JP2022056966A - System, image processing device, server, and ordering method - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress an ordering error of consumables in a subscription service of an image processing device.SOLUTION: An order management system (100) includes: an image processing device (1) in which, when a new ink cartridge (4) is installed, the order management system updates the number of new detection times (822), updates a remaining amount of an ink cartridge (4) according to the execution of image processing, and transmits the number of new product detection times (822) and the remaining amount to a management server (9) at a predetermined timing; and the management server (9) in which, when the number of new detection times (822) is greater than the number of orders (922) or the remaining amount received is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the management server does not place any order of the ink cartridge (4), but, when the number of new detection times (822) is less than or equal to the number of orders (922) and the remaining amount is less than a predetermined value, the management server places an order of the ink cartridge (4) and updates the number of orders (922) if the order is placed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a system for managing orders for consumables used in an image processing apparatus and the like.

There is a service in which a user can use a contract-dedicated consumable or replacement product in an image processing device such as a printer by contracting with a business operator. Such services are called "subscription services".

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer to which a subscription service is applied. A dedicated ink cartridge is delivered to the user who has subscribed to the subscription service, and after that, when the ink remaining amount falls below the threshold value due to the use of the printer, the server places an order and a new dedicated ink cartridge is sent to the user. Will be delivered.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-193592

There is room for improvement in the technique of Patent Document 1 from the viewpoint of preventing mistakes in ordering consumables. Here, the ordering error is, for example, "multiple ordering" in which an order for consumables larger than an appropriate amount is ordered, or "order omission" in which an order is not made in a situation where an order should be made.

The present disclosure aims at suppressing mistakes in ordering consumables in the subscription service of an image processing device.

In order to solve the above problems, the system of the first aspect of the present disclosure is connected to an image processing device so as to be communicable with the image processing device via a network, and consumables used in the image processing device. A system including a server that provides a management service, wherein the image processing apparatus is connected to an image processing unit that performs image processing using the consumables mounted on the image processing apparatus and the network. A device-side interface for storing the device-side memory for storing the number of times a new consumable item, which is an unused consumable item, has been installed, and the life of the consumable item installed in the image processing device, and a device. The device-side controller includes a side controller, and when the new product is mounted on the image processing device, the device-side controller has a mounting number update process for updating the mounting number stored in the device-side memory and a mounting number updating process for the image processing. The life update process for updating the life stored in the device side memory according to the execution, and the number of mountings and the life stored in the device side memory at a predetermined timing are transmitted via the device side interface. The server is provided with a server-side interface for connecting to the network, a server-side memory for storing the number of orders for new products, and a server-side controller. When the server-side controller receives the number of attachments and the lifetime transmitted in the transmission process via the server-side interface, the number of attachments is greater than the number of orders, or the lifetime is a predetermined value. In the above case, if the new product is not ordered, the number of times of mounting is less than or equal to the number of orders, and the life is less than a predetermined value, the order processing for placing the order and the ordering in the order processing are performed. If this is the case, the order count update process for updating the order count stored in the server-side memory is executed.

The second aspect is the system of the first aspect, and the predetermined timing is the period from when the consumable is attached to the image processing device until the image processing device can execute the image processing. Including the timing within.

The third aspect is the system of the first aspect or the second aspect, and the image processing apparatus includes management consumables managed by the server and non-managed consumables not managed by the server as the consumables. The server-side controller is mountable, and the server-side controller does not place an order based on the life of the unmanaged consumable among the managed consumables and the unmanaged consumables, but does not place the order based on the life of the managed consumables. Upon placing an order, the device-side controller transmits at least the life of the controlled consumable among the life of the controlled consumable and the life of the non-managed consumable in the transmission process.

The fourth aspect is the system of the third aspect, in which the device-side controller is the device-side memory when the consumable item currently mounted on the image processing device is the management consumable item in the life update process. The life stored in the first area of the image processing device and the life stored in the second area of the device-side memory, which is different from the first area, are updated, and the consumables currently mounted on the image processing device are updated. Is the unmanaged consumable, only the life stored in the second area of the first area and the second area is updated, and in the transmission process, the first area and the second area are updated. Of these, at least the life stored in the first area is transmitted.

The fifth aspect is the system of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, and the apparatus-side controller further executes a determination process of determining whether or not the management consumable is attached, and updates the number of attachments. In the process, when the new product is mounted on the image processing device and it is determined in the determination process that the controlled consumables have been mounted, the number of mountings is updated, and the controlled consumables are updated in the determination process. If it is determined that is not mounted, the number of mountings is not updated.

The sixth aspect is the system of any one of the first to fifth aspects, and the device-side controller determines whether or not the image processing device is the target of providing the service. When the process is further executed and the new product is mounted on the image processing device in the mounting number update process and the image processing device is determined to be the target of providing the service in the second determination process, the mounting is performed. When the number of times is updated and it is determined in the second determination process that the image processing device is not the target for providing the service, the number of times of wearing is not updated.

The seventh aspect is the system of any one of the first to sixth aspects, and the server-side controller is a case where the image processing device is excluded from the service provision target from the service provision target. Further, the order number initialization process for initializing the order number stored in the server-side memory is further executed, and the device-side controller causes the image processing device to provide the service from the service provision target. When it is outside, the mounting number initialization process for initializing the mounting number stored in the device-side memory is further executed.

In order to solve the above problems, the image processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure is an image processing apparatus, which is an image processing unit that performs image processing using consumables attached to the image processing apparatus. ,
A server that provides a service for managing the consumables, an interface for communicably connecting via a network, the number of times a new consumable item is installed among the consumables, and the image processing device. A memory that stores the life of the consumables attached to the interface,
A controller is provided, and when a new product is mounted, the controller is stored in the memory in accordance with execution of the mounting number updating process for updating the mounting number stored in the memory and the execution of the image processing. The life renewal process for updating the life, and the number of times of mounting and the number of times of life stored in the memory at a predetermined timing are transmitted to the server via the interface and transmitted to the server. And, based on the life and the number of orders for the new product stored in the server, a transmission process for determining whether or not to place an order for the new product is executed.

In order to solve the above problems, the server of the ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a server that provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing device, via the image processing device and a network. It includes an interface for communicably connecting, a memory for storing the number of orders for a new unused consumable item among the consumables, and a controller, and the controller is said to be via the interface. When the number of times the new image processing device is mounted on the new image processing device and the life of the consumables mounted on the image processing device are received, the number of times the image processing device is mounted is larger than the number of orders. Alternatively, if the life is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the new product is not ordered, and if the number of times of mounting is less than or equal to the number of orders and the life is less than the predetermined value, the order processing for placing the order and the above. When the order is placed in the order processing, the order number update process for updating the order number stored in the memory is executed.

In order to solve the above problems, the ordering method according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure is communicably connected to an image processing device that executes image processing via a network, and is used in the image processing. A method of ordering consumables executed by a system including a server that provides a service for managing consumables, which is an unused consumable among the consumables in the image processing apparatus. When the attachment to the image processing device is detected, the life of the consumables attached to the image processing device is shortened according to the attachment number update step of updating the attachment number of new products and the execution of the image processing. When the server receives the number of attachments and the lifetime transmitted in the transmission step, the number of attachments and the lifetime transmitted in the transmission step, the life update step to be updated, and the transmission step of transmitting the number of attachments and the lifetime to the server at a predetermined timing. When the number of mountings is greater than the number of orders for the new product, or the life is longer than the predetermined value, the new product is not ordered, the number of mountings is less than or equal to the number of orders, and the life is less than the predetermined value. If there is, the ordering process for placing the order and the ordering number updating step for updating the ordering number when the order is placed are included.

In order to solve the above problems, the system of the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is connected to the image processing device so as to be communicable with the image processing device via a network, and consumables used in the image processing device. A system including a server that provides a service to be managed, wherein the consumable includes a managed consumable managed by the server and an unmanaged consumable not managed by the server, and the server is the network. The server-side interface for connecting to the image processing device and the management consumables based on the life of the non-managed consumables according to the use in the image processing device are not ordered, and the use in the image processing device is achieved. The server-side controller that places an order based on the life of the management consumable is provided, and the image processing device includes an image processing unit that performs image processing using the consumable mounted on the image processing device, and the image processing unit. The device-side interface for connecting to the network, the device-side memory for storing the life of the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and the device-side controller are provided, and the device-side controller is the image processing device. When the management consumable is attached to the device, the life update process for updating the life of the management consumable stored in the device-side memory according to the execution of the image processing and the life update process at a predetermined timing are performed. Of the life of the managed consumable and the life of the non-managed consumable stored in the side memory, at least the life of the managed consumable is transmitted to the server via the device side interface. , Is executed.

In order to solve the above problems, the image processing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is capable of mounting image processing as consumables such as managed consumables managed by the server and non-managed consumables not managed by the server. A device, an interface for communicably connecting to the server, an image processing unit that performs image processing using the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and a device mounted on the image processing device. A memory for storing the life of the consumable and a controller are provided, and when the management consumable is attached to the image processing apparatus, the controller stores the control consumable in the memory in response to the execution of the image processing. At least of the life renewal process for updating the life of the managed consumable and the life of the managed consumable and the life of the unmanaged consumable stored in the memory at a predetermined timing, the memory. The transmission process of transmitting the life of the management consumables stored in the server to the server via the interface is executed.

In order to solve the above problems, the ordering method according to the thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a method in which an image processing device that executes image processing is communicably connected to the image processing device via a network, and the image processing device is used. An ordering method executed by a system including a server that provides a service for managing consumables used, wherein the consumables are managed consumables managed by the server and unmanaged consumables not managed by the server. The server does not place an order for the controlled consumables based on the life of the unmanaged consumables according to the use in the image processing apparatus, and the server does not place an order for the controlled consumables according to the use in the image processing apparatus. When the order is placed based on the life of the consumable and the image processing apparatus is equipped with the management consumable which is the consumable managed by the server, the image processing apparatus responds to the execution of the image processing. Of the life of the controlled consumable and the life of the unmanaged consumable stored in the image processing apparatus at a predetermined timing, the life renewal step of updating the life of the managed consumable stored in the image processing apparatus. At least, it includes a transmission step of transmitting the life of the controlled consumable to the server.

According to the system of the first aspect, the situation that the number of attachments is larger than the number of orders indicates that a new product different from the new one ordered for the image processing apparatus has been attached to the image processing apparatus. This means that the user of the image processing apparatus does not use the new product ordered for the image processing apparatus and possesses it. Here, according to the above configuration, it is an indispensable condition for ordering a new product that the number of times of mounting is equal to or less than the number of orders. As a result, in the above situation, since the subsequent ordering of new products is not performed, it is possible to suppress an ordering error of new products, specifically, multiple orders of new products.

According to the system of the second aspect, the transmission process is performed from the time when the consumable is attached to the image processing device until the image processing becomes feasible. In other words, the transmission process is performed at the timing when there is a high possibility that a new product has been installed in the image processing device. As a result, it is possible to transmit the increase in the number of installations and the life span due to the installation of a new product to the server in real time.

According to the system of the third aspect, the server does not place an order based on the life of unmanaged consumables, but places an order based on the life of managed consumables. On the other hand, since the image processing device transmits at least the number of times the management consumables are attached and the life of the management consumables to the server, the management consumables can be reliably ordered. As a result, it is possible to suppress the omission of ordering of managed consumables.

Regarding the system of the fourth aspect, it is assumed that the consumables of the image processing device are replaced with non-managed consumables whose lifespan is less than a predetermined value. In the prior art, when the transmission processing timing comes after this replacement, the life of the unmanaged consumables is transmitted, but even if the life is less than a predetermined value, the consumables are not ordered. Then, since the server is not notified that the life of the management consumable has become less than the predetermined value, so-called order omission occurs.

On the other hand, according to the system of the fourth aspect, when the unmanaged consumables are attached, the life stored in the first area is not updated, and in the transmission process, it is stored in at least the first area. Since the life is transmitted, even if the consumables mounted on the image processing device are non-managed consumables, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the life of the managed consumables is surely transmitted to the server. As a result, it is possible to suppress order omission due to transmission of the life of unmanaged consumables.

According to the system of the fifth aspect, since the mounting count is updated only when a new managed consumable is mounted, the accurate mounting count of the managed consumable can be transmitted to the server. As a result, the server can accurately determine if a new order for managed consumables is required.

Further, if the image processing is executed many times in a short period of time, the management consumables may become unusable before a predetermined timing. In this case, the user of the image processing device may be forced to use an unmanaged consumable item (for example, a commercially available item). In such a case, if the number of attachments is updated without distinguishing between the managed consumables and the non-managed consumables, the transmission process is executed with the number of attachments exceeding the number of orders, so that the order is not placed. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the number of installations is updated only when a new managed consumable is installed. Therefore, as described above, if the user uses the non-managed consumable without malicious intent, an order is placed. Can be done.

Regarding the system of the sixth aspect, consider a case where a consumable item of another image processing device to which the service is provided is erroneously attached to an image processing device which is not the target to be provided with the service. At this time, when the number of times of wearing is updated, when the user notices an error and removes the consumables, and then the image processing device is targeted for service provision, the number of times of wearing is further increased by installing the regular consumables. Will be updated. As a result, the number of times of mounting becomes larger than the number of orders, and subsequent orders cannot be placed. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, even if a new consumable item is detected in an image processing device that is not the target of service, the number of times the consumable item is attached is not updated. When the image processing device is targeted for service provision, consumables can be ordered as usual.

Regarding the system of the seventh aspect, when the number of orders stored in the server is initialized and the number of attachments stored in the image processing device is not initialized, the image processing device is again targeted for service provision. Occasionally, the number of installations will be greater than the number of orders, so consumables will not be ordered. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the number of times of ordering stored in the server is initialized and the number of times of mounting stored in the image processing device is initialized. Consumables can be ordered as per.

According to the image processing device of the eighth aspect, the server of the ninth aspect, and the ordering method of the tenth aspect, the same effect as the system of the first aspect is obtained.

According to the system of the eleventh aspect, the server does not place an order based on the life of the unmanaged consumables, but places an order based on the life of the managed consumables. On the other hand, since the image processing device transmits at least the number of times the management consumables are attached and the life of the management consumables to the server, the management consumables can be reliably ordered. As a result, it is possible to suppress the omission of ordering of managed consumables.

According to the image processing apparatus of the twelfth aspect and the ordering method of the thirteenth aspect, the same effect as the system of the eleventh aspect is obtained.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the structure of the image processing apparatus included in the order management system which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. It is a block diagram which shows the main part structure of the image processing apparatus, the ink cartridge and the management server in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process at the time of mounting which is executed when the ink cartridge is mounted in an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the ink information update process by an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the notification processing by an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of order processing by a management server. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of order management in the conventional order management system. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of order management in the order management system which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of order management in the conventional order management system. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of order management in the order management system which concerns on the said embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the structure of the image processing device 1 included in the order management system 100 (system) according to the present embodiment.

The image processing device 1 according to the present embodiment is an image processing device capable of using consumables dedicated to the contract by the user of the image processing device 1 contracting with a business operator. That is, the image processing device 1 according to the present embodiment is an image processing device to which the subscription service can be applied.

Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the image processing device 1 is an image processing device that has subscribed (that is, has a contract) to the subscription service.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case where the image processing device 1 is an inkjet printer will be described as an example. However, the image processing device 1 may be a printer other than the inkjet printer. For example, the image processing device 1 may be a laser printer. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may be an image processing apparatus other than the printer. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a scanner.

<Overall configuration of image processing device>
The outline of the structure of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. For convenience, in the following description, the upper side of FIG. 1 is the upper side of the image processing device 1, the lower side of FIG. 1 is the lower side of the image processing device 1, the left side of FIG. 1 is the rear side of the image processing device 1, and FIG. The right side is the front side of the image processing device 1.

The image processing device 1 is an inkjet printer that prints data on printing paper P by ejecting ink. One or more ink cartridges are mounted on the main body housing of the image processing device 1. In addition to the members shown in FIG. 1, the image processing device 1 may be provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or a lamp, and an input unit such as a button. Further, the liquid crystal display may be configured to function as an input unit by being integrally configured with the touch panel.

In the example of FIG. 1, the image processing device 1 includes a paper feed tray 20, a paper feed unit 2, a transport roller 60, a recording unit 3, a discharge roller 62, and a discharge tray 30. An opening is formed in the front surface of the image processing device 1. A paper feed tray 20 is arranged in the opening so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The paper feed tray 20 accommodates a plurality of stacked printing papers P. The printing paper P is, for example, a paper having a predetermined size. The printing paper P is not limited to the paper medium. For example, the printing paper P may be a resin material such as an OHP sheet.

The paper feed unit 2 has a paper feed roller 21, a paper feed arm 22, and a shaft 23. The paper feed unit 2 feeds the printing paper P accommodated in the paper feed tray 20 to the transport path R by the forward rotation of the paper feed roller 21. The paper feed roller 21 is rotatably provided at the tip of the paper feed arm 22. The paper feed arm 22 is rotatably provided on a shaft 23 supported by the frame of the image processing device 1. The paper feed arm 22 is rotationally urged toward the paper feed tray 20 by its own weight or an elastic force generated by a spring or the like. The driving force due to the reverse rotation of the motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 21, so that the paper feed roller 21 rotates in the forward direction.

The transport path R is a space formed by a guide member 51, a guide member 52, a recording unit 3, a guide member 53, a guide member 54, and the like.

A transport roller 60 is arranged on the upstream side of the recording unit 3 in the transport direction. The pinch roller 61 is arranged so as to face the lower part of the transport roller 60. The transport roller 60 is rotated by the power of a motor included in the image forming apparatus 1. The pinch roller 61 rotates with the rotation of the transport roller 60. When the transfer roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 rotate in the forward direction, the printing paper P is conveyed to the image recording position X of the transfer path R in a state of being sandwiched between the transfer roller 60 and the pinch roller 61. The image recording position X is a position where the recording head 32 records an image on the printing paper P. When the driving force due to the forward rotation of the motor of the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted to the transfer roller 60, the transfer roller 60 rotates in the forward direction. Further, when the driving force due to the reverse rotation of the motor is transmitted to the transfer roller 60, the transfer roller 60 rotates in the reverse direction.

The recording unit 3 is arranged between the transport roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 of the transport path R. The recording unit 3 has a carriage 31, a recording head 32, a plurality of nozzles 33, and a platen 34. Further, each of the nozzles 33 is connected to the ink cartridge 4. The number of nozzles 33 and ink cartridges 4 is not particularly limited.

The ink cartridge 4 has a cartridge housing. The cartridge housing can be attached to the main body housing of the image processing device 1. The ink cartridge 4 contains inks of different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) as materials used for performing image processing (image formation). Ink is a consumable item that is consumed every time printing is performed.

The carriage 31 reciprocates in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, that is, in the width direction of the printing paper P. In the image recording of the printing paper P, the image processing apparatus 1 moves the carriage 31 in the width direction of the printing paper P while the transport of the printing paper P is stopped as a recording process, and the nozzle 33 of the recording head 32. By ejecting ink from, one line of image is recorded on the printing paper P. Further, the image processing device 1 drives the transfer roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 to transfer the printing paper P by a predetermined line feed amount as the line feed process. The image processing device 1 repeats this recording process and the line feed process.

As shown in FIG. 1, a recording head 32 is mounted on the carriage 31. A plurality of nozzles 33 are provided on the lower surface of the recording head 32. The recording head 32 ejects ink droplets from the nozzle 33. The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-shaped member on which the printing paper P is placed. An image is recorded on the printing paper P by the recording head 32 selectively ejecting ink droplets in the process of moving the carriage 31 with respect to the printing paper P supported by the platen 34.

A discharge roller 62 is arranged on the downstream side of the recording unit 3 in the transport direction. A spur 63 is arranged at a position facing the upper portion of the discharge roller 62. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a motor provided in the image processing device 1. The spur 63 rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. When the discharge roller 62 and the spur 63 rotate in the forward direction, the printing paper P is sandwiched between the discharge roller 62 and the spur 63 and discharged to the discharge tray 30.

A discharge tray 30 is arranged above the paper feed tray 20. The discharge tray 30 supports the printing paper P discharged by the discharge roller 62.

<Internal configuration of image processing device 1, ink cartridge 4, and management server 9>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image processing device 1, an ink cartridge 4, and a management server 9 (server) in the present embodiment.

(Ink cartridge 4)
The ink cartridge 4 has an ink memory 42. The ink memory 42 is a memory capable of reading and writing information. The ink memory 42 is, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM (registered trademark).

The ink memory 42 stores the ink ID 421, the ink type information 422, the ink remaining amount information 423, and the new flag 424.

The ink ID 421 is, for example, a unique serial number for identifying each ink cartridge 4.

The ink type information 422 is information indicating whether the ink cartridge 4 is a contract-dedicated ink cartridge (managed consumable) or a normal ink cartridge (non-managed consumable). The “contract-dedicated ink cartridge” is an ink cartridge supplied by the business operator to a user who has a contract with the business operator for the image processing device 1. On the other hand, the "normal ink cartridge" is a cartridge other than the contract-dedicated ink cartridge. For example, the ordinary cartridge may be an ink cartridge sold in a general store. Hereinafter, the contract-dedicated ink cartridge may be referred to as a “contract cartridge”, and the normal ink cartridge may be referred to as a “commercial cartridge”.

The ink remaining amount information 423 is information indicating the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 4. The ink remaining amount information is information indicating the life of the ink cartridge 4 which is a consumable item. The ink remaining amount information 423 may indicate the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 4 as a ratio to the maximum value. Alternatively, the ink remaining amount information 423 may indicate which of the predetermined numerical ranges the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 4 is included in. The predetermined numerical range is, for example, the first range of the minimum value or more and less than the first value, the second range of the first value or more and less than the second value, and the second value or more and the maximum value or less for the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 4. It may be three in the third range. The first value is smaller than the second value. Hereinafter, regarding these three ranges, the first range may be referred to as "Empty", the second range may be referred to as "Low", and the third range may be referred to as "Full".

The new flag 424 is information indicating whether the ink cartridge 4 is a new product that is an unused consumable item or an old product that is a used consumable item. The new flag 424 indicates that the ink cartridge 4 is new before it is attached to the cartridge housing. When the ink cartridge 4 is mounted on the cartridge housing, the new flag 424 serves as information indicating that the ink cartridge 4 is an old product.

The main body housing of the image processing device 1 has a connector 101. When the ink cartridge 4 is attached to the image processing device 1, the connector 101 is electrically connected to the ink memory 42. As a result, the image processing device 1 can communicate with the ink memory 42 of the ink cartridge 4.

(Image processing device 1)
The image processing device 1 includes a controller 80 (device-side controller, controller), a communication unit 81 (device-side interface, interface), a first memory 82 (device-side memory, memory, first area), and a second memory 83 (device-side memory, memory, first area). Second region) and.

The controller 80 has, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The controller 80 is electrically connected to the communication unit 81, the first memory 82, and the second memory 83 provided in the main body housing of the image processing device 1. By executing various processes, the controller 80 causes the image processing unit 84 to perform various processes related to printing and the like.

Further, the controller 80 may include a processor such as a CPU. In this case, a control program that realizes control of the image processing device 1 is stored in the first memory 82 or the second memory 83, and the processor operates according to the control program so that the controller 80 performs various processes on the image processing device 1. You may let me do it.

Further, the controller 80 may include a computer-readable recording medium in which the control program is stored. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium”, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Further, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the control program may be used. Further, the control program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (communication network, broadcasting, etc.) capable of transmitting the control program. It should be noted that one aspect of the present disclosure can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the control program is embodied by electronic transmission.

When the ink cartridge 4 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the ink cartridge 4 is electrically connected to the controller 80 as shown in FIG. As a result, the controller 80 can execute the information reading process from the ink memory 42 and the information writing process (including the rewriting process) to the ink memory 42.

The first memory 82 and the second memory 83 are memories capable of reading and writing information. The first memory 82 and the second memory 83 are, for example, NVRAM (Non-volatile RAM). The second memory 83 may be a memory other than NVRAM, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM (registered trademark).

The first memory 82 stores the contract ink information 821 and the number of times new product is detected 822 (number of times of mounting). The second memory 83 stores the ink used information 831, the printer ID 832, and the contract information 833.

The printer ID 832 is identification information for identifying the image processing device 1. The printer ID 832 is, for example, the serial number of the image processing device 1.

The contract information 833 is information indicating the contract contents of the image processing apparatus 1. More specifically, the contract information 833 indicates whether or not the image processing device 1 is under contract as a service provision target. In the present embodiment, it is shown whether the image processing device 1 is set to the contract mode or the image processing device 1 is set to the normal mode. The contract mode means that the image processing device 1 is under contract. Further, the normal mode means that the image processing device 1 is not under contract. The contract information 833 may be rewritten via the management server 9 when the user of the image processing device 1 changes the contract contents of the image processing device 1.

When the image processing device 1 is in the contract mode, the image processing device 1 can use a contract cartridge and can also use a commercially available cartridge. On the other hand, when the image processing device 1 is in the normal mode, the image processing device 1 cannot use the contract cartridge, but can use a commercially available cartridge.

The used ink information 831 is information in which the ink ID read from the ink memory 42 of each ink cartridge 4, the ink type information, and the ink remaining amount information are associated with each ink cartridge 4. The used ink information 831 is information on the ink cartridge 4 currently mounted on the image processing device 1. That is, the ink cartridge 4 corresponding to the used ink information 831 may be a contract cartridge or a commercially available cartridge.

The contract ink information 821 is information in which the ink ID read from the ink memory 42 of each ink cartridge 4, the ink type information, and the ink remaining amount information are associated with each ink cartridge 4. The contract ink information 821 is information on the contract cartridge most recently mounted on the image processing device 1. The "most recently installed contract cartridge" also includes the "currently installed contract cartridge".

The new product detection number 822 is the number of times a new contract cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion 85. That is, the new product detection number 822 is the number of times that the contract cartridge indicating that the new product flag 424 is new is mounted on the mounting unit 85. The new product detection number 822 is data for each type of ink cartridge 4, that is, for each color. For example, when the image processing device 1 mounts the ink cartridges 4 of four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, the number of new detections 822 corresponding to each of the ink cartridges 4 of the four colors is set in the first memory 82. It will be remembered.

The communication unit 81 is a communication interface for communicating between the image forming apparatus 1 and the management server 9. As an example, the communication unit 81 transmits (notifies) the information acquired from the controller 80 to the management server 9.

The image processing unit 84 operates according to the instructions of the controller 80 in order to perform image processing, for example, various processes related to printing. The image processing unit 84 corresponds to each motor and recording unit 3 of the image processing device 1 described with reference to FIG.

(Management server 9)
The management server 9 is a management device that manages one or more image processing devices 1, and also provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing device 1. In the example of FIG. 2, the management server 9 is connected to only one image processing device 1, but the management server 9 may be connected to a plurality of image processing devices 1 by communication.

The management server 9 includes a server communication unit 91 (server-side interface, interface), a server memory 92 (server-side memory, memory), and a server control unit 93 (server-side controller, controller). The server communication unit 91 is a communication interface for communicating between the management server 9 and the image processing device 1. The server communication unit 91 outputs the information received from the image processing device 1 to the server control unit 93.

The server control unit 93 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that collectively controls the management server 9. The server control unit 93 performs an ordering process for ordering consumables based on the information received via the server communication unit 91. This ordering process includes determining whether or not to place an order for consumables. When placing an order, the server control unit 93 transmits information regarding the ordering of consumables to the ordering server 7 via the server communication unit 91. The information includes, for example, information on consumables and the number of consumables. Taking the case where the consumable is the ink cartridge 4 as an example, the information of the consumable is, for example, an ink ID. Then, based on the information transmitted from the management server 9 to the ordering server 7, the consumables indicated by the information are shipped to the user.

The server memory 92 is a storage device that stores data necessary for the operation of the management server 9, the image processing device 1, and the management of consumables. The server memory 92 stores the printer information 921 and the number of orders 922.

The printer information 921 is data that summarizes various information about the image processing apparatus 1. The printer information 921 is stored separately for each image processing device 1. The printer information 921 includes at least a printer ID, contract information, and status data. In addition, the printer information 921 may include, for example, the model number of the image processing apparatus 1, the date of manufacture, and the like.

The number of orders 922 is information in which the number of orders for consumables used by the image processing device 1 is stored for each image processing device 1. As an example, the number of orders 922 is information in which the printer ID and the value indicating the number of orders are associated with each other. In the example where the consumable is the ink cartridge 4, the number of orders 922 is the data for each type of the ink cartridge 4, that is, for each color. For example, when the image processing device 1 mounts the ink cartridges 4 of four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, the number of orders 922 corresponding to each of the ink cartridges 4 of the four colors is the number of orders 922 of the image processing device 1. It is stored in the server memory 92 in association with the printer ID.

<Flow of various processes>
Next, the flow of various processes executed by the controller 80 of the image processing device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

(Processing at the time of mounting)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of mounting processing executed when the ink cartridge 4 is mounted on the image processing device 1.

In step S1, the controller 80 detects the mounting of the ink cartridge 4. For example, the controller 80 detects the mounting of the ink cartridge 4 based on a signal from a sensor (not shown) provided in the mounting portion (not shown) of the ink cartridge 4. Then, the controller 80 acquires various information stored in the ink memory 42. Then, the process at the time of mounting proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the controller 80 refers to the contract information 833 stored in the second memory 83, and determines whether or not the image processing device 1 is in the contract mode. If it is determined that the mode is the contract mode (YES in S2), the mounting process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined that the mode is not the contract mode (NO in S2), the mounting process ends.

In step S3, the controller 80 refers to the acquired ink type information 422 and determines whether or not the mounted ink cartridge 4 is a contract cartridge. If it is determined that the cartridge is a contract cartridge (YES in S3), the mounting process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined that the cartridge is not a contract cartridge (NO in S3), the mounting process proceeds to step 8.

In step S4, the controller 80 stores the information acquired from the ink memory 42, that is, the ink ID 421, the ink type information 422, and the ink remaining amount information 423 as the contract ink information 821 in the first memory 82. Then, the process at the time of mounting proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the controller 80 refers to the acquired new flag 424 and determines whether or not the mounted ink cartridge 4 is new. If it is determined that the product is new (YES in S5), the mounting process proceeds to step S6. If it is determined that the product is not new (NO in S5), the mounting process proceeds to step S8.

In step S6, the controller 80 updates the new flag 424 stored in the ink memory 42 to an old product, that is, a used product.

In step S7 (mounting number update step), the controller 80 increments the new product detection number 822 stored in the first memory 82. When the new product detection number 822 is data for each color, the controller 80 identifies and increments the new product detection number to be updated based on the information acquired from the ink memory 42. Then, the processing at the time of mounting is completed.

In step S8, the controller 80 stores the information acquired from the ink memory 42, that is, the ink ID 421, the ink type information 422, and the ink remaining amount information 423 as the used ink information 831 in the second memory 83. Then, the processing at the time of mounting is completed.

As described above, when the ink cartridge 4 is installed, the controller 80 satisfies all of (1) the contract mode, (2) the contract cartridge is installed, and (3) the new product is installed. In this case, the number of new detections 822 corresponding to the ink cartridge 4 is incremented. Further, the controller 80 stores the ink ID 421, the ink type information 422, and the ink remaining amount information 423 in the first memory 82 only when the contract cartridge is attached. In other words, when a commercially available cartridge is attached, the controller 80 does not store the ink ID 421, the ink type information 422, and the ink remaining amount information 423 in the first memory 82.

(Ink information update process)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of ink information update processing by the image processing device 1. In step S11, the controller 80 causes the image processing unit 84 to execute printing based on the signal for executing printing input via the input unit or the like. Then, the ink information update process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the controller 80 updates the used ink information 831 stored in the second memory 83. Specifically, the controller 80 updates the ink remaining amount information of the used ink information 831 based on the amount of ink used for printing. Then, the ink information update process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the controller 80 refers to the contract information 833 stored in the second memory 83, and determines whether or not the image processing device 1 is in the contract mode. If it is determined that the mode is the contract mode (YES in S13), the ink information update process proceeds to step S14. When it is determined that the mode is not the contract mode (NO in S13), the ink information update process ends.

In step S14, the controller 80 refers to the used ink information 831 stored in the second memory, and determines whether or not the ink cartridge 4 mounted on the image processing device 1 is a contract cartridge. If it is determined that the cartridge is a contract cartridge (YES in S14), the ink information update process proceeds to step S15. If it is determined that the cartridge is not a contract cartridge (NO in S14), the ink information update process ends.

In step S15 (life update step), the controller 80 updates the contract ink information 821 stored in the first memory 82. Specifically, the controller 80 updates the ink remaining amount information of the contract ink information 821 based on the amount of ink used for printing. Then, the ink information update process is completed.

As described above, when printing is performed using the contract cartridge in the contract mode, the controller 80 updates the ink remaining amount information for both the contract ink information 821 and the used ink information 831. On the other hand, when printing is performed using a commercially available cartridge in the contract mode, the controller 80 updates only the ink information of the used ink information 831 out of the contract ink information 821 and the used ink information 831.

(Notification processing)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of notification processing by the image processing device 1. In step S21, the controller 80 detects that the ink cover is closed (S21). The ink cover is a cover provided in a mounting portion (not shown) for mounting the ink cartridge 4, and when the user mounts the ink cartridge 4 on the image processing device 1, the user opens the ink cover to open the ink cartridge 4. Install and close the ink cover. When it is detected that the ink cover is closed (YES in S21). The notification process proceeds to step S24. When it is not detected that the ink cover is closed (NO in S21). The notification process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the controller 80 detects that the image processing device 1 has changed from the offline state to the online state. The offline state refers to a state in which the image processing device 1 cannot communicate with the management server 9 or the like via the communication unit 81. The online state refers to a state in which the image processing device 1 can communicate with the management server 9 and the like via the communication unit 81. When it is detected that the state has changed from the offline state to the online state (YES in S22), the notification process proceeds to step S24. If it is not detected that the state has been reached (NO in S22), the notification process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the controller 80 determines whether or not the notification timing has come at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time is, for example, 12 hours, but is not limited to this. If it is determined that the notification timing has come (YES in S23), the notification process proceeds to step S24. If it is determined that the notification timing has not been reached (NO in S23), the notification process proceeds to step S26.

In step S24, the controller 80 reads the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822 from the first memory 82. Then, the notification process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25 (transmission step), the controller 80 notifies the management server 9 of the read contract ink information 821 and the number of new product detections 822 via the communication unit 81. Then, the notification process proceeds to step S26.

In step S26, the controller 80 waits for the power of the image processing device 1 to be turned off. Specifically, the controller 80 waits for the acquisition of the power OFF signal based on the operation input to the input unit (not shown) of the image processing device 1. When the power OFF signal is acquired (YES in S26). The notification process ends. If the power OFF signal has not been acquired (NO in S26), the notification process returns to step S21.

As described above, the controller 80 has (1) the ink cover closed, (2) the image processing device 1 has changed from the offline state to the online state, and (3) the predetermined notification timing has been reached. If either of them is satisfied, the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822 are notified to the management server 9.

(Order judgment processing)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of order processing by the management server 9. In step S31, the server control unit 93 receives a notification from the image processing device 1 via the server communication unit 91. Then, the order processing proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, the server control unit 93 determines whether or not the image processing device 1 of the notification source is in the contract mode. As an example, the server control unit 93 refers to the printer information 921 stored in the server memory 92, and determines whether or not the image processing device 1 of the notification source is in the contract mode. If it is determined that the contract mode is set (YES in S32), the order processing proceeds to step S33. If it is determined that the mode is not the contract mode (NO in S32), the order processing ends.

In step S33, the server control unit 93 satisfies the condition that the value indicating the number of new product detections is equal to or less than the value indicated by the number of orders by comparing the notified new product detection number 822 and the ordering number 922. Judge whether or not. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied (YES in S33), the order processing proceeds to step S34. If the condition is not satisfied, that is, if the value indicating the number of new product detections is larger than the value indicated by the number of orders, the order processing ends.

In step S34, the server control unit 93 refers to the notified ink remaining amount information, and determines whether or not the ink remaining amount information is “Low” or “Empty”. If it is "Low" or "Empty" (YES in S33), the order processing proceeds to step S35. If the ink remaining amount information is not "Low" or "Empty", that is, the initial value is "Full", the order processing ends.

In step S35 (ordering process), the server control unit 93 executes an order to the ordering server 7. Specifically, the server control unit 93 transmits information on the contract cartridge having an ink remaining amount of “Low” or “Empty” to the ordering server 7, and causes the contract cartridge to be shipped to the user.

When step S35 is executed, the server control unit 93 increments the value indicating the number of orders in the record corresponding to the image processing device 1 of the notification source in the number of orders 922 (order number update step). This completes the order processing.

As described above, when the number of new product detections> the number of orders, the server control unit 93 does not execute the order regardless of the ink remaining amount information.

<Suppression of multiple orders>
With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the suppression of multiple orders by the order management system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, the multiple ordering means that the user possesses more consumables than the appropriate amount by ordering more consumables than the appropriate amount.

(Conventional order management)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of order management in the conventional order management system. Here, the order management in the conventional order management system means that the management server 9 determines whether or not to place an order based only on the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge used in the image processing device 1. .. Further, in the order management in the conventional order management system, the notification from the image processing device 1 to the management server 9 has changed from the offline state to the online state of the image processing device 1 or has become a predetermined notification timing. , Is one of the following. In other words, in order management in the conventional order management system, notification is not given when the ink cover is closed.

In FIG. 7, the "user" column stores the processing performed by the user or the image processing apparatus 1. The "notification" column stores the presence / absence of notification from the image processing device 1 to the management server 9. The "ink remaining amount information" column stores the notified ink remaining amount information. As for the number of orders, the column of "number of orders" stores the number of orders 922 at the time when the notification is received. Since FIG. 7 shows order management in the conventional order management system, the number of new product detections is not used. The definition of the information stored in each column is the same in the examples shown in the following figures.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 7 and the following figures, it is assumed that the user possesses two image processing devices 1, specifically, image processing devices 1A and 1B. Here, it is assumed that the image processing device 1B has already been contracted for service.

In step P1, the user registers the image processing device 1A as a service, that is, makes a contract for the service. As a result, the information regarding the service registration is notified to the management server 9, and the management server 9 manages the image processing device 1A as if it is in the contract mode. Then, the management server 9 transmits information regarding the ordering of the start kit to the ordering server 7, and causes the user to ship the start kit. The start kit is a contract cartridge for each of the ink cartridges 4 used by the image processing device 1A. As an example, when the ink cartridge 4 used by the image processing apparatus 1A is a magenta, cyan, yellow, and black ink cartridge, the start kit is a contract cartridge of these four colors.

In the examples shown in FIG. 7 and the following figures, it is assumed that the ink cartridge 4 used by the image processing apparatus 1A has one color (for example, only black) for easy understanding.

In step P2, the user attaches the contract cartridge of the shipped start kit to the image processing device 1A.

In step P3, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

Since the predetermined notification timing has been reached in step P4, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the ink remaining amount information. In step P4, since the ink remaining amount information is "Full", no order is placed.

In step P5, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

Since the predetermined notification timing has been reached in step P6, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the ink remaining amount information. In step P6, since the ink remaining amount information is “Low”, the management server 9 orders the contract cartridge. Hereinafter, the contract cartridge ordered in step P6 will be referred to as a contract cartridge 4A.

In step P7, the user attaches the contract cartridge 4A to the image processing device 1A.

In step P8, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge 4A stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

In step P9, it is assumed that the user has attached the new contract cartridge 4B shipped for the image processing device 1B to the image processing device 1A.

In step P10, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge 4B stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

Since the predetermined notification timing has been reached in step P11, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the ink remaining amount information. In step P6, since the ink remaining amount information is “Low”, the management server 9 orders the contract cartridge. As a result, the user has the contract cartridge 4A ordered in step P6 and the new contract cartridge. As described above, there is a possibility that multiple orders may occur in the conventional order management system.

(Order management according to this embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of order management in the order management system 100 according to the present embodiment. The figure shown in FIG. 8 is obtained by adding a column of “number of new detections” to the figure shown in FIG. 7. The column of "new article detection count" stores the new article detection count 822 at that time.

In step P21, the user registers the image processing device 1A as a service, that is, makes a contract for the service. As a result, the information regarding the service registration is notified to the management server 9, and the management server 9 manages the image processing device 1A as if it is in the contract mode. Then, the management server 9 transmits information regarding the ordering of the start kit to the ordering server 7, and causes the user to ship the start kit. As a result, the number of orders 922 becomes "1".

In step P22, the user attaches the contract cartridge of the shipped start kit to the image processing device 1A. As a result, the image processing device 1A increments the new product detection number 822, and the new product detection number 822 becomes "1". Further, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822. In step P22, the condition of the number of new ink detections ≤ the number of orders is satisfied, but since the ink remaining amount information is "Full", no order is placed.

In step P23, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

Since the predetermined notification timing has been reached in step P24, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822. In step P24, the condition of the number of new ink detections ≤ the number of orders is satisfied, but since the ink remaining amount information is "Full", no order is placed.

In step P25, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

Since the predetermined notification timing has been reached in step P26, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822. In step P6, the condition of the number of new detections ≤ the number of orders is satisfied, and the ink remaining amount information is "Low", so that the management server 9 places an order for the contract cartridge. As a result, the number of orders 922 becomes "2". Hereinafter, the contract cartridge ordered in step P26 will be referred to as a contract cartridge 4A.

In step P27, the user attaches the contract cartridge 4A to the image processing device 1A. As a result, the image processing device 1A increments the new product detection number 822, and the new product detection number 822 becomes "2". Further, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822. In step P27, the condition of the number of new ink detections ≤ the number of orders is satisfied, but since the ink remaining amount information is "Full", no order is placed.

In step P28, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge 4A stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

In step P29, it is assumed that the user has attached the new contract cartridge 4B shipped for the image processing device 1B to the image processing device 1A. As a result, the image processing device 1A increments the new product detection number 822, and the new product detection number 822 becomes "3". Further, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822. Here, in step P29, since the condition of the number of new detections ≤ the number of orders is not satisfied, no order is placed.

In step P30, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge 4B stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

Since the predetermined notification timing has been reached in step P31, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822. Here, in step P29, since the condition of the number of new detections ≤ the number of orders is not satisfied, no order is placed.

In step P32, it is assumed that the user reattaches the contract cartridge 4A to the image processing device 1A. As a result, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822. Here, in step P29, since the condition of the number of new detections ≤ the number of orders is not satisfied, no order is placed.

As described above, the order management system 100 according to the present embodiment does not place an order for the contract cartridge when the number of new product detections exceeds the number of orders. As a result, even when the user does not use the contract cartridge of one image processing device 1 but uses the contract cartridge of another image processing device 1, that is, even in a situation where multiple orders can occur, multiple orders are placed. Can be prevented from occurring.

<Suppression of order omissions>
With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the suppression of order omission by the order management system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, the omission of order means a situation in which the order is not placed in the situation where the order should be placed and the user does not have a usable contract cartridge.

(Conventional order processing)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of order management in the conventional order management system. Here, in the order management in the conventional order management system, the image processing device 1 notifies the management server 9 of the used ink information 831, and the management server 9 uses the notified ink information 831 to use the contract cartridge. It is ink information 831 and refers to placing an order when the ink remaining amount is low. Further, in the order management in the conventional order management system, the notification from the image processing device 1 to the management server 9 has changed from the offline state to the online state of the image processing device 1 or has become a predetermined notification timing. , Is one of the following. In other words, in order management in the conventional order management system, notification is not given when the ink cover is closed.

In step P41, the user registers the image processing device 1A as a service, that is, makes a contract for the service. As a result, the information regarding the service registration is notified to the management server 9, and the management server 9 manages the image processing device 1A as if it is in the contract mode. Then, the management server 9 transmits information regarding the ordering of the start kit to the ordering server 7, and causes the user to ship the start kit.

In step P42, the user attaches the shipped start kit contract cartridge to the image processing device 1A.

In step P43, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

Since the predetermined notification timing has been reached in step P44, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the ink remaining amount information. In step P44, since the ink remaining amount information is "Full", no order is placed.

In step P45, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

In step P46, it is assumed that the contract ink cartridge mounted on the image processing device 1A has run out of ink. In step P46, since the ink has run out before the notification timing, the user does not have a new contract cartridge. In step P47, the user attaches a commercially available cartridge to the image processing device 1A.

In step P48, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information stored in the image processing device 1A is updated. This ink remaining amount information is the ink remaining amount information of the commercially available cartridge mounted in step P47.

Since the predetermined notification timing has been reached in step P49, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the ink remaining amount information. In step P49, the ink remaining amount information is "Low", but the management server 9 does not place an order based on the ink remaining amount information of the commercially available cartridge. Therefore, in step P49, the contract cartridge is not ordered. That is, in the image processing apparatus 1A, even though the contract cartridge is "Empty", no new contract cartridge is ordered. As described above, in the conventional order management system, there is a possibility that an order omission may occur.

(Order management according to this embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of order management in the order management system 100 according to the present embodiment. The figure shown in FIG. 10 is the figure shown in FIG. 9 with a column of “number of new detections” added.

In P51, the user registers the image processing device 1A as a service, that is, makes a contract for the service. As a result, the information regarding the service registration is notified to the management server 9, and the management server 9 manages the image processing device 1A as if it is in the contract mode. Then, the management server 9 transmits information regarding the ordering of the start kit to the ordering server 7, and causes the user to ship the start kit.

In P52, the user attaches the contract cartridge of the shipped start kit to the image processing device 1A. As a result, the image processing device 1A increments the new product detection number 822, and the new product detection number 822 becomes "1". Further, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822. In step P52, the condition of the number of new ink detections ≤ the number of orders is satisfied, but since the ink remaining amount information is "Full", no order is placed.

In P53, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

Since the predetermined notification timing has been reached on P54, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822. In step P54, the condition of the number of new ink detections ≤ the number of orders is satisfied, but since the ink remaining amount information is "Full", no order is placed.

On P55, the user prints on the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink remaining amount information stored in the image processing device 1A is updated.

In P56, it is assumed that the contract ink cartridge mounted on the image processing device 1A has run out of ink. In step P56, since the ink has run out before the notification timing, the user does not have a new contract cartridge.

In step P57, the user attaches a commercially available cartridge to the image processing device 1A. As a result, the used ink information 831 is updated with the information of the commercially available cartridge, but the contract ink information 821 retains the information of the contract cartridge that has run out of ink in step P56. Further, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822. In step P56, the condition of the number of new detections ≤ the number of orders is satisfied, and the ink remaining amount information is "Empty", so that the management server 9 places an order for the contract cartridge.

As described above, the order management system 100 according to the present embodiment transmits the contract ink information 821 at the time of notification regardless of the type of the ink cartridge 4 mounted on the image processing device 1. As a result, even if an order omission may occur in the conventional order management system, it is possible to prevent the order omission from occurring.

<Action effect>
As described above, the order management system 100 according to the present embodiment includes the image processing device 1 and the management server 9.

The image processing device 1 includes an image processing unit 84 that prints using the ink cartridge 4 mounted on the own device. Further, the image processing device 1 includes a communication unit 81 for connecting to a network. Further, the image processing device 1 includes a first memory 82 that stores a new product detection number 822, which is the number of times a new contract cartridge is mounted, and ink remaining amount information of the mounted contract cartridge. Further, the image processing device 1 includes a controller 80. When a new contract cartridge is mounted, the controller 80 executes a mounting count update process that increments the new detection count 822. Further, the controller 80 executes a life update process for updating the ink remaining amount information according to the execution of the image process. Further, the controller 80 executes a transmission process of transmitting the new product detection number 822 and the ink remaining amount information to the management server 9 via the communication unit 81 at a predetermined timing.

The management server 9 includes a server communication unit 91 for connecting to a network. Further, the management server 9 includes a server memory 92 that stores the number of orders for the contract cartridge 922. Further, the management server 9 includes a server control unit 93. When the server control unit 93 receives the new product detection number 822 and the ink remaining amount information via the server communication unit 91, the new product detection number 822 is larger than the ordering number 922, or the ink remaining amount information is "Full". If there is no order for the contract cartridge, if the number of new detections 822 is 922 or less and the ink remaining amount information is "Low" or "Empty", the contract cartridge for the ink cartridge 4 is ordered. Execute the process. Further, when an order is placed in the order processing, the server control unit 93 executes an order number update process for incrementing the order number 922.

The situation that the number of new product detections 822 is larger than the number of orders 922 indicates that a contract cartridge different from the contract cartridge ordered for the image processing device 1 is mounted on the image processing device 1. This means that the user of the image processing device 1 does not use the contract cartridge ordered for the image processing device 1 and possesses it. Here, according to the above configuration, it is an indispensable condition for ordering the contract cartridge that the number of new detections 822 is 922 or less for the number of orders. As a result, in the above situation, since the subsequent ordering of the contract cartridge is not performed, it is possible to suppress the ordering error of the contract cartridge, specifically, the multiple ordering of the contract cartridge.

Further, the predetermined timing in the transmission process includes the time when the ink cover is closed. According to this configuration, the transmission process is performed when the ink cover is closed, that is, at a timing when there is a high possibility that a new contract cartridge is mounted on the image processing device 1. As a result, it is possible to transmit to the management server 9 in real time the number of new detections 822 and the increase in ink remaining amount information due to the installation of a new contract cartridge.

Further, the image processing device 1 in the contract mode can be used by mounting a commercially available cartridge in addition to the contract cartridge. The server control unit 93 does not place an order for the contract cartridge based on the ink remaining amount information of the commercially available cartridge, but orders the contract cartridge based on the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge. Then, in the transmission process, the controller 80 transmits only the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge among the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge and the ink remaining amount information of the commercially available cartridge.

According to the above configuration, the management server 9 does not place an order for the contract cartridge based on the ink remaining amount information of the commercially available cartridge, but orders the contract cartridge based on the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge. On the other hand, the image processing device 1 transmits only the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge among the ink remaining amount information of the contract cartridge and the ink remaining amount information of the commercially available cartridge, so that the contract cartridge can be reliably ordered. can. As a result, it is possible to suppress the omission of ordering the contract cartridge.

Further, in the life update process, when the ink cartridge 4 currently mounted on the image processing device 1 is a contract cartridge, the controller 80 obtains the ink remaining amount information of the contract ink information 821 stored in the first memory 82. The ink remaining amount information of the used ink information 831 stored in the second memory 83 is updated. Further, in the life renewal process, when the ink cartridge 4 currently mounted on the image processing device 1 is a commercially available cartridge, the controller 80 uses ink stored in the second memory 83 out of the two ink remaining amount information. The ink remaining amount information of the information 831 is updated. Further, in the transmission process, the controller 80 transmits the contract ink information 821 out of the contract ink information 821 and the used ink information 831.

It is assumed that the ink cartridge 4 of the image processing device 1 is replaced with a commercially available cartridge from a contract cartridge whose remaining amount is "Low" or "Empty". In the prior art, when the timing of the transmission process comes after this replacement, the ink remaining amount information of the ink cartridge 4 currently used, that is, the commercially available cartridge is transmitted, but the remaining amount indicated by the ink remaining amount information. Contract cartridges are not ordered, even if the quantity is "Low" or "Empty". Then, since the server is not notified that the remaining amount of the contract cartridge has become "Low" or "Empty", so-called order omission occurs. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, when the commercially available cartridge is installed, the ink remaining amount information of the contract ink information 821 is not updated, and the contract ink information 821 is transmitted in the transmission process. , The information of the contract cartridge whose remaining amount is "Low" or "Empty" can be transmitted to the management server 9 without omission. As a result, it is possible to suppress an ordering error of the contract cartridge, specifically, an omission of the order of the contract cartridge.

Further, the controller 80 further executes a determination process for determining whether or not the contract cartridge is installed. Further, when it is determined in the image processing device 1 that the new ink cartridge 4 is attached to the image processing device 1 and the contract cartridge is attached in the determination process, the controller 80 increments the new ink cartridge detection number 822. On the other hand, the controller 80 does not increment the new product detection number 822 when it is determined in the determination process that the contract cartridge is not installed.

According to the above configuration, since the new product detection number 822 is incremented only when a new contract cartridge is installed, the exact number of times the contract cartridge is installed can be transmitted to the management server 9. As a result, the management server 9 can accurately determine whether or not the contract cartridge needs to be ordered.

Further, when the image processing is executed many times in a short period of time, the mounted contract cartridge may become unusable before a predetermined timing for performing the transmission processing. In this case, it is conceivable that the user of the image processing apparatus 1 is forced to use a commercially available cartridge. In such a case, if the number of new detections 822 is incremented without distinguishing between the contract cartridge and the commercially available cartridge, the transmission process is executed with the number of new detections 822 greater than the number of orders, so that the contract cartridge can be ordered. Not done. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the number of new detections 822 is incremented only when a new contract cartridge is installed. Therefore, as described above, if the user uses a commercially available cartridge without malicious intent, an order is placed. Can be made to be.

Further, the controller 80 further executes a second determination process for determining whether or not the image processing device 1 is in the contract mode. Further, when the controller 80 determines that a new contract cartridge is attached to the image processing device 1 in the attachment number update process and the image processing device 1 is in the contract mode in the second determination process, the controller 80 detects a new item. Increment 822. On the other hand, the controller 80 does not increment the new product detection number 822 when it is determined in the second determination process that the image processing device 1 is not in the contract mode.

Consider a case where a contract cartridge of another image processing device 1 in the contract mode is mistakenly attached to the image processing device 1 in the normal mode. At this time, if the new product detection count 822 is incremented, the user notices an error and removes the contract cartridge. Then, when the image processing device 1 is set to the contract mode, the new product detection count 822 is incremented again by installing the contract cartridge. Will be done. As a result, the number of new product detections 822 becomes larger than the number of orders 922, and subsequent orders cannot be placed. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, even if a new contract cartridge is installed in the image processing device 1 in the normal mode, the number of new detections 822 is not incremented. When the image processing device 1 is set to the contract mode, the contract cartridge can be ordered as usual.

[Modification example]
The order management system 100 may include only one of a configuration for suppressing multiple orders and a configuration for suppressing order omissions.

When only the former configuration is provided, the image processing device 1 may be configured not to include the first memory 82. In this example, the image processing device 1 does not store the contract ink information 821, but stores the new product detection number 822 in the second memory 83. Then, the controller 80 transmits the used ink information 831 and the new product detection number 822 to the management server 9 at the notification timing to the management server 9.

When only the latter configuration is provided, the image processing device 1 may have a configuration in which the new product detection number 822 is not stored. In this example, the controller 80 transmits the contract ink information 821 to the management server 9 at the notification timing to the management server 9. When the ink remaining amount information of the contract ink information 821 is "Low" or "Empty", the server control unit 93 of the management server 9 orders the contract cartridge.

The image processing device 1 may transmit the used ink information 831 in addition to the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection number 822 at the time of notifying the management server 9. Also in this example, the server control unit 93 uses the contract ink information 821 to determine whether or not to order the contract cartridge.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the consumable is an ink cartridge has been described, but the consumable of the image processing apparatus 1 is not limited to the ink cartridge. In the example where the image processing device 1 is an inkjet printer, the consumables may include consumables other than the ink cartridge 4. Further, in the example in which the image processing device 1 is a laser printer, the consumables may include a toner cartridge instead of the ink cartridge 4. When the consumable includes a consumable other than the ink cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge described above, the information indicating the life of the consumable is not limited to the information indicating the remaining amount. The information may be, for example, the useful life of the consumable, the number of pages of printing paper used for printing, and if the consumable is a rotating body, the number of rotations of the consumable.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the order management system 100 manages the order of the contract cartridge, which is the ink cartridge dedicated to the contract, has been described. However, the consumable item for which the order management system 100 manages the order is a consumable item dedicated to the contract. Not limited. The consumable may be, for example, a consumable that can be used in both the image processing device 1 in the contract mode and the image processing device 1 in the normal mode.

In the case of this example, the controller 80 does not determine whether or not the mounted consumables are contract-dedicated consumables, that is, does not execute the process corresponding to step S3 in FIG.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the contract ink information 821 is stored in the first memory 82 and the used ink information 831 is stored in the second memory 83, which is a memory different from the first memory 82, has been described. The memory for storing is not limited to this example. The image processing device 1 may separately store the contract ink information 821 and the used ink information 831. For example, the contract ink information 821 may be stored in the first area of the memory of the image processing device 1, and the used ink information 831 may be stored in the second area of the memory of the image processing device 1, which is different from the first area. ..

Further, although the new product detection number 822 is stored in the first memory 82 in the above embodiment, it may be stored in the second memory 83.

Even if the server control unit 93 of the management server 9 executes the order count initialization process for initializing the order count 922 of the image processing device 1 when the image processing device 1 changes from the contract mode to the normal mode. good. In this example, it is desirable that the controller 80 of the image processing device 1 executes the mounting number initialization process for initializing the new product detection number 822.

When the number of orders 922 stored in the management server 9 is initialized and the number of new detections 822 stored in the image processing device 1 is not initialized, when the image processing device 1 is again in the contract mode. Since the number of new detections 822 is larger than the number of orders 922, the contract cartridge cannot be ordered. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the image processing device 1 again initializes the new product detection number 822 stored in the image processing device 1 together with the initialization of the order number 922 stored in the management server 9. When the contract mode is set, the contract cartridge can be ordered as usual.

The memory of the image processing device 1 may store the history of the ink cartridge 4 mounted in the past. The history may be, for example, information indicating the ink ID 421 of the ink cartridge 4 installed immediately before the ink cartridge 4 currently installed, or the ink ID 421 of the ink cartridge 4 installed in the past. It may be stored in a series. In the latter example, the number of ink IDs 421 included in the history is not particularly limited.

In the above embodiment, the controller 80 determines whether or not to notify the management server 9, (1) whether or not the ink cover is closed, and (2) when the image processing device 1 is online from the offline state. It was configured to determine whether or not the state was reached, and (3) whether or not the predetermined notification timing was reached. On the other hand, the controller 80 may be configured to determine at least one of the above (1) to (3).

Further, in the above embodiment, the controller 80 notifies the management server 9 when the ink cover is closed, but the controller 80 is configured after a new contract cartridge is attached to the image processing device 1. , The notification may be given at any timing within the period until the image processing device 1 can execute the image processing. That is, the timing of notification is not limited to the timing when the ink cover is closed, for example, the timing when the contract cartridge is installed, the timing when printing becomes possible after the ink cover is closed, and the like. good.

In the above embodiment, the server control unit 93 has determined whether or not the notified ink remaining amount information is "Low" or "Empty", but the determination regarding the ink remaining amount information is limited to this example. Not done. For example, the server control unit 93 may be configured to determine whether or not the notified ink remaining amount information is “Empty”. In the case of this example, if the notified ink level information is "Full" or "Low", the contract cartridge is not ordered.

The ink remaining amount information of the contract ink information 821 and the used ink information 831 may further include the ratio information indicating the remaining amount as a ratio to the maximum value. In the case of this example, the controller 80 includes any one of "Full", "Low", and "Empty" and the ratio information as the ink remaining amount information.

Further, the management server 9 may predict the date when the ink remaining amount information becomes a predetermined value or less for the contract cartridge sent to the user, and store it in the server memory 92 in association with the ink ID 421. The date may be, for example, a date on which the ratio information is "0%". In this example, if the server control unit 93 satisfies the condition that (1) less than 10 days until the predicted date and (2) the ratio indicated by the notified ratio information is less than a predetermined value, the ink remaining amount information is displayed. Even if it is "Full", the contract cartridge may be ordered. The predetermined value in "the ratio is less than the predetermined value" may be, for example, 51%.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the management server 9 and the ordering server 7 are different servers has been described, but the management server 9 and the ordering server 7 may be configured as one server.

[Example of implementation by software]
The control block of the image processing device 1 and the management server 9 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software.

In the latter case, the image processing device 1 and the management server 9 include a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function. The computer includes, for example, one or more processors and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. Then, in the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, a "non-temporary tangible medium", for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Further, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the above program may be further provided. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. It should be noted that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above program is embodied by electronic transmission.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 Image processing device 4 Ink cartridge (consumables)
9 Management server (server)
80 controller (device side controller, controller)
81 Communication unit (device side interface, interface)
82 First memory (device side memory, memory, first area)
83 Second memory (second area)
84 Image processing unit 91 Server communication unit (server-side interface, interface)
92 Server memory (server-side memory, memory)
93 Server control unit (server side controller, controller)
822 Number of new product detections (number of installations)
922 Number of orders

Claims (13)

A system including an image processing device and a server that is communicably connected to the image processing device via a network and provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing device.
The image processing device is
An image processing unit that performs image processing using the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and an image processing unit.
The device-side interface for connecting to the network and
Among the consumables, a device-side memory that stores the number of times a new consumable that is an unused consumable is installed and the life of the consumable that is installed in the image processing apparatus.
Equipped with a controller on the device side,
The device-side controller is
When the new product is mounted on the image processing device, the mounting count updating process for updating the mounting count stored in the device-side memory and the mounting count update process.
A life update process for updating the life stored in the device-side memory according to the execution of the image process, and a life update process.
At a predetermined timing, the transmission process of transmitting the number of times of mounting and the life stored in the device-side memory to the server via the device-side interface is executed.
The server
The server-side interface for connecting to the network and
The server-side memory that stores the number of orders for new products and
With a server-side controller,
The server-side controller is
When the number of attachments and the lifetime transmitted in the transmission process are received via the server-side interface, the number of attachments is greater than the number of orders, or the lifetime is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the new product. When the number of mountings is less than or equal to the number of orders and the life is less than a predetermined value without placing an order, the ordering process for placing the order and the ordering process.
A system that executes an order count update process for updating the order count stored in the server-side memory when the order is placed in the order process. The system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing includes a timing within a period from when the consumable is attached to the image processing device until the image processing device can execute the image processing. The image processing device can be equipped with managed consumables managed by the server and non-managed consumables not managed by the server as the consumables.
The server-side controller does not place the order based on the life of the unmanaged consumable among the controlled consumables and the unmanaged consumables, but places the order based on the life of the managed consumables.
The device-side controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the transmission process, at least the life of the controlled consumable and the life of the non-managed consumable are transmitted. System.
The device-side controller is
In the life renewal process
When the consumables currently mounted on the image processing device are the managed consumables, the life stored in the first area of the device-side memory and the second life of the device-side memory different from the first area are different. Update the life stored in the area and
When the consumables currently mounted on the image processing apparatus are the unmanaged consumables, only the life stored in the second area of the first area and the second area is updated.
The system according to claim 3, wherein in the transmission process, at least the life stored in the first region of the first region and the second region is transmitted. The device-side controller is
Further executing the determination process of determining whether or not the management consumable is installed,
In the mounting count update process
When the new product is mounted on the image processing device and it is determined by the determination process that the controlled consumables have been mounted, the number of mountings is updated.
The system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the number of times of mounting is not updated when it is determined by the determination process that the controlled consumables are not mounted. The device-side controller is
Further, the second determination process for determining whether or not the image processing device is the target of providing the service is further executed.
In the mounting count update process
When the new product is mounted on the image processing device and the image processing device is determined to be the target of providing the service in the second determination process, the number of mountings is updated.
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which does not update the number of times of wearing when it is determined in the second determination process that the image processing apparatus is not the target of providing the service. The server-side controller is
When the image processing device is excluded from the service provision target from the service provision target, the order count initialization process for initializing the order count stored in the server-side memory is further executed.
The device-side controller is
When the image processing device is excluded from the provision target of the service from the provision target of the service, the request for further executing the mounting number initialization process for initializing the mounting number stored in the memory on the device side. Item 5. The system according to any one of Items 1 to 6. It is an image processing device
An image processing unit that performs image processing using consumables mounted on the image processing device, and an image processing unit.
A server that provides a service for managing consumables, an interface for communicably connecting via a network, and
A memory that stores the number of times a new consumable item, which is an unused consumable item, has been installed, and the life of the consumable item installed in the image processing device.
With a controller,
The controller
When the new product is installed, the installation count update process for updating the installation count stored in the memory and the installation count update process.
A life update process for updating the life stored in the memory according to the execution of the image process, and a life update process.
At a predetermined timing, the number of mountings and the life stored in the memory are transmitted to the server via the interface, and the transmitted number of mountings and the life are stored in the server. An image processing device that executes a transmission process for determining whether or not to place an order for a new product based on the number of orders for the new product. A server that provides a service for managing consumables used in image processing equipment.
An interface for connecting to the image processing device so as to be communicable via a network,
Of the consumables, a memory that stores the number of orders for new products that are unused consumables, and
With a controller,
The controller
When the number of attachments to the new image processing apparatus and the life of the consumables attached to the image processing apparatus are received via the interface, the number of attachments to the new image processing apparatus is received. If the number of orders is greater than the number of orders, or if the life is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the new product is not ordered, and if the number of attachments is less than or equal to the number of orders and the life is less than the predetermined value, the order is placed. Order processing and
A server that executes an order count update process for updating the order count stored in the memory when the order is placed in the order process. A system that includes an image processing device that performs image processing and a server that is communicably connected to the image processing device via a network and provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing. How to order consumables
When the image processing apparatus detects that a new consumable item, which is an unused consumable item, is attached to the image processing apparatus, the attachment number update step for updating the attachment number of the new item and the attachment number update step.
A life renewal step of renewing the life of the consumables mounted on the image processing device according to the execution of the image processing, and a life renewal step.
A transmission step of transmitting the number of times of mounting and the life of the server to the server at a predetermined timing.
When the server receives the number of mountings and the life transmitted in the transmission step, if the number of mountings is greater than the number of orders for the new product or the life is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the new product is ordered. When the number of times of mounting is less than or equal to the number of times of ordering and the life is less than a predetermined value, the ordering process for placing the order and the ordering process.
An ordering method including, when the order is placed, an order number update step for updating the order number. A system including an image processing device and a server that is communicably connected to the image processing device via a network and provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing device.
The consumables include managed consumables managed by the server and unmanaged consumables not managed by the server.
The server
The server-side interface for connecting to the network and
The order for the controlled consumables based on the life of the unmanaged consumables according to the use in the image processing apparatus is not placed, and the order is placed based on the life of the controlled consumables for use in the image processing apparatus. Equipped with a server-side controller to do
The image processing device is
An image processing unit that performs image processing using the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and an image processing unit.
The device-side interface for connecting to the network and
A device-side memory that stores the life of the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and
Equipped with a controller on the device side,
The device-side controller is
When the management consumable is mounted on the image processing device, a life update process for updating the life of the management consumable stored in the memory on the device side according to the execution of the image processing, and a life update process.
At a predetermined timing, at least the life of the managed consumable among the life of the managed consumable and the life of the non-managed consumable stored in the device side memory is set to the life of the managed consumable via the device side interface. A system that executes the transmission process to send to the server. An image processing device that can be equipped with managed consumables managed by the server and non-managed consumables not managed by the server as consumables.
An interface for connecting to the server so that it can communicate with the server,
An image processing unit that performs image processing using the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and an image processing unit.
A memory for storing the life of the consumables mounted on the image processing device, and
With a controller,
The controller
When the management consumable is mounted on the image processing device, a life update process for updating the life of the management consumable stored in the memory according to the execution of the image processing, and a life update process.
At a predetermined timing, at least the life of the managed consumables stored in the memory among the lifespan of the managed consumables and the non-managed consumables stored in the memory is set via the interface. An image processing device that executes a transmission process of transmitting to the server. A system that includes an image processing device that executes image processing and a server that is communicably connected to the image processing device via a network and provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing device. It is an ordering method to do
The consumables include managed consumables managed by the server and non-managed consumables not managed by the server.
The server does not place an order for the managed consumables based on the life of the unmanaged consumables according to the use in the image processing apparatus, but instead reaches the life of the managed consumables according to the use in the image processing apparatus. Place the above order based on
When the image processing apparatus is equipped with the management consumables that are the consumables managed by the server, the life of the management consumables stored in the image processing apparatus is extended according to the execution of the image processing. The life renewal process to be renewed and
A transmission step of transmitting at least the life of the managed consumable to the server among the life of the managed consumable and the life of the non-managed consumable stored in the image processing apparatus at a predetermined timing. , Including, ordering method.

Images