JP2008271231A - Device, system, and program for ordering and managing consumables - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control consumables order timing and amount in each management unit including one or a plurality of devices. <P>SOLUTION: In an order management server 30, a reception history managing part 342 counts receiving times of a consumables residual quantity detection notice of a detection type corresponding to group identification information when detection type information included in a residual quantity notice from an image forming apparatus coincides with a detection type to be set in order determination information stored in an order determination information table 333 in accordance with the group identification information of a notice source device, an order determination processing part 334 determines the approval/rejection of ordering consumables in accordance with a counted value of the receiving times reaches the number of order receiving times of the detection type set in order determination information corresponding to the group identification information, and an order notifying part 345 notifies an order processing server 40 that corresponding consumables are ordered when an order is approved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a consumables order management device, a consumables order management system, and a consumables order management program.

  In image forming apparatuses such as printers and multi-function peripherals, the remaining amount of consumables such as toner that can be replaced is monitored. Continue operation.

  Regarding the ordering process for replacement consumables in this type of conventional apparatus, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, when the remaining amount of consumables falls below a predetermined remaining amount, an operation mode (automatic order mode, user A technique for automatically placing an order for consumables by setting an order mode after confirmation and an order mode after warning to a user) is disclosed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 discloses a technique for counting the number of times that toner near-end is detected and transmitting the order information to a predetermined destination via a predetermined network when the counted number reaches a predetermined number. It is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 3 below, the order of consumables, the remaining amount threshold, and the substance used are changed according to the area where the image forming apparatus is installed, and the order is taken into consideration in consideration of the delivery period and the law. An image forming apparatus, a consumables recycling system, and a consumables recycling method for appropriately managing the articles are disclosed.

  In the technologies described in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3, the delivery timing according to the region is set as the notification timing of the consumables order when the number of occurrences reaches a predetermined number of times when the amount falls below a predetermined remaining amount. The timing is taken into consideration, but all are common in that the order of the consumable is automatically notified for each individual device on which the consumable is mounted.

  On the other hand, regarding ordering management processing of consumables when not only individual devices but also a plurality of devices are managed collectively, the following Patent Document 4 detects and acquires the remaining amount of consumables for a printer. Based on the remaining amount of consumables, for example, data related to past order records stored in the order history database and technology for automatically determining the order quantity based on the usage frequency of consumables are disclosed. Yes.

According to the technique described in Patent Document 4, although the order quantity can be calculated for the devices that need to be ordered and ordered together, the consumables are not ordered in units such as the department to which each device belongs.
JP 2002-127572 A JP 2001-237997 A JP-A-2005-202295 JP 2001-297237 A

  The present invention provides a consumables ordering management apparatus, a consumables ordering management system, and a consumables ordering management program capable of controlling the ordering and quantity of consumables for each management unit including one or a plurality of devices. Objective.

  To achieve the above object, the consumables order management system according to claim 1 manages a plurality of device groups each including one or a plurality of devices, and the order of consumables corresponding to the device groups. A management device, and the device includes detection means for detecting a consumption state of the consumables of the device, and notification means for notifying state information indicating the consumption state of the consumables detected by the detection means. The management device includes: a receiving unit that receives the status information notified by the notification unit; a setting unit that sets the status information and the number of orders received corresponding to the device group; and the receiving unit. Corresponding to the device group to which the device as the notification source of the received state information belongs, a counting means for counting the number of times the state information is received, and the number of times the state information is received by the counting means corresponding to the device group Counting However, when the number of orders received corresponding to the device group by the setting means and corresponding to the state information is reached, the consumable in which the state information is detected is associated with the device group. Ordering means for placing an order.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the setting means sets the number of orders received for the status information for each type of the consumables, and the counting means for each type of the consumables. The ordering means counts the number of times the status information is received, and the ordering means has a count value of the number of times the status information is received for each type of consumable by the counting means, corresponding to the status information for each type of consumable. When the number of orders received is reached, the consumables are ordered.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, an order for managing the number of consumables ordered, which is the cumulative number of consumables ordered by the ordering unit, corresponding to the device group. A number management unit, and the setting unit further sets an upper limit number of consumables within a predetermined period corresponding to the device group, and the ordering unit is managed by the order number management unit. The consumables are ordered when the number of consumables ordered within the predetermined period corresponding to the device group is within the range of the ordering upper limit number set corresponding to the device group.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the order amount according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the order amount for consumables, which is obtained by accumulating the amount of the consumables ordered by the ordering means, is managed corresponding to the device group. In addition to managing means, the setting means further sets an ordering upper limit amount of consumables within a predetermined period corresponding to the device group, and the ordering means is managed by the order amount management means. The consumable item is ordered when the order amount of the consumable item within the predetermined period corresponding to the device group is within the order upper limit amount set corresponding to the device group.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the consumables order management device, wherein the consumables order management device is connected to the devices managed separately in a plurality of device groups each including one or a plurality of devices, and detects a consumption state of the consumables. Receiving means for receiving the status information notified by the notification means from the device for notifying the status information indicating the consumption state of the consumables that has been received, and the status information corresponding to the device group; A setting means for setting the number of received orders, a counting means for counting the number of times the status information is received, corresponding to the device group to which the device of the status information received by the receiving means belongs, When the count value of the number of receptions of the state information corresponding to the device group by the counting unit reaches the order reception number corresponding to the device group by the setting unit and set corresponding to the state information , Consumables status information is detected; and a ordering means to order in response to the device group.

  The invention of the consumable item ordering program according to claim 6 is configured such that the computer is divided into a plurality of device groups each including one or a plurality of devices, the consumption state of the consumable item is detected, and the detected consumable item is detected. A receiving unit for receiving the status information notified by the notification unit from the device for notifying the status information indicating the exhaustion state of the device, and setting the status information and the number of received orders corresponding to the group of devices. Corresponding to the device group to which the device that is the source of the status information received by the receiving unit belongs, a counting unit that counts the number of times the status information is received, and corresponds to the device group by the counting unit When the count value of the number of receptions of the state information reaches the order reception number corresponding to the device group by the setting means and set corresponding to the state information, the state information The issued consumables to function as ordering means to order in response to the device group.

  According to the consumables order management system of the present invention, in an environment where a plurality of image forming apparatuses are managed for each management unit such as a department, the ordering timing of consumables for each management unit The amount can be controlled flexibly.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the use frequency of each consumable item is different for each management unit or within the management unit, the consumable item ordering process can be performed at a timing corresponding to the use frequency for each consumable item. .

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in an environment where the number of orders is limited for each management unit due to the purchase budget of consumables, etc., the consumption is within the range of the maximum order number for each management unit. It is possible to place orders for consumables at a timing corresponding to the frequency of use for each product or consumable type.

  According to the invention of claim 4, even when there is an ordering upper limit amount, such as a consumable purchase budget determined for each management unit, within the order upper limit amount for each management unit, You can place an order for consumables at the timing corresponding to the frequency of use for each consumable or consumable product.

  According to the consumables order management device of the present invention, in an environment in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are managed for each management unit such as a department, the consumable item order management apparatus is depleted to the management unit to which each image forming apparatus belongs. It is possible to flexibly control the ordering quantity and quantity of goods.

  According to the consumables order management program described in claim 6, in an environment where a plurality of image forming apparatuses are managed for each management unit such as a department, the order and amount of consumables are determined for each management unit. It can be flexibly controlled.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a consumable ordering management system according to an example of the present invention.

  This consumable ordering management system includes an image forming apparatus 10 (10a-1, 10a-2, 10b-1, 10b-2, 10b-3, 10c-1,...) Installed in each department. The order management server 30 is placed in an order processing center via a network (NW) 50 constituted by a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like. It is configured by connecting to the processing server 40.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction device having functions such as document reading (scanning), copying (copying), printing (printing), FAX (facsimile communication), and the like, as shown in FIG. A reading unit 11 that reads an image of the document G placed on the printer and converts it into an electrical image signal (image data); image data obtained by scanning the document G by the reading unit 11; In this example, an image processing unit 12 that performs image processing on image data input from a PC (personal computer) 20], a storage unit 13 that stores various information such as image data and operation programs, and an image processing unit 12 An image forming unit that executes an electrophotographic process based on an image signal (print data) subjected to image processing by the above and forms (prints) an image corresponding to the print data on a recording medium (recording paper) 4. Display / operation unit 16 including a large-sized bitmap display having a touch panel function, a control unit 17 for controlling the entire apparatus, such as operation control of corresponding units related to each function such as scanning, copying, printing, and FAX, PC 20 And an external interface (I / F) unit 18 that controls a communication interface between the communication terminal and a communication interface (I / F) unit 19 that controls a communication interface when communicating with an order management server 30 described later.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming unit 14 uses, for example, toner as a consumable that is used when the image forming process is executed and is consumed (depleted) each time.

  The toner that is a consumable in this example is accommodated in, for example, a toner cartridge 15 that is a container and mounted on the image forming unit 14, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed when the image forming process is executed. Supplied to do.

  In this example, the image forming unit 14 is provided with a mechanism for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 15 as detection means for detecting the consumption state of the consumables.

  As an example of the toner remaining amount detection mechanism, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a toner cartridge 15 having light transmission windows (not shown) on both side walls is used, and the light transmission window is between the light emitting element 141 and the light receiving element 142. If the light receiving output of the light receiving element 142 cannot be obtained, an amount of toner corresponding to the line position above the light path to the light emitting element 141 remains. When the light receiving output of the light receiving element 142 is obtained, a near empty detecting mechanism is provided for detecting that the toner has been depleted to the amount corresponding to the line position below the light path (having reached near empty). be able to.

  Furthermore, the number of pixels that can be printed with a residual toner amount that is known in advance for the toner cartridge 15 to be mounted is set as a preset value, and printing is executed after the near empty is detected by the near empty detection mechanism. Each time, the number of pixels in the printing is sequentially cumulatively added to obtain the cumulative number of pixels, and when the cumulative number of pixels reaches the set value, the remaining amount of the toner cartridge 15 becomes empty (no remaining amount). A control function is also provided to detect that it has become.

  Processing related to detection of near empty based on the light receiving output of the receiving element 142, calculation of the number of print pixels after near empty detection, toner empty detection based on comparison of the calculated number of pixels and the number of pixels corresponding to the amount of near empty toner, and the like Is performed by a remaining amount detection control unit 171 provided in the control unit 17.

  The toner remaining near-empty / empty detection means is not limited to the configuration exemplified here, and, for example, the number of printed pixels is subtracted from the number of pixels that can be printed with the total amount of toner in the toner cartridge 15. In the meantime, various forms such as a near empty and a processing function for obtaining an empty remaining amount are conceivable.

  In addition to the remaining amount detection control unit 171, the control unit 17 of the image forming apparatus 10 includes a remaining amount detection notification control unit 172 and a control information setting control unit 173.

  The remaining amount detection notification control unit 172 detects when the remaining amount detection control unit 171 detects either near empty or empty (a consumption state preset as a detection target) of the toner remaining amount in the toner cartridge 15. Control for sending (notifying) the remaining amount detection notification information including the state information indicating the detected consumption state to the order management server 30 is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a remaining amount detection notification communication frame used by the remaining amount detection notification control unit 172 for a remaining amount detection notification to the order management server 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the remaining amount detection notification communication frame includes notification destination information (toner cartridge) of the remaining amount detection notification as well as notification destination information for identifying the notification destination (order management server 30) of the remaining amount detection notification. 15 is installed in the notification source apparatus, and the toner remaining near-empty or empty is detected. Consumable item identification information for identifying the consumable item (toner cartridge 15) (part number indicating the type of the toner cartridge 15), status information indicating the consumption state of the detected remaining amount (in this example, the detected toner Detection type information indicating the type of the exhausted state (empty or near empty)].

  The control information setting control unit 173 includes device information 131 (device identification information and device type of the image forming apparatus 10) used by the remaining amount detection notification control unit 172 to generate the remaining amount detection notification communication frame (remaining amount detection notification information). , IP address), consumable information 132 (identification information of the toner cartridge 15 whose remaining amount has been detected), notification destination information 133 (IP address, URL, mail address of the order management server 30), etc. In accordance with an input operation of necessary information from the PC 20, control for storing (setting) in the corresponding area of the storage unit 13 is performed.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the order management server 30 in FIG.

  The order management server 30 is composed of, for example, a general-purpose computer, and as shown in FIG. 4, an input operation such as various commands and control information using a display unit 31 for displaying various information and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. An input / operation unit 32, a hard disk drive (HDD), and the like, and a storage unit 33 for storing an operation program and various control information used for order management described later, a control unit 34 for controlling the entire device, an image A communication interface (I / F) unit 35 that controls a communication interface when communicating with the forming apparatus 10 and communicating with the ordering processing server 40 via the NW 50 is provided.

  In the order management server 30, for example, in the storage unit 33, a group management information table 331 for managing group management information, order determination information, and reception history information, which are control information used for order determination control (see FIG. 8) described later. An order determination information table 333 and a reception history information table 335 are provided.

  FIG. 5A is a table showing an example of registration of group management information in the group management information table 331, and group identification information (group identification information) for identifying each department A, B, and C as a group in the system configuration of FIG. Device identification information [(SER1, SER2), (SER3, SER4, SER5), (SER6)] of the image forming apparatus 10 belonging to each group is stored corresponding to the department (A, department B, department C). ing.

  This group management information is set based on, for example, the device information list 332 shown in FIG. 5B, which is input by an administrator through a manual operation at the input / operation unit 32, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the device information list 332 is stored in the image forming apparatuses 10 (10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3, 10a-3, 10a-3, 10a-3, C) arranged in the departments A, B, and C in the system configuration of FIG. 10b-1, 10b-2, 10c-1,...) Device (device) identification information (SER1, SER2, SER3, SER4, SER5, SER6,...) And device type information (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3, etc.) DEV2, DEV3, DEV4,..., Destination information (in this example, each IP address), and group identification information (department A, B, C,...) That identifies the group (department) to which each image forming apparatus 10 belongs. ), And is stored in a predetermined area in the storage unit 33, for example.

  Note that the device information list 332 shown in FIG. 5B is not limited to being manually input from the input / operation unit 32 by the administrator, and is provided with means for searching for devices in the system. The search result may be reflected in the setting of the group management information in the group management information table 331.

  As described above, the group management information table 331 corresponds to the identification information of the group (department) to which each image forming apparatus 10 in the system belongs, and the group management in which the apparatus identification information of the image forming apparatus 10 belonging to the group is set. Holds information.

  6 is a table showing an example of order determination information registration in the order determination information table 333. In the system configuration of FIG. 1, each section (group) identification information (department A, B, C,...) Correspondingly, status information (reception type) indicating a consumption state (detection type) of the remaining amount detected by the image forming apparatus 10 that is a target for counting the number of times of reception from the image forming apparatus 10 belonging to each group. : Near ampty or empty) and information on the number of times the consumable information has been received (number of orders received) used to determine whether to order consumables or not (refrain from placing orders).

  As described above, the order determination information table 333 corresponds to the identification information of the group (department A, B, C,...) To which each image forming apparatus 10 in the system belongs. The remaining amount detection type: near empty or empty) and the order determination information in which the number of received remaining amount detection notifications of the detection type (number of received orders) is set.

  FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of registration of reception history information in the reception history information table 335.

  The reception history information table 335 includes reception information corresponding to the group corresponding to the group identification information (department A, B, C,...) Held in the group management information table 331 (and the order determination information table 333). The count value at the present time of the number of receptions of the remaining amount detection notification of the type (near empty or empty: set in the order determination information table 333 corresponding to each group identification information) (the remaining amount detection of the corresponding reception type) A reception counter indicating "1" is counted up every time a notification is received) and the remaining amount of the reception type included in each remaining amount detection notification subject to the counting (counting up) is detected. Detection consumable item identification information for identifying a consumable item (consumable item to be counted by the reception counter) is held as reception history information.

  In the order management server 30 (see FIG. 4), the control unit 34 includes a remaining amount detection notification reception processing unit 341, a reception history management unit 342, an order determination processing unit 344, an order notification unit 345, an information management unit 346, and An information setting unit 347 is provided.

  The remaining amount detection notification reception processing unit 341 is sent from the image forming apparatus 10 belonging to each group each time a preset type of remaining amount of consumables mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 is detected. A process for receiving the remaining amount detection notification (see FIG. 3) and extracting the device identification information, consumable item identification information, and detection type information included in the remaining amount detection notification is performed.

  Every time the remaining amount detection notification is received by the remaining amount detection notification reception processing unit 341, the reception history management unit 342 uses the device identification information included in the received remaining amount detection notification as a key from the group management information table 331. The corresponding group identification information is searched to specify the group to which the image forming apparatus 10 that is the notification source belongs, and the detection type indicated by the detection type information included in the received remaining amount detection notification is the specified group. Correspondingly, when it matches the reception type in the order determination information held in the order determination information table 333, the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group in the reception history information table 335 is incremented by 1. The consumable item identification information included in the counted remaining amount detection notification is stored in the reception history information table 335. The process of storing in association with the count of times the corresponding detection consumable identification information column corresponding to the loop performed.

  Further, the reception history management unit 342 determines that the value of the reception counter of a certain group held in the reception history information table 335 reaches the value of the number of received orders held in the order determination information table 333 corresponding to the group. When the consumables included in the remaining amount detection notification counted so far for the group are ordered according to the group (see step S208 in FIG. 8), the reception counter is set to the initial value “0”. A reset process is also performed.

  After the reception history management unit 342 counts up the reception counter of the corresponding reception type corresponding to the notification source group of the remaining amount detection notification received by the remaining amount detection notification reception unit 341, the order determination processing unit 344 performs. The value of the reception counter of the reception type is compared with the number of received orders of the same reception type set in the order determination information table 333 corresponding to the group, and the value of the reception counter of the reception type is the number of received orders. It is determined whether or not to place an order for consumables corresponding to the group, depending on whether or not the value has been reached.

  When the order determination processing unit 344 determines that an order for a consumable item is to be placed, the order notification processing unit 345 counts each count in the detected consumable item identification information column of the reception history information table 335 corresponding to the group. An order processing server that orders consumables (consumables to be counted by the reception counter) indicated by the consumable identification information in correspondence with the group based on the consumable identification information held corresponding to 40 is instructed (notified).

  The information management unit 346 manages information such as group management information, order determination information, and reception history information used by the order determination processing unit 344 for the order management processing using the corresponding tables 331, 333, and 335, respectively.

  The information setting unit 347 sets (stores) the group management information, the order determination information, and the reception history information in the corresponding tables 331, 333, and 335, for example, by a predetermined input operation at the input / operation unit 32. In addition, information (notification destination information: IP address, URL, e-mail address, etc.) for accessing the order processing server 40 which is a notification destination of consumables ordering, and the own device functioning as an intermediate server (the order management server 30) ) Information (intermediate server identifier, IP address, URL, etc.), for example, is set in the corresponding area of the storage unit 33, for example.

  The order processing server 40 (not shown in detail) includes a general-purpose computer including a display unit, an input / operation unit, a storage unit, a control unit, a communication I / F unit, and the like. When the communication I / F unit receives a consumables ordering instruction (notification) from the order notification unit 345 of the management server 30, an order processing process is installed on the order receiving side (manufacturer or sales agent of the image forming apparatus). Based on the group identification information and consumable item identification information included in the received ordering instruction, a processing function is provided for placing an order for the consumable item indicated by the consumable item identification information with the terminal.

  In the consumables order management system having such a configuration, when the order management server 30 receives the remaining amount detection notification (see FIG. 3) from the image forming apparatuses 10 belonging to each group, the image of the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification The number of receptions of the remaining amount detection notification is counted for each group to which the forming apparatus 10 belongs, and the remaining number detection notification in the order determination information in which the reception number of the remaining amount detection notification for the group unit is set corresponding to the group. Whether to place an order for consumables is selectively controlled according to whether or not the number of receptions (order received) has been reached.

  Hereinafter, the consumable item order management control in the order management server 30 according to an example of the present invention will be described in detail with specific examples.

  The order management server 30 according to the first embodiment has the functional configuration shown in FIG. 4. The group management information table 331, the order determination information table 333, and the reception history information table 335 are respectively shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. The following consumables are ordered with the image forming apparatus 10 and the order processing server 40 installed in each of the departments A, B, and C while holding the group management information, the order determination information, and the reception history information shown in FIG. Execute management processing.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a control sequence between the image forming apparatus 10 and the order management server 30 related to the consumables order management process of the consumables order management system of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the image forming apparatuses 10 (10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3,...) Arranged in the departments A, B, and C, the remaining amount detection notification control unit 172 is mounted. Whether the toner in the toner cartridge 15 is depleted to a preset remaining amount level (near empty or empty) is monitored by the remaining amount detection control unit 171 (step S101).

  When toner near empty or empty is detected (YES in step S101), the remaining amount detection notification control unit 172 determines the type of the detected remaining amount level (detection type: near empty or empty). The storage unit 13 stores identification information (consumables identification information) of the toner cartridge 15 in which the remaining amount of the detection type has been detected, device identification information of the image forming apparatus (own device) 10, and notification destination information of the remaining amount detection notification. (Step S102), the remaining amount notification information including the read notification destination information, device identification information and consumable item identification information, and detection type information indicating the detected detection type (see FIG. 3). ) And the remaining amount detection notification information is sent to the order management server 30 that is the notification destination based on the notification destination information in the remaining amount detection notification information. To signal (step S103).

  On the other hand, in the order management server 30, the reception history management unit 342 determines whether or not the remaining amount detection notification from each image forming apparatus 10 of each department A, B, C is received by the remaining amount detection notification reception processing unit 341. Is monitored (step S201).

  When the remaining amount detection notification is received (step S201 YES), device identification information, consumable item identification information, and detection type information are extracted from the received remaining amount detection notification (step S202).

  Next, the order determination processing unit 344 searches the group management information table 331 for group identification information corresponding to the device identification information using the extracted device identification information as a key (step S203), and further includes the group identification information in the group identification information. Corresponding order determination information is retrieved from the order determination information table 333 (step S204).

  Subsequently, the order determination processing unit 344 determines whether or not the reception type information that matches the detection type information extracted from the remaining amount detection notification in step S202 exists in the order determination information searched in step S204. (Step S205).

  If there is no reception type information that matches the detection type information included in the received remaining amount detection notification in the order determination information (NO in step S205), the process returns to step S201 to monitor reception of the remaining amount detection notification. Continue.

  On the other hand, if there is reception type information that matches the detection type information included in the received remaining amount detection notification in the order determination information (YES in step S205), the reception history management unit 342 stores the reception history information in the reception history information table 335. The reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group identification information (group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification) searched in step S203 is incremented by “1” with respect to the current value (step S206). .

  When the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group identification information is counted up in step S206, the reception history management unit 342 corresponds to the group identification information in the reception history information table 335 (see FIG. 7) each time. In the consumable item identification information field to be detected, consumable item identification information of the consumable item for which the remaining amount of the reception type that has been counted up is detected (the consumable item extracted from the remaining amount detection notification in step S202 above) (Identification information) is also stored in correspondence with the count of the reception count.

  In step S206, the reception counter of the reception type set in the order determination information corresponding to the group extracted in step S204 (the group that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification received in step S201) identification information is counted. Subsequently, the order determination processing unit 344 holds the order determination information table 333 in correspondence with the value of the reception counter of the reception type after the count-up and the group identification information searched in step S204. The number of received orders of the reception type set in the order determination information is compared (step S2071), and it is determined whether the value of the reception counter has reached the number of received orders (step S2072).

  In the order availability determination process (step S207) composed of steps S2071 and S2072, the value of the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification is the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information. If the number of received orders of the received type has not been reached (NO in step S2072), it is determined that the consumables cannot be ordered, and the process returns to step S201 to continue monitoring the reception of the remaining amount detection notification.

  On the other hand, the value of the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification has reached the number of received orders of the reception type in the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information. In this case (YES in step S2072), it is determined that the consumable item can be ordered, and that is notified to the order notification unit 345.

  As a result, the order notifying unit 345 reads the consumable item identification information for each count stored in the detection target consumable item identification information column of the reception history information table 335 corresponding to the group identification information, and identifies these consumable items. The consumables indicated by the information are collected into an order list corresponding to the group, and the order processing server 30 is notified that the consumables in the order list are to be ordered (step S208).

  In this case, the ordered item list may include not only the name of the consumable item desired to be ordered, but also the corresponding consumable item identification information, and may further include the group identification information as information indicating the ordering source.

  In step S208, when the notification indicating that consumables are ordered together corresponding to the group is finished, the reception history management unit 342 stores the identification information of the group (ordering source group) in the reception history information table 335. The value of the reception counter of the corresponding reception type is reset to the initial value “0” (step S209), and then the process returns to step S201 to continue reception monitoring of the remaining amount detection notification.

  When the reception history management unit 342 resets the value of the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the ordering group in step S209 above, the consumable identification information to be detected in the reception history information table 335 corresponding to the group is received. The consumable item identification information stored in the column is also reset (deleted).

  According to the consumable item order management process shown in FIG. 8, the order management server 30 corresponds to a plurality of device groups (group: management unit) each including one or a plurality of devices, and supplies (toner cartridge 15). State information (empty, near empty) and the number of received orders are set (see the order determination information table 333 in FIG. 6), and when a remaining amount detection notification is received from the image forming apparatus 10 of the apparatus group, Based on the device identification information included in the remaining amount detection notification, the device group to which the image forming apparatus 10 that is the notification source belongs is recognized, and the number of times the status information included in the remaining amount detection notification is received corresponding to the device group. When the count value of the number of times of reception of the status information corresponding to the device group reaches the order reception number corresponding to the device group and set in correspondence with the status information, the status information was detected Consumables ordering management processing is performed for placing consumables corresponding to the device group. In order to execute the consumables ordering management process, the order management server 30 has each department (group) A, B, C. It is desirable to set the order determination information for each group based on the consumption amount, inventory status, etc. of the entire group.

For example, according to the order determination information table 333 illustrated in the present embodiment (see FIG. 6), “reception type = near empty, number of received orders = 1” is set as the order determination information corresponding to the department A. Compared to department A and department C, the consumption of consumables is more intense, and the period until empty detection is short. Reflect the convenience of department A to place an order for consumables to arrive within that period. Also, setting “reception type = near empty, number of received orders = 2” as the order determination information corresponding to department B is that the consumption of consumables is smaller than department A, and the near empty Even if an order is placed after detection, it reflects the convenience of department B that consumables can be obtained within the period until empty detection.

  In addition, as the order determination information corresponding to the department C, “reception type = empty, number of received orders = 1” is set only for one set of spare toner. After the empty is detected, the spare toner is replaced. This reflects the convenience of department C that new spare toner can be ordered.

  When the order determination information table 333 holding the order determination information shown in FIG. 6 is used, for example, any of the toners mounted in any of the image forming apparatuses 10a-1 and 10a-2 belonging to the department A At the timing when the reception counter of the reception type (= near empty) corresponding to the group (department A) in the reception history information table 335 reaches the set number (order reception number) “1”. The order processing server 40 is notified that the toner whose near empty has been detected is ordered according to the group.

  Further, the near empty of any of the mounted toners is detected by any one of the image forming apparatuses 10b-1, 10b-2, and 10b-3 belonging to the department B, and the group in the reception history information table 335 is detected. After the reception counter of the reception type (= near empty) corresponding to (Department B) becomes “1”, the near empty of any of the mounted toners is further detected by any one of the above devices, Each count in the reception counter = 2 at the timing when the reception counter of the reception type (= near empty) corresponding to the group (department B) in the reception history information table 335 reaches the set number (order reception number) “2”. The order processing server 40 is notified that the toners detected near-empty at one time are ordered together in correspondence with the group (department B).

  Also, the image forming apparatus 10c-1 belonging to the department C detects the empty state of any installed toner, and the reception type (= empty) corresponding to the group (department C) in the reception history information table 335 is detected. At the timing when the reception counter reaches the set number (order reception number) “1”, the order processing server 40 is notified that the toner for which the empty has been detected is ordered according to the group.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of receptions corresponding to each group is determined in consideration of the consumable (consumer in this example, toner) consumption mobility of each group (department A, B, C). By using order determination information that sets the consumption status (for example, empty, near empty) and the number of received orders, the consumables are ordered for each group according to the convenience of each group. The timing and amount are controlled.

  The order management server according to the second embodiment (referred to as “30B” for convenience) has the functional configuration shown in FIG. 4 and holds the group management information of the setting contents shown in FIG. This is the same as the order management server 30 related to the above.

  However, the order management server 30B according to the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an order determination information table (referred to as “333b” for convenience) and a reception history information table (referred to as “335b”). Further, the order determination information and the reception history information having the contents shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are held, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 9, according to the order determination information table 333b used in the order management server 30B of this embodiment, each group corresponds to the group identification information (department A, B, C,...) Of each group. Consumables mounted on each image forming apparatus 10 belonging to the above [(compatible with toner K1, Y1, M1, C1: DEV1 model), (toner K2, Y2, M2, C2: compatible with DEV2 model), (toner (K3, Y3, M3, C3: conforms to DEV3 model), (toners K4, Y4, M4, C4: conforms to DEV4 model)] identification information [(K001, Y001, M001, C001), (K002, Y002 , M002, C002), (K003, Y003, M003, C003), (K004, Y004, M004, C004)] for each predetermined reception type (near empty or Predetermined order number of received empty) holds an order determination information set.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 10, according to the reception history information table 335b according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 belonging to the group corresponds to the group identification information (department A, B, C,...). For each piece of consumable identification information used (see the order determination information table 333b shown in FIG. 9), the current count of the number of receptions of the remaining amount detection notification of the reception type (near empty or empty) corresponding to the group ( A reception counter indicating “1” is counted up each time a remaining amount detection notification of the corresponding reception type is received for the corresponding consumable is held and managed.

  An order management server 30B (not shown) according to this embodiment is installed in place of the order management server 30 in the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, and includes a group management information table 331 shown in FIG. 5 and order determination information shown in FIG. While maintaining the table 333b and the reception history information table 335b shown in FIG. 10, the control sequence shown in FIG. 11 is performed with the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 2) installed in each department A, B, C. Follow the consumables order management process.

  In FIG. 11, the remaining amount detection notification processing in the image forming apparatus 10 installed in each department A, B, C is performed in the same manner as steps S101 to S103 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, the order management according to the first embodiment is performed during a series of consumables order management processing in the order management server 30B based on the remaining amount detection notification received from the image forming apparatuses 10 of the departments A, B, and C. The same processing steps as the processing steps of the order management processing (see FIG. 8) by the server 30 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  That is, in FIG. 11, the processing from step S205b to S207b is processing unique to the order management server 30B according to the present embodiment.

  In the order management server 30B according to the present embodiment, when the remaining amount detection notification is received from each image forming apparatus 10 of each department A, B, C (step S201 YES), the remaining amount detection notification reception processing unit 341 Device identification information, consumable item identification information, and detection type information are extracted from the received remaining amount detection notification (step S202), and corresponding to the device identification information from the group management information table 331 using the extracted device identification information as a key. The group identification information is searched (step S203), and the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information is searched from the order determination information table 333b (see FIG. 9) (step S204).

  Next, the order determination processing unit 344 includes reception type information and consumption corresponding to the detection type information and the consumable item identification information extracted from the remaining amount detection notification in step S202 in the order determination information searched in step S204. It is determined whether or not product identification information exists (step S205b).

  Here, if there is no reception type information and consumable item identification information respectively corresponding to the detection type information and consumable item identification information extracted from the received remaining amount detection notification in the order determination information (step S205bNO), Returning to S201, monitoring of reception of the remaining amount detection notification is continued.

  On the other hand, if there is reception type information and consumable item identification information respectively corresponding to the detection type information and consumable item identification information extracted from the received remaining amount detection notification in the order determination information (YES in step S205b) The history management unit 342 detects the received remaining amount in the information held corresponding to the group identification information (group identification information of the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification) extracted in step S204 in the reception history information table 335b. The reception counter of the detection type (reception type) indicated by the extracted detection type information of the consumable item indicated by the consumable item identification information extracted from the notification is incremented by “1” with respect to the current value (step S206b). .

  The received remaining amount held in the reception history information management table 335b corresponding to the group identification information (the group that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification received in step S201) extracted in step S204 in step S206b. After counting up the reception counter of the detection type (reception type) indicated by the extracted detection type information of the consumable item indicated by the consumable item identification information extracted from the detection notification, the order determination processing unit 344 continues to The count value is set in the order determination information held in the order determination information table 333b corresponding to the value of the reception counter of the reception type of the consumable item and the group identification information extracted in step S204. The number of received orders for the consumable item is compared (step S2071b), and the value of the reception counter is the order received. Determines whether the reached number (step S2072b).

  From the received remaining amount detection notification held in the reception history information management table 335b corresponding to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification in the order availability determination process (step S207b) consisting of steps S2071b and S2072b. Of the consumables indicated by the extracted consumable identification information, the value of the reception counter of the detection type (reception type) indicated by the extracted detection type information is the consumable in the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information. If the order reception value of the reception type is not reached (NO in step S2072b), it is determined that the consumables cannot be ordered, and the process returns to step S201 to continue monitoring the reception of the remaining amount detection notification.

  On the other hand, the consumable item indicated by the consumable item identification information extracted from the received remaining amount detection notification held in the reception history information management table 335b corresponding to the group identification information of the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification, Similarly, the value of the reception counter of the detection type (reception type) indicated by the extracted detection type information reaches the value of the number of orders received for the consumable type in the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information. If YES in step S2072b, it is determined that consumables can be ordered, and the order notification unit 345 is notified of that.

  As a result, the order notification unit 345 reaches the number of orders received in step S2072b out of the consumable item identification information stored in the consumable item identification information column of the reception history information table 335b corresponding to the group identification information. The consumable item identification information associated with the reception counter determined to have been read is read, the consumable items indicated by the consumable item identification information are collected into an order item list corresponding to the group, and the consumable item in the order item list is displayed. The order processing server 30 is notified that the order is to be placed (step S208).

  Next, the reception history management unit 342 selects the ordering object in step S208 out of the consumable item identification information held in the reception history information table 335b corresponding to the group identification information of the order source group in the processing in step S208. Then, the value of the reception counter corresponding to the consumable item identification information set is reset to the initial value “0” (step S209), and then the process returns to step S201 to continue receiving the remaining amount detection notification.

  As shown in FIG. 11, according to the consumables order management process of the order management server 30B according to the present embodiment, when the order determination information shown in FIG. In any of the image forming apparatuses 10a-1 and 10a-2 belonging to A, the near empty of any one of the mounted toners (each color toner) is detected, and the reception history information table 335b (FIG. 10). The toner whose near empty reception counter corresponding to the group (department A) in the group (department A) reaches the set number (order received number) “1”. The order processing server 40 is notified that an order is placed corresponding to A).

  In addition, any one of the image forming apparatuses 10b-1, 10b-2, and 10b-3 belonging to the department B detects the near empty of any of the mounted toners, and the reception history information table 335b. After the near-empty reception counter for the toner corresponding to the group (department B) at “1” is set to “1”, a near-empty of the same type of toner is further detected by the same device or the same type of device. When the near empty reception counter of the toner corresponding to the group (department B) in the reception history information table 335b reaches the set number (order received number) “2”, the toner is transferred to the group (department B). The order processing server 40 is notified of the corresponding ordering.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10c-1 belonging to the department C detects the toner empty of any of the mounted toners, and the toner empty corresponding to the group (department C) in the reception history information table 335b. Is notified to the order processing server 40 that the toner for which the empty has been detected is ordered in accordance with the group (department C) at the timing when the reception counter of “1” is set to “1”. The

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, consumable supplies (containers in this example, toner) of each group (departments A, B, and C) are taken into account in consideration of the convenience of consumption, etc. By using the order determination information that sets the consumption status (for example, empty, near empty) and the number of received orders for each type, the consumption is counted for each group according to the above circumstances of each group. The ordering timing and quantity for each product are controlled.

  The consumables order management system of this embodiment is configured by installing an order management server 30C having the functional configuration shown in FIG. 12, for example, instead of the order management server 30 in the system configuration shown in FIG.

  In the order management server 30C shown in FIG. 12, the storage unit 33c is provided with an order determination information table 333c and an order history information table 337. The control unit 34c includes an order history management unit 343 and an order determination processing unit 344c.

  The functional units other than the above in the order management server 30C have the same configuration as the corresponding functional units (denoted by the same reference numerals) of the order management server 30 (see FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment.

  In the storage unit 33c, the order determination information table 333c includes, for example, each group identification information (department A, B, C,...) In the system configuration of FIG. The remaining amount detection type (reception type: near ampty or empty) for which the number of receptions from the image forming apparatus 10 belonging to each group is counted, and whether or not to place an order for consumables (refrain from placing an order) The number of times of reception (number of received orders) used as the first determination criterion and the information on the upper limit number of consumable supplies within a predetermined period are used as the second determination criterion for whether or not to place an order for consumables. Retained.

  In other words, the order determination information table 333c according to the present embodiment associates the group identification information of each group with the predetermined number of received orders of the predetermined reception type in the order determination information (see FIG. 6) used in the first embodiment. In addition, it holds order determination information in which each group identification information is associated with the upper limit number of consumables within a predetermined period in each corresponding group.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the order history information table 337 shows the number of consumables ordered (notified of ordering) in each group for each group identification information. Information indicating (the number of consumables ordered) is held.

  In the control unit 34c, the order history management unit 343 determines the number of consumables to be notified of the order through the order management process (see FIG. 16) described later by the order determination processing unit 344c within the predetermined period. The history information table 337 is used to perform management processing for each group.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing order history management processing in the order history manager 343.

  As shown in FIG. 15, during operation of the order management server 30C, the order history management unit 343 starts counting a timer in which the predetermined period of one month, for example, is set as a count value (step S251). Is monitored (step S252), while it is not timed out (NO in step S252), it is checked whether or not the order notification unit 345 has notified the consumables order (step S253). .

  Here, when the order notification of the consumables is made (YES in step S253), the group of the ordering source corresponding to the consumables is specified (step S254), and the consumables of the group in the order history information table 337 are consumed. The value of the number of consumables ordered is updated by adding “1” to the number of ordered goods (step S255).

  Note that the consumables order notification by the order notifying unit 345b, which is the check target in step S253, is the order reception in which the number of receptions of the remaining amount detection notification of a predetermined detection type is preset in step S208 shown in FIG. It will be implemented collectively in correspondence with the group that has reached the number.

  The order history management unit 343 determines whether or not an order for the consumable item has been notified through the processing of step S208 of the order notification unit 345 in step S253 and subsequent step S254, and notifies the order of the consumable item. Information of the group associated as the ordering source in the case of being ordered.

  After updating the number of consumables ordered in step S255, the order history management unit 343 returns to step S252, and if the timer is not timed out (NO in step S252), the processing up to S255 is repeatedly executed. Is timed out (YES in step S252), the timer is reset (step S256), the consumables ordered quantity of all groups in the order history information table 337 is reset to “0” (step S257), and the processing from step S251 is continued. To do.

  In this way, the order history management unit 343 determines the order number of consumables within a predetermined period for each group including one or more image forming apparatuses 10 as a constituent member through a series of processes shown in FIG. Management is performed using a table 337.

  Further, in the control unit 34c, the order determination processing unit 344c performs the order determination information held in the order determination information table 333c and the order in step S207c during the consumables order management process shown in FIG. 16 in the order management server 30C. Based on the order history information held in the history information table 337, processing for determining whether or not to order consumables is performed.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence between the image forming apparatus 10 and the order management server 30C related to the consumables order management process of the consumables order management system according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 16, the remaining amount detection notification processing in the image forming apparatus 10 installed in each department A, B, C is performed by the same processing as steps S101 to S103 shown in FIG.

  Further, in FIG. 16, during the series of order management processing of the order management server 30C according to the present embodiment based on the reception of the remaining amount detection notification from each image forming apparatus 10, the order management server 30 according to the first embodiment performs The same processing steps as the processing steps of the order management process (see FIG. 8) are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 16, the consumables order availability determination process in step S207c is a process specific to the order management server 30C according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the order management server 30C according to the present embodiment, when a remaining amount detection notification is received from each image forming apparatus 10 of each department A, B, C (YES in step S201), the remaining amount detection is performed. The notification reception processing unit 341 extracts device identification information, consumable item identification information, and detection type information from the received remaining amount detection notification (step S202), and the order determination processing unit 344c extracts the extracted device identification information. The group identification information corresponding to the device identification information is retrieved from the group management information table 331 using the key as a key (step S203), and the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information from the order determination information table 333c (see FIG. 13). Is searched (step S204).

  Next, the order determination processing unit 344c determines whether or not the reception type information that matches the detection type information extracted from the remaining amount detection notification in step S202 exists in the order determination information searched in step S204 ( Step S205).

  If there is no reception type information that matches the detection type information included in the received remaining amount detection notification in the order determination information (NO in step S205), the process returns to step S201 to monitor reception of the remaining amount detection notification. Continue.

  On the other hand, if there is reception type information that matches the detection type information included in the received remaining amount detection notification in the order determination information (YES in step S205), the order determination processing unit 344c receives the reception history information table 335. Among them, the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group identification information (group identification information of the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification) searched in step S203 is incremented from the current value by “1” (step S206). .

  When the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group identification information is counted up in step S206, the reception history management unit 342 corresponds to the group identification information in the reception history information table 335 (see FIG. 7) each time. In the consumable item identification information field to be detected, consumable item identification information of the consumable item for which the remaining amount of the reception type that has been counted up is detected (the consumable item extracted from the remaining amount detection notification in step S202 above) (Identification information) is also stored in correspondence with the count of the reception count.

  In step S206, the reception counter of the reception type set in the order determination information corresponding to the group extracted in step S204 (the group that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification received in step S201) identification information is counted. Then, the order determination processing unit 344 receives the value of the reception counter after the count-up, the order determination information set in the order determination information table 333c corresponding to the group identification information searched in step S204, The process proceeds to the order availability determination process in step S207c based on the order history information held in the history information table 337.

  In this order determination processing in step S207c, the order determination processing unit 344c first receives the value of the reception counter of the reception type after counting up in step S206 and the group identification information (remaining amount) searched in step S204. Corresponding to the number of received orders of the reception type in the order determination information set in the order determination information table 333c corresponding to the notification source group identification information) (step S2071). It is determined whether or not the value has reached the value of the number of orders received (step S2072).

  Here, the value of the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification does not reach the number of orders received for the reception type in the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information (NO in step S2072), the process returns to step S201 and continues to monitor reception of the remaining amount detection notification.

  On the other hand, the value of the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification reaches the number of received orders of the reception type in the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information. If YES (step S2072 YES), the number of consumables ordered in the order history information table 337 corresponding to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification is determined as an order decision corresponding to the group identification information. It is checked whether or not the upper limit number of orders placed in the information table 333c is exceeded (step S2073).

  If the number of consumables ordered exceeds the maximum number of orders (NO in step S2073), it is determined that consumables cannot be ordered, and the process returns to step S201 to continue monitoring the reception of the remaining amount detection notification.

  On the other hand, if the number of consumables ordered does not exceed the maximum order number (YES in step S2073), it is determined that consumables can be ordered, and the order notification unit 345 is notified of this.

  As a result, the order notification unit 345 corresponds to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification, and the consumable item identification information for each count stored in the detection target consumable item identification information column of the reception history information table 335. The consumable items indicated by the consumable item identification information are collected in an order item list corresponding to the group, and the order processing server 30 is notified that the consumable item in the order item list is to be ordered (step S208).

  When the consumables order notification process is completed, the reception history management unit 342 sets the reception type reception counter value corresponding to the identification information of the group (ordering source group) in the reception history information table 335 to the initial value “0”. (Step S209), and then the process returns to step S201 to continue receiving the remaining amount detection notification.

  Further, when the reception history management unit 342 resets the value of the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the ordering group in step S209, the detection target consumable item identification information of the reception history information table 335 corresponding to the group is received. The consumable item identification information stored in the column is also reset (deleted).

  As shown in FIG. 16, according to the consumables order management process of the order management server 30 </ b> C according to the present embodiment, the order determination information table 333 c holds, for example, the order determination information with the setting contents shown in FIG. 13. At this time, for example, in any one of the image forming apparatuses 10b-1, 10b-2, and 10b-3 belonging to the department B, the near empty of any one of the mounted toners is detected twice for convenience, The reception counter of the toner near empty corresponding to the group (department B) in the reception history information table 335 becomes the set number (number of received orders) “2”, and the consumption corresponding to the group in the order history information table 337 When the number of items ordered does not exceed the upper limit number of orders = 5 held corresponding to the group in the order determination information table 333c, the above reception counter The toner which is near empty detected in each counting times of data = 2 is that the order collectively to correspond to the group (department B) is notified to the order processing server 40.

  On the other hand, in any one of the image forming apparatuses 10a-1 and 10a-2 belonging to the department A, the near empty of one of the mounted toners (each color toner) is detected, and the order history information If the order quantity of consumables corresponding to the group in the table 337 does not exceed the upper limit number of orders held corresponding to the group in the order determination information table 333c = 10, the toner in which the near empty is detected is detected. And the image forming apparatus 10c-1 belonging to the department C detects that one of the mounted toners is empty, and The number of consumables orders corresponding to the group in the order history information table 337 is held in the order determination information table 333c corresponding to the group. Note If it does not exceed the maximum number = 2, the detected toner of the empty is that to order in response to the group (department C) is notified.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in correspondence with each group (department A, B, C), in addition to the status information equivalent to the first embodiment and the number of received orders, the consumables ordering upper limit number is further associated. By setting the order determination information, within the range of the consumables ordering upper limit set for each group, the consumables order management process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, and the consumables ordering upper limit was exceeded. In this case, control is performed to suppress the ordering of consumables.

  The consumables order management system of the present embodiment replaces the order management server 30 in the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, and is an order management server having a consumables order management processing function shown in FIG. Is called).

  In the order management server 30D (not shown) according to the present embodiment, the storage unit 33c in the order management server 30C (see FIG. 12) according to the third embodiment has an order determination information table 33c and an order history information table 337 in terms of functional blocks. Instead of the storage unit 33d provided with the order determination information table 33d and the order history information table 337d, respectively, and the control unit 34c replaces the order history management unit 343 and the order determination processing unit 344c, respectively. It has a configuration replaced with a control unit 34d provided with an order history management unit 343d and an order determination processing unit 344d.

  The configuration of the other functional units is the same as that of the order management server 30C according to the third embodiment.

  In the order management server 30D, the order determination information table 333d provided in the storage unit 34d includes group identification information of each group in the order determination information (see FIG. 6) used in the first embodiment as shown in FIG. In addition to associating with a predetermined number of received orders of a predetermined reception type, an order determination that correlates each group identification information with information on the upper limit amount of consumables within a predetermined period in each corresponding group. Holds information.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the order history information table 337d is ordered within the predetermined period in each group corresponding to each of the group identification information (order notification is made). Information indicating the amount of consumables (consumable ordering amount) is held.

  In addition, in the control unit 34d, the order history management unit 343d determines the amount of consumables ordered through the order management process (see FIG. 20) described later by the order determination processing unit 344d within the predetermined period. Using the information table 337d, management processing is performed for each group.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the order history management process in the order history management unit 343d.

  During the order history management process, the processes other than steps S255e and S257e are the same as those in the order history management process (see FIG. 15) in the third embodiment, and detailed processes are omitted here.

  In FIG. 19, the order history management unit 343d notifies the orderer of consumables by the order notification unit 345 (step S253 YES) before a predetermined period (for example, one month) times out (NO in step S252). The corresponding group is identified (step S254), and the amount of the ordered consumable is calculated. Then, the calculated order amount is added to the consumable ordering amount of the consumable in the order history information table 337d. Then, the value of the consumable ordering amount is updated (step S255e).

  Further, after a predetermined period (for example, one month) has timed out (YES in step S252) and the timer is reset (step S256), the consumables ordering amounts for all groups in the ordering history information table 337d are reset to “0” ( Step S257), the processing from step S251 is continued.

  Note that the order history management unit 343d has a consumable item amount master that registers the amount of each consumable item mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 of each of the departments A, B, and C. In step S255e, an order is placed. The amount corresponding to the consumables is read from the master, and the amount calculated by multiplying the amount by the number of orders is added to the current consumables order amount, and the value is updated.

  As described above, the order history management unit 343d displays the order amount of consumables within a predetermined period for each group including one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses as a constituent member through the series of processes shown in FIG. Management is performed using 337d.

  Further, in the control unit 34d, the order determination processing unit 344d performs the order determination information held in the order determination information table 333d in step S207d during the consumables order management process shown in FIG. Based on the order history information held in the history information table 337d, processing for determining whether or not to order consumables is performed.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence between the image forming apparatus 10 and the order management server 30D related to the consumables order management process of the consumables order management system according to the present embodiment.

  In the series of consumables order management process in FIG. 20, the processes other than step S207d are the same as the processes of the same reference numerals in the consumables order management process (see FIG. 16) in the third embodiment. The process of step S207d will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when the order management server 30D according to the present embodiment receives a remaining amount detection notification from each image forming apparatus 10 in each department A, B, C (YES in step S201), the remaining amount detection notification is received. The processing unit 341 extracts device identification information, consumable item identification information, and detection type information from the received remaining amount detection notification (step S202), and the order determination processing unit 344d corresponds to the extracted device identification information. After the group identification information is searched (step S203), and the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information is searched (step S204), the detection type extracted from the received remaining amount detection notification in the order determination information If there is reception type information that matches the information (YES in step S205), the retrieved group identification information in the reception history information table 335 Process of counting up the reception counter of the received kind of response a (step S206) performed.

  In step S206, the reception counter of the reception type set in the order determination information corresponding to the group extracted in step S204 (the group that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification received in step S201) identification information is counted. Then, the order determination processing unit 344d receives the value of the reception counter after the count-up, the order determination information set in the order determination information table 333d corresponding to the group identification information searched in step S204, The process proceeds to the order acceptability determination process in step S207d based on the order history information held in the history information table 337d.

  In this order determination processing in step S207d, the order determination processing unit 344d first receives the value of the reception counter of the reception type after counting up in step S206 and the group identification information (remaining amount) searched in step S204. Corresponding to the number of received orders of the reception type in the order determination information set in the order determination information table 333d corresponding to the notification source group identification information) (step S2071). It is determined whether or not the value has reached the value of the number of orders received (step S2072).

  Here, the value of the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification does not reach the number of orders received for the reception type in the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information (NO in step S2072), the process returns to step S201 and continues to monitor reception of the remaining amount detection notification.

  On the other hand, the value of the reception counter of the reception type corresponding to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification reaches the number of received orders of the reception type in the order determination information corresponding to the group identification information. If YES (step S2072 YES), the consumables ordering amount held in the order history information table 337d corresponding to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification is the order determination corresponding to the group identification information. It is checked whether or not the order amount upper limit held in the information table 333d is exceeded (step S2073d).

  Here, if the consumables ordering amount exceeds the ordering upper limit amount (step S2073dNO), it is determined that the consumables cannot be ordered, and the process returns to step S201 to continue monitoring the reception of the remaining amount detection notification.

  On the other hand, if the consumables ordering amount does not exceed the ordering upper limit amount (step S2073d YES), it is determined that consumables can be ordered, and that is notified to the ordering notification unit 345.

  As a result, the order notification unit 345 corresponds to the group identification information that is the notification source of the remaining amount detection notification, and the consumable item identification information for each count stored in the detection target consumable item identification information column of the reception history information table 335. The consumable items indicated by the consumable item identification information are collected in an order item list corresponding to the group, and the order processing server 30 is notified that the consumable item in the order item list is to be ordered (step S208).

  When the consumables order notification process is completed, the reception history management unit 342 sets the reception type reception counter value corresponding to the identification information of the group (ordering source group) in the reception history information table 335 to the initial value “0”. ”(Step S209), and at the same time, after resetting (deleting) the consumable item identification information stored in the detection target consumable item identification information column of the reception history information table 335 corresponding to the group, step S201 is performed. Return to, and continue to monitor the remaining amount detection notification.

  As shown in FIG. 20, according to the consumables order management process of the order management server 30 </ b> D according to the present embodiment, the order determination information table 333 d holds, for example, order determination information with the setting contents shown in FIG. 17. At this time, for example, in any one of the image forming apparatuses 10b-1, 10b-2, and 10b-3 belonging to the department B, the near empty of any one of the mounted toners is detected twice for convenience, The reception counter of the toner near empty corresponding to the group (department B) in the reception history information table 335 becomes a set number (order reception number) “2”. At this time, the counter corresponds to the group in the order history information table 337d. The order amount of consumables does not exceed the upper limit order amount held in the order determination information table 333d corresponding to the group = 6,000 yen. The case, the toner which has been detected near empty at each count of times of the reception counter = 2 is that the order collectively to correspond to the group (department B) is notified to the order processing server 40.

  On the other hand, in any one of the image forming apparatuses 10a-1 and 10a-2 belonging to the department A, the near empty of one of the mounted toners (each color toner) is detected, and the order history information When the consumables ordering amount corresponding to the group in the table 337d does not exceed the ordering upper limit amount held for the group in the order determination information table 333d = 10,000 yen, the near empty is detected. The image forming apparatus 10c-1 belonging to the department C detects that the toner of any of the mounted toners is empty, and is notified that the ordered toner is ordered in correspondence with the group (department A). The consumables ordering amount corresponding to the group in the order history information table 337d is displayed in the order determination information table 333d. If it does not exceed an order maximum amount = 3,000 yen is held supported, it notifies the detected toner of the empty indicating that ordering in response to the group (department C) is performed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in correspondence with each group (department A, B, C), in addition to the status information equivalent to the first embodiment and the number of received orders, the consumable ordering upper limit is further associated. By setting the order determination information, within the range of the consumables ordering upper limit set for each group, the consumables order management process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, and the consumables ordering upper limit was exceeded. In this case, control is performed to suppress the ordering of consumables.

  In addition, regarding the above-described Examples 3 and 4, when the number of consumables ordered or the order amount of each department exceeds the upper limit value (order upper limit number / order upper limit price) set for each department, an order is placed. In addition to controlling not to perform (refrain from), it is also possible to consider a modification such as permitting an order only once (this time), or permitting an order if the range of values exceeding the upper limit is within a preset value range. It is done.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, when a consumable purchase budget for the entire user (Company A) is determined, the budget is allocated to each of the departments A, B, and C according to the use frequency of the consumables. Also, by setting the ordering limit number or ordering limit amount corresponding to the budget allocated to each department for each department, it is possible to preferentially place an order for consumables for departments that use consumables more frequently. .

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented by being appropriately modified within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, a toner cartridge is cited as an example of a consumable used in the image forming apparatus 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the residual remaining on the photosensitive drum or the photosensitive drum is scraped off. The same effect can be expected when the consumable item order management process according to the present invention is applied to other consumable items such as a toner box for storing toner.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, when a consumable item is ordered based on the order determination information set for each group and it is determined that the order is acceptable, the detection of the remaining amount of the ordered consumable item is notified. The remaining amount detection notification source image forming apparatus 10 may be notified.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the order management server 30 determines that the order is acceptable by the above-described order determination process (see S207 in FIG. 8, S207b in FIG. 11, S207c in FIG. 16, S207d in FIG. 20). The order processing server 40 is notified that the consumable item to be ordered is ordered (see S208 in FIGS. 8, 11, 16 and 20), and the order processing server 40 orders the consumable item based on the notification. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a configuration in which the order management server 30 also has an order processing function and directly orders the corresponding consumable when it is determined that the order can be ordered by the order determination process.

  Further, in the above embodiment, every time the remaining amount detection notification is received, the number of receptions of the consumables remaining amount detection notification corresponding to the notification source group is counted up. Configuration example in which the order management server 30 has a processing function for determining whether or not consumables can be ordered according to whether or not an order determination condition (the number of times the consumables remaining amount detection notification is received) corresponding to the group of Although not limited to this, for example, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a consumables order management processing function equivalent to that of the order management server 30, and the image forming apparatus 10 communicates with other image forming apparatuses 10 in each department. It is good also as a structure connected and performing the said consumable goods order management process.

  In the above embodiment, the consumables order management program is installed in the order management server 30 (computer), and the computer is divided into a plurality of device groups each including one or a plurality of devices based on the program. Receiving means for receiving the status information notified by the notification means from the device for detecting the consumption status of the consumables and notifying the detected status information indicating the consumption status of the consumables by the notification means; Setting means for setting the status information and the number of orders received corresponding to the device group, the status information corresponding to the device group to which the device that is the source of the status information received by the receiving device belongs Counting means for counting the number of receptions of the state information, the count value of the number of reception times of the status information corresponding to the device group by the counting means corresponds to the device group by the setting means, On the other hand, when the number of received orders set corresponding to the state information is reached, the consumables for which the state information is detected are made to function as ordering means for placing an order corresponding to the device group. The consumable item order management program may be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as a CDROM.

  The present invention relates to order management for controlling the order and amount of consumables for each management unit based on status information indicating the consumption state of consumables notified from an image forming apparatus managed by each management unit such as a department. The present invention can be applied to an order management device such as a server or an image forming apparatus, a consumables order management system including the order management device, and a consumables order management program installed in the order management device.

The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the consumable goods order management system concerning this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. The figure which shows the structural example of a residual amount detection notification communication frame. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the order management server in FIG. The table which shows the example of registration of group management information. The table which shows the example of registration of order determination information. The table which shows the example of holding | maintenance of reception log information. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence of consumables order management processing of the system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a table showing a registration example of order determination information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of holding reception history information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence of consumables order management processing of the system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an order management server according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a table showing a registration example of order determination information according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of holding order history information according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating order history management processing in the order management server according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence of consumables order management processing in the system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a table showing a registration example of order determination information according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of holding order history information according to the fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating order history management processing in the order management server according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence of consumables order management processing of the system according to the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a-1, 10a-2, 10b-1, 10b-2, 10b-3, 10c-1 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Reading part, 12 ... Image processing part, 13 ... Memory | storage part, 131 ... Device information 132 ... Consumable information, 133 ... Notification destination information, 14 ... Image forming unit, 141 ... Light emitting element, 142 ... Light receiving element, 15 ... Consumable (toner cartridge), 16 ... Display / operating unit, 17 ... Control unit, 171 ... remaining amount detection control unit, 172 ... remaining amount detection notification control unit, 172a ... remaining amount detection notification communication frame, 173 ... control information setting control unit, 18 ... external interface (I / F) unit, 19 ... communication interface ( I / F) unit, 20 ... personal computer (PC), 30, 30C ... order management server, 31 ... display unit, 32 ... input / operation unit, 33, 33c ... storage unit, 331 ... group management information Table 333, 333b, 333c, 333d ... Order determination information table, 335, 335b ... Reception history information table, 337, 337d ... Order history information table, 34, 34c ... Control unit, 341 ... Remaining amount detection notification reception processing unit, 342: Reception history management unit, 343 ... Order history management unit, 344, 344c ... Order determination processing unit, 345 ... Order notification unit, 346 ... Information management unit, 347 ... Information setting unit, 35 ... Communication interface (I / F) Part 40 ... order processing server 50 ... network (NW)

Claims (6)

A plurality of device groups each including one or more devices;
A management device that manages the ordering of consumables corresponding to the device group,
The device is
Detecting means for detecting a consumption state of the consumables of the apparatus;
Notification means for notifying state information indicating a consumption state of the consumables detected by the detection means,
The management device
Receiving means for receiving the status information notified by the notifying means;
Setting means for setting the status information and the number of received orders corresponding to the device group;
Counting means for counting the number of times the status information is received, corresponding to the device group to which the device that is the notification source of the status information received by the receiving means belongs,
The count value of the number of receptions of the state information corresponding to the device group by the counting unit reaches the number of received orders corresponding to the device group by the setting unit and set corresponding to the state information. Then, a consumables ordering management system comprising ordering means for placing an order for the consumables for which the status information is detected in correspondence with the device group. The setting means includes
Set the number of orders received for the status information for each type of consumables,
The counting means includes
Count the number of times the status information is received for each type of consumable,
The ordering means is
The consumable item is ordered when a count value of the number of times the status information is received by the consumable type by the counting means reaches the order reception number corresponding to the status information by the consumable type. The consumables ordering management system according to 1. Further comprising order quantity management means for managing the number of consumables ordered which is the cumulative number of consumables ordered by the ordering means, corresponding to the device group;
The setting means includes
Corresponding to the device group, further set the ordering upper limit number of consumables within a predetermined period,
The ordering means is
When the number of consumables ordered within the predetermined period corresponding to the device group managed by the order number management means is within the order limit number set corresponding to the device group, the consumable 3. The consumables order management system according to claim 1 or 2. And further comprising an order amount management means for managing the consumable order amount corresponding to the device group by accumulating the amount of the consumables ordered by the order means,
The setting means includes
Corresponding to the device group, further set the ordering upper limit amount of consumables within a predetermined period,
The ordering means is
When the order amount of consumables within the predetermined period corresponding to the device group managed by the order amount management means is within the order upper limit amount set corresponding to the device group, the consumable item is 3. The consumables order management system according to claim 1 or 2. Communicatively connected to the devices managed separately in a plurality of device groups each including one or a plurality of devices,
Receiving means for detecting the state of consumption of the consumables and receiving the status information notified by the notification means from the device for notifying the status information indicating the consumption state of the detected consumables by the notification means;
Setting means for setting the status information and the number of received orders corresponding to the device group;
Counting means for counting the number of times the status information is received, corresponding to the device group to which the device that is the notification source of the status information received by the receiving means belongs,
The count value of the number of receptions of the state information corresponding to the device group by the counting unit reaches the number of received orders corresponding to the device group by the setting unit and set corresponding to the state information. Then, a consumables order management device comprising ordering means for placing an order for the consumables for which the status information has been detected, corresponding to the device group. Computer
From the device that is managed separately in a plurality of device groups each including one or a plurality of devices, detects the consumption state of the consumables, and notifies the status information indicating the detected consumption state of the consumables by the notification means Receiving means for receiving the status information notified by the notification means;
Setting means for setting the status information and the number of orders received corresponding to the device group;
A counting unit that counts the number of times the state information is received in correspondence with the device group to which the device that is the source of the state information received by the receiving unit belongs;
The count value of the number of receptions of the state information corresponding to the device group by the counting unit reaches the number of received orders corresponding to the device group by the setting unit and set corresponding to the state information. Then, a consumable item order management program that functions as an ordering unit that orders consumable items for which the status information is detected in correspondence with the device group.

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