JP2007079961A - Computer supply sales proposal system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To predict the timing to additionally order supplies used in a computer apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The computer supply sales proposal system is provided with a supply table wherein the rated service life of the computer supply is recorded and a purchase history table wherein the timing of the purchase of the computer supply in the past by a user, the using environment of the computer supply and a periodical maintenance interval, etc., are recorded. When a worker inputs the IDs of the user and the computer apparatus from a portable terminal, the IDs are transmitted through a communication network. By a mining technique, whether or not it is the time to exchange the computer supply is predicted by using the supply table and the purchase history table and the predicted value is transmitted to the portable terminal of the worker. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for managing information on products used in computer equipment.

  Many types of equipment are used in devices associated with computers. Some of these products are required to be replaced from time to time because they have a shorter lifetime than the device body. The replacement time depending on the life of the computer supplies varies depending on the user depending on the use environment and operating conditions of the computer device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique for notifying a user when a product used for a computer device is to be replaced, a computer device having a counter that indicates the usage frequency of a product or a lamp that detects the remaining amount of consumables and notifies the replacement time is known. It has been. A user of such a computer device requests a store of supplies when notified of the replacement time. The dealer places an order, delivery and replacement work with the manufacturer. Since it takes time from the time of notification of the replacement time to the acquisition of the product, there is a risk of inconvenience in using the computer apparatus.

  In this way, conventionally, the time for replacement of the life of computer supplies of the system used by the user has been determined based on information calculated by the manufacturer department, and the system operation for each user actually used is performed. When the time and installation environment are not reflected and the period from ordering to delivery is long, there is a problem that the apparatus cannot be operated due to computer supplies.

  In Patent Document 1, in a device that is installed and operating in the market, the remaining life of the component is predicted and the replacement time is determined by collectively managing the characteristic data of a plurality of components constituting the device via a network. A technology relating to a component life management system capable of outputting a list of replacement parts required at the time of inspection is described.

  Patent Document 2 describes a data mining method. The data mining method has an object to efficiently and effectively replenish data in an analysis database, and includes the following steps. A step of generating discriminating knowledge based on an analysis database and outputting data of an item of a case as an input to output to which class the case belongs. In the analysis database related to the additional item, specify similar cases in which the data of the items are similar and belong to different classes from the analysis database, identify additional items effective for differentiating the similar cases. The step of adding data for all cases in to the analysis database from information sources other than the analysis database. Generating new discriminant knowledge based on the expanded database for analysis;

Patent Document 3 describes a maintenance method for an information processing apparatus. The maintenance method automatically arranges periodic replacement parts in the inventory management system and automatically provides the periodic replacement date to the work department. If the periodic replacement parts are not in stock, the scheduled receipt date of the parts is set in the work department. It is an object of the present invention to provide a maintenance method for an information processing apparatus that is automatically provided.
JP 2003-157330 A JP 2004-38412 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-69397

  The object of the present invention is to confirm alarms such as a counter in a computer device or a replacement time lamp by detecting the remaining amount in a system for each user system, notification of replacement via a network such as an intranet or the Internet, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer product sales proposal system that makes it possible to specify the replacement period according to the service life without performing the operation.

  Another object of the present invention is to reduce the occurrence of faults due to running out of computer supplies by identifying the replacement time according to the lifetime in the computer supplies in the system for each user and by knowing the timing of requesting the ordering, delivery date, etc. from the manufacturer. It is to provide a computer product sales proposal system.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a computer product sales proposal system in which the accuracy of specifying the life replacement period of a computer product is improved by updating a mining database.

  In the following, means for solving the problem will be described using the numbers used in [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] in parentheses. These numbers are added to clarify the correspondence between the description of [Claims] and [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. However, these numbers should not be used to interpret the technical scope of the invention described in [Claims].

  The computer product sales proposal system according to the present invention includes an information collection unit (23) that collects a user ID for identifying a user and a model number of a computer used by the user from an input device (26) as an input user ID and an input model number. And a mobile terminal device (20) including a transmission unit (24) for transmitting the input user ID and the input model number via the communication network (100), and a product ID for identifying the model (620) and the computer product Device information database (303) that stores (628) in association with each other, product information database (304) that stores in association with product ID (628) and rated life (629) of the product, and user ID (616) ), An article ID (628), and a purchase history database (4) that stores the article purchase period (626) in association with each other. 4) and the input model number received via the communication network (100), the product ID (628) corresponding to the input model number is extracted in the device information database (303), and the product extracted in the product information database (304) The computer product information management server (30) that extracts the rated life (629) corresponding to the ID (628) and the input user ID are received via the communication network (100), and the input user ID is received in the purchase history database (404). The user information management server (40) for extracting the product ID (628) and the time of purchase (626) in the past, and the time of purchase in the past extracted by the user information management server (40) (626) ) And the rated life (629) extracted by the computer product information management server (30). Utensils and a sales management server and transmits the predicted time for replacement to be exchanged to the mobile terminal device (20) (50).

  In the computer product sales proposal system according to the present invention, the user information database (403) further associates the average operating time (622) of the product used by the user with the device ID (628) of the device to which the product is applied. Store. The user information management server (40) extracts the product ID (628) and the average operating time (622). The sales management server (50) makes a life prediction based on the rated life (629) extracted by the computer product information management server (30) and the average operating time (622) extracted by the user information management server (40). The replacement time is predicted based on the past purchase time (626) extracted by the user information management server (40) and the life prediction.

  In the computer product sales proposal system according to the present invention, the information collecting unit (23) collects the product ID (628) as the input product ID (628) from the input device (26). The transmission unit (24) transmits the input product ID (628) via the communication network (100). The computer product sales proposal system further includes a delivery time information database storing the product ID (628) and delivery time information indicating when the product can be delivered, and the input product ID (via the communication network (100)). And a delivery time server that extracts delivery time information corresponding to the input product ID (628) extracted in the delivery time information database and transmits it to the portable terminal device (20).

  In the computer product sales proposal system according to the present invention, the portable terminal device (20) further collects exchange information indicating that the computer product used by the user has been exchanged from the input device (26). 25). The transmission unit (24) transmits the exchange information via the communication network (100). The user information management server (40) updates the purchase history database (404) using the exchange information received via the communication network (100).

  According to the present invention, at the time of the life of computer supplies in the system for each user, alarm confirmation such as a counter in a computer device or replacement time lamp by remaining amount detection, notification of replacement via a network such as an intranet or the Internet, etc. There is provided a computer product sales proposal system that makes it possible to specify the replacement time according to the lifetime without performing the operation.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to specify the replacement time according to the lifetime in the computer supplies in the system for each user, and to reduce the occurrence of troubles due to running out of the computer supplies by knowing the timing of requesting the ordering, delivery date, etc. from the manufacturer. A computer supplies sales proposal system is provided that enables.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a computer product sales proposal system in which the accuracy of specifying the life replacement period of a computer product is improved by updating a mining database.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a computer product sales proposal system. The computer product sales proposal system in the present embodiment is used to manage information on components of the computer device 10. The computer device 10 is, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, a printer, a network device, a scanner, or the like.

  The computer product sales proposal system includes a mobile terminal 20, a computer product information management system 30, a user information management system 40, and a computer product sales management system 50 that are communicably connected via a network 100 exemplified by the Internet.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the mobile terminal 20. The portable terminal 20 is a computer that includes a CPU 21, a storage device 22, an input device 26, an output device 27, and a communication device 28. The storage device 22 stores a computer program including an information collection unit 23, a transmission / reception unit 24, and an exchange information registration unit 25.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the computer product information management system 30. The computer product information management system 30 includes a computer system, and the storage device stores a computer program including an information transmission / reception unit 301 and a computer product information management control unit 302, a computer device information database 303, and a computer product information database 304.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the user information management system 40. The user information management system 40 includes a computer system, and the storage device stores a computer program including an information transmission unit 401 and a user information management control unit 402, a user information database 403, and a computer supplies purchase history information database 404.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the computer product sales management system 50. The computer product sales management system 50 includes a computer system, and the storage device includes a computer program including an information transmission / reception unit 501, a computer product sales management control unit 502 and a mining program 503, a mining computer product information database 504, and a mining user. An information database 505 is recorded.

  FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the computer device information database 303. The computer device information database 303 stores a device model number 620, a computer name 608, and a computer product 628 in association with each other. The device model number 620 is a model number that identifies the type of the computer device 10. The computer name 608 is a name indicating the type of the computer device 10. The computer product 628 includes information on a product name and a product number indicating the type of product used for the computer apparatus 10. The computer article 628 is an article that is frequently replaced, as exemplified by consumables.

  FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the computer product information database 304. The computer product information database 304 stores the computer product 628a, the life 629a, the purpose of use 631a, and the manufacturer 633a in association with each other. The computer product information database 304 preferably further stores the operation time and installation environment in association with the computer product 628a. The computer product 628 a includes information on a product name and a product number indicating the type of product used in the computer apparatus 10. The installation environment is information for distinguishing the environment in which the computer equipment is used, for example, with indoor air conditioning, without indoor air conditioning, and outdoors. The life 629a indicates a preset value indicating the life of the computer product, such as an average time from purchase to replacement or an average number of sheets that can be printed using the toner indicated in the computer product 628a. The operation time is an accumulation of the time during which the computer product operates normally. The lifetime 629a and the operating time are registered corresponding to the distinction of the installation environment.

  FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the user information database 403. The user information database 403 stores a user name 614b, a user code 616b, a system name 618b, a device model number 620b, a monthly operation time 622b, a regular maintenance interval 624b, and an installation environment 636b in association with each other. The user name 614b indicates the name of a user (natural person, corporation, arbitrary group, etc.) who uses the computer apparatus 10. The user code 616b is a symbol string issued to uniquely identify each user. The system name 618b is the name of the computer apparatus 10 used by the user. Normally, the same name as the computer name 608 is used as the system name 618b. The device model number 620b is a model number that identifies the type of the computer device 10. The monthly operation time 622b indicates an average usage time of the computer device 10 every month. The regular maintenance interval 624b indicates an interval of maintenance work that is periodically performed on the computer apparatus 10. The user information database 403 preferably also stores information on the number of devices for each device model number 620b. In the description of the present embodiment, the same numerals, such as 618, 618a, and 618b, which are distinguished from each other by the alphabet, mean the same kind of information.

  FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the computer product purchase history information database 404. The computer product purchase history information database 404 stores a user name 614c, a user code 616c, a purchase date 626c, a system name 618c, a device model number 620c, and a computer product 628c in association with each other. The user name 614 c indicates the name of the user who uses the computer device 10. The user code 616c is a symbol string issued for uniquely identifying each user. The system name 618c is the name of the computer device 10 used by the user. The purchase date 626c indicates the date on which the user purchased the computer apparatus 10 or started the lease. The device model number 620c indicates an average usage time of the computer device 10 every month. The computer product 628 c includes information on a product name and a product number indicating the type of product used in the computer apparatus 10. The computer product purchase history information database 404 preferably further stores information on the number of devices for each device model 620c.

  FIG. 13 shows the structure of the computer product information database 504 for mining. The computer product information database 504 for mining stores the computer product 628d and the manufacturer 630d in association with each other. The computer product 628d includes information of a product name and a product number indicating the type of product used for the computer apparatus 10. The manufacturer 630d includes information provided by a manufacturer of computer supplies. The manufacturer 630d includes lifetime data 632d, an operation time 634d, and an installation environment 636d in association with each other. The lifetime data 632d indicates a time set in advance as the lifetime of the computer product, such as an average time from purchase to replacement.

  FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the mining user information database 505. The mining user information database 505 stores a user name 614e, a user code 616e, a system name 618e, a device model number 620e, a monthly operation time 622e, a regular maintenance interval 624e, and an installation environment 636e in association with each other. The user name 614 e indicates the name of the user who uses the computer device 10. The user code 616e is a symbol string issued for uniquely identifying each user. The system name 618e is the name of the computer device 10 used by the user. The system name 618e is normally the same name as the computer name 608. The device model number 620e is a model number that identifies the type of the computer device 10. The monthly operating time 622e indicates an average usage time of the computer device 10 every month. The regular maintenance interval 624e indicates an interval of maintenance work periodically performed on the computer apparatus 10.

  FIG. 15 shows a configuration of a combined database 638 that is generated in the method described later and stored in the storage device of the computer product sales management system 50. The combined database 638 stores the computer product 628f, the purchase date 626f, and the life replacement time 640f in association with each other. The computer product 628f includes information on a product name and a product number indicating the type of product used for the computer apparatus 10. The purchase date 626f indicates the date on which the user purchased the computer supplies. The life replacement time 640f indicates a time set in advance as the life of the computer product, such as an average time from purchase to replacement.

  FIG. 16 shows the configuration of an analysis database 642 that is generated in the method described later and stored in the storage device of the computer product sales management system 50. The analysis database 642 stores the computer product 628g and the life replacement period 640g in association with each other. The computer product 628g includes information of a product name and a product number indicating the type of product used for the computer apparatus 10. The lifetime replacement time 640 g indicates a preset time as the lifetime of the computer product.

  6A and 6B are flowcharts showing the operation of the computer product sales proposal system. The operation of the computer product sales proposal system having the above configuration will be described below with reference to this flowchart. In the following description, the operation that the CPU of the computer reads out the program stored in the storage device and performs according to the procedure described in the program is described as the operation of the program itself.

  Step A1: The computer product sales proposal system is used when maintenance personnel perform maintenance work on the computer device 10 used by the user. The maintenance staff has the portable terminal 20. The information collection unit 23 causes the output device 27 to display a display screen that prompts the user to input information such as the computer name, device model number, and user name of the computer used by the user. The maintenance staff inputs the information using the input device 26. The transmission / reception unit 24 transmits the input information to the computer product information management system 30 and the user information management system 40 via the network 100 by the communication device 28.

  Step A2: The information transmitting / receiving unit 301 receives information transmitted from the mobile terminal 20. The computer product information management control unit 302 compares the received device model number with the device model number 620 recorded in the computer device information database 303 and extracts a device configuration information record that is a matching record.

  Step A3: The computer product information management control unit 302 searches the computer product 628 in the computer product information database 304 using the computer product 628 included in the record extracted in Step A2 as a search key, and supplies a product information record that is a matching record. To extract. The information transmitting / receiving unit 301 transmits the device configuration information record and the product information record to the computer product sales management system 50.

  Step A4: The information transmitting / receiving unit 401 receives the information transmitted by the mobile terminal 20. The user information management control unit 402 collates the received user name with the user name 641b of the user information database 403 and collates the received device model number with the device model number 620b of the user information database 403, and is a user that is a record that matches both Extract information records. The user information management control unit 402 registers the user code 616b, the system name 618b, and the number included in the user information record in the computer supplies purchase history information database 404 as the user code 616c, the system name 618c, and the number.

  Step A5: The user information management control unit 402 searches the computer supplies purchase history information database 404 using the user name and device model number received from the portable terminal 20 as search keys, and includes the matched user name 614c and device model number 620c. The record is extracted as a computer product purchase history information record and transmitted to the computer product sales management system 50 together with the user information record.

  Step A6: The computer product sales management system 50 creates a mining computer product information database 504 and a mining user information database 505 using the received data, and then registers the data in the combined database 638.

  Data registration in the computer product information database 504 for mining: The information transmitting / receiving unit 501 receives the device configuration information record and the product information record transmitted by the computer product information management system 30 in step A3. The mining program 503 registers the computer product 628 included in the received device configuration information record in the mining computer product information database 504 as a computer product 628c. Next, the mining program 503 extracts, from the received product information records, the computer product 628a that matches the computer product 628c, the life 629a, the operation time, and the installation environment with the life data 632c, the operation time 634c, and the installation environment. Register as 636c.

  Data registration in the mining user information database 505: The information transmitting / receiving unit 501 receives the user information record transmitted by the user information management system 40 in step A5. The mining program 503 includes a user name 614b, a user code 616b, a system name 618b, a device model number 620b, a monthly operation time 622b, a regular maintenance interval 624b, and an installation environment 636b included in the received user information record. A code 616e, a system name 618e, a device model number 620e, a monthly operation time 622e, a regular maintenance interval 624e, and an installation environment 636e are registered in the mining user information database 505.

  Data registration in the combined database 638: The computer product sales management system 50 writes data in the combined database 638 as follows.

  The mining program 503 registers the computer product 628a included in the received product information record in the combined database 638 as the computer product 628f.

  The information transmitting / receiving unit 501 receives the computer supplies purchase history record transmitted by the user information management system 40 in step A5. The mining program 503 compares the computer product 628f and the computer product 628c, extracts the purchase date 626c in the matching computer product purchase history record, and registers it as the purchase date 626f.

  The mining program 503 collates the computer product 628f with the computer product 628a included in the received product information record, extracts the matching product information record 629a, and registers it as the life replacement period 640f.

  Step A7: The mining program 503 of the computer product sales management system 50 obtains the actual operation time from the combined database 638 for the next life replacement period after the life replacement for the computer product used in the computer device 10 is performed. The computer database name 642 is created by associating the computer product name, the computer product number, and the life replacement period as a key.

  For example, the computer product sales management system 50 writes data to the analysis database 642 as follows: The mining program 503 uses the computer product 628f and the life replacement period 640f of the combined database 638 as the computer product of the analysis database 642. Register as 628 g and lifetime replacement time 640 g.

  Step A8: The computer product sales management system 50 replaces the created analysis database 642 with the life from the accumulated information in the past with respect to the period during which the computer product used in the computer device 10 does not operate due to the life. Mining technology is used as a tool for performing trend analysis, analysis, and prediction of the period of time, and the replacement time according to the life of each computer product related to the computer apparatus 10 is specified.

  Step A9: From the information on the replacement time specified by using the mining technology, the actual operation period from the date when the lifetime was calculated before to the date when the lifetime replacement is to be performed is calculated, and the lifetime at the replacement time is calculated. Output information about the replacement date.

  Step A10: When the computer product sales management control unit 502 finds out the life replacement time of the computer product, it makes an inquiry about information on the delivery date to the manufacturer's server from the information in the computer product information database 304 via the network 100. Do it.

  Step A11: Upon receiving information related to the delivery date, etc. from the manufacturer's server, the computer product sales management control unit 502 compares the replacement time with the information related to the delivery date, and ends when it is determined that no order is required. If it is determined that it is necessary (step A11), an order is placed with respect to the manufacturer's server (step A12).

  Step A13: The manufacturer prepares and delivers computer supplies.

  Step A14: The portable terminal 20 displays information such as the life replacement period regarding the computer product transmitted from the computer product sales management system 50. 7 and 8 show examples of the display screen. FIG. 7 is a display screen for confirming the type of product applied to the computer device used by the user and the cycle of life replacement. FIG. 8 is a display screen showing the next replacement time obtained by mining.

Step A15: The user replaces the computer equipment of the computer device 10.
Step A16: After the replacement of the computer supplies is completed, the computer supplies information specifying the replaced computer supplies is transmitted from the portable terminal 20 to the computer supplies information management system 30.
Step A17: Information related to the replacement work is transmitted from the portable terminal 20 to the user information management system 40.

Step A18: The computer product information management system 30 updates the data of information relating to the life replacement period in the computer product information database 305 from the computer product information received from the portable terminal 20.
Step A19: The computer product information management system 30 transmits the data updated in step A18 to the computer product sales management system 50.

Step A20: The user information management system 40 determines the purchase date 626c, the system name 618c, the device model number 620c, and the computer product 628c of the computer product purchase history information database 404 from the exchange content information that is the information transmitted from the portable terminal 20 in Step A17. Update.
Step A21: The user information management system 40 transmits the information updated in step A20 to the computer product sales management system 50.

  Step A22: The computer product sales management system 50 updates the computer product information update data updated in step A18 and received from the computer product information management system 30, and the purchase history information updated in step A20 and received from the user information management system 40. Based on the update data, the lifetime data 632d in the computer product information database 504 for mining and the information in the user information database 505 for mining including the installation environment 636e are updated.

  With the above processing, the mining data is updated, and the identification accuracy of the life replacement of the computer supplies regarding the system for each user is gradually improved.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the mobile terminal. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the computer product information management system. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the user information management system. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a computer product sales management system. FIG. 6A is a flowchart for explaining a method of identifying a computer product. FIG. 6B is a flowchart for explaining a method of identifying a computer product. FIG. 7 shows a computer product identification result screen. FIG. 8 shows a computer product life replacement display screen. FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the computer device information database. FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the user information database. FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the purchase history information database. FIG. 12 shows the configuration of a computer product information database for mining. FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the mining user information database. FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the combined database. FIG. 15 shows the structure of the analysis database. FIG. 16 shows the configuration of a computer product information database.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer apparatus 20 ... Portable terminal 30 ... Computer article information management system 40 ... User information management system 50 ... Computer article sales management system 303 ... Computer apparatus information database 304 ... Computer article information database 403 ... User information database 404 ... Computer article purchase History information database 504 ... Computer product information database for mining 505 ... User information database for mining 602 ... Computer product identification result screen 604 ... Computer product life replacement display screen 638 ... Combined database 642 ... Analysis database

Claims (4)

A user ID for identifying a user and a model number of a computer used by the user are collected as input user ID and input model number from an input device, and the input user ID and the input model number via a communication network. A mobile terminal device comprising a transmission unit for transmitting
A device information database for storing the model number and the product ID for identifying the computer product;
A product information database for storing the product ID and the rated life of the product in association with each other;
A purchase history database that stores the user ID, the product ID, and the time when the product was purchased in the past in association with each other;
The input model number is received via the communication network, the product ID corresponding to the input model number is extracted in the device information database, and the rated life corresponding to the product ID extracted in the product information database is extracted. A computer supplies information management server to
A user information management server that receives the input user ID via the communication network and extracts the product ID corresponding to the input user ID and the time of purchase in the past in the purchase history database;
The mobile terminal predicts a replacement time when the product should be replaced based on the time of purchase in the past extracted by the user information management server and the rated life extracted by the computer product information management server. A computer product sales proposal system comprising: a sales management server for transmitting to a device. The computer product sales management system according to claim 1,
The purchase history database further stores an average operating time of the product used by the user in association with the product ID,
The user information management server extracts the product ID and the average operating time,
The sales management server performs life prediction based on the rated life extracted by the computer supplies information management server and the average operating time extracted by the user information management server, and is extracted by the user information management server. And a computer product sales proposal system for predicting the replacement time based on the past purchase time and the life prediction. A computer product sales proposal system according to claim 1 or 2,
The information collection unit collects the product ID from the input device as an input product ID,
The transmitter transmits the input article ID via the communication network;
A delivery time information database for storing the product ID and delivery time information indicating when the product can be delivered;
A delivery time server that receives the input product ID via the communication network, extracts the delivery time information corresponding to the input product ID extracted in the delivery time information database, and transmits the delivery time information to the portable terminal device; Computer system sales proposal system. A computer product sales proposal system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The portable terminal device further includes an exchange information registration unit that collects exchange information from the input device indicating that the computer supplies used by the user have been exchanged,
The transmission unit transmits the exchange information via the communication network;
The computer product sales proposal system, wherein the user information management server updates the purchase history database using the exchange information received via the communication network.

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