JP3730134B2 - Inventory management method, inventory management apparatus, inventory management network system, and inventory management program - Google Patents

Description

【０１０７】
とすれば、残りの２桁によって４機種まで区別可能となる。たとえば、表２のようになる。
【０１０８】
【表２】

【０１０９】
あるいは、表３に示すように、トナーカートリッジＡ及びＢ、感光体カートリッジＣ及びＤである。
【０１１０】
【表３】

【０１１１】
これらの対応表は、以下に述べる、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２に、流通物テーブルとして用意される。
【０１１２】
残り１６桁の数字部分は、上記例で言えば、００１１という種別番号を有するトナーカートリッジ６０の個別番号（固有の情報）であり、
００００ ００００ ００００ ００００
から
１１１１ １１１１ １１１１ １１１１
までの６５５３６とおりの数字の内、１つのトナーカートリッジ６０に対して単一かつ唯一の数字が割り当てられる。この情報も、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２において、上記流通物テーブルに加えられる。なお、上記個別番号をトナーカートリッジ６０を個々に識別するための固有の情報として説明したが、種別番号と個別番号とを合わせた全体を固有の情報として位置付けても構わない。
【０１１３】
上述したルールに従い付与された流通物情報テーブルの一例を図７に示す。同図では、さらに、固有の情報（図中では固有情報と表記する）と契約者ＩＤが関連づけされた場合を示している。 "契約者ＩＤ”情報欄にデータ（この場合には、６桁の数字）が入力されている場合には、該当のトナーカートリッジ６０が該契約者ＩＤを有する契約者１に対して納入されていることを示す。該テーブルを用いることにより、固有の情報を検索キーとして、該固有の情報を有するトナーカートリッジ６０の所有者（契約者１）を特定することができる。
【０１１４】
次に、サービス提供者１０の端末１２（在庫管理装置）の構成について説明する。
【０１１５】
端末１２は、たとえば、パーソナルコンピュータ（ＰＣ）またはワークステーション（ＷＳ）であり、通信部１２１と、演算処理部１２２と、入力部１２３と、記憶部１２４と、出力部１２５とから構成されている。
【０１１６】
通信部１２１は、パブリックネットワーク３０に対して接続するためであり、電話回線３０Ａの場合には、たとえば、モデムである。また、ローカルネットワーク３２に接続するための機能を有していてもよい。
【０１１７】
演算処理部１２２は、通信部１２１あるいは入力部１２３から入力された情報に対して演算を行う部分であり、たとえば、ＣＰＵ、メモリである。メモリは、処理結果を一時的に保存しておくためのＲＡＭ等のメモリである。演算処理をソフトウエア的に行う場合には、処理手順を記したプログラムを保存しておくための不揮発性メモリを用意する。あるいは、後述する記憶部１２４にプログラムを保存しておき、プログラム動作時に該記憶部１２４から読み出し、ＲＡＭ上で作業してもよい。
【０１１８】
入力部１２３は、たとえば、キーボード、マウス、ポインティングデバイス、イメージスキャナ、バーコードスキャナ等であり、契約者１の情報等を入力するために用いられる。
【０１１９】
記憶部１２４は、通信部１２１あるいは入力部１２３から入力された情報及び演算処理部１２２により行われた演算結果を記憶するための部分（第１の記憶部及び第２の記憶部）であり、たとえば、ハードディスク、光ディスクである。記憶内容としては、先述した表１乃至３に示した流通物情報テーブル、後述する契約者情報テーブル、契約者毎のサービス管理テーブル（流通物の使用状況を随時記録した管理テーブル）、本発明による処理フローを記したアプリケーションプログラム等がある。なお、記憶部１２４は、本発明の記録媒体に相当する。
【０１２０】
出力部１２５は、情報のソフトコピー及びハードコピーのためであり、前者に対してはＣＲＴあるいは液晶等のディスプレイが、また、後者に対してはプリンタが該当する。
【０１２１】
（登録過程）
次に、システムの動作について説明する。
【０１２２】
まず、サービス提供者１０は、事前情報として契約者１の情報を入手する。図８（ａ）に契約者テーブル［１］として示すように、該情報は、契約者１を特定できるものであれば何でもよく、たとえば、契約者１が１企業である場合には会社名であり、また、同一会社であっても、事業所毎に契約する場合には該事業所名までを特定する必要があるため、部署名までを登録する。
【０１２３】
次に、端末１２において上記契約者情報を扱うために、サービス提供者１０は、契約者１毎に契約者ＩＤを発行する。該契約者ＩＤは、ユニークであり、０００１２５等の番号のような１つのＩＤが１つの契約者１毎に割り振られる。
【０１２４】
さらに、サービス対象物としての流通物６を納品するために所在地情報を、また、料金回収のために支払方法等の情報を入手する。
【０１２５】
以上を、電子ファイルという形態で端末１２の記憶部１２４に保存する。前述の図８（ａ）は、該ファイルを端末１２の出力部１２５に表示した場合の一例である。
【０１２６】
次に、サービス提供者１０は、契約者１にサービスマンを派遣し、画像形成装置２の設置・設定及びトナーカートリッジ６０等の流通物６の納入を行う。一般に、同一メーカ製であっても、画像形成装置２の機種、型番が異なれば、それに用いられる流通物６も異なる場合が多いので、画像形成装置２の本体情報を基に流通物６の型番・コード番号等を決定・確認する。
【０１２７】
このとき、流通物６の納入数は、特に規定はなく、装置本体で直ちに使用するものを除き、予備が１個以上であればよい。
【０１２８】
該画像形成装置２は外部のパブリックネットワーク３０と通信可能に接続・設定され、通信可能な状態となった時点で、上記与えられた契約者ＩＤに加えて、該画像形成装置２の機種番号、製品個別のＩＤ番号等の情報を端末１２に送るようにしてもよい。
【０１２９】
契約者１がどのような種類の画像形成装置２を有しているかを知りさえすればよいのであれば、機種を特定できる機種番号、商品番号等でよいが、契約者１が同一の画像形成装置２を複数有している場合であって、各画像形成装置２毎の情報を個別に知る必要がある場合には、該画像形成装置２を特定できる製造番号等のユニークな情報がよい。
【０１３０】
複写機の場合には、印字枚数を指定する等のためにテンキーが具えられているので、該入力手段を利用して契約者ＩＤあるいは／および画像形成装置２のＩＤ番号を画像形成装置２に簡単に入力することができる。一度入力した契約者ＩＤは、不揮発性のメモリに保存されるようにしておけば、契約者１からサービス提供者１０に情報を送信する際、改めて入力を行う必要はない。また、画像形成装置２のＩＤ番号も出荷時に不揮発性のメモリに保存するようにしておけば、その後において入力動作を省略することができるので、一連の動作を電子的に自動で行うことができる。なお、上述した不揮発性メモリは、コントローラ部３の構成要素の一部として形成する。
【０１３１】
以上のようにして、端末１２には、図８（ｂ）に示すように、契約者テーブル［２］に必要事項が入力される。たとえば、ＩＤ番号０００００３の契約者１は、ＡＲ−２０００及びＡＲ−２００１という２つの画像形成装置２について、本発明によるサービスを受けていることが分かる。
【０１３２】
なお、上記契約者テーブル［１］と本契約者テーブル［２］とは、ＩＤ番号を関連づけるための共通情報として結合し得る。したがって、図８（ａ）を参照すれば、ＩＤ番号０００００３の契約者は、 "Ｃ株式会社 △△△事業部”であることが分かる。
【０１３３】
該端末１２は、このステップにより、契約者１の画像形成装置２の機種を自動的に検知することができ、サービス対象としての機種情報を入手することができる。
【０１３４】
また、該画像形成装置２用のトナーカートリッジ６０が性能向上等のため変更されて、該トナーカートリッジ６０の種別番号が変更になっても、画像形成装置２の機種情報を基に、最新のトナーカートリッジ６０を提供することができる。また、製品個別のＩＤ番号は特に必要ではないが、機種は同じでも、製造途中で一部変更等がある場合があるので、トナーカートリッジ６０等の流通物６等に係わる、あるいはそれらに及ぶ変更がなされた場合には、それに正しく対応するためである。また、一部変更の前後に於いて、画像形成装置２の不具合が発見されたときに、契約者１への不具合の通知等の付加的なサービスを行う場合にも利用できる。
【０１３５】
なお、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２には、各契約者１に対し、サービス管理ファイル（前記サービス管理テーブル）が作成され、記憶部１２４に保存されている。該ファイルを端末１２の出力部１２５に表示した場合の一例を図１０に示す。この場合、使用中カートリッジ・テーブル（同図（ａ））及び予備カートリッジ・テーブル（同図（ｂ））が用意されているが、予備カートリッジ・テーブルのみであってもよい。初期状態では、図１０（ａ）及び（ｂ）に示すように、契約者１の画像形成装置２で現在使用中のカートリッジ情報及び契約者１側に納入されている予備のカートリッジ情報は入っていない。
【０１３６】
次に、サービス提供者１０は、契約者１側に予め納めるトナーカートリッジ６０全てについて情報を収集しておき、該情報を即時に、あるいは後でサービス提供者１０の端末１２に蓄える。
【０１３７】
情報収集方法としては、図９に示すように、トナーカートリッジ６０を特定できる前記個別番号（流通物固有の情報）を記した情報記録体７を、流通物６の梱包材６３に別途添付しておき、契約者１側に納入若しくは補充する際に、該情報記録体７の情報形成部分７３に形成された情報をスキャナで読み込むことで行う。上記情報記録体７の内容は、トナーカートリッジ６０に搭載されているＩＣチップ６１の記憶内容と同一であり、たとえば、トナーカートリッジ６０毎に割り振られたＩＤ番号であるが、情報の形成方法は同一である必要はない。すなわち、バーコードスキャナで読み取るようなバーコード化したものであってよい。本発明において、流通物固有の情報としてＩＣチップ６１に保存するＩＤ番号には、特段の秘密保持性がないので暗号化、復号化のような複雑なデータ処理を要しない簡易な情報形成方法を採用することができる。
【０１３８】
このように、ＩＣチップ６１と同様の内容（すなわち、流通物固有の情報）を形成した情報記録体７を、流通物６の梱包材６３に別途貼付しておくことにより、サービスマンは、流通物６の納入若しくは補充時において、納入若しくは補充する該流通物６固有の情報を梱包材６３等の流通物６表面に貼付された情報記録体７から入手することが可能となり、梱包材６３等を開封して流通物６を取り出し、該流通物６に形成されている固有の情報を入手する必要が無く、開封に伴う商品性の喪失を生じることがない。
【０１３９】
情報収集後、サービスマンはバーコードスキャナによる読み込みが済んだことを確認するために、該情報記録体７を回収する。
【０１４０】
この場合の、情報記録体７の添付方法は、該トナーカートリッジ６０を開封することなく得られるように、図９（ａ）に示すように、梱包材６３あるいは包装材６２（図３（ａ））等の保護部材の外表面部分にその一部７１を接着剤等によって接着あるいはステープラー等により結合し、情報が記された部分７２は切取線Ｋにより接着部分である一部７１から切り取り可能なように構成されている。
【０１４１】
該情報記録体７の材質としては、紙、樹脂等のフィルム部材、カール等が生じない程度に厚みを有するシート部材である。硬質のシート部材の場合には、切取線Ｋから折り取ることとなる。耐久性、情報の読み取り性から、硬質の樹脂である方が好ましい。
【０１４２】
また、情報記録体７の添付方法としては、図９（ｂ）に示すように、情報が形成されていない情報記録体７の裏面に接着剤等により流通物６の梱包材６３に貼付しておき、情報７３が記された部分７２は切取線Ｋ１およびＫ２により接着部分である一部７１から切り取り可能なように構成されている。
【０１４３】
また、情報記録体７のさらに他の添付方法としては、図９（ｃ）に示すように、破損することなく開閉可能な梱包材６３の蓋部分の内部６４であってもよい。これにより、流通過程において、情報記録体７が劣化することがないので、紙等の素材であっても問題ない。
【０１４４】
なお、以上では、流通状態の流通物６は梱包材６３により梱包されているとしたので、情報記録体７を貼付する箇所は梱包材６３であったが、流通状態の流通物６の最外表部分という意味である。
【０１４５】
このように、ＩＣチップ６１に記憶されている情報と情報記録体７に形成されている情報とは、内容的には同一であるが、形成の仕方は必ずしも同一である必要はない。
【０１４６】
スキャナで読み取った情報は、即座に、図示しない通信手段を介してサービス提供者１０側の端末１２に送信する。あるいは、スキャナで読み取った情報をフロッピーディスク、メモリスティック等の媒体に保存しておき、持ち帰った後で、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２に入力する形態であってもよい。
【０１４７】
通信手段を用いて即座に送信する場合には、スキャナで読み取った情報と契約者ＩＤを対にして、端末１２に送信する。これにより、端末１２側で、契約者１と該契約者１に納入若しくは補充した流通物６の情報とを関連づけることができる。
【０１４８】
端末１２の動作についてより詳細に説明すると、通信部１２１にて受信した情報から、契約者１を特定する。これは、受信した情報に含まれる契約者ＩＤを演算処理部１２２が識別することで行うことができる。次に、演算処理部１２２は該特定された契約者１に関するサービス管理テーブル（図１０）を呼び出す。該管理テーブルは、契約時等において、サービス対象が明確になった時点で契約者１毎に作成されている。
【０１４９】
次に、演算処理部１２２は受信した情報に含まれるトナーカートリッジ６０のＩＤ番号を抽出する。該ＩＤ番号は、図の「全情報（全桁）」欄に入力されるべきデータである。図１１（ｂ）は、受信した全情報の入力が完了した状態を示している。同図では、受信順に通し番号が付けられているが、色毎にソートし直してもよい。また、一旦、全受信情報を記憶部１２４の仮記憶領域（あるいは、作業領域）に保存しておき、全情報に含まれるカラー情報（全情報の最上位２桁）を識別することにより、色毎に整理した上で、図１１（ｂ）のように予備カートリッジ・テーブルに自動的に入力するようにすることもできる。このとき、同一色の場合には、ＩＤ番号を比較し、該番号の若い順にテーブルに入力するとよい。
【０１５０】
また、現場では携帯情報端末等を用いて、スキャナで読み取った情報と契約者ＩＤを対にして記憶しておき、サービス提供者１０宅に帰った時点で、端末１２と携帯情報端末を有線接続あるいは赤外線通信を行うことにより、携帯情報端末に記憶されている情報を端末１２に転送するようにしてもよい。
【０１５１】
あるいは、現場でバーコードスキャナを用いずとも、回収した情報記録体７２を持ち帰り、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２に接続されたバーコードスキャナ等の入力部１２３を用いて情報の読み込み、あるいは、キーボード等を用いて手入力で端末１２に入力するようにしてもよい。この場合も、流通物６に固有の情報を契約者ＩＤ情報と対にして入力する。現場で電子的に情報の読み取り及び送信を行う前者の方法は、即時性があり、また、納品書内容と実際の補充品とが異なるというミスを排除できるので確実性があり、より好ましいといえる。
【０１５２】
なお、流通物６に固有の情報を契約者ＩＤ情報と対にして入力する処理は、サービス提供者１０から契約者１へ流通物６を発送する前に、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２に、キーボード等を用いて手入力で行っておく形態でも構わない。
【０１５３】
以上の操作により、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２に、契約者１側に納入若しくは補充した未使用状態のトナーカートリッジ６０の数、種類及び個別番号情報が蓄積される。
【０１５４】
なお、本実施例では、現場で電子的に情報の読み取り及び送信を即座に行う場合について説明する。
【０１５５】
サービス提供者１０側の端末１２は、受信された情報を基に情報の更新を行う。すなわち、図１１（ｂ）は、黒、イエロー、マゼンタ、シアンの各トナーカートリッジ６０を２個づつ納入した場合を示しているが、全てについて、異なる２０桁のコード情報が入力される。他の情報として、納入日付が入力される。なお、同図の説明では、ユーザーインターフェースの観点から、トナーカートリッジ６０等の種別の情報に関する表示は、コード情報だけでなく、 "黒トナー”等のように実際の名称を補助的に使用している。この時点では、各トナーカートリッジ６０に関する情報が予備カートリッジ・テーブルに初めて入力されることを演算処理部１２２がトナーカートリッジ６０毎に判断することによって、使用状況欄は、全て“未（予備）”と自動的に表示されるようになっている。
【０１５６】
また、予備カートリッジ情報テーブルにおいて、Ｎｏ．＃（＃は、１，２，３，・・・）で指定される１行をレコードと称す場合がある。
【０１５７】
図１１（ａ）に示す現在使用中のカートリッジ情報テーブルは、流通物６の固有の情報をパブリックネットワーク３０を介して取得した場合に、あるいは、電話、電子メールでの確認等のように別の手段により流通物６の使用が確認できた場合に初めて情報が入力されるため、納入直後の時点では変化はなく、図１０（ａ）と同内容である。
【０１５８】
次に、サービスマンは、画像形成装置２を動作させるに必要なトナーカートリッジ６０を開封し、画像形成装置２にセットする。画像形成装置２は、既に、外部と通信可能に接続・設定され、通信可能な状態となっているので、画像形成装置２は、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２に対し、セットされた上記トナーカートリッジ６０の情報を送信する。端末１２側で、どの契約者１からの情報かを判別するために、契約者ＩＤとともに送信する。
【０１５９】
以上の動作を自動的に行う場合について、以下に説明する。画像形成装置２には、一般に、扉の開閉具合、トナーカートリッジ６０の装着有無を検出するための各種センサが配設されており、コントローラ部２１３は、各センサを監視する機能を有している。トナーカートリッジセンサからの信号に基づきトナーカートリッジ６０の装着を検出すると、コントローラ部２１３は読み取り部２１４に対し、トナーカートリッジ６０のＩＣチップ６１に記憶されている情報を読み出すよう指示する。さらに、送受信部２１５から該情報を送信するよう送受信部２１５に送信命令を出す。該動作の詳細については、後述する。
【０１６０】
なお、読み取り部２１４によるＩＣチップ６１に対するアクセスは、定期的に行われるようにしてもよいし、画像形成装置２の電源投入時に毎回行うようにしてもよい。画像形成装置２の電源投入時に行うようにすれば、画像形成装置２の電源遮断時にトナーカートリッジ６０の交換が行われた場合であっても、確実に検知することができる。
【０１６１】
また、ＰＣ３を介してリモートで印字を行う場合には、一般に、プリントサーバ機能として、出力要求先のプリンタの稼働状況、印字能力情報等を収集する場合があるので、そのタイミングに合わせて、読み取り部２１４によるＩＣチップ６１に対するアクセスを行うようにすれば、処理フローとして簡略化できる。
【０１６２】
サービス提供者１０側では、端末１２の演算処理部１２２は、通信部１２１で受信した情報を基に、図１２（ａ）に示すように、契約者１の画像形成装置２で現在使用中のカートリッジ情報欄を更新する。また、同図（ｂ）に示すように、予備カートリッジ情報として入力されているトナーカートリッジ６０であって、上記操作により、現在使用中として設定されたトナーカートリッジ６０に対しては、使用状況欄が、 "未（予備）”から "現在使用中”に更新される。
【０１６３】
なお、通信部１２１で受信した情報に、新たに使用されたトナーカートリッジ６０の固有情報が含まれているかどうかは、使用中カートリッジ・テーブルに同じ固有情報が既に記録されているかどうかを演算処理部１２２がチェックすることによって検出することができる。また、予備カートリッジ・テーブルで使用状況欄が、“未（予備）”と記録されているトナーカートリッジ６０の固有情報と通信部１２１で受信した情報に含まれている固有情報とを演算処理部１２２が比較することによっても、たとえば両者が一致した場合に、通信部１２１で受信した情報に新たに使用されたトナーカートリッジ６０の固有情報が含まれていることを検出することができる。
【０１６４】
以上で、初期の設定・登録は終了する。
【０１６５】
なお、以上の説明では、該画像形成装置２の機種番号、製品個別のＩＤ番号等の情報が、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２に自動的に送られるとしたが、サービス提供者１０側が入力部１２３により端末１２に登録するようにしてもよい。
【０１６６】
（交換過程）
次に、トナーカートリッジ６０の交換が行われた場合の動作について説明する。
【０１６７】
サービス提供者１０と契約している契約者１の中の機器管理者あるいは機器利用者は、画像形成装置２から発せられている "トナーカートリッジ交換”メッセージを基に、予備として備えられている新規のトナーカートリッジ６０と交換する。本実施例では、黒トナーのみが消費された場合について説明する。
【０１６８】
画像形成装置２から使用済みのトナーカートリッジ６０（予備カートリッジＮｏ．１）を取り出し、その代わりに未使用状態のトナーカートリッジ６０（予備カートリッジＮｏ．５）を装着する。
【０１６９】
以下に、図１４を用いて、画像形成装置２の内部動作について説明する。
【０１７０】
画像形成装置２には、一般に、トナーカートリッジ６０の装着の有無を検出するためのセンサが設けられている。したがって、該センサの反応結果を用いて、トナーカートリッジ６０の脱着及び装着を検出することができる。
【０１７１】
同図（ａ）及び（ｂ）は、トナーカートリッジ６０の装着／脱着動作及びその時のセンサ出力の一例を示している。トナーカートリッジ６０が装着されている時のセンサ出力信号はロー・レベルであり、脱着されている時のセンサ出力信号はハイ・レベルである。
【０１７２】
次に、センサ回路２１９は、上記センサ出力信号を基に、同図（ｃ）に示すようなトリガ・パルスを発生する。すなわち、センサ出力信号の立ち下がりをタイミングとして、一定パルス幅のパルス信号を発生する。回路的には、モノマルチ・バイブレータを用いて、センサ出力信号をモノマルチ・バイブレータの入力信号とし、センサ出力信号の立ち下がりタイミングで立ち上がるパルスを生成することができる。なお、センサ出力信号に含まれるノイズ、チャッタリングにより、モノマルチ・バイブレータの誤動作が生じないように、センサ出力信号をシュミットトリガ回路、フィルタ回路等を通してモノマルチ・バイブレータに入力するようにしてもよい。
【０１７３】
以上のようにして、トナーカートリッジ６０の装着タイミングを検出し、該タイミングを読み取り部２１４が動作を行うためのトリガとする。
【０１７４】
次に、該トリガが発生すると、読み取り部２１４は、トナーカートリッジ６０のＩＣチップ６１にアクセスを行う。同図（ｄ）には、読み取り部２１４がＩＣチップ６１にアクセスを行っている期間について示している。具体的には、ストローブ信号であり、該期間中にアドレス指定、データ読み出しを行う。読み出したデータは、ＲＡＭ等の揮発性メモリに記憶する。
【０１７５】
上記ストローブ信号の立ち下がりをタイミングとして、同図（ｅ）に示すように、一定パルス幅のパルス信号を発生する。
【０１７６】
上記パルス信号は、読み取り部２１４が読み取った情報を送受信部２１５により送信するためのタイミング信号として用いられる。すなわち、上記トリガパルスにより、送受信部２１５において通信形態に応じて情報の加工等が行われ、同図（ｆ）に示すように、送信動作を行う。
【０１７７】
以上の動作により、画像形成装置２からは、未使用状態のトナーカートリッジ６０に関して、トナーカートリッジ６０の固有の情報を含む情報がサービス提供者１０の端末１２に送信される。
【０１７８】
以上では、画像形成装置２にトナーカートリッジ６０の装着の有無を検出するためのセンサが設けられているとしたが、ない場合には、扉センサを利用してもよい。扉は、トナーカートリッジ６０の交換のために、あるいは、紙詰まりの際に紙を取り除くために設けられており、該扉には安全のために、開閉状態のチェックのための扉センサが設けられているのが一般的である。したがって、トナーカートリッジ６０を交換する時は、必ず扉を開閉する動作が発生するため、間接的ではあるが、扉センサの開閉動作をトナーカートリッジ６０へのアクセスタイミングとすることもできる。
【０１７９】
さらに、一切のセンサがない機器の場合には、コントローラ部２１３を一定間隔毎に読み取りのためのイベントが発生するようにプログラミングしておくことで対応可能である。
【０１８０】
サービス提供者１０の端末１２においては、契約者１およびトナーカートリッジ６０固有の情報に基づいて、対応する使用中カートリッジテーブルおよび予備カートリッジテーブルが演算処理部１２２によってアクセスされ、図１３（ｂ）に示すように、予備カートリッジＮｏ．１及びＮｏ．５の使用状況欄がそれぞれ "使用済み”及び "現在使用中”に更新される。また、同図（ａ）に示すように、使用中カートリッジ・テーブルでは、黒トナー・カートリッジの情報（交換日付、全情報、固有情報、予備カートリッジ数）のみが更新される。
【０１８１】
すなわち、演算処理部１２２は、予備カートリッジ・テーブルで使用状況欄が、“未（予備）”と記録されているトナーカートリッジ６０の固有の情報と通信部１２１で受信した情報に含まれている固有の情報とを比較することによって、トナーカートリッジ６０（予備カートリッジＮｏ．５）の固有の情報を検出した場合に、同色トナーの予備カートリッジＮｏ．１が予備カートリッジＮｏ．５に交換されたと認定する。つまり、演算処理部１２２は、通信部１２１で受信した流通物６固有の情報の変化を検出することによって、契約者１における流通物６の交換を認定する交換認定部として機能する。
【０１８２】
また、演算処理部１２２は、この認定に基づいて、予備カートリッジＮｏ．５の使用状況欄を“現在使用中”に更新する。このとき同時に、演算処理部１２２は、新たに使用されたトナーカートリッジ６０（予備カートリッジＮｏ．５）が黒トナー用であることを検知し、同じ黒トナー用のトナーカートリッジ６０（予備カートリッジＮｏ．１）を使用済みになったと認定し、予備カートリッジＮｏ．１の使用状況欄を“使用済み”に更新する。このような演算処理部１２２の判定動作によって、予備カートリッジ・テーブルの更新が実行される。
【０１８３】
この段階に於いて、予備の黒トナー・カートリッジの数が０であることを演算処理部１２２は検知し、サービス提供者１０にその在庫状況を報知するので、サービス提供者１０は、少なくとも黒トナー・カートリッジを契約者１に発送する。図１５（ａ）（ｂ）はこの状態を表示しており、Ｎｏ．９の新たな予備カートリッジ情報が追加されている。
【０１８４】
以上のようにして、サービス提供者１０は、予備のトナーカートリッジ情報を常に監視し、予備のトナーカートリッジ６０がなくなると同時に、あるいはなくなる前に、新たな予備のトナーカートリッジ６０を契約者１に発送することにより、契約者１側での消費物品の欠如を阻止するようになっている。
【０１８５】
（在庫管理過程）
以下に、図１６を用いて端末１２の演算処理部１２２が行う全体的な処理について説明する。
【０１８６】
ステップ［１０］（Ｓ１０）
契約者１により使用が確認された、あるいは画像形成装置２によって使用が検出されたトナーカートリッジ６０に関する情報を取得する。本発明において、トナーカートリッジ６０に関する情報とは、ＩＤ番号等の個別番号（固有の情報）である。該情報の取得は、電話、電子メール等の別の手段により契約者１から入手後、入力部１２３から入力されて端末１２に取り込まれる形態であってもよいし、あるいは、通信部１２１からパブリックネットワーク３０を介して直接取り込まれる形態であってもよい。
【０１８７】
ステップ［１１］（Ｓ１１）
上記取得した固有の情報を基に、記憶部１２４に保存されている契約者１毎の流通物情報テーブル（図７）にアクセスして、契約者１を特定する。電子的には、契約者１毎に付与される契約者ＩＤの特定である。
【０１８８】
ステップ［１２］（Ｓ１２）
上記ステップにより特定した契約者１に対応する管理テーブル（使用中カートリッジテーブルおよび予備カートリッジテーブル）にアクセスして、トナーカートリッジ情報の変化の有無、たとえば、 "使用状況”情報欄に記録すべき内容の変化の有無を確認する。使用状況の変化の有無の確認とは、取得した固有の情報の "使用状況”情報欄が "現在使用中”であれば、すなわち、既に該固有の情報を受信していれば、使用中のトナーカートリッジ６０に変化がないとして処理を終了する。
【０１８９】
一方、 "使用状況”情報欄が "未（予備）”であれば、すなわち、該固有の情報の受信が、契約者１にトナーカートリッジ６０を納入後、初めての場合には、新たなトナーカートリッジ６０の使用の検出であると判断する。使用状況の変化の有無の確認は上述した以外に、前回受信した固有の情報の値を記憶部１２４に記憶しておき、該記憶値と今回受信した固有の情報の値とを比較するようにして判断する形態であってもよい。
【０１９０】
ステップ［１３］（Ｓ１３）
上記判定の結果、受信情報と記憶している情報との間に変化がなければ、更新日等の日付情報を更新して終了する。あるいは、ステップ［１０］に戻り、トナーカートリッジ情報の受信待機モードに移る。更新日を記載することにより、管理テーブルが何時の時点の情報であるかを確認することができ、さらに、該日時と現在日時とを比較して情報の更新が必要か否かを判断することにより、確実な在庫管理を行うことができるようになる。
【０１９１】
ステップ［１４］（Ｓ１４）
ステップ［１２］の判定の結果、トナーカートリッジ情報に変化があれば、固有の情報を分析してカラー情報を特定する。カラー情報の特定は、表１乃至表３等に示したルールに従えば、固有の情報の上位２桁を検索することにより行うことができる。
【０１９２】
ステップ［１５］（Ｓ１５）
予備カートリッジテーブルを用いて、上記取得したカラーについて、在庫数を算出する。具体的には、 "カラー情報”欄を基に、取得したカラー情報を対象として、 "使用状況”情報欄が "未（予備）”と入力されているレコードの検出を行い、検出されたレコードの数を合計することにより行うことができる。たとえば、図１１（ｂ）の場合に、黒トナー・カートリッジに対する在庫数は２（Ｎｏ．１およびＮｏ．５）であるが、図１２（ｂ）の場合には、１（Ｎｏ．５のみ）となる。該算出した在庫数のデータはＲＡＭ等のメモリに一時保存する。
【０１９３】
ステップ［１６］（Ｓ１６）
使用中カートリッジテーブルの "予備カートリッジ数”情報欄および／または図１８に示す後述の在庫管理情報テーブルの "在庫数”情報欄に在庫数を入力する。新たな流通物６の補充がなければ、既に入力されている値からデクリメントすることにより実行される。また、更新日等の日付情報を更新する。
【０１９４】
ステップ［１７］（Ｓ１７）
流通物６の補充を行うか否かの判断基準である規定値ｎ’を記憶部１２４から読み出し、上記算出した在庫数ｎと比較を行う。上記比較の結果、在庫数ｎが規定値ｎ’以内であれば、演算処理部１２２は新たなトナーカートリッジ６０の補充が必要と判断して、ステップ［１８］に進み、在庫数ｎが規定値ｎ’を上回っていれば、新たなトナーカートリッジ６０の補充は不要と判断して、ステップ［１９］に進む。
【０１９５】
ステップ［１８］（Ｓ１８）
上記比較の結果、在庫数ｎが規定値ｎ’以内であれば、新たなトナーカートリッジ６０の補充が必要と判断して、発送部門等に対して、特定された契約者１に対し、特定されたトナーカートリッジ６０の発送指示を行う。
【０１９６】
ステップ［１９］（Ｓ１９）
他に在庫管理を行う流通物６があるかの判断を行う。具体的には、受信した固有の情報が他に存在するか否かを判断し、存在しなければ処理を終了し、存在すれば、ステップ［１０］に戻り、同様の処理を行う。
【０１９７】
以上のようにして、演算処理部１２２は管理テーブルを基に在庫管理を行うことができる。
【０１９８】
次に、在庫管理方法について説明する。以上の処理を端末１２が電子的に行うには、納入されている流通物６の数をｎｆ、使用された流通物６の数をｎｕ、現在の在庫数をｎとした場合、演算処理部１２２によりｎ＝ｎｆ−ｎｕの演算を行った結果、ｎ＝ｎｆ−ｎｕ＝ｎ’（≧０）であれば、発送する旨の指示を出す。規定値ｎ’は発送する旨の指示を出す場合の基準を与えるものであり、ｎ’＝０であれば、在庫なしの状況で新たな流通物６の補充指示を行うものである。
【０１９９】
また、補充数ｎｆ、在庫数ｎの値は、記憶部１２４に保存されており、上記演算を行う場合には該記憶部１２４から値を読み出す。また、新たな補充が行われた場合に、該値を更新するようになっている。補充数ｎｆの値は、図１２（ｂ）等において、各色のトナーカートリッジ毎にレコードの合計数を求めることによって算出することができる。たとえば、図１３（ｂ）の場合の黒トナー・カートリッジの補充数ｎｆは２である。
【０２００】
また、使用数ｎｕの値は、以下のようにして算出する。
【０２０１】
前回までの累計使用数を記憶部１２４に保存しておき、今回、端末１２に入力された最新情報としての使用数を上記累計使用数に対し加算する。これにより、最新の使用数ｎｕを算出することができる。たとえば、図１２（ｂ）等において、使用状況欄において、 "使用済み”及び "使用中”と表示された全件数を加算することで使用数ｎｕを算出可能である。この場合も、記憶部１２４に保存されている累計使用数値を更新する。
【０２０２】
発送する旨の指示内容としては、端末１２の出力部１２５に表示するものであってもよいし、あるいは、通信部１２１に接続されたローカルネットワーク３２を利用して、サービス提供者１０の社内の発送部門に電子メール等の手段により通知するものであってもよい。さらには、通信部１２１に接続されたパブリックネットワーク３０を利用して、契約者１に対し、発送の予告連絡を行うようにしてもよい。図１７を基に、流通物６の発送タイミングについて説明する。
【０２０３】
同図（ａ）は、契約者１における流通物６の在庫状況を示した図であり、横軸は日数等の時間軸、縦軸は在庫数ｎを表している。ここでは、在庫数ｎの最大値および最小値はそれぞれ、ｎmax ＝３及びｎmin ＝０とし、上記規定値ｎ’＝ｎmin ＝０の場合を示している。
【０２０４】
期間ｄ１における在庫数ｎが３、期間ｄ２における在庫数ｎが２、期間ｄ３における在庫数ｎが１であり、ｎ＝ｎ’＝０となった時期Ｔ３で、同図（ｂ）に示すように、演算処理部１２２は発送を指示する命令を発する。該指示を受けて、発送センター等は必要な処理を行い、必要数（ここでは３）の流通物６を契約者１に向けて発送する。同図（ｃ）は、契約者１が流通物６を受理したタイミングを表している。
【０２０５】
また、同図（ｄ）には、図１７（ｂ）と図１７（ｃ）の差、すなわち、発送する旨の指示が発せられた時期Ｔ３から、契約者１が実際に流通物６を受理した時期Ｔ４までに要する時間ΔＴ１を示している。
【０２０６】
時期Ｔ３での在庫数は０であるが、時期Ｔ４にて３個の流通物６が補充されるので、同図（ａ）に示すように、時期Ｔ４にて契約者１の在庫数は３となる。また、同図（ａ）中ｄ４は、在庫数０の場合の消費期間、すなわち、機器に装着されているトナーカートリッジ６０の消費期間を示しており、時期Ｔ５において該トナーカートリッジ６０も完全に消費される。したがって、この時点で在庫がないと、機器は動作不可となる。
【０２０７】
しかしながら、本実施例では、Ｔ３≦Ｔ４≦Ｔ５となる時期Ｔ４、望ましくはＴ３≦Ｔ４＜Ｔ５となる時期Ｔ４にて流通物６が補充されるので、枯渇の問題は発生しない。
【０２０８】
なお、時期Ｔ３のときに、機器に装着されたトナーカートリッジ６０は新品であるので、時期Ｔ４での補充がないとしても該トナーカートリッジ６０が消費されるまでの間（図中期間ｄ４）は、機器は動作可能である。
【０２０９】
同図（ｅ）は、各消費期間ｄ１，ｄ２，ｄ３，ｄ４，ｄ５，・・・における消費速度α１，α２，α３，α４，α５・・・を線形近似した図を示している。該消費速度の値は、各消費期間ｄ１，ｄ２，ｄ３，ｄ４，ｄ５，・・・の逆数に比例した値である。このように、一般には、
ｄ１≠ｄ２≠ｄ３≠ｄ４≠・・・≠ｄｉ≠・・・
したがって、
α１≠α２≠α３≠α４≠・・・≠αｉ≠・・・
であるので、或る時期の在庫数を予測することは非常に困難である。さらに、実際の消費速度カーブは直線的ではなく、種々の曲線を描くので、予測は一層困難を極める。
【０２１０】
しかしながら、本発明においては予測という手段を採らず、実際に画像形成装置２にトナーカートリッジ６０が装着されたことを検出することによって在庫数を検出しているので、正確に在庫数を検出することができる。さらに、トナーカートリッジ６０の装着確認にあたっては、装着されたトナーカートリッジ６０固有の情報（個別番号）を検出し、該固有の情報が端末１２の記憶部１２４に事前登録された固有の情報であって、かつ、トナーカートリッジ６０の納入後に初めて固有の情報を検出した時のみに、 "カートリッジ交換がなされた”と演算処理部１２２が判断するので、在庫数の検出を自動的かつ確実に行うことができる。
【０２１１】
（在庫管理）
次に、図１８を用いて、使い勝手のよい在庫管理方法について説明する。図１８（ａ）は、在庫情報管理画面の一例を示したものであり、在庫管理に特化して作成された画面であり、上述した管理テーブル（使用中カートリッジテーブル、予備カートリッジテーブル）、流通物情報テーブル、契約者テーブル等の情報を統合して表示した画面である。たとえば、 "在庫数”情報欄の値は、使用中カートリッジテーブルの "予備カートリッジ数”情報欄の値に対応している。
【０２１２】
上記在庫情報管理画面は、サービス提供者１０の端末１２あるいは／および契約者１の画像形成装置２の表示部または契約者１のサーバ５に表示される。このように、契約者１が該在庫情報管理画面を利用することを許容するならば、在庫情報管理画面は情報の表示のみを行い、情報の書き込みは行えないようにすることで、契約者１による情報の書き込み、更新を排除し、サービス提供者１０は情報の管理を確実に、かつ主体的に行うことができる。あるいは、該情報画面へのアクセスを制限し、たとえば、通常用いられている該情報画面へアクセスするためのアクセス番号の判別によって情報の書き込みの可能／不可を制御するものであってもよい。
【０２１３】
在庫情報管理画面には、契約者Ｎｏ．および契約者名等の契約者１を特定する情報、契約対象の内容、在庫情報等が用意されている。
【０２１４】
在庫情報としては、黒トナー・カートリッジ、感光体カートリッジ等の流通物種別毎に現時点、この場合、２０００年６月２０日午後３時９分時点における最新の在庫数が表示される。これは、トナーカートリッジ６０に固有の情報を記録しておき、該情報を電子的に読み出し、パブリックネットワーク３０を介してサービス提供者１０の端末１２に送信することにより、リアルタイムで在庫数を確認することができるからである。
【０２１５】
なお、時刻情報右の "最新情報”ボタンをクリックすることにより、現時点での最新情報の問い合わせを行い、その結果を表示することも可能である。すなわち、 "最新情報”ボタンをクリックすると、端末１２の演算処理部１２２は、通信部１２１およびパブリックネットワーク３０を介して契約者１の該当する画像形成装置２に対し、現在装着されているカートリッジの固有の情報を送信する旨の指示を出す。
【０２１６】
一方、契約者１の該当する画像形成装置２は、上記指示を送受信部２１５で受信すると、コントローラ部２１３は読み取り部２１４に対し、現在装着されているトナーカートリッジ６０のＩＣチップ６１に記憶されている情報を読み出すよう指示を行う。読み取りが完了すると、コントローラ部２１３は、該情報に契約者情報あるいは／および画像形成装置２のＩＤ情報を付加して、サービス提供者１０の端末１２に送信するよう、送受信部２１５に指示を出す。
【０２１７】
以上のようにして、送信された情報を基に、端末１２の演算処理部１２２は、現在送られてきたカートリッジ情報と記憶部１２４に記憶されているカートリッジ情報を比較し、変化がなければ、現在の確認時点情報のみを更新する。すなわち、現在の確認時刻表示欄において、たとえば、現在の日時が２０００年６月２５日午前９時４０分であれば、２０００年６月２０日午後３時９分から２０００年６月２５日午前９時４０分に更新し、その他の情報は更新しない処理を行う。
【０２１８】
一方、記憶部１２４に記憶されている前回（ここでは、２０００年６月２０日午後３時９分）のカートリッジ情報と今回（ここでは、２０００年６月２５日午前９時４０分）のカートリッジ情報は異なる（特に、トナーカートリッジ６０の個別番号が異なる）と判断されれば、前回の確認時から現在の間までにトナーカートリッジ６０の交換が行われていた、と判断することができるため、変化があった情報を更新する。たとえば、マゼンタ・カートリッジが交換されている場合には、演算処理部１２２は、該マゼンタ・カートリッジの在庫数をデクリメントし、たとえば、３から２に更新する。この場合も、上記同様、現在の確認時点情報も同時に更新する。
【０２１９】
図１８に示した例では、黒トナー・カートリッジの在庫数が２個であることが分かると共に、付加情報として、該黒トナー・カートリッジが補充された補充日（前回納入日）及び次回の補充予定日（次回納入予定日）が合わせて表示されている。
【０２２０】
さらに、 "契約者詳細情報ボタン”をクリックすることにより、図１７（ｂ）に示す画面が表示される。該契約者詳細情報には、契約者１を特定するために用いられる契約者ＩＤの他、契約者名、所在地、電子メールアドレス・電話番号等の連絡先、契約日、支払方法等が含まれている。
【０２２１】
また、 "契約対象詳細情報ボタン”をクリックすることにより、図１７（ｄ）に示す画面が表示される。該情報には、契約対象としてのカートリッジを装着する機器本体情報が記載されており、同図から、ＡＲ−２０００ ＬＩＢＲＥという画像形成装置１台についてのサービスであることが分かる。
【０２２２】
また、図１７（ａ）の在庫数確認欄の右横には、個別の詳細情報ボタンが用意されており、たとえば、黒トナー・カートリッジに対する "詳細情報（Ｂ）”をクリックすると、図１７（ｃ）に示す画面が表示される。該情報によれば、２個の在庫数個々の固有の情報を知ることができ、該情報を基に、機器本体に対して適切なトナーカートリッジ６０であるかどうか、等の確認を行うことができる。なお、該固有の情報は、先述した登録過程において入手した情報である。
【０２２３】
以上のような在庫管理情報画面をサービス提供者１０の端末１２に表示することで、在庫管理が確実に行えているかの確認を行うことができる。
【０２２４】
また、契約者１側にも表示あるいは通知することによって、たとえば、多量の印字を行うことが予め分かっており、現在の在庫量では賄いきれないと判断される場合には、図１７において説明したような通常の補充時期（ここでは、Ｔ３等）を待たずして、契約者１が追加発注を行うことが可能となる。
【０２２５】
〔他の変形例〕
次に、他の変形例について説明する。
【０２２６】
上記例では、補充指示から実際に流通物６が補充されるまでの時間ΔＴ１が、１つの流通物６が完全消費されるまでの期間ｄ４に比べて短い場合を示し、ｄ４＞ΔＴ１が保証されるのであれば、在庫数が０となる時点で流通物６の発送を行ってもよかったが、該条件が常に満たされる保証はなく、したがって、予期せぬ事態により、ｄ４≦ΔＴ１となれば、トナーカートリッジ６０の枯渇が発生するという危険性を孕んでいる。
【０２２７】
予備のトナーカートリッジ６０を契約者１に対し発送するタイミング及びその判断は、予め、基準となる０以外の規定値ｎ’（≠０）を設定しておき、契約者１側に予備として保管されている在庫数ｎとの比較により、
ｎ＝ｎ’、あるいは、ｎ’≧ｎ≠０
となった場合に行うようにする。これにより、図２３に示すように、契約者１に在庫としての流通物６が存在する時点で補充指示を行うため、ｎ’＝０の場合に比べ、予期しない流通物の大量消費が発生したとしても、流通物６の枯渇という危険度が減少する。この観点からは、規定値ｎ’の値は大きく設定した方がよい。
【０２２８】
一方、図１７と図１９とを比較すれば分かるように、契約者１に在庫としての流通物６が存在する時点で補充指示を行うため、発送回数（発送頻度）は寧ろ増大する。また、個人ユーザのような契約者１は、在庫としての流通物６をなるべく保有したくないという事情がある。これらの場合には、規定値ｎ’は小さく設定した方がよい。
【０２２９】
以上のように、危険度と発送回数等とはトレードオフの関係にあるので、経験等により適切な規定値ｎ’に設定すればよい。なお、図１８（ｃ）に示すように、規定値ｎ’の値の確認および変更等は、 "発送指示条件（ｎ’）”情報欄にて行うようにすることができる。
【０２３０】
また、発送する流通物６の数は、サービス開始時にサービス提供者１０と契約者１との間で決めておいてもよいし、過去の実績を基に決めてもよい。あるいは、実績のないサービス開始時には予め決めた数を用い、実績が生じて消費数が把握及び予測できるようになった場合には、過去の実績、たとえば、前月の実績あるいはこれまでの累計平均の値を用いることができる。
【０２３１】
以下、図１９を基に説明する。
【０２３２】
同図（ａ）は、契約者１における流通物６の在庫状況を示した図であり、横軸は日数等の時間軸、縦軸は在庫数ｎを表している。ここでは、一例として、ｎmax ＝３及びｎmin ＝１とし、上記ｎ’＝ｎmin ＝１の場合を示している。
【０２３３】
期間ｄ１における在庫数が３、期間ｄ２における在庫数が２であり、ｎ＝ｎ’＝１となった時期Ｔ２で、同図（ｂ）に示すように、発送を指示する命令が発せられる。該指示を受けて、発送センター等は必要な手続きを行い、必要数（ここでは２）の流通物６を契約者１に向けて発送する。同図（ｃ）は、契約者１が流通物６を受理したタイミングを表している。
【０２３４】
また、同図（ｄ）には、図１９（ｂ）と図１９（ｃ）の差、すなわち、発送する旨の指示が発せられた時期Ｔ２から、契約者１が実際に流通物６を受理した時期Ｔ３までに要する時間ΔＴ１を示している。
【０２３５】
時期Ｔ３にて２個の流通物６が補充されるので、同図（ａ）に示すように、時期Ｔ３にて契約者１の在庫数は３となる。また、同図（ａ）中点線は、在庫数が１の状態の消費期間ｄ３を示しており、時期Ｔ３での流通物６の補充がなければ時期Ｔ４において在庫数は０となる。なお、該時期Ｔ４では、機器に装着されたトナーカートリッジ６０は新品であるので、時期Ｔ３での補充がないとしても、該トナーカートリッジ６０が消費されるまでの間（図中期間ｄ４）は、機器は動作可能である。
【０２３６】
図（ｅ）では、各消費期間ｄ１，ｄ２，ｄ３，・・・における消費速度α１，α２，α３，・・・を線形近似した図を示している。該消費速度の値は、各消費期間ｄ１，ｄ２，ｄ３，・・・の逆数に比例した値である。このように、一般には、
ｄ１≠ｄ２≠ｄ３≠・・・≠ｄｉ≠・・・
したがって、
α１≠α２≠α３≠・・・≠αｉ≠・・・
であるので、或る時期の在庫数を予測することは非常に困難である。さらに、実際の消費速度カーブは直線的ではなく、種々の曲線を描くので、予測は一層困難を極める。
【０２３７】
しかしながら、本発明においては予測という手段を採らず、実際に画像形成装置２にトナーカートリッジ６０が装着されたことを検出することによって在庫数を検出しているので、正確に在庫数を検出することができる。さらに、トナーカートリッジ６０の装着確認にあたっては、装着されたトナーカートリッジ６０の個別番号を検出し、該個別番号が端末１２の記憶部１２４に事前登録された個別番号であって、かつ、新たな個別番号の時のみに、 "カートリッジ交換がなされた”と演算処理部１２２が判断するので、自動的かつ確実に行うことができる。
【０２３８】
なお、発送センターの状況によっては、発送の指示が有ってから契約者１宅に実際に流通物６が到着するまでの時間ΔＴｉ（ｉ＝１，２，・・・）は必ずしも一定ではなく、図１９（ｄ）に示すように、ΔＴ１≠ΔＴ２である場合がある。このとき、
ΔＴｉ＜ｄｊ （ｉ，ｊ＝１，２，・・・）
本実施例では、ｊ＝ｉ＋２であるので、
ΔＴｉ＜ｄi+2 （ｉ＝１，２，・・・）
であれば、在庫がなくなる前に流通物６の補充が行われるので問題はない。しかしながら、
ΔＴｉ＞ｄi+2 （ｉ＝１，２，・・・）
の場合には注意が必要であり、以上述べたように、補充するタイミングを在庫数ｎがｎ≠０、すなわち、本実施例のように、たとえば、ｎ＝１となった時点に新たな流通物６の補充を行うことにより、流通物６の枯渇がないようにする必要がある。
【０２３９】
このように、流通物６が枯渇する危険性、契約者１側で許容できる在庫としての流通物６の数、補充・回収作業の煩雑性等を考慮することにより、新たな流通物６の補充を行う基準としての規定値ｎ’の値を適切な値に設定し、サービス提供者１０側の不測の事態、たとえば、製造トラブルによる流通物６の不足、流通過程のトラブルによる流通物６の未到着が生じた場合にも、また、機器使用者側における不測の事態、たとえば、一過性の大量印字が行われたことによる流通物６の早期消費等が生じた場合にも、余裕をもって対応することができる。
【０２４０】
（課金過程）
次に、課金処理方法について説明する。図２０は、課金対象となる消費物品リスト（課金リスト［１］〜［３］）である。課金対象期間は、たとえば、１ヶ月単位である。該消費物品リストは、たとえば、図１１（ｂ）、図１２（ｂ）に示す予備カートリッジ・テーブルを基に、課金計算の締め日（本実施例では、毎月１５日）から１ヶ月前までに使用されたカートリッジ情報を抜き出したものである。このときの抽出方法は、上記予備カートリッジ・テーブルの使用状況欄において、使用済みあるいは現在使用中のものを対象とし、かつ、使用日付が課金計算の締め日から１ヶ月前までに該当するものを抽出することで行われる。
【０２４１】
図２０では、過去３ヶ月分のリストを表示している。
【０２４２】
以上のように、本発明においては、契約者１が実際に使用したトナーカートリッジ６０のみを課金対象としており、未使用のトナーカートリッジ６０については課金対象としない実施形態を採用している。これにより、契約者１側に於いては、無用の在庫を抱えることなく、また、消費物品の欠如を生じることなく、また、煩雑な管理を行うことなく、画像形成装置２を使用することが可能になる。
【０２４３】
また、本発明の最大の特徴は、新たなトナーカートリッジ６０が装着されたことを、トナーカートリッジ６０の個々に付与した固有の情報によって検出することにより、予備カートリッジの数を確認するようにした点である。これによって、単一の管理方法によって、従来の画像形成装置自体の管理と、予備のカートリッジの在庫管理の両方を実現することができる。
【０２４４】
（管理テーブルの更新フロー）
次に、図２１乃至図２２を用いて、サービス管理テーブル（使用中カートリッジ・テーブルおよび予備カートリッジ・テーブル）を新規登録および更新するコンピュータが行う処理手順について説明する。
【０２４５】
（１）予備カートリッジ・テーブルの新規登録処理
図２１のフローチャートは、予備カートリッジ・テーブルの新規登録処理を手入力で行う場合に関する演算処理部１２２の制御動作の流れを示している。
【０２４６】
ステップ［２０］（Ｓ２０）
初めに、予備カートリッジ・テーブルの新規登録を行うプログラムの実行指示命令により、図１０に示す予備カートリッジ・テーブルの新規登録画面を出力部１２５に表示する。予備カートリッジ・テーブルの新規登録を行うプログラムとは、以下に示すＳ２１乃至Ｓ２７の処理を行うプログラムである。また、該プログラムは端末１２の記憶部１２４に予めインストールされており、また、その実行は、端末１２の出力部１２５に表示される新規登録プログラムの実行ボタンのクリックの検出により行われる。
【０２４７】
ステップ［２１］（Ｓ２１）
次に、 "契約者ＩＤ”、 "本体機種”情報および予備カートリッジ情報欄の "全情報（全桁）”情報欄が入力可能状態となり、入力部１２３からの情報の入力待ちとなっていることを表示する。たとえば、プロンプトを用いて入力箇所の表示および催促を行う。図１０では、 "契約者ＩＤ”および "本体機種”情報が入力された後の状態を示している。
【０２４８】
ステップ［２２］（Ｓ２２）
次に、確認ボタンのクリックにより、登録画面の入力内容に対して確認命令が発生したか否かを検出する。発生した場合にはＳ２３に移行し、また、発生しなければ、そのまま待機状態となる。
【０２４９】
ステップ［２３］（Ｓ２３）
続いて、Ｓ２３では、上記情報および情報欄（入力が必須の情報）の入力が全て行われているか否かを検出する。入力が行われていれば、Ｓ２４に移行し、また、入力されていない項目があれば、Ｓ２５に処理が移行する。
【０２５０】
ステップ［２４］（Ｓ２４）
Ｓ２４では、 "全情報（全桁）”情報欄に入力された固有の情報を基に、図７に示す流通物情報テーブルの "備考”欄を参照して、商品名、型番を読み出し、予備カートリッジ・テーブルの "カラー情報”欄、 "機種情報”欄等に転記する。また、 "納入日付”欄に対する日付の入力は、 "全情報（全桁）”欄に固有情報が入力されたことによって、その入力した日付、すなわちトナーカートリッジ６０を契約者１に納入した日付が自動的に書き込まれるようにしてもよい。この日付の自動入力には、端末１２が有するタイマ機能が利用される。
【０２５１】
当ステップは、端末１２の操作者に対する操作性の向上を意図したものである。すなわち、数値化されたトナーカートリッジ６０の固有の情報（ここでは、 "全情報”）だけでは、操作者がその商品名、型番等が具体的に何であるかの判断を行えないために、付加的に設けられたステップであり、コンピュータ処理においては必ずしも必要ではない。
【０２５２】
ステップ［２５］（Ｓ２５）
Ｓ２３で上記情報および情報欄の入力が全て行われていない場合、Ｓ２５で入力催促のメッセージを表示し、Ｓ２１に戻る。より詳細に説明すれば、
"全情報（全桁）が、入力されていません。”
等のエラーメッセージおよび該メッセージに対する確認ボタンの表示を行い、該確認ボタンのクリックを検出した場合に、Ｓ２１の状態に戻るようにする。なお、この場合のＳ２１の状態とは、単に入力可能状態であることを意味し、既に入力されている情報をクリアするものではない。
【０２５３】
ステップ［２６］（Ｓ２６）
Ｓ２４に続いて、予備カートリッジ・テーブルの新規登録が完了し、登録ボタンのクリックによって登録命令が発生したか否かを、登録命令が発生するまで繰り返して検出する。
【０２５４】
ステップ［２７］（Ｓ２７）
Ｓ３６で登録命令が発生した場合には、上記情報を予備カートリッジ・テーブルに保存する。
【０２５５】
以上のステップにより新規登録処理が完了し、管理画面は、図１０から図１１に示したようにが変化する。
【０２５６】
以上の操作により、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２に、契約者１側に納入した未使用状態のトナーカートリッジ６０の数、種類及び個別番号情報が蓄積される。
【０２５７】
（２）予備カートリッジ・テーブルの更新処理
次に、予備カートリッジ・テーブルの自動更新処理、在庫管理、海賊版の検出処理に関する演算処理部１２２の制御動作の流れを、図２２のフローチャートに基づいてさらに説明する。
【０２５８】
ステップ〔３０〕（Ｓ３０）
まず、通信部１２１を介して、契約者１の画像形成装置２から流通物６の情報（契約者ＩＤ、トナーカートリッジ６０の固有の情報等）を受信したか否かの判断を行う。該情報を受信した場合、Ｓ３１に進み、受信しない場合には受信待ちの状態となる。なお、前述のように、トナーカートリッジ６０の固有の情報に基づいて契約者ＩＤを特定することができるので、契約者ＩＤを受信しなくても支障は無い。
【０２５９】
ステップ〔３１〕（Ｓ３１）
Ｓ３０で受信した流通物６の情報から契約者ＩＤを検出し、検出した契約者ＩＤを基にして、記憶部１２４に保存されている複数の予備カートリッジ・テーブルの中から、該当する契約者ＩＤの付された予備カートリッジ・テーブル（図１１（ｂ））を読み出す。なお、出力部１２５には、読み出した予備カートリッジ・テーブルを必要に応じて表示する。
【０２６０】
ステップ〔３２〕（Ｓ３２）
次に、Ｓ３０で受信した固有の情報（全情報）を含むトナーカートリッジ６０について、予備カートリッジ・テーブルの "使用状況”欄を検索する。
【０２６１】
ステップ〔３３〕（Ｓ３３）
続いて、該当する "使用状況”欄が "未（予備）”と記録されているか否かを判定する。判定の結果、 "使用状況”欄が "未（予備）”と記録されている場合には、Ｓ３４へ処理が進み、そうでない場合にはＳ４３へ処理が進む。
【０２６２】
ステップ〔３４〕（Ｓ３４）
上記Ｓ３３において、 "使用状況”欄が "未（予備）”と判定された場合は、Ｓ３０で受信したトナーカートリッジ６０の固有の情報（全情報）から、カラー情報を読み出すことにより、トナーカートリッジ６０の色の種類を特定する。特定の仕方について説明すると、上述した固有の情報の作成ルールに従えば、受信した固有の情報（全情報）の最上位４桁がカラー種別および適応機種に関する情報なので、最上位４桁の読み出しを行い、表１ないし表３等で与えられる流通物情報テーブルを参照することで、上記色の種類および適応機種を特定することができる。
【０２６３】
たとえば、図１３（ｂ）に示した場合では、２０００年０６月１２日時点で受信した流通物６の情報は、Ｎｏ．５のトナーカートリッジ６０についてであり、最上位４桁の情報 "００００”から、ＡＲ−２０００という機種の画像形成装置２に適応した黒色のトナーカートリッジ６０に関する情報であると判別できる。
【０２６４】
なお、契約者１のサービス対象としての画像形成装置２が１つしかない場合には、機種情報の個別の記録または読み出しを省略することができ、最上位２桁のカラー情報のみを判定すればよい。
【０２６５】
ステップ〔３５〕（Ｓ３５）
次に、予備カートリッジ・テーブルに対し、Ｓ３４で特定したカラー情報を含むトナーカートリッジ６０の "使用状況”欄を検索する。
【０２６６】
ステップ〔３６〕（Ｓ３６）
上記Ｓ３５における "使用状況”欄の検索の結果、 "現在使用中”と記録されている "使用状況”欄が有るか否かを判定する。判定の結果、 "現在使用中”と記録された "使用状況”欄が有る場合には、Ｓ３７へ処理が進み、そうでない場合にはＳ３８へ処理が進む。
【０２６７】
より具体的に説明すると、本ステップで "現在使用中”と記録されている "使用状況”欄が無かった場合には、予備カートリッジ・テーブルに固有の情報を登録して以降、その固有の情報の検出が、契約者１の画像形成装置２にとって初めてのケースに該当する。すなわち、契約者１に納入済みで未使用のトナーカートリッジ６０の１つが、画像形成装置２に初めて装着され、その固有の情報が読み取り部４で読み取られ、端末１２へ送信されたことになる。
【０２６８】
また、本ステップで "現在使用中”と記録されている "使用状況”欄が有った場合は、 "現在使用中”と記録されているトナーカートリッジ６０が、Ｓ３０で固有の情報を受信したトナーカートリッジ６０に交換されたケースに該当する。すなわち、画像形成装置２に装着されていたトナーカートリッジ６０が取り外されて、契約者１に納入済みで未使用のトナーカートリッジ６０の１つに交換された結果、その固有の情報が読み取り部２１４で読み取られ、端末１２へ送信されたことになる。
【０２６９】
したがって、上記Ｓ３３において、受信した固有の情報を含むトナーカートリッジ６０の該当する "使用状況”欄が "未（予備）”と記録されている場合、その記録は、サービス提供者１０にとって、契約者１の画像形成装置２に流通物が新たに装着されたことを示す情報となる。
【０２７０】
また、上記Ｓ３３において、受信した固有の情報を含むトナーカートリッジ６０の該当する"使用状況”欄が "未（予備）”と記録されており、かつ、Ｓ３６において、 "使用状況”欄が "現在使用中”と記録されている "使用状況”欄が有る場合、 "未（予備）”および "現在使用中”という双方の記録は、サービス提供者１０にとって、契約者１の画像形成装置２において流通物が交換されたことを示す情報となる。
【０２７１】
ステップ〔３７〕（Ｓ３７）
そこで、Ｓ３６において、 "現在使用中”と記録された "使用状況”欄が有った場合には、本ステップへ処理が進み、 "現在使用中”と記録された "使用状況”欄を "使用済み”に更新し、Ｓ３８に処理を進める。
【０２７２】
このように、上記のＳ３５〜３７の処理は、契約者１（サービス受給者）に納入した流通物６の内、契約者１によって使用された流通物６を特定するステップに相当する。
【０２７３】
なお、契約者１によって使用された流通物６の特定は、上記のように、予備カートリッジ・テーブルの "使用状況”欄の内容に基づいて行ってもよいし、同一の流通物６について、その固有の情報の取得が何回目かという回数に基づいて行ってもよい。すなわち、契約者１に納入後初めて固有の情報を取得したのであれば、その検出した流通物６は、今まで未使用だったものが画像形成装置２に装着されて使用状態に置かれたことを特定でき、２回目以降の取得であれば、既に少なくとも一度は画像形成装置２に装着されて使用状態に置かれたものであり、未使用の在庫品ではないことを特定することができる。
【０２７４】
ステップ〔３８〕（Ｓ３８）
本ステップでは、Ｓ３０で受信したトナーカートリッジ６０の固有情報（全情報）を含むトナーカートリッジ６０について、 "使用状況”欄を "未（予備）”から "現在使用中”に更新する。
【０２７５】
これにより、画像形成装置２にトナーカートリッジ６０が初めて装着された場合も、装着されていたトナーカートリッジ６０が別の新しいトナーカートリッジ６０に交換された場合も、いずれも予備カートリッジ・テーブルの "使用状況”欄は、 "現在使用中”と記録され、その記録に基づいて画像形成装置２に装着されているトナーカートリッジ６０を識別することができる。
【０２７６】
ステップ〔３９〕（Ｓ３９）
Ｓ３８に引き続き、本ステップで、Ｓ３０で固有情報を受信したトナーカートリッジ６０の"使用状況”欄が "未（予備）”となっていた場合に、その "使用日付”欄に、固有情報を検出した当日の日付を入力する。この日付の自動入力には、前述のように、端末１２が有するタイマ機能が利用され、固有情報を受信した時点のタイマ値を読み出し、コピーする方法を採用することができる。
【０２７７】
ステップ〔４０〕（Ｓ４０）
次に、上記Ｓ３４において特定したカラー情報を含むトナーカートリッジ６０について、"使用状況”欄が "未（予備）”となっている数を調べる。
【０２７８】
ステップ〔４１〕（Ｓ４１）
続いて、Ｓ４０で求めた数を規定値と比較し、 "使用状況”欄が "未（予備）”となっているトナーカートリッジ６０の数が、該規定値以下になったか否かを判定する。判定結果が規定値以下の場合には、Ｓ４２へ処理が進む。
【０２７９】
また、判定結果が該規定値を上回っている場合には、予備カートリッジ・テーブル更新処理を終了する。もしくは、Ｓ３０に処理を戻し、予備カートリッジ・テーブル更新処理を繰り返すようにしてもよい。
【０２８０】
ステップ〔４２〕（Ｓ４２）
上記Ｓ４１で、 "使用状況”欄が "未（予備）”となっているトナーカートリッジ６０の数が、規定値以下の場合には、契約者１の手元に置かれている当該カラー用のトナーカートリッジ６０の在庫が少なくなっている状態を意味しているので、当該契約者１にトナーカートリッジ６０を補給するための発送処理を行う。なお、在庫管理の詳細については前述したとおりである。
【０２８１】
ステップ〔４３〕（Ｓ４３）
一方、Ｓ３３で、受信した固有情報を含むトナーカートリッジ６０の "使用状況”欄が "未（予備）”となっていなかった場合には、本ステップへ処理が進み、当該 "使用状況”欄が "現在使用中”となっているか否かを、更に判定する。
【０２８２】
ステップ〔４４〕（Ｓ４４）
Ｓ４３で、当該 "使用状況”欄が "現在使用中”となっている場合、画像形成装置２でトナーカートリッジ６０の交換が行われたのではなく、同一のトナーカートリッジ６０が、後でも説明するように、何らかの理由で抜き差しされたと判断する。したがって、この場合には、予備カートリッジ・テーブルの更新処理を行わないようにする。
【０２８３】
ステップ〔４５〕（Ｓ４５）
これに対し、Ｓ４３で、当該 "使用状況”欄が "現在使用中”ともなっていなかった場合には、該当するトナーカートリッジ６０の記録自体が無い、あるいは "使用状況”欄が "使用済み”となっている、等の不正常な状態に該当する。すなわち、画像形成装置２に装着されたトナーカートリッジは、海賊版であるとの疑いが持たれるので、原因究明処理を行う。具体的には、出力部１２５の表示画面に警告メッセージを表示したり、通信部１２１に接続されたローカルネットワーク２２を利用して、サービス提供者１０の社内の管理部門に電子メール等の手段により通知する等の処理を行う。
【０２８４】
以上の処理の結果の一例が図１３（ｂ）である。図１２（ｂ）と比較すれば、Ｎｏ．１およびＮｏ．５のレコードが更新されていることが分かる。
【０２８５】
次に、使用中カートリッジ・テーブルの更新について説明すると、基本的には、上述した予備カートリッジ・テーブルの一部を抽出しただけであり、データ内容的には一切の加工を行わず、表示上の整理を行ったものである。このように、データ主体を予備カートリッジ・テーブルのみとし、使用中カートリッジ・テーブルの情報の修正を禁止するようにすれば、両テーブル間でデータの同一性を常に保つことができる。
【０２８６】
より詳細に説明すると、予備カートリッジ・テーブルにおいて、 "使用日付”情報欄が入力されているレコードを対象とし、カラー種別情報が一致するレコードが複数ある場合には、 "使用日付”情報欄が最新のレコードの情報を表示するようになっている。
【０２８７】
したがって、図１１（ｂ）の場合には、一部に情報の入力があるが、 "使用日付”情報欄が未入力なので、それに対応する図１１（ａ）の使用中カートリッジ・テーブルには情報は一切入力されない。
【０２８８】
また、図１３（ｂ）に示した例では、カラー情報として "００”を有するレコードはＮｏ．１とＮｏ．５の２つが存在するが、両者の "使用日付”情報欄を比較した結果、Ｎｏ．５のレコードの情報が表示されるようになっている。
【０２８９】
〔実施の形態２〕
前実施の形態では、契約者１側で使用する契約対象としての画像形成装置２は、サービス提供者１０の端末１２に対し、常時接続していたが、カートリッジ交換の頻度からみて、接続の頻度は１回／日あるいは１回／週、１回／月等であってもよい。契約者１及びサービス提供者１０間で、契約者１側が情報を送信する接続時間を予め設定しておき、たとえば、１回／日の場合、２４時に接続するようにしておき、当日の０時から２３時５９分までに発生したイベント内容を図示しない記憶手段に記憶させ、接続時間にサービス提供者１０側の端末１２に対し送信する。
【０２９０】
トナーカートリッジ６０の交換が行われた場合には、改めて装着されたトナーカートリッジ６０の情報を送信し、トナーカートリッジ６０の交換が全く行われなかった場合には、現在装着されているトナーカートリッジ６０の情報あるいは変化なしを意味する情報を送信する。トナーカートリッジ６０の交換が行われなかった場合にも、何らかの情報を発信することで、トナーカートリッジ６０の交換が実際になされなかったのか、あるいは、通信自体の不具合によるものなのかを区別することができる。
【０２９１】
一方、サービス提供者１０側の端末１２は、契約者１側の機器から送信される時間帯、たとえば、２３時５５分から２４時５分の間（接続開始時の前後５分間）を少なくともカバーするように、ａｃｔｉｖｅの状態にしておく。ここで、ａｃｔｉｖｅな状態とは、契約者１側の機器から送信される情報を的確に処理できる状態にあることをいう。
【０２９２】
以上のように接続時間を制限することで、電話回線の場合には、通信回線費用の削減ができ、また、契約者１側及びサービス提供者１０側両方の通信機器（２１５，１２１等）の消費電力を削減することができる。
【０２９３】
また、画像形成装置２は、夜間等の非就業時間帯は電源を切ることが一般的であるが、接続時間帯が上述のように非就業時間帯に設定されている場合では、画像形成装置２本体の電源のＯＦＦと同時に通信手段の電源がＯＦＦにされると通信不能となってしまうので、通信手段（送受信部２１５）の電源は画像形成装置２本体の電源とは別の系統から取るようにする方がよい。また、誤って、通信手段の電源がＯＦＦにされても、それまでに保存されていた記憶手段の内容が消去されることがないように、記憶手段のメモリとしては、書き換え可能な不揮発性メモリであることが好ましい。
【０２９４】
〔実施の形態３〕
画像形成装置２を使用する際、装置搬送系が主な原因となるトラブルにより、用紙が機器内部で詰まる状況、いわゆる、ペーパージャムが生じることがある。この場合、用紙を取り除くために、抜き差し可能になっているカートリッジ類を取り出す必要がある。
【０２９５】
このようなカートリッジ交換に関係しない同一カートリッジの抜き差しが行われた場合、上記実施の形態で説明した手順通りに、一々情報を送信していては煩雑である。
【０２９６】
一方、受信者側であるサービス提供者１０においても、このような有用でない情報を受信しても意味ないばかりか、図１２乃至図１６で説明したように、更新日付欄等が更新されてしまうと、課金計算の場合に誤った計算を行ってしまうという虞がある。
【０２９７】
したがって、本実施の形態では、同一カートリッジの抜き差しが行われた場合には、カートリッジ情報を送信しないようにする。この目的のために、図２３に示すように、画像形成装置２に演算部２１８を設ける。該演算部２１８は、記憶部８１と比較部８２とから構成されており、読み取り部２１４から入力された最新の情報と既に記憶されている情報とを比較部８２により比較し、異なる場合には、該情報を送信部２１５に送信すると共に記憶部８１に記憶されている記憶内容を更新し、また、同一である場合には、記憶更新も情報送信も行わないような処理を行う。
【０２９８】
なお、演算部２１８を別途設ける必要はなく、コントローラ部２１３の機能に含ませるように構成してもよい。
【０２９９】
また、画像形成機能の一部としてハードディスク等の記憶装置を有する画像形成装置の場合には、記憶部８１として該ハードディスクを用いることができる。
【０３００】
〔実施の形態４〕
前実施の形態では、契約者１側において対応する方法であったが、別途、演算部２１８を設ける必要があり、装置のコストアップにつながるという問題がある。
【０３０１】
したがって、本実施の形態では、サービス提供者１０側に於いて、受信した情報が「現在使用中」として既に登録されている情報と同じ場合には、演算処理部１２２は同一カートリッジの抜き差しであると判断し、情報の一切の更新を行わないようにし、一方、異なる場合には、カートリッジ交換が行われたと判断し、予備カートリッジ・テーブルおよび使用中カートリッジ・テーブルを更新するような処理を行う。このような処理は、前実施の形態で説明したと同様なハードウエアで実現してもよいし、あるいは、端末１２においてソフトウエア処理により行ってもよい。後者の方が、汎用性、コスト、制御方法の変更への対応の柔軟さ等からよい。
【０３０２】
〔実施の形態５〕
本実施の形態では、複数の製造装置や加工装置と、サーバがローカルネットワーク接続されているシステムについて説明する。なお、在庫管理方法については、上述した画像形成装置の場合と何ら変わるところはないので省略する。
【０３０３】
（ネットワーク構成）
図２４を用いて説明する。
【０３０４】
グローバルには、図２４に示すように、契約者１の製造装置４１とサービス提供者１０の端末１２とが、パブリックネットワーク３０によりネットワーク接続されており、さらに、サービス提供者１０の端末１２とパブリックネットワーク３０によりネットワーク接続されるサーバ５を、製造装置４１とパブリックネットワーク３０との間に用意する形態であってもよい。該サーバ５は、ローカル的には、該グループ１に属する複数の製造装置４１と、たとえば、社内イントラネットのようなローカルネットワーク３１により、ネットワーク接続されている。
【０３０５】
該ローカルネットワーク３１には、複数の製造装置４１を制御・管理するためのパーソナルコンピュータ３が接続されていてもよい。
【０３０６】
該サーバ５は、複数の製造装置４１と通信を行うことにより、製造装置４１の情報を入手する。該情報は、たとえば、補強、封止、接着等のための樹脂剤の消費による樹脂剤補給要求メッセージ、樹脂剤交換要求メッセージである。
【０３０７】
このような樹脂剤は、一般には、機密性の容器に収容されている。本発明に於いては、該容器にバーコード等の手段により、該樹脂剤を特定するＩＤ番号（固有の情報）が形成されている。
【０３０８】
さらに、製造装置４１は、該バーコード情報を読み取るための読み取り手段を有している。あるいは、該バーコードリーダは、サーバ５と接続してさえいれば、製造装置４１とは別体に構成しておいてもよい。
【０３０９】
サーバ５は、製造装置４１から上記メッセージを受け取ると、予めプログラムされた処理を行い、その結果によって、(1) サービス提供者１０の端末１２と交信し、流通物６の使用情報を送信、(2) 要求元の機器（パーソナルコンピュータ３あるいは製造装置４１）に交換要求受信信号、交換許可信号、等の情報送信動作を行う。
【０３１０】
以上のように、機器が製造装置４１あるいは加工装置の場合であっても、流通物６として、それぞれプラスチック等の樹脂剤、接着剤、電子部品あるいは金属、セラミックス等をサービス対象とすることができ、流通物６の使用を電子的手段により検出することができる。
【０３１１】
また、本発明の目的は、前述した実施形態の機能を実現するソフトウェアのプログラムコードを記録した記憶媒体を、システムあるいは装置に供給し、そのシステムあるいは装置のコンピュータ（またはＣＰＵやＭＰＵ）が記憶媒体に格納されたプログラムコードを読み出し実行することによっても、達成されることはいうまでもない。
【０３１２】
この場合、記憶媒体から読み出されたプログラムコード自体が前述した実施形態の機能を実現することになり、そのプログラムコードを記憶した記憶媒体は本発明を構成することになる。
【０３１３】
プログラムコードを供給するための記憶媒体としては、例えば、フロッピィディスク，ハードディスク，光ディスク，光磁気ディスク，磁気テープ，不揮発性のメモリカード，等を用いることができる。
【０３１４】
また、上記プログラムコードは、通信ネットワークのような伝送媒体を介して、他のコンピュータシステムから端末１２の記憶部１２４へダウンロードされるものであってもよい。
【０３１５】
また、コンピュータが読み出したプログラムコードを実行することにより、前述した実施形態の機能が実現されるだけでなく、そのプログラムコードの指示に基づき、コンピュータ上で稼働しているＯＳ（オペレーティングシステム）などが実際の処理の一部または全部を行い、その処理によって前述した実施形態の機能が実現される場合も含まれることはいうまでもない。
【０３１６】
さらに、記憶媒体から読み出されたプログラムコードが、コンピュータに挿入された機能拡張ボードやコンピュータに接続された機能拡張ユニットに備わるメモリに書込まれた後、そのプログラムコードの指示に基づき、その機能拡張ボードや機能拡張ユニットに備わるＣＰＵなどが実際の処理の一部または全部を行い、その処理によって前述した実施形態の機能が実現される場合も含まれることはいうまでもない。
【０３１７】
本発明を上記記憶媒体に適用する場合、その記憶媒体には、先に説明したフローチャートに対応するプログラムコードを格納することになる。
【０３１８】
本発明は上述した各実施形態に限らず、請求項に示した範囲で種々の変更が可能である。
【０３１９】
なお、全体を通じ、本発明の主要部分は、消費物品・消耗物品等の交換サービスに関する内容であるので、画像形成装置本体に対する契約は必ずしも前提ではなく、また、必須ではない。つまり、契約者側が別ルートでリース契約、レンタル契約もしくは購入した画像形成装置本体に対し、本発明によるサービスを適用できることはいうまでもない。しかし、新たに画像形成装置本体をリース契約、レンタル契約もしくは購入した者に対しては、本体契約・購入と同時に本発明によるサービスに関する契約を行うことは、手続き上本発明の在庫管理方法をスムーズに行わせることができる。
【０３２０】
また、本発明は、複写機・プリンタ等に限定されるわけではなく、本体装置の消費及び消耗期限より短い交換部品全てが対象となり得る。さらに好ましくは、交換部品に固有の情報が形成されており、本体装置によって該情報が読み出し可能であれば、交換部品の脱着・装着を電子的に検知できる。
【０３２１】
・上記在庫管理方法では、サービス受給者に対し納入する流通物を特定するための固有の情報をコンピュータがアクセス可能な記憶手段に登録するステップと、サービス受給者側で使用状態になった流通物の固有の情報を、サービス受給者側から取得するステップと、上記取得した固有の情報を登録した固有の情報と比較し、サービス受給者に納入した流通物の使用を判定するステップと、流通物の使用を判定後、サービス受給者における流通物の在庫数を計算するステップとをコンピュータに実行させてもよい。
【０３２２】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明によれば、現在使用中の流通物としての消費物品の消費状況を検出するのではなく、流通物に付与された固有の情報をネットワークを介してサービス提供者に通知することによって、予備の消費物品の残数を電子的に検知すると共に、予め登録している予備の消費物品リストと比較することにより、予備の消費物品がなくなるか、あるいは規定値以下になった場合に、契約者へ新たな予備の消費物品を補充するシステムであるので、契約者側に於いて、不要な在庫を有することなく、また、流通物の枯渇を生じることなく消費物品の交換を行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明による在庫管理ネットワークシステムの概略図である。
【図２】 本発明による流通物の一形態を説明するための概略的な斜視図である。
【図３】 （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、本発明による流通物の一般的状態を説明するための概略的な斜視図である。
【図４】 本発明による在庫管理ネットワークシステムの接続イメージを示す説明図である。
【図５】 本発明による在庫管理ネットワークシステムの全体の接続イメージを示す説明図である。
【図６】 本発明による他の在庫管理ネットワークシステムの概略図である。
【図７】 本発明による流通物の固有の情報を管理している流通物管理テーブルの一例を示す図である。
【図８】 （ａ）（ｂ）は、情報管理画面に表示された契約者テーブルの一例を示した図である。
【図９】 （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、本発明による流通物の流通形態を説明するための説明図である。
【図１０】 （ａ）（ｂ）は、情報管理画面に表示された管理テーブル（初期状態）の一例を示した図である。
【図１１】 （ａ）（ｂ）は、情報管理画面に表示された管理テーブル（事前登録時点）の一例を示した図である。
【図１２】 （ａ）（ｂ）は、情報管理画面に表示された管理テーブル（流通物使用開始時点）の一例を示した図である。
【図１３】 （ａ）（ｂ）は、情報管理画面に表示された管理テーブル（流通物交換時点）の一例を示した図である。
【図１４】 機器の動作を説明するためのタイミングチャートを示した図である。
【図１５】 （ａ）（ｂ）は、情報管理画面に表示された管理テーブル（流通物補充時点）の一例を示した図である。
【図１６】 本発明による在庫管理方法の処理フローの一例を示した図である。
【図１７】 在庫管理の一例を示したタイミングチャート図である。
【図１８】 在庫情報管理画面の一例を示した図である。
【図１９】 在庫管理の他の例を示したタイミングチャート図である。
【図２０】 課金方法を説明するための図である。
【図２１】 予備カートリッジ・テーブルの新規登録処理に関する演算処理部の制御動作の流れを示すフローチャートである。
【図２２】 予備カートリッジ・テーブルの自動更新処理に関する演算処理部の制御動作の流れを示すフローチャートである。
【図２３】 本発明によるさらに他の在庫管理ネットワークシステムの概略図である。
【図２４】 本発明による他のネットワークシステム概略図である。
【図２５】 従来の在庫管理システム概略図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 契約者（サービス受給者）
２ 画像形成装置（機器）
３ コントローラ部
４ 読み取り部
５ 送受信部
６ 流通物
７ 情報記録媒体
８ 演算部
９ センサ回路
１０ サービス提供者
１２ 端末（在庫管理装置）
３０ ネットワーク
１２１ 通信部
１２２ 演算処理部
１２３ 入力部
１２４ 記憶部
１２５ 出力部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a stock management method, a stock management apparatus, and a stock management network system related to consumable parts / consumable parts, and preferably to consumable parts / consumable parts or various manufactures of image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers. An inventory management method, an inventory management apparatus, and a related item, which can be used for inventory management of adhesives as auxiliary agents in an apparatus, ICs as parts in an electronic board manufacturing apparatus, resins as processing materials in a molding processing apparatus, cleaning agents, etc. The present invention relates to an inventory management network system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  If an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer is continuously used, it is necessary to replace consumable parts / consumable parts such as a toner cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge.
[0003]
  In other words, in order to avoid equipment malfunction due to complete consumption / consumption of consumable parts / consumed parts, the equipment administrator must check the usage status of the equipment, for example, replacement date / time of consumable parts / consumed parts, next replacement schedule Information such as the date and time of use of the device after the replacement of consumable parts / consumable parts is strictly managed, and spare consumable parts / consumable parts are purchased based on the information. And based on the message information etc. which notify the replacement time which an apparatus emits, it was exchanging with spare consumable parts and consumption parts.
[0004]
  The device includes a toner cartridge or a developing cartridge, a photosensitive member cartridge, a cartridge in which a developing cartridge and a photosensitive member are integrally formed, a display unit for informing the replacement timing of consumable / consumable components such as an ink cartridge (liquid crystal display or Some have an LED lamp or the like, and inform the user of the message. In this case, in the case of a toner cartridge or an ink cartridge, means for measuring the toner or ink remaining amount is provided in the cartridge.
[0005]
  In the case of personal use and family use, the device manager = device user = 1 and the device manager = 1 and the device user = several people. It was possible to grasp, and the above management could be performed with a relatively light load.
[0006]
  However, regarding device maintenance, if the device administrator << device user, for example, device administrator = 1, device user = 100, etc., maintenance of consumable parts / consumed parts is left to the device administrator. However, it is not easy to manage the usage status of the device as described above. Therefore, in order to immediately respond to a request for replacement of a consumable part / consumed part from the user of the equipment, It was necessary to purchase and prepare parts and consumable parts. In this case, the consumable parts / consumed parts in an unused state are in stock until they are used, and a place for storing them is necessary. If such a preparation is neglected, the device becomes unusable until consumable parts / consumable parts are obtained, which causes great inconvenience to the user of the device.
[0007]
  In addition, the same problem occurs if the information transmission from the device user is not properly performed to the device manager.
[0008]
  Furthermore, what is monitored by the conventional method is, for example, the toner amount of the toner cartridge currently in use. Therefore, although it is possible to issue warnings such as “low toner amount” and “replace toner cartridge”, it is possible to know the inventory status on the device user side, that is, the reserve status of the spare cartridge. It is not possible. For this reason, confirmation of the presence or absence of a spare cartridge had to be performed separately.
[0009]
  If the inventory management is not properly performed, even if there is an indication of running out of consumables such as running out of paper or running out of toner, there is a situation in which the image forming apparatus does not operate because there is no stock. In this case, it will be a so-called downtime until the corresponding consumable is delivered.
[0010]
  In addition, when there is no spare cartridge, the ordering action to purchase a new toner cartridge must be performed with the approval of the settlement operator, which is troublesome for confirmation work and management, and takes time. I had it.
[0011]
  In addition, the decision to purchase a spare toner cartridge was made by humans in anticipation of the current budget, past performance, or anticipated situation, which puts a burden on humans and may not be able to respond accurately in some cases. It was.
[0012]
  In order to solve the above problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-152814 discloses a technique for managing consumables inventory in an image forming apparatus and reducing downtime due to out of stock of consumables. The technology is a management system for an image forming apparatus that includes a delivery data management unit, an inventory data management unit, an out-of-stock prediction unit, and a delivery instruction unit, and is based on consumable use data and delivery result data. The consumables inventory data is managed, and when the delivery data data is received by the delivery data management device, the inventory data in the copier management database is updated to ensure the consumables inventory management. It is characterized by.
[0013]
  25, the toner empty count of the copying machine 101 stored in the external storage device (delivery data management device) of the host computer 104 is transmitted from the copying machine management device 102 during regular communication. The latest toner replenishment count, and the value obtained by subtracting the number of toner empty times from the inventory number of toner cartridges that the copier 101 always has is the current inventory number. For example, assuming that the copying machine 101 always stocks four toner cartridges, if the number of times of toner empty exchanged by the regular communication from the copying machine 101 is 4, the amount of inventory on the user side becomes zero. It is thought that there is. Therefore, it is possible to devise a delivery plan for delivering the toner cartridge to the user based on the display contents in the information display column after the regular communication.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  According to the method of the above publication, the inventory data management unit (host computer 104) stores inventory data and usage data of consumables (toner cartridges) in the image forming apparatus (copier 101), and uses data and delivery record data. As the usage data, for example, “toner empty count” that is the number of transmissions of the toner empty signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus is used. This signal is based on "toner out detection" that is determined based on whether or not the toner concentration detected by the toner concentration detection sensor provided in the developing device has become a predetermined value or less. Although it is possible to detect that the toner cartridge has run out of toner, it is not possible to detect the fact that a new toner cartridge prepared in stock has been used. In other words, if “out of toner” occurs, it is assumed that it is “replaced with a new toner cartridge”, and the probability is high but only expected.
[0015]
  Furthermore, it is not only possible to determine whether or not a new toner cartridge has been replaced only by detecting the out of toner, but it is also impossible to determine whether or not the delivered toner cartridge is being used.
[0016]
  Therefore, with the inventory management method of the above publication, it is difficult to prevent the use of pirated toner cartridges whose performance and quality are not guaranteed or rampant to the market.
[0017]
  Further, as long as the toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus is not replaced, the image forming apparatus continues to transmit a toner empty signal. In the configuration of the copier management device, considering that the device for storing the consumable usage data such as the toner replenishment count is composed of the RAM, the copier management device must be always in operation day and night. Don't be. Otherwise, the data in the RAM will be lost when the power of the copier management device is shut off regardless of the reset signal of the host computer, which would result in an incorrect calculation when calculating the inventory quantity. is there. In addition, since there is a problem that correct calculation cannot be performed due to such interruption, failure, or momentary interruption of the copier management device, accurate inventory management cannot be performed with reference technology alone.
[0018]
  The toner replenishment count data is reset by the host computer, but it is unclear at what timing the reset signal is transmitted.
[0019]
  In order to detect the correct stock quantity, in addition to the “toner empty” signal, information indicating that the toner cartridge has been replaced is separately required. Without this information, the host computer cannot reset the toner supply count data based on the fact that the toner cartridge has been replaced. However, there is no description on where to obtain such information.
[0020]
  In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which a reset signal is always transmitted during communication between the copier management device and the host computer. In this case, the toner replenishment count stored in the RAM of the copier management device is displayed during regular communication. Although it is described that the toner cartridge is always reset, the toner cartridge must be surely replaced as long as the toner cartridge is reset. However, whether or not to replace with a new toner cartridge is determined by the convenience and convenience of the user, and it is not possible for the administrator to force replacement.
[0021]
  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems. By detecting the fact that the toner cartridge is used, it is possible to perform reliable inventory management and acquire information on the toner cartridge being used. Inventory management method capable of detecting whether or not to use a pirated toner cartridge by determining whether it is a genuine product, and a distribution product, inventory management device, inventory management network system, etc. The purpose is to provide.
[0022]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The inventory management method of the present invention is a management table that can be called by a contractor ID uniquely assigned to each service recipient and is created for each service recipient in order to solve the above-described problem, A management table that records the usage information regarding the use and unusedness of unique information that can be assigned to each recipient to be delivered to the recipient, and the unique information that can be used to identify each recipient and the recipient that has been delivered to the service recipient. An inventory management method performed by an inventory management apparatus including a stored storage unit, a communication unit, and an arithmetic processing unit,
  The communication unit receiving information including contractor ID and information unique to the distribution from the service recipient side;
  The arithmetic processing unit identifying a contractor ID included in the received information and accessing a management table associated with the identified contractor ID;
  The arithmetic processing unit compares the unique information of the distribution contained in the received information with the unique information recorded in the accessed management table, and is recorded as unused in the management table. Determining that the product delivered to the service recipient is used when the product-specific information matches the product-specific information included in the received information;
  The arithmetic processing unit isIn the accessed management table, the unused record of the distribution determined to have been used is updated to be currently used, and the currently used record is updated to be used and recorded as unused. Calculating the number of distributions, or the number of distributions currently in use and recorded as used;
  By calculating the difference between the total number of distribution items delivered to the service recipient and recorded in the accessed management table and the number of distribution items recorded as currently in use and used, Alternatively, the calculation processing unit obtains the number of the circulations recorded as unused as described above, thereby calculating the inventory quantity of the circulations in the service recipient.
[0023]
  According to this, since the fact of use of the distribution is detected based on the unique information of the distribution acquired from the service recipient side, and inventory management is performed based on the detection result, inventory management based on the prediction is performed. Unlike the method and the inventory management method based on the presumption of the use of the distribution, the number of inventory can be managed accurately.
[0024]
  More specifically, information unique to the goods to be delivered to the service recipient is registered in a storage means accessible by the computer, and information unique to the goods in use on the service recipient side is stored in the communication means. Automatically input through the computer, compare the input unique information with the unique information registered in the storage means, and detect the use of the distribution in the service recipient, for example, the total number of registered distribution Therefore, it is possible to cause the computer to perform a series of processes for calculating the difference between the total numbers of the distribution items whose use has been detected.
[0025]
  In addition, when it can be determined that the unique information of the distribution acquired from the service recipient side matches the registered unique information, it means that the distribution item in use can be detected on the service receiver side. means. That is, the service provider can reliably detect the fact of use of the distribution item in the service recipient.
[0026]
  In addition, since the unique information acquired from the service recipient side is compared with the registered unique information, it is possible to always grasp whether or not the genuine distribution delivered to the service recipient has been used. Therefore, since the service provider can reliably secure customers, it is possible to stably sell the circulated product and to take measures to eliminate the pirated product that is not applied to the service.
[0027]
  The storage means for registering the unique information only needs to be accessible by the computer, and is built-in type or external type such as a hard disk device, portable type such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM, or other network-connected type. It can take various forms such as a computer.
[0028]
  In addition, it is possible to record the acquisition history of the distribution-specific information from the service recipient and refer to the acquisition history to understand the usage fact of the distribution on the service recipient in more detail. it can.
[0029]
  ・ Inventory management methodAs, A step of acquiring, through the network, unique information for individually identifying the distribution items for the distribution items in use on the service recipient side, and receiving the unique information on the service receipt side. The storage means registered for each person is accessed, the above acquired unique information is compared with the registered unique information, and the goods used by the service recipient are distributed among the goods delivered to the service recipient. Causing the computer to perform the steps of identifying and calculating the number of inventories of the distribution in the service recipient after identifying the distribution used.May.
[0030]
  According to this, when the service provider's computer acquires the unique information of the distribution item from the service recipient side via the network, and the acquired unique information matches the registered unique information, In addition, it can be confirmed that the product has been distributed to the service recipient. Thereafter, a process of identifying a distribution used by the service receiver among the distributions delivered to the service receiver is performed. Further, based on the detection of the fact of use, the computer can calculate the inventory quantity by subtracting the number of distributions having the detected unique information from the number of registered distributions, for example.
[0031]
  In this way, it is possible to reliably calculate the number of items in circulation at the service recipient based on the fact of use while simultaneously confirming that the genuine product actually delivered to the service recipient is being used. .
[0032]
  In addition, the process of identifying the circulation used by the service recipient can be performed based on the number of times of acquisition of unique information for the same circulation for the first time after delivery. If it is, it can identify that it was an unused circulation, and if it is the acquisition after the 2nd time, it can identify that it was a circulation in use.
[0033]
  In addition, the distribution item in use on the service receiver side is, for example, read out the specific information accompanying the distribution item from the service receiver side through the network. Refers to a distribution that has become possible. For example, in the case where the distributed product is used by being mounted on an image forming apparatus or a manufacturing apparatus, a unique information reading unit provided in the image forming apparatus or the manufacturing apparatus, and a unique information of the distributed product A recording medium refers to a state in which the recording medium is arranged in a positional relationship in which unique information can be read.
[0034]
  By the way, in the environment where the distribution items are supplies of image forming apparatuses such as toner cartridges, ink cartridges, etc., and networking is progressing, such as offices, inventory management is performed utilizing existing network assets. be able to.
[0035]
  ・ Inventory management methodAsA management table that records unique information for specifying the goods to be delivered to the service recipient, and the usage status of the goods by the service recipient is unique information of the goods from the service recipient side. The management table that is updated as needed based on the reception of the service recipient, the step of identifying the circulation that can be recognized as used by the service recipient, and the number of the identified circulation in the service recipient Causing the programmed computer to perform the step of calculating the inventory quantity of the distribution.May.
[0036]
  According to the above configuration, the distribution table to be delivered to the service recipient can be specified by unique information, and a management table is prepared in which the usage status of the distribution by the service recipient is updated as needed. Therefore, the computer can specify the distribution that can be recognized as being used by the service recipient in near real time by accessing the management table and referring to the recorded contents.
[0037]
  The management table updates the usage status of the distribution item on the service receiver side based on the reception of the unique information on the distribution item from the service receiver side. For example, when the unique information of the distribution delivered to the service recipient is received for the first time after delivery, the service receiver has started using the distribution. , Updated from unused to used. In addition, when unique information on a distribution that is different from the distribution being used is received from the same service recipient, the distribution used is replaced with an unused distribution in stock. Therefore, in the management table, the usage status of the distribution item is updated from used to used.
[0038]
  In this way, by using the management table of the present invention, the computer can detect the usage status of the distribution product by the service recipient and can surely grasp the usage fact. It is possible to reliably calculate the number while simultaneously confirming that the genuine product actually delivered to the service recipient is being used.
[0039]
  Note that the inventory management method of the present invention is described as follows: “Access to a management table that records unique information for specifying a product to be delivered to a service recipient and usage status of the product delivered by the service recipient; Based on the receipt of information unique to the distribution from the recipient, the step of updating the usage of the distribution by the service recipient as needed, accessing the management table, and certifying that the service recipient has used it It is also possible to have a programmed computer execute a step of specifying a possible distribution item and a step of calculating the number of distribution items in the service recipient based on the specified number of distribution items.
[0040]
  In order to solve the above problems, the inventory management method of the present inventionThe arithmetic processing unit compares the inventory quantity grasped by the step of calculating the inventory quantity with a specified value read from the storage unit, and determines whether or not the inventory quantity is equal to or less than a specified value;Instructing replenishment of new distribution when the stock quantity falls below the specified valueWhenIt is characterized by having.
[0041]
  According to this, it becomes possible to instruct the replenishment of the distribution item based on the inventory quantity information detected by the above-described inventory management method, and it is possible to prevent the distribution of the distribution item in the service recipient. In particular, when the inventory manager and the replenisher of the distribution are different, the inventory manager manages the inventory information of the service recipient, notifies the inventory replenisher of the inventory quantity information as the management information, and It is also possible for the replenisher to replenish the desired number of distribution items.
[0042]
  Further, since the management of the number of stocks and the instruction for replenishment of new distribution items can be performed by the computer, the service recipient as the device user is completely free from the management of the distribution items of the devices.
[0043]
  In addition, if the specified value of the number of stocks, which is a criterion for making a refill instruction, is set to a value other than 0, the unused distribution that has been delivered to the service recipient's home as a spare even at the time of the refill instruction Since there is a product, the product is not depleted until the product is actually replenished by the replenishment instruction, and thus the device main body is not disabled.
[0044]
  ・ Inventory management deviceAs, A storage unit for registering unique information for specifying a distribution product to be delivered to a service recipient, an input unit for inputting the usage status of the distribution product, and the number of deliveries of the distribution product used. And an arithmetic processing unit that calculates the stock quantity based on the number.May be.
[0045]
  According to this, the arithmetic processing unit takes in the number of deliveries from unique information such as an ID number that identifies the distribution item registered in the storage unit, and calculates the number of uses from the information on the use situation input through the input unit. By taking in and subtracting the number of uses from the number of deliveries, the number of inventories can be obtained, so the equipment user (service recipient) side monitors the usage of the circulation and reserves the circulation before depletion It is possible to centrally manage a new inventory management service that replenishes service recipients.
[0046]
  In this way, the unique information of the circulation supplemented to the service recipient is stored in the storage unit, and when the circulation is used, the unique information of the circulation is acquired via the input unit. Therefore, it becomes extremely easy to carry out inventory of distribution items by computer management.
[0047]
  If there are a plurality of service recipients, an inventory management file is created for each service recipient, and the number of stocks is managed based on the file. The items managed by the inventory management file include information on distributions (unique information and number) delivered to a specific service receiver and distribution information (specific information and number) received from the service receiver. The inventory quantity is calculated based on the number of delivered products and the number of products detected to be used, but the substantial items to be registered and updated in the management file are specific to the product. Information.
[0048]
  Furthermore, when the same service recipient has service contracts with respect to a plurality of devices, it is natural that management is performed by creating, extracting, and organizing management files for each device.
[0049]
  In order to solve the above problems, the inventory management device of the present inventionIt is a management table that can be called by a contractor ID uniquely assigned to each service recipient and created for each service recipient.Distributions delivered to service recipientsAssigned to each one, distribution items can be specified individuallySpecific informationAnd a management table that records the usage of unused and unused items delivered to service recipientsA storage unit;
Contractor ID from service recipient side andDistribution specific informationReceive information includingA communication department;
Perform the following first to fourth stepsWith the arithmetic processing unitHaveIt is characterized by that.
[0050]
1st step: The step which specifies contractor ID contained in the information received in the said communication part, and accesses the management table matched with the said specified contractor ID.
[0051]
Second step: The unique information of the distribution item included in the received information is compared with the unique information recorded in the accessed management table, and the distribution item recorded as unused in the management table. The step of determining that the product delivered to the service recipient has been used when the unique information of the product matches the unique information of the product included in the received information.
[0052]
Third step: In the accessed management table, the unused record of the distribution determined to be used is updated to the current use, and the currently used record is updated to the used and unused. Calculating the number of distributions recorded as or the number of distributions recorded as currently in use and used.
[0053]
Fourth step: The arithmetic processing unit determines the difference between the total number of distribution items delivered to the service recipient and recorded in the accessed management table and the number of distribution items recorded as currently used and used. Calculating the stock quantity of the circulation in the service recipient by obtaining the number of circulations recorded as unused, or by the arithmetic processing unit obtaining the number.
[0054]
  According to this, the arithmetic processing unit captures the number of deliveries from unique information such as an ID number that identifies the distribution product registered in the storage unit, and detects use from the unique information input via the communication unit. The number of stocks can be obtained by subtracting the number of uses from the number of deliveries, and the amount of inventory can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to centrally manage a new inventory management service in which a system for replenishing service recipients with spare circulation is adopted.
[0055]
  In this way, the unique information of the distribution supplemented to the service recipient is stored in the storage unit, and when the distribution item is used, the unique information of the distribution item is acquired via the communication unit. Therefore, it becomes extremely easy to centrally manage the inventory of distribution items.
[0056]
  In order to solve the above problems, the inventory management apparatus according to the present invention provides the arithmetic processing unit.But the above Comparing the stock quantity grasped by the step of calculating the number of warehouses with the prescribed value read from the storage unit, determining whether the stock quantity is less than the prescribed value, and the inventory quantity being less than the prescribed value And when the operation processing unit issues a command for instructing replenishment of a new distribution productIt is characterized by doing.
[0057]
  According to this, it becomes possible for the said arithmetic processing part to perform the replenishment instruction | indication of a distribution based on the detected inventory quantity information, and it can prevent beforehand the depletion of the distribution in a service recipient.
[0058]
  Further, since the management of the number of stocks and the instruction for replenishment of new distribution items can be performed by the computer, the service recipient as the device user is completely free from the management of the distribution items of the devices.
[0059]
  -Since the distribution materials used in the above inventory management method are managed by the inventory management method according to the present invention, for the service provider, the usage status of the distribution itself delivered to the service recipient is accurately indicated for each distribution item. As a result, the service recipient is automatically replenished as much as it is used and does not have to manage to reserve a new reserve.
[0060]
  In addition, if the unique information of the distribution product is formed in advance for the distribution product, the service provider uses the specific information of the distribution product to indicate what distribution product to which service recipient, “How many more have been pre-filled?” Can be confirmed when replenishing the distribution.
[0061]
  In addition, when electronically detecting the usage information of the service recipient's distribution, it is possible to determine whether the same distribution or the use of a new distribution by exchange is used. When the information is new, it is possible to identify the purchase of the distribution item with the notification result.
[0062]
  Furthermore, if the above-mentioned distribution is used in the inventory management method of the present invention, even if a third party manufactures and sells a copy of the distribution including information unique to the above-mentioned distribution, the service provider uses the distribution Since it is not eligible for service unless handled, pirated copies can be eliminated.
[0063]
  In order to solve the above problems, the inventory management network system of the present inventionThe distribution items that are assigned to each distribution item and have unique information that can individually identify the distribution items, and are consumed or consumed, are devices that can be attached and detached. A service receiver side having a reading unit for detecting unique information, a transmission / reception unit for transmitting the read information to the outside via a network, and a controller unit for controlling the reading unit and the transmission / reception unit Equipment,
Communicating with the above-mentioned device, and can be called by a contractor ID uniquely assigned to each service receiver, and a communication unit that receives information including contractor ID and information unique to the distribution from the service receiver side, This is a management table created for each service recipient. The above-mentioned specific information for specifying the deliverables to be delivered to the service recipients and the usage status of the deliverables delivered to the service recipients. An inventory management device having a storage unit that stores the recorded management table and an arithmetic processing unit that executes the following first to fourth steps:It is characterized by being composed.
[0064]
1st step: The step which specifies contractor ID contained in the information received in the said communication part, and accesses the management table matched with the said specified contractor ID.
[0065]
Second step: information unique to the distribution contained in the received information and the access Compared with the unique information recorded in the management table, the unique information of the distribution recorded as unused in the management table matches the unique information of the distribution included in the received information. The step of determining that the goods delivered to the service recipient have been used.
[0066]
  Third step: In the accessed management table, the unused record of the distribution determined to be used is updated to the current use, and the currently used record is updated to the used and unused. Calculating the number of distributions recorded as or the number of distributions recorded as currently in use and used.
[0067]
Fourth step: The arithmetic processing unit determines the difference between the total number of distribution items delivered to the service recipient and recorded in the accessed management table and the number of distribution items recorded as currently used and used. Calculating the stock quantity of the circulation in the service recipient by obtaining the number of circulations recorded as unused, or by the arithmetic processing unit obtaining the number.
[0068]
  According to this, an inventory management system can be realized by using the above-described inventory management method using IT technology such as a network system, electronic file management, and an IC chip.
[0069]
  In addition, even if a pirated version is used, the device operates to read the unique information formed in the distribution, and therefore the distribution without specific information is excluded based on this check. it can.
[0070]
  ・ Furthermore, the reading unit of the device detects unique information from the flow based on timing information when the flow is attached to or detached from the device.May.
[0071]
  This is based on the fact that there is an extremely high possibility that the circulation will be exchanged when the circulation is attached to or detached from the device. If the unique information is detected from the distribution while the image forming apparatus performs a normal check such as self-diagnosis after the exchange of the distribution is completed, the check process is Since the processing can be performed as a series of processing, interrupt processing can be reduced as compared with a case where processing for detecting unique information during standby of the device is newly generated. As a result, the program configuration is simplified, and therefore, the probability of bug occurrence is reduced, the reliability of device operation is improved, and unique information detection is performed without hindering the original image forming operation of the image forming apparatus. It can be performed.
[0072]
  Here, the timing information is, for example, a signal change from a sensor that detects the attachment / detachment / attachment state of the circulation, and usually changes from the attachment / detachment state to the attachment state and changes from the attachment state to the attachment / detachment state (electrical signal). There are two timings (rising and falling). Generally, the timing corresponding to the change from the attachment / detachment state to the attachment state may be used, but the timing of the change from the attachment / detachment state to the attachment state that occurs after detecting the change from the attachment state to the attachment / detachment state is used. May be.
[0073]
  More specifically, if the state change from the attachment / detachment state to the attachment state and the state change from the attachment state to the attachment / detachment state correspond to the rise and fall of the electrical signal change, respectively, the controller unit of the device Instructs the reading unit to read the unique information by detecting the rising edge of the electric signal. Alternatively, when a rising edge is detected within a predetermined time after the falling edge is detected, the timing of the rising edge is used as a timing for reading the unique information, and an instruction is given to the reading unit. Good.
[0074]
  In addition, when the reading unit of the device detects a change in unique information,machineIt is possible to know the fact that it was exchanged for a spare distribution item and to identify the purchase act. Therefore, while utilizing the existing system in which the device of the service recipient performs detection and transmission of information, and the inventory management device receives information from the device and calculates the number of inventory based on the received information, It is possible to construct a system capable of automatically performing inventory management including instructions for obtaining current accurate inventory quantity that is the basis for calculating inventory quantity and replenishment of new distribution based on it by computer processing. .
[0075]
  Further, when the circulation is desorbed, if the unique information of the desorbed circulation is stored and compared with the unique information read when the circulation is reattached, a paper jam treatment, etc. It is possible to judge by electronic and remote operation whether the same circulation is inserted / removed or a new circulation is installed by replacement. It becomes possible to identify the purchase of goods. In this case, the inventory management device furthermachineA storage unit that stores information transmitted from the computer, and the arithmetic processing unit compares the stored content with the latest information transmitted, and updates the stored information when the information is different. Judgment can be made more reliably.
[0076]
  If the unique information of the distribution and the service receiver information are stored in the storage unit of the inventory management device at the time of registration, in the course of using the distribution, Even when the information is transmitted to the inventory management device, the service recipient who uses the distribution item in the inventory management device can be specified. Therefore, the amount of information to be received can be reduced compared to the case where the unique information of the distribution and the contractor information are received in pairs when using the distribution, so the network load and the processing load are reduced. can do.
[0077]
  -The inventory management program of this invention makes a computer perform each step of the said inventory management method of this invention, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0078]
  According to the above configuration, the inventory management method of the present invention can be provided to the service recipient by loading the inventory management program of the present invention into the inventory management apparatus. Further, it is possible to cause a general computer to function as the inventory management apparatus of the present invention.
[0079]
  Needless to say, a computer-readable recording medium in which the inventory management program of the present invention is recorded also belongs to the scope of rights of the present invention.
[0080]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  [Embodiment 1]
  (Distribution)
  In this embodiment, the distribution means a part that constitutes a part of the apparatus from the viewpoint of function and whose performance can be recovered and maintained by replacement. For example, when the apparatus is an image forming apparatus, a toner cartridge or a developing cartridge, a photosensitive member cartridge, a cartridge in which a developing member and a photosensitive member are integrally formed, an ink cartridge, an ink tank, and a print head are integrally formed. This corresponds to the cartridge or the like. In the industry, these products are sometimes called supplies.
[0081]
  Further, when the apparatus is a manufacturing apparatus such as an adhesive application apparatus, an adhesive, a solvent, or the like as a supplementary material is suitable for the distribution, and when the apparatus is an electronic component assembling apparatus, one of the electronic components is used. This is the target IC.
[0082]
  FIG. 3 shows an example of the distribution.
[0083]
  FIG. 3A shows a case where the distribution product 6 is a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge 60 in the distribution state is packaged and packaged by a packaging material 62 and a packaging material 63. The packaging material 62 and the packaging material 63 are used for quality maintenance or protection. The packaging material 62 is, for example, an aluminum pack, and the packaging material 63 is paper or cardboard. It is unnecessary in use. Therefore, when referring to the distribution product 6 in the distribution state, the packaging material 62 and the packaging material 63 are included, but the cartridge 60 is indicated when the device is mounted.
[0084]
  The ink cartridge of the ink jet printer has the same configuration.
[0085]
  FIG. 3B shows a general example in the case where the adhesive 600 is used as the circulation product 600. The adhesive (distribution 600) in the distribution state is sealed with the metal can 602, and the unique information 603 of the distribution is formed as barcode information on the surface of the can 602. In the figure, a can open state is shown.
[0086]
  FIG. 3C shows a general example in the case where an IC is used as the distribution item 610. The IC 610 in the distribution state is accommodated in a plastic packaging case 612 that has been subjected to electrostatic protection, and information 613 unique to the distribution is formed as barcode information on the surface of the packaging case 612.
[0087]
  (Network configuration and device configuration)
  FIG. 4 shows an overall view of a network system to which the present invention is applied. A plurality of contractors 1 and the service provider 10 are connected through a public network 30 constructed by a telephone line 30A or the like.
[0088]
  FIG. 5 is an example more specifically showing the system configuration of the service provider 10 and the contractor 1 (service recipient). The system configuration of the contractor 1 (first group) imagines a business form such as a large-scale office, and each device in the group is connected to each other by a local network 31. The apparatus includes an image forming apparatus 2 (apparatus) such as a copying machine and a printer, a personal computer (PC) 3 that issues a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 2, and a print server that manages print commands from the PC 3, or The server 5 functions as a local network server that manages the entire local network 31 and also as a web server that manages the connection between the external public network 30 and the internal local network 31.
[0089]
  Thus, the contractor 1 (first group) may have not only the single image forming apparatus 2 but also a plurality of image forming apparatuses 2. Further, considering the general usage form of an individual, the server 5 and the local network 31 described above are not necessarily required.
[0090]
  As described above, the actual system configuration of the contractor 1 is diverse, but for convenience of explanation, the following shows the relationship between the specific contractor 1 and the service provider 10 and a single image forming apparatus. The case of having 2 will be described.
[0091]
  FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the network system of the present invention. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 on the contractor 1 side will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0092]
  As the public network 30, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 2 on the contractor 1 side is connected to the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side by a telephone line 30A or the like.
[0093]
  The image forming apparatus 2 includes an image forming unit (not shown), a toner cartridge 60 as a consumable part, a reading unit 214 for reading information (described later) formed on the toner cartridge 60, and the read information to the outside. And a controller unit 213 for controlling the reading unit 214 and the transmission unit 215. The sensor circuit 219 includes a sensor for detecting whether or not the toner cartridge 60 is attached to the image forming apparatus 2 and its peripheral circuit, and is usually provided in a normal copying machine / printer. It is assumed that it will be used. However, in the absence of the sensor, alternative means can be used and are not necessarily required.
[0094]
  As described above, the toner cartridge 60 is preferably recorded with unique information for individually identifying the toner cartridge 60 on the surface or inside thereof. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, it is mounted as an IC chip 61, and a product type number and an ID number are stored in advance in a nonvolatile ROM such as an EEPROM or a ferroelectric memory. Or you may form by simple methods, such as a barcode. In the present invention, the ID number stored in the IC chip does not require special confidentiality.
[0095]
  For the purpose of distribution management, inventory management, and the like, a barcode for specifying the type of distribution item may be conventionally printed. At this time, the same barcode is used for the same distribution in order to reduce the printing burden, printing time, management burden, and the like. Therefore, in this state, when the types are different, it is possible to discriminate by this barcode, but when the types are the same, individual discrimination cannot be performed.
[0096]
  On the other hand, the barcode given to the distribution item 6 in the present invention is information unique to the distribution item 6 and is different from the conventional barcode in that each identification of the distribution item 6 is possible. Yes.
[0097]
  In the present invention, the information stored in the IC chip 61 is basically only the product type number and the ID number of the specific product, and normally there is no need to rewrite the information, so the memory capacity and function are small. In addition, the size of software and hardware such as a memory controller can be greatly reduced.
[0098]
  Further, if necessary, a toner remaining amount detection sensor is provided, so that the amount of toner currently in use can be detected relatively accurately. The sensor may be one that directly measures the remaining amount of toner, or may be one that indirectly measures the concentration of toner formed on the photoreceptor for checking. .
[0099]
  The reading unit 214 differs depending on the form of information formed in the toner cartridge 60, and is a bar code reader in the case of a bar code, and is configured by an electric or high frequency reading unit in the case of an IC chip. .
[0100]
  The transmission / reception unit 215 is a modem, for example. The connection form is not limited to a telephone line, and may be CATV or the like. Further, the transmission form between the image forming apparatus 2 and the terminal 12 does not have to be all wired, and may be partially transmitted via wireless communication. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the transmission mode of the transmission / reception unit 215 mounted or connected to the image forming apparatus 2 is wireless, and is transmitted in a wireless state to the second transmission / reception unit 216 installed in the contractor 1. The second transmission / reception unit 216 may adopt a form in which the second transmission / reception unit 216 is connected to the public network 30 (telephone line 30A) in a wired state. Further, it may have a function for connecting to the local network 31. It should be noted that between the second transmission / reception unit 216 and the communication unit 121 of the terminal 12 may naturally use part of wireless transmission.
[0101]
  The sensor circuit 219 includes various sensors and peripheral circuits that process signals from the sensors. As the sensor, a door sensor or a cartridge sensor, which is based on a principle such as a mechanical type or an optical type, is used. The door sensor is a sensor that detects the open / closed state of the door of the image forming apparatus 2, and the cartridge sensor is a sensor that detects whether the toner cartridge 60 is attached to the image forming apparatus 2. . Peripheral circuits include a waveform shaping circuit that shapes the waveform of the sensor output, a filter circuit, a binarization circuit, a voltage level adjustment circuit, and the like, and converts the sensor output into a digital signal having a logic level of 0-5V. .
[0102]
  The controller unit 213 instructs the reading unit 214 to access the IC chip 61 and read the toner cartridge information when the toner cartridge 60 is replaced. In addition, the transmitter / receiver 215 is instructed to transmit the read information to the outside as necessary. In addition, signals from various sensors are monitored, and predetermined instructions are given according to the signal contents. In the case of an image forming apparatus using a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus, the CPU can be used as the controller unit 213.
[0103]
  Next, the recorded contents of information formed on the toner cartridge 60 will be described. In the IC chip 61, as information for specifying the toner cartridge 60,
  0011 0001 0010 1101 1010
The binarized 20-digit numbers such as are stored in advance. The number of digits is not limited to this. The number is created and managed by the service provider 10.
[0104]
  Next, the meaning of the numbers will be described.
[0105]
  The most significant four-digit number is information for specifying a plurality of types of toner cartridges 60. In this case, it is possible to distinguish 16 types from 0000 to 1111. In the case of a color model, when toner cartridges of four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) are necessary, the most significant two digits are used as color information. For example,
[0106]
[Table 1]

[0107]
Then, it is possible to distinguish up to 4 models by the remaining 2 digits. For example, as shown in Table 2.
[0108]
[Table 2]

[0109]
  Alternatively, as shown in Table 3, the toner cartridges A and B and the photoconductor cartridges C and D are used.
[0110]
[Table 3]

[0111]
  These correspondence tables are prepared as a distribution table in the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side described below.
[0112]
  The remaining 16 digits are the individual number (unique information) of the toner cartridge 60 having the type number 0011 in the above example.
  0000 0000 0000 0000
From
  1111 1111 1111 1111
Of the 65536 numbers up to, a single and unique number is assigned to one toner cartridge 60. This information is also added to the distribution table at the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side. Although the individual number has been described as unique information for individually identifying the toner cartridge 60, the entire combination of the type number and the individual number may be positioned as unique information.
[0113]
  An example of the distribution information table given according to the rules described above is shown in FIG. The figure further shows a case where unique information (indicated as unique information in the figure) is associated with a contractor ID. When data (in this case, a six-digit number) is entered in the “contractor ID” information field, the corresponding toner cartridge 60 is delivered to the contractor 1 having the contractor ID. Indicates that By using the table, the owner (contractor 1) of the toner cartridge 60 having the unique information can be specified using the unique information as a search key.
[0114]
  Next, the configuration of the terminal 12 (inventory management device) of the service provider 10 will be described.
[0115]
  The terminal 12 is, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a workstation (WS), and includes a communication unit 121, an arithmetic processing unit 122, an input unit 123, a storage unit 124, and an output unit 125. .
[0116]
  The communication unit 121 is for connecting to the public network 30. In the case of the telephone line 30A, the communication unit 121 is, for example, a modem. Further, it may have a function for connecting to the local network 32.
[0117]
  The arithmetic processing unit 122 is a part that performs an operation on information input from the communication unit 121 or the input unit 123, and is, for example, a CPU or a memory. The memory is a memory such as a RAM for temporarily storing the processing result. When performing arithmetic processing by software, a non-volatile memory for storing a program describing the processing procedure is prepared. Alternatively, the program may be stored in the storage unit 124 described later, read from the storage unit 124 during the program operation, and operated on the RAM.
[0118]
  The input unit 123 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a pointing device, an image scanner, a barcode scanner, or the like, and is used to input information about the contractor 1.
[0119]
  The storage unit 124 is a part (a first storage unit and a second storage unit) for storing the information input from the communication unit 121 or the input unit 123 and the calculation result performed by the calculation processing unit 122. For example, a hard disk or an optical disk. The stored contents include the distribution information table shown in Tables 1 to 3 described above, the contractor information table described later, the service management table for each contractor (the management table that records the usage status of the distribution as needed), and the present invention. There are application programs describing the processing flow. The storage unit 124 corresponds to the recording medium of the present invention.
[0120]
  The output unit 125 is for soft copy and hard copy of information, and the former corresponds to a display such as a CRT or a liquid crystal, and the latter corresponds to a printer.
[0121]
  (Registration process)
  Next, the operation of the system will be described.
[0122]
  First, the service provider 10 obtains information on the contractor 1 as prior information. As shown in FIG. 8A as the contractor table [1], the information may be anything as long as the contractor 1 can be specified. For example, when the contractor 1 is one company, the information is a company name. Yes, even if it is the same company, it is necessary to specify the name of the establishment when contracting for each establishment.
[0123]
  Next, in order to handle the contractor information in the terminal 12, the service provider 10 issues a contractor ID for each contractor 1. The contractor ID is unique, and one ID such as a number such as 000125 is assigned to each contractor 1.
[0124]
  Further, the location information is obtained in order to deliver the distribution item 6 as the service object, and the information such as the payment method is collected for collecting the fee.
[0125]
  The above is stored in the storage unit 124 of the terminal 12 in the form of an electronic file. FIG. 8A described above is an example when the file is displayed on the output unit 125 of the terminal 12.
[0126]
  Next, the service provider 10 dispatches a service person to the contractor 1 to install and set the image forming apparatus 2 and deliver the distribution material 6 such as the toner cartridge 60. In general, even if they are manufactured by the same manufacturer, if the model and model number of the image forming apparatus 2 are different, the distribution material 6 used for the image forming apparatus 2 is often different.・ Determine and confirm the code number.
[0127]
  At this time, the number of deliverables 6 is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient that one or more spares are provided except for those that are immediately used in the apparatus main body.
[0128]
  When the image forming apparatus 2 is connected and set to be communicable with an external public network 30 and becomes communicable, in addition to the given contractor ID, the model number of the image forming apparatus 2, Information such as individual product ID numbers may be sent to the terminal 12.
[0129]
  If it is only necessary to know what kind of image forming apparatus 2 the contractor 1 has, a model number, a product number, etc. that can specify the model may be used, but the contractor 1 forms the same image. When there are a plurality of apparatuses 2 and it is necessary to know information for each image forming apparatus 2 individually, unique information such as a serial number for identifying the image forming apparatus 2 is preferable.
[0130]
  In the case of a copying machine, a numeric keypad is provided for designating the number of prints, etc., and therefore the contractor ID or / and the ID number of the image forming apparatus 2 are given to the image forming apparatus 2 using the input means. Easy input. If the contractor ID once entered is stored in the non-volatile memory, it is not necessary to input again when information is transmitted from the contractor 1 to the service provider 10. Further, if the ID number of the image forming apparatus 2 is also stored in the nonvolatile memory at the time of shipment, the input operation can be omitted after that, so that a series of operations can be automatically performed electronically. . Note that the above-described nonvolatile memory is formed as a part of the components of the controller unit 3.
[0131]
  As described above, necessary items are input to the contractor table [2] in the terminal 12, as shown in FIG. For example, it can be seen that the contractor 1 with ID number 000003 is receiving services according to the present invention for two image forming apparatuses 2, AR-2000 and AR-2001.
[0132]
  The contractor table [1] and the contractor table [2] can be combined as common information for associating ID numbers. Therefore, referring to FIG. 8A, it can be seen that the contractor with ID number 000003 is “C Corporation ΔΔΔ Division”.
[0133]
  Through this step, the terminal 12 can automatically detect the model of the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 and obtain model information as a service target.
[0134]
  Even if the toner cartridge 60 for the image forming apparatus 2 is changed to improve performance and the type number of the toner cartridge 60 is changed, the latest toner is based on the model information of the image forming apparatus 2. A cartridge 60 can be provided. In addition, although the ID number of each product is not particularly required, there may be a partial change during the manufacture even though the model is the same, so the change related to the distribution product 6 such as the toner cartridge 60 or the like may be changed. This is in order to respond correctly to the case where the error is made. Further, it can also be used in cases where additional services such as notifying the contractor 1 of a malfunction when a malfunction of the image forming apparatus 2 is discovered before and after a partial change.
[0135]
  In the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side, a service management file (the service management table) is created for each contractor 1 and stored in the storage unit 124. An example in which the file is displayed on the output unit 125 of the terminal 12 is shown in FIG. In this case, an in-use cartridge table (FIG. 1A) and a spare cartridge table (FIG. 1B) are prepared, but only the spare cartridge table may be used. In the initial state, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the cartridge information currently used in the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 and the spare cartridge information delivered to the contractor 1 side are included. Absent.
[0136]
  Next, the service provider 10 collects information on all the toner cartridges 60 that are stored in advance on the contractor 1 side, and stores the information in the terminal 12 of the service provider 10 immediately or later.
[0137]
  As an information collecting method, as shown in FIG. 9, the information recording body 7 in which the individual number (information unique to the distribution item) that can identify the toner cartridge 60 is attached to the packing material 63 of the distribution item 6 separately. When the information is delivered to or supplemented to the contractor 1 side, the information formed in the information forming portion 73 of the information recording body 7 is read by a scanner. The content of the information recording body 7 is the same as the storage content of the IC chip 61 mounted on the toner cartridge 60, for example, an ID number assigned to each toner cartridge 60, but the information forming method is the same. Need not be. That is, it may be a barcode that is read by a barcode scanner. In the present invention, since the ID number stored in the IC chip 61 as information unique to the product does not have any special confidentiality, a simple information forming method that does not require complicated data processing such as encryption and decryption is provided. Can be adopted.
[0138]
  In this way, by separately attaching the information recording body 7 having the same contents as the IC chip 61 (that is, information unique to the distribution item) to the packing material 63 of the distribution item 6, the serviceman can distribute the information. At the time of delivery or replenishment of the product 6, information unique to the product 6 to be delivered or supplemented can be obtained from the information recording body 7 attached to the surface of the product 6 such as the packaging material 63. It is not necessary to take out the circulated product 6 and to obtain the unique information formed in the circulated product 6, and there is no loss of merchantability associated with opening.
[0139]
  After collecting the information, the service person collects the information recording body 7 in order to confirm that reading by the bar code scanner has been completed.
[0140]
  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the method of attaching the information recording body 7 can be obtained without opening the toner cartridge 60, as shown in FIG. 9A, the packaging material 63 or the packaging material 62 (FIG. 3A). The portion 71 is bonded to the outer surface portion of the protective member such as) by an adhesive or the like by a stapler or the like, and the portion 72 on which the information is written can be cut off from the portion 71 which is the bonded portion by the cut line K It is configured.
[0141]
  The material of the information recording body 7 is a film member such as paper or resin, or a sheet member having a thickness that does not cause curling or the like. In the case of a hard sheet member, it is broken off from the cut line K. From the viewpoint of durability and readability of information, a hard resin is preferable.
[0142]
  In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B, the information recording body 7 is attached to the packing material 63 of the distribution article 6 with an adhesive or the like on the back surface of the information recording body 7 on which information is not formed. In addition, the portion 72 in which the information 73 is written is configured to be able to be cut off from the portion 71 which is the bonded portion by the cut lines K1 and K2.
[0143]
  Further, as another attachment method of the information recording body 7, as shown in FIG. 9C, the inside 64 of the lid portion of the packing material 63 that can be opened and closed without being damaged may be used. Thereby, in the distribution process, the information recording body 7 does not deteriorate, so there is no problem even if it is a material such as paper.
[0144]
  In the above description, since the distribution item 6 is packed with the packing material 63, the location to which the information recording body 7 is attached is the packing material 63. It means part.
[0145]
  As described above, the information stored in the IC chip 61 and the information formed in the information recording body 7 are the same in content, but the formation method is not necessarily the same.
[0146]
  The information read by the scanner is immediately transmitted to the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side via communication means (not shown). Alternatively, the information read by the scanner may be stored in a medium such as a floppy disk or a memory stick, and may be input to the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side after being taken home.
[0147]
  When transmitting immediately using the communication means, the information read by the scanner and the contractor ID are paired and transmitted to the terminal 12. Thereby, on the terminal 12 side, it is possible to associate the contractor 1 with the information of the distribution item 6 delivered or supplemented to the contractor 1.
[0148]
  The operation of the terminal 12 will be described in more detail. The contractor 1 is specified from the information received by the communication unit 121. This can be performed by the arithmetic processing unit 122 identifying the contractor ID included in the received information. Next, the arithmetic processing part 122 calls the service management table (FIG. 10) regarding the specified contractor 1. The management table is created for each contractor 1 when the service target becomes clear at the time of contract.
[0149]
  Next, the arithmetic processing unit 122 extracts the ID number of the toner cartridge 60 included in the received information. The ID number is data to be input in the “all information (all digits)” field in the figure. FIG. 11B shows a state where input of all received information is completed. In the figure, serial numbers are assigned in the order of reception, but they may be sorted again for each color. Also, by temporarily storing all received information in the temporary storage area (or work area) of the storage unit 124 and identifying the color information (the most significant two digits of all information) included in all information, It is also possible to automatically input to the spare cartridge table as shown in FIG. At this time, in the case of the same color, the ID numbers may be compared and input to the table in ascending order of the numbers.
[0150]
  Also, on site, using a portable information terminal or the like, the information read by the scanner and the contractor ID are stored in pairs, and when returning to the service provider 10 home, the terminal 12 and the portable information terminal are connected by wire. Or you may make it transfer the information memorize | stored in the portable information terminal to the terminal 12 by performing infrared communication.
[0151]
  Alternatively, the collected information recording body 72 can be taken home without using a barcode scanner on site, and information can be read using an input unit 123 such as a barcode scanner connected to the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side, or You may make it input into the terminal 12 by manual input using a keyboard etc. FIG. Also in this case, information unique to the distribution item 6 is input in a pair with the contractor ID information. The former method of electronically reading and transmitting information on-site is more desirable because it is immediate and can eliminate the mistake that the contents of the delivery note differ from the actual replenishment item. .
[0152]
  Note that the process of inputting the information unique to the distribution item 6 in combination with the contractor ID information is performed on the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side before the distribution item 6 is sent from the service provider 10 to the contractor 1. Alternatively, a manual input may be performed using a keyboard or the like.
[0153]
  With the above operation, the number, type, and individual number information of the unused toner cartridge 60 delivered or supplemented to the contractor 1 side are accumulated in the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side.
[0154]
  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which information is electronically read and transmitted immediately on site.
[0155]
  The terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side updates information based on the received information. That is, FIG. 11B shows a case where two black, yellow, magenta, and cyan toner cartridges 60 are delivered, and different 20-digit code information is input for all of them. The delivery date is input as other information. In the explanation of the figure, from the viewpoint of the user interface, the display related to the type information such as the toner cartridge 60 is not limited to the code information, but the actual name such as “black toner” is supplementarily used. Yes. At this time, the arithmetic processing unit 122 determines for each toner cartridge 60 that information regarding each toner cartridge 60 is input to the spare cartridge table for the first time, so that all the usage status columns are “not yet (reserved)”. It is automatically displayed.
[0156]
  In the spare cartridge information table, No. One line designated by # (# is 1, 2, 3,...) May be referred to as a record.
[0157]
  The cartridge information table currently in use shown in FIG. 11A is different from the case where the unique information of the distribution item 6 is acquired through the public network 30 or when confirmation is made by telephone or e-mail. Since the information is input for the first time when the use of the distribution item 6 can be confirmed by the means, there is no change at the time immediately after the delivery, and the content is the same as FIG.
[0158]
  Next, the service person opens the toner cartridge 60 necessary for operating the image forming apparatus 2 and sets it in the image forming apparatus 2. Since the image forming apparatus 2 is already connected and set so as to be communicable with the outside and is in a communicable state, the image forming apparatus 2 sets the toner set on the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side. Information on the cartridge 60 is transmitted. On the terminal 12 side, in order to determine which contractor 1 is the information, it is transmitted together with the contractor ID.
[0159]
  The case where the above operation is automatically performed will be described below. The image forming apparatus 2 is generally provided with various sensors for detecting the opening / closing state of the door and whether or not the toner cartridge 60 is mounted, and the controller unit 213 has a function of monitoring each sensor. . When the mounting of the toner cartridge 60 is detected based on a signal from the toner cartridge sensor, the controller unit 213 instructs the reading unit 214 to read information stored in the IC chip 61 of the toner cartridge 60. Further, the transmission / reception unit 215 issues a transmission command to the transmission / reception unit 215 so as to transmit the information. Details of the operation will be described later.
[0160]
  The access to the IC chip 61 by the reading unit 214 may be performed periodically, or may be performed every time the image forming apparatus 2 is turned on. If it is performed when the power of the image forming apparatus 2 is turned on, even if the toner cartridge 60 is replaced when the power of the image forming apparatus 2 is shut off, it can be detected reliably.
[0161]
  In addition, when printing is performed remotely via the PC 3, generally, the print server function may collect the operating status of the output request destination printer, print capability information, etc. If the IC chip 61 is accessed by the unit 214, the processing flow can be simplified.
[0162]
  On the service provider 10 side, the arithmetic processing unit 122 of the terminal 12 is currently used in the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 based on the information received by the communication unit 121 as shown in FIG. Update the cartridge information column. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the use status column is displayed for the toner cartridge 60 that is input as the spare cartridge information and is set as currently used by the above operation. , “Not used (reserved)” is updated to “Currently in use”.
[0163]
  Whether the information received by the communication unit 121 includes the unique information of the newly used toner cartridge 60 is determined based on whether the same unique information is already recorded in the in-use cartridge table. 122 can detect by checking. In addition, the processing unit 122 displays the unique information of the toner cartridge 60 in which the usage status column is recorded as “Not (Reserved)” in the spare cartridge table and the unique information included in the information received by the communication unit 121. Compared with each other, for example, when the two match, it is possible to detect that the unique information of the newly used toner cartridge 60 is included in the information received by the communication unit 121.
[0164]
  This completes the initial setting / registration.
[0165]
  In the above description, information such as the model number of the image forming apparatus 2 and the ID number of each product is automatically sent to the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side. It may be registered in the terminal 12 by the unit 123.
[0166]
  (Exchange process)
  Next, the operation when the toner cartridge 60 is replaced will be described.
[0167]
  The device administrator or device user in the contractor 1 who has contracted with the service provider 10 is prepared as a spare based on the “toner cartridge replacement” message issued from the image forming apparatus 2. The toner cartridge 60 is replaced. In this embodiment, a case where only black toner is consumed will be described.
[0168]
  A used toner cartridge 60 (spare cartridge No. 1) is taken out from the image forming apparatus 2, and an unused toner cartridge 60 (spare cartridge No. 5) is mounted instead.
[0169]
  Hereinafter, the internal operation of the image forming apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0170]
  The image forming apparatus 2 is generally provided with a sensor for detecting whether or not the toner cartridge 60 is attached. Therefore, it is possible to detect the attachment / detachment and attachment of the toner cartridge 60 using the reaction result of the sensor.
[0171]
  FIGS. 9A and 9B show an example of mounting / removal operation of the toner cartridge 60 and sensor output at that time. The sensor output signal when the toner cartridge 60 is mounted is at a low level, and the sensor output signal when the toner cartridge 60 is detached is at a high level.
[0172]
  Next, the sensor circuit 219 generates a trigger pulse as shown in FIG. 5C based on the sensor output signal. That is, a pulse signal having a constant pulse width is generated with the falling edge of the sensor output signal as a timing. In terms of circuitry, a mono-multivibrator can be used to generate a pulse that rises at the fall timing of the sensor output signal, using the sensor output signal as the input signal of the mono-multivibrator. The sensor output signal may be input to the mono multivibrator through a Schmitt trigger circuit, a filter circuit, or the like so that the mono multivibrator does not malfunction due to noise or chattering included in the sensor output signal. .
[0173]
  As described above, the mounting timing of the toner cartridge 60 is detected, and this timing is used as a trigger for the reading unit 214 to operate.
[0174]
  Next, when the trigger is generated, the reading unit 214 accesses the IC chip 61 of the toner cartridge 60. FIG. 4D shows a period during which the reading unit 214 accesses the IC chip 61. Specifically, it is a strobe signal, and addressing and data reading are performed during this period. The read data is stored in a volatile memory such as a RAM.
[0175]
  With the falling edge of the strobe signal as a timing, a pulse signal having a constant pulse width is generated as shown in FIG.
[0176]
  The pulse signal is used as a timing signal for transmitting information read by the reading unit 214 by the transmission / reception unit 215. That is, information processing or the like is performed by the transmission / reception unit 215 according to the communication mode by the trigger pulse, and a transmission operation is performed as shown in FIG.
[0177]
  With the above operation, the image forming apparatus 2 transmits information including information specific to the toner cartridge 60 regarding the unused toner cartridge 60 to the terminal 12 of the service provider 10.
[0178]
  In the above description, the image forming apparatus 2 is provided with the sensor for detecting whether or not the toner cartridge 60 is mounted. However, if there is no sensor, a door sensor may be used. The door is provided to replace the toner cartridge 60 or to remove paper when a paper jam occurs. The door is provided with a door sensor for checking the open / closed state for safety. It is common. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 60 is replaced, an operation for opening and closing the door always occurs, and thus the opening and closing operation of the door sensor can be used as an access timing to the toner cartridge 60, though indirectly.
[0179]
  Furthermore, in the case of a device that does not have any sensors, it can be dealt with by programming the controller unit 213 so that an event for reading occurs at regular intervals.
[0180]
  In the terminal 12 of the service provider 10, the corresponding in-use cartridge table and the spare cartridge table are accessed by the arithmetic processing unit 122 based on the information unique to the contractor 1 and the toner cartridge 60, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1 and no. 5 usage status fields are updated to “used” and “currently in use”, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, only information on the black toner cartridge (replacement date, all information, unique information, number of spare cartridges) is updated in the in-use cartridge table.
[0181]
  That is, the arithmetic processing unit 122 includes the unique information of the toner cartridge 60 in which the usage status column is recorded as “Not (Reserved)” in the spare cartridge table and the unique information included in the information received by the communication unit 121. When the unique information of the toner cartridge 60 (spare cartridge No. 5) is detected by comparing the information with the information of the spare cartridge No. of the same color toner. 1 is a spare cartridge No. It is recognized that it was exchanged to 5. In other words, the arithmetic processing unit 122 functions as an exchange authorization unit that authorizes exchange of the circulation item 6 in the contractor 1 by detecting a change in information unique to the circulation item 6 received by the communication unit 121.
[0182]
  In addition, the arithmetic processing unit 122 determines whether the spare cartridge No. 5 is updated to “currently in use”. At the same time, the arithmetic processing unit 122 detects that the newly used toner cartridge 60 (spare cartridge No. 5) is for black toner, and the same black toner cartridge 60 (spare cartridge No. 1). ) Has been used, the spare cartridge no. The usage status column of 1 is updated to “used”. The spare cartridge table is updated by such a determination operation of the arithmetic processing unit 122.
[0183]
  At this stage, the arithmetic processing unit 122 detects that the number of spare black toner cartridges is zero, and notifies the service provider 10 of the stock status. -Ship the cartridge to the contractor 1. FIGS. 15A and 15B show this state. Nine new spare cartridge information is added.
[0184]
  As described above, the service provider 10 always monitors the spare toner cartridge information, and at the same time or before the spare toner cartridge 60 runs out, sends a new spare toner cartridge 60 to the contractor 1. By doing so, the lack of consumer goods on the contractor 1 side is prevented.
[0185]
  (Inventory management process)
  The overall processing performed by the arithmetic processing unit 122 of the terminal 12 will be described below using FIG.
[0186]
  Step [10] (S10)
  Information regarding the toner cartridge 60 whose use has been confirmed by the contractor 1 or whose use has been detected by the image forming apparatus 2 is acquired. In the present invention, the information regarding the toner cartridge 60 is an individual number (unique information) such as an ID number. The information may be acquired from the contractor 1 by another means such as telephone or e-mail, and then input from the input unit 123 and taken into the terminal 12 or may be publicly transmitted from the communication unit 121. A form directly taken in via the network 30 may be used.
[0187]
  Step [11] (S11)
  Based on the acquired unique information, the distribution information table (FIG. 7) for each contractor 1 stored in the storage unit 124 is accessed to identify the contractor 1. Electronically, the contractor ID assigned to each contractor 1 is specified.
[0188]
  Step [12] (S12)
  Access to the management table (in-use cartridge table and spare cartridge table) corresponding to the contractor 1 identified in the above step, whether there is a change in toner cartridge information, for example, the contents to be recorded in the “usage status” information column Check for changes. Confirmation of whether there is a change in usage status means that if the "usage status" information column of the acquired unique information is "currently used", that is, if the specific information has already been received, The processing is terminated because there is no change in the toner cartridge 60.
[0189]
  On the other hand, if the “usage status” information column is “not yet (reserved)”, that is, if the unique information is received for the first time after delivery of the toner cartridge 60 to the contractor 1, a new toner cartridge is received. It is determined that the use of 60 is detected. In addition to the above-described confirmation of whether the usage status has changed, the value of the unique information received last time is stored in the storage unit 124, and the stored value is compared with the value of the unique information received this time. It may be in the form of judging.
[0190]
  Step [13] (S13)
  If there is no change between the received information and the stored information as a result of the determination, the date information such as the update date is updated and the process ends. Alternatively, the process returns to the step [10], and shifts to the toner cartridge information reception standby mode. By describing the date of update, it is possible to confirm when the information in the management table is information, and to determine whether the information needs to be updated by comparing the date and time with the current date and time Thus, reliable inventory management can be performed.
[0191]
  Step [14] (S14)
  If there is a change in the toner cartridge information as a result of the determination in step [12], the unique information is analyzed to identify the color information. The color information can be specified by searching the upper two digits of the unique information according to the rules shown in Tables 1 to 3 and the like.
[0192]
  Step [15] (S15)
  The number of stocks is calculated for the acquired color using the spare cartridge table. Specifically, based on the “color information” field, for the acquired color information, the record where the “usage status” information field is entered as “not yet (preliminary)” is detected, and the detected record This can be done by summing the numbers. For example, in the case of FIG. 11B, the number of stocks for the black toner cartridge is 2 (No. 1 and No. 5), but in the case of FIG. 12B, 1 (only No. 5). It becomes. The calculated inventory quantity data is temporarily stored in a memory such as a RAM.
[0193]
  Step [16] (S16)
  The number of stocks is input into the “number of spare cartridges” information column of the in-use cartridge table and / or the “stock number” information column of the later-described inventory management information table shown in FIG. If there is no replenishment of the new distribution item 6, it is executed by decrementing the value already input. Also, date information such as update date is updated.
[0194]
  Step [17] (S17)
  A specified value n ′, which is a criterion for determining whether or not to replenish the circulation product 6, is read from the storage unit 124 and compared with the calculated inventory number n. As a result of the comparison, if the inventory quantity n is within the specified value n ′, the arithmetic processing unit 122 determines that a new toner cartridge 60 needs to be replenished, and proceeds to step [18], where the inventory quantity n is the specified value. If it exceeds n ′, it is determined that replenishment of a new toner cartridge 60 is unnecessary, and the process proceeds to Step [19].
[0195]
  Step [18] (S18)
  As a result of the comparison, if the number of stocks n is within the specified value n ′, it is determined that a new toner cartridge 60 needs to be replenished, and the specified contractor 1 is specified to the shipping department or the like. The toner cartridge 60 is sent out.
[0196]
  Step [19] (S19)
  It is determined whether there is another distribution item 6 for inventory management. Specifically, it is determined whether or not there is other received unique information. If there is no other unique information, the process is terminated, and if it exists, the process returns to Step [10] to perform the same process.
[0197]
  As described above, the arithmetic processing unit 122 can perform inventory management based on the management table.
[0198]
  Next, an inventory management method will be described. In order for the terminal 12 to perform the above processing electronically, when the number of delivered items 6 is nf, the number of used items 6 is nu, and the current inventory number is n, the arithmetic processing unit If n = nf−nu is calculated by 122 and n = nf−nu = n ′ (≧ 0), an instruction to ship is issued. The specified value n 'provides a reference for issuing an instruction to ship, and if n' = 0, a replenishment instruction for a new distribution item 6 is given in a situation where there is no stock.
[0199]
  Further, the values of the replenishment number nf and the inventory number n are stored in the storage unit 124, and values are read from the storage unit 124 when the above calculation is performed. Further, when a new replenishment is performed, the value is updated. The value of the replenishment number nf can be calculated by obtaining the total number of records for each color toner cartridge in FIG. For example, the replenishment number nf of the black toner cartridge in the case of FIG.
[0200]
  Further, the value of the usage number nu is calculated as follows.
[0201]
  The accumulated use number up to the previous time is stored in the storage unit 124, and the use number as the latest information input to the terminal 12 this time is added to the accumulated use number. Thereby, the latest usage number nu can be calculated. For example, in FIG. 12B and the like, the usage number nu can be calculated by adding all the numbers displayed as “used” and “in use” in the usage status column. Also in this case, the cumulative use numerical value stored in the storage unit 124 is updated.
[0202]
  The instruction content for shipping may be displayed on the output unit 125 of the terminal 12 or the local network 32 connected to the communication unit 121 may be used in the company of the service provider 10. Notification may be made to the shipping department by means of e-mail or the like. Further, using the public network 30 connected to the communication unit 121, the contractor 1 may be notified of the shipping notice. With reference to FIG. 17, the shipping timing of the distribution item 6 will be described.
[0203]
  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the inventory status of the circulation item 6 in the contractor 1, where the horizontal axis represents a time axis such as the number of days and the vertical axis represents the inventory number n. Here, the maximum value and the minimum value of the stock quantity n are set to nmax = 3 and nmin = 0, respectively, and the specified value n ′ = nmin = 0 is shown.
[0204]
  As shown in FIG. 4B, at the time T3 when the inventory number n in the period d1 is 3, the inventory number n in the period d2 is 2, the inventory number n in the period d3 is 1, and n = n ′ = 0. In addition, the arithmetic processing unit 122 issues a command to instruct shipping. Upon receiving this instruction, the shipping center or the like performs necessary processing, and ships the necessary number (three in this case) of the articles 6 to the contractor 1. FIG. 4C shows the timing when the contractor 1 receives the distribution item 6.
[0205]
  Also, in FIG. 8D, the contractor 1 actually accepts the circulation 6 from the difference between FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C, that is, from the time T3 when the instruction to ship is issued. The time ΔT1 required until the time T4 is shown.
[0206]
  Although the inventory quantity at time T3 is 0, since three items 6 are replenished at time T4, the inventory quantity of the contractor 1 is 3 at time T4 as shown in FIG. It becomes. Further, d4 in FIG. 4A indicates the consumption period when the number of stocks is 0, that is, the consumption period of the toner cartridge 60 mounted on the device, and the toner cartridge 60 is also completely consumed at time T5. Is done. Therefore, if there is no stock at this point, the device becomes inoperable.
[0207]
  However, in this embodiment, the circulation 6 is replenished at the time T4 when T3 ≦ T4 ≦ T5, preferably at the time T4 when T3 ≦ T4 <T5, so that the problem of depletion does not occur.
[0208]
  At time T3, the toner cartridge 60 attached to the device is new, so even if there is no replenishment at time T4, until the toner cartridge 60 is consumed (period d4 in the figure) The device is operational.
[0209]
  (E) shows a linear approximation of the consumption speeds α1, α2, α3, α4, α5,... In each of the consumption periods d1, d2, d3, d4, d5,. The value of the consumption speed is a value proportional to the reciprocal of each consumption period d1, d2, d3, d4, d5,. Thus, in general,
  d1 ≠ d2 ≠ d3 ≠ d4 ≠ ... ≠ di ≠ ...
Therefore,
  α1 ≠ α2 ≠ α3 ≠ α4 ≠ ... ≠ αi ≠ ...
Therefore, it is very difficult to predict the number of inventory at a certain time. In addition, the actual consumption speed curve is not linear, but draws various curves, making prediction more difficult.
[0210]
  However, in the present invention, the inventory quantity is detected by detecting that the toner cartridge 60 is actually attached to the image forming apparatus 2 without using the means of prediction, and therefore the inventory quantity can be accurately detected. Can do. Furthermore, when confirming the installation of the toner cartridge 60, information (individual number) unique to the installed toner cartridge 60 is detected, and the unique information is unique information pre-registered in the storage unit 124 of the terminal 12. In addition, only when the unique information is detected for the first time after delivery of the toner cartridge 60, the arithmetic processing unit 122 determines that “the cartridge has been replaced”, so that the number of stocks can be automatically and reliably detected. it can.
[0211]
  (Inventory control)
  Next, an easy-to-use inventory management method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18A shows an example of an inventory information management screen, which is a screen specially created for inventory management. The management table (used cartridge table, spare cartridge table) described above, and distribution items It is the screen which integrated and displayed information, such as an information table and a contractor table. For example, the value in the “stock number” information column corresponds to the value in the “reserve cartridge number” information column of the in-use cartridge table.
[0212]
  The inventory information management screen is displayed on the terminal 12 of the service provider 10 and / or the display unit of the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 or the server 5 of the contractor 1. As described above, if the contractor 1 is allowed to use the stock information management screen, the stock information management screen only displays information and cannot write information. Therefore, the service provider 10 can reliably and independently manage the information. Alternatively, access to the information screen may be restricted, and for example, information writing may be controlled by determining an access number for accessing the information screen that is normally used.
[0213]
  On the inventory information management screen, the contractor No. Information for identifying the contractor 1 such as the contractor name, contents of the contract object, inventory information, and the like are prepared.
[0214]
  As the inventory information, the latest inventory quantity at the current time, in this case, at 3:09 pm on June 20, 2000, is displayed for each type of distribution such as a black toner cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge. This is because information specific to the toner cartridge 60 is recorded, the information is electronically read out, and transmitted to the terminal 12 of the service provider 10 via the public network 30 to check the inventory quantity in real time. Because it can.
[0215]
  By clicking the “latest information” button on the right of the time information, it is possible to inquire about the latest information at the present time and display the result. In other words, when the “latest information” button is clicked, the arithmetic processing unit 122 of the terminal 12 passes through the communication unit 121 and the public network 30 to the corresponding image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 for the currently installed cartridge. Give instructions to send unique information.
[0216]
  On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 2 corresponding to the contractor 1 receives the above instruction by the transmission / reception unit 215, the controller unit 213 stores the reading unit 214 in the IC chip 61 of the currently installed toner cartridge 60. Instruct to read the information. When the reading is completed, the controller unit 213 adds the contractor information or / and the ID information of the image forming apparatus 2 to the information, and instructs the transmission / reception unit 215 to transmit the information to the terminal 12 of the service provider 10. .
[0217]
  As described above, based on the transmitted information, the arithmetic processing unit 122 of the terminal 12 compares the currently sent cartridge information with the cartridge information stored in the storage unit 124, and if there is no change, Only the current confirmation point information is updated. That is, in the current confirmation time display field, for example, if the current date and time is 9:40 am on June 25, 2000, then from 9:09 pm on June 20, 2000 to 9 am on June 25, 2000. The process is updated at 40 minutes, and other information is not updated.
[0218]
  On the other hand, the cartridge information of the previous time (here, June 20, 2000, 3:09 pm) stored in the storage unit 124 and the cartridge information of this time (here, June 25, 2000, 9:40 am) If it is determined that the information is different (particularly, the individual number of the toner cartridge 60 is different), it can be determined that the toner cartridge 60 has been exchanged between the previous confirmation and the current time. Update information that has changed. For example, when the magenta cartridge has been replaced, the arithmetic processing unit 122 decrements the stock number of the magenta cartridge, and updates it from 3 to 2, for example. Also in this case, the current confirmation time point information is updated at the same time as described above.
[0219]
  In the example shown in FIG. 18, it can be seen that the number of black toner cartridges in stock is two and, as additional information, the replenishment date (previous delivery date) when the black toner cartridge was replenished and the next replenishment schedule The date (next delivery date) is also displayed.
[0220]
  Further, by clicking the “contractor detailed information button”, the screen shown in FIG. 17B is displayed. The contractor detailed information includes the contractor ID used to identify the contractor 1, the contractor name, the address, the contact information such as the e-mail address / phone number, the contract date, and the payment method. ing.
[0221]
  Further, by clicking the “contract object detail information button”, the screen shown in FIG. 17D is displayed. The information includes device main body information for mounting a cartridge as a contract object, and it can be seen from the figure that the service is for one image forming apparatus called AR-2000 LIBRE.
[0222]
  Further, an individual detailed information button is prepared on the right side of the inventory quantity confirmation column in FIG. 17A. For example, when “detailed information (B)” for a black toner cartridge is clicked, FIG. The screen shown in c) is displayed. According to the information, it is possible to know information specific to each of the two inventory numbers, and to check whether the toner cartridge 60 is appropriate for the apparatus main body based on the information. it can. The unique information is information obtained in the registration process described above.
[0223]
  By displaying the inventory management information screen as described above on the terminal 12 of the service provider 10, it is possible to confirm whether inventory management is being performed reliably.
[0224]
  In addition, when it is known in advance that a large amount of printing is performed by displaying or notifying the contractor 1 side, for example, and it is determined that the current stock quantity cannot be covered, the description has been given with reference to FIG. The contractor 1 can place an additional order without waiting for such a normal replenishment time (in this case, T3 or the like).
[0225]
  [Other variations]
  Next, another modification will be described.
[0226]
  In the above example, the time ΔT1 from the replenishment instruction until the flowed product 6 is actually refilled is shorter than the period d4 until one flowed product 6 is completely consumed, and d4> ΔT1 is guaranteed. If the inventory quantity becomes 0, the distribution item 6 may be shipped, but there is no guarantee that the condition is always satisfied. Therefore, if d4 ≦ ΔT1 due to an unexpected situation, There is a risk that the toner cartridge 60 will be depleted.
[0227]
  The timing for sending the spare toner cartridge 60 to the contractor 1 and the determination thereof are set in advance as a reference value n ′ (≠ 0) other than 0 and stored as a spare on the contractor 1 side. By comparing with the number of stocks n
  n = n ′ or n ′ ≧ n ≠ 0
Do this when it becomes. As a result, as shown in FIG. 23, since the replenishment instruction is given to the contractor 1 when the distribution item 6 is in stock, unexpectedly large consumption of the distribution item occurs compared to the case of n ′ = 0. Even so, the risk of depletion of the circulation 6 decreases. From this point of view, it is better to set the specified value n ′ larger.
[0228]
  On the other hand, as can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 17 and FIG. 19, since the replenishment instruction is given to the contractor 1 when the distribution item 6 is in stock, the number of shipments (shipment frequency) rather increases. In addition, there is a circumstance that the contractor 1 such as an individual user does not want to have the distribution item 6 as stock as much as possible. In these cases, it is better to set the specified value n 'small.
[0229]
  As described above, since the degree of risk and the number of shipments are in a trade-off relationship, an appropriate specified value n ′ may be set based on experience. As shown in FIG. 18C, the value of the specified value n ′ can be confirmed and changed in the “shipment instruction condition (n ′)” information column.
[0230]
  Further, the number of distribution items 6 to be shipped may be determined between the service provider 10 and the contractor 1 at the start of the service, or may be determined based on past results. Alternatively, when a service with no track record is started, a predetermined number is used, and when the track record is generated and the number of consumption can be grasped and forecasted, the past track record, for example, the previous month track record or the cumulative average so far A value can be used.
[0231]
  Hereinafter, a description will be given based on FIG.
[0232]
  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the inventory status of the circulation item 6 in the contractor 1, where the horizontal axis represents a time axis such as the number of days and the vertical axis represents the inventory number n. Here, as an example, nmax = 3 and nmin = 1 are set, and n ′ = nmin = 1 is shown.
[0233]
  At time T2 when the inventory quantity in the period d1 is 3, the inventory quantity in the period d2 is 2, and n = n ′ = 1, as shown in FIG. In response to this instruction, the shipping center or the like performs necessary procedures, and sends the necessary number (two in this case) of the articles 6 to the contractor 1. FIG. 4C shows the timing when the contractor 1 receives the distribution item 6.
[0234]
  In FIG. 19D, the contractor 1 actually accepts the circulation 6 from the difference between FIG. 19B and FIG. 19C, that is, from the time T2 when the instruction to ship is issued. The time ΔT1 required until the time T3 is shown.
[0235]
  Since two items 6 are replenished at time T3, the number of inventory of the contractor 1 is 3 at time T3 as shown in FIG. Further, the middle dotted line in FIG. 9A shows the consumption period d3 in which the stock quantity is 1, and the stock quantity becomes 0 at time T4 if the circulation 6 is not replenished at time T3. At time T4, since the toner cartridge 60 mounted on the device is new, even if there is no replenishment at time T3, the toner cartridge 60 is consumed until it is consumed (period d4 in the figure). The device is operational.
[0236]
  FIG. 9E shows a linear approximation of the consumption speeds α1, α2, α3,... During the consumption periods d1, d2, d3,. The value of the consumption speed is a value proportional to the reciprocal of each consumption period d1, d2, d3,. Thus, in general,
  d1 ≠ d2 ≠ d3 ≠ ... ≠ di ≠ ...
Therefore,
  α1 ≠ α2 ≠ α3 ≠ ・ ・ ・ ≠ αi ≠ ・ ・ ・
Therefore, it is very difficult to predict the number of inventory at a certain time. In addition, the actual consumption speed curve is not linear, but draws various curves, making prediction more difficult.
[0237]
  However, in the present invention, the inventory quantity is detected by detecting that the toner cartridge 60 is actually attached to the image forming apparatus 2 without using the means of prediction, and therefore the inventory quantity can be accurately detected. Can do. Furthermore, when confirming the mounting of the toner cartridge 60, the individual number of the mounted toner cartridge 60 is detected, the individual number is an individual number pre-registered in the storage unit 124 of the terminal 12, and a new individual Since the arithmetic processing unit 122 determines that “the cartridge has been replaced” only when the number is given, it can be automatically and reliably performed.
[0238]
  Depending on the situation of the shipping center, the time ΔTi (i = 1, 2,...) From when the shipping instruction is given until the distribution item 6 actually arrives at the contractor's home is not necessarily constant. In some cases, ΔT1 ≠ ΔT2 as shown in FIG. At this time,
ΔTi <dj (i, j = 1, 2,...)
In this embodiment, since j = i + 2,
ΔTi <di + 2 (i = 1, 2,...)
If so, there is no problem because the replenishment 6 is replenished before the stock runs out. However,
ΔTi> di + 2 (i = 1, 2,...)
In this case, attention must be paid, and as described above, the replenishment timing is determined when the number of stocks n is n ≠ 0, that is, new distribution is performed when, for example, n = 1 as in this embodiment. By replenishing the item 6, it is necessary to prevent the distributed item 6 from being depleted.
[0239]
  In this way, replenishment of a new distribution item 6 is performed by taking into consideration the danger of the distribution item 6 being depleted, the number of distribution items 6 as inventory acceptable on the contractor 1 side, the complexity of replenishment / collection work, and the like. The value of the specified value n ′ as a reference for performing the service is set to an appropriate value, and an unexpected situation on the service provider 10 side, for example, the shortage of the distribution product 6 due to a manufacturing trouble, If there is an arrival, or if there is an unexpected situation on the device user's side, such as early consumption of the product 6 due to temporary mass printing, etc. can do.
[0240]
  (Billing process)
  Next, a charging processing method will be described. FIG. 20 shows a list of consumables to be charged (charging list [1] to [3]). The billing target period is, for example, in units of one month. The consumables list is used, for example, from the closing date of billing calculation (in this embodiment, 15th of every month) to one month before based on the spare cartridge table shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 12 (b) The extracted cartridge information is extracted. The extraction method at this time is for those used or currently in use in the spare cartridge table usage column, and the usage date is one month before the accounting calculation deadline. It is done by doing.
[0241]
  In FIG. 20, a list for the past three months is displayed.
[0242]
  As described above, in the present invention, an embodiment is employed in which only the toner cartridge 60 actually used by the contractor 1 is charged, and the unused toner cartridge 60 is not charged. As a result, the contractor 1 side can use the image forming apparatus 2 without having an unnecessary inventory, without causing a lack of consumables, and without performing complicated management. It becomes possible.
[0243]
  The greatest feature of the present invention is that the number of spare cartridges is confirmed by detecting that a new toner cartridge 60 has been installed based on information inherent to each toner cartridge 60. It is. Thus, both management of the conventional image forming apparatus itself and inventory management of spare cartridges can be realized by a single management method.
[0244]
  (Management table update flow)
  Next, a processing procedure performed by a computer that newly registers and updates a service management table (in-use cartridge table and spare cartridge table) will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0245]
  (1) New registration process for spare cartridge table
  The flowchart of FIG. 21 shows the flow of the control operation of the arithmetic processing unit 122 when the spare cartridge table new registration process is performed manually.
[0246]
  Step [20] (S20)
  First, a spare cartridge table new registration screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the output unit 125 in response to an instruction to execute a program for newly registering a spare cartridge table. The program for newly registering the spare cartridge table is a program for performing the processes of S21 to S27 described below. The program is preinstalled in the storage unit 124 of the terminal 12, and the execution is performed by detecting the click of the execution button of the new registration program displayed on the output unit 125 of the terminal 12.
[0247]
  Step [21] (S21)
  Next, the “contractor ID”, “main body model” information, and the “all information (all digits)” information column in the spare cartridge information column are ready for input, and input of information from the input unit 123 is awaited. Is displayed. For example, an input location is displayed and prompted using a prompt. FIG. 10 shows a state after “contractor ID” and “main body model” information is input.
[0248]
  Step [22] (S22)
  Next, it is detected whether or not a confirmation command has been generated for the input content on the registration screen by clicking the confirmation button. If it occurs, the process proceeds to S23, and if it does not occur, the process enters a standby state.
[0249]
  Step [23] (S23)
  Subsequently, in S23, it is detected whether or not all of the information and the information column (information that must be input) have been input. If there is an input, the process proceeds to S24. If there is an item that has not been input, the process proceeds to S25.
[0250]
  Step [24] (S24)
  In S24, based on the unique information input in the “all information (all digits)” information column, the product name and model number are read out by referring to the “remarks” column of the distribution information table shown in FIG. Transfer to the "Color information" column, "Model information" column, etc. on the cartridge table. Also, the date for the “Delivery Date” field is entered by entering the unique information in the “All Information (All Digits)” field, so that the entered date, that is, the date when the toner cartridge 60 was delivered to the contractor 1 is displayed. It may be automatically written. The timer function of the terminal 12 is used for automatic input of this date.
[0251]
  This step is intended to improve the operability for the operator of the terminal 12. That is, since the operator cannot determine the specific name of the product, model number, etc. only by the specific information (here, “all information”) of the toner cartridge 60 that has been digitized, it is added. These steps are not necessarily required in computer processing.
[0252]
  Step [25] (S25)
  If all the information and information fields are not input in S23, an input prompt message is displayed in S25, and the process returns to S21. In more detail,
   "All information (all digits) has not been entered."
And a confirmation button for the message are displayed, and when the click of the confirmation button is detected, the process returns to the state of S21. Note that the state of S21 in this case simply means that the input is possible, and does not clear already input information.
[0253]
  Step [26] (S26)
  Subsequent to S24, whether or not a new registration of the spare cartridge table is completed and a registration command is generated by clicking the registration button is repeatedly detected until the registration command is generated.
[0254]
  Step [27] (S27)
  If a registration command is generated in S36, the information is stored in the spare cartridge table.
[0255]
  The new registration process is completed by the above steps, and the management screen changes as shown in FIGS.
[0256]
  With the above operation, the number, type, and individual number information of the unused toner cartridge 60 delivered to the contractor 1 side are accumulated in the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side.
[0257]
  (2) Spare cartridge table update processing
  Next, the flow of the control operation of the arithmetic processing unit 122 related to the automatic update process of the spare cartridge table, the inventory management, and the pirated copy detection process will be further described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0258]
  Step [30] (S30)
  First, a determination is made as to whether or not information on the distribution item 6 (contractor ID, information specific to the toner cartridge 60, etc.) has been received from the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 via the communication unit 121. If the information is received, the process proceeds to S31. As described above, since the contractor ID can be specified based on the unique information of the toner cartridge 60, there is no problem even if the contractor ID is not received.
[0259]
  Step [31] (S31)
  The contractor ID is detected from the information of the distribution item 6 received in S30, and the corresponding contractor ID is selected from the plurality of spare cartridge tables stored in the storage unit 124 based on the detected contractor ID. Is read out from the spare cartridge table (FIG. 11B). The output unit 125 displays the read spare cartridge table as necessary.
[0260]
  Step [32] (S32)
  Next, the “usage status” column of the spare cartridge table is searched for the toner cartridge 60 including the unique information (all information) received in S30.
[0261]
  Step [33] (S33)
  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the corresponding “usage status” column is recorded as “not yet reserved”. As a result of the determination, if the “use status” column is recorded as “not yet (reserved)”, the process proceeds to S34, and if not, the process proceeds to S43.
[0262]
  Step [34] (S34)
  If it is determined in S33 that the “use status” column is “not yet (reserved)”, the color information is read out from the unique information (all information) of the toner cartridge 60 received in S30, whereby the toner cartridge 60 Identify the color type. The specific method will be described. According to the rules for creating unique information described above, the most significant 4 digits of the received unique information (all information) are information on the color type and the applicable model. This color type and applicable model can be specified by referring to the distribution information table given in Tables 1 to 3 and the like.
[0263]
  For example, in the case shown in FIG. 13B, the information on the distribution item 6 received as of June 12, 2000 is No. The toner cartridge 60 of No. 5 can be determined from the information “0000” in the most significant four digits as the information regarding the black toner cartridge 60 adapted to the image forming apparatus 2 of the AR-2000 model.
[0264]
  When there is only one image forming apparatus 2 as a service target of the contractor 1, individual recording or reading of model information can be omitted, and only the most significant two-digit color information is determined. Good.
[0265]
  Step [35] (S35)
  Next, the “use status” column of the toner cartridge 60 including the color information specified in S34 is searched for the spare cartridge table.
[0266]
  Step [36] (S36)
  As a result of the search in the “usage status” column in S35, it is determined whether or not there is a “usage status” column recorded as “currently in use”. As a result of the determination, if there is a “use status” field recorded as “currently used”, the process proceeds to S37, and if not, the process proceeds to S38.
[0267]
  More specifically, if there is no “use status” column that is recorded as “currently used” in this step, the unique information is registered after the unique information is registered in the spare cartridge table. This is the first case for the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1. That is, one of the unused toner cartridges 60 that has been delivered to the contractor 1 is first attached to the image forming apparatus 2, and its unique information is read by the reading unit 4 and transmitted to the terminal 12.
[0268]
  If there is a “use status” field recorded as “currently used” in this step, the toner cartridge 60 recorded as “currently used” has received unique information in step S30. This corresponds to the case where the toner cartridge 60 is replaced. That is, as a result of removing the toner cartridge 60 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 and replacing it with one of the unused toner cartridges 60 that have been delivered to the contractor 1, the unique information is read by the reading unit 214. It is read and transmitted to the terminal 12.
[0269]
  Therefore, when the corresponding “use status” column of the toner cartridge 60 including the received unique information is recorded as “not yet (preliminary)” in the above S33, the record is stored for the service provider 10 as a contractor. This is information indicating that a distribution item is newly attached to one image forming apparatus 2.
[0270]
  In S33, the corresponding “usage status” column of the toner cartridge 60 including the received unique information is recorded as “not yet (preliminary)”, and in S36, the “usage status” column is “current”. When there is a “use status” column recorded as “used”, both “not used (reserved)” and “currently used” are recorded in the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 for the service provider 10. This is information indicating that the circulation has been exchanged.
[0271]
  Step [37] (S37)
  Therefore, in S36, if there is a “usage status” column recorded as “currently used”, the process proceeds to this step, and the “usage status” column recorded as “currently used” is displayed as “ It is updated to “used”, and the process proceeds to S38.
[0272]
  In this way, the processing of S35 to 37 described above corresponds to a step of specifying the distribution item 6 used by the contractor 1 among the distribution items 6 delivered to the contractor 1 (service recipient).
[0273]
  The distribution item 6 used by the contractor 1 may be specified based on the contents of the “use status” column of the spare cartridge table as described above. You may perform based on the frequency | count of acquisition of specific information. In other words, if the unique information is acquired for the first time after delivery to the contractor 1, the detected distribution item 6 has been put on the image forming apparatus 2 and placed in a use state. If the second and subsequent acquisitions can be specified, it can be specified that the product has been mounted on the image forming apparatus 2 at least once and placed in use, and is not an unused stock item.
[0274]
  Step [38] (S38)
  In this step, the “usage status” column is updated from “not used (reserved)” to “currently in use” for the toner cartridge 60 including the unique information (all information) of the toner cartridge 60 received in S30.
[0275]
  As a result, both when the toner cartridge 60 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 2 for the first time and when the mounted toner cartridge 60 is replaced with another new toner cartridge 60, both the “use status of the spare cartridge table” In the “column”, “currently in use” is recorded, and the toner cartridge 60 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 can be identified based on the record.
[0276]
  Step [39] (S39)
  Subsequent to S38, in this step, when the “use status” column of the toner cartridge 60 that received the unique information in S30 is “not yet reserved”, the unique information is detected in the “use date” column. Enter the date of the current day. As described above, the timer function of the terminal 12 is used for the automatic input of the date, and a method of reading and copying the timer value at the time when the unique information is received can be employed.
[0277]
  Step [40] (S40)
  Next, for the toner cartridge 60 including the color information specified in S34, the number of “unused (reserved)” in the “usage status” column is checked.
[0278]
  Step [41] (S41)
  Subsequently, the number obtained in S40 is compared with a specified value, and it is determined whether or not the number of toner cartridges 60 whose “use status” column is “not yet (reserved)” is equal to or less than the specified value. . If the determination result is less than or equal to the specified value, the process proceeds to S42.
[0279]
  If the determination result exceeds the specified value, the spare cartridge table update process is terminated. Alternatively, the process may be returned to S30 and the spare cartridge table update process may be repeated.
[0280]
  Step [42] (S42)
  If the number of toner cartridges 60 in which the “usage status” column is “not yet (reserved)” is equal to or less than the specified value in S41, the color toner placed at hand of the contractor 1 Since this means that the inventory of the cartridges 60 is low, a shipping process for supplying the contractor 1 with the toner cartridges 60 is performed. The details of inventory management are as described above.
[0281]
  Step [43] (S43)
  On the other hand, if the “usage status” column of the toner cartridge 60 including the received unique information is not “not yet reserved” in S33, the process proceeds to this step, and the “usage status” column is displayed. It is further determined whether or not “currently in use”.
[0282]
  Step [44] (S44)
  If the “usage status” column is “currently used” in S43, the toner cartridge 60 is not replaced in the image forming apparatus 2, but the same toner cartridge 60 will be described later. As such, it is determined that it has been inserted or removed for some reason. Therefore, in this case, the spare cartridge table is not updated.
[0283]
  Step [45] (S45)
  On the other hand, if the “usage status” column is not “currently used” in S43, there is no record of the corresponding toner cartridge 60, or the “usage status” column is “used”. It corresponds to an abnormal state such as. That is, since the toner cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus 2 is suspected of being a pirated version, the cause investigation process is performed. Specifically, a warning message is displayed on the display screen of the output unit 125, or a local network 22 connected to the communication unit 121 is used to send information to an in-house management department of the service provider 10 by means of e-mail or the like. Processing such as notification is performed.
[0284]
  An example of the result of the above processing is shown in FIG. Compared with FIG. 1 and no. It can be seen that 5 records have been updated.
[0285]
  Next, the update of the in-use cartridge table will be described. Basically, only a part of the above-described spare cartridge table is extracted, and the data contents are not processed at all. It has been organized. As described above, if the data subject is only the spare cartridge table and the correction of the information in the in-use cartridge table is prohibited, it is possible to always maintain the same data between the two tables.
[0286]
  To explain in more detail, in the spare cartridge table, if the record in which the “Used Date” information field is entered and there are multiple records with matching color type information, the “Used Date” information field is the latest The record information is displayed.
[0287]
  Therefore, in the case of FIG. 11B, information is partially input, but since the “use date” information column is not input, information is stored in the corresponding in-use cartridge table of FIG. 11A. Is not entered at all.
[0288]
  In the example shown in FIG. 13B, the record having “00” as the color information is No. 1 and No. No. 5 exists, but as a result of comparing the “use date” information fields of both, No. 5 is shown. The information of record 5 is displayed.
[0289]
  [Embodiment 2]
  In the previous embodiment, the image forming apparatus 2 as the contract target used on the contractor 1 side is always connected to the terminal 12 of the service provider 10. However, the connection frequency in view of the frequency of cartridge replacement. May be once / day or once / week, once / month or the like. The connection time for the contractor 1 to transmit information between the contractor 1 and the service provider 10 is set in advance. For example, in the case of 1 time / day, the connection is made at 24:00. The event content generated from 23:59 to 23:59 is stored in a storage means (not shown) and transmitted to the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side at the connection time.
[0290]
  When the replacement of the toner cartridge 60 is performed, information on the newly installed toner cartridge 60 is transmitted. When the replacement of the toner cartridge 60 is not performed at all, the information of the currently installed toner cartridge 60 is transmitted. Send information or information that means no change. Even when the toner cartridge 60 has not been replaced, it is possible to distinguish whether the toner cartridge 60 has not actually been replaced or due to a malfunction in the communication itself by transmitting some information. it can.
[0291]
  On the other hand, the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side covers at least the time zone transmitted from the device on the contractor 1 side, for example, between 23:55 and 24:05 (5 minutes before and after the start of connection). Thus, the active state is set. Here, the active state means that the information transmitted from the device on the contractor 1 side can be accurately processed.
[0292]
  By limiting the connection time as described above, the communication line cost can be reduced in the case of a telephone line, and the communication devices (215, 121, etc.) on both the contractor 1 side and the service provider 10 side can be reduced. Power consumption can be reduced.
[0293]
  The image forming apparatus 2 is generally turned off during non-working hours such as at night. However, when the connection time is set to the non-working hours as described above, the image forming apparatus 2 2. When the power of the communication unit is turned off at the same time as the power of the main body 2 is turned off, the communication is disabled. It is better to do so. In addition, the memory of the storage means is a rewritable non-volatile memory so that the contents of the storage means stored up to that point will not be erased even if the communication means is turned off by mistake. It is preferable that
[0294]
  [Embodiment 3]
  When the image forming apparatus 2 is used, there is a case where a paper jam occurs inside the apparatus due to a trouble mainly caused by the apparatus conveyance system, so-called paper jam. In this case, it is necessary to take out cartridges that can be inserted and removed in order to remove the paper.
[0295]
  When the same cartridge that is not related to cartridge replacement is inserted and removed, it is complicated to send information one by one according to the procedure described in the above embodiment.
[0296]
  On the other hand, in the service provider 10 on the receiver side, it is meaningless to receive such unusable information, and as described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16, the update date column and the like are updated. In the case of billing calculation, there is a risk of performing an incorrect calculation.
[0297]
  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the same cartridge is inserted and removed, cartridge information is not transmitted. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 23, the image forming apparatus 2 is provided with a calculation unit 218. The calculation unit 218 includes a storage unit 81 and a comparison unit 82. The comparison unit 82 compares the latest information input from the reading unit 214 with information already stored. Then, the information is transmitted to the transmission unit 215 and the stored contents stored in the storage unit 81 are updated. If they are the same, processing is performed so that neither storage update nor information transmission is performed.
[0298]
  Note that the calculation unit 218 is not required to be provided separately, and may be configured to be included in the function of the controller unit 213.
[0299]
  In the case of an image forming apparatus having a storage device such as a hard disk as a part of the image forming function, the hard disk can be used as the storage unit 81.
[0300]
  [Embodiment 4]
  In the previous embodiment, the method was handled on the contractor 1 side, but there is a problem that it is necessary to separately provide a calculation unit 218, leading to an increase in cost of the apparatus.
[0301]
  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the received information is the same as the information already registered as “currently used” on the service provider 10 side, the arithmetic processing unit 122 is the insertion / removal of the same cartridge. If it is different, it is determined that the cartridge has been replaced, and processing is performed to update the spare cartridge table and the used cartridge table. Such processing may be realized by hardware similar to that described in the previous embodiment, or may be performed by software processing in the terminal 12. The latter is better because of its versatility, cost, and flexibility in responding to changes in control methods.
[0302]
  [Embodiment 5]
  In this embodiment, a system in which a plurality of manufacturing apparatuses and processing apparatuses and a server are connected to a local network will be described. Note that the inventory management method is the same as that of the image forming apparatus described above, and will not be described.
[0303]
  (Network configuration)
  This will be described with reference to FIG.
[0304]
  As shown in FIG. 24, globally, the manufacturing apparatus 41 of the contractor 1 and the terminal 12 of the service provider 10 are network-connected by the public network 30, and further the terminal 12 of the service provider 10 and the public The server 5 that is network-connected by the network 30 may be prepared between the manufacturing apparatus 41 and the public network 30. The server 5 is locally connected to a plurality of manufacturing apparatuses 41 belonging to the group 1 through a local network 31 such as an in-house intranet.
[0305]
  A personal computer 3 for controlling and managing a plurality of manufacturing apparatuses 41 may be connected to the local network 31.
[0306]
  The server 5 obtains information on the manufacturing apparatus 41 by communicating with a plurality of manufacturing apparatuses 41. The information is, for example, a resin agent replenishment request message or a resin agent replacement request message due to consumption of a resin agent for reinforcement, sealing, adhesion, or the like.
[0307]
  Such a resin agent is generally accommodated in a confidential container. In the present invention, an ID number (unique information) for identifying the resin agent is formed on the container by means such as a barcode.
[0308]
  Furthermore, the manufacturing apparatus 41 has reading means for reading the barcode information. Alternatively, the barcode reader may be configured separately from the manufacturing apparatus 41 as long as it is connected to the server 5.
[0309]
  When the server 5 receives the message from the manufacturing apparatus 41, the server 5 performs a pre-programmed process, and according to the result, (1) communicates with the terminal 12 of the service provider 10 and transmits the usage information of the distribution item 6. 2) An information transmission operation such as an exchange request reception signal, an exchange permission signal, or the like is performed on the requesting device (personal computer 3 or manufacturing apparatus 41).
[0310]
  As described above, even if the device is a manufacturing apparatus 41 or a processing apparatus, the distribution object 6 can be a resin agent such as plastic, an adhesive, an electronic component, metal, ceramics, or the like. The use of the distribution product 6 can be detected by electronic means.
[0311]
  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.
[0312]
  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0313]
  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.
[0314]
  The program code may be downloaded from another computer system to the storage unit 124 of the terminal 12 via a transmission medium such as a communication network.
[0315]
  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0316]
  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU of the expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0317]
  When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.
[0318]
  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.
[0319]
  It should be noted that since the main part of the present invention relates to the exchange service for consumable goods and consumable goods throughout, a contract for the image forming apparatus main body is not necessarily a premise and is not essential. That is, it goes without saying that the service according to the present invention can be applied to the main body of the image forming apparatus purchased by the contractor on a separate route through a lease contract, a rental contract, or purchased. However, for a person who newly leases, rents, or purchases the main body of the image forming apparatus, making a contract regarding the service according to the present invention at the same time as the main body contract / purchase makes the inventory management method of the present invention smooth in terms of procedure. Can be done.
[0320]
  Further, the present invention is not limited to a copying machine, a printer, or the like, and can be applied to all replacement parts that are shorter than the consumption and expiration date of the main unit. More preferably, information unique to the replacement part is formed, and if the information can be read out by the main body apparatus, the attachment / detachment / mounting of the replacement part can be detected electronically.
[0321]
-In the inventory management method described above, the step of registering unique information for specifying the distribution to be delivered to the service recipient in the storage means accessible by the computer, and the distribution in use on the service recipient side Obtaining the unique information of the service recipient from the service recipient side, comparing the obtained unique information with the registered unique information, determining the use of the delivered goods delivered to the service recipient, After the use is determined, the computer may execute the step of calculating the inventory quantity of the distribution in the service recipient.
[0322]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, the service provider is notified of the unique information given to the distribution item via the network, instead of detecting the consumption status of the consumption article as the distribution item currently in use. As a result, the remaining number of spare consumable goods is electronically detected and compared with a list of spare consumable goods registered in advance, the spare consumable goods disappear or become less than the specified value. In this case, since the system is a system for replenishing the contractor with new spare consumable goods, the contractor side can exchange the consumable goods without having unnecessary inventory and without causing depletion of the distribution goods. It can be carried out.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inventory management network system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view for explaining one form of a flow according to the present invention.
FIGS. 3A to 3C are schematic perspective views for explaining a general state of a circulation according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection image of an inventory management network system according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall connection image of the inventory management network system according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another inventory management network system according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a distribution management table that manages unique information of a distribution according to the present invention.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing an example of a contractor table displayed on the information management screen.
FIGS. 9A to 9C are explanatory diagrams for explaining a distribution form of a distribution according to the present invention.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a management table (initial state) displayed on an information management screen. FIGS.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of a management table (pre-registration point) displayed on the information management screen. FIGS.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing an example of a management table (distributed product use start time) displayed on the information management screen.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a management table (distributed item exchange point) displayed on the information management screen. FIGS.
FIG. 14 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the device.
FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing an example of a management table (distributed material replenishment time point) displayed on the information management screen. FIGS.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of an inventory management method according to the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing an example of inventory management.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an inventory information management screen.
FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing another example of inventory management.
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a charging method.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a flow of control operation of an arithmetic processing unit related to a new registration process for a spare cartridge table.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a flow of control operation of an arithmetic processing unit related to automatic update processing of a spare cartridge table.
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of still another inventory management network system according to the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of another network system according to the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of a conventional inventory management system.
[Explanation of symbols]
    1 Contractor (service recipient)
    2 Image forming equipment (equipment)
    3 Controller part
    4 Reading section
    5 transceiver
    6 Distribution
    7 Information recording media
    8 Calculation unit
    9 Sensor circuit
  10 Service providers
  12 terminal (inventory management device)
  30 network
121 Communication Department
122 Arithmetic processing part
123 Input section
124 storage unit
125 output section

Claims (12)

A management table that can be called by a contractor ID uniquely assigned to each service recipient and created for each service recipient. Inventory that includes a storage unit that stores unique information that can be individually specified and a management table that records the usage and unused status of the goods delivered to the service recipient, a communication unit, and an arithmetic processing unit An inventory management method performed by a management device,
The communication unit receiving information including contractor ID and information unique to the distribution from the service recipient side;
The arithmetic processing unit identifying a contractor ID included in the received information and accessing a management table associated with the identified contractor ID;
The arithmetic processing unit compares the unique information of the distribution contained in the received information with the unique information recorded in the accessed management table, and is recorded as unused in the management table. Determining that the product delivered to the service recipient is used when the product-specific information matches the product-specific information included in the received information;
The arithmetic processing unit updates the unused record of the circulation determined to be used in the management table accessed, and updates the currently used record to used, Calculating the number of distributions recorded as unused, or the number of distributions currently in use and recorded as used;
By calculating the difference between the total number of distribution items delivered to the service recipient and recorded in the accessed management table, and the number of distribution items recorded as currently used and used, Or the step of calculating the stock quantity of the circulation thing in a service recipient by the said arithmetic processing part calculating | requiring the number of said circulation goods recorded as said unused, The inventory management method characterized by the above-mentioned. This is a management table that can be called by the contractor ID uniquely assigned to each service recipient and created for each service recipient, and assigns each item to be delivered to the service recipient. Specific information that can be specified individually and the management table that records the usage status of the delivered goods used to the service recipient, the usage status of unused goods, the contractor ID of the service recipient that delivers the delivered goods, and the delivered goods An inventory management method performed by an inventory management apparatus including a storage unit that stores a distribution information table that correlates with unique information, a communication unit, and an arithmetic processing unit,
The communication unit receiving information including information unique to the distribution item from the service recipient side;
The arithmetic processing unit accessing the distribution information table and identifying a contractor ID associated with unique information of the distribution included in the received information;
The arithmetic processing unit accessing a management table associated with the identified contractor ID;
The arithmetic processing unit compares the unique information of the distribution contained in the received information with the unique information recorded in the accessed management table, and is recorded as unused in the management table. Determining that the product delivered to the service recipient is used when the product-specific information matches the product-specific information included in the received information;
The arithmetic processing unit updates the unused record of the circulation determined to be used in the management table accessed, and updates the currently used record to used, Calculating the number of distributions recorded as unused, or the number of distributions currently in use and recorded as used;
By calculating the difference between the total number of distribution items delivered to the service recipient and recorded in the accessed management table, and the number of distribution items recorded as currently used and used, Or the step of calculating the stock quantity of the circulation thing in a service recipient by the said arithmetic processing part calculating | requiring the number of said circulation goods recorded as said unused, The inventory management method characterized by the above-mentioned. The arithmetic processing unit compares the inventory quantity grasped by the step of calculating the inventory quantity with a specified value read from the storage unit, and determines whether or not the inventory quantity is equal to or less than a specified value;
The inventory management method according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a step of causing the arithmetic processing unit to issue a command for instructing replenishment of a new distribution item when the number of stocks is equal to or less than a specified value. . This is a management table that can be called by the contractor ID uniquely assigned to each service recipient and created for each service recipient. A storage unit that stores a management table that records the specific information that can be individually identified and the usage and usage of the goods delivered to the service recipient.
A communication unit that receives information including the contractor ID and information unique to the distribution item from the service recipient side;
An inventory management apparatus comprising: an arithmetic processing unit that executes the following first to fourth steps.
1st step: The step which specifies contractor ID contained in the information received in the said communication part, and accesses the management table matched with the said specified contractor ID.
Second step: The unique information of the distribution item included in the received information is compared with the unique information recorded in the accessed management table, and the distribution item recorded as unused in the management table. The step of determining that the product delivered to the service recipient has been used when the unique information of the product matches the unique information of the product included in the received information.
Third step: In the accessed management table, the unused record of the distribution determined to be used is updated to the current use, and the currently used record is updated to the used and unused. Calculating the number of distributions recorded as or the number of distributions recorded as currently in use and used.
Fourth step: The arithmetic processing unit determines the difference between the total number of distribution items delivered to the service recipient and recorded in the accessed management table and the number of distribution items recorded as currently used and used. Calculating the stock quantity of the circulation in the service recipient by obtaining the number of circulations recorded as unused, or by the arithmetic processing unit obtaining the number. A management table that can be called by a contractor ID uniquely assigned to each service recipient and created for each service recipient. Specific information that can be specified individually and the management table that records the usage status of the delivered goods used to the service recipient, the usage status of unused goods, the contractor ID of the service recipient that delivers the delivered goods, and the delivered goods A storage unit that stores a distribution information table that associates unique information with
A communication unit that receives information including unique information of the distribution item from the service recipient side;
An inventory management apparatus comprising: an arithmetic processing unit that executes the following first to fifth steps.
1st step: The step which accesses the said distribution information table and specifies the contractor ID matched with the specific information of the distribution included in said received information.
Second step: A step of specifying the specified contractor ID and accessing a management table associated with the specified contractor ID.
Third step: The unique information of the distribution contained in the received information is compared with the unique information recorded in the accessed management table, and the distribution is recorded as unused in the management table. The step of determining that the product delivered to the service recipient is used when the unique information of the product matches the unique information of the product included in the received information.
Fourth step: In the accessed management table, the unused record of the distribution determined to be used is updated to the current use, and the currently used record is updated to the used and unused. Calculating the number of distributions recorded as or the number of distributions recorded as currently in use and used.
Fifth step: The arithmetic processing unit determines the difference between the total number of distribution items delivered to the service recipient and recorded in the accessed management table and the number of distribution items recorded as currently used and used. Calculating the stock quantity of the circulation in the service recipient by obtaining the number of the circulations recorded as unused or by obtaining the number of the circulations as described above . The arithmetic processing unit compares the inventory quantity grasped by the step of calculating the inventory quantity with a specified value read from the storage unit, and determines whether or not the inventory quantity is equal to or less than a specified value;
6. The inventory according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a step in which the arithmetic processing unit issues a command for instructing replenishment of a new distribution product when the number of stocks falls below a specified value. Management device. A distribution item that is assigned to each distribution item, has unique information that can individually identify the distribution item , and is consumed or consumed. A service receiver side having a reading unit for detecting unique information, a transmission / reception unit that transmits the read information to the outside via a network, and a controller unit that controls the reading unit and the transmission / reception unit Equipment,
Communicating with the above-mentioned device, it can be called by a contractor ID uniquely assigned to each service receiver, and a communication unit that receives information including contractor ID and information unique to the distribution from the service receiver side, This is a management table created for each service recipient. The above-mentioned specific information for identifying the deliverable to be delivered to the service recipient and the usage status of the deliverable delivered to the service recipient. An inventory management network system comprising: a storage unit that stores a recorded management table; and an inventory management device that includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes the following first to fourth steps: .
1st step: The step which specifies contractor ID contained in the information received in the said communication part, and accesses the management table matched with the said specified contractor ID.
Second step: The unique information of the distribution item included in the received information is compared with the unique information recorded in the accessed management table, and the distribution item recorded as unused in the management table. The step of determining that the product delivered to the service recipient has been used when the unique information of the product matches the unique information of the product included in the received information.
Third step: In the accessed management table, the unused record of the distribution determined to be used is updated to the current use, and the currently used record is updated to the used and unused. Calculating the number of distributions recorded as or the number of distributions recorded as currently in use and used.
Fourth step: The arithmetic processing unit determines the difference between the total number of distribution items delivered to the service recipient and recorded in the accessed management table and the number of distribution items recorded as currently used and used. Calculating the stock quantity of the circulation in the service recipient by obtaining the number of circulations recorded as unused, or by the arithmetic processing unit obtaining the number. A distribution item that is assigned to each distribution item, has unique information that can individually identify the distribution item , and is consumed or consumed. A service receiver side having a reading unit for detecting unique information , a transmission / reception unit that transmits the read information to the outside via a network, and a controller unit that controls the reading unit and the transmission / reception unit Equipment,
A communication unit that communicates with the above-mentioned device and receives information including information unique to the distribution item from the service recipient side, and can be called by a contractor ID uniquely assigned to each service recipient, for each service recipient The management table created in the above table, which records the above-mentioned specific information for identifying the deliverables to be delivered to the service recipient and the usage status of the deliverables delivered to the service recipient. And a storage unit storing a distribution information table in which a contractor ID of a service recipient that supplies the distribution and unique information of the distribution is stored, and the following first to fifth steps are executed An inventory management network system comprising: an inventory management device having an arithmetic processing unit.
1st step: The step which accesses the said distribution information table and specifies the contractor ID matched with the specific information of the distribution included in said received information.
Second step: A step of specifying the specified contractor ID and accessing a management table associated with the specified contractor ID.
Third step: The unique information of the distribution contained in the received information is compared with the unique information recorded in the accessed management table, and the distribution is recorded as unused in the management table. The step of determining that the product delivered to the service recipient has been used when the unique information of the product matches the unique information of the product included in the received information.
Fourth step: In the accessed management table, the unused record of the distribution determined to be used is updated to the current use, and the currently used record is updated to the used and unused. Calculating the number of distributions recorded as or the number of distributions recorded as currently in use and used.
Fifth step: The arithmetic processing unit determines the difference between the total number of distribution items delivered to the service recipient and recorded in the accessed management table and the number of distribution items recorded as currently used and used. Calculating the stock quantity of the circulation in the service recipient by obtaining the number of circulations recorded as unused, or by the arithmetic processing unit obtaining the number . In the above device, (1) when the goods attached to the device are exchanged, the unique information read from the goods attached anew is used, and (2) the goods are completely exchanged. If not, unique information read from the currently installed item or information indicating no change is transmitted to the inventory management device via the transmission / reception unit of the device. The inventory management network system according to claim 7 or 8. The inventory information management screen including the display of the management table is displayed on the display unit of the inventory management device and the device, and the inventory information management screen displayed on the display unit of the device is only displayed and information is written. The inventory management network system according to claim 9, wherein the inventory management network system cannot be performed. The arithmetic processing unit compares the inventory quantity grasped by the step of calculating the inventory quantity with a specified value read from the storage unit, and determines whether or not the inventory quantity is equal to or less than a specified value;
9. The inventory according to claim 7 or 8 , further comprising a step in which the arithmetic processing unit issues a command for instructing replenishment of a new distribution product when the number of stocks falls below a specified value. Management network system. The stock management program for making a computer perform each step of the stock management method of any one of Claim 1 to 3 .

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