JP2007246238A - Consumable control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce labor accompanied by consumable order work by selecting and setting an order method by a user in accordance with use conditions or environment. <P>SOLUTION: In this consumable control device, a CPU 1 detects the quantity of stock of consumables at current time. When the quantity of the stock becomes below the stock quantity as an order criterion included in consumable data stored in a database 12, the CPU 1 displays a message on a display part 5 indicating that the stock of the consumables is decreased so as to prompt the user to order the consumables. Alternatively, the CPU 1 performs automatic order by sending order data to a host computer of a supplier selling the consumables via a communications interface 2. Further alternatively, the CPU 1 sends a message indicating that the stock of the consumables is decreased to an e-mail address of the user stored in the database 12 beforehand so as to prompt the user to order the consumables. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a consumables management apparatus, and more particularly, to a consumables management apparatus that manages the number of consumables to be used and executes processing according to the number of consumables.

For example, in a label printer, consumables such as labels and ink ribbons are used. When these consumables are out of stock or are about to disappear, the user places an order using a telephone or facsimile at a service center or a store. However, the user has to grasp the number of consumables in stock, and has to perform a cumbersome task of placing an order when the number of stock falls below a predetermined reference number.
In view of this, there is one that automatically determines the order and quantity of consumables based on the consumption status of the consumables and places an order via the Internet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, there is a method for notifying a required reception item (consumable ordering or repair request) to a contact reception device installed on the service base side of the multifunction peripheral via the Internet based on the contact information. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
Further, the computer having a communication means capable of performing data communication with the electronic device includes consumable information storage means for preliminarily storing consumable information used for the electronic device, and the electronic device has a degree of consumption of the consumable. When the degree of wear detected by the wear level detection means reaches a target for replacement, the computer notifies the computer via the communication means, and the computer receives the wear level received by the communication means. Based on the detection result of the detecting means, the consumable information stored in the consumable information storage means is read out and transmitted to the host via the public line network. The consumable supplies are received based on the consumable information received by the host. (See, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2002-175445 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-221624 JP 2004-178175 A

  However, in the background art, there is a problem that it is not possible to select an order processing method according to the use situation or use environment of the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a consumable management apparatus that allows a user to select and set an ordering method according to a use situation or a use environment.

The consumables management apparatus according to claim 1 is a consumables management apparatus that manages a stock of consumables, a storage unit that stores the number of consumables, information on the consumables, and a stock of consumables And a display control for displaying on the predetermined display device a message indicating that the number of consumables in stock is reduced based on the determination result by the determination means Means.
In addition, it is possible to further include ordering means for placing an order for consumables via a predetermined network when it is determined by the determination means that the number of consumables in stock is equal to or less than the reference number.
In addition, when the determination unit determines that the consumables inventory quantity is less than the reference quantity, a message indicating that the consumable inventory quantity has decreased is sent to a predetermined e-mail address via a predetermined network. A mail transmission means for transmitting can be further provided.
In addition, when the determination unit determines that the number of consumables in stock is equal to or less than the reference number, the display control unit displays a message on the display device, and the ordering unit orders consumables. It is possible to further include selection setting means for selecting and setting in advance one of the second method and the third method in which the mail transmission means transmits the message.

According to the consumable item management apparatus of the present invention, a storage unit that stores the number of consumables in stock and information about the consumables, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the stock number of consumables has become a predetermined reference number or less. And a display control means for displaying on a predetermined display device a message indicating that the number of consumables in stock has been reduced based on the determination result by the determination means. Can be notified to the user.
In addition, when the determining means determines that the number of consumables in stock falls below the reference number, the ordering means for placing an order for consumables via a predetermined network is further provided. You can place orders automatically when:
In addition, when the determination unit determines that the consumables inventory quantity is less than the reference quantity, a message indicating that the consumable inventory quantity has decreased is sent to a predetermined e-mail address via a predetermined network. Since the mail transmitting means for transmitting is further provided, it is possible to notify the user that the stock quantity has decreased by mail.
In addition, when the determination unit determines that the number of consumables in stock is equal to or less than the reference number, the display control unit displays a message on the display device, and the ordering unit orders consumables. Since there is further provided selection means for pre-selecting execution of either method 2 or the third method in which the mail transmission means transmits a message, processing suitable for the user's usage status and usage environment is performed. You can choose.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a label printer 100 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1 that executes various processes in accordance with a control program stored in a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 9 to be described later, and controls each unit. Communication for transmitting / receiving data and commands to / from an external device such as a personal computer under the control of the CPU 1 and sending ordering data to be described later to a host computer of a company that sells consumables via a network such as the Internet. Under the control of the interface 2 and the CPU 1, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 3 that emits light, blinks, or is turned off according to the state of the label printer 100, and an operation unit 4 that is operated when inputting various data and commands. A display unit 5 including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying various data, and a display unit It is placed on the screen and senses the pressing force by the finger (pressure sensitive type), or senses the change of the electric signal due to static electricity when the finger etc. touches (electrostatic type), the finger etc. A transparent touch panel 6 that outputs data indicating a position pressed or touched by a motor, a motor 7 such as a stepping motor that generates a rotational driving force under the control of the CPU 1, and a motor 7 that is generated under the control of the CPU 1. A thermal head 8 that prints print data supplied from the CPU 1 on a label (not shown) that is conveyed by a platen roller (not shown) that is rotated by a rotational driving force transmitted by a gear or the like, a control program described above, and a label described later. Printer 100 manufacturing number, ordering method setting information, product number of consumables currently installed, lot number, and various data such as various setting values A flash ROM 9 that stores data, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10 that temporarily stores various data necessary for the CPU 1 to execute processing, bitmap image data corresponding to print data, and the like, and various data are stored. A removable memory card 11 and a flash memory for storing various data such as consumable data registered by the user, e-mail address of the user, and IP address (Internet Protocol Address) of the host computer to which the consumable is ordered A database (DB) 12 constructed in a memory or the like, a clock circuit 13 for outputting calendar information (information consisting of the current date and time), and the like.

  Next, a procedure for registering consumable data in the database 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for registering consumable data. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, the consumables data includes, for example, detailed information such as product number, lot number, consumable type (label, ink ribbon, thermal head, etc.) and size, the current stock quantity, Order standard stock quantity (for example, when the current stock quantity falls below the order standard stock quantity), the order quantity, order method (" "Automatic ordering", "Message display" (Furthermore, it can be set to either display during printing or display only during standby), "Email notification" (notification to preset user's email address)), etc. It consists of setting items.

  First, in step S11, the operation unit 4 is operated by the user, and data of predetermined setting items constituting the consumable data is input. The input data is registered in the database 12 under the control of the CPU 1 in step S12.

  Next, in step S <b> 13, the CPU 1 determines whether data of all setting items constituting the consumable data is input and registered in the database 12. As a result, when it is determined that the data of all setting items is not registered in the database 12, the process returns to step S11, and the processes after step S11 are repeatedly executed to input data of other setting items and to the database 12. Is registered. On the other hand, when it is determined that the data of all setting items is registered in the database 12, the present process is terminated.

  After the label (not shown) is mounted on the label printer 100, the CPU 1 determines the number of labels issued and the transport distance of the label, the vertical and horizontal sizes of the labels included in the consumable data stored in the database 12, and the label Based on the total length, etc., the remaining amount of the label that is currently installed is recognized, and if the remaining amount falls below a predetermined reference value, the current stock quantity included in the consumables data is compared with the order reference stock quantity. When the current inventory quantity is equal to or less than the order reference inventory quantity, the ordering process is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a description will be given so that the remaining amount of the currently mounted label is recognized based on the vertical and horizontal sizes of the labels and the total length of the labels included in the consumable data stored in the database 12. However, the remaining amount of the label may be recognized based on a “label end error” signal indicating that all labels of one volume have been used.

  The timing at which the ordering process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is executed is not limited to when the remaining amount of consumables such as labels described above falls below a predetermined reference value. Or when a consumable is removed. Further, when a new consumable item is attached, the current inventory number decreases by 1, so the current inventory number of the consumable data is updated automatically or manually.

  When a plurality of types of labels can be mounted on the label printer 100, the user operates the operation unit 4 to input a product number, a lot number, or the like in order to specify the type of label currently mounted, The inputted product number and lot number are stored in the flash ROM 9. Alternatively, the CPU 1 can automatically recognize the product number or lot number of the consumable and store it in the flash ROM 9.

  Further, the user needs to select and set a desired ordering method in advance as the ordering method executed in the flowchart of FIG. As described above, the ordering method that can be selected in this example is any one of “automatic ordering”, “mail notification”, and “message display”. As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 1 displays an ordering method selection screen for selecting the ordering method on the display unit 5, and displays an area on the touch panel 6 corresponding to the area where the user has displayed the desired ordering method. When selected by pressing, data indicating the selected ordering method is supplied to the flash ROM 9 and stored as ordering method setting information.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, an ordering process procedure executed when the current stock quantity of consumables becomes equal to or less than the standard stock quantity (order standard stock quantity) will be described.

  First, in step S21, the content of each setting item of the consumable data registered in the database 12 is read out by the CPU 1, and the setting content is confirmed.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of each setting item and setting content of the consumable data. As shown in the figure, the setting items include a product number, a lot number, detailed information, a current stock quantity, an order reference stock quantity, an order quantity, an ordering method, and the like.

  The product number is a unique number assigned to each product, and “123” is set in this example. The lot number is a number indicating a production unit, and “799” is set in this example. The detailed information includes the type of consumables (label, ink ribbon, thermal head, etc.) and, for example, when the consumable is a label, the vertical size, horizontal size, and total length of the label. Further, when the consumable is an ink ribbon, it includes the horizontal size of the ink ribbon, the color of the ink ribbon, the total length of the ink ribbon, and the like. When the consumable is a thermal head, it consists of the head width and the like. In this example, “label”, vertical size: 5 centimeters (cm), horizontal size: 10 cm, and full length: 10 meters (m) are set as detailed information of the label.

  The current stock quantity is the current stock quantity of the product indicated by the product number, and a value of 2 is set in this example. The order reference stock quantity is a stock quantity that serves as a reference when determining whether or not to place an order. In this example, the value 2 is set. The order quantity is the order quantity at the time of ordering, and a value of 10 is set in this example.

  The ordering method is the type of ordering method that is executed when the current stock quantity is less than or equal to the order base stock quantity. In this example, one of "Automatic order", "Message display", or "Email notification" Is set. However, it is possible not to set the ordering method, in which case it is not set and nothing is processed.

  Next, in step S22, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the ordering setting has been made. That is, any one of the above-described selectable ordering methods “automatic ordering”, “message display”, and “e-mail notification” is preset by the user and stored in the flash ROM 9 as ordering method setting information. If stored, the CPU 1 determines that the setting for placing an order has been made, and proceeds to step S23.

  On the other hand, if none of the ordering methods described above is set in step S22 and nothing is stored in the flash ROM 9 as ordering method setting information, the CPU 1 determines that the setting for ordering is not made, Returning to step S21, the processing after step S21 is repeatedly executed.

  In step S23, the CPU 1 determines whether or not “automatic ordering” is set as the ordering method. As a result, if it is determined that “automatic ordering” is set, the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if it is determined that “automatic ordering” is not set, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S24, an automatic ordering process is executed. In other words, order data is generated from the CPU 1, and under the control of the CPU 1, the order data is transmitted via a communication interface 2 to a host computer (not shown) such as a company that sells consumables via a network such as the Internet. The IP address of this host computer is registered in the database 12 in advance.

  The order data transmitted to the host computer includes, for example, identification information such as the manufacturing number of the label printer 100, date and time, the product number of the consumable item to be ordered, a lot number if necessary, the number of orders, and the like. .

  In step S25, it is determined whether or not “email notification” is set as the ordering method. As a result, if it is determined that “mail notification” is set, the process proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if it is determined that “mail notification” is not set, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S26, a mail notification process is executed. That is, under the control of the CPU 1, an e-mail including a message indicating that the current inventory quantity is equal to or less than the order reference inventory quantity and ordering is required via the communication interface 2 is sent to the user (operator via the network such as the Internet). Or an administrator's e-mail address. The user's e-mail address is registered in the database 12 in advance.

  In step S27, it is determined whether or not “message display” is set as the ordering method. As a result, if it is determined that “message display” is set, the process proceeds to step S28. On the other hand, if it is determined that “message display” is not set, the process returns to step S21, and the processes after step S21 are repeatedly executed.

  In step S28, a message display process is executed. That is, under the control of CPU1, the current inventory quantity is less than the order base inventory quantity and a message indicating that an order is required, for example, “The label inventory quantity is less than the order base inventory quantity. ? "And selection buttons" Yes "and" No "are displayed on the screen of the display unit 5. At this time, a list of inventory of labels and a list of inventory of all other consumables can be displayed at the same time.

  A transparent touch panel 6 is overlaid on the surface of the screen of the display unit 5, and a finger or the like is placed in an area on the touch panel 6 corresponding to the area where either of the selection buttons “Yes” or “No” is displayed. It is possible to instruct whether or not an order is necessary by pressing the button.

  Next, in step S29, it is determined whether or not the selection button “Yes” is selected and manual ordering is selected. As a result, when it is determined that the selection button “No” is selected and it is determined that manual ordering is not performed, the process returns to step S21, and the processes after step S21 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the selection button “Yes” is selected and it is selected to place an order manually, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, manual ordering processing by the user is performed. At that time, under the control of the CPU 1, an input field for inputting the product number and lot number of the consumable to be ordered, an input field for inputting the order quantity, and the like are displayed on the display unit 5.

  When the user inputs the product number of the consumable item to be ordered, the lot number as necessary, and the desired order quantity into the corresponding input fields by operating the operation unit 4, the communication interface 2 is controlled under the control of the CPU 1. The ordering data is transmitted to a host computer (not shown) of a supplier that sells consumables via a network such as the Internet.

  Here, the order data transmitted to the host computer is basically the same as the order data in the automatic ordering process. That is, the ordering data transmitted to the host computer is, for example, the ordering data acquired based on the identification information such as the serial number of the label printer 100 read from the flash ROM 9 by the CPU 1 and the calendar information output from the clock circuit 13. It consists of the date and time, the product number of the consumable item to be ordered input by the user, the lot number if necessary, and the number of orders.

  When the manual ordering process in step S30 ends, the process returns to step S21, and the processes after step S21 are repeatedly executed.

  It is also possible to selectively execute each order processing of “automatic ordering”, “message display”, and “mail notification” according to the current inventory quantity. For example, an e-mail notification and message display may be performed when the current inventory number of consumables becomes 2, and automatic ordering processing may be performed when the current inventory quantity of consumables becomes 1.

  Further, a personal computer (not shown) is connected to the label printer 100, and commands and data are exchanged via the communication interface 2, and the consumable data registration process shown in FIG. 2 and the ordering shown in FIG. It is also possible to execute processing. In this case, various data such as consumable data can be stored in a storage device (not shown) connected to the personal computer.

  In the above embodiment, the method for managing the label ordering process has been described. However, when managing the ink ribbon, the current inventory number for each color of the ink ribbon is registered, and the ink ribbon is attached when the ink ribbon is mounted. Can be set, the ordering process can be managed for each color of the ink ribbon. Alternatively, a different product number may be assigned for each color of the ink ribbon.

  It should be noted that the configuration and operation of the above-described embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a label printer but also to other devices that use various consumables.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of one Embodiment of the label printer to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure which registers consumables data. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure of the ordering process performed when the stock quantity at present of a consumable becomes below the order reference | standard stock quantity. It is a figure which shows the example of an order method selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of each setting item and setting content of consumables data.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 Communication interface 3 LED
4 Operation section 5 Display section 6 Touch panel 7 Motor 8 Thermal head 9 Flash ROM
10 RAM
11 Memory Card 12 Database 13 Clock Circuit 100 Label Printer

Claims (4)

A consumable management device that manages consumable inventory,
Storage means for storing the number of consumables in stock and information on the consumables;
Determining means for determining whether or not the number of consumables in stock is equal to or less than a predetermined reference number;
A consumables management device, comprising: a display control unit that displays a message indicating that the number of consumables in stock is reduced based on a determination result by the determination unit. The ordering means for placing an order for the consumables via a predetermined network when the determining means determines that the stock quantity of the consumables is equal to or less than the reference number. Consumables management device as described in 1. When it is determined by the determination means that the number of consumables in stock has become equal to or less than the reference number, a message indicating that the number of consumables in stock has decreased is transmitted via a predetermined network to a predetermined e-mail address. The consumables management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mail transmission unit that transmits the mail to a destination. A first method in which the display control means displays the message on the display device when the determining means determines that the stock quantity of the consumables is equal to or less than the reference number, and the ordering means The apparatus further comprises selection setting means for preselecting and setting execution of a second method for placing an order for goods and a third method for sending the message by the mail transmission means. Item 4. The consumable management device according to Item 3.

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