JP3905080B2 - Service management apparatus, service management network system, and computer-readable recording medium recording the program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a service management method for consumable parts / consumable parts and a service management network system related thereto, and preferably, a management method, a delivery method, and a billing method for consumable parts / consumable parts of an image forming apparatus such as a copier / printer. Etc.

  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.

  Here, a consumable part means a part such as a photoreceptor cartridge having a photoconductor as a consumable material, while a consumable part means a toner cartridge or ink cartridge having a member such as toner or ink as a consumable material. It means parts such as. However, consumable parts are also consumables in the sense that they are replaced with new consumable parts, and there are also cartridge forms in which the photosensitive cartridge and toner cartridge are formed as a single cartridge. Therefore, in particular, when there is no need to distinguish between the two, a consumable part is used in the sense of integrating the two.

  In such a device that is supposed to be replaced with a consumable part, in order to avoid the inoperative state of the device due to the exhaustion of the consumable part, the device user purchases and prepares a spare consumable part in advance. It is common to leave.

  At this time, of course, there is a charge. That is, since the current billing service method is a system in which the right to hold the consumption component is generated after the purchase process of the consumption component, the ownership right cannot be obtained without the purchase process. This is because it is necessary to purchase consumable parts.

  If the budget application is difficult, it is necessary to reduce the expenditure on the consumption parts. One solution is to reduce the number of consumable parts to be purchased in advance, but the cycle of replenishing spare consumable parts is also shortened, so the remaining amount of consumable parts currently in use and Work such as confirmation of the number of spare consumable parts must also be performed frequently, increasing the burden. Such an operation is usually performed by a device user or an administrator, but since it is performed in the middle of the original work, there is a high possibility that it cannot or cannot be handled.

  For these reasons, in the end, it is often done to purchase as many spare parts as needed as the spare parts currently required.

In addition, as a prior art document relevant to this invention, there exist the following nonpatent literature 1 and patent documents 1-5.
Development of Remote Maintenance System for Facsimile, NTT Technical Journal, Japan, Telecommunications Association, November 1, 1995, Vol. 7, No. 11, 68-69 JP-A-8-152825 (published on June 11, 1996) JP 10-52964 A (published February 24, 1998) JP-A-3-220572 (published on September 27, 1991) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-234825 (published on September 8, 1998) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-105011 (published on April 24, 1998)

  However, when the current image forming apparatus is returned to the leasing company due to lease expiration, or when the image forming apparatus has been depreciated and discarded, the user of the device must replace the conventional parts for the apparatus. If so, the consumable parts are completely wasted.

  Also, even if the model is changed at the time of renewal of the lease contract, if the compatibility between the conventional parts for the equipment and the new parts for the equipment is not maintained, the old The consumable parts for the device are completely wasted.

  In particular, in a large-volume printing scene such as an office, it is necessary to purchase a large amount of consumable parts in order to meet the demand. Therefore, the damage caused by the above situation is also significant.

  As a method of solving the above problems as much as possible, information on the usage status of the device, for example, the last replacement date of the consumption component, the usage time of the device since the consumption component was replaced, the number of printed sheets, etc. was equipped on the consumption component. There is a technique for predicting the lifetime of a photoreceptor and toner by storing it in an IC chip or the like and referring to the information.

  According to the image forming apparatus having such a function, if the life prediction of the photosensitive member cartridge and the toner cartridge is accurately performed by electronic means, the number of pre-purchased parts is reduced as much as possible. However, it is not impossible to automate the management of daily consumables.

  However, even if the accuracy of prediction can be improved, there is no change in that spare consumable parts are necessary and the acquisition of the consumable parts involves expenses. Furthermore, depending on the performance of the algorithm that performs the prediction, the prediction accuracy varies greatly, and as long as it is a prediction, essentially 100% accuracy cannot be obtained.

  As described above, it is necessary to secure spare consumable parts in order to avoid the inoperative state of the equipment due to exhaustion of consumable parts, but in the current billing system, it is necessary to purchase to secure the consumable parts Furthermore, there is a problem in that the spare consumable parts obtained by the expense may not be actually required and may be wasted.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and among the consumable parts delivered to the equipment user in order to avoid the inoperative state of the equipment due to the exhaustion of the consumable parts, the consumable parts actually used By providing a billing target only for the above, it is possible to provide a method, a system, and the like that can suppress unnecessary expenses without requiring an uncertain method such as prediction.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the service management method of the present invention obtains information on the remaining amount of the goods delivered to the service recipient and the step of registering information on the goods delivered to the service recipient in the terminal. And a step of calculating a billing amount according to the remaining amount of the distribution item delivered to the service recipient based on the registered distribution item information and the acquired remaining amount information.

  According to this, since it is a system which charges only for the actually used distribution, not charged for the unused distribution that is delivered in advance, the service recipient can suppress unnecessary advance expenditure. be able to.

  On the other hand, since the service provider can surely secure customers, it is possible to stably sell distribution items. In addition, since the service provider registers the information on the products to be delivered in advance, only genuine products can be provided. In other words, the goods used by the service recipient are directly provided to the service recipient by the service provider and are registered in their own terminals, so that inferior goods such as pirated copies are not registered. Never used.

  As described above, it is possible to handle only the distribution products guaranteed and certified by the service provider, so that quality control can be performed thoroughly.

  Furthermore, when the remaining amount information of the distribution is obtained, the service receiver and the distribution delivered to the service receiver are specified, and the charge amount is determined based on the consumption of the distribution. Is a toner or ink, the remaining toner and remaining ink are not subject to billing, and a finer billing amount can be set. Therefore, it is possible to provide an economical service method for the service recipient.

  The service management method according to the present invention includes a step of registering unique information of a product delivered to a service recipient in a terminal, a step of acquiring unique information and remaining amount information of the product delivered to the service recipient, Having a step of calculating a billing amount according to the remaining amount of the distributed goods delivered to the service recipient based on the acquired unique information and remaining amount information of the distributed goods and the registered unique information of the distributed goods. It is a feature.

  According to this, since it is a system which charges only for the actually used distribution, not charged for the unused distribution that is delivered in advance, the service recipient can suppress unnecessary advance expenditure. be able to.

  On the other hand, since the service provider can reliably secure customers, it is possible to stably sell the distribution items. In addition, since the service provider registers the information on the products to be delivered in advance, it is possible to eliminate the products as pirated editions that are not applicable to this service. That is, since the service provider provides the service provider directly to the service receiver and registers it on his / her terminal, the pirated version is not registered, and therefore the pirated version is not used. Absent.

  In addition, since the service provider can centrally manage the distribution items used by a plurality of service recipients based on the unique information of the distribution items, the same distribution item can be used by different service recipients. When it is detected, it is possible to distinguish between a genuine product and a pirated edition. Therefore, a pirated edition can be eliminated by giving a warning or the like to a service recipient who uses a distribution product certified as a pirated edition.

  In other words, the unique information of the distribution item is information that can be formed in the distribution item itself and can identify individual distribution items. If it is registered by the user, a check operation is performed because there are two or more distributions having the same information. Generally, distributions detected later in time are pirated (= authorized) This is highly likely to be a copy of the product's unique information and is excluded.

  As described above, the use of the same distribution item can be easily checked by the service provider, and the distribution item is determined based on the unique information of the distribution item registered by the service provider. Since the delivered service recipient can be specified, the service recipient using the pirated version can be easily determined.

  Further, since the remaining amount information of the distribution item is obtained and the charge amount is determined based on the consumption amount of the distribution item, for example, the remaining amount toner such as the toner in the toner cartridge and the ink in the ink cartridge, Even in the case of having remaining ink, the remaining toner and remaining ink are not charged, and an economical service method can be provided for the service recipient.

  If toner, ink, etc. have a expiration date, the toner and ink collected after the expiration date cannot be reused as they are. Even in such a case, if it is not charged, it will be deducted even though it cannot be reused, and there is a possibility that the service provider will not be profitable. Therefore, only the remaining toner and ink collected within the expiration date should be subject to charge deduction.

  In the service management method of the present invention, there is a change when there is a change in at least one of the step of recording the remaining amount information in association with the corresponding unique information and the acquired unique information or remaining amount information. And updating and recording information.

  According to this, the remaining amount information changes with the use of the distribution item, and the unique information changes when the distribution item is used and a new distribution item is used. Therefore, by recording the remaining amount information and the unique information in association with each other, it is possible to grasp the usage history of the distribution in the service recipient, and it is possible to charge periodically based on the usage history.

  In addition, when managing in a database, information other than the unique information of the distribution (for example, remaining amount information, service recipient name / ID number, etc.) is associated with the unique information of the distribution so-called unique information. As a primary key, it is possible to associate information other than unique information. For example, by using the unique information as a common key, it is possible to know the service receiver name and the remaining amount information of the goods used by the service receiver.

  The service management method of the present invention is a service management method for a distribution comprising at least a consumption material and a container for the consumption material, and registers unique information of the distribution to be delivered to the service recipient in the terminal. A step of acquiring unique information of the distribution in use by the service recipient, a step of authorizing exchange of the distribution in the service receiver by detecting a change in the specific information of the acquired distribution, After authorizing the exchange of the distribution item, a step of collecting the used distribution item, a step of measuring the remaining amount of the consumption material of the collected distribution item, and calculating the charge amount according to the remaining amount of the consumption material And a step.

  According to this, the same effect as described above can be obtained. Furthermore, compared to the above service management method, after collecting the used circulation, the remaining amount of the consumables of the circulation is measured, so there is no need to detect the remaining amount on the service recipient side. Also, it is not necessary to transmit the detected remaining amount information.

  Specifically, in order to detect the remaining amount on the service receiver side without bothering the service recipient, it is necessary to equip the device with a remaining amount detection function. Such equipment is accompanied by an increase in size and complexity of the equipment. On the other hand, if the service provider performs the measurement, the remaining amount detection unit included in the device can be omitted. Therefore, the processing load can be reduced and the control flow can be reduced due to the downsizing of the device and the simplification of the control flow. Hardware such as a memory for storing can be reduced.

  In addition, since the remaining amount of consumables is measured by the service provider, fluctuations in the billing amount due to variations in the remaining amount detection accuracy of the device can be eliminated, and the remaining amount of toner can be measured easily and accurately using the same standard. Can do.

  As described above, in the present invention, the remaining amount information is very important information for calculating the billing amount. Therefore, when variation in the detection accuracy of the remaining amount detecting function installed in the device becomes a problem, It can be said that the method is superior.

  The service management method of the present invention includes a step of registering information on a distributed product delivered to a service recipient in a terminal, and a step of detecting the remaining amount information of the distributed product delivered to the service recipient on the service recipient side. And acquiring the detected remaining amount information via the network, and depending on the remaining amount of the distributed item delivered to the service recipient based on the registered distributed item information and the acquired remaining amount information. And a step of calculating a monetary amount.

  According to this, since the remaining amount can be detected by a simple step on the service recipient side of detecting the remaining amount of the distribution item, the remaining amount information is transmitted to the service recipient via the network. Thus, the billing amount corresponding to the remaining amount of the distribution can be calculated almost in real time.

  Note that the step of detecting the remaining amount information of the distribution and the step of transmitting information including at least the detected remaining amount information to the service provider are automatically performed by a device installed in the service receiver. For example, the service recipient can be surely carried out without worrying about the service recipient. In addition, since the processing is via the network, real-time processing is possible.

  The service management method of the present invention is a service management method for a distribution comprising at least a consumption material and a container for the consumption material, and registers unique information of the distribution to be delivered to the service recipient in the terminal. A step of detecting the unique information of the distribution in use on the service recipient side, a step of acquiring the detected unique information to the terminal via the network, and a change in the acquired unique information of the distribution By detecting, the step of authorizing the exchange of the circulation in the service recipient, the step of collecting the used circulation after authorizing the exchange of the circulation, and the remaining amount of the consumption material of the collected circulation The method includes a step of measuring, and a step of calculating a billing amount according to the remaining amount of the consumption material.

  According to this, it is possible to obtain the same effect as described above with respect to a distribution material including at least a consumer material and a container for the consumer material.

  The service management apparatus of the present invention includes a first storage unit that registers information on a distribution product to be delivered to a service recipient, an information collection unit that collects at least residual amount information of the distribution product, and a remaining product. And an arithmetic processing unit that calculates a charge amount based on the quantity information.

  According to this, the arithmetic processing unit takes in the number of deliveries from the information on the distribution item registered in the first storage unit, and based on the remaining amount information on the distribution item obtained from the information collecting unit, the remaining amount from the initial amount The amount of charge can be calculated with respect to the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of toner. Therefore, for example, even when there is a remaining toner such as toner in a toner cartridge, the remaining toner is not charged. It is possible to provide an economical service method for the service recipient.

  If the distribution information and the service receiver information are stored in pairs at the time of registration, the service receiver transmits only the distribution information to the terminal in the process of using the distribution. Even in such a case, it is possible to identify the service recipient who uses the distribution item at the terminal. Therefore, the amount of information to be received can be reduced as compared with the case where the distribution information and the service receiver information are received in pairs when the distribution is used, thereby reducing the input load and the processing load. be able to.

  The information for identifying the service recipient may be collected at the time of authentication when the information collection unit communicates with the service recipient in collecting the remaining amount information, or the amount charged by the arithmetic processing unit At the time of the calculation, the service provider may identify the service recipient by manual input, and the information collection unit may access the identified service recipient and collect the remaining amount information. This is also true for other configurations.

  A service management apparatus according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that registers unique information of a product to be delivered to a service recipient, and a communication unit that detects at least remaining amount information of the product via a network. And an arithmetic processing unit for calculating a billing amount based on the remaining amount information of the distribution item.

  According to this, since the use of the distribution item is detected by the communication unit via the network, the service provider can obtain the purchase status of the service recipient reliably and almost in real time while being at a remote place.

  In addition, since unique information is assigned to each distribution to be provided to the service recipient and registered in the storage unit, depending on whether the information of the mounted distribution is the same or different, for example, an image In the case of the forming apparatus, the arithmetic processing unit can electronically determine whether the same circulating article is inserted and removed at the time of paper jam treatment, or whether a new circulating article is attached by replacement. Therefore, when the information on the attached distribution item is new, it is possible to identify the distribution item purchase action by the service recipient based on the notification result.

  If the unique information of the distribution and the service receiver information are stored as a pair at the time of registration, the service receiver transmits only the distribution information to the terminal in the process of using the distribution. Even in such a case, it is possible to identify the service recipient who uses the distribution item at the terminal. Therefore, the amount of information to be received can be reduced as compared with the case where the unique information of the distribution and the contractor information are received in pairs when the distribution is used, thereby reducing the network load and the processing load. be able to.

  In the service management device of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit further calculates the remaining amount of unused distribution items held by the service receiver based on information on the distribution items being exchanged, and calculates the calculation result. Compared with the specified value, when the remaining amount of the distribution product reaches the specified value, the service recipient is instructed to send a new distribution item.

  As a result, in addition to the above effects, the inventory status of spare circulation items is monitored, and new distribution items are shipped when the amount falls below the specified value. Therefore, the distribution items are depleted at the service recipient's home. There is nothing to do.

  In the service management device of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit further calculates the charge of the distribution used by the service recipient within the corresponding period based on the use information of the distribution and the date and time information exchanged. It is a feature.

  As a result, in addition to the above effects, periodic charging processing can be automatically performed.

  The service management apparatus of the present invention further includes a second storage unit that stores information transmitted from the service recipient, and the arithmetic processing unit is transmitted with the information stored in the second storage unit. The latest information is compared, and the stored information is updated when the information is different.

  As a result, the remaining amount information changes with the use of the distribution item, and the unique information changes when the distribution item is used and a new distribution item is started. Therefore, by recording the remaining amount information and the unique information in association with each other, it is possible to grasp the usage history of the distribution in the service recipient, and it is possible to charge periodically based on the usage history.

  In addition, when the same unique information is transmitted many times, the contents of the second storage unit are not updated, so there is no possibility that double counting will occur during billing management or the like. In addition, processing such as billing management can be performed at the timing when the contents of the second storage unit are updated.

  The distribution of the present invention is characterized by being used in the above service management method.

  As a result, since the distribution is managed by the service management method according to the present invention, the service provider has the advantage that the usage status can be accurately grasped, and the service receiver is charged only for the amount used. This produces the advantage of not having to pay extra for the reserve. As an example of the distribution, toner or ink as a consumption material may be used, or a container containing the toner and ink may be included.

  The distribution item of the present invention is further characterized in that unique information of the distribution item is formed.

  Thereby, the service provider can confirm at the time of delivery of the distribution product what kind of distribution product has been delivered in advance to which service recipient based on the unique information of the distribution product.

  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.

  The unique information formed in the distribution is, for example, code information that does not make sense on its own, and the code information of the distribution is used as the product name for the first time by referring to the product table prepared on the service provider side. You may make it translate.

  In this case, the unique information of the distribution in the present invention is information that is low risk for both the service provider and the service recipient even if it is leaked to a third party or decrypted. There is no need for advanced processing. Therefore, compared to reading such information as a security measure, the hardware and software scale can be reduced, and the processing time can be shortened by the amount of no decoding, so high-speed reading is performed. Can do.

  Also, the service provider can specify the contractor only by obtaining the unique information of the distribution if the distribution information and the service recipient information are registered in association with each other at the time of distribution. . That is, the amount of information transmission can be reduced and the network can be used compared to the case where service recipient information that is the user of the distribution product is obtained in addition to the unique information of the distribution product. Can reduce the communication load.

Further, if the above-mentioned distribution is used in the service management method of the present invention, even if a third party manufactures and sells a copy of the distribution including the unique information of the distribution, the service provider handles the distribution. As long as it is not eligible for service, pirated copies can be eliminated.
The distribution product of the present invention further includes a protective material for packing or packaging the distribution material, and an information recording medium in which information having the same content as the unique information of the distribution product is formed on or inside the protective material. It is characterized by having.

  As a result, the service person can obtain information on the distribution product delivered at the time of delivery of the distribution product from the information recording medium affixed to the surface of the distribution material such as the packaging material. There is no need to take out the distribution and obtain the unique information formed in the distribution, and there is no loss of merchantability associated with opening.

  The information formed on the information recording body can be obtained by reading with a scanner. For example, if the unique information is formed as a barcode, it can be easily and quickly performed, and work such as delivery check at the time of delivery can be speeded up.

  Furthermore, when the information recording body is affixed to the surface of the distribution material, the information can be read easily, so that the above work can be speeded up.

  In addition, when attaching the information recording body to the inside of the protective material, the information recording body is not damaged or damaged as compared with the method of pasting on the surface. , You can avoid the situation that you can not read the information.

  In addition, if the information recording body is formed so as to be separated from the circulation, it can be determined whether the information recording body is undelivered or already delivered according to the presence or absence of the information recording body. In addition, since it is possible to take the information recording body home, it is possible to avoid the situation that pre-registration cannot be performed even when the scanner is out of order, and the information recording body can be taken home to read the information. And pre-registration can be performed.

  The distribution product of the present invention further includes an IC chip, and the unique information of the distribution product is stored in the IC chip.

  As a result, an IC chip that has been studied for the purpose of eliminating pirated copies in the past can be used as it is, and there is no need to increase the cost of hardware. Information can be stored.

  The product of the present invention is further characterized by being a cartridge that stores toner.

  In general, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is designed on the assumption that the consumables such as the toner cartridge are replaced. Since the market as an aftermarket is larger than the main body of the image forming apparatus, the manufacture and sale of pirated copies are rampant. is doing. Under such circumstances, if the service management method according to the present invention is used, it is possible to provide a regular distribution product while eliminating pirated copies. In other words, since the service provider guarantees and manages all the processes of manufacturing, distribution and sales, there is no room for the pirated version to be lost, and it is the service provider that registers the distribution at the time of delivery. Therefore, it is possible to target only the distribution items approved by the service provider.

  The product of the present invention is further characterized by being a cartridge that stores ink.

  This has the same effect on the ink cartridge of the ink jet printer.

The service management network system according to the present invention is a device in which a distributed product that has unique information and is consumed or consumed is detachably mounted, and detects the unique product information from the distributed product. A reading unit for measuring, a remaining amount detecting unit for measuring the remaining amount of the circulation, a transmitting unit for transmitting information from the reading unit and the remaining amount detecting unit to the outside via a network, the reading unit, A first group composed of devices having a controller for controlling the remaining amount detection unit and the transmission unit;
A communication unit for communicating with the first group, a first storage unit for registering information on the distribution items in the first group, and a remaining amount of distribution items acquired via the communication unit. It is characterized by comprising a second group composed of terminals having an arithmetic processing unit for calculating the amount of money.

  Thereby, the service management method described above can be realized by using IT technology such as a network system and an IC chip.

  Moreover, it can identify with a purchase act with the fact exchanged for the spare distribution thing in the 1st group.

  In addition, even if a pirated version of the distribution is used, the device operates to read the information unique to the distribution formed in the distribution, and therefore the distribution does not have information unique to the distribution. Can be eliminated based on this check.

The service management network system according to the present invention is a device in which a distributed product that has unique information and is consumed or consumed is detachably mounted, and detects the unique product information from the distributed product. A first group that includes a reading unit for reading, a transmission unit that transmits information from the reading unit to the outside via a network, and a controller unit that controls the reading unit and the transmission unit When,
Detecting a change in information unique to the flow acquired by the communication unit for communicating with the first group, a first storage unit for registering information on the flow in the first group, and the communication unit; The exchange authorization unit for authorizing the exchange of the distribution in the service recipient, the arithmetic processing unit for calculating the charge amount based on the remaining amount of the distribution, and the remaining amount detection unit for measuring the remaining amount of the distribution And a second group consisting of: and a second group.

  As a result, the service management method that makes use of the merit of measuring the remaining amount of the distribution on the service provider side already described can be realized by using IT technology such as a network system and an IC chip.

  Moreover, it can identify with a purchase act with the fact exchanged for the spare distribution thing in the 1st group.

  In addition, even if a pirated version of the distribution is used, the device operates to read the information unique to the distribution formed in the distribution, and therefore the distribution does not have information unique to the distribution. Can be eliminated based on this check.

  The service management network system of the present invention is characterized in that the reading unit of the device detects information unique to the distribution item from the distribution item with a timing when the distribution item is mounted on the device as a trigger.

  Thus, since the exchange of the circulation is included when the circulation is mounted on the device, the exchange authorization unit of the second group can detect the circulation specific information by detecting the distribution-specific information at the above timing. It can be most efficiently detected whether there is a change in the unique information.

  In order to replace the circulation, it is necessary to detach the used circulation in the attached state and to attach a new circulation, so the reading unit reads the timing when the circulation is detached and remounted. It can be used as a trigger signal for operation.

  In order to detect the above-mentioned timing, for example, a sensor for detecting whether the distribution item is mounted on the device is provided, the rising or falling timing of the sensor output signal is detected, and the timing is synchronized with the timing. The reading unit may be operated so as to read the unique information.

  In the service management network system of the present invention, the device further compares the storage unit storing information input from the reading unit with the latest information input from the reading unit and the information already stored. The controller unit, and the controller unit stores the stored contents stored in the storage unit when the latest information input from the reading unit is different from the stored information. It is characterized by performing update control.

  As a result, it is possible to determine by electronic operation whether the same distribution item is removed or inserted at the time of paper jam processing or the replacement of the new distribution item by replacement. When the information on the installed distribution item is new It will only be possible to identify the attachment of a new distribution.

  In addition, information unique to the distribution item from the new distribution item is detected by the reading unit of the device and transmitted from the transmission unit to the communication unit of the second group via the network. Can recognize the purchase.

  In the service management network system of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit further calculates the number of unused distribution items held by the first group based on information on replacement of distribution items of the devices of the first group. Then, the calculation result is compared with a prescribed value, and when the number of articles reaches the prescribed value, an instruction to send a new article to the first group is given.

  As a result, in addition to the above effects, the inventory status of spare circulation items is monitored, and new circulation items are shipped when they become below the specified value. There is no depletion.

  The service management network system according to the present invention further includes a charge for the distribution item used by the first group within a corresponding period based on the usage information of the distribution item of the device and the date / time information exchanged. It is characterized by calculating. As a result, the periodic billing process can be automatically performed.

  In the service management network system of the present invention, the terminal further includes a second storage unit that stores information transmitted from the first group, and the arithmetic processing unit is transmitted with the stored information. The latest information is compared, and if the information is different, the stored information is updated.

  As a result, it is possible to determine by electronic and remote operation whether the same circulation is inserted or removed at the time of paper jam treatment or the replacement of the new circulation by electronic replacement, and the information on the installed circulation is new. Only in the case, it becomes possible to identify the purchase of the distribution item with the notification result. Therefore, the calculation processing unit does not need to perform unnecessary calculation such as billing processing when the information of the attached distribution items is the same.

  The service management network system according to the present invention is a network system characterized in that the device is an image forming apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to centrally manage distribution information such as toner cartridges through the network for the image forming apparatuses connected to the network.

  The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is characterized by recording a program for executing the service management method of the present invention.

  According to the above configuration, the service management method of the present invention can be provided to the service receiver by loading the program recorded on the recording medium into the service management device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, consumption parts actually used among the consumption parts delivered to the service recipient in order to avoid the exhaustion state of the consumption parts or the non-operational state of the equipment due to the exhaustion of the consumption parts. Since only the parts are charged, the service receiver can exchange the consumables without having unnecessary inventory.

  In addition, the delivery work for advance delivery and the billing work need not be at the same time, and the delivery work is determined and executed based on the actual consumption situation, while the billing work is independent of the delivery work. For example, since it can be performed periodically with a monthly unit as a delimiter, each can be performed in an efficient and convenient manner.

  The service management method of the present invention includes a step of registering information on a distribution item to be delivered to a service receiver in a terminal, a step of acquiring remaining amount information of the distribution item delivered to the service receiver, and the registered distribution item. And calculating a billing amount according to the remaining amount of the distributed goods delivered to the service recipient based on the remaining information and the acquired remaining amount information.

  According to this, since it is a system which charges only for the actually used distribution, not charged for the unused distribution that is delivered in advance, the service recipient can suppress unnecessary advance expenditure. be able to.

  On the other hand, since the service provider can reliably secure customers, it is possible to stably sell the distribution items. In addition, since the service provider registers the information on the products to be delivered in advance, only genuine products can be provided. In other words, the goods used by the service recipient are directly provided to the service recipient by the service provider and are registered in their own terminals, so that inferior goods such as pirated copies are not registered. Never used.

  As described above, it is possible to handle only the distribution products guaranteed and certified by the service provider, so that quality control can be performed thoroughly.

  Furthermore, since the remaining amount information of the distribution is obtained and the charge amount is determined based on the consumption of the distribution, for example, when the distribution is toner or ink, the remaining toner, The remaining amount of ink is not subject to billing, and an economical service method can be provided for the service recipient.

  The service management method according to the present invention includes a step of registering unique information of a product delivered to a service recipient in a terminal, a step of acquiring unique information and remaining amount information of the product delivered to the service recipient, Having a step of calculating a billing amount according to the remaining amount of the distributed goods delivered to the service recipient based on the acquired unique information and remaining amount information of the distributed goods and the registered unique information of the distributed goods. It is a feature.

  According to this, since it is a system which charges only for the actually used distribution, not charged for the unused distribution that is delivered in advance, the service recipient can suppress unnecessary advance expenditure. be able to.

  On the other hand, since the service provider can reliably secure customers, it is possible to stably sell the distribution items. In addition, since the service provider registers the information on the products to be delivered in advance, it is possible to eliminate the products as pirated editions that are not applicable to this service. That is, since the service provider provides the service provider directly to the service receiver and registers it on his / her terminal, the pirated version is not registered, and therefore the pirated version is not used. Absent.

  In addition, since the service provider can centrally manage the distribution items used by a plurality of service recipients based on the unique information of the distribution items, the same distribution item can be used by different service recipients. When it is detected, it is possible to distinguish between a genuine product and a pirated edition. Therefore, a pirated edition can be eliminated by giving a warning or the like to a service recipient who uses a distribution product certified as a pirated edition.

  In other words, since the information formed in the distribution is unique information, if the distribution having the same information has already been registered by the service provider, two distributions having the same information can be obtained. The check operation is performed for the reason that it exists as described above, and in general, there is a high possibility that the distribution product detected later in time is a pirated version (= copying the unique information of the genuine product) and is excluded.

  As described above, the use of the same distribution can be easily checked by the service provider, and the distribution is delivered based on the information of the distribution registered by the service provider. Therefore, it is possible to easily identify the service recipient using the pirated version.

  Further, since the remaining amount information of the distribution item is obtained and the charge amount is determined based on the consumption amount of the distribution item, for example, the remaining amount toner such as the toner in the toner cartridge and the ink in the ink cartridge, Even if there is remaining ink, the remaining toner and remaining ink are not charged, and an economical service method can be provided for the service recipient.

  When toner, ink, and the like have a expiration date, the toner and ink collected after the expiration date cannot be reused as they are. Even in such a case, if it is not charged, it will be deducted although it cannot be reused, and there is a risk that the service provider will not be profitable. Therefore, only the remaining toner and ink collected within the expiry date should be deducted.

  In the service management method of the present invention, there is a change when there is a change in at least one of the step of recording the remaining amount information in association with the corresponding unique information and the acquired unique information or remaining amount information. And updating and recording information.

  According to this, the remaining amount information changes with the use of the distribution item, and the unique information changes when the distribution item is used and a new distribution item is used. Accordingly, by recording the remaining amount information and the unique information in association with each other, it is possible to grasp the usage history of the distribution in the service recipient, and it is possible to charge regularly based on the favorite history.

  The service management method of the present invention is a service management method for a distribution comprising at least a consumption material and a container for the consumption material, and registers unique information of the distribution to be delivered to the service recipient in the terminal. A step of acquiring unique information of the distribution in use by the service recipient, a step of authorizing exchange of the distribution in the service receiver by detecting a change in the specific information of the acquired distribution, After authorizing the exchange of the distribution item, a step of collecting the used distribution item, a step of measuring the remaining amount of the consumption material of the collected distribution item, and calculating the charge amount according to the remaining amount of the consumption material And a step.

  According to this, the same effect as described above can be obtained. Furthermore, compared to the above service management method, after collecting the used circulation, the remaining amount of the consumables of the circulation is measured, so there is no need to detect the remaining amount on the service recipient side. Also, it is not necessary to transmit the detected remaining amount information.

  In addition, since the remaining amount of consumables is measured by the service provider, fluctuations in the billing amount due to variations in the remaining amount detection accuracy of the device can be eliminated, and the remaining amount of toner can be measured easily and accurately using the same standard. Can do.

  The service management method of the present invention includes a step of registering information on a distributed product delivered to a service recipient in a terminal, and a step of detecting the remaining amount information of the distributed product delivered to the service recipient on the service recipient side. And acquiring the detected remaining amount information via the network, and depending on the remaining amount of the distributed item delivered to the service recipient based on the registered distributed item information and the acquired remaining amount information. And a step of calculating a monetary amount.

  According to this, since the remaining amount can be detected by a simple step on the service recipient side of detecting the remaining amount of the circulation, the remaining amount information is transmitted to the service recipient via the network. By doing so, the billing amount according to the remaining amount of the distribution can be calculated almost in real time.

  The service management method of the present invention is a service management method for a distribution comprising at least a consumption material and a container for the consumption material, and registers unique information of the distribution to be delivered to the service recipient in the terminal. A step of detecting the unique information of the distribution in use on the service recipient side, a step of acquiring the detected unique information to the terminal via the network, and a change in the acquired unique information of the distribution By detecting, the step of authorizing the exchange of the circulation in the service recipient, the step of collecting the used circulation after authorizing the exchange of the circulation, and the remaining amount of the consumption material of the collected circulation The method includes a step of measuring, and a step of calculating a billing amount according to the remaining amount of the consumption material.

  According to this, it is possible to obtain the same effect as described above with respect to a distribution material including at least a consumer material and a container for the consumer material.

  The service management apparatus of the present invention includes a first storage unit that registers information on a distribution product to be delivered to a service recipient, an information collection unit that collects at least residual amount information of the distribution product, and a remaining product. And an arithmetic processing unit that calculates a charge amount based on the quantity information.

  According to this, the arithmetic processing unit takes in the number of deliveries from the information on the distribution item registered in the first storage unit, and based on the remaining amount information on the distribution item obtained from the information collecting unit, the remaining amount from the initial amount The amount of charge can be calculated with respect to the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of toner. Therefore, for example, even when there is a remaining toner such as toner in a toner cartridge, the remaining toner is not charged. It is possible to provide an economical service method for the service recipient.

  A service management apparatus according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that registers unique information of a product to be delivered to a service recipient, and a communication unit that detects at least remaining amount information of the product via a network. And an arithmetic processing unit that calculates a billing amount based on the remaining amount information of the distribution product.

  According to this, since the use of the distribution item is detected by the communication unit via the network, the service provider can obtain the purchase status of the service recipient reliably and almost in real time while being at a remote place.

  In addition, since unique information is assigned to each distribution to be provided to the service recipient and registered in the storage unit, depending on whether the information of the mounted distribution is the same or different, for example, an image In the case of the forming apparatus, the arithmetic processing unit can electronically determine whether the same circulating article is inserted and removed at the time of paper jam treatment, or whether a new circulating article is attached by replacement. Therefore, when the information on the attached distribution item is new, it is possible to identify the distribution item purchase action by the service recipient based on the notification result.

  In the service management device of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit further calculates the remaining amount of unused distribution items held by the service receiver based on information on the distribution items being exchanged, and calculates the calculation result. Compared with the specified value, when the remaining amount of the distribution product reaches the specified value, the service recipient is instructed to send a new distribution item.

  As a result, in addition to the above effects, the inventory status of spare circulation items is monitored, and new distribution items are shipped when the amount falls below the specified value. Therefore, the distribution items are depleted at the service recipient's home. There is nothing to do.

  In the service management device of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit further calculates the charge of the distribution used by the service recipient within the corresponding period based on the use information of the distribution and the date and time information exchanged. It is a feature.

  As a result, in addition to the above effects, periodic charging processing can be automatically performed.

  The service management apparatus of the present invention further includes a second storage unit that stores information transmitted from the service recipient, and the arithmetic processing unit is transmitted with the information stored in the second storage unit. The latest information is compared, and the stored information is updated when the information is different.

  As a result, when the same unique information is transmitted many times, the contents of the second storage unit are not updated, so that there is no possibility of double counting during billing management or the like. In addition, processing such as billing management can be performed at the timing when the contents of the second storage unit are updated.

  The distribution of the present invention is characterized by being used in the above service management method.

  As a result, since the distribution is managed by the service management method according to the present invention, the service provider has the advantage that the usage status can be accurately grasped, and the service receiver is charged only for the amount used. This produces the advantage of not having to pay extra for the reserve. The distribution product may be toner or ink as a consumption material, or may include a container containing the toner and ink.

  The distribution item of the present invention is further characterized in that unique information of the distribution item is formed. Based on the unique information of the distribution product, the service provider can confirm “what distribution product has been delivered in advance to which service recipient” at the time of delivery of the distribution product.

  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.

  In addition, the service provider can identify the service recipient only by obtaining the unique information of the distribution if the distribution information and the service receiver information are associated and registered at the time of distribution. . That is, the amount of information transmission can be reduced and the network can be used compared to the case where service recipient information that is the user of the distribution product is obtained in addition to the unique information of the distribution product. Can reduce the communication load.

  Further, if the above-mentioned distribution is used in the service management method of the present invention, even if a third party manufactures and sells a copy of the distribution including the unique information of the distribution, the service provider handles the distribution. As long as it is not eligible for service, pirated copies can be eliminated.

  The distribution product of the present invention further includes a protective material for packing or packaging the distribution product, and an information recording medium in which information having the same content as the unique information of the distribution product is formed on or inside the protective material. It is characterized by having.

  As a result, the service person can obtain information on the distribution product delivered at the time of delivery of the distribution product from the information recording medium affixed to the surface of the distribution material such as the packaging material. There is no need to take out the distribution and obtain the unique information formed in the distribution, and there is no loss of merchantability associated with opening.

  Furthermore, when the information recording body is affixed to the surface of the distribution material, the information can be read easily, so that the above work can be speeded up.

  In addition, when attaching the information recording body inside the circulation, the information recording body is not damaged or damaged as compared with the method of pasting on the surface. The situation where information cannot be read can be avoided.

  The distribution product of the present invention further includes an IC chip, and the unique information of the distribution product is stored in the IC chip.

  As a result, an IC chip that has been studied for the purpose of eliminating pirated copies in the past can be used as it is, and there is no need to increase the cost of hardware. Information can be stored.

  The product of the present invention is further characterized by being a cartridge that stores toner.

  In general, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is designed on the assumption that the consumables such as the toner cartridge are replaced. Since the market as an aftermarket is larger than the main body of the image forming apparatus, the manufacture and sale of pirated copies are rampant. is doing. Under such circumstances, if the service management method according to the present invention is used, it is possible to provide a regular distribution product while eliminating pirated copies. In other words, since the service provider guarantees and manages all the processes of manufacturing, distribution and sales, there is no room for the pirated version to be lost, and it is the service provider that registers the distribution at the time of delivery. Therefore, it is possible to target only the distribution items approved by the service provider.

  The product of the present invention is further characterized by being a cartridge that stores ink.

  This has the same effect on the ink cartridge of the ink jet printer.

The service management network system according to the present invention is a device in which a distributed product that has unique information and is consumed or consumed is detachably mounted, and detects the unique product information from the distributed product. A reading unit for measuring, a remaining amount detecting unit for measuring the remaining amount of the circulation, a transmitting unit for transmitting information from the reading unit and the remaining amount detecting unit to the outside via a network, the reading unit, A first group composed of devices having a controller for controlling the remaining amount detection unit and the transmission unit;
A communication unit for communicating with the first group, a first storage unit for registering information on the distribution items in the first group, and a remaining amount of distribution items acquired via the communication unit. It is characterized by comprising a second group composed of terminals having an arithmetic processing unit for calculating the amount of money.

  Thereby, the service management method described above can be realized by using IT technology such as a network system and an IC chip.

The service management network system according to the present invention is a device in which a distributed product that has unique information and is consumed or consumed is detachably mounted, and detects the unique product information from the distributed product. A first group that includes a reading unit for reading, a transmission unit that transmits information from the reading unit to the outside via a network, and a controller unit that controls the reading unit and the transmission unit When,
Detecting a change in information unique to the flow acquired by the communication unit for communicating with the first group, a first storage unit for registering information on the flow in the first group, and the communication unit; The exchange authorization unit for authorizing the exchange of the distribution in the service recipient, the arithmetic processing unit for calculating the charge amount based on the remaining amount of the distribution, and the remaining amount detection unit for measuring the remaining amount of the distribution And a second group consisting of: and a second group.

  As a result, the service management method that makes use of the merit of measuring the remaining amount of the distribution on the service provider side already described can be realized by using IT technology such as a network system and an IC chip.

  The service management network system of the present invention is characterized in that the reading unit of the device detects information unique to the distribution item from the distribution item with a timing when the distribution item is mounted on the device as a trigger.

  Thus, since the exchange of the circulation is included when the circulation is mounted on the device, the exchange authorization unit of the second group can detect the circulation specific information by detecting the distribution-specific information at the above timing. It can be most efficiently detected whether there is a change in the unique information.

  In the service management network system of the present invention, the device further compares the storage unit storing information input from the reading unit with the latest information input from the reading unit and the information already stored. The controller unit, and the controller unit stores the stored contents stored in the storage unit when the latest information input from the reading unit is different from the stored information. It is characterized by performing update control.

  As a result, it is possible to determine by electronic operation whether the same distribution item is removed or inserted at the time of paper jam processing or the replacement of the new distribution item by replacement. When the information on the installed distribution item is new It will only be possible to identify the attachment of a new distribution.

  In addition, information unique to the distribution item from the new distribution item is detected by the reading unit of the device, and is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit to the communication unit of the second group via the network. Can recognize the purchase.

  In the service management network system of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit further calculates the number of unused distribution items held by the first group based on information on replacement of distribution items of the devices of the first group. Then, the calculation result is compared with a prescribed value, and when the number of articles reaches the prescribed value, an instruction to send a new article to the first group is given.

  As a result, in addition to the above effects, the inventory status of spare circulation items is monitored, and new circulation items are sent out when the amount falls below the specified value. There is no depletion.

  In the service management network system of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit further determines the charge of the distribution item used by the first group within the corresponding period based on the date and time information exchanged with the use information of the distribution item of the device. It is characterized by calculating.

  As a result, the periodic billing process can be automatically performed.

  In the service management network system of the present invention, the terminal further includes a second storage unit that stores information transmitted from the first group, and the arithmetic processing unit is transmitted with the stored information. The latest information is compared, and if the information is different, the stored information is updated.

  As a result, it is possible to determine by electronic and remote operation whether the same circulation is inserted or removed at the time of paper jam treatment or the replacement of the new circulation by electronic replacement, and the information on the installed circulation is new. Only in the case, it becomes possible to identify the purchase of the distribution item with the notification result. Therefore, the calculation processing unit does not need to perform unnecessary calculation such as billing processing when the information of the attached distribution items is the same.

  The service management network system of the present invention is further characterized in that the device is an image forming apparatus.

  Accordingly, it is possible to centrally manage distribution information such as toner cartridges through the network for the image forming apparatuses connected to the network.

  The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is characterized by recording a program for executing the service management method of the present invention.

  According to the above configuration, the service management method of the present invention can be provided to the service receiver by loading the program recorded on the recording medium into the service management device.

[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, it is a consumable material such as toner and ink. Further, in a distribution form, a toner cartridge or a developing cartridge to which a container for accommodating the consumable material is added, a photosensitive cartridge, and the like. And a cartridge in which a developing member and a photosensitive member are integrally formed, an ink cartridge, a cartridge in which an ink tank and a print head are integrally formed, and the like. In the industry, these products are sometimes called supplies.

  The consumable material refers to a member that is consumed, such as toner and ink, and the container refers to a member other than the consumable material.

  FIG. 6 shows a general example in which 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. Accordingly, the distribution product 6 in the distribution state includes the packaging material 62 and the packaging material 63, but the distribution product 6 when the device is mounted refers to the toner cartridge 60.

  The ink cartridge of the ink jet printer has the same configuration.

(Network configuration and device configuration)
FIG. 3 shows a general configuration on the network of the service provider 10 and the contractor (service recipient) 1.

  The service provider 10 provides the contractor 1 with a service related to the distribution item 6 such as the toner cartridge 60 described in detail below.

  When the service provider 10 is a leasing company or the like, it may be a service that concludes a lease contract for the image forming apparatus main body.

  The network 20 is a public network such as a telephone line. Below, the relationship between the specific contractor 1 and the service provider 10 is demonstrated.

  First, the service provider 10 delivers the distribution product 6 such as the toner cartridge 60 suitable for the image forming apparatus 2 together with the delivery of the image forming apparatus 2. In general, even if they are made by the same manufacturer, if the model of the image forming apparatus is different, the distribution material used for it is often different, so the model number / code number of the distribution item is determined based on the image forming apparatus main body information. Check.

  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.

  As shown in FIG. 1, as the network 20, an image forming apparatus (device) 2 on the contractor 1 side is connected to a terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side through a telephone line 20A or the like.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 on the contractor 1 side will be described below. The image forming apparatus 2 includes an image forming unit (not shown), a toner cartridge 60 as a consumable part, a reading unit 4 for reading information (described later) formed on the toner cartridge 60, and the read information to the outside. The transmission / reception unit 5, the sensor circuit 91, the remaining amount detection unit 92 for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 60, the reading unit 4, the transmission / reception unit (transmission unit) 5, the sensor circuit 91, and the remaining amount detection. And a controller unit 3 that controls the unit 92.

  The reading unit 4 differs depending on the form of information formed in the toner cartridge 60. The reading unit 4 is a bar code reader in the case of a bar code, and includes an electric or high frequency reading unit in the case of an IC chip. .

  The transmission / reception unit 5 is, for example, a modem. 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. 4, the transmission mode of the transmission / reception unit 5 mounted or connected to the image forming apparatus 2 is wireless, and is transmitted in a wireless state to the second transmission / reception unit 51 installed in the contractor 1. The second transmission / reception unit 51 is connected to the network 20 in a wired state. Further, it may have a function for connecting to the local network 21. It should be noted that the second transmission / reception unit 51 and the communication unit 121 of the terminal 12 may naturally use part of wireless transmission.

  The sensor circuit 91 includes various sensors for detecting whether or not the toner cartridge 60 is attached to the device 2 and a peripheral circuit for processing a signal from the sensor. As the sensor, a door sensor or a cartridge sensor, which has 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 or not the 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. .

  Since the sensor circuit 91 is often provided in a normal copying machine / printer, it is assumed that the sensor circuit 91 is used. However, in the absence of the sensor, alternative means can be used and are not necessarily required.

  The remaining amount detection unit 92 is for detecting the amount of toner currently in use. For example, a method of directly measuring the remaining amount of toner, such as a change in mass by a mass sensor or a change in toner layer thickness by a displacement sensor, may be used, or on a photoconductor or a developing roller for checking. Indirect measurement methods such as a method of measuring the density of the toner formed on the printer and a method of calculating the toner consumption amount by estimation using information on the number of printed sheets and the like may be used.

  Since the remaining amount detection unit 92 often detects the remaining amount of toner in a state where toner is almost consumed, the detection range only needs to be able to detect from a state where toner is almost consumed to a completely empty state. Further, analog detection of the remaining amount of toner is not always necessary from the viewpoint of sensor cost, and may be stepwise (digital). For example, two level sensors X and Y are provided, and from the detection results of the sensors X and Y, for example,

Judge as follows. (H: High level, L: Low level)
The billing calculation method in this case is
P = p * mi (1)
It becomes. Here, P (p * mi) is a fee charged to the contractor 1 according to the amount of toner consumed, and consists of the product of the reference fee p and the charging coefficient mi. mi is a charging coefficient whose value increases in correlation with the toner consumption. In the case of Table 1 above, m1 <m2 <m3 <m4, and mi (i = 1, 2, 3, The value of 4) is determined based on experiments and the like. For example, m1 = 0.7, m2 = 0.8, m3 = 0.9, and m4 = 1. Note that p or / and mi may be set for each color.

  The controller unit 3 instructs the reading unit 4 to access an IC chip 61 (see FIG. 2) described later and read out toner cartridge information when the toner cartridge 60 is replaced. Further, the remaining toner amount information is obtained from the remaining amount detecting unit 92. Further, the transceiver unit 5 is instructed to transmit the read cartridge information and toner remaining amount 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 3.

  The toner cartridge 60 is preferably recorded with unique information on the surface or inside thereof as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the above-described IC chip 61 is mounted as an information holding body, and a product type number and an ID number are stored in advance in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a ferroelectric memory. Alternatively, the information holding body may be formed by a simple method such as a barcode. In the present invention, the ID number stored in the IC chip does not require special confidentiality.

  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, in order to reduce the printing burden, printing time, management burden, etc., the same barcode is used for the same type of distribution. 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.

  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.

  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.

Next, the recorded contents of information formed on the toner cartridge 60 will be described. In the IC chip 61, 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 numbers are created and managed by the service provider 10.

  Next, the meaning of the numbers will be described.

  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 the toner cartridge 60 of four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) is necessary, the most significant two digits are color. May be assigned to information, for example

Then, it is possible to distinguish up to 4 models by the remaining 2 digits. For example, as shown in Table 3.

  Alternatively, as shown in Table 4, the toner cartridges A and B and the photoconductor cartridges C and D are used.

  These correspondence tables are prepared as a distribution information table in the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side described below.

The remaining 16 digits are the individual number of the toner cartridge 60 having the type number 0011 in the above example.
0000 0000 0000 0000
To 1111 1111 1111 1111
Up to 65536 numbers, a single and unique number is assigned to one toner cartridge 60. This information is also added to the distribution information table in the terminal 12 on the service provider side.

  Next, the configuration of the terminal 12 (service management apparatus) of the service provider 10 will be described.

  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. .

  The communication unit 121 is for connection to the network 20, and in the case of a telephone line, for example, is a modem. Further, it may have a function for connecting to the local network 22.

  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 out from the storage unit 124 during program operation, and expanded on the RAM.

  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. Note that the communication unit 121 and the input unit 123 constitute an information collection unit, and collect the remaining amount information of the circulation from the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 or the like.

  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. As stored contents, the distribution information table shown in the above-mentioned Tables 2 to 4, the service receiver information table described later, the service management table for each contractor 1, and the application program describing the processing flow of the service management method according to the present invention Etc. The storage unit 124 corresponds to the recording medium of the present invention.

  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.

(Registration process)
Next, the operation of the system will be described.

  First, the service provider 10 obtains information on the contractor 1 as prior information. As shown in FIG. 8A as the service recipient 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 company name In addition, even if they are the same company, it is necessary to specify up to the name of the establishment when making a contract for each establishment.

  Next, in order to handle the service receiver information in the terminal 12, the service provider 10 issues a service receiver ID for each contractor 1. The service receiver ID is unique, and one ID such as a number such as 000125 is assigned to each contractor 1.

  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.

  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.

  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 item 6. When the image forming apparatus 2 is connected and set to be communicable with the external network 20 and becomes communicable, in addition to the given service receiver ID, the model number of the image forming apparatus 2, Information such as individual product ID numbers may be sent. If it is only necessary to know what kind of image forming apparatus the contractor 1 has, a model number, a product number or the like that can identify the model may be used, but the contractor 1 has the same image forming apparatus. If it is necessary to know information for each image forming apparatus individually, unique information such as a serial number that can identify the image forming apparatus is preferable.

  In the case of a copying machine, a numeric keypad is provided for designating the number of prints, etc., so that the service receiver ID number and / or the ID number of the image forming apparatus 2 are entered using the input means. 2 can be easily entered. If the service receiver ID number once entered is stored in a non-volatile memory, it is not necessary to input it again when information is transmitted from the contractor 1 to the service provider 10. Further, if the image forming apparatus ID number is also stored in the nonvolatile memory at the time of shipment, the input operation can be omitted thereafter, and a series of operations can be automatically performed electronically. The nonvolatile memory described above is formed as a part of the constituent elements of the controller unit 3.

  As described above, necessary items are input to the terminal 12 as shown in FIG. 8B in the service recipient table [2]. 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 AR-2000 and AR-2001.

  The service recipient table [1] and the service recipient table [2] can be combined as common information for associating ID numbers. Therefore, referring to FIG. 8A, it is understood that the contractor 1 with the ID number 000003 is “C Corporation ΔΔΔ division”.

  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.

  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. Further, although an individual product ID number is not particularly necessary, even if the model is the same, there may be a partial change or the like during the manufacturing process. If it is done, it will respond correctly. 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.

  A service management file is created for each contractor 1 in the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side 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. 9A and 9B, the cartridge information currently in use in the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 and the spare cartridge information delivered to the contractor 1 side are included. Absent.

  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.

  As an information collecting method, as shown in FIG. 5, an information recording body 7 in which information (identification information unique to the distribution item) that can identify the toner cartridge 60 is affixed separately to the packing material 63 of the distribution item 6. When delivering 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, but the information forming method is not necessarily the same. 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.

  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. It is possible to obtain information on the distribution item 6 delivered at the time of delivery of the item 6 from the information recording body 7 affixed to the surface of the distribution item such as the packing material 63. There is no need to take out and obtain the unique information formed in the distribution product 6, and there is no loss of merchantability associated with opening.

  After collecting the information, the service person collects the information recording body 7 in order to confirm that the reading has been completed. In this manner, if the information recording body 7 is formed so as to be separable from the distribution product 6, it can be determined whether the information recording body 7 is undelivered or already delivered according to the presence or absence of the information recording body 7. Further, since the information recording body 7 can be taken home, it is possible to avoid a situation in which pre-registration cannot be performed even when the scanner is out of order. Can be read and pre-registered.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, the method of attaching the information recording body 7 can be obtained without opening the toner cartridge 60, as shown in FIG. A portion 71 is bonded to the surface portion by an adhesive or the like by a glue or a stapler, and a portion 72 on which information is written is configured to be cut from the portion 71 by a cut line K.

  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.

  As another method for attaching the information recording body 7, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the information recording body 7 on which information is not formed is attached to the packing material 63 of the distribution material 6 with an adhesive or the like on the back surface. In addition, the portion 72 where the information 73 is written is configured to be cut from the bonded portion 71 by the cut lines K1 and K2.

  Further, as another attachment method of the information recording body 7, as shown in FIG. 5C, the inside 64 of the cover portion of the protective member 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.

  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. However, the outermost surface of the distribution item 6 is in the distribution state. It means part.

  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 terms of content, but the formation method is not necessarily the same.

  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 (registered trademark) disk or a memory stick, and after being taken home, the information may be input to the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side.

  When transmitting immediately using the communication means, the information read by the scanner and the service receiver ID number are paired and transmitted to the terminal 12. Thereby, on the terminal 12 side, the contractor 1 can be associated with the information of the distribution item 6 delivered to the contractor 1.

  The operation of the terminal 12 at this time will be described. The communication unit 121 receives the distribution-specific information and the service receiver ID number read by the scanner via the local network 22. The arithmetic processing unit 122 extracts the service receiver ID number from the received information, and based on the service receiver ID number, the management table corresponding to the service receiver from the storage unit 124 (FIG. 9 ( Read b).

  Next, the arithmetic processing unit 122 extracts the distribution-specific information from the received information, and inputs the distribution-specific information to the read management table (see FIG. 10B).

  As described above, the information obtained at the contractor's home is transmitted to the terminal 12 of the service provider 10 via the network, and the information is written in the management file stored in the storage unit 124 of the terminal 12.

  In addition, the information read by the scanner and the service receiver ID number are stored in pairs using a portable information terminal or the like at the site, and when returning to the service provider 10 home, the terminal 12 and the portable information terminal are connected. Information stored in the portable information terminal may be transferred to the terminal 12 by wired connection or infrared communication.

  Alternatively, without using a scanner at the site, the collected portion 72 of the information recording body 7 can be taken home and information can be read using the input unit 123 such as a barcode scanner connected to the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side, or Alternatively, it may be input to the terminal manually using a keyboard or the like. Also in this case, information unique to the distribution item 6 is input in pairs with the service recipient ID information. The former method of electronically reading and sending information electronically on site is immediate and more reliable because it eliminates the mistake that the contents of the delivery note differ from the actual delivery. .

  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.

  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.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which information is electronically read and transmitted immediately on site.

  The terminal 12 on the service provider side updates information based on the received information. That is, FIG. 10B 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 entered as other information. In the explanation of the figure, from the viewpoint of the user interface, not only the code information but also the actual name such as “black toner” is used for the display related to the type information of the toner cartridge 60 or the like. Yes. At this point, all the usage status fields are automatically displayed as “not yet (reserved)”.

  Therefore, at the time immediately after delivery, there is no change in the currently used cartridge information and remaining amount information shown in FIG. 10A, and the contents are the same as those in FIG. 9A.

  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, the information is transmitted together with the service receiver ID.

  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 whether the door is opened and closed and whether or not the toner cartridge 60 is attached. The controller unit 3 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 3 instructs the reading unit 4 to read information stored in the IC chip 61 of the toner cartridge 60. Further, the transmission / reception unit 5 issues a transmission command to the transmission / reception unit 5 so as to transmit the information. Details of the operation will be described later.

  Further, the controller unit 3 obtains the remaining amount of the mounted toner cartridge 60 from the remaining amount detection unit 92. In this case, since the toner cartridge 60 is new, in the case of the four-stage detection shown in Table 1, the output content from the remaining amount detection unit 92 is L1 (substantially much). In order to notify the result of Table 1, two signal lines are required for connecting the remaining amount detection unit 92 and the controller unit 3 in the case of parallel transmission (three lines including the ground line). They can be related as shown in Table 5. Therefore, “0” is output to the signal line when the new cartridge is mounted in terms of the logical level.

Here, the correspondence relationship with Table 1 is “0” = Low level and “1” = High level.

  FIG. 11 shows a cartridge information screen in a state where a new toner cartridge 60 is mounted. The remaining amount information for all the toner cartridges 60 attached to the device 2 is displayed as “L1”.

  The terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side receives the above information and, based on the transmitted information, as shown in FIG. 11A, the cartridge information column currently used in the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 Update. Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, the use status column is displayed for the toner cartridge 60 that has been input as spare cartridge information and is set as currently used by the above operation. , “Not used (reserved)” is updated to “currently in use”.

  This completes the initial setting / registration.

  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.

(Consumption process)
Next, an operation until the toner cartridge 60 is replaced will be described. The controller unit 3 monitors the two signals obtained from the remaining amount detection unit 92 and transmits the signal contents from the transmission / reception unit 5 to the terminal 12.

  More specifically, the controller unit 3 periodically monitors two signals obtained from the remaining amount detection unit 92 (for example, every hour). When the toner consumption progresses and the level L2 (large) specified in Table 1 is reached, the remaining amount detection unit 92 informs the controller unit 3 that the upper bit = “0” and the lower bit = “1”. Will be output. When the consumption further progresses and the level L3 is reached, the remaining amount detection unit 92 outputs information about the upper bit = “1” and the lower bit = “0” to the controller unit 3. The controller unit 3 instructs the transmission / reception unit 5 to transmit the acquired toner remaining amount information (level L2 or L3 in this case) to the terminal 12.

  FIGS. 12A and 12B show an example in which the terminal 12 obtains toner remaining amount information from the device 2 and updates the information. It can be seen that the consumption of the black toner cartridge is the most intense, the remaining toner level is L3, and the remaining toner levels of the other toner cartridges 60 are L2.

(Exchange process)
Next, the operation when the toner cartridge 60 is replaced will be described.

  The device manager or device user in the contractor 1 who has contracted with the service provider 10 is newly provided 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.

  An example of the cartridge information screen immediately before the replacement is shown in FIGS. The toner remaining level of the black toner cartridge is L4, the toner remaining level of the magenta toner cartridge is L3, and the toner remaining levels of the yellow and cyan toner cartridges are L2.

  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.

  The internal operation of the image forming apparatus 2 will be described below using FIG.

  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.

  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.

  Next, the sensor circuit 91 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. .

  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 4 to operate.

  Next, when the trigger is generated, the reading unit 4 accesses the IC chip 61 of the toner cartridge 60. FIG. 4D shows a period during which the reading unit 4 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.

  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.

  The trigger pulse is used as a timing signal for transmitting the unique information of the new toner cartridge 60 read by the reading unit 4 by the transmitting / receiving unit 5. That is, information is processed and transmitted according to the communication mode in the transmission / reception unit 5 by the trigger pulse.

  Through the above operation, new unique information indicating the replaced toner cartridge 60 is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 to the terminal 12 of the service provider 10.

  In the above description, the device 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 sensor for checking the open / close 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.

Further, in the case of a device that does not have any sensors, it can be dealt with by programming the controller unit 3 so that an event for reading occurs at regular intervals.
In the terminal 12 of the service provider 10, new unique information indicating the replaced toner cartridge 60 is received by the communication unit 121 and sent to the arithmetic processing unit 122. As a result, the arithmetic processing unit 122 recognizes the change in the unique information of the toner cartridge 60 attached to the specific image forming apparatus 2 and updates the corresponding management table in the storage unit 124. That is, the arithmetic processing unit 122 functions as an exchange authorization unit.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 1 and no. 5 is updated to “used” and “currently used”, respectively, and the remaining toner information is updated to “L4” and “L1”, respectively. Cartridge No. The value L4 for 1 is determined, and the cartridge No. The value L1 for 5 changes according to future toner consumption.

  When the terminal 12 detects that the toner cartridge (for example, No. 1) being used on the contractor 1 side has been replaced with a new toner cartridge (for example, No. 5), the terminal 12 . As for toner information for toner No. 1, toner cartridge No. The information immediately before the exchange of 1 is held, and thereafter the information is not updated. As a result, the toner cartridge No. The amount of toner used can be determined.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, in the in-use cartridge table, only the information of the black toner cartridge (replacement date, all information, unique information, remaining amount information, spare cartridge correspondence) is updated.

  At this stage, since there is no spare black toner cartridge, the service provider 10 sends at least the black toner cartridge to the contractor 1. FIG. 15B shows this state. Nine new spare cartridge information is added.

  As described above, the service provider 10 always monitors the spare toner cartridge information, and at the same time before or after 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.

  That is, in order for the terminal 12 to perform the above processing electronically, assuming that the number of distributed items 6 is Nf and the number of used distributed items is Nu, the calculation processing unit 122 calculates Nf−Nu. If Nf−Nu = 0 as a result of performing the above, an instruction to ship is issued. The value of Nf is stored in the storage unit 124 for each contractor 1, and when the above calculation is performed, the value is read from the storage unit 124. In addition, when a new delivery is made, the value is updated. As the value of Nf, the maximum value of the serial number (No. in the figure) can be used in FIG.

  The value of Nu is calculated as follows.

  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. As a result, the latest number of uses can be calculated. For example, in FIG. 11B or the like, it is possible to add 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.

  The instruction content to be sent may be displayed on the output unit 125 of the terminal 12, or the service provider 10 uses the local network 22 connected to the communication unit 121. Notification may be made to the shipping department by means of e-mail or the like. Further, the network 20 connected to the communication unit 121 may be used to notify the contractor 12 of the advance notice of shipping.

Note that the timing of sending the spare toner cartridge 60 to the contractor 1 and the determination thereof are set in advance as a reference number N (≠ 0), and the number stored as a spare on the contractor 1 side. By comparison with N '
N> N '
You may make it perform when it becomes. Compared to the case of N = 0, the degree of danger is reduced, and the number of shipments (shipment frequency) can be reduced. Since the degree of risk and the number of shipments are in a trade-off relationship, an appropriate N may be set based on experience.

  Next, a charging processing method will be described. FIG. 16 shows a list of consumables to be billed (billing lists [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 performed by extracting the used cartridges in the usage status column of the spare cartridge table and the usage date corresponding to one month before the closing date of the charge calculation. Is called.

  In FIG. 16, a list for the past three months is displayed. For example, the charging list [3] shows the toner cartridge 60 used in the period 2000.05.16-2000.06.15. 1 toner cartridge. The toner cartridge No. Since 1 is removed from the image forming apparatus 2, the remaining amount is fixed and does not change.

  However, there may be a case where the remaining toner cartridge 60 is once removed from the image forming apparatus 2 in a state where the remaining amount is large, and the other toner cartridge 60 is removed and then attached again. In such a case, at the time of the first removal, the remaining amount is not fixed and the charge amount cannot be calculated. Further, as long as the used toner cartridge 60 is not collected by the service provider 10, there is a possibility that the image forming apparatus 2 is mounted again.

  As a method for solving such a problem, there is a method described below.

  For example, once the toner cartridge 60 is replaced, the replaced toner cartridge is made unusable again. As an example, a storage area is formed in the controller unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 2, and the unique information history of the toner cartridge 60 obtained from the reading unit 4 is stored in the nonvolatile storage area. The controller unit 3 compares the unique information input from the reading unit 4 with the entire history information of the unique information stored in the storage area, and whether the information is already stored or newly input Make a decision. If the information is already stored, it can be determined that the toner cartridge 60 has been consumed once and replaced with another toner cartridge 60. In order to more accurately detect that it is already consumed, the information from the remaining amount detection unit 92 is taken into account.

  Therefore, the controller unit 3 displays an error message such as “Please replace with a new toner cartridge” on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 2 (not shown), and performs the image forming operation while ignoring the message. I can't do it.

  In the above method, when the remaining toner cartridge 60 is replaced with a new toner cartridge 60 and the new toner cartridge 60 is consumed, an image is formed when no spare toner cartridge 60 exists. become unable. In such an emergency, it is convenient if the toner cartridge 60 that has been replaced with a new toner cartridge 60 but has the remaining toner can be used.

Therefore, for the toner cartridge 60 that has been replaced with a new toner cartridge 60, when the installation of the new toner cartridge 60 is detected, the charge amount is calculated based on the remaining amount information at that time. For example, if the remaining level is L1,
P = p * m1
Calculate as

  Next, if the service provider 10 has not collected the image forming apparatus 2 again and has not changed from the level L1, the fee is fixed.

On the other hand, if it is mounted on the image forming apparatus 2 again until it is collected by the service provider 10 and consumed up to the remaining amount level L4, the charge amount is cleared,
P = p * m4
To charge.

  Furthermore, a case where the charging period is different between the time when the toner cartridge 60 is replaced and the time when it is remounted and used is described.

When the new toner cartridge is replaced when the charging target period is 2000.06.16-2000.07.15, and when it is remounted and used, the charging target period is 2000.07.16-2000.08.15.
First, the charge amount is calculated for the charge target period: 2000.06.16-2000.07.15. That is,
P = p * m1
The above billing amount is charged as of June 2000.

next,
P = (p * m4) − (p * m1)
= P * (m4-m1)
The billing amount is calculated for the billing target period: 2000.07.16-2000.08.15. The above billing amount is charged as July 2000.

  As described above, when the same toner cartridge 60 is used for a plurality of months with the use of another toner cartridge 60 in between, the consumption amount used in each chargeable period is as follows. You are charged.

Alternatively, if the toner cartridge 60 is once removed from the image forming apparatus 2 and replaced with a new toner cartridge 60, it is not charged until the used toner cartridge 60 is collected by the service provider 10. Therefore, in the above case, the charge amount for June is 0, and the charge amount for July is P = p * m4
It is good. Since the same cartridge 60 can be charged only for a specific month, there is a feature that detailed items are not complicated, charge calculation is not complicated, and management is easy. On the other hand, since the method described above is close to the point of time when the contractor 1 consumes and the time of charging and billing, the service provider can obtain a fee early.

  Note that the charging coefficient mi has a single value, and the standard charge p is different for each color. Thereby, an appropriate charge setting can be performed.

  The list can be used as a usage statement.

  As described above, the present invention is characterized in that 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.

  Furthermore, the accounting calculation method of the present invention is characterized in that it is performed not on the basis of the number of used cartridges but on the amount of consumed toner. As a result, even if the amount of remaining toner in the collected toner cartridge 60 is large, the contractor 1 side collects an appropriate fee for the consumption amount, so that no waste occurs. Further, if the remaining toner is reused, it is possible to contribute to improvement of toner use efficiency as a whole, resource saving, and energy saving in the toner manufacturing process.

  Further, since the number of spare cartridges is confirmed by detecting that a new toner cartridge 60 is installed, the conventional management of the image forming apparatus itself and the spare toner are performed by a single management method. Both inventory management of the cartridge 60 can be realized.

[Embodiment 2]
(Network configuration and device configuration)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 on the contractor 1 side will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 2 includes an image forming unit (not shown), a toner cartridge 60 as a consumable part, a reading unit 4 for reading information (described later) formed on the toner cartridge 60, and the read information to the outside. And a controller circuit 3 for controlling the sensor circuit 91, the reading unit 4, the transmitting / receiving unit 5, and the sensor circuit 91. Compared with the embodiment described above, the remaining amount detection unit 92 is omitted as a function of the device 2. Since the operation of each part is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the configuration of the terminal 12 (service management apparatus) of the service provider 10 will be described.

  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. .

  A remaining amount detection device 13 is connected to an I / O interface unit (not shown) of the terminal 12. The remaining amount detection device 13 has a measurement unit and an I / O interface unit. For example, the measurement unit has a function of an electronic balance. Thus, the weight of the toner cartridge 60 after collection or the weight of the remaining toner is measured. The arithmetic processing unit 122 and the remaining amount detection device 13 exchange data via the I / O interface unit.

  The terminal 12 calculates the charge amount based on the weight information of the collected toner cartridge obtained from the remaining amount detection device 13 or the weight of the remaining toner.

(Registration process)
Next, the operation of the system will be described.

  First, the service provider 10 obtains information on the contractor 1 as prior information.

  Next, in order to handle the contractor 1 information in the terminal 12, the service provider 10 issues a service receiver ID for each contractor 1. The service receiver ID is unique, and one ID such as a number such as 000125 is assigned to each contractor 1.

  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.

  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.

  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 item 6.

  In the case of a copying machine, a numeric keypad is provided for designating the number of prints, etc., so that the service receiver ID number and / or the ID number of the image forming apparatus 2 are entered using the input means. 2 can be easily entered.

  As described above, necessary items are input to the terminal 12 as shown in FIG. 8B in the service recipient table [2].

  A service management file is created for each contractor 1 in the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side and stored in the storage unit 124. An example when 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. 17A and 17B, the cartridge information currently in use in the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 and the spare cartridge information delivered to the contractor 1 side are included. Absent.

  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.

  After collecting the information, the service person collects the information recording body 7 in order to confirm that the reading has been completed.

  The information read by the scanner is immediately transmitted to the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side via communication means (not shown).

  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.

  The terminal 12 on the service provider side updates information based on the received information. That is, FIG. 18B 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 entered as other information. In the description of the figure, from the viewpoint of the user interface, the display related to the type information such as the toner cartridge 60 uses not only the code information but also the actual name such as “black toner”. . At this point, all the usage status fields are automatically displayed as “not yet (reserved)”.

  Therefore, at the time immediately after delivery, there is no change in the currently used cartridge information shown in FIG. 18A, which is the same as FIG. 17A.

  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, the information is transmitted together with the service receiver ID.

  The terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side receives the above information, and based on the transmitted information, as shown in FIG. 19A, the cartridge information column currently used in the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 Update. Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, the use status column is displayed for the toner cartridge 60 that has been input as spare cartridge information and is set as currently used by the above operation. , “Not used (reserved)” is updated to “currently in use”.

  This completes the initial setting / registration.

  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 13.

(Exchange process)
Next, the operation when the toner cartridge 60 is replaced will be described.

  The device manager or device user in the contractor 1 who has contracted with the service provider 10 is newly provided 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.

  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.

  Since the internal operation of the image forming apparatus 2 is as described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  With the above operation, the image forming apparatus 2 transmits information about the unused toner cartridge 60 to the terminal 12 of the service provider 10.

  In the terminal 12 of the service provider 10, as shown in FIG. 1 and no. 5 usage status columns are updated to “used” and “currently in use”, respectively. Also, as shown in FIG. 9A, only the information on the black toner cartridge (replacement date, all information, unique information, spare cartridge correspondence) is updated in the in-use cartridge table.

  At this stage, since there is no spare black toner cartridge, the service provider 10 sends at least the black toner cartridge to the contractor 1. FIG. 21B shows this state. Nine new spare cartridge information is added.

  As described above, the service provider 10 always monitors the spare toner cartridge 60 information, and at the same time before or after the spare toner cartridge 60 disappears, a new spare toner cartridge 60 is assigned to the contractor 1. By sending it out, the contractor 1 side is prevented from lacking consumer goods.

  The instruction content to be sent may be displayed on the output unit 125 of the terminal 12, or the service provider 10 uses the local network 22 connected to the communication unit 121. Notification may be made to the shipping department by means of e-mail or the like. Further, the network 20 connected to the communication unit 121 may be used to notify the contractor 12 of the advance notice of shipping.

(Billing process)
The service provider 10 collects the toner cartridge 60 that has been consumed and replaced. For example, when the terminal 12 detects the occurrence of a used toner cartridge (No. 1) from the information collecting unit, an instruction to collect the toner cartridge (No. 1) is displayed on the output unit 125 such as a CRT. . Alternatively, it notifies a terminal (not shown) connected to the local network 22. In this case, as a display message, for example,
“The use of the toner cartridge (0000 0000 0101 0000) has been detected from the client with user ID: 000125 on the day of △ month and day”, and “Please collect the toner cartridge”. .

  The occurrence of the used toner cartridge (No. 1) can be detected by detecting the change from the state of FIG. 19 to the state of FIG. 20, but it is more reliable to display the above message. is there.

  Upon receiving the notification, a serviceman or a contracted carrier is dispatched to collect the detected toner cartridge 60 from the corresponding contractor's home.

  In addition, if this collection time is performed simultaneously with the delivery time of a new distribution thing, work efficiency can be improved.

The service provider 10 detects the usage status of the collected toner cartridge 60 by the remaining amount detection device 13. That is, when the measurement unit of the remaining amount detection device 13 has an electronic balance function,
(Toner consumption m) = (toner cartridge initial weight) − (toner cartridge weight after collection) (2)
Thus, the toner consumption is calculated.

  Since the remaining amount detection device 13 is connected to the terminal 12, the measurement result m is taken into the terminal 12. That is, it is filled in the billing list shown in FIG.

  In the previous embodiment, since the remaining amount detection unit 92 needs to be configured inside the device 2, there are restrictions on the detection level, accuracy, method, and the like, and accurate and detailed measurement is difficult. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the toner consumption is detected by the service provider 10 after the toner cartridge is collected, so that it is possible to provide a method that is not subject to these restrictions.

As a method for detecting the toner consumption, in addition to the above, only the remaining toner is collected from the toner cartridge 60, and
(Toner consumption m) = (initial toner mass) − (toner mass after recovery) (3)
Thus, the toner consumption amount can be directly calculated.

  The calculation unit 122 of the terminal 12 calculates the charge amount by the following calculation formula using the toner consumption amount m as a variable.

P = p ′ * m (4)
The difference from equation (1) is that mi is a discrete value, whereas m in equation (4) is a continuous value. Therefore, it is possible to calculate a finer charge amount. Here, P [yen], p ′ [yen / g (gram)], and m [g].

  FIG. 22 shows an example of a consumable article list (billing lists [4] to [6]) to be charged. 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. 19 (b) and 20 (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.

  Unlike the consumer goods list shown in FIG. 16, the consumption amount m is an analog value.

  Similarly, in the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the transmission mode of the transmission / reception unit 5 mounted or connected to the image forming apparatus 2 is wireless, and the second transmission / reception installed in the contractor 1 is performed. The second transmission / reception unit 51 may transmit to the unit 51 in a wireless state, and the second transmission / reception unit 51 may be connected to the network 20A in a wired state.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 24, the remaining amount detection device 13 may be connected to the terminal 12 through the local network 22. The remaining amount detection unit 13 only needs to have a function corresponding to the network connection of the I / O interface described above. Thereby, the remaining amount detection device 13 does not need to be installed near the terminal 12, and for example, the terminal 12 can be installed in a separate room such as a management room and the remaining amount detection device 13 can be installed in a separate room such as a measurement room. . As the toner as a consumable material accommodated in the toner cartridge 60, a toner having a small particle diameter of about several microns has been used, and the toner can be discharged from the toner cartridge 60 after use. There is a risk of adversely affecting the human body and devices such as the terminal 12. In such a situation, it is necessary to install the terminal 12 and the remaining amount detection device 13 in different rooms, and a great effect of connecting both of them to the network can be obtained.

  Moreover, as an input method to the terminal 12, an input person may perform by manual input.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the transmission mode of the transmission / reception unit 5 mounted or connected to the image forming apparatus 2 is wireless, and is transmitted in a wireless state to the second transmission / reception unit 51 installed in the contractor 1. The second transmitting / receiving unit 51 may be connected to the network 20 </ b> A in a wired state, and the remaining amount detection device 13 may be connected to the terminal 12 through the local network 22.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, another calculation method of the billing amount will be shown. The first embodiment is the basis. The fee P is composed of a toner fee P1 and a so-called fixed fee P2 for components other than toner, such as a toner cartridge housing, a developing roller, and a developing blade. That is,
P = P1 + P2 (5)
It is.

Next, the toner fee P1 is determined by the charging coefficient mi corresponding to the toner remaining amount information Li transmitted from the device 2, and using the reference fee p '' and the charging coefficient mi,
P1 = p ″ * mi (6)
Is calculated by Therefore, equation (5) is
P = p ″ * m + P2 (7)
It is represented by

  As described above, the present embodiment is characterized in that only the toner cartridge 60 actually used by the contractor 1 is charged, and the unused toner cartridge is not charged. Further, the amount of toner remaining in the used toner cartridge 60 is deducted from the charge object. As a result, the contractor 1 does not have useless inventory, does not cause a lack of consumables, does not perform complicated management, and further meets the consumption. The image forming apparatus can be used only by paying the fee.

  Further, by separating the charge amount for the toner portion and the cartridge portion other than the toner, it is possible to set the charge amount in consideration of the cost for reuse or recycling.

[Embodiment 4]
Next, another calculation method of the billing amount will be shown. The second embodiment is the basis. The charge P is given by Expression (5), as in the third embodiment.

Next, the toner fee P1 is determined by a pay-as-you-go system, and when the toner usage is m [g] as p ′ ″ [yen / g]
P1 = p ′ ″ * m (8)
Is calculated by Therefore, equation (5) is
P = p ′ ″ * m + P2 (9)
It is represented by

  As described above, the present invention is characterized in that only the toner cartridge 60 actually used by the contractor 1 is charged, and the unused toner cartridge 60 is not charged. Further, the amount of toner remaining in the used toner cartridge 60 is deducted from the charge object. As a result, the contractor 1 does not have useless inventory, does not cause a lack of consumables, does not perform complicated management, and further meets the consumption. The image forming apparatus can be used only by paying the fee.

  In the above, the fixed fee P2 relating to the components other than the toner such as the toner cartridge housing, the developing roller, and the developing blade is fixed. That is, the collected toner cartridge 60 is generally discarded and recycled only when the performance is guaranteed. Accordingly, there is no difference in performance between the virgin material and the recycled material regarding the constituent members other than the toner, or it can be ignored, so there is no need to provide a price difference based on this.

  However, in recent years, the demand for recycling has become stronger due to consideration for the environment, effective use of resources, reduction of waste, etc., and performance degradation for virgin materials due to an increase in the number of recycling has become a problem that cannot be ignored. ing.

  Further, there are cases where the recovered parts can be reused due to the relationship between the remaining life of the parts at the time of recovery and the life of the apparatus body.

  The present invention was created to cope with such a situation, and is characterized in that a storage means for storing a use history of the article is provided in a consumer article such as a toner cartridge.

  The storage means is, for example, an EEPROM as a rewritable non-volatile memory, and stores information related to usage history of individual components (for example, a developing roller, a cover member, a blade, etc.) of the toner cartridge 60. The usage history includes information such as the lot number of each part, the number of times of recycling, the number of times of reuse, and the total number of printed sheets indicating how many prints have been performed on the part so far.

  The terminal 12 calculates the fixed fee P2 by weighting the information and, if necessary, the information.

  For example, the fixed fee P2 is changed as shown in Table 6 in accordance with the number of times of recycling.

Here, pi is a price reduction fee, and p0 = 0, p1 <p2 <.
It is. Here, Δpi = pi−pi−1 may not be constant, for example, Δp1 << Δp2 <<... << Δpi. That is, pi may be set so that the amount of price reduction increases as the number of times of recycling increases.

  Alternatively, the fixed fee P2 is changed as shown in Table 7 according to the number of used developing rollers.

Here, p2000 <p5000 <p7000 ...
It is.

  Alternatively, the fixed charge P2 may be changed by a matrix as shown in Table 8 using a plurality of parameters.

  Here, pij (i, j = 1, 2,...) Is set depending on whether the number of times of recycling or the number of used developing rollers is to be weighted.

[Embodiment 5]
In the above description, the distribution product 6 includes a container such as a cartridge. However, the case where the distribution product 6 is a consumer material such as toner will be described below.

(Registration process)
First, the service provider 10 obtains information on the contractor 1 as prior information.

  Next, in order to handle the information of the contractor 1 in the terminal 12, the service provider 10 issues a service receiver ID for each contractor 1. The service receiver ID is unique, and one ID such as a number such as 000125 is assigned to each contractor 1. 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.

  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.

  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 item 6.

  In the case of a copying machine, a numeric keypad is provided for designating the number of prints, etc., so that the service receiver ID number and / or the ID number of the image forming apparatus 2 are entered using the input means. 2 can be easily entered.

  As described above, necessary items are input to the terminal 12 as shown in FIG. 8B in the service recipient table [2].

  A service management file is created for each contractor 1 in the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side and stored in the storage unit 124. An example when the file is displayed on the output unit 125 of the terminal 12 is shown in FIG. Compared to the management file shown in FIG. 9 and the like, toner supply information is newly added. In the initial state, there is no cartridge information currently in use in the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1.

  Next, the service provider 10 collects unique information for all of the toner cartridges 60 that are stored in advance on the contractor 1 side, and stores the unique information in the terminal 12 of the service provider 10 immediately or later.

  After collecting the information, the service person collects the information recording body 7 in order to confirm that the reading has been completed.

  The information read by the scanner is immediately transmitted to the terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side via communication means (not shown).

  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.

  The terminal 12 on the service provider side updates information based on the received information. In other words, FIG. 31 shows a case where two black, yellow, magenta, and cyan toner cartridges 60 are delivered, and different 20-digit code information is input as unique information for all. The delivery date is entered as other information.

  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. The remaining amount detection unit 92 detects the remaining amount of toner in the mounted toner cartridge 60 and outputs the detection result to the controller unit 3. 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. The cartridge 60 information and the detected toner remaining amount information are transmitted. On the terminal 12 side, in order to determine which contractor 1 is the information, the information is transmitted together with the service receiver ID.

  The terminal 12 on the service provider 10 side receives the above information and updates the information column for the cartridge 60 mounted on the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 based on the transmitted information as shown in FIG. To do. For example, “use date” is input at the time of attachment, and the “use status” column changes from “not used (reserved)” to “currently in use”. Since a new toner cartridge 60 is mounted, “FULL” is entered in the remaining toner amount information column.

  This completes the initial setting / registration.

  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.

  Further, when the service person calls the service management file for each contractor 1 who has delivered the toner cartridge 60 and always manually inputs the remaining toner amount information or the toner supply amount via the input unit 123 according to the usage progress. Does not require acquisition of specific information. The service management method of the present invention includes such an embodiment.

(Toner replenishment process)
Next, the operation when the toner in the toner cartridge 60 is consumed and replenished will be described.

When the toner is consumed and the situation shown in FIG. 33 is reached, the remaining amount of toner in the black toner cartridge currently installed in the device 2 is considerably low, and the remaining amount level is L4. An instruction to replenish toner is displayed on a part of the display screen or on another terminal connected to the local network 22. For example,
“Monthly △ day, the black toner of user ID: 000125 is running out. Please send a service person and replenish the toner.”
Message. Alternatively, in FIG. 33, a method of notifying the administrator operating the terminal 12 by blinking the value (here, “L4”) of the black toner remaining amount information column may be used.

  Upon receiving the instruction, the service person replenishes the corresponding image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 with toner. There are several ways to replenish at this time.

  First, the first method is a method of replenishing the toner cartridge 60 so that the toner amount reaches a specified value. At this time, the replenishment amount is measured by measuring the replenished toner weight. For example, using a weight sensor, the amount of toner replenished can be measured from the weight before and after toner replenishment. According to this, since it is not necessary to adjust to a regulation value correctly, the load of a service person can be reduced.

  The second method is a method in which a toner whose replenishment amount is known is prepared in advance, for example, by packing, and the pack is opened and replenished. For example, the replenishment amount when 3 packs of toner of 1 pack a [gram] is used is calculated as a * 3. In this method, since the service person does not need to measure the amount of replenished toner on-site, a measuring device such as a weight sensor becomes unnecessary, and the work load can be reduced.

  Further, in the third method, as shown in FIG. 33, if the remaining toner level can be confirmed at the service provider 10's home, the toner replenishing amount corresponding to the remaining toner level is set before dispatching the serviceman. In this method, the toner is prepared at 10 service providers' homes and the toner is replenished. Compared to the second method, it is not necessary to open a plurality of packs, and the serviceman can know how much to replenish before replenishment, so the replenishment work time can be shortened.

  An example of the management table when the replenishment is completed is shown in FIG. This time, not only black toner but also other toners are replenished at the same time. The replenishment amount of each color toner is Sb, Sy, Sm, and Sc for black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, respectively, and these values are entered in the replenishment amount column in the management table after replenishment. As a result, the remaining amount information in the table is updated to “FULL” for all color toners.

(Billing process)
FIG. 35 shows an example of a consumable article list (billing lists [7] to [9]) to be charged. The consumer goods list is, for example, extracted cartridge information used one month before the accounting calculation deadline (15th of every month in this embodiment) based on the management table shown in FIGS. It is. 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.

  The charging list will be described. First, in the charging list [7], the consumables used in the period 2000.03.16-2000.04.15 are black toner cartridge, yellow toner cartridge, magenta toner cartridge and cyan toner cartridge. It is a toner cartridge. Both are counted based on the date when the image forming apparatus 2 is mounted. Further, the charging calculation formula is based on the formula (5), the charging target is only the container charge P2, and the toner charge P1 has not been charged yet at this time. That is, the toner consumed during the period actually exists, but the consumption amount could not be measured during the period. Therefore, the billing target during the above period is the total of charges P2 related to the toner cartridge 60 container and the like (P2b + P2y + P2m + P2c).

  Next, in the charge list [8], the charge amount is 0 because there is no consumer product used in the period: 2000.04.16-2000.05.15.

  Next, in the charge list [9], the consumables used in the period: 2000.05.16-2000.06.15 are black, yellow, magenta, and cyan toners. In either case, the count is based on the date when each toner is replenished. Further, only the toner fee P1 is charged. This is because the charge P2 has already been charged in the charge list [7]. The toner charge P1 is a product of the reference charge p [yen / gram] and the replenishment amount [gram]. Therefore, the billing target during the period is the total of the charges P1 related to the toner of the toner cartridge 60 (pb * Sb + py * Sy + pm * Sm + pc * Sc).

  Similarly, in the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, the transmission form of the transmission / reception unit 5 mounted or connected to the image forming apparatus 2 is wireless, and the second transmission / reception installed in the contractor 1 is performed. The second transmission / reception unit 51 may transmit to the unit 51 in a wireless state, and the second transmission / reception unit 51 may be connected to the network 20A in a wired state.

[Embodiment 6]
In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 2 as a contract target used on the contractor 1 side is always connected to the terminal 12 of the service provider 10. It may be a day or once / week, once / month, etc. For example, in the case of once / day, the connection time for transmitting the information between the contractor 1 and the service provider 10 is set in advance. The event contents generated from 23:59 to 23:59 are stored in a storage means (not shown) and transmitted to the terminal on the service provider 10 side during the connection time.

  When the toner cartridge 60 is replaced, information on the mounted toner cartridge 60 is transmitted. When the toner cartridge 60 is not replaced at all, information on the currently installed toner cartridge 60 is transmitted. Alternatively, information indicating no change is transmitted. 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.

  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 2 on the contractor 1 side can be accurately processed.

  By limiting the connection time as described above, the cost of the communication line can be reduced in the case of a telephone line, and the communication equipment (5, 11 etc.) on both the contractor 1 side and the service provider 10 side can be reduced. Power consumption can be reduced.

  The image forming apparatus 2 is generally turned off during non-working hours such as at night, but 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, communication is disabled. Therefore, the power of the communication unit 5 is taken from a system different from the power source of the main body of the image forming apparatus 2. Is good. 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

[Embodiment 7]
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, in order to remove the paper, it is necessary to take out the toner cartridges 60 that can be inserted and removed.

  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.

  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. 9 to 12, the update date column and the like are updated. In the case of billing calculation, there is a risk of performing an incorrect calculation.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, cartridge information is not transmitted when the same cartridge is inserted and removed. For this purpose, an arithmetic unit 8 is provided as shown in FIG. The calculation unit 8 includes a storage unit 81 and a comparison unit 82. The latest information input from the reading unit 4 is compared with information already stored by the comparison unit 82. Then, the information is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 5 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.

  In addition, it is not necessary to provide the calculating part 8 separately, and you may comprise so that it may be included in the function of the controller 3. FIG.

  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.

  Another modification will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The system configuration of FIG. 28 is a configuration obtained by adding a calculation unit 8 to the system configuration shown in FIG.

  In addition, the system configuration in FIG. 29 is a configuration in which the arithmetic unit 8 is added to the system configuration shown in FIG.

[Embodiment 8]
In the previous embodiment, the method was handled on the contractor 1 side. However, there is a problem that it is necessary to separately provide a calculation unit 8 and the cost of the apparatus is increased.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, if the received information is the same as the information already registered, the service provider 10 side does not update the information at all, while if it is different, , Update processing. 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.

  Note that the present invention can be applied not only to a printer but also to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.). The present invention may be applied to a facsimile machine or the like.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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. It goes without saying that 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.

  When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

  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 is needless to say that the service according to the present invention can be applied to the image forming apparatus main body that the contractor 1 side has leased, rented, or purchased on another route. However, for a person who newly leases, rents, or purchases the main body of the image forming apparatus, the service management method of the present invention is smooth in terms of the procedure because the contract for the service according to the present invention is performed simultaneously with the main body contract / purchase Can be done.

  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 expiry 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.

  Finally, the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the following embodiments can be configured.

  The service management method of the present invention includes a first storage unit, a communication unit for receiving the unique information of the distribution product, the service receiver ID and the remaining amount information via the network, and an arithmetic processing unit. In the service management method by the apparatus, the service management apparatus stores, in the first storage unit, the distribution information delivered to the service recipient among the unique information that can identify individual distribution items. A step of storing a management table corresponding to each service recipient including the unique information and the remaining amount information of the distribution, and the arithmetic processing unit receiving the unique information and service receiver ID of the distribution received by the communication unit The service receiver ID is extracted from the management table corresponding to the service receiver from the first storage unit based on the service receiver ID, and the received information Extracting the unique information of the distribution item from the inside, inputting the unique information of the distribution item into the read management table, receiving the remaining amount information of each distribution item, and calculating the calculation The processing unit updates the remaining amount information in the first storage unit based on the remaining amount information of each circulation received by the communication unit, and the arithmetic processing unit stores in the first storage unit. Based on the stored remaining amount information of each distribution, the unused distribution and the used distribution are calculated by calculating the charge amount for the amount obtained by subtracting the remaining amount from the initial amount of each distribution. And charging the amount consumed by the service recipient without accounting for the remaining amount of the object.

  In addition, the service management device of the present invention includes unique information of the distributed goods delivered to the service recipient and unique quantity information of the distributed goods among the unique information that can identify individual distributed goods. A first storage unit that stores a management table corresponding to each service recipient, a communication unit for receiving the unique information, service recipient ID, and remaining amount information of the product via the network, and the communication The service receiver ID is extracted from the unique information and the service receiver ID of the distribution received by the department, and the management table corresponding to the service receiver is stored from the first storage section based on the service receiver ID. Reading, extracting the unique information of the distribution from the received information, inputting the unique information of the distribution to the read management table, and the remainder of each distribution received by the communication unit. Based on the information, the remaining amount information of the first storage unit is updated, and based on the remaining amount information of each circulation stored in the first storage unit, the remaining amount is determined from the initial amount of each circulation. Calculation that charges the amount consumed by the service recipient without calculating the amount of the unused distribution and the remaining amount of the used distribution by accounting for the amount subtracted from the amount. And a processing unit.

  Furthermore, in the service management apparatus of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit sets mi as a charging coefficient that increases in correlation with an amount obtained by subtracting the remaining amount from an initial amount of each circulation product, and sets a reference fee as p. At this time, the billing amount may be calculated with respect to the amount obtained by subtracting the remaining amount from the initial amount of each circulation item by calculating the billing amount of the distribution item as p * mi.

  Furthermore, in the service management apparatus of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit calculates the remaining amount of unused distribution items held by the service recipient based on information on the distribution items being exchanged, and calculates the calculation result. The configuration may be such that, when compared with a specified value, an instruction to ship a new distributed product to the service recipient when the remaining amount of the distributed product reaches a specified value.

  Furthermore, in the service management apparatus of the present invention, the management table includes a usage status indicating whether each distribution product is unused, currently in use, or used. In response to the specific information of the attached distribution item, among the information stored in the first storage unit, the usage status of the distribution item currently being used by the service recipient's device is updated, and the calculation process is performed. The department always monitors the above management table, and at the same time when there is no unused distribution of service recipients, or sets a reference number N in advance, the number of unused distributions of service recipients When N ′ becomes N> N ′, the service receiver may be instructed to ship a new distribution item.

  Furthermore, the service management device of the present invention is configured such that the arithmetic processing unit calculates the charge of the distribution used by the service recipient within the corresponding period based on the distribution use information and the exchanged date and time information. There may be.

  Furthermore, in the service management apparatus of the present invention, the management table includes a usage status and usage date / time information indicating whether each distribution item is unused, currently in use, or used. Receives the unique information of the distribution item attached to the device, and updates the usage status of the distribution item currently used by the service recipient's device among the information stored in the first storage unit. In addition, the use date and time information of the distribution item is updated at the time when the distribution item is attached to the device of the service recipient, and the arithmetic processing unit receives the service based on the use state and use date and time information of the distribution item. The structure which calculates the charge of the distribution thing which the person used within the applicable period may be sufficient.

  Furthermore, the service management apparatus of the present invention has a second storage unit that stores information transmitted from the service recipient, and the arithmetic processing unit is transmitted with the information stored in the second storage unit. The latest information may be compared and the information stored in the first storage unit may be updated if the information is different.

  Further, the service management network system of the present invention is a device in which the above-mentioned service management device and a circulation that has unique information and is consumed or consumed are detachably arranged, and from the circulation A reading unit for reading the unique information capable of identifying the distribution product, a remaining amount detection unit for measuring the remaining amount of the distribution product, the service recipient ID of the service recipient, and the reading unit The transmission unit that transmits the unique information of the distribution product and the remaining amount information from the remaining amount detection unit to the communication unit of the service management apparatus via the network, and controls the reading unit, the remaining amount detection unit, and the transmission unit And a first group including devices having a controller unit.

  The present invention can be applied to the use of a service management network system related to a service for delivering consumable parts / consumable parts, particularly consumable parts / consumable parts of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

1 is a schematic diagram of a service management network system according to the present invention. FIG. It is a schematic perspective view for demonstrating the form of the distribution article by this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection image of the service management network system by this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another service management network system according to the present invention. (A)-(c) is a perspective view for demonstrating the distribution | circulation form of the flow article by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the packing state of the circulation according to this invention. (A)-(f) is the figure which showed the timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement of an apparatus. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed an example of the contractor 1 table displayed on the information management screen. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed an example of the management table (initial state) displayed on the information management screen. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed an example of the management table (pre-registration time) displayed on the information management screen. (A) and (b) are the figures showing an example of the management table (distribution use start time) displayed on the information management screen. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed an example of the management table (at the time of distribution material use) displayed on the information management screen. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed an example of the management table (just before distribution thing exchange) displayed on the information management screen. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed an example of the management table (circulation exchange time) displayed on the information management screen. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed an example of the management table (circulation supply time point) displayed on the information management screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the accounting method. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed the other example of the management table (initial state) displayed on the information management screen. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed the other example of the management table (pre-registration time) displayed on the information management screen. (A) (b) is the figure which showed the other example of the management table (distribution use time) displayed on the information management screen. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed the other example of the management table (circulation exchange time) displayed on the information management screen. (A) and (b) are the figures which showed the other example of the management table (circulation supply time) displayed on the information management screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the other accounting method. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of still another service management network system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of still another service management network system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of still another service management network system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of still another service management network system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of still another service management network system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of still another service management network system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of still another service management network system according to the present invention. It is the figure which showed the further another example of the management table (initial state) displayed on the information management screen. It is the figure which showed the other example of the management table (pre-registration time) displayed on the information management screen. It is the figure which showed the other example of the management table (distributed material use time) displayed on the information management screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a management table (before toner replenishment) displayed on an information management screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a management table (after toner replenishment) displayed on an information management screen. It is a figure for demonstrating another billing method.

Explanation of symbols

1 Service recipient 2 Image forming device (equipment)
3 Controller part 4 Reading part 5 Transmission / reception part (transmission part)
6 Distribution 7 Information recording medium 8 Calculation unit 10 Service provider 12 Terminal (service management device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Residual amount detection apparatus 81 Memory | storage part 82 Comparison part 91 Sensor circuit 92 Remaining amount detection part 121 Communication part 122 Arithmetic processing part (exchange recognition part)
123 Input unit 124 Storage unit (first and second storage units, recording medium)
125 Output unit 126 Remaining amount detection unit

Claims (14)

A distribution that has unique information and is consumed or consumed is a device that is arranged so as to be detachable, and for reading the unique information that can identify the distribution from the distribution And a controller that transmits the information from the reading unit and the service receiver ID of the service receiver to the outside via the network, and a controller unit that controls the reading unit and the transmitting unit. A first group to be
A remaining amount detection device that is provided on the service provider side and detects the remaining amount of the collected circulation;
Terminal and
In the above distribution, unique information of the distribution is formed,
The distribution item includes a protective material for packing or packaging the distribution item, and an information recording medium in which information having the same content as the unique information of the distribution item is formed on or inside the protective material,
The terminal includes the unique information of the goods delivered to the service recipient and the usage status indicating whether each of the goods is unused, currently in use, or used. A first storage unit that stores a corresponding preliminary circulation table and stores a remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection device; a communication unit that communicates with the first group; and the communication unit From the exchange authorization unit that authorizes the exchange of the distribution in the service recipient by detecting the change of the acquired distribution-specific information, and from the unique information and service receiver ID of the distribution received by the communication unit The person ID is extracted, and based on the service recipient ID, the preliminary circulation table corresponding to the service recipient is read from the first storage unit, and the uniqueness of the circulation is identified from the received information. Information is extracted, and the unique information of the distribution is input to the read preliminary distribution table, and the initial of each distribution is determined based on the remaining amount of each distribution stored in the first storage unit. By calculating the billing amount for the amount obtained by subtracting the remaining amount from the amount, the remaining amount of unused distribution items and used distribution items is not subject to charging, and the amount consumed by the service recipient And a processing unit for charging and an output unit for displaying an instruction to collect the circulation when the generation of the used circulation is detected. The service management network system is characterized in that, among the information stored in the first storage unit, the usage status of the distribution item currently used by the service recipient's device is updated. The service management network system according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit of the device detects information unique to the distribution from the distribution using a timing at which the distribution is mounted on the device as a trigger. The above equipment
A storage unit for storing information input from the reading unit;
A comparison unit for comparing the latest information input from the reading unit and the information that has already been stored;
The said controller part performs control which updates the memory content memorize | stored in the memory | storage part, when the newest information input from the reading part differs from the information already memorize | stored, Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Or the service management network system according to 2; The arithmetic processing unit calculates the number of unused circulations held by the first group based on information on the exchange of the circulations of the equipment of the first group, and compares the calculation result with a specified value. The service management according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an instruction to send a new distribution item to the first group is issued when the number of distribution items reaches a specified value. Network system. The terminal receives the unique information of the distribution item attached to the device, and indicates the usage status of the distribution item currently being used by the service recipient's device among the information stored in the first storage unit. As well as updating
The arithmetic processing unit constantly monitors the preliminary circulation table, and at the same time when there is no unused circulation of the service recipient, or sets a reference number N in advance, the service recipient's The service management network according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the number N 'of unused distribution items satisfies N> N', an instruction to send a new distribution item to the service recipient is issued. system. The said arithmetic processing part calculates the charge of the distribution material which the 1st group used within the applicable period based on the usage information of the distribution material of the said apparatus, and the exchange date information, The previous claim characterized by the above-mentioned. The service management network system according to any one of 1 to 5. The preliminary distribution table includes use date information of each distribution,
The terminal receives the unique information of the distribution item attached to the device, and indicates the usage status of the distribution item currently being used by the service recipient's device among the information stored in the first storage unit. And updating the use date and time information of the distribution item at the time when the distribution item is mounted on the device of the service recipient,
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic processing unit calculates a charge of the distribution used by the service recipient within a corresponding period based on the use status and use date and time information of the distribution. The service management network system according to claim 1. The terminal includes a second storage unit that stores information transmitted from the first group,
The said arithmetic processing part compares this memorize | stored information with the newest information transmitted, and when it differs, the said memorize | stored information is updated, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Service management network system described in 1. 9. The service management network system according to claim 1, wherein the device is an image forming apparatus. 2. The service management network system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution includes an IC chip, and unique information of the distribution is stored in the IC chip. 11. The service management network system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution product is a cartridge that stores toner. The service management network system according to claim 1 or 10, wherein the distribution product is a cartridge that stores ink. A service management apparatus comprising the terminal constituting the service management network system according to claim 1. The computer-readable recording medium with which the program which operates a computer as each part of Claim 13 was recorded.

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