, the basic configuration of the consumable management system according to this embodiment is that multiple consumables are assigned as a batch consumable code, and the consumable warning display is canceled in a batch with the batch release password. However, unlike the second embodiment, an expiration date setting box is added to the collective cancellation password, and the print restriction amount is variably set. FIGS. 16A to 16E show examples of display screens when the drum cartridges C, M, and Y have reached the replacement time, and show screen changes accompanying the input operation of a batch release password with a time limit setting. .

In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17A, the display screen 81 of the control panel 80 includes a message field 91, a password entry field (batch release password box) 94 in which a batch release password can be entered, Furthermore, a time limit setting field (time limit setting box) 95 added to the collective cancellation password and an OK button 93 are provided.
Here, in the time limit setting box 95, for example, a two-digit number is input so that the time limit from the warning display cancellation of the consumables to the shutdown is variably set. As an input example of this time limit setting box, for example, a set value shown in FIG. 17B is input.
For example, in the case of the machine number 123456, when the drum cartridges C, M, and Y have reached the warning time, the collective consumable code = 70 (hexadecimal notation), so the collective release password = 5092.

In this case, in order to set the print limit amount to normal, it is only necessary to input “00” in the time limit setting box 95, and eventually, the collective cancellation password with time limit setting = 5092-00.
Also, if the service base is far away from the user's machine installation location and it is desired to have a delivery time margin of about 1.2 times longer than usual for delivering new consumables, the time limit setting box 95 is set to '02. 'May be entered, and eventually, the batch release password with time limit setting = 5092-02.
In addition, for example, when a user exchanges a consumable replacement request on Friday and there is a request for delivery during Monday, enter '13' in the deadline setting box 95, and eventually the deadline is set. It is also possible to set the machine to operate for 3 days by inputting the collective password = 5092-13.
Of course, in the consumables management system according to the first embodiment, an expiration date setting box may be added to each individual release password.

Embodiment 4
FIG. 18 shows a main part of a consumables management system according to a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
As in the third embodiment, the basic configuration of the consumable management system according to the present embodiment is to assign a plurality of consumables as a collective consumable code and display a consumable warning with a collective release password with a time limit. Unlike the third embodiment, the image forming apparatus is operated for a predetermined period without using a collective cancellation password with a time limit. 18A to 18E show examples of display screens when the drum cartridges C, M, and Y have reached the replacement time, and the image forming apparatus is operated for a predetermined period without using a batch release password with a time limit setting. The screen change accompanying the input operation for making it appear.

In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18A, the display screen 81 of the control panel 80 includes a message field 91, a password entry field (batch release password box) 94 in which a batch release password can be entered, Furthermore, in addition to the time limit setting field (time limit setting box) 95 added to the collective release password and the OK button 93, a skip button 96 as an input operation not using the collective release password is provided. The collective cancellation password box 94 and the time limit setting box 95 are the same as those in the third embodiment.
Here, if you operate the skip button 96, for example, as shown in FIG. In addition to the message 'You can print for a while', but if you don't replace it, there is a risk that the image quality will be defective or in the worst case the machine will be broken. If you agree to the above, please press “Yes”. An acknowledgment confirmation message is displayed.
At this time, if the user approves the display contents, the user presses “Yes”, and the control device (not shown) determines that the user has approved in this approval operation, and proceeds to the next step. If the user presses “No”, the process returns to the original screen (FIG. 18A) without proceeding to the next step.

Next, the control device (not shown) displays the content shown in FIG. 18B on the display screen, and then displays the content shown in FIG. 18C.
The display shown in FIG. 18B prompts the user again about the consumables replacement request message, and proceeds to the next step by pressing the OK button.
The display shown in FIG. 18C shows information on the point when the consumables are to be replaced, the prompt for contacting the service base, and the remaining number of printable sheets (print limit amount). Here, the print limit amount is set according to the content of the instruction to the time limit setting box.
Since this skip operation is an exceptional release operation that does not use a release password, it is preferable for the user to notify the service base of a consumable replacement request as quickly as possible when performing this skip operation.
FIG. 18D shows an example of a display screen after the drum cartridge is replaced.

  Further, the present embodiment is a mode using a collective cancellation password with a time limit setting, but is not limited to this. For example, the mode of the first embodiment (using an individual cancellation password) or the embodiment Of course, in the second mode (using a batch cancellation password with a fixed period), the image forming apparatus may be operated for a predetermined period without using the cancellation password.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the consumables management system which concerns on this invention, and the management object machine used for this. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a consumable management system used in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen when one consumable reaches the warning time. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen when several consumables have reached the warning time. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the warning process in the flow explanatory drawing of the consumables management system of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a consumable article code. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a production | generation of a password. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a production | generation of a password. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a password check process. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another modification of the warning process used in the first embodiment. (A)-(f) is explanatory drawing which shows the deformation | transformation form of the example of a screen when a consumable reaches the warning time. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen when several consumables in the consumables management system which concerns on Embodiment 2 reach | attained warning time. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of generating a collective cancellation password used in the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a batch cancellation | release password used in Embodiment 2. FIG. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen when the several consumable goods in the consumable goods management system which concerns on Embodiment 3 reach | attained warning time. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen structure at the time of warning time arrival, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the input example of a time limit setting box. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen which enabled the process without a password, when the consumables management system which concerns on Embodiment 4 reaches the warning time in the some consumables. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the conventional consumables management system.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Managed machine, 2 ... Consumables, 3 ... Warning means, 4 ... Release operation means, 5 ... Job execution restriction means, U ... User, S ... Service base

Claims (18)

In the consumable management system used for managed machines equipped with replaceable consumables,
Warning means to warn you that replacement of consumables is near,
Release operation means for releasing the warning by the warning means,
A consumable management system comprising: a job execution restriction unit that enables a managed machine to execute a next job on condition of a release operation by the release operation unit. The consumables management system according to claim 1,
A consumable management system, wherein the warning means includes a display unit for displaying a warning. The consumables management system according to claim 2,
The consumable item management system, characterized in that the warning means displays on the display unit a content prompting contact to a service base for consumable item replacement. The consumables management system according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of consumables is used for a management target machine that can be replaced.
The consumable item management system, wherein the warning means displays a plurality of consumable item codes corresponding to the consumable items on the display unit. The consumables management system according to claim 1,
The warning means is a consumable management system characterized in that after a prior warning is passed, this warning is given and the operation of the managed machine is suspended by normal operation. The consumables management system according to claim 1,
The release operation means automatically cancels the warning by the warning means under the condition that the consumables corresponding to the warning target are replaced with consumables with a remaining life during the warning operation by the warning means. Consumables management system featuring. The consumables management system according to claim 1,
The consumable management system, wherein the release operation means is for releasing the warning by the warning means or performing a warning-handling process under a condition in which the warning by the warning means is released. The consumables management system according to claim 1,
A consumable management system characterized in that the release operation means is accompanied by a password input operation. The consumables management system according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of consumables is used for a management target machine that can be replaced.
The consumable management system, wherein the canceling operation means can be canceled with a different password for each consumable. The consumables management system according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of consumables is used for a management target machine that can be replaced.
A consumable management system, wherein the canceling operation means can be canceled with a common password for a plurality of consumables. The consumables management system according to claim 8,
The consumable management system, wherein the canceling operation means variably sets a job restriction amount by the job execution restriction means with a password. The consumables management system according to claim 8,
The consumable management system is characterized in that the release operation means has a certain validity period for the password to be input and requires a different password after the validity period has elapsed. The consumables management system according to claim 8,
The consumable management system, wherein the release operation means uses a different password for each managed machine. The consumables management system according to claim 8,
The consumable management system, wherein the cancel operation means includes a preliminary operation unit that enables a cancel operation without using a password, in addition to the cancel operation using a password. The consumables management system according to claim 1,
The consumable management system, wherein the job execution restricting means enables the job to be executed within a job limit amount after the warning is released by the warning means. The consumables management system according to claim 1,
The job execution restriction means enables the job to be executed within the range of the job limit after the warning is released by the warning means, issues a consumable replacement request under the condition that the job limit is reached, and operates the managed machine under normal operation. Consumables management system characterized by being impossible. The consumables management system according to claim 16, wherein
The job execution restriction means has an approval judgment unit that allows the user to approve that the operation of the managed machine cannot be guaranteed, and allows the consumable replacement request to be canceled only under conditions approved by the user. A consumable management system characterized by allowing operation of the target machine.   A managed machine using the consumable management system according to claim 1.

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