JP4306150B2 - Consumables ordering system and ordering method, ordering server and server operating method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention orders consumables for ordering exchangeable consumables in image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers, other OA equipment, air conditioners and other electrical equipment to suppliers connected to a network. The present invention relates to a system and an ordering method, an ordering server and its operation method, a program, and a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In companies and offices, for example, when the inventory of consumables such as toner, paper, and imaging cartridges in copiers and printers decreases, the replenishment quantity determined by the person in charge based on the inventory quantity is entered in the order slip, and approval is obtained from the approver After that, a system for placing orders with external suppliers (sellers) has been adopted. On the other hand, when members other than these consumables need to be replaced due to wear, a service person visits the office or the like to replace them with new members.
[0003]
However, recently, from the viewpoint of improving the efficiency of maintenance and reducing the service cost on the user side, the components of the equipment have been unitized so as to be referred to as CRU (customer recycling unit). For example, in a copying machine or a printer, not only the imaging cartridge but also a fixing unit and an intermediate transfer unit are unitized. As a result, the contents of ordering consumables vary widely, and the complexity of inventory management, ordering work, approval procedures, and the like are complicated.
[0004]
From such a current situation, measures for automatically ordering consumables have been proposed.
[0005]
For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-194767, a plurality of OA devices such as printers and an ordering terminal device are connected to a network, the inventory amount of consumables in the OA device is managed by the ordering terminal device, A technique for automatically placing an order for consumables by e-mail or FAX when a shortage of goods is detected is disclosed.
[0006]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-132596 discloses a technology for officially placing an order for product order data on-line through a network after obtaining approval for ordering within a company in an electronic commerce system on the network.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, although the former former can be ordered quickly and easily without approval of the missing consumables, all of the expensive and non-urgent items are automatically ordered. It is difficult to manage the budget, which is likely to cause budget overruns and overstocking.
[0008]
In the latter technique, all orders are managed by the approver, which increases the burden of approval and review work by the approver and delays transmission to the supplier that is the ordering party. There is also a risk that the equipment cannot be used due to a delay in the supply of consumables.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. Consumables ordering system and ordering that can suppress unnecessary ordering, reduce the burden of approval work by an approver, and can quickly replenish consumables. It is an object to provide a method, an ordering server, a server operating method, a program, and a recording medium.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above-described problems include a detecting means for detecting an inventory amount or a consumption amount of one or a plurality of consumable items that can be replaced in a device, and whether or not an order for the consumable item is required according to the detected inventory amount or consumption amount. Determining means for determining whether or not Includes at least urgency attributes A first order route for ordering consumables to a consumable supplier connected to the network via an approver as a consumable order route for each attribute of a plurality of consumable items. Contents to select And a second ordering route for directly ordering consumables from the consumable supplier without going through an approver The content to select is set A setting data storage means for storing a first setting and a second setting for the priority for each attribute; Attribute data storage means for storing data for acquiring the contents of each attribute of consumables to be ordered; If it is determined by the determining means that an order for consumables is necessary, In order from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered acquired based on the data stored in the attribute data storage means is the first attribute. In the setting, it is determined whether or not the content of the first order route is selected, and if so, the first order route is determined as the order route without making a determination on the lower priority attribute. The order route is determined, and the attribute of the urgency level is the attribute in which the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is the first order route selected in the first setting in the most recent attribute. If the content of the attribute of urgency corresponds to the content for selecting the second ordering route even if it is determined that the second ordering route is selected, the second ordering route is determined as the ordering route. For other attributes other than the emergency degree, if applicable to the contents content of the attribute consumables have been made as to select the second order route, the second order route as ordered root A consumable ordering system comprising: a selecting means for determining; and means for transmitting an ordering request to an approver terminal or a consumable supplier according to the ordering route determined by the selecting means. Is done.
[0011]
In this consumables ordering system, the inventory amount or consumption amount of one or a plurality of consumable items is detected, and if it is determined that it is necessary to place an order according to the inventory amount or consumption amount, The attribute contents of the consumables to be ordered, which are acquired based on the data stored in the attribute data storage means, in order from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting are approved in the first setting. It is determined whether or not it corresponds to the content that is supposed to select the first order route to be routed through the user, and if so, the order route is determined without making a determination on the attribute with the lower priority. As for the attribute of urgency level, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is selected as the first order route in the first setting. If the content of the attribute of urgency level falls under the content of selecting the second order route to be performed directly without going through the approver, When the second ordering route is determined as the route, and the content of the consumable attribute corresponds to the content for selecting the second ordering route for all the attributes other than the attribute of the urgency level The second order route as the order route Decision Shi The order request is transmitted through the determined order route.
[0012]
In the consumables ordering system, the consumables Other than urgency Attributes include consumable type, unit price, cumulative order Out of amount If at least one of the above is included, an order corresponding to the attribute of these consumables is placed.
[0014]
Also, The content of the urgency level attribute for the consumable item corresponds to the content for selecting the first ordering route in the first setting. Case To other If the number of consumables that are about to be replaced in the device is larger than the specified value, The selection means includes Order route As Second order route Decide It is good as a thing. For example, if the consumption of other equipment is large, it is determined that the time for replacement of the equipment is close, so if you place an order immediately through the second order route without obtaining approval. Since the consumables are replenished at an early stage and the same consumables are prevented from running out of stock all at once, it is possible to reduce equipment downtime due to the inability to replace them.
[0015]
The above-mentioned problem is a consumables ordering method executed in the consumables ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects an inventory amount or a consumable amount of one or a plurality of consumables that can be replaced in a device. A step of detecting, and a step of determining whether or not an order for the consumable is necessary according to the detected inventory amount or consumption amount; Includes at least urgency attributes A first order route for ordering consumables to a consumable supplier connected to the network via an approver as a consumable order route for each attribute of a plurality of consumable items. Contents to select And a second ordering route for directly ordering consumables from the consumable supplier without going through an approver The content to select is set The first setting and the second setting for the priority for each attribute Setting data Storing in the storage means; Storing data for acquiring the contents of each attribute of the consumable to be ordered in the attribute data storage means; If it is determined in the determination step that an order for consumables is required, In order from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered acquired based on the data stored in the attribute data storage means is the first attribute. In the setting, it is determined whether or not the content of the first order route is selected, and if so, the first order route is determined as the order route without making a determination on the lower priority attribute. The order route is determined, and the attribute of the urgency level is the attribute in which the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is the first order route selected in the first setting in the most recent attribute. If the content of the attribute of urgency corresponds to the content for selecting the second ordering route even if it is determined that the second ordering route is selected, the second ordering route is determined as the ordering route. For all other attributes other than the attributes emergency degree, if applicable to the contents content of the attribute consumables have been made as to select the second order route, the second order route as ordered root A consumables ordering system comprising: a step of selecting means; and a step of transmitting an ordering request to an approver terminal or a consumable supply source according to the determined ordering route. It can also be solved by the consumables ordering method.
[0016]
In this consumable ordering method, the inventory amount or consumption amount of one or more consumable items is grasped, and when it is determined that it is necessary to place an order according to the inventory amount or consumption amount, In order from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered acquired based on the data stored in the attribute data storage means is the first setting in the first setting. It is determined whether or not the ordering route of the first order is applicable, and if so, the first ordering route is used as the ordering route without making a determination on the lower priority attribute. With regard to the attribute of the urgency level, it is determined that the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered corresponds to the content for selecting the first ordering route in the first setting in the most recent attribute. If the content of the attribute of the urgency level corresponds to the content for selecting the second order route, the second order route is determined as the order route, and the attribute of the urgency level is determined. For all other attributes of the external, if applicable to the contents content of the attribute consumables have been made as to select the second order route, the second order route as ordered root Decision Shi The order request is transmitted through the determined order route.
[0017]
In addition, the problem is that it is necessary to grasp the inventory amount or consumption amount of one or more consumable items that can be replaced in the device, and to order the consumable item according to the grasped inventory amount or consumption amount. Determination means for determining whether or not, Includes at least urgency attributes A first order route for ordering consumables to a consumable supplier connected to the network via an approver as a consumable order route for each attribute of a plurality of consumable items. Contents to select And a second ordering route for directly ordering consumables from the consumable supplier without going through an approver The content to select is set A setting data storage means for storing a first setting and a second setting for the priority for each attribute; Attribute data storage means for storing data for acquiring the contents of each attribute of consumables to be ordered; If it is determined by the determining means that an order for consumables is necessary, In order from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered acquired based on the data stored in the attribute data storage means is the first attribute. In the setting, it is determined whether or not the content of the first order route is selected, and if so, the first order route is determined as the order route without making a determination on the lower priority attribute. The order route is determined, and the attribute of the urgency level is the attribute in which the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is the first order route selected in the first setting in the most recent attribute. If the content of the attribute of urgency corresponds to the content for selecting the second ordering route even if it is determined that the second ordering route is selected, the second ordering route is determined as the ordering route. Determined for all other attributes other than the attributes emergency degree, if applicable to the contents content of the attribute consumables have been made as to select the second order route, the second order route as ordered root And a consumables ordering server characterized by comprising: a selecting means for transmitting and a means for transmitting an ordering request to an approver terminal or a consumable supplier according to the ordering route determined by the selecting means. Is done.
[0018]
This consumable ordering service In the bar, wear Goods Stock or consumption of Grasp Whether you need to place an order Discrimination, wear Of the order route to the goods supplier Decision , Decision It is possible to cause the server to send an order request through the ordered route.
[0019]
In the server, as in the case of the system, consumables Other than urgency The attribute may be configured to include at least one of the type of consumables, the unit price, and the cumulative order amount, The content of the urgency level attribute for the consumable item corresponds to the content for selecting the first ordering route in the first setting. Case To other If the number of consumables that are about to be replaced in the device is larger than the specified value, The selection means includes Order route As Second order route Decide It is good as a thing.
[0020]
Further, the problem is an operation method of the consumables ordering server according to claim 5, wherein the grasping means grasps an inventory amount or a consumable amount of one or a plurality of consumables that can be replaced in the device; A step of discriminating whether or not it is necessary to place an order for the consumables according to the grasped inventory amount or consumption amount; Includes at least urgency attributes A first order route for ordering consumables to a consumable supplier connected to the network via an approver as a consumable order route for each attribute of a plurality of consumable items. Contents to select And a second ordering route for directly ordering consumables from the consumable supplier without going through an approver The content to select is set The first setting and the second setting for the priority for each attribute Setting data Storing in the storage means; Storing data for acquiring the contents of each attribute of the consumable to be ordered in the attribute data storage means; If it is determined in the determination step that an order for consumables is required, In order from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered acquired based on the data stored in the attribute data storage means is the first attribute. In the setting, it is determined whether or not the content of the first order route is selected, and if so, the first order route is determined as the order route without making a determination on the lower priority attribute. The order route is determined, and the attribute of the urgency level is the attribute in which the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is the first order route selected in the first setting in the most recent attribute. If the content of the attribute of urgency corresponds to the content for selecting the second ordering route even if it is determined that the second ordering route is selected, the second ordering route is determined as the ordering route. For all other attributes other than the attributes emergency degree, if applicable to the contents content of the attribute consumables have been made as to select the second order route, the second order route as ordered root A consumable ordering comprising: a step of determining by the selection means; and a step of transmitting an ordering request to the approver terminal or the consumable supply source in accordance with the determined ordering route. It can also be solved by how the server works.
[0021]
With this method of operation, the server knows the inventory or consumption of one or more consumables and determines that it is necessary to place an order according to the inventory or consumption. In order from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered acquired based on the data stored in the attribute data storage means is the first setting. It is determined whether or not the content of the first order route is selected, and if so, the first order route is selected as the order route without making a determination on the lower priority attribute. As for the attribute of the urgency level, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered corresponds to the content for selecting the first ordering route in the first setting in the most recent attribute. If the content of the attribute of urgency level corresponds to the content for selecting the second order route even if it is determined, the second order route is determined as the order route, For all other attributes other than sexual, if applicable to the contents content of the attribute consumables have been made as to select the second order route, the second order route as ordered root Determine and send an order request with the determined order route.
[0022]
Further, the object is a program for causing the CPU of the consumable item ordering server according to claim 5 to execute, and grasping an inventory amount or a consumable amount of one or a plurality of consumable items replaceable in the device. And determining whether or not ordering of the consumables is necessary according to the grasped inventory amount or consumption amount, Includes at least urgency attributes A first order route for ordering consumables to a consumable supplier connected to the network via an approver as a consumable order route for each attribute of a plurality of consumable items. Contents to select And a second ordering route for directly ordering consumables from the consumable supplier without going through an approver The content to select is set The first setting and the second setting for the priority for each attribute Setting data Storing in the storage means; Storing data for acquiring the contents of each attribute of the consumable to be ordered in the attribute data storage means; If it is determined in the determination step that an order for consumables is required, In order from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered acquired based on the data stored in the attribute data storage means is the first attribute. In the setting, it is determined whether or not the content of the first order route is selected, and if so, the first order route is determined as the order route without making a determination on the lower priority attribute. The order route is determined, and the attribute of the urgency level is the attribute in which the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is the first order route selected in the first setting in the most recent attribute. If the content of the attribute of urgency corresponds to the content for selecting the second ordering route even if it is determined that the second ordering route is selected, the second ordering route is determined as the ordering route. For all other attributes other than the attributes emergency degree, if applicable to the contents content of the attribute consumables have been made as to select the second order route, the second order route as ordered root A program for causing the CPU to execute a step of determining by the selection means, and a step of transmitting an order request to the approver terminal or the consumable supplier according to the determined ordering route, and recording the program This is also solved by the recording medium.
[0023]
According to this program or recording medium, when the computer grasps the inventory amount or consumption amount of consumables and determines that it is necessary to place an order according to the inventory amount or consumption amount, In order from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered acquired based on the data stored in the attribute data storage means is the first setting in the first setting. It is determined whether or not the ordering route of the first order is applicable, and if so, the first ordering route is used as the ordering route without making a determination on the lower priority attribute. With regard to the attribute of the urgency level, it is determined that the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered corresponds to the content for selecting the first ordering route in the first setting in the most recent attribute. If the content of the attribute of the urgency level corresponds to the content for selecting the second order route, the second order route is determined as the order route, and the attribute of the urgency level is determined. For all other attributes of the external, if applicable to the contents content of the attribute consumables have been made as to select the second order route, the second order route as ordered root It operates to determine and send an order request with the determined order route.
[0024]
Note that the consumables are also included in the program and recording medium. Other than urgency The attribute may include at least one of the type of consumables, unit price, and cumulative order amount, The content of the urgency level attribute for the consumable item corresponds to the content for selecting the first ordering route in the first setting. Case To other If the number of consumables that are about to be replaced in the device is larger than the specified value, The selection means includes Order route As Second order route Decide It is good also as what makes a CPU perform a process.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0026]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a tandem digital color printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) as an example of a device having consumables.
[0027]
In FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes an intermediate transfer belt 12 at substantially the center of the inside thereof. The intermediate transfer belt 12 is supported on the outer peripheral portions of the three rollers 14, 16, and 18 and is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow A.
[0028]
Below the lower horizontal portion of the intermediate transfer belt 12, four image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors, respectively. Are arranged side by side along the intermediate transfer belt 12.
[0029]
Each of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K includes photosensitive drums 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K. Around the photosensitive drums 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K, there are chargers 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K that uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K in order along the rotation direction. A print head unit (writing unit) 26Y, 26M, 26C, and 26K that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum according to each color image signal, and formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The electrostatic latent images are developed with toners (developers) of various colors to form toner images (developing units) 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K, and the photosensitive drums 22Y, 22M, and 22C with the intermediate belt 12 interposed therebetween. , 22K, primary transfer rollers 30Y, 30M, which electrostatically attract a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum and primarily transfer it onto the intermediate transfer belt 12. 0C, and 30K, after the primary transfer, cleaner 32Y for cleaning and collecting toner remaining on the photosensitive drum surface, 32M, 32C, and a 32K are arranged respectively.
[0030]
The print head units 26Y, 26M, 26C, and 26K are configured by a large number of LEDs arranged along the main scanning direction parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drums 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 2, each of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K includes the photosensitive drum, the charger, the print head unit, the developing device, and the cleaner inside a unit case 21 having a common shape. Each is housed and configured.
[0032]
The image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are detachably mounted so as to be slid into the printer 10 together with the unit case 21.
[0033]
The paper P accommodated in the paper feed unit 42 is taken out via the paper feed roller 44, passes through the transport positioning part 48 having the transport roller 48 a and the paper end detection sensor 52, and rotates along with the rotation of the transfer belt 12. After the four colors are transferred by a predetermined operation, they are transferred by the secondary transfer portion 36 of the secondary transfer roller 34 and the roller 18. Thereafter, the toner image is fixed by a fixing unit 50 including a fixing unit 64 including fixing rollers 56 and 62, a fixing roller driving roller 58, a driving belt 60, and the like, and then discharged to a discharge tray 11 through discharge rollers 65 and 66. The
[0034]
By the way, in each unit case 21 of each image forming unit 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K, a memory, for example, EEPROM 23 (23Y, 23M, 23C, 23K) storing related information such as each color information of the accommodated toner is stored. It is attached. The form of the EEPROM 23 may be any of an electric reading type, an optical reading type, a magnetic reading type, and the like.
[0035]
In the EEPROM 23, in addition to the toner color information, as shown in FIG. 3, mounting position information for each of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K (for example, first, second, 3rd, 4th), lot information (manufacturing number, date of manufacture, manufacturing lot number, etc.), life information (number of printed sheets, etc.), number of recycles (once, twice ...), compatible model number, and more Stores new product information for determining whether the unit is new or not.
[0036]
The EEPROM 23 is provided for each unit in the printer 10. Specifically, it is provided in the unit 52 of the intermediate transfer belt 12, the paper expansion cassette unit 53, the duplex printing unit 54, the fixing roller unit 50, and the like.
[0037]
Each unit is managed as a consumable item for each unit like paper, toner, etc., and as will be described later, an order is placed when the inventory is insufficient. The consumables in the printer 10 are managed by the management unit 70 having the CPU 70a, the ROM 70b in which a program for executing the operation of the CPU 70a is stored, and the RAM 70c as a work area. The status of each consumable can be grasped.
[0038]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a consumable ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039]
In FIG. 4, 10 is the above-described printer as a device using consumables, 3 is a consumable management / ordering server (hereinafter simply referred to as a server), and 4 is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as consumables) used by a consumables exchanger. 5 is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as an approver PC) used by an approver who approves an order. These printer 10, server 3, consumables exchanger PC4, approver PC5. Is connected to a network 1 such as a LAN. In addition, not only LAN but the thing connected to the internet may be used. Further, the printer 10 may be configured to manage a plurality of printers at the same time as indicated by a chain line instead of only one printer. In addition, the device using the consumables may be an image forming apparatus other than a copying machine or a printer, another OA device, or an electric device such as an air conditioner.
[0040]
The network 1 is also connected to the external Internet 7, whereby the server 3 and the approver PC 5 are connected to a consumables supplier (also called a supplier) 6 that is an external seller. It is possible to send and receive information on ordering on the network. Of course, the consumable supply source 6 is not limited to an external distributor, and may be an in-house material department or an inventory center that can supply the printer 10 to the site where it is used.
[0041]
The printer 10 is functionally provided with a consumable item detection unit 71 and a consumable item replacement detection unit 72.
[0042]
The consumable item detecting unit 71 detects that the consumable items 101 and 102 such as paper, toner, an extension cassette, and an intermediate transfer unit of each printer 10 have been consumed from the consumption amount and the like, and sends information to that effect via the network 1. The server 3 is notified. Based on this information, the server 3 transmits a signal indicating that the consumables 101 and 102 need to be replaced to the consumables exchanger PC 4, and the consumables exchanger replaces the corresponding consumables by this signal. It is possible to recognize the need for and perform the exchange.
[0043]
The consumable item replacement detection unit 72 detects that the consumable items 101 and 102 have been replaced, and notifies the server 3 of the replacement detection information via the network 1.
[0044]
The server 3 includes a consumable item calculation unit 81, a consumable item information unit 82, a storage unit 83, a consumable item ordering unit 84, a CPU 85, a ROM 86, a RAM 87, and the like.
[0045]
The consumable item calculation unit 81 calculates the stock amount of the consumable item exchanged based on the consumable item replacement information from the printer 10, and calculates the cumulative amount as will be described later when the consumable item is ordered. To do. The calculated inventory amount and accumulated amount are stored in the storage unit 83. Thereby, the server 3 can grasp the stock amount after the consumable replacement.
[0046]
The consumables information unit 82 recognizes the type of the consumables 101 and 102 that have been replaced based on the information from the consumables replacement detection unit 72, and also indicates that the consumables have been consumed from the consumables detection unit 71. Upon receipt of the notification, it notifies the consumables exchanger PC 4 or grasps the stock quantity of consumables stored in the storage unit 83, that is, the consumption level, and determines whether or not ordering is necessary. In this embodiment, it is determined that an order is required when the stock quantity becomes less than a certain value.
[0047]
The consumables ordering unit 84 selects an ordering route by identifying attributes of consumables to be described later when the consumables information unit 82 determines that an ordering is necessary, and transmits an ordering request through the ordering route. Is. The consumables ordering unit 84 is connected to the approver PC 5 via the network 1, and the approver PC 5 and the consumables orderer 6 are connected to each other via the external Internet 7. Accordingly, a first ordering route R1 for placing an order from the consumables ordering unit 84 to the consumables ordering party 6 via the network 1, the approver PC 5, and the external Internet 7 is configured.
[0048]
On the other hand, the consumables ordering unit 84 is directly connected to the consumables ordering party (supplier) 6 via the external Internet 7, so that the consumables ordering unit 84 does not go through the approver PC 5. A second ordering route R2 for placing an order from 84 to the consumables ordering party (supplier) 6 via the Internet 7 is configured.
[0049]
The first ordering route R1 is a route for placing an order for consumables that need to be approved by the approver, and is an ordering route for consumables that require human management. The second ordering route R2 is a route for placing an order for consumables that do not require order approval by the approver, and is an ordering route for consumables that do not require any human management.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 84 stores items such as “management object”, “unit price”, “emergency degree”, “cumulative amount”, “inventory amount”, etc. for each of the consumables 101 and 102. Consumable information is stored. The item “Managed Object” distinguishes the items that need to be managed from those that do not need to be managed. In FIG. Represents each. In addition, the item of “Emergency” distinguishes items that require emergency replenishment (those with high urgency) from normal items. Each is indicated by a cross. In the item “cumulative amount”, the cumulative order amount up to now is recorded. Information on these “management object”, “unit price”, “emergency degree”, and “cumulative amount” is managed by the consumables information unit 82 and when the consumables ordering unit 84 selects an ordering route. Used as an attribute of consumables.
[0051]
In this embodiment, a consumable ordering route is determined based on a determination table as shown in FIG. The determination table in FIG. 6 defines the relationship among the priority order, the attribute, and the ordering route.
[0052]
First, for the attribute “management object”, if the consumable item to be ordered is a management object (the “management object” in FIG. 5 is a circle), the first ordering route R1 that requires approval is selected. If it is not a management target (the “management target” in FIG. 5 is marked with a cross), the second ordering route R2 that does not require approval is selected. Whether or not to be a management target is determined depending on, for example, whether or not it is an environmental target part whose quantity needs to be grasped.
[0053]
For the attribute “unit price”, the first order route R1 that requires approval is selected in the case of a consumable item more than a unit price determined in advance in consideration of the taxable amount, for example, 200,000 yen. If it is less than that, the second order route R2 that does not require approval is selected.
[0054]
As for the attribute “urgency degree”, the first order route R1 that requires approval is selected in the case of a normal urgency level, and the second order route R2 that does not require approval is selected in the case of an emergency. . Whether it is urgent or normal, whether or not the consumables are completely replaced due to the fact that the consumables are not replaced, whether or not the parts are prone to failure, whether delivery time is long, etc. In this embodiment, as will be described later, it is also determined in consideration of the amount of consumption of the same consumable item in other printers 10.
[0055]
For the attribute “cumulative amount”, if the cumulative amount exceeds the budget (threshold), the first ordering route R1 requiring approval is selected, and if it is within the budget (threshold), The second order route R2 that does not require approval is selected.
[0056]
For each attribute, when selecting an ordering route, a higher priority is set in the order of “management object”, “unit price”, “emergency degree”, and “cumulative amount”. Therefore, even if the accumulated amount exceeds the budget, the second ordering route R2 that does not require approval is preferentially selected for consumable items with a high degree of urgency. Even if the urgency level is normal, the second order route R2 is similarly preferentially selected for consumables having a unit price of less than 200,000 yen. Similarly, even if the unit price is 200,000 yen or more, the second order route R2 is preferentially selected for consumables that are not managed.
[0057]
The CPU 85 performs overall control of each unit in the server 3, the ROM 86 stores a program for performing control operations of the CPU, and the RAM serves as a work area during data processing. The entire operation of the server 3 is executed by the CPU operating in accordance with the program stored in the ROM 86.
[0058]
Next, the operation of the ordering system shown in FIG. 4 will be described.
[0059]
First, the control process of the printer 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0060]
In the following description and drawings, step is abbreviated as S.
[0061]
In FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not printing has been performed in S101, and when printing has been performed (YES in S101), the number of prints is counted in S102, and in S103, the consumable item has a life. It is determined whether (life) has been reached. If it is not a life (determination in S103 is NO), the process is terminated. If it is a life (determination in S103 is YES), the consumables detection unit 71 consumes the consumables via the consumables information unit 82 of the server 3 in S104. A consumables replacement request signal is sent to the product exchanger PC 4 and the process is terminated.
[0062]
If printing has not been performed (NO in S101), it is determined in S105 whether or not a consumable item is set. If a consumable item is set (YES in S105), the consumable item is determined in S106. It is determined whether or not it is detected by the product replacement detection unit 72 that the consumable product is new.
[0063]
If it is detected that the product is new (YES in S106), the consumable item replacement detection unit 72 sends the consumable item information and the exchange signal to the consumable item information unit 82 of the server 3 in S107. The new product information in the EEPROM 23 is rewritten with information indicating that it is not new, and the process is terminated.
[0064]
If no consumable item is set (NO in S105), the process ends. If no new article is detected (NO in S106), the process ends.
[0065]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the consumables ordering process in the server 3. This consumable ordering process is performed by the CPU 85 executing a program stored in the ROM 86. The program stored in the ROM 86 may be written in advance, may be installed by an external recording medium such as a CDROM, or may be installed via a network.
[0066]
In FIG. 8, in S201, the consumable information unit 82 determines whether or not a consumable replacement signal has been received from the printer 10, and if a consumable replacement signal has been received (YES in S201), in S202. Then, it is determined whether or not the stock quantity that is the consumption level of the consumables 101 and 102 calculated by the consumables calculation unit 81 is less than a predetermined amount (th). If the stock quantity is less than the predetermined quantity (YES in S202), the consumable information unit 82 determines that an order is necessary, and proceeds to S203. If no consumable replacement signal is received (NO in S201), the process is terminated. If the stock quantity is not less than the predetermined quantity (NO in S202), the process is terminated because there is a margin in stock and there is no need for replenishment.
[0067]
In S203, the consumables ordering unit 84 first determines whether or not the consumables are out of management according to the priority order shown in FIG. If the consumable item is a management target (NO in S203), the first ordering route via the approver is selected as the ordering route in S210, the ordering request is transmitted by the route, and the process ends.
[0068]
If it is not a management target (YES in S203), it is determined in S204 whether the unit price of the ordered item is less than a certain value (for example, 200,000 yen). If the unit price of the ordered item is less than a certain value (YES in S204), the cumulative amount calculation process is performed in S205. This process will be described later.
[0069]
In step S206, the consumables ordering unit 84 determines whether the calculated accumulated amount is within the budget (threshold value). If it is within the budget (YES in S206), the second ordering route that does not require approval is selected as the ordering route in S207, the ordering request is transmitted by the route, and the process ends. If the accumulated amount exceeds the budget (NO in S206), approval is required, so the process proceeds to S210, the first order route is selected, the order request is transmitted through the route, and the process ends.
[0070]
If the unit price of the ordered item is equal to or greater than a certain value (NO in S204), an emergency necessity determination process is performed in S208 to determine whether or not “emergency” needs to be set for the degree of emergency. This process will be described later.
[0071]
After the urgent necessity determination process, in S209, it is determined whether or not “emergency” is set for the urgency level of the consumable. If “emergency” is set (YES in S209), the process proceeds to S207. Go ahead and place an order through the second route that does not require approval for early replenishment. If “emergency” is not set (NO in S209), the process proceeds to S210 to place an order through the first route via the approver.
[0072]
Next, the subroutine of the accumulated amount calculation process (S205) of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0073]
In this process, first, in S2051, the consumable item calculation unit 81 reads the unit price (C0) of the consumables 101 and 102 from the storage unit 83, and in S2052, the unit price (C0) is added to the accumulated amount C (T) so far. The added total value is set as a new cumulative amount C (T), and the process returns.
[0074]
Next, the subroutine of the emergency necessity determination process (S208) of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0075]
In this process, first, in S2081, the consumables ordering unit 84 determines whether or not the urgency degree that is the attribute of the consumables is “emergency” from the table of the storage unit 83 (FIG. 5). If the determination is YES (S2081 is YES), the process returns after performing the setting indicating “emergency” in S2082.
[0076]
If it is not “Emergency” (NO in S2081), the life information of the corresponding consumable in the other printer 10 is read out via the consumables detection unit 71 in S2083. It is determined whether or not the value obtained by subtracting the number of objects is smaller than a predetermined value (th). If the value is smaller than the predetermined value (YES in S2084), the process proceeds to S2082, and a setting indicating "emergency" is performed. As a result, it is possible to quickly replenish consumables that are about to be replaced in other printers, and prevent a sudden decrease in inventory.
[0077]
If the value obtained by subtracting the number of items that are close to life from the stock quantity is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (th) in the determination in S2084 (NO in S2084), there is a margin in the stock, so “emergency” is not set. Return as is.
[0078]
In this way, when placing an order, either an order route that requires approval or an order route that does not require approval is selected according to the attribute of the consumable. As a result, it is possible to prevent excessive ordering of consumables and increase in the work burden on the approver.
[0079]
In the above embodiment, the consumption level of the consumables 101 and 102 is the inventory amount of the consumables managed by the server 3, and when the inventory amount becomes less than a predetermined value, the consumables are ordered. It is also possible to set the consumption level to the consumption amount of the consumable item in the printer 10, and detect and place an order when the consumption amount increases and the replacement time approaches.
[0080]
In addition, the server 3 is configured to place an order. However, the consumable item calculation unit 81, the consumable item information unit 82, the storage unit 83, the consumable item ordering unit 84, and the like are provided in the printer 10 and an order is placed from the printer 10. It is also good. However, it is preferable that a server is used because orders of consumables for a plurality of devices can be processed by a single server.
[0081]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the necessity of ordering is determined from the inventory amount or the consumption amount of consumables. In order from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting, the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered acquired based on the data stored in the attribute data storage means is the first setting in the first setting. It is determined whether or not the ordering route of the first order is applicable, and if so, the first ordering route is used as the ordering route without making a determination on the lower priority attribute. With regard to the attribute of the urgency level, it is determined that the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered corresponds to the content for selecting the first ordering route in the first setting in the most recent attribute. If the content of the attribute of the urgency level corresponds to the content for selecting the second order route, the second order route is determined as the order route, and the attribute of the urgency level is determined. For all other attributes of the external, if applicable to the contents content of the attribute consumables have been made as to select the second order route, the second order route as ordered root As a result, it is possible to prevent excessive ordering of consumables when placing an order without obtaining approval for all consumables, and to reduce the work burden of the approver when obtaining approval for all consumables, Consumables can be replenished without delay.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a digital printer as a device applied to an ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an image forming unit of the digital printer.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of information stored in an EEPROM;
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an ordering system according to one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a table showing attribute data and inventory quantities for consumables.
FIG. 6 is a determination table for sorting order routes for each order priority.
7 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the digital printer of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing order processing of the ordering system.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of cumulative amount calculation processing of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of emergency necessity determination processing in FIG. 8;
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Network
3 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Order server
6 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Supplier supply
10 ... Printer (Equipment)
82 ················· Consumables information section
84 ……………… Consumables ordering department (identification means, selection means, ordering means)
85 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ CPU (Computer)
86 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ROM (Recording medium)
R1 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ First order route
R2 ... the second order route
101, 102 ... Consumables

Claims (12)

A detecting means for detecting an inventory amount or a consumable amount of one or a plurality of consumable items that can be replaced in the device;
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it is necessary to place an order for the consumables according to the detected inventory quantity or consumption quantity;
First of all, a plurality of consumables attributes including an attribute of urgency level are ordered via the approver as a consumable ordering route for the consumables supply source connected to the network for each attribute. and contents selecting an order route, first setting and the contents for selecting the second order route performed directly is set without passing through the approver ordering consumables for said consumable supply source attribute Setting data storage means for storing a second setting for each priority;
Attribute data storage means for storing data for acquiring the contents of each attribute of consumables to be ordered;
When it is determined by the determining means that an order for consumables is necessary , the attributes stored in the attribute data storage means are sequentially ordered from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting. It is determined whether or not the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered that corresponds to the content for which the first order route is selected in the first setting. Determines the first ordering route as the ordering route without making a determination about the lower attribute, and the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is the highest order attribute for the attribute of the urgency level. Even if it is determined that the content of the first order route in the setting of 1 corresponds to the content selected for the first order route, the content of the attribute of the urgency level is the one for selecting the second order route. Is determined, the second order route is determined as the order route, and the contents of the consumables attribute are selected to select the second order route for all the attributes other than the emergency degree attribute. Selection means for determining a second ordering route as an ordering route in the case of corresponding contents ;
A means for transmitting an order request to the approver terminal or the consumable supplier according to the order route determined by the selection means;
Consumables ordering system characterized by comprising: The consumable item ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the attribute other than the urgency level of the consumable item includes at least one of a consumable item type, a unit price, and an accumulated order amount . When the content of the attribute of the urgency level for the consumable item corresponds to the content for selecting the first ordering route in the first setting, the consumable item whose replacement time is near in other devices 3. The consumables ordering system according to claim 1 , wherein the selection unit determines a second ordering route as the ordering route if the number of items is larger than a predetermined value with respect to the inventory quantity. A consumables ordering method executed in the consumables ordering system according to claim 1,
Detecting means for detecting an inventory amount or a consumption amount of one or a plurality of consumable items that can be replaced in the device; and
A step of determining whether or not it is necessary to place an order for the consumable according to the detected inventory amount or consumption amount;
First of all, a plurality of consumables attributes including an attribute of urgency level are ordered via the approver as a consumable ordering route for the consumables supply source connected to the network for each attribute. and contents selecting an order route, first setting and the contents for selecting the second order route performed directly is set without passing through the approver ordering consumables for said consumable supply source attribute Storing a second setting for each priority in the setting data storage means;
Storing data for acquiring the contents of each attribute of the consumable to be ordered in the attribute data storage means;
If it is determined in the determination step that an order for consumables is necessary , the attributes stored in the attribute data storage unit are sequentially set in descending order of attributes set in the second setting. It is determined whether or not the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered that corresponds to the content for which the first order route is selected in the first setting. Determines the first ordering route as the ordering route without making a determination about the lower attribute, and the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is the highest order attribute for the attribute of the urgency level. Even if it is determined that the content of the first order route is selected in the setting of 1, the content of the attribute of the urgency level is the one for selecting the second order route. When it corresponds to the content, the second order route is determined as the order route, and the content of the consumables attribute is selected to select the second order route for all the attributes other than the emergency degree attribute. The selection means determines a second ordering route as the ordering route when the contents are applicable ,
A step of transmitting an order request to the approver terminal or the consumable supplier according to the determined ordering route;
A consumables ordering method in a consumables ordering system characterized by comprising: A grasping means for grasping an inventory amount or a consumable amount of one or a plurality of consumable items that can be replaced in the device;
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it is necessary to place an order for the consumables according to the grasped inventory quantity or consumption quantity;
First of all, a plurality of consumables attributes including an attribute of urgency level are ordered via the approver as a consumable ordering route for the consumables supply source connected to the network for each attribute. and contents selecting an order route, first setting and the contents for selecting the second order route performed directly is set without passing through the approver ordering consumables for said consumable supply source attribute Setting data storage means for storing a second setting for each priority;
Attribute data storage means for storing data for acquiring the contents of each attribute of consumables to be ordered;
When it is determined by the determining means that an order for consumables is necessary , the attributes stored in the attribute data storage means are sequentially ordered from the attribute with the highest priority set in the second setting. It is determined whether or not the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered that corresponds to the content for which the first order route is selected in the first setting. Determines the first ordering route as the ordering route without making a determination about the lower attribute, and the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is the highest order attribute for the attribute of the urgency level. Even if it is determined that the content of the first order route in the setting of 1 corresponds to the content selected for the first order route, the content of the attribute of the urgency level is the one for selecting the second order route. Is determined, the second order route is determined as the order route, and the contents of the consumables attribute are selected to select the second order route for all the attributes other than the emergency degree attribute. Selection means for determining a second ordering route as an ordering route in the case of corresponding contents ;
A means for transmitting an order request to the approver terminal or the consumable supplier according to the order route determined by the selection means;
Consumables ordering server characterized by comprising: The consumable item ordering server according to claim 5, wherein the attribute other than the urgency level of the consumable item includes at least one of a consumable type, a unit price, and an accumulated order amount. When the content of the attribute of the urgency level for the consumable item corresponds to the content for selecting the first ordering route in the first setting, the consumable item whose replacement time is near in other devices The consumables ordering server according to claim 6, wherein the selection unit determines a second ordering route as the ordering route if the number of items is greater than a predetermined value with respect to the inventory quantity. An operation method of the consumables ordering server according to claim 5,
A step in which the grasping means grasps an inventory amount or consumption amount of one or more consumables that can be replaced in the device;
A step of discriminating whether or not it is necessary to place an order for the consumables according to the grasped inventory amount or consumption amount;
First of all, a plurality of consumables attributes including an attribute of urgency level are ordered via the approver as a consumable ordering route for the consumables supply source connected to the network for each attribute. and contents selecting an order route, first setting and the contents for selecting the second order route performed directly is set without passing through the approver ordering consumables for said consumable supply source attribute Storing a second setting for each priority in the setting data storage means;
Storing data for acquiring the contents of each attribute of the consumable to be ordered in the attribute data storage means;
If it is determined in the determination step that an order for consumables is necessary , the attributes stored in the attribute data storage unit are sequentially set in descending order of attributes set in the second setting. It is determined whether or not the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered that corresponds to the content for which the first order route is selected in the first setting. Determines the first ordering route as the ordering route without making a determination about the lower attribute, and the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is the highest order attribute for the attribute of the urgency level. Even if it is determined that the content of the first order route is selected in the setting of 1, the content of the attribute of the urgency level is the one for selecting the second order route. When it corresponds to the content, the second order route is determined as the order route, and the content of the consumables attribute is selected to select the second order route for all the attributes other than the emergency degree attribute. The selection means determines a second ordering route as the ordering route when the contents are applicable ,
A step of transmitting an order request to the approver terminal or the consumable supplier according to the determined ordering route;
A method for operating a consumables ordering server, comprising: A program for causing the CPU of the consumables ordering server according to claim 5 to execute the program,
Determining the inventory or consumption of one or more consumables that can be replaced in the device;
Determining whether it is necessary to place an order for the consumables according to the grasped inventory amount or consumption amount; and
First of all, a plurality of consumables attributes including an attribute of urgency level are ordered via the approver as a consumable ordering route for the consumables supply source connected to the network for each attribute. and contents selecting an order route, first setting and the contents for selecting the second order route performed directly is set without passing through the approver ordering consumables for said consumable supply source attribute Storing a second setting for each priority in the setting data storage means;
Storing data for acquiring the contents of each attribute of the consumable to be ordered in the attribute data storage means;
If it is determined in the determination step that an order for consumables is necessary , the attributes stored in the attribute data storage unit are sequentially set in descending order of attributes set in the second setting. It is determined whether or not the content of the attribute of the consumable to be ordered that corresponds to the content for which the first order route is selected in the first setting. Determines the first ordering route as the ordering route without making a determination about the lower attribute, and the attribute of the consumable to be ordered is the highest order attribute for the attribute of the urgency level. Even if it is determined that the content of the first order route is selected in the setting of 1, the content of the attribute of the urgency level is the one for selecting the second order route. When it corresponds to the content, the second order route is determined as the order route, and the content of the consumables attribute is selected to select the second order route for all the attributes other than the emergency degree attribute. The selection means determines a second ordering route as the ordering route when the contents are applicable ,
Transmitting an order request to an approver terminal or a consumable supplier according to the determined order route;
For causing the CPU to execute. The program according to claim 9, wherein the attribute other than the urgency level of the consumable includes at least one of a consumable type, a unit price, and an accumulated order amount. When the content of the attribute of the urgency level for the consumable item corresponds to the content for selecting the first ordering route in the first setting, the consumable item whose replacement time is near in other devices 11. The program according to claim 9 , wherein the selection unit causes the CPU to execute a process of determining a second ordering route as an ordering route if the number of items is greater than a predetermined value with respect to the inventory quantity.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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