JP3755514B2 - Consumable management device, printer, management program, and management method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a consumables management apparatus, a printer, and a management program capable of accurately grasping information related to consumables using devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles connected on a network, and the stock status of the consumables. And a management method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, when using consumables using equipment such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles, spare consumables are used in the vicinity of consumables using equipment, warehouses, etc. It is often stored in. However, if the storage amount is too large, the space for placing it is troubled. If the storage amount is too small, it may be insufficient immediately, and it takes a lot of labor and labor to adjust the storage amount appropriately.
[0003]
Therefore, conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Documents 1 to 6 below, consumables using devices such as printers and service companies that provide the consumables are connected via a network, and the service company side consumables via the network. When the amount of consumables is acquired directly from the printer and the remaining amount of consumables is low, new consumables can be sent to the user or encouraged to purchase, so that the consumables are out of stock without holding a large amount of inventory. A method for preventing the problem has been proposed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-352846
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-228761
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-228762 A
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2001-325351 A
[Patent Document 5]
JP 2002-63434 A
[Patent Document 6]
JP 2002-64671 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if a consumable item is unexpectedly cut out due to a sudden large amount of printing or the like, the user must make a struggle to secure the consumable item. In other words, if a consumable has run out unexpectedly, the user must contact a service company or dealer that handles the consumable, or ask if it can be divided into other workplaces, There was a problem that much work and time were required to resume the work.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such an unsolved problem of the conventional technology, and its purpose is to grasp the consumables managed by each consumable management device connected to the network. The present invention provides a novel consumable management apparatus and printer, a management program, and a management method that can also grasp each other's consumable stock status.
[0007]
[Means for solving the problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the consumables management device of the invention 1 is a device for managing consumables provided in a plurality of consumables using devices connected on a network,
Based on communication means for communicating with each consumable-use device, information acquisition means for acquiring information on each consumable-use device and its consumables using the communication means, and information acquired by the information acquisition means Useable consumable search means for searching for other consumable use equipment that has consumables that can be used with a predetermined consumable use equipment, and use of other consumables searched by the available consumable search means Storage means for storing various types of information including information related to devices, a consumable management shelf for temporarily storing spare consumables, and information regarding consumables stored in the consumables management shelf A management consumable information writing / reading means for writing / reading to the means; and a display means for displaying various information including information on available consumables stored in the storage means. Ah .
[0008]
That is, by providing each consumable using device connected on the same network with the consumable managing device having such a configuration, each consumable using device not only itself but also other consumable using devices and their consumables. It is possible to accurately grasp the stock status, the degree of wear, etc. of the product. Therefore, even if the use of any consumable device suddenly increases and the consumable item becomes insufficient, the location of the consumable item compatible with the consumable item can be easily known. As a result, it is not necessary for the user to stir for procurement of consumables, and it is possible to quickly take measures such as replacing the remaining consumables. Further, since it is not necessary to increase the inventory of consumables more than necessary, it is possible to save the inventory space and to eliminate troublesome inventory management. Furthermore, even if one consumable device fails and its consumable management device does not function, the consumable management devices of other consumable devices exchange information on each other's consumables. This will not have a big impact on the entire network.
[0009]
A consumable item management apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the consumable item management apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the consumable item utilization device is any one of a printer, a copier, and a facsimile.
As described above, the invention 2 specifically targets a printer, a copier, or a facsimile as a consumable-use device. In this case, ink, toner, printing paper, and the like are used as consumables for actual information exchange. It becomes the object of.
[0010]
The consumable management device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the consumable management device according to the first or second aspect, wherein another consumable using device having a consumable usable by the predetermined consumable using device cannot be found. The apparatus further comprises ordering means for ordering the consumable using the communication means.
By adopting such a configuration, since the ordering work is automatically performed, it is not necessary for the user himself to perform a troublesome ordering work to an external service provider company or the like.
[0011]
The consumable item management apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the consumable item management apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the display unit is a device that uses another consumable item retrieved by the usable consumable item retrieval unit. The position is displayed as map information.
This makes it possible to easily find the position of the consumables that are required.
[0012]
A printer according to a fifth aspect is a printer connected to a network, the communication means for communicating with another printer connected to the network, the other printer and its consumables using the communication means. Information acquisition means for acquiring information related to, consumable exploration means for searching for other printers that have consumable supplies that can be used on the basis of information acquired by the information acquisition means, and the available use Storage means for storing various information including information related to other printers searched by the consumables search means, a consumables management shelf for temporarily storing spare consumables, and the consumables management shelf Management consumable information writing / reading means for writing / reading information on consumables to be stored in / stored from the storage means, and information on available consumables stored in the storage means Display means for displaying the seed information, and print means for performing printing, is characterized in that an operation panel for inputting various information.
[0013]
By adopting such a configuration, each printer itself can accurately grasp the stock status and the degree of wear of other printers as well as the printer itself as in the first aspect. Even in the case of a shortage, it is possible to easily know the position of a printer having a consumable that is compatible with the consumable by using its own printer. Further, since it is not necessary to increase the inventory of consumables more than necessary, it is possible to save the inventory space and to eliminate troublesome inventory management. Furthermore, even if one printer stops functioning, the other printers can exchange information about consumables with each other, so that there is no significant influence.
[0014]
The printer according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the printer according to the fifth aspect, further comprising an ordering means for placing an order for the consumables using the communication means when no other printer having consumables that can be used by the printer can be found. It is characterized by having.
By adopting such a configuration, it is not necessary for the user himself to perform a troublesome ordering operation with respect to an external consumable supply company or the like as in the third aspect.
[0015]
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the printer according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the consumable is printing ink.
Thereby, even when the printing ink is insufficient in a certain printer, the location of other printing ink that can be used in the printer can be easily known.
[0016]
The printer according to an eighth aspect of the invention is the printer according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the display means displays the position of another consumable using device searched by the usable consumable searching means as map information. It is characterized by the above.
This makes it possible to easily find the position of the consumables that are required.
[0017]
A printer according to a ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the printer according to the eighth aspect, the printing means prints the map information displayed on the display means.
This makes it possible to easily find the position of the consumables that are required.
[0018]
The consumable item management program according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is a communication unit that communicates a computer with a plurality of consumable item utilization devices connected to a network, and information on each of the consumable item utilization devices and the consumable item using the communication unit. Information acquisition means to be acquired, and usable consumable searching means for searching for other consumable-use devices having consumables that can be used with a predetermined consumable-use device based on the information acquired by the information acquisition means Storage means for storing various information including information related to other consumable use devices searched by the available consumable search means, and a consumable management shelf for temporarily storing spare consumables Management consumable information writing / reading means for writing / reading information on consumables stored in the consumable management shelf to the storage means, and available consumables stored in the storage means. Display means for displaying various information including information, thereby to function is characterized in.
[0019]
Thereby, in addition to the effects of the invention 1 and the like, each means can be made to function on a program using a general-purpose computer or a computer incorporated in the consumable-use device main body in advance in order to perform other functions. Therefore, the function can be realized at a lower cost than the case where the dedicated hardware is manufactured and realized.
[0020]
The consumable item management program according to an eleventh aspect is the consumable item management program according to the tenth aspect, wherein the computer finds another consumable item using a consumable item that can be used by the predetermined consumable item using device. When it is not possible, it further functions as an ordering means for ordering the consumables using the communication means.
As a result, the ordering work is automatically performed in the same manner as in the invention 3 and the like, so that it is not necessary for the user himself to perform a troublesome ordering work to an external consumable supply company.
[0021]
The consumable management method according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention temporarily stores spare consumables, acquires a plurality of consumable using devices connected to the network and information on the consumables, When the consumables in any of the consumables using devices are no longer in stock or when the wear level of the consumables attached to the consumables using device reaches a predetermined value, the spare consumables Displays the inventory information of consumables that can be used with consumables, and if there is no consumables that can be used with the consumables among the spare consumables, other consumables On the basis of the information on the above, another consumable using device having consumables that can be used by the consumable using device is searched, and the result is displayed.
[0022]
As a result, as in the case of the invention 1 and the like, each consumable-use device itself can accurately grasp the stock status and the degree of wear of the consumables of other consumable-use devices as well as itself. Even if it is insufficient, it is possible to easily know the position of a consumable using device having a consumable compatible with the consumable using its own consumable using device. Further, since it is not necessary to increase the inventory of consumables more than necessary, it is possible to save the inventory space and to eliminate troublesome inventory management. Furthermore, even if one consumable-use device stops functioning, other consumable-use devices can exchange information about each other's consumables, so that there is no significant influence.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an office communication network to which a consumable management apparatus, management program, and management method of the present invention are applied.
As shown in the figure, a consumable-use device 10 such as a printer is installed in a plurality of workplaces or warehouses in a certain company office (company building), and these consumable-use devices 10 together with a client PC 12 for business use and the like. They are connected to each other by an office communication network 16 through a line concentrator 14 such as HAB so as to be able to communicate with each other. In addition, the office communication network 16 is connected to a service company 20 or the like that appropriately supplies consumables and the like via an external communication network 18 such as the Internet so that information communication is possible. That is, in the example of the figure, one office is divided into three workplaces A, B, and C and an internal warehouse, and each of the workplaces A, B, and C has one of the consumables using devices 10. A certain printer 10 a, 10 b, 10 c is installed as a shared printer for each client PC 12, 12.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, each of the printers 10a, 10b, and 10c includes a printing unit 30, a display unit 32, a storage unit 34, an operation panel 36, a communication unit 38, and a consumable information acquisition unit 40. The consumables search unit 42, the consumables management shelf 44, and the management consumables information writing / reading unit 46 are mainly configured. Here, the printing means 30 is provided with a plurality of color inks or single color inks (cartridges) so as to be detachable and replaceable, and using the consumables such as these inks from the client PC 12 via the communication means 38. The sent print data is printed on the printing paper.
[0025]
The display means 32 is a liquid crystal screen or the like provided on an easy-to-view part of the surface of the printer casing, and information on other printers / consumables, usable consumables, UI (user interface) for an operation panel, etc. Is displayed.
The storage means 34 is a so-called database using a semiconductor memory, a hard disk device or the like, and includes “self printer information”, “self printer management consumable information”, “others” as shown in FIGS. "Printer information" is read and written. That is, the “self printer management information” is, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, (1) installation information, (2) hardware information, (3) setting information, etc. The printer name, installation location, affiliation, address, etc. are as follows: (2) Hardware information is model model number, model number of consumables that can be used, manufacturing number, etc. (3) Setting information is the upper limit of consumables・ Information such as lower limit setting is read and written. In addition, as “self printer management consumables information”, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, if there are unused consumables, the type of stock, the number, the number of permits that can be provided to other printers, etc. However, if there is a consumable in use, information such as the remaining amount of ink is also read / written and stored. Further, as “other printer information”, for example, as shown in FIG. 3C, other recognized printer names, types of consumables that can be used for the printer, the number, installation locations, and the like are also read and written. Has been memorized.
[0026]
The operation panel 36 is a printer setting or operation UI (user interface) or the like provided at a position on the surface of the printer housing that is easy for the user to operate. Can be stored in the storage means 34 manually by the user operating the operation panel 36.
[0027]
The information acquisition means 40 uses the communication means 38 from other printers 10 connected to the in-house communication network 16, that is, information relating to the printer 10, that is, (1) information relating to printers operating and operating on the same network, (2) Information on consumables under the control of these printers is acquired and stored in the storage means 34.
[0028]
The usable consumables searching means 42 searches for consumables that can be used in its own printer based on the information of other printers acquired by the other printer consumables information acquiring means 40, and the search result is as follows. Is presented to the user (user) by the display means 32 or the print means 30 and stored in the storage means 34.
[0029]
The consumables management shelf 44 is a shelf or storage area for storing spare consumables, and can be integrated with the printer housing or separated as appropriate. The consumable item management shelf 44 can store a plurality of consumable items together.
The management consumable information writing / reading means 46 is used by being mounted on its own consumables management shelf 44, and information on consumables stored in the consumables management shelf 44 is mechanically or electrically / magnetically. This is read and written into the storage means 34. In other words, when the consumable item managed by the consumable item management shelf 44 is ink, in order to manage the ink that is being used and the ink that is not being used, the following “Ink individual information” is read and written, Read the information about the consumables from the “ink individual information” attached to the consumables managed by the printer, and when the ink is taken out and installed in the printer to start use, the ink management category is set to “inventory”. The status is changed from “in use” to “in use”, and if there is a change in status of the consumable, the updated information is written.
[0030]
Ink (cartridge) used in a conventional printer is generally composed mainly of an ink main body 50 and storage means 52 such as an RFID or an IC chip as shown in FIG. 52, ink individual information such as individual ID, serial number, color, corresponding model, ink status, etc. is stored as shown in FIG. 4B, and information in this storage means 52 is managed consumable information writing / reading means. 46 is read out.
[0031]
In the above, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the above drawings and the flowcharts of FIGS.
First, when the user obtains some spare inks, the inks are stored in the consumables management shelf 44 of the printer 10 as shown in FIG. 5 (step S100). Then, the management consumable information writing / reading means 46 attached to the consumable management shelf 44 reads “ink individual information” from the ink (step S102), and stores the information in the storage means 34 in the printer. Along with (Step S104), the number of stocks is increased (incremented) by the amount obtained (Step S106).
[0032]
Next, when the amount of ink already installed in the printer has decreased, it is determined whether or not to use the spare ink stored in the consumable item management shelf 44 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S200). If so, the user takes out the spare ink from the consumables management shelf 44 and mounts it on the printer (step S202). Then, the management consumable information writing / reading means 46 changes the ink management category from “inventory” to “in use” (step S204), and reduces the ink inventory managed by its own printer by the usage. (Decrement).
[0033]
Next, when the stock of the printer's own ink is exhausted and the installed ink is low, as shown in FIG. 7, the printer in the network address range designated in the office using the consumable information acquisition means 40 is used. Is searched (step S300). As a result of the search, if a printer is found in the designated network address range (step S302), the printer is registered in the database of its own storage means 34 (step S304). Next, the model information and consumable information about the registered printer are acquired and registered in the database of its own storage means 34 (step S306).
[0034]
It is desirable that the model information and the consumable information are reacquired and updated regularly or when necessary.
Referring to the network example in FIG. 1, for example, when new ink is replenished to the printer 10a as spare ink, the information is sent to all the other printers 10b and 10c via the network. If the printer 10b suddenly runs out of ink, the printer 10b finds the printer 10a as a printer with sufficient ink, and if the ink is available, displays it on its display means. . Then, after the user of the printer 10b who sees it reaches the printer 10a and picks up the spare ink, the user can attach the printer 10b to the printer 10b to immediately continue the interrupted printing operation.
[0035]
As for the information about the other printers acquired in this way, as shown in FIG. 8, the latest information about the available ink is obtained from the database in the storage unit 34 of the printer (step S400). By displaying and notifying on the display means 32 provided in its own printer, the ink user can know the information (step S402), and by notifying the ink provider, the information can be obtained. Information can be known (step S404). As a result, not only the user of the ink goes directly to the ink, but also the ink provider can actively provide the ink to the user.
[0036]
If the printer needs the ink of another printer, as shown in FIG. 9, the printer receives ink from the other printer based on this information, that is, the user goes directly to the printer. (Step S500). If the received ink is to be used immediately, the ink is mounted on its own printer as it is (steps S502 and S508). Otherwise, the ink storage process described in FIG. 5 is performed as a spare ink ( In step S504), when necessary, an ink mounting process (step S506) as shown in FIG. 6 is performed.
[0037]
As described above, in this embodiment, each consumable using device on the same network is provided with a consumable management function, and information on consumables of other devices as well as its own consumables can be acquired and managed. In addition to the self, it is possible to accurately grasp the inventory status and the degree of wear of consumables of other consumables using devices.
As a result, even if the use of any of the consumables suddenly increases and the consumables become insufficient, the location of the consumables compatible with the consumables can be easily known. Therefore, it is possible to quickly take measures such as replacing the remaining consumables.
[0038]
Further, since it is not necessary to increase the inventory of consumables more than necessary, it is possible to save the inventory space and to eliminate troublesome inventory management.
Furthermore, even if one consumable device fails and its consumable management device does not function, the consumable management devices of other consumable devices exchange information on each other's consumables. Because it can, it does not have a big impact.
[0039]
In this embodiment, a printer is used as the consumable-use device. However, the same applies to a case where a copier or a facsimile is used as the consumable-use device. The same applies to the case where toner, roll paper, or the like is used. Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where only a single color is used as the ink for the printer, and even when a plurality of color inks are used, the same effect can be obtained by acquiring information for each color.
[0040]
Further, if this consumable device is further provided with ordering means for placing an order for consumables, the office communication network 16 shown in FIG. In addition, it is possible to automatically order consumables to an external service company or the like via the external communication network 18. For this reason, it is not necessary for the user himself to perform troublesome ordering work, and inventory management is further facilitated.
[0041]
If each consumable-use device or the like is provided with data indicating the position of each consumable-use device as map information, and this is notified via the display means 32 or by printing it out, it becomes easier. You can find the location of the consumables you need.
Further, the consumable management device does not necessarily have to be integrated with the consumable using device 10 such as a printer. It may be a configuration. In this case, each consumable-use device 10 can accurately know not only the stock status of each other consumable-use device 10 but also the stock status of consumables in the warehouse.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an office communication network.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer that is one of consumables using devices.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of various types of information acquired / stored in the storage means.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of ink that is one of consumables and an example of individual information thereof.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow when preliminary ink is obtained.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow when the use of spare ink is started.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow when searching for another ink.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow for notifying available ink.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow when ink is received.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Consumables use device, 10a, 10b, 10c ... Printer, 12 ... Client PC, 14 ... Concentrator, 16 ... Office communication network, 18 ... External communication network, 20 ... Consumable service company, 30 ... Printing means, 32 Display means 34 Storage means 36 Operation panel 38 Communication means 40 Consumable information acquisition means 42 Consumables search means 44 Consumable management shelf 46 Management consumable information reading Read-out means.

Claims (12)

A device for managing consumables provided in a plurality of consumable using devices connected on a network,
Based on communication means for communicating with each consumable-use device, information acquisition means for acquiring information on each consumable-use device and its consumables using the communication means, and information acquired by the information acquisition means Useable consumable search means for searching for other consumable use equipment that has consumables that can be used with a predetermined consumable use equipment, and use of other consumables searched by the available consumable search means Storage means for storing various types of information including information related to devices, a consumable management shelf for temporarily storing spare consumables, and information regarding consumables stored in the consumables management shelf Consumables comprising: management consumable information writing / reading means for writing / reading to / from the means; and display means for displaying various information including information on available consumables stored in the storage means tube Apparatus. In the consumable item management apparatus according to claim 1,
A consumable item management apparatus, wherein the consumable item utilization device is one of a printer, a copier, and a facsimile. In the consumables management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The apparatus further comprises ordering means for placing an order for the consumables using the communication means when no other consumables using the consumables that can be used by the predetermined consumables can be found. Consumables management device. In the consumables management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The consumable management apparatus, wherein the display means displays the position of another consumable using device searched by the usable consumable searching means as map information. A printer connected to the network,
Communication means for communicating with other printers connected to the network, information acquisition means for acquiring information about the other printers and their consumables using the communication means, and information acquired by the information acquisition means Various types of information including usable consumable searching means for searching for other printers having consumable supplies that can be used on the basis of the information, and information relating to other printers searched by the usable consumable searching means Storage means for storing a consumable, a consumable management shelf for temporarily storing spare consumables, and management for writing / reading information on consumables stored in the consumable management shelf to / from the storage means Consumable information writing / reading means, display means for displaying various information including information on available consumables stored in the storage means, printing means for executing printing, various kinds Printer, characterized in that an operation panel for inputting broadcast. The printer according to claim 5.
A printer further comprising ordering means for ordering the consumables using the communication means when no other printer having consumables that can be used by itself can be found. The printer according to claim 5 or 6,
A printer wherein the consumable is printing ink. The printer according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The printer, wherein the display means displays the position of another consumable using device searched by the available consumable searching means as map information. The printer according to claim 8, wherein
The printer characterized in that the printing means prints the map information displayed on the display means. Computer
A communication unit that communicates with a plurality of consumable use devices connected on a network, an information acquisition unit that acquires information about each of the consumable use devices and the consumables using the communication unit, and the information acquisition unit Based on the acquired information, a search is made by the usable consumable searching means for searching for another consumable using equipment that has a consumable that can be used by the predetermined consumable using equipment, and the usable consumable searching means. Storage means for storing various information including information related to other consumable devices, consumable management shelf for temporarily storing spare consumables, and consumables stored in the consumable management shelf Management consumable information writing / reading means for writing / reading information on articles to / from the storage means, and display means for displaying various types of information including information on available consumables stored in the storage means, Consumables management program, characterized in that to function. In the consumables management program according to claim 10,
The computer further functions as an ordering means for placing an order for the consumable using the communication means when no other consumable using equipment that has a consumable usable by the predetermined consumable using equipment can be found. Consumables management program characterized by letting   In addition to temporarily storing spare consumables, a plurality of consumable-use devices connected to the network and information about the consumables are acquired, and any consumable-use devices on the network are acquired. Consumables that can be used by the consumable-use device from the spare consumables when the consumables are out of stock or when the wear level of the consumables attached to the consumable-use device reaches a predetermined value In addition to displaying the inventory information of the consumables, if there is no consumables that can be used with the consumables using the spare consumables, use the consumables based on the information about the other consumables using devices. A consumable management method characterized by searching for another consumable-use device having consumables that can be used by the device and displaying the result.

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