JP3593522B2 - Consumable supply system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for providing consumables of a device connected to a network, and more particularly to a consumables providing system capable of providing consumables quickly and efficiently.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, when consumables of a printing apparatus (printer) used in an office are consumed, a person in the office who notices the consumption contacts an agent to order a cartridge.
[0003]
Further, as a system for automating the ordering of consumables, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-315052 "Automatic ordering system" published on November 29, 1996 (Applicant: Ricoh Co., Ltd., Inventor: Satoshi Fujitani) ).
The present invention aims to reduce the ordering work by placing an order for consumables that have become insufficient in each terminal device by facsimile communication via a relay device connected to a network.
[0004]
In recent years, for the purpose of environmental protection, recycling in which a toner in a toner cartridge is refilled and reused a plurality of times has been performed. However, the number of times that the toner cartridge can be reused is determined depending on the type of the toner cartridge, and it is necessary to perform recycling while managing this number of times.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional automatic ordering system, since the order is placed after the consumables are exhausted, the trader cannot quickly deliver the replacement, and there is no much difference from the case of ordering by a person, and still more There was a problem that it was not efficient.
[0006]
Also, in the case of recycling, there is a problem that it is difficult to efficiently carry out a recycling business because a trader has to manage the number of refills in the toner cartridge and provide consumables.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a consumable supply providing system capable of quickly and efficiently providing consumables or appropriate alternative recyclable consumables.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention for solving the problems of the conventional example described above relates to a consumables supply system, which acquires printer status information including toner near-end or toner empty information from a network printer and relates to the printer based on the information. A printer monitoring server that generates and sends status messages; Per printer Stores the history of the toner near end and toner empty, receives the message transmitted from the printer monitoring server, analyzes the message content, and if the analyzed content is the toner near end in the printer, The consumables supply side that estimates the date obtained by subtracting the number of days required for shipment from the toner near end to the toner empty and the date of expendable supplies, and arranges the consumables And a consumable item can be provided quickly and efficiently.
Further, according to the present invention, in the consumable supply system, when printer status information including toner near-end or toner empty information is obtained from a network printer, a status message relating to the printer is generated and transmitted based on the information. A printer monitoring server, Per printer Stores the history of the toner near end and toner empty, receives the message transmitted from the printer monitoring server, analyzes the message content, and if the analyzed content is the toner near end in the printer, The average number of days from when the toner near end is detected to when the toner becomes empty is calculated, and the day shorter than the day obtained by subtracting the number of days required for shipping from the average number of days is estimated as the date on which the consumable is scheduled to be delivered. It has a consumable supply server that performs a consumable supply arrangement process, and can provide consumables quickly and efficiently.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In a first consumable supply providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a consumable supply providing server acquires device use information through a network connection with a server that manages use information of a connected device. The estimated delivery date of the consumable item is estimated, and when the scheduled delivery date is reached, the procedure for sending out the consumable item is performed, so that the consumable item can be provided quickly and efficiently.
[0011]
Further, in the second consumable supply providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the consumable supply providing server acquires the use information of the device through a network connection to a server that manages the use information of the connected device, Estimate the delivery schedule of the consumables of the device, and when the scheduled delivery date arrives, carry out the appropriate replacement recyclable consumables that have the same level of recycling as the consumables to be delivered. Products can be provided quickly and efficiently.
[0012]
A first consumable supply system (first system) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first consumable supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first system includes a printer (printing device or printer) 1 connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) as a consumer side, and a storage device (file) 2 for storing information in the LAN. A server 3 connected to the LAN and connected to the Internet, a server 4 connected to the Internet as a consumables seller, and a personal computer (PC) 5 connected to the Internet as another consumer. .
[0013]
Next, each part of the first system will be specifically described.
The printing machine 1 notifies the server 3 of the consumption information of the consumables such as toner via the LAN. Here, the usage amount information includes information such as a toner near end indicating that the toner is almost exhausted and a toner empty indicating that the toner is exhausted.
Although FIG. 1 shows only one printer 1 connected to the LAN, a plurality of printers connected to the LAN are originally assumed.
[0014]
The server 3 receives the usage information of the consumables transmitted from the printing press 1 and stores it in the file 2. The server 3 manages each of the plurality of printers 1 connected to the LAN, and manages the usage information of the consumables received from each of the printers 1 for each of the printers.
Further, the server 3 outputs the information stored in the file 2 to the server 4 in response to access from the server 4 of the consumables seller via the Internet.
[0015]
Under the control of the server 3, the file 2 stores the usage information of the consumables for each printing press 1, reads out the stored information, and outputs it to the server 3.
The information to be stored includes the address information of the printing press, the model information of the printing press, and information on the amount of consumables of the printing press.
[0016]
The server 4 of the consumables seller manages the printing press 1 of each consumer via the server 3 of each consumer, receives an order for consumables according to the status of the printing press 1, and dispatches the consumables. Do.
Specifically, the server 4 performs the processing shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing in the first consumable supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the server 4 accesses the server 3 of each consumer (S1) and determines whether there is any toner near end detected in the printing press 1 (S2). If the toner near end is not detected (No), the process returns to step S1.
[0017]
Although the server 4 accesses the server 3 periodically, the server 3 may receive a report only when there is a change in the information on the consumables.
Further, the server 4 accesses the data of the file 2 via the server 3 and uses security means for this access. That is, the server 4 accesses the file 2 by a predetermined means (protocol, authentication), and obtains information such as customer information, the model name of the printing press, and the degree of consumption of consumables.
[0018]
When the toner near end is detected (in the case of Yes), an order for an alternative consumable is made at that time (S3). Then, the server 4 estimates the delivery schedule of the alternative consumable, which is a time before the toner becomes empty based on the history of the printing press 1 so far (S4).
It is conceivable that the estimated delivery schedule of the substitute consumables is a date obtained by subtracting the number of days required for shipping from the toner near end to the toner empty state in the printing press up to now. It is also conceivable that the average number of days from when the toner near end is detected by the conventional printing press until the toner becomes empty is calculated, and the number of days required for shipping is subtracted from that number of days, and the date is shorter than the day obtained. .
[0019]
Then, it is determined whether there is any printing machine 1 whose estimated delivery date estimated in the process S4 is present (S5). If there is no printing machine 1 whose estimated delivery date is (No), the process ends.
If there is a printing press 1 that has reached the scheduled delivery date (in the case of Yes), a shipping procedure is performed (S6), and a bill is charged (S7). Then you will receive the price.
[0020]
Further, the server 4 holds information such as the address of the printing press of the consumer, the name of the customer, the model of the printing press, the delivery place, the delivery destination of the delivery note, and the delivery destination of the bill to perform the above processing. Things.
[0021]
According to the first system, if the printer 1 of the consumer is connected to the LAN, the information of toner near-end is stored in the file 2 from the printer 1 via the server 3, and consumables are stored. The seller's server 4 periodically accesses the consumer's (customer's) server 3 to obtain information on the printing machine 1 that has become a toner near end in the file 2 and plans to deliver consumables from the toner near end. Since the consumables can be shipped by estimating the date, the procedure for ordering and sending out the consumables at the consumables seller has the effect of being quick and simplified. Further, as a customer, the toner cartridge or the like can be used before the toner becomes empty. Consumables can be received, and there is no interruption to the customer's business flow.
[0022]
Next, a second consumable supply system (second system) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The second system is basically the same as the first system shown in FIG. 1 except that the consumables seller is a consumables recycler, and the processing at the server is the first. It is different from the system.
[0023]
In the second system, when the toner of the printing press of the customer is exhausted, the consumables seller (recycler) provides the customer with another toner cartridge in which the toner is refilled, and an appropriate alternative is used. It is possible to provide recycled consumables quickly and efficiently.
[0024]
However, the number of recyclable toner cartridges can be refilled beforehand depending on the type of the toner cartridge, and the server 4 of the consumables seller or the server 3 of the customer manages the “recyclable number” for each toner cartridge. .
For example, assuming that the server 4 manages the “recyclable number” for each toner cartridge, the server 4 determines, for each customer, the address of the printing press, the type of the printing press, the type of the toner cartridge, and the recycling of the toner cartridge. It manages the possible number of times.
[0025]
Therefore, when the toner (consumables) of the customer has reached the toner near end, an appropriate alternative recyclable consumable will be prepared from the stock. The number of times the same type of cartridge (equivalent level product) is selected and provided to the customer. If there is no equivalent-level product in stock, we will offer a similar-level product of a similar level.
[0026]
The second system will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process in the second consumable supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
When the printing press 1 notifies the customer server 3 of the consumption information (toner near-end or toner empty) to the customer server 3 via the LAN, the server 3 stores the information in the file 2 for each printing press 1.
[0027]
The server 4 of the consumables seller (recycler) communicates with the server 3 of the customer via the Internet, and obtains information on the usage of the consumables stored in the file 2 (S11). Note that, similarly to the first system, the server 4 may receive a report only when there is a change in the information on the consumables from the server 3 of the customer. Also in the second system, access from the server 4 to the server 3 and the file 2 is performed using security means.
[0028]
When the server 4 detects the toner near end from the acquired information on the consumables (S12), the information on the consumables is used as a recycling member (a consumables cycle is performed in advance according to a contract with a consumables seller among customers). It is determined whether the member belongs to a non-recycling member) or a non-recycling member (S13).
[0029]
In the case of a recycle member (in the case of Yes), the server 4 inquires of stock information about whether or not there is a stock of a product (equivalent level product) that has been recycled the same number of times as the toner cartridge held by the recycle member (S14).
[0030]
Here, if the server 4 does not have the stock of the corresponding product even if it inquires its own stock information, the server 4 also inquires the stock information of a co-worker who is in the same business and cooperates. FIG. 1 shows a server of the same company with which the PC 5 cooperates. If there is no corresponding product in the stock information, a stock of similar products (same products) at a near level is checked (S15). According to the inquiry result, if there is an equivalent-level product or a similar-level similar product, a delivery date is answered to the customer (S16), and a shipping procedure is performed (S17).
[0031]
Also, if the consumables of the recycling member have completed the specified number of recycling, the server 4 refers to the availability of new products. The server 4 refers to this information and arranges for a new recycle member by referring to this information if the consumables have been recycled a specified number of times and a new one is required.
[0032]
In step S13, if the member is not a recycling member (No), that is, if the member is a non-recycling member, an inquiry is made of the consumables stock deposited by the customer, and if there is stock, the delivery date is answered to the customer, and the stock is returned. If not, ask the customer if the replacement is good. If a non-recycling member wants a new replacement, he / she will give a delivery date in accordance with the answer.
[0033]
If the non-recycling member wants an alternative recycled consumable, the consumables seller makes a request to send the used consumables, and based on the sending request information, the consumables seller makes a request to the customer. Provide the delivery date of the appropriate alternative recycled consumable.
[0034]
Recycled members and non-recycled members shall conclude a sales contract based on the delivery date of the consumables seller.
The obtained information on the consumables of the recycling member and the non-recycling member is stored in the server 4 of the consumables seller, and is used for estimating the next necessary time for the consumables. The server 4 also updates the customer LAN management server 3 with the demand forecast for which printing machine 1 and when to deliver the consumables.
[0035]
The consumables seller delivers the product desired by the customer to a predetermined place (S17). For example, delivery may be made to a company, factory, or office where the printing machine is installed, but delivery and settlement at a convenience store is also possible.
Further, the consumables seller makes a bill to the customer at a predetermined method and time (S19).
The customer pays the consumables seller according to the bill.
[0036]
According to the second system, since a recycling member can provide appropriate alternative recycled consumables to a customer at an equivalent level product, promptly and efficiently provide appropriate alternative recycled consumables. There are effects that can be performed.
[0037]
Next, the consumables seller collects used or toner near-end consumables according to the customer's request.
The collected consumables are attached when the customer's ID tag is received at the consumables distributor's warehouse.
The ID tag is a non-contact data carrier combining a microwave and a power saving chip, and the following information is stored in the tag. By attaching such information as an ID tag to consumables, the consumables can be easily returned to the original customer. Further, it is possible to facilitate the process management, to easily separate appropriate recycle consumables, and to realize quick delivery.
Note that a recording medium such as a barcode may be used instead of the ID tag.
[0038]
The ID tag stores information such as the address information of the printing press 1, the customer name, the model of the printing press, and the number of cartridge recyclings.
The information stored in the ID tag is registered and stored in the merchandise master file of the server 4 at the time of shipment, at the time of judging whether or not it can be recycled, and at the time of stocking of the recycled product.
[0039]
The product master file of the server 4 contains a customer name, whether or not a registered member (recycled member), settlement conditions, designation of a delivery location, a processing method in the case of non-recyclable (return, disposal, necessity of a statement of reason), and the number of recycles In the case of expiration, information such as whether or not a new product is necessary, the delivery address of the delivery note, the delivery address of the bill, the model name of the printing machine (printer) owned by the customer, and the like are stored.
[0040]
In accordance with the agreement between the customer and the consumables seller, these inventory statuses will be disclosed to the customer-specific file upon access by the customer, and this disclosure will enable the customer to determine the status of consumables recycling, estimated delivery date, past You can refer to ordering and receiving history.
[0041]
Here, a franchise mechanism using the second system will be described. For the franchisor who promotes this business, we will collect a lot of franchisees who actually do recycling business in this system.
The franchisor and many franchisees form a group, and the group purchases consumables. Then, the consumables to be recycled become the property of the group.
[0042]
If there is no equivalent product in one franchisee, the other franchisees are queried for an equivalent product, and if there are no equivalent products in some franchisees, a similar Since the stock inquiry is performed, the reuse efficiency of the appropriate alternative recyclable consumables is high.
Note that the PC 5 in FIG. 1 indicates a server to which other franchisees in the vicinity are referred.
[0043]
In the embodiment of the present invention, toner has been described as an example of a consumable part. However, the present invention can be applied to other consumable parts and parts close to consumable parts such as parts whose quality is deteriorated.
[0044]
Next, a third consumable supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram of a third consumable supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, a third consumable supply system (third system) according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to LAN (Local Area Network) -connected network printers 1a and 1b and connected to the LAN. A personal computer (PC) 10, a local printer 11 connected only to the PC 10, and a printer monitoring server 3 for inputting information on the status of the printer and transmitting an e-mail for ordering necessary consumables via the Internet. , A consumable goods seller server 4 ′ for receiving the e-mail and ordering the consumable goods, and a service station PC 6.
[0045]
The network printers 1a, 1b, the PC 10, and the printer monitoring server 3 'connected to the LAN constitute a customer zone in units of one company (customer) or the like. Usually, a plurality of such units are connected to the Internet. Have been. The service station PC 6 is also installed at a service station in each region, and is connected to a plurality of the Internet.
[0046]
Each part of the third system will be specifically described.
In response to a request from the printer monitoring server 3 ', the network printers 1a and 1b output the status of the printer to the printer monitoring server 3' via the LAN using the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) protocol. Information output from the network printers 1a and 1b includes information on toner (toner near end, toner empty), information on paper (paper out, paper jam), information on maintenance (serviceman call error), and the like.
[0047]
The local printer 11 also outputs the status of the printer to the connected PC 10.
The PC 10 outputs the status of the printer input from the local printer 11 to the printer monitoring server 3 'using the SNMP protocol or the like.
For this purpose, the PC 10 incorporates a program or a mail transmission function for notifying the status of the local printer 11 and responding to polling (Get Request) using the SNMP protocol from the printer monitoring server 3 '.
[0048]
The printer monitoring server 3 'polls (Get Request) the status of the network printer or the like using the SNMP protocol or the like. When there is printer status information related to a toner-related alarm or the like as a response (Get Response) to the response, the printer monitoring server 3 ′ receives the printer status information from the network printer 1a, 1b or the PC 10 via the LAN. .
[0049]
The printer monitoring server 3 'automatically creates (automatically generates) the content of the status of the printer as an e-mail in response to the printer status information, and transmits it to the consumable goods sales server 4' via the Internet.
The e-mail from the printer monitoring server 3 'is transmitted by, for example, a dial-up connection, and the transmission setting can be automatic or manual.
[0050]
The contents of the e-mail include a destination address (address of the consumable goods sales server 4 '), a host name for identifying the printer, a printer name, a host name or IP address, a printer serial number, and a printer status. Information is included.
[0051]
The consumable goods seller server 4 'is a consumable goods providing server, receives an e-mail from the customer's printer monitoring server 3', analyzes the contents of the e-mail, and performs a process according to the contents. For example, if the electronic mail is an order mail for a toner cartridge, an order receiving process for consumables is performed, and a process for arranging consumables is performed.
Further, the processing shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be performed. In this case, the access to the consumer server in FIG. 2 (S1) or the access to the customer server in FIG. 3 (S11) is to receive and analyze the e-mail from the printer monitoring server 3 '.
[0052]
The consumable goods seller server 4 'receives not only toner information but also other information such as paper out, paper jam, serviceman call error and the like by e-mail. If the paper is out of paper, the consumable goods seller server 4 'performs a paper delivery process on the assumption that a print paper has been ordered by the e-mail.
[0053]
In the case of a serviceman call error, the consumable goods seller server 4 'has a table for managing the printer installation location and the service station location in advance, and refers to the table to find the nearest service station. And sends a maintenance request to the terminal device (service station PC) 6 that manages the service station by e-mail via the Internet.
Incidentally, the service station PC6 is generally installed at the service station.
[0054]
The service station PC 6 receives the maintenance request e-mail from the consumable goods seller server 4 'and displays it on the screen. In response to the e-mail, the service engineer at the service station goes to a printer requiring maintenance and performs maintenance work.
[0055]
Next, a processing operation in the third system will be described.
First, the printer monitoring server 3 'periodically performs polling (SNMP Get Request) via the LAN to the PC 10 to which the network printer 1a, 1b or the local printer 11 is connected. In response to the inquiry, the printer status information is received from the device and stored.
The printer status information is error information such as toner near end, toner empty, and serviceman call error.
[0056]
Then, the printer monitoring server 3 'creates an e-mail addressed to the consumable goods seller server 4' based on the received printer status information. The e-mail includes information for specifying the sender, the model of the printer, the installation location, and printer status information that is error information.
This e-mail is automatically generated by extracting necessary items from printer status information received from a printer or the like by a program in the printer monitoring server 3 '.
[0057]
Further, the printer monitoring server 3 'transmits the automatically generated e-mail to the consumable goods sales server 4' automatically or manually via the Internet.
The printer monitoring server 3 'does not receive an inquiry from the consumables seller server 4', but sends an e-mail from the printer monitoring server 3 'to the consumables seller server 4'. This is to improve security for the network.
[0058]
When the consumables seller server 4 'receives the e-mail, if the status of the printer is a consumable such as a toner cartridge or printing paper, the consumables supplier server 4' determines that the order for the corresponding consumable has been received, Perform product shipping processing. If the status of the printer is a serviceman call error, the consumables seller server 4 'sends a maintenance request e-mail to the service station PC 6 near the installation location of the printer.
[0059]
According to the third system, not only the LAN printer connected to the LAN in the customer's office but also the local printer 11 connected to the PC 10 connected to the LAN, the toner status, paper status and maintenance status are monitored by the printer monitoring server 3 '. Manages, if there is an error, obtains information on the printer status, sends an e-mail to the consumables seller server 4 ', and the consumables seller server 4' arranges for consumables and maintenance. Therefore, there is an effect that consumables such as a toner cartridge or printing paper can be promptly provided to a customer, and further, maintenance of the printer can be performed quickly.
[0060]
Next, a fourth consumable supply system (fourth system) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram of a fourth consumable supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, the fourth system basically includes a stand-alone PC 20, a local printer 21 connected to the PC, and a consumable goods sales server 4 'connected via the Internet. .
Although only one set of the stand-alone PC 20 and the local printer 21 is illustrated in FIG. 5, originally, a plurality of stand-alone PCs 20 are connected via the Internet, and the local printer 21 is connected to the PC 20 respectively. It is what is being done.
[0061]
In the fourth system, when a stand-alone PC 20 runs out of ink in an ink cartridge in a local printer 21 connected to the stand-alone PC 20, the stand-alone PC 20 orders a consumable goods seller server 4 'at the time when the ink runs out. Sends e-mail. That is, it is assumed that the user of the stand-alone PC 20 has previously agreed to use the present system.
[0062]
The local printer 21 outputs the printer status information to the connected stand-alone PC 20.
Here, the printer status information is, for example, information on running out of ink in an ink cartridge if the local printer 21 is an ink jet printer, or information on running out of ink in a toner cartridge if the local printer 21 is a laser beam printer.
[0063]
The stand-alone PC 20 inputs printer status information from the local printer 21, and creates and transmits an e-mail to the consumable goods seller server 4 'via the Internet based on the information.
For this purpose, the stand-alone PC 20 needs to register the user in advance in the consumable goods sales server 4 'and download or install a program for automatic creation and transmission of e-mail by CD-ROM or the like. There is. As the user registration, a printer name, a serial number, a method for receiving consumables, a place, and the like are set in addition to the mail address. For example, if the location where the consumables are received is a convenience store, it is decided in advance which store in which district to receive the consumables.
[0064]
The contents of the e-mail include the destination address (address of the consumable goods sales server 4 '), the e-mail address of the stand-alone PC 20, the name of the printer for identifying the connected printer, the serial number of the printer, and Contains printer status information. Since the printer name and serial number have already been registered by user registration in advance, it is not necessary to include such information in the outgoing mail, but since the user may be using multiple printers, The information is included.
If the information on the printer status in the electronic mail is, for example, the ink cartridge is out of ink, the electronic mail is an electronic mail for ordering the cartridge. Then, it is determined when the user sends an e-mail whether or not the user places an order for consumables.
[0065]
As described above, the stand-alone PC 20 incorporates a program for creating and transmitting an e-mail to the consumable goods sales server 4 'from the printer status information. To create an e-mail from the information of
[0066]
The stand-alone PC 20 also performs a communication process for transmitting the created e-mail. The transmission operation is performed, for example, when the stand-alone PC 20 inputs printer status information from the local printer 21, an e-mail is created, a window prompting the transmission of the e-mail is displayed on the screen, and the transmission button is pressed by the user. When clicked, the transmission takes place.
[0067]
Also, instead of displaying a window prompting e-mail transmission, an icon indicating the status of the printer is displayed on the screen, and when the icon is clicked, a dialog box is displayed. Then, an electronic mail may be transmitted by clicking the mail icon.
[0068]
Upon receiving the e-mail transmitted from the stand-alone PC 20, the consumable goods seller server 4 'returns the e-mail to the user.
This reply mail is a confirmation mail indicating that the order has been received when the electronic mail from the stand-alone PC 20 is an order mail.
The contents of the reply mail include the type of the cartridge that needs to be exchanged, the price, the date of receipt, the place of receipt (registered convenience store), the transaction number for exchanging products, and the like from the contents of the user registration in advance.
[0069]
Then, the consumable goods seller server 4 ′ performs processing for arranging consumable goods in response to the e-mail from the stand-alone PC 20.
The order by e-mail in the fourth system is related to the cartridge of the printer. However, the order of general computer-related products is accepted by the consumable goods seller server 4 'and the related products are provided. It does not matter.
[0070]
According to the fourth system, the stand-alone PC 20 connected to the Internet automatically generates an e-mail for ordering a substitute when a consumable such as a cartridge used in the local printer 21 is consumed, and the consumables distributor server 4 , And the consumable goods seller server 4 ′ returns an e-mail for confirmation and arranges the consumable goods, so that the effect of being able to provide the consumable goods quickly and reliably is obtained. is there.
[0071]
In the first to fourth systems, if the same order is repeatedly received within a specific period, for example, within 24 hours, for the order received by the consumables seller's server 4, 4 ', the second and subsequent times Processing for ignoring the order by the server 4, 4 'is added.
This is for invalidating an order not intended by the user, because an order is generated each time the user repeatedly turns the power on / off in the case of a printer malfunction.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when printer status information including toner near-end or toner empty information is acquired from a network printer, a printer monitoring server that generates and transmits a status message related to the printer based on the information, Per printer Stores the history of the toner near end and toner empty, receives the message transmitted from the printer monitoring server, analyzes the message content, and when the analyzed content is the toner near end in the printer, The consumables supply side that performs the processing of arranging the consumables by estimating the day obtained by subtracting the number of days required for shipment from the toner near end to the toner empty and deducting the number of days required for shipment, and arranging the consumables Since the system is a consumable supply system having a server, there is an effect that consumables can be provided quickly and efficiently.
Further, according to the present invention, in the consumable supply system, when printer status information including toner near-end or toner empty information is obtained from a network printer, a status message relating to the printer is generated and transmitted based on the information. A printer monitoring server, Per printer Stores the history of the toner near end and toner empty, receives the message transmitted from the printer monitoring server, analyzes the message content, and if the analyzed content is the toner near end in the printer, The average number of days from when the toner near end is detected to when the toner becomes empty is calculated, and the day shorter than the day obtained by subtracting the number of days required for shipping from the average number of days is estimated as the date on which the consumable is scheduled to be delivered. It has a server on the consumable supply side that performs a consumable supply arrangement process, and has an effect that consumables can be provided quickly and efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first consumable supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing in the first consumable supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process in a second consumable supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram of a third consumable supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram of a fourth consumable supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing machine, 1a, 1b ... Network printer, 2 ... File, 3 ... Server, 3 '... Printer monitoring server, 4 ... Server, 4' ... Consumables seller server, 5 ... PC, 6 ... Service station PC, 10 PC, 11 local printer, 20 stand-alone PC, 21 local printer

Claims (2)

When acquiring printer status information including toner near-end or toner empty information from the network printer, a printer monitoring server that generates and transmits a status message related to the printer based on the information,
For each of the printers, the history of the toner near end and the toner empty is stored, the message transmitted from the printer monitoring server is received, and the content of the message is analyzed. If the end is the end, the date obtained by subtracting the number of days required for shipping from the toner near end to the toner empty is estimated as the scheduled delivery date of the consumable based on the history, and the consumable A consumable supply providing server that performs a process of arranging the supplies. When acquiring printer status information including toner near-end or toner empty information from the network printer, a printer monitoring server that generates and transmits a status message related to the printer based on the information,
For each of the printers, the history of the toner near end and the toner empty is stored, the message transmitted from the printer monitoring server is received, and the content of the message is analyzed. If it is the end, the average number of days from when the toner near end is detected to when the toner becomes empty is calculated based on the history, and the expendable supplies are shorter than the day obtained by subtracting the number of days required for shipping from the average number of days. A consumable supply providing server that estimates the date of delivery of the consumable and performs processing for arranging the consumable.

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