JP3720584B2 - Office equipment management system and its host computer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a management system for office equipment (OA equipment; office automation equipment) such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, in particular, a management system for office equipment that manages and reports stock data of consumables in office equipment, and the office equipment. The present invention relates to a host computer that manages
[0002]
[Prior art]
In OA equipment, when consumables such as paper and toner in the equipment run out, this is detected and displayed on the operation panel, thereby prompting the user to replenish. Has been done. By the way, since inventory management of consumables is generally entrusted to the user, there are cases where an inexperienced user or a person who is not unfamiliar will not notice until the consumable is exhausted. In that case, there is a problem that the OA device cannot be used until it arrives after arranging the consumables.
[0003]
For this reason, there has been proposed an OA device management system in which an OA device having a communication function is connected to a host computer via a line. In this management system, when the toner end or toner near end of each OA device, the end of the unit number of sheets, and the end of the unit usage amount of the staple needle are ended, the data is transmitted to the host computer through the line, and the operation information is transmitted to the host computer. It comes to manage with.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The OA device management system described above sends data to the host computer when each OA device has a toner end or toner near end, or when the amount of paper consumption or staple needle consumption exceeds a prescribed value. The host computer simply counts the consumption of consumables by receiving the toner end or the like. Therefore, it is not for the purpose of managing and replenishing the inventory of consumables on the user side, and it is not possible to manage and replenish consumables on the user side as described above.
[0005]
In order to solve this problem, the usage data of consumables of each OA device is constantly monitored, and it is determined whether or not the user-side inventory is at the replenishment time based on the inventory data of the host computer. It is conceivable that a sales representative or the like instructs the delivery section to deliver consumables. However, since paper and the like are used in many types of OA devices and there are many users, it is difficult to manage them. Therefore, the actual situation is that consumables are arranged according to a request from the user by telephone or the like.
[0006]
The present invention manages inventory of consumables in office equipment, and eliminates out of stock of consumables, thereby reducing the burden on the user side and the burden of replenishment on the supplier side. And its host computer .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is an office device comprising a management means for managing the state of consumables, a communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the adapter device, an office equipment and a host computer, Adapter device having control means for performing communication control, communication means for communicating with the adapter device, and storage means for storing data transmitted / received by the communication means, management data for the adapter device and office equipment In a management system for office equipment having a host computer, the control means of the adapter device notifies the host computer of the information when a predetermined amount of consumables is used in the office equipment. Set the average interval for the above notification based on the average consumption of consumables per unit period, and exceed the set average interval above Those having a data processing means for performing a warning when there is no knowledge.
[0008]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 2 is an office device comprising a management means for managing the state of consumables, a communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the adapter device, an office equipment and a host computer, comprising an adapter device provided with a control means for controlling communication, a communication unit for communicating with the adapter device, data transmitted and received by the communication means, and storage means for storing the management data of the adapter device and clerical equipment In a management system for office equipment having a host computer, the control means of the adapter device notifies the host computer of the information when a predetermined amount of consumables is used in the office equipment. When it is determined that the usage amount of a specific consumable item has reached the order amount, in addition to the consumable item, the usage amount is a predetermined amount less than the order amount. For have the specific consumables than other consumables are those having a data processing means for performing order processing.
[0009]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 3 is a communication means for communicating with the adapter device, data transmitted / received by the communication means, management data for the adapter device and office equipment communicable with the adapter device. And a storage means for storing the information, and based on the average consumption of the consumables per unit period in the office equipment, notification of information when a predetermined amount of the consumables from the office equipment is used The data processing means is provided for setting an average interval and alerting the user when there is no notification exceeding the set average interval.
[0010]
To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 is a communication means for communicating with the adapter apparatus, data transmitted / received by the communication means, management data for the adapter apparatus and office equipment communicable with the adapter apparatus. A host computer having a storage means for storing information, and when a predetermined amount of consumables is used from office equipment, it is determined that the amount of use of the specific consumables has reached the order amount from the notification of the information In this case, in addition to the consumables, a data processing means for performing ordering processing for other consumables other than the specific consumables whose usage amount is smaller by a predetermined amount than the ordered amount is provided.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a management system for office equipment showing an embodiment of the present invention. An OA device group 100 including a plurality of types of OA devices 101 to 105, an adapter device 200, a host computer 300, and an external system 400 are included. The adapter device 200 is connected to the communication line 500 and transfers a command from the host computer 300 to the OA device group 100, and conversely, various information from the OA device group 100 is transferred to the host computer 300 via the communication line 500. Forward. The adapter device 200 is energized for 24 hours, and normally enables communication with the host computer 300 even at night when the power of the OA device group 100 is turned off.
[0012]
A plurality of OA devices 101 to 105 can be connected to one adapter device 200. The adapter device 200 and the OA device group 100 are multi-drop connected by serial communication RS-485, and communicate with the OA device group 100 by polling and selecting from the adapter device 200.
[0013]
The communication means of the host computer 300 transmits / receives data to / from the adapter device 200 and also transmits / receives data to / from the OA device group 100. The host computer 300 and the external system 400 transmit and receive data via the communication line 600. The external system 400 is finally connected to a delivery system, a customer management system, and the like.
[0014]
The storage means of the host computer 300 stores various management information of the OA devices 101 to 105 and the adapter device 200. In addition, user information regarding each of the OA devices 101 to 105 can be stored. Further, the amount of consumables used in each of the OA devices 101 to 105 can be counted. In addition, it is possible to store the estimated stock amount in each of the OA devices 101 to 105. Further, the type, amount, and order unit of consumables used in each OA device 101 to 105 can be stored.
[0015]
The data processing means of the host computer 300 is used from the current inventory amount of the OA equipment group 100 based on the data from the communication means (communication line 500) that has received the consumed unit data notified from the OA equipment group 100. Calculate the estimated inventory by subtracting the quantity. When the estimated inventory amount becomes smaller than the set value, the necessary management information of the corresponding OA device is selectively added to the communication means (communication line 600) that communicates with the external system 400 to externally Is instructed to perform data communication. In response to successful communication from the communication means, the data processing means initializes the assumed stock quantity and stores it in the storage means.
[0016]
The display means of the host computer 300 displays various data stored in the current host computer 300. The printing unit of the host computer 300 prints various data stored in the current host computer 300.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the adapter device. The adapter device 200 issues a control to the host computer 300 by the control unit 201 that executes control of the OA device group 100 and transmission / reception of commands from the host computer 300 via the communication line 500, and various reports from the OA device group 100. An auto dialer unit 202 that performs a call and a line control unit 203 that performs switching control of whether the communication line 500 is connected to the OA device group 100 side or the general telephone 204 side are roughly configured.
[0018]
Although not described in detail, the control unit 201 is a control ROM that stores a control program, a CPU that executes control by reading the control ROM, a RAM that temporarily stores data, and a nonvolatile memory that is backed up by a battery. It comprises a RAM, a serial communication control unit, an input / output port, a real-time clock for knowing the current time, and the like.
[0019]
The non-volatile RAM includes the host computer 300, data transferred from one of the OA device groups 100 to the other, each device code and ID code for identifying one of the OA device groups 100, the telephone number of the host computer 300, and the line The number of re-calls when a connection is unsuccessful, the re-call interval, etc. are stored.
[0020]
Based on the usage data of the consumables of the OA equipment group 100, the inventory amount in the OA equipment group 100 at the installation location of the OA equipment group 100 at a certain time, and the inventory quantity at that location, the consumables come to the replenishment time. And instruct the delivery unit to deliver consumables. In order to determine such a replenishment time, it is necessary for the host computer 300 to accurately grasp the current consumable stock quantity on the user side. As for the consumables inventory on the user side, for example, the initial stock quantity is investigated at a certain time, and the stock quantity is set in the host computer 300 to synchronize the actual stock quantity with the assumed stock quantity in the host computer 300. Set by taking
[0021]
A specific operation will be described below. There are a wide variety of consumables used by the OA device group 100, but paper will be described as an example. There are many types of paper depending on the size, and there are many paper products registered as consumables. Here, in order to make it easy to understand, it is described with A4 and A3 paper. The product shall also describe a specific product. Consider a copier as an example of OA equipment.
[0022]
Assume that the consumption of consumables can be counted with a copier. This counting may be performed separately depending on the type of paper used, or may be performed depending on the size and direction in the location where the paper is stored. Each time the copying machine is used, the corresponding counter counts, and when the number of sheets set in advance by the copying machine is counted, a flag is set to indicate that a state of notifying the host computer 300 has occurred. This flag is cleared when status information is transmitted to the adapter device 200 in order to notify the host computer 300. By doing this, the host computer 300 is notified of the number of times corresponding to the usage amount.
[0023]
The adapter device 200 has a code for discriminating the OA device group 100 connected thereto, and the host computer 300 stores that information. Communication is performed with the connected OA device group 100, and the adapter device 200 monitors the state of the OA device group 100 by performing communication. Each time the state changes, the state information is taken and processing is executed based on the information such as what is immediately notified to the host computer 300 according to the type of information, what is stored, and the like. The flag by the use of consumables is observed to know that the state has changed, and this flag state is fetched from the OA device group 100.
[0024]
The adapter device 200 recognizes that the OA device group 100 has used a specified amount of consumables, and transmits the contents to the host computer 300 through the communication line 500. In transmitting, since the transmission partner can be selected, the connection is made according to the identification number (telephone number or the like) of the host computer 300 registered as the communication destination of consumable information. An identifier is assigned according to the type of report (called a call), and communication is performed efficiently.
[0025]
In addition, the adapter device 200 has a function of performing a test report to the communication destination by a command from the host computer 300. This is a test report to a report destination identified by the adapter device 200 by a command from the host computer 300. When the command is received, the communication is terminated, and a test notification is executed after a certain time in order to perform communication including a predetermined number of times determined or set, or a specified number of retries by the command. As a result, the communication path between the host computer 300 and the adapter device 200 can be confirmed.
[0026]
Similarly, the OA device group 100 has a function of performing a test report to a communication destination by a command from the host computer 300. Further, the OA device group 100 has a test report function that does not depend on a command from the host computer 300, so that a test can be performed asynchronously with the host computer 300. The host computer 300 uses, as management information for the OA device group 100, information such as an identifier of the OA device group 100, a registration date, user information, a contact information, a service person in charge, a store, etc. , General paper), size, order quantity, order information transmission destination, etc. are also stored.
[0027]
The usage data calculation method includes a method of accumulating used usage and a method of subtracting the usage from an initial set value. In the usage amount accumulation method, the standard for reporting to the outside is the usage amount based on the contract with the customer. In the usage amount subtraction method, the actual stock amount of consumables at the customer is synchronized with the assumed stock amount to be stored. Thus, when it is detected that the assumed stock quantity is less than the stock quantity defined in the contract, order information is generated. The order information is notified outside the system including the external system 400. The type of notification is, for example, FAX, display on a display device, printing on a printing device, or notification via a communication line.
[0028]
The OA device group 100 can set a consumption amount unit of a consumable item that becomes a supply call from its input unit. As a result, the notification interval for each user can be optimized. In addition, the host computer 300 can set this data to the OA device group via the communication line 500. The OA device group 100 has a function of notifying the host computer 300 of data indicating that the specified usage amount has been used when the specified amount of consumables is used, and sets whether to enable or disable the function. can do. This can be set from the host computer 300 via the communication line 500 or from the input unit of the OA device group 100.
[0029]
The ordering point is set for each user and each OA device, but due to long vacations, delivery of consumables may be delayed, resulting in shortage of consumables on the user side. In order to prevent this, when a long vacation occurs, the user can temporarily increase the amount of consumables by placing an order with a smaller amount than the conventional setting, but the consumables can be prevented from running out. Therefore, it is possible to order and deliver consumables earlier than before by changing the setting of the order points uniformly. In addition, it is possible to target only a specific user and a specific OA device. For this purpose, a calendar function is provided (this can be performed for each user or each OA device), and the ordering period is different from the conventional ordering point. On the contrary, since it is possible to set a time when the consumption of the consumables is low, it is possible to cope with this by changing the monitoring period described later.
[0030]
If a supply call scheduled to come at regular intervals does not come, a system alarm is issued. Since the average monthly usage is known for each user (specifically, for each OA device), in the notification using the above method, the interval between calls to be notified can be assumed. However, since there may be cases where a supply call cannot be notified due to some reason (defect of OA equipment), communication device failure, etc., setting the average notification interval according to the average usage, etc. The time is monitored from the time when the call is made until the arrival of the next call. If the call does not arrive after the set time, a warning is displayed or printing is performed. Alternatively, the user's inventory is actually confirmed by making a notification to the external system 400 to prevent the user from running out of consumables.
[0031]
Since only one type of consumables is shipped each time, the number of deliveries only increases. To avoid this, another contract is made when a certain consumable item reaches its order quantity. Consumables are also inspected. In that case, if the specified value is not reached but within a certain range (for example, within 30% of detection of the order quantity), an order is placed at the same time. As an example, in the case of A4 paper and A3 paper, if it is determined that the consumption of A4 paper has reached a certain standard, the A4 paper is ordered to the external system 400. For the user who has permitted the order, even if the order point for the A3 paper has not been reached, if the simultaneous order point has been reached, the order for the A3 paper is also made at the same time. Thereby, two delivery can be performed by one delivery and a delivery cost can also be reduced.
[0032]
Of the consumables, paper or the like is usually used simultaneously in many types of OA equipment, and the actual usage amount in the OA equipment and the actual stock amount fluctuation due thereto are assumed stock in the host computer 300. There is a discrepancy between quantity and quantity. This can be always synchronized by a method of resetting at regular or replenishment. However, there is a time lag between the delivery instruction from the host computer 300 side to the delivery center and the actual delivery to the user side. The regular time lag can be grasped on the host computer 300 side, but when the delivery timing is shifted or the delivery quantity is changed, accurate inventory management can be performed if there is no feedback on the host computer 300 side. Disappear. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by setting the allocation amount (actually, the order amount—the amount of other OA devices used) to the user's consumables with respect to the user's order amount, Order quantity can be optimized.
[0033]
3 and 4 are flowcharts of consumables management work in the host computer. The host computer 300 receives the supply call from the user, (10) receives the supply call, (11) detects the ordering point (corresponds to long vacation), and (12) orders data. Processing such as creation, (13) vacation information reception, (14) order data transmission, (15) system inventory inquiry, (16) inventory request processing, (17) inventory input, (18), (19) order status inquiry Do. In the figure, 1 is a usage database, 2 is a vacation database, 3 is a device, customer database, 4 is a log file, 5 is an order database, 6 is a vacation schedule input, 7 is an inventory allocation, 8 is an order report, 9 is a shipping instruction, 10 is a delivery, 11 is a system inventory inquiry, 12 is a print, 13 is an order report, 14 is a delivery, 15 is a current quantity, 16 is a display, 17 is an inventory warning list, 18 is an inventory input request, 19 is an inventory input request form, 20 is no response, 21 is a response, 22 is an inventory input, 23 is an inquiry input, 24 is a statistical database, 25 is an order status, and 26 is an order status printing function or process. Show.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the host computer performs inventory management of consumables in office equipment, and eliminates out-of-stock consumables, thereby reducing the burden on the user side and the replenishment burden on the supplier side. Can do .
[0035]
According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, there is a further difference in the case where there is no supply call even if the timing of the supply call (notification of information when a predetermined amount of consumables is used from the office equipment) has passed. It is possible to prevent the user from running out of consumables by determining that it is normal (warning when there is no notification above the set average interval) .
[0036]
Further , according to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention, the number of deliveries can be reduced by ordering other consumables together in one order, and the efficiency of consumable ordering can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a management system for office equipment showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an adapter device.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart (part 1) of consumables management work in the host computer.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 2) of consumables management work in the host computer.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 OA equipment group 101-105 OA equipment 200 Adapter device 300 Host computer 400 External system 500,600 Communication line

Claims (4)

Office equipment comprising management means for managing the state of consumables, and communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the adapter device;
An adapter device comprising control means for controlling communication with the office equipment and the host computer;
In a management system for office equipment, comprising: a communication unit that communicates with the adapter device; and a host computer that includes a storage unit that stores data transmitted and received by the communication unit and management data of the adapter device and the office device.
The controller of the adapter device notifies the information to the host computer when a predetermined amount of consumables is used in the office equipment,
The host computer sets an average interval of the notification based on an average consumption amount of the consumables in a unit period in the office equipment, and a data processing means for giving a warning when the notification does not exceed the set average interval A management system for office equipment, characterized by comprising: Office equipment comprising management means for managing the state of consumables, and communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the adapter device;
An adapter device comprising control means for controlling communication with the office equipment and the host computer;
In a management system for office equipment, comprising: a communication unit that communicates with the adapter device; and a host computer that includes a storage unit that stores data transmitted and received by the communication unit and management data of the adapter device and the office device.
  The controller of the adapter device notifies the information to the host computer when a predetermined amount of consumables is used in the office equipment,
  When the host computer determines from the notification that the usage amount of the specific consumable item has reached the order amount, the specific consumable item is used in addition to the consumable item, the usage amount being smaller by a predetermined amount than the order amount. A management system for office equipment, comprising data processing means for ordering processing for other consumables. A host computer comprising: communication means for communicating with an adapter device; and storage means for storing data transmitted and received by the communication means, management data for the adapter device and office equipment communicable with the adapter device,
Based on the average consumption of consumables in the unit period in the office equipment, set an average interval of notification of information when a predetermined amount of consumables from the office equipment is used, and exceed the set average interval And a data processing means for giving a warning when there is no notification. A host computer comprising: communication means for communicating with an adapter device; and storage means for storing data transmitted and received by the communication means, management data for the adapter device and office equipment communicable with the adapter device,
When it is determined that the usage amount of a specific consumable item has reached the order amount from the notification of the information when a predetermined amount of consumable item is used from the office equipment, the usage amount is ordered in addition to the consumable item. A host computer comprising data processing means for performing an ordering process on consumables other than the specific consumable, which is a predetermined amount smaller than the amount.

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