JP2017071180A - Consumable supply stock management device and consumable supply - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute proper stock management of a consumable supply in response to a use state of a printer and an environment of a storage vessel for storing the consumable supply.SOLUTION: An average exchange period is calculated based on an exchange history, and an exchange estimate time limit estimated as time when exchanging a new ink cartridge 16a loaded in a stencil printer 10 is calculated based on the average exchange period, and a quality maintenance period is read in from the ink cartridge 16a stored in a storage vessel 32, and a consumption time limit of finishing the quality maintenance period of the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage vessel 32, is calculated based on the read-in quality maintenance period and manufacture data, and the calculated consumption lime limit is corrected in response to environment information acquired by an environment sensor, and an ordering quantity of the ink cartridge 16a in ordering time of the next time, is calculated based on a periodic ordering period, the calculated exchange estimate time limit, the corrected consumption time limit and a consumable supply quantity stored in the storage vessel 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a consumables inventory management apparatus and consumables that perform appropriate inventory management of consumables according to the usage status of a printing apparatus and the environment of a storage container that stores the consumables.

  In the printing apparatus, various consumables such as an ink cartridge and a master are detachably provided depending on the printing method.

  For example, in a stencil printing apparatus, an ink cartridge storing ink for each color as a consumable is detachably provided inside the plate cylinder, and ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the outside of the plate cylinder. In addition, a consumable master is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder, and ink is supplied to the outside only from the perforated surface of the master among the ink supplied between the ink holes on the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder and the master. Printed on paper.

  In addition, in the ink jet printing apparatus, an ink cartridge storing ink for each color as a consumable is detachably provided, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the ink jet head, and the ink is printed from the nozzle of the ink jet head. Print images and characters by ejecting toward the screen.

  Consumables such as ink cartridges and masters have a consumable quality retention period set from the viewpoint of quality assurance. If consumables that have passed the consumable quality retention period are used, the image quality deteriorates. Or printing trouble such as paper jams.

  Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately manage the consumables so that the expiry date is not exceeded and the stockout does not occur.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless ID tag reader that receives a wireless signal from a wireless ID tag for each product storage area when storing and managing a product to which a wireless ID tag storing individual information is stored. A technology relating to a product management system that performs management processing of product inventory and shipment for each storage area using individual information that is arranged and read by a wireless ID tag reader for each product storage area is disclosed.

JP 2013-63836 A

  Here, the usage status of the printing apparatus varies depending on the user, such as a high usage frequency or a low usage frequency. In addition, since the installation environment such as temperature and humidity in which the storage container storing the consumables is different, the progress of the deterioration of the consumables such as the ink cartridge and the master is different.

  However, in the product management system described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to perform appropriate inventory management because the deterioration of consumables over time in different usage situations and usage environments for each printing apparatus is not taken into consideration.

  For example, when consumables are stored, the deterioration of the consumables is accelerated, and there is a possibility that the actual consumable quality retention period has already been exceeded when used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above. A consumables inventory management device and a consumable that perform appropriate inventory management of consumables according to the usage status of a printing apparatus and the environment of a storage container storing the consumables. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of a consumables inventory management apparatus according to the present invention is a consumables inventory that is used in a printing apparatus and that manages the inventory of consumables having at least storage means for storing a quality retention period. An ordering device for consumables, a consumable storage unit for storing consumables used in the printing apparatus, an environment information acquisition unit for acquiring environmental information in which the consumables storage unit is installed, and a management device An ordering period acquisition means for acquiring a periodic ordering period that is a period up to and when the consumable is loaded, a period from the start of use of the consumable loaded in the printing apparatus until the replacement is replaced A replacement history acquisition unit for acquiring a history of the replacement period, an average replacement period based on the history of the consumables, and a new eraser loaded in the printing apparatus based on the average replacement period. An estimated replacement deadline calculating means for calculating an estimated replacement deadline that is estimated to be when the goods are exchanged, and reading the quality retention period from the consumables stored in the consumable storage means, and the read quality retention period; Based on the date of manufacture, the expiration date calculating means for calculating the expiration date when the quality retention period of the consumables stored in the consumable storage means ends, and the environmental information acquisition of the calculated expiration date Expiration date correction means for correcting according to the environmental information acquired by the means, the periodic order cycle, the calculated replacement estimated deadline, the corrected expiration date, and stored in the consumables storage means Order quantity calculating means for calculating the order quantity of the consumable at the time of next ordering based on the quantity of consumables.

A second feature of the consumables inventory management apparatus according to the present invention is that, when the consumables are loaded, the order quantity calculation means sets To as the periodic ordering period, Tc as the average replacement period, and Ss as The order quantity So when the quantity of consumables stored in the consumables storage means within the corrected expiry date is used is calculated using (Formula 1) So = {To− (Tc × Ss)} / Tc (Formula 1)
There is.

  A first feature of the consumable item according to the present invention is a consumable item whose inventory is managed by the consumable item inventory management device according to claim 1, wherein the consumable item acquires environmental information of the consumable item. The environment information of the consumables acquired by the consumable environment information acquiring means used by the expiry date correction means to correct the expiry date is stored in the storage means. There is.

  According to the first feature of the consumables inventory management device according to the present invention, when the replacement history acquisition unit is loaded with consumables, the consumables loaded in the printing apparatus are used until they are replaced. The replacement period history is acquired with the period of the replacement period as the replacement period, and the replacement estimated time limit calculating means calculates the average replacement period based on the history of consumables and is loaded into the printing apparatus based on the average replacement period. An estimated replacement deadline that is estimated to be when a new consumable is replaced is calculated, and the expiry date calculation means reads the quality retention period from the consumables stored in the consumable storage means, Based on the date of manufacture, the expiry date when the quality retention period of consumables stored in the consumables storage means ends is calculated, and the expiry date correction means acquires the calculated expiry date by the environmental information acquisition means Environment The order quantity calculation means performs a next order based on the periodic order cycle, the calculated replacement deadline, the corrected expiration date, and the quantity of consumables stored in the consumable storage means. The order quantity of consumables at the time of ordering is calculated.

  Therefore, considering out-of-stock conditions of consumables in the environment of consumables storage means that stores consumables and different usage conditions for each printing device, there is no out-of-stock condition and Inventory quantity can be managed appropriately so that the expiration date is not exceeded.

  According to the second feature of the consumables inventory management apparatus according to the present invention, the order quantity calculating means calculates the order quantity So using (Formula 1) when the consumables are loaded. The quantity of consumables that can be predicted to be short by the next ordering time after the period To has passed can be calculated as the ordering quantity So.

  According to the feature of the consumable item according to the present invention, the storage unit stores the environment information of the consumable item acquired by the consumable item environment information acquiring unit used by the expiration date correction unit to correct the expiration date. The expiry date can be corrected in consideration of the environmental information on the consumables.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an inventory management system that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the correction coefficient table memorize | stored in ROM. It is the flowchart which showed correction | amendment operation | movement of the inventory management system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the order processing in the inventory management system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement in the inventory management system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement in the inventory management system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an inventory management system including a consumables inventory management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further, the embodiments shown below exemplify devices and the like for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention is to arrange the components and the like as follows. Not specific. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

[Example 1]
First, a first embodiment of the consumables inventory management device of the present invention will be described. Here, an inventory management system including the consumables inventory management apparatus and the stencil printing apparatus of the present invention will be described as an example.

(Overall configuration of inventory management system)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an inventory management system that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inventory management system includes a stencil printing apparatus 10, a consumables inventory management apparatus 30, and a computer 40.

  The computer 40 generates image data by executing an application program, and transmits the generated image data to the stencil printing apparatus 10 as a print job. Although not shown, the computer 40 is connected to the purchase management system via a network, and transmits the order slip generated in accordance with the order instruction received from the consumables inventory management device 30 to the purchase management system, thereby transferring the ink cartridge. 16a is ordered.

  The stencil printing apparatus 10 includes an engine control unit 11, an image data processing unit 12, a display panel 13, a tag R / W (reference numeral 14), a printing unit 16, a plate making unit 17, and a scanner 18.

  The engine control unit 11 is a unit that controls the tag R / W 14, the printing unit 16, and the plate making unit 17.

  The image data processing unit 12 controls the scanner 18, executes image processing on the image data read by the scanner 18, and supplies the processed image data to the engine control unit 11.

  The display panel 13 displays operation information for plate making and printing executed by the stencil printing apparatus 10 and has functions of a display unit and an operation unit that accept user operations. When the display panel 13 is touched, an operation signal requesting various processes such as setting and starting of a plate making function and a printing function is generated, and the generated operation signal is supplied to the image data processing unit 12.

  The tag R / W 14 is connected to the engine control unit 11 and has a function of reading or rewriting data stored in a memory included in an IC tag 16b built in an ink cartridge 16a attached to the stencil printing apparatus 10. .

  The printing unit 16 has a function of transferring ink to the printing paper while conveying the printing paper, and includes a plate cylinder and a press roll (not shown). The plate cylinder is a cylindrical metal plate having a porous structure in which a large number of ink holes are formed, and ink is supplied from the inside of the plate cylinder to the outside through the ink holes. The master is wound around the outer peripheral surface, and the ink is supplied to the outside only from the perforated surface of the master among the ink supplied between the ink holes on the outer peripheral surface and the master. The press roll is a roller that presses the printing paper being conveyed to the master.

  An ink cartridge 16a, which is a consumable item, is detachably provided inside the plate cylinder. The ink cartridge 16a includes an ink tank for storing ink and an IC tag 16b. By appropriately mounting the ink cartridge 16a, wireless communication is established with the tag R / W (symbol 14), and data stored in the memory of the IC tag 16b can be read and written.

  The IC tag 16b stores the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 16a and a consumable quality holding period that is a period during which the quality can be held in the ink cartridge 16a.

  The plate making unit 17 has a master roll 17a which is a consumable product in which a heat-sensitive stencil sheet (hereinafter referred to as “master”) is wound in a roll shape during plate making. Then, the plate making unit 17 makes a pixel image of a manuscript image (or a manuscript image inputted from the outside of the computer 40 or the like) read by the scanner 18 on the master provided from the master roll 17a by making a pixel hole with a thermal head. The master thus wound is wound around the plate cylinder of the printing unit 16. The master roll 17a includes an IC tag 17b inside.

  The scanner 18 is a mechanism that optically reads a document with a lens, a CCD, or the like, and outputs it as an electrical signal. The read document image is processed based on a predetermined command (enlargement, reduction, etc.) and sent to the image data processing unit 12.

  The engine control unit 11 includes a CPU 11a, a ROM 11b, a RAM 11c, a sensor processing circuit 11d, and a motor drive circuit 11e.

The ROM 11b is composed of a nonvolatile semiconductor or the like, and stores data necessary for execution by the CPU 11a, various control programs, and the like.
The RAM 11c is composed of a volatile semiconductor or the like, and stores data necessary for the CPU 11a to execute various processes, a date (start date of use) attached to the printing unit 16, and the like.

  The sensor processing circuit 11d processes detection data detected by various sensors provided in the printing unit 16 and the plate making unit 17, and sends data read by the tag R / W 14 connected to the engine control unit 11 to the CPU 11a. To do.

  The motor drive circuit 11e performs drive control of the printing unit 16 and the plate making unit 17 based on an instruction from the CPU 11a.

  The CPU 11a controls the entire engine control unit 11 by executing a program. As will be described later, when the ink cartridge 16a, which is a consumable item, is replaced, the CPU 11a calculates the average replacement period Tc of the replaced old ink cartridge 16a, and the newly installed ink cartridge 16a. Is stored in the RAM 11c.

  The image data processing unit 12 includes a CPU 12a, a ROM 12b, a RAM 12c, and a scan control unit 12d.

  The ROM 12b is composed of a nonvolatile semiconductor or the like, and stores data necessary for execution by the CPU 12a, various control programs, and the like.

  The RAM 12c is composed of a volatile semiconductor or the like, and stores data necessary for the CPU 12a to execute various processes.

  The scan control unit 12d performs drive control of the scanner 18 based on an instruction from the CPU 11a.

  The CPU 12a performs overall control of the image data processing unit 12.

  The consumables inventory management device 30 includes a consumables management unit 31 and a storage container 32.

  The storage container 32 is a container for storing the ink cartridge 16a. By inserting the ink cartridge 16a from above, the storage container 32 can be supported and stored without falling down. An antenna 32a is provided on the bottom surface of the storage container 32 corresponding to the ink cartridge 16a to be inserted. Using this antenna 32a, wireless communication is established with the ink cartridge 16a, and data stored in the memory built in the IC tag 16b of the ink cartridge 16a is exchanged.

  The consumable management unit 31 has a function of managing the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32, and includes a CPU 31a, a ROM 31b, a RAM 31c, a tag R / W 31d, and an environment sensor 31e.

  The ROM 31b is composed of a non-volatile semiconductor or the like, stores data necessary for execution by the CPU 31a and various control programs, a correction coefficient table which is a correction coefficient for the expiration date for the environmental temperature and environmental humidity, and the ink cartridge 16a. The periodic order cycle, which is the period until ordering, is stored.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the correction coefficient table stored in the ROM 31b.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the correction coefficient table stores the correction coefficient for the expiration date in association with the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity.

  For example, when the environmental temperature is “5” ° C. to “10” ° C. and the environmental humidity is “10”% to “30”%, the correction coefficient for the expiration date is “0.8”. This correction coefficient is set to be lower as the environment in which the ink cartridge 16a is stored is worse.

  The deterioration of the ink cartridge 16a proceeds even if the environmental temperature is too high or too low, but the degree of progress due to the environmental temperature differs depending on the environmental humidity. For example, when the environmental humidity is “10”% to “30”%, the environmental temperature is most unlikely to deteriorate when the environmental temperature is “5” ° C. to “20” ° C. However, when the environmental humidity is less than “10”%, the environmental temperature is “10”. “° C. to“ 35 ”° C. is least prone to deterioration. Further, the higher the environmental humidity, the worse the storage environment, and the deterioration of the ink cartridge 16a proceeds.

  The RAM 31c is composed of a volatile semiconductor or the like, and stores data necessary for the CPU 31a to execute various processes, a storage device inventory quantity Ss that is the quantity of the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32, and the like. .

  The tag R / W 31d has a function of reading or rewriting data stored in a memory of the IC tag 16b built in the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32.

  The environmental sensor 31e measures the environmental temperature and environmental humidity of the consumables inventory management device 30.

  The CPU 31a functions as an order cycle acquisition unit, an exchange history acquisition unit, an estimated replacement deadline calculation unit, an expiration date calculation unit, an expiration date correction unit, and an ordered quantity calculation unit according to the present invention by executing a program.

  The ordering period acquisition unit acquires a periodic ordering period that is a period until the ink cartridge 16a is ordered from the ROM 31b.

  When the ink cartridge 16a is loaded, the replacement history acquisition means uses the period from the start of use of the ink cartridge 16a loaded in the stencil printing apparatus 10 until it is replaced as the replacement period, and the history of the replacement period is replaced with the replacement history. The replacement history of the ink cartridge 16a used in the printing apparatus acquired as is acquired.

  The estimated replacement deadline calculating means calculates an average replacement period Tc based on the replacement history, and when a new ink cartridge 16a loaded in the stencil printing apparatus 10 is replaced based on the calculated average replacement period Tc. Calculate the estimated replacement deadline.

  The expiry date calculation means reads the quality retention period from the consumables stored in the storage container 32, and based on the read quality retention period and date of manufacture, maintains the quality of the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32. Calculate the expiration date when the period ends.

  The expiration date correction means corrects the calculated expiration date according to the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity acquired by the environmental sensor.

  The order quantity calculation means is based on the acquired periodic order cycle, the calculated replacement deadline, the corrected expiration date, and the quantity of the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32, at the time of the next order. The order quantity of the ink cartridge 16a is calculated.

  Next, the operation of the inventory management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the correction operation of the inventory management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that, here, an ink cartridge will be described as an example of the consumable item, but the same processing is executed for the master roll.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the consumable ink cartridge 16a is removed from the printing unit 16 and replaced by mounting a new ink cartridge 16a (step S101), the CPU 31a replaces the old ink cartridge that has been replaced. An average replacement period Tc of 16a is calculated, and based on the calculated average replacement period Tc, an estimated replacement deadline that is estimated to be when a new ink cartridge 16a loaded in the stencil printing apparatus 10 is replaced is calculated ( Step S103). Specifically, the CPU 12a functions as a replacement history acquisition unit, and uses the period from the start of use of the ink cartridge 16a loaded in the stencil printing apparatus 10 to replacement as a replacement period, and records the replacement period history. Obtained as an exchange history. Then, the CPU 12a functions as an estimated replacement deadline calculating unit, acquires a replacement date, and calculates a date when the average replacement period Tc has elapsed as an estimated replacement deadline from the acquired replacement date.

  Then, the CPU 12a stores the use start date of the newly installed ink cartridge 16a in the RAM 11c (step S105).

  Next, the CPU 31a functions as an expiration date calculation unit, acquires the average replacement period Tc calculated in step S103 as a replacement history of the ink cartridge 16a used in the stencil printing apparatus 10, and stores the storage device inventory from the RAM 31c. The quantity Ss is acquired (step S107).

  Then, the CPU 31a maintains the manufacturing date and consumable quality stored in the memory of the IC tag 16b of the ink cartridge 16a corresponding to the storage device inventory quantity Ss stored in the storage container 32 via the tag R / W 31d. A period is read, and the date when the consumables quality retention period has passed on the read manufacturing date is calculated as a consumable expiry date De for each ink cartridge 16a (step S109).

  Next, the CPU 31a functions as a expiration date correction unit, and corrects the environmental degradation for the calculated expendable item expiration date De (step S111). Specifically, the CPU 31a reads the correction coefficient table stored in the ROM 31b, and extracts the correction coefficient corresponding to the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity detected by the environmental sensor 31e from the read correction coefficient table.

  Then, the CPU 31a multiplies each consumable quality holding period by a correction coefficient, and sets the date passed for the consumable quality holding period obtained by multiplying each read manufacturing date by the correction coefficient for each ink cartridge 16a. Calculated as the corrected expendable item expiry date De. Thus, the consumables expiry date De is corrected so as to be shorter as the use environment of the ink cartridge 16a is worse.

  Next, the CPU 31a functions as an order quantity calculation unit and determines whether or not the expiration date has expired (step S113). Specifically, the CPU 31a determines that there is an expired ink cartridge 16a when there is an ink cartridge 16a whose consumable item expiration date De corrected in step S111 exceeds the current date.

  When it is determined that there is an expired ink cartridge 16a (step S113; YES), the display panel 13 displays that there is an expired ink cartridge 16a, so that the user discards the expired ink cartridge 16a. To do.

  When the expiring ink cartridge 16a is discarded, the CPU 31a subtracts the discarded expiring ink cartridge 16a from the storage device inventory quantity Ss stored in the RAM 31c to obtain a new storage device inventory quantity Ss. Is stored in the RAM 31c (step S115).

  Next, the CPU 31a determines whether or not the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32 is out of stock based on the storage device inventory quantity Ss stored in the RAM 31c (step S117).

  When it is determined that the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32 is not out of stock (step S117; NO), it is determined whether today's date is a regular order date (step S119). If not (NO), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S117 that the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32 is out of stock (YES), or the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32 is out of stock in step S117. If NO (NO), it is determined in step S119 that it is the regular order date (YES), the CPU 31a executes order processing (step S200).

  Next, the ordering process in step S200 in the flow shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the ordering process in the inventory management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 31a determines whether or not the storage device inventory quantity Ss stored in the RAM 31c is “1” or more (step S201).

  When the storage device inventory quantity Ss is less than “1”, that is, “0” (step S201; NO), the CPU 31a sets the value calculated by dividing the periodic order period To by the average exchange period Tc as the order quantity So. . At this time, if it is not divisible, the rounded-down integer value is set as the order quantity So. As a result, the quantity of ink cartridges 16a required until the next periodic replacement period To can be calculated as the order quantity So.

  When the storage device inventory quantity Ss is equal to or greater than “1” (step S201; YES), the CPU 31a determines that the period until out of stock indicated by (average replacement period Tc × storage apparatus inventory quantity Ss) is longer than the periodic order cycle To. Whether or not (step S205).

  In the case of (average replacement period Tc × storage device inventory quantity Ss)> periodic ordering cycle To (step S205; YES), it can be predicted that the stock still remains at the time of the next periodic ordering cycle. Quit without.

  On the other hand, when (average replacement period Tc × storage device inventory quantity Ss) ≦ periodic ordering cycle To (step S205; NO), it can be predicted that no inventory remains at the time of the next periodic ordering cycle. The order quantity So is calculated using (Formula 1).

So = {To− (Tc × Ss)} / Tc (Equation 1)
Here, To is a periodic replacement period, Tc is an average replacement period, and Ss is an inventory quantity of the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32 within the corrected consumable expiry date De.

  As a result, the quantity of ink cartridges 16a that can be predicted to be insufficient by the time of the next periodic order cycle can be calculated as the order quantity So.

  Next, the CPU 31a determines whether or not the order quantity So is “1” or more (step S209).

  If the order quantity So is less than “1”, that is, “0” (step S209; NO), it is not necessary to perform the order process, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the order quantity So is “1” or more (step S209; YES), it is necessary to perform an ordering process. Therefore, first, the order quantity So exceeds (maximum stock quantity Ssmax−storage device stock quantity Ss). It is determined whether or not there is (step S211).

  When the ordered quantity So is equal to or less than (maximum inventory quantity Ssmax−storage device inventory quantity Ss) (step S211; NO), there is sufficient storage space in the storage container 32. Therefore, the ink cartridges for the ordered quantity So calculated in step S207. 16a is ordered (step S215). Specifically, the CPU 31a issues an ordering instruction to the computer 40 connected via the network, and the computer 40 that has received the ordering instruction generates an order slip according to the ordering instruction and transmits it to a purchase management system (not shown). As a result, an ordering instruction is accepted and ink cartridges 16a corresponding to the ordering quantity So are ordered.

  On the other hand, when the ordered quantity So exceeds (maximum inventory quantity Ssmax−storage device inventory quantity Ss) (step S211; YES), when ink cartridges 16a corresponding to the calculated order quantity So are received, all inks are received. Since the cartridge 16a cannot be stored in the storage container 32, (maximum stock quantity Ssmax−storage device stock quantity Ss) is input as the order quantity So (step S213), and the new order quantity So ink cartridges 16a are ordered. (Step S215).

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation in the inventory management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the periodic order period To is 6 months, and the average replacement period Tc in the stencil printing apparatus 10 is 3 months. The environmental temperature is 15 ° C., the humidity is 40%, and the correction coefficient is “1”.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the storage device inventory quantity Ss is “5” at time t1. Thereafter, if the ink cartridges 16a are consumed at the average replacement period Tc in March, the number of ink cartridges 16a consumed per regular ordering period To is “2”.

  Therefore, at time t2 when the regular order cycle To has elapsed from time t1, “2” is consumed from the storage device inventory quantity Ss at time t1, and the storage device inventory quantity Ss is “3”.

  At time t2, since the period until stock out (= September) indicated by (average replacement period Tc × storage device inventory quantity Ss) is longer than the periodic order period To (= June), the next periodic order period Since it can be predicted that the stock still remains at the time, the process is terminated without performing the ordering process.

  Until the time point t3, the ink cartridge 16a is consumed at an average replacement period Tc of March, and at the time point t3 when the regular ordering period To has elapsed from the time point t2, the storage device inventory quantity Ss at the time point t2 is “2”. As a result, the storage device inventory quantity Ss is “1”.

  At this time, since the period until stock out (= March) indicated by (average replacement period Tc × storage device inventory quantity Ss) is shorter than the periodic order period To (= June), the time point of the next periodic order period It can be predicted that there is no inventory of the ink cartridge 16a remaining.

  Therefore, the inventory management system 1 executes the processing of steps S201 → S205 → S207 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and calculates the order quantity So as “1” using the above-described (Equation 1). As a result, at time t3, “1” ink cartridges 16a are ordered, and the storage device inventory quantity Ss becomes “2”.

  Then, until the time t4, the ink cartridge 16a is consumed at an average replacement period Tc at the consumption pace of March, and at the time t4 when the regular ordering period To has elapsed from the time t3, the storage device inventory quantity Ss at the time t3 indicates “ 2 ”is consumed, and the storage device inventory quantity Ss becomes“ 0 ”.

  Therefore, the inventory management system 1 executes the processing of steps S201 → S203, and orders the quantity “2” obtained by dividing the periodic order cycle To (= June) by the average exchange period Tc (= March). Calculated as So. As a result, at time t4, “2” ink cartridges 16a are ordered, and the storage device stock quantity Ss becomes “2”.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation in the inventory management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the periodic order period To is 6 months, and the average replacement period Tc in the stencil printing apparatus 10 is 3 months. Further, it is assumed that the consumable quality holding period is one year, the environmental temperature is 15 ° C., the humidity is 15%, and the correction coefficient is “0.8”.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the storage device inventory quantity Ss is “6” at time t1. Thereafter, if the ink cartridges 16a are consumed at the average replacement period Tc in March, the number of ink cartridges 16a consumed per regular ordering period To is “2”.

  Therefore, at time t2 when the regular order cycle To has elapsed from time t1, “2” is consumed from the storage device inventory quantity Ss at time t1, and the storage device inventory quantity Ss is “4”.

  At time t2, since the period until stock out (= September) indicated by (average replacement period Tc × storage device inventory quantity Ss) is longer than the periodic order period To (= June), the next periodic order period Since it can be predicted that the stock still remains at the time, the process is terminated without performing the ordering process.

  Assume that at time t2-1, the “2” th ink cartridge 16a is replaced from the time t2. At this time, since the correction coefficient is “0.8”, when the consumable expiry date De is multiplied by “0.8”, the corrected consumable expiry date De exceeds the current date. It is determined that there are “1” cartridges 16a.

  As a result, “1” of the expired ink cartridges 16a are discarded, and the storage device inventory quantity Ss becomes “1” at time t3.

  Since t3 and subsequent steps are the same as those after t3 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the consumables inventory management apparatus that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the average replacement period is calculated based on the replacement history, and the new loaded in the stencil printing apparatus 10 based on the average replacement period. The estimated replacement deadline estimated to be when the ink cartridge 16a is to be replaced is calculated, the quality retention period is read from the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32, and the read quality retention period and date of manufacture are read. Based on the expiration date when the quality retention period of the ink cartridge 16a stored in the storage container 32 ends, and corrects the calculated expiration date according to the environmental information acquired by the environmental sensor, Based on the calculated estimated replacement deadline, the corrected expiration date, and the quantity of consumables stored in the storage container 32, the ink at the time of next ordering Since the order quantity of the cartridge 16a is calculated, out of stock occurs in consideration of different usage conditions for each stencil printing apparatus 10 and deterioration of the ink cartridge 16a with time in the environment of the storage container 32 storing the ink cartridge 16a. In addition, the inventory quantity can be appropriately managed so that the expiration date of the stored ink cartridge 16a is not exceeded.

  In the first embodiment, the CPU 31a reads the correction coefficient table stored in the ROM 31b, and extracts the correction coefficient corresponding to the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity detected by the environmental sensor 31e from the read correction coefficient table. Not exclusively.

  For example, the ink cartridge 16a includes a consumable environment sensor for measuring the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity of the ink cartridge 16a, and the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity measured by the consumable environment sensor are stored in the IC tag 17b.

  Then, the CPU 31a may read the correction coefficient table stored in the ROM 31b, and extract the correction coefficient corresponding to the environmental temperature and environmental humidity stored in the IC tag 17b from the read correction coefficient table.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inventory management system 10 ... Stencil printing apparatus 11 ... Engine control part 11a ... CPU
11b ... ROM
11c ... RAM
11d ... Sensor processing circuit 11e ... Motor drive circuit 12 ... Image data processing unit 12a ... CPU
12b ROM
12c ... RAM
12d ... Scan control unit 13 ... Display panel 14 ... Tag R / W
16: Printing section 16a ... Ink cartridge 16b ... IC tag (storage means)
17 ... Plate making part 17a ... Master roll 17b ... IC tag (storage means)
18 ... Scanner 30 ... Consumables inventory management device 31 ... Consumables management unit 31a ... CPU
31b ... ROM
31c ... RAM
31e ... environmental sensor 32 ... containment container 40 ... computer

Claims (3)

A consumables inventory management device for managing inventory of consumables used in a printing apparatus and having storage means for storing at least a quality retention period,
Consumables storage means for storing consumables used in the printing apparatus;
Environmental information acquisition means for acquiring environmental information in which the consumable storage means is installed;
An order cycle acquisition means for acquiring a periodic order cycle which is a period until the consumable is ordered;
When the consumables are loaded, a replacement history acquisition unit that acquires a history of the replacement period with a period from the start of use of the consumables loaded in the printing apparatus to replacement as a replacement period;
An average replacement period is calculated based on the history of the consumables, and an estimated replacement deadline that is estimated to be when a new consumable loaded in the printing apparatus is replaced based on the average replacement period. An estimated replacement deadline calculating means;
The quality retention period is read from the consumables stored in the consumable storage means, and the quality maintenance of the consumables stored in the consumable storage means is based on the read quality retention period and date of manufacture. Expiration date calculation means for calculating the expiration date when the period ends,
A expiration date correction means for correcting the calculated expiration date according to the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition means;
Based on the periodic ordering cycle, the calculated replacement deadline, the corrected expiration date, and the quantity of consumables stored in the consumable storage means, the consumables are ordered at the next ordering time. Order quantity calculation means for calculating quantity;
Consumables inventory management device characterized by comprising: The order quantity calculation means includes
When the consumables are loaded, To is the periodic order cycle, Tc is the average replacement period, and Ss is the quantity of consumables stored in the consumable storage means within the corrected expiry date. The order quantity So at the time is calculated using (Formula 1) So = {To− (Tc × Ss)} / Tc (Formula 1)
The consumables inventory management apparatus according to claim 1. A consumable item whose inventory is managed by the consumable item inventory management device according to claim 1 or 2,
Consumables environmental information acquisition means for acquiring environmental information of the consumables,
The storage means stores consumable environment information acquired by the consumable environment information acquisition means used by the expiry date correction means to correct the expiry date. .

Images