JP4323943B2 - Consumable material management system, consumable part management method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a consumable material management system, a consumable component management method, and a computer-readable program capable of communicating between a device that can attach and detach a predetermined consumable component to a main body and a server device that manages the usage status of the consumable component. The present invention relates to stored storage media and programs.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, devices that can attach and detach predetermined consumable parts to and from a main body have been put into practical use. In addition, a method and an apparatus have been developed for controlling a consumable part so that the consumable part is not used, which is contrary to the intention of the user and the device manufacturer by providing a storage medium.

  Examples of the apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus, and an electrophotographic word processor.

  The consumable parts include, for example, a process cartridge filled with toner or the like.

  Furthermore, Patent Document 1 has already been published as a prior art using such a consumable material. In Patent Document 1, the following apparatus and method can reduce the development cost and the recycling cost due to the loss of cartridge compatibility as the resolution of the image forming apparatus increases.

  Specifically, the consumable part includes a storage medium such as a non-volatile memory, the storage medium holds attribute information (function, etc.) of the consumable part, and the apparatus main body on which the consumable part is mounted has the storage medium A control program including a reading mechanism and a storage mechanism for information input by the reading mechanism, and the apparatus main body includes condition information for performing control (such as canceling a printing operation) corresponding to attribute information in the storage mechanism A storage medium.

  Furthermore, Patent Document 2 has already been published as this type of technology.

  Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, it is possible to safely manage the replacement timing of consumable parts by controlling the writing to the storage medium provided for the consumable parts so that there is no unintentional writing. It is said.

  Specifically, the consumable part holds a storage medium such as a non-volatile memory, the storage medium holds information about the consumable part, and the apparatus main body on which the consumable part is mounted has a reading mechanism from the storage medium, In addition to a mechanism for holding information input by the reading mechanism, a writing mechanism and writing to the storage medium are disabled.

  This method may be able to solve the following problem 3, but this method does not assume the following problem 1 and problem 2, and cannot be used to solve them.

  On the other hand, in recent years, a system called SCM (Supply Chain Management) has been developed.

  This system comprehensively manages product supply systems such as ordering with suppliers, procurement of materials and parts, production, product delivery, etc. by applying IT (information technology) to increase corporate profits. It is a management method that can be done. For example, in the SCM solution of i2 Technologies Inc., events such as orders and shipments in the supply chain can be confirmed in real time.

On the other hand, in recent years, digital multi-function peripherals that have both a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function have become more sophisticated, and some of the devices that use consumable parts have a function to connect to a remote communication network such as the Internet. Is also increasing.
JP 2001-296786 A JP 2001-166649 A

  However, in this method, there are the following problems 1 to 3 in achieving the purpose of controlling so as not to use consumable parts contrary to the intentions of the user and the device manufacturer.

Problem 1. Difficulties in adapting to running changes In the above method, it is necessary for manufacturing companies to rewrite the contents of storage media and control programs of consumable parts in the market and the main body of the equipment, and a great direct / indirect cost is required. .

Problem 2 Information amount of memory and control program In the above method, depending on the consumable part management method, when the condition information becomes large, a large direct cost is required.

Problem 3 Dealing with Counterfeit Products In the above method, it is not possible to deal with consumable parts collected / recycled by a method other than a regular or semi-regular method, and therefore it is possible to use consumable parts contrary to the intention of the user and the manufacturer. As a result, there is a possibility that an unintended defect occurs in the recording operation of the printer body. In addition, in a counterfeit product in which the brand of the consumable product manufacturer is falsified, the compatibility between the printer and the consumable product is not sufficiently considered, and this problem becomes particularly noticeable. As a result, productivity in office work using a printer is reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The object of the present invention is to send device status information including product type information and consumable part number information of the device body to the server device. In response to the inquiry, the server apparatus determines whether or not the consumable parts mounted on the apparatus can be used, and sends consumable part availability information indicating the determination result to the apparatus main body. Then, by receiving the sent consumable parts availability information and controlling the availability of the consumable parts, the server side unifies the relationship between the various consumable parts consumed in the apparatus body and each apparatus body. Consumable management system and consumable parts management method capable of managing and restricting unauthorized use of consumable parts contrary to the intentions of users and equipment manufacturers, and thereby safely managing the use and distribution of consumable parts, and Computer is to provide a storage medium, and program storing readable program.

According to the present invention, a cartridge including a consumable material can be attached to and detached from the main body, and a printer that forms an image using the consumable material and a server device that manages the usage status of the cartridge can communicate via a communication network. a consumable management system, the printer, a query for a cartridge management information by sending a cartridge individual identification information of the mounted cartridge to the server apparatus, to the inquiry of the cartridge management information, said server In accordance with cartridge management information received from the apparatus, display control means for displaying a message, exhaustion detection means for detecting that the consumable material contained in the cartridge has been exhausted, and detection of the exhaustion detection means, Exhaust information indicating that the consumables have been exhausted is stored in the server device together with cartridge solid identification information. And an exhaustion information sending means for sending to said server device, based on the exhaustion information received from the printer, to manage the use state of the cartridge for each of the cartridge individual identification information received together with the exhaustion information in the database a management unit, to the inquiry of the inquiry means of the printer, and the cartridge solid based on the identification information, determining means for determining availability of a cartridge by referring to the database is installed in the printer, the Management information sending means for sending cartridge management information indicating the result of judgment by the judging means to the printer .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to centrally manage the relationship between various consumable parts consumed in the apparatus main body and each apparatus main body on the server side, and to illegally use consumable parts that cause problems in the recording operation of the printer. This is advantageous in that it is possible to freely construct a useful system that can control the use and distribution of consumable parts safely.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a consumable parts management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) is used as an apparatus main body 100, and a toner cartridge is used as an example of consumable parts. This corresponds to an example of a consumable part management system according to the present invention.

  The system has a management center and a user site of a device manufacturer connected via a telephone line such as a public line or a dedicated line or a remote communication network 205 such as the Internet. In addition, a plurality of user sites are usually connected to one management center, and there can be a plurality of management centers. Here, only one management center and one user site will be described.

  The user site in the present embodiment is a user who uses an apparatus main body (for example, a printer). The management center is provided by a device manufacturer or a dealer, and is configured to manage the distribution of the apparatus main body and consumable parts.

  On the management center side shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 205 denotes a remote communication network, which connects the computer 201 on the management center side and the apparatus main body 230 on the user site side via the gateways 202 and 204 so that they can communicate with each other.

  Note that a computer 201 for managing a database, which will be described later, is connected to the gateway 202 via a LAN as a window terminal for performing processing. In the computer 201, databases 211 and 212 described later are constructed. Further, a service module 220 is constructed in the computer 201 in order to perform processing on the management center side described later.

  In the user site 102, printers are connected to the gateways 202 and 204 connected to the remote communication network 205 via a LAN. The printer can access the remote communication network 205 via the LAN. The printer 100 also includes a device module 230 that performs processing to be described later.

  As described above, each device in the user site 102 and the management center 101 are connected at all times or as necessary, and can communicate with each other using a predetermined protocol.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the computer 201 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, a computer 201 executes various controls and procedures (for example, a service module 220 and a user module) described later by causing the CPU 301 to execute a program written in the ROM 307 or an OS or application program written in the RAM 302. Realize.

  A hard disk 303 stores areas for the databases 211 and 212 shown in FIG. 1, program files, and data files. Reference numeral 308 denotes a drive device, which is composed of, for example, a flexible disk drive or a CD-ROM drive, and loads a file stored in a storage medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM into the RAM 302 and performs data processing. Further, a flexible disk or CD-ROM may function as the databases 211 and 212 shown in FIG.

  The storage medium set in the hard disk 303 or the drive device 308 functions as a file storage medium. The program file such as the service module 220 shown in FIG. 1 or the data files of the databases 211 and 212 shown in FIG. Can be remembered.

  In particular, the drive device 308 can exchange a storage medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, and can supply data and programs from the medium to the computer.

  An input device 309 includes a keyboard and a pointing device, and a user inputs various instructions and data. Reference numeral 304 denotes a display, and various screen displays and screen switching are executed under the control of the CPU 301 as a user interface described later.

  A LAN interface 306 is an interface circuit for connecting to the network LAN shown in FIG. A printer interface 305 is an interface for locally connecting a printer to the computer 201.

  A remote interface 310 is an interface circuit with a device such as a modem or a router for connecting to the remote communication network 205, and is used by the gateway 202 and the gateway 204 shown in FIG.

  Note that the remote communication network 205 is not limited to a normal telephone line, so if it is not a telephone line, an interface suitable for the communication network is used. With this configuration, the management center computer and the user site computer are connected to each other so as to communicate with each other.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the printing apparatus installed at the user site shown in FIG. 1, and is modulated based on image information input by an electrophotographic method, for example, by a process cartridge containing a storage chip. This is an example of a laser printer configured such that an image can be developed by forming an image of a laser beam on a photosensitive drum in a process cartridge via a scanning unit.

  In FIG. 3, paper for printing is supplied from either paper cassette 802 or 805 by paper feed rollers 803 and 806 and transport rollers 804 and 807. Which paper feed cassette is used is specified at the time of printing from a host computer or the like using this printer.

  The sheet passes through the registration roller 808 and under the toner cartridge 810, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 811 is transferred to the sheet by the charge of the transfer roller 818.

  The toner image on the photosensitive drum was developed by attaching toner to an electrostatic latent image formed by a laser beam emitted from a laser scanner unit 809 and reflected by a reflecting mirror 817 and modulated by an image signal. Is. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is heated by the fixing drum 812, and the melted toner is fixed on the sheet. The paper that has passed through the fixing roller is directed by the double-sided deflector 813 to enter the duplex unit 820 or to be discharged.

  When the sheet is discharged while being directed upward, the face-up / face-down selector 814 further moves in a predetermined direction in response to an instruction from the CPU 301, so that the discharge path is switched. When the paper is discharged face down, the paper is directed rightward in FIG. 3 and is discharged by the face down discharge roller 815 with the face printed on the face down discharge tray 816 facing down.

  On the other hand, when face-up discharge is selected, the printed surface is discharged from a face-up discharge port 819 onto a tray (not shown). The position of the face up / face down selector is detected by a sensor and output to the CPU 301 as a signal.

  On the other hand, when duplex printing is selected, the sheet that has entered duplex unit 820 is conveyed by conveyance roller 821 and is temporarily placed on duplex tray 826. The paper on which printing on one side is completed is conveyed from the double-sided tray by the feeding roller 822. The conveyed paper is once sent to the double-sided path 824, and when the trailing edge of the paper reaches the double-sided conveyance roller 823, the reversing deflector 825 whose center of rotation substantially coincides with the double-sided conveyance roller 823, Rotate until reaching path 828A. In this state, when the sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction (left side in the figure), the left end of the sheet is lifted by the deflector and is conveyed as it is by the double-sided path pickup roller 828 and reaches the registration roller 808. Thereafter, an image is formed by the same path and procedure as in normal printing.

  During duplex printing, the printing control is performed by an instruction from the printer driver of the host computer on the user site side. For example, in order to print efficiently, instead of printing and ejecting sheets one by one on both sides one by one, control is performed such that sheets are alternately supplied from the paper feed tray and the two-sided tray to the developing unit and printed alternately. There is a way.

  That is, the printing order is “first sheet table” → “second sheet table” → “first sheet back” → “third sheet table” → “second sheet sheet” → “fourth sheet table” → “3rd back” →… → “3rd back from last” → “Last 1 front” → “2nd back from last” → “Back of last 1” The front and back prints are alternately performed except that the front and back prints are continuous.

  The paper on which the front side is printed is sent to the duplex unit, and the paper on which the back side is printed is discharged as it is onto the paper discharge tray. That is, the paper on which the image is formed on the paper supplied from the paper feed tray is sent to the double-sided tray, and when the image is formed on the paper sent from the double-sided tray, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray. The

  The control at the time of duplex printing is not limited to this, and printing can be performed such that both sides are printed one by one and both sides are similarly printed on the next sheet. Such control can be switched by a command from the host computer.

  If multiple sheets can be placed on the double-sided tray, you can print on one side as many as the number of sheets that can be placed on the double-sided tray, and then sequentially remove the sheets from the double-sided tray and print them on the other side. . Again, if the host computer can know the capacity on the double-sided tray, the control method can be switched from the host computer.

  In response to a command from the host computer, the control unit 801 controls the entire printer. Furthermore, the duplex unit 810 is detachable, and information on whether it is attached or removed is detected by a sensor and passed to the host computer.

  Here, the housing is a cover that can be freely opened and closed on the cartridge 810, and the opening and closing of the cover can be detected by a sensor. If the cartridge is provided with a memory, means for reading and writing data is prepared for the memory.

  A sensor indicating that the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 810 is exhausted is built in the cartridge, and the printer 100 receives a detection signal from the sensor and outputs a no-toner signal (toner LOW signal). . That is, the no-toner signal is a signal indicating that the remaining amount of toner has run out. The toner LOW signal is generated in response to a detection signal from the cartridge when the cartridge is provided with a remaining amount sensor.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit 801 shown in FIG. 3, and the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 4, a ROM 606 stores a control program, font data, and the like for driving the printer, and the CPU 601 loads the program onto the RAM 602 and executes it, thereby realizing a printing operation. The device module 230 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of such a program file.

  The external memory 605 stores data supplied from the outside. The operation unit 607 is a panel integrated with the display unit, which displays a state and allows a user to perform a simple operation input.

  A host interface 603 is an interface for connecting a printer as a local printer such as a personal computer. The LAN interface 604 is an interface for connecting to the network LAN 2 and is connected to the Internet by a device such as a remote router connected to the LAN 2.

  The printing unit 608 is the engine mechanism itself shown in FIG. 3, and the cartridge 810 is detachably mounted at a predetermined position. The cartridge 810 includes a nonvolatile rewritable memory 810a.

  Along with the mounting of the cartridge 810, the memory 810a is electrically connected to the printer 100 or a control unit of the printer 100, and writing and reading can be performed from the CPU 601 or a CPU (not shown) locally provided in the printing unit 608.

  Data read from the memory 810a can be sent to the LAN or the host via the LAN interface 604 or the host interface 603.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement example of the memory 810a shown in FIG. 3, which is arranged at a predetermined position of the process cartridge 810 (hereinafter simply referred to as the cartridge 810) and can be electrically connected to the wiring in the printer 100. It is configured.

  The cartridge 810 is mounted on the printer 100 as shown in FIG. A semiconductor memory 810a is attached to the cartridge 810, and is electrically connected to the printer main body when the cartridge is attached, so that reading and writing are possible.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the semiconductor memory 810a illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the semiconductor memory 810a stores a serial number 907 for identifying each cartridge (individual). The serial number 907 is written in advance at the time of manufacturing or shipping. If serial number 907 can be decompressed using a predetermined decompression program, serial number 907 may be encrypted and stored.

  In the system of this embodiment, the above data is held in the cartridge.

(Management Center)
In the database 211 provided in the computer 201 of the management center 101, by using the SCM system or the like, the shipping information of the apparatus main body that can be equipped with the consumable parts managed by this system and the consumable parts (process cartridge) managed by this system are stored. Shipment information is managed in real time.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the consumable parts shipment management table 2111 and the consumable parts product ID table 2112 managed by the database 211 shown in FIG. 1, and the data structure of the database managed by the computer 201 of the management center 101 Corresponds to the example.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 2111 denotes a consumable parts shipment management table, in which the machine number ID, the product ID, and the shipping date and time are registered for each machine body of the shipped consumable parts. In addition, the date and time when the merge processing to the consumable parts usage management DB described later is executed is registered. 2112 is a consumable part product ID table. For each product ID, the type of the device main body compatible with the product and the lifetime of the product are defined.

  A database 212 (consumable parts usage management DB) provided in the computer 201 of the management center 101 manages the use of consumable parts products to be managed by this system in cooperation with the database 211.

  FIG. 8 is a view for explaining an example of the consumable part machine number ID table 2121 and the consumable part status ID table 2122 managed by the database 212 shown in FIG. 1, and data of the database managed by the computer 201 of the management center 101. This corresponds to a structural example.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 2121 denotes a consumable part machine number ID table, in which the machine number ID, status ID, and product ID are registered for each individual body of the consumable part. In addition, the expiration date and time calculated by the process described later is registered. A consumable part status ID table 2122 defines the status contents and whether or not a consumable part can be used in each status for each consumable part status ID.

  The above-described database 211 and database 212 are controlled by the service module 220 provided in the computer 201 of the management center 101. Hereinafter, the control process will be described.

<Consumable parts shipment status update processing at the management center>
In the present embodiment, the database 211 holds SCM real-time shipping information, but the database 212 is not. Therefore, the service module 220 needs to perform a consumable parts shipment status update process that reflects the latest information in the database 211 in the database 212.

  The interval for performing this update process is performed according to the actual period from when the consumable part is shipped until it arrives at the user site. For example, if it always takes a week or more for the delivery system to arrive from shipment, it may be performed every 6 days.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the consumable material management system according to the present invention, and corresponds to the database update processing procedure to be executed by the computer 201 of the management center shown in FIG. S1001 to S1011 indicate each step.

  When the computer 201 recognizes that it is the update request timing, this processing is started, the line number counter n is initialized to “1” (S1001), and the service module 220 reserves the consumable part product ID table 2111 secured in the database 211. (S1002), it is determined whether there is a record that is not yet reflected in the database 212 (S1003), and a record that is not reflected in the database 212 is extracted. It is determined whether or not the defined consumable part machine number ID already exists in the table 2121 (S1004), and for the existing consumable part machine number ID, the corresponding record is rewritten (S1005), and the process proceeds to step S1010.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1004 that the record does not exist, a new record is created (S1006), and the contents of the consumable part machine ID field and consumable part product ID field in the record of the table 2121 are copied ( In step S1007, the expiration date / time is calculated from the shipping date / time in the database 211 and the lifetime in the table 2112, and the calculated expiration date / time is input in the expiration date / time field (S1008). (S1009), the process proceeds to step (1010).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the number n is the last row number of the table 2111 (S1010). If it is determined that the number is not the last row number, the row number counter n is incremented by “1” (S1011), and the process proceeds to step S1002. Return.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1010 that it matches the last line number, the process ends.

  When the CPU 301 executes such a control procedure, the database 212 can be synchronized with a system that acquires shipping information in real time such as an SCM system.

<Transition of consumable parts management state of the device body>
On the other hand, in the printer 100 shown in FIG. 1, the device module 230 holds a consumable part status ID table as shown in FIG. 10, and determines the status of the consumable part and whether each status is in such a state. It is determined and a control method of the printing unit 608, that is, whether printing is permitted or prohibited is determined.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the consumable part status ID table managed by the device module 230 shown in FIG. 4, including consumable part status ID, consumable part status, and information indicating whether printing can be performed. Are managed by the device module 230.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining state transition of the status of consumable parts in the printer 100 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the status ID value of the consumable part transitions to any one of “1” to “5” by the process of attaching / detaching the process cartridge by the user, and the value indicated by the ID is shown in FIG. As shown in the table, the device module 230 determines whether printing can be executed.

<Procedure for sending consumable parts availability inquiry procedure>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the consumable material management system according to the present invention, and corresponds to, for example, a consumable component availability inquiry procedure on the printer 100 side shown in FIG. S1301 to S1308 indicate each step, and the control program for driving this procedure is the device module 230. The main body of the module is stored as a program in the ROM 606 shown in FIG. It is loaded into the RAM 602 and executed.

  First, after the time when the apparatus main body is activated or the consumable part is removed, such as when the power source is turned on or returned from the power saving state (S1301), a sensor in the printer 100 detects that the apparatus main body is equipped with a consumable part. (S1302), the device module 230 identifies the device number ID of the apparatus main body stored in the ROM 606 (S1303), and then determines whether or not the device number ID of the cartridge built in the semiconductor memory 810a can be identified. (S1304) If it is not identifiable (if it is not a regular cartridge), the process proceeds to step S1308, and the device module 230 displays an error on the display unit of the operation unit 607 (the CPU 601 displays the operation unit 607 in the text format shown in FIG. 13, for example). Displays an error message) and ends the process.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error message displayed on the operation unit 607 illustrated in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1304 that the device module 230 can be identified, the device module 230 identifies the consumable part machine number ID (S1305) and performs connection processing to the computer 201 (server) in the management center (S1306). Request to start using consumable parts. When the connection is confirmed, the device module 230 sends the creation of the apparatus main body information to the computer 201 (S1307), and the process ends.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the consumable material management system according to the present invention, and corresponds to, for example, the server connection processing procedure on the printer 100 side shown in FIG. S1501 to S1508 indicate steps, and the control program for driving this procedure is the device module 230. The main body of the module is stored as a program in the ROM 606 shown in FIG. It is loaded into the RAM 602 and executed.

  The processing is started simultaneously with the connection request (S1501), and the CPU 601 determines whether the Internet connection is established via the gateway 204 by monitoring the state of the LAN interface 604 (S1502) and determines that the connection is not established. Starts a known Internet connection process (S1506), determines whether the Internet connection is successful (S1507), and if the CPU 601 determines that the connection cannot be established, the server connection failure is indicated to the operation unit 607 or the like. Display (S1508), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1502 that connection is being established, or if it is determined in step S1507 that the connection is successful, connection to the computer 201 (management server) is started (S1503), and the server connection is successful. If the CPU 601 determines whether the connection has failed (1504), the process proceeds to step S1508. If it is determined that the connection has been successful, the server connection process is terminated in step S1505.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of data sent from the printer 100 shown in FIG. 1 to the computer 201. For example, the data is sent from the printer 100 to the computer 201 in step S1307 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the present embodiment is an example in which data transmission of the printer 100 is realized by a SOAP message by binding with HTTP.

  Next, a procedure for sending a consumable part exhaustion notification to the management server (computer 201) by the printer 100 will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the consumable material management system according to the present invention, and corresponds to, for example, the consumable component exhaust notification processing procedure for the management server on the printer 100 side shown in FIG. S1701 to S1706 indicate steps, and the control program for driving this procedure is the device module 230. The main body of the module is stored as a program in the ROM 606 shown in FIG. It is loaded into the RAM 602 and executed.

  First, the sensor indicating that the toner remaining in the toner cartridge built in the cartridge 810 is exhausted generates a toner exhaustion detection signal, whereby the device module 230 detects the exhausted state of the consumables (S1701). . The device module 230 identifies the product ID of the apparatus main body stored in the ROM 606 shown in FIG. 4 (S1702), and then detects the machine number ID of the cartridge built in the semiconductor memory 810a (S1703).

  Subsequently, the apparatus main body information is created (S1704), the device module 230 is connected to the server (computer 201) by the above-described procedure (S1705), a consumable part exhaustion notification is made (S1706), and the process is terminated. .

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of exhaustion notification data sent from the printer 100 shown in FIG. 1 to the computer 201. For example, FIG. 17 shows an example of data sent from the printer 100 to the computer 201 in step S1706 shown in FIG. is there.

<Processing procedure on the management server side for information sent from the device body>
Next, a processing procedure on the management server side for information sent from the device module 230 will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the consumable material management system according to the present invention, and corresponds to, for example, a data reception processing procedure from the printer 100 side by the computer 201 shown in FIG. S1901 to S1905 indicate each step. The control program for driving this procedure is the service module 220. The main body of the module is stored as a program in the hard disk 303 shown in FIG. 2, and is loaded into the RAM 302 by the CPU 301 and executed.

  First, when receiving information from the device module 230, the service module 220 interprets the information (S1901), and as a result of the interpretation, determines whether the apparatus main body information is a use request for consumable parts. (S1902) If the service module 220 determines that the request is a use request, the service module 220 next performs a consumable use availability determination process (S1903), returns the processing result to the apparatus main body (S1904), and updates the database 212. To do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1902 that the apparatus main body transmission information is not a consumable part utilization start request but a consumable part exhaustion notification, the database 212 is updated (S1905), and the process ends.

<Consumable parts availability determination procedure on the management server>
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1903 shown in FIG. 18 that the service module 220 performs the interpretation processing procedure on the information sent from the apparatus main body, it is determined that the consumable parts availability determination process is necessary. The service module 220 determines whether or not the consumable part can be used by referring to the databases 211 and 212.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a sixth data processing procedure in the consumable material management system according to the present invention, and corresponds to, for example, a consumable component availability determination processing procedure by the computer 201 shown in FIG. In addition, S2001-S2011 show each step. The control program for driving this procedure is the service module 220. The main body of the module is stored as a program in the hard disk 303 shown in FIG. 2, and is loaded into the RAM 302 by the CPU 301 and executed.

  First, the service module 220 searches the table 2121 on the database 212 for the consumable part machine number ID in the information sent from the apparatus main body, and determines whether there is a corresponding record (S2001). If there is no record, it is determined that there is a machine number ID error (S2007), and the corresponding ID shown in FIG. 20 is sent to the apparatus main body (printer) via the network (S2011).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2001 that there is a corresponding record, the service module 220 obtains a consumable part status ID from the record, and stores a main product ID that is compatible with the consumable part having the ID in the table 2112. And is read from the apparatus main body transmission information (S2002), and it is determined whether the main body product ID is applicable (S2003). If not applicable here, it is determined that there is an incompatibility error (S2008), and the corresponding ID shown in FIG. 20 is sent to the apparatus main body (printer) via the network (S2011).

  On the other hand, if the service module 220 determines in step S2003 that it corresponds to the consumable part, the service module 220 refers to the expiration date / time field of the table 2121 and the status ID to determine whether it is before the expiration date / time (see FIG. S2004). If it is determined that the date is after the expiration date / time, it is determined that there is an expiration date error (S2009), and the corresponding ID shown in FIG. 20 is sent to the apparatus main body (printer) via the network. (S2011).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2004 that the date is before the expiration date, it is determined whether the status is usable (S2005). If it is determined that the status is not usable, it is determined that the status error has occurred. Then, the corresponding ID shown in FIG. 20 is sent to the apparatus main body (printer) via the network (S2011).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2005 that the status is usable, the consumable part is determined to be usable (S2006), and the corresponding ID shown in FIG. (S2011).

<Procedure for notification of availability of consumable parts to the main unit on the management server>
Next, the management server (computer 201) notifies the printer 100 of availability.

  The service module 220 holds a table as shown in FIG. 20, for example, for managing the determination result. By referring to this table, the service module 220 performs steps S2006 and 07 shown in FIG. , 08, 09, and 10 are sent to the apparatus main body via the network. Then, when either the determination result ID1 or the determination result ID = 2 to 4 shown in FIG. 20 is notified to the apparatus main body, the apparatus main body uses the consumable parts from the server device in response to an inquiry about whether or not the consumable parts can be used. The availability information is received, and the availability of the consumable part is controlled according to the received determination result ID.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a consumable component determination result table managed by the computer 201 illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, values “1” to “5” are stored as determination result IDs.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the use result data notified from the computer 201 shown in FIG. 1 to the printer 100. For example, the notification data sent from the computer 201 to the printer 100 in step S1904 shown in FIG. It is an example. Note that this example is an example in which the data transmission of the service module 220 shown in FIG. 1 is realized by a SOAP message by binding with HTTP.

<Database update procedure on the management server>
Next, a database update processing procedure on the management server side will be described.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the consumable component status ID table 2122 shown in FIG. This is distinguished from the table managed by the device module 230 of FIG. 10 described above.

  When the management server (computer 201) receives the consumable part exhaustion notification from the printer 100, the service module 220 refers to the table 2122 and the consumable part of the record of the consumable part machine number ID corresponding to “consumable” in the table 2121. Fill in the status ID field.

  On the other hand, when the management server (computer 201) receives a consumable parts availability inquiry from the printer 100, if the determination result is available, the service module 220 follows the table 2122 and “in use” in the table 2121. Is entered in the consumable part status ID field of the record of the consumable part machine number ID corresponding to.

<Processing procedure on the device main body for the notification of availability of consumable parts sent from the management server>
Next, a processing procedure on the apparatus main body side for the notification of availability of consumable parts sent from the management server (computer 201) will be described. A control program for driving this procedure is the device module 230, which is stored in the ROM 606 shown in FIG. 4 and executed by the CPU 601.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a determination result ID table managed by the device module 230 on the apparatus main body 100 side illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the device module 230 holds a determination result ID table, and according to the determination result notified from the service module 220 by referring to the determination result ID table and the consumable component status ID table. The printing unit 608 and the operation unit 607 are controlled.

  For example, if it is determined that the determination result ID is “1”, the device module 230 sets the consumable component status ID to “3” and displays a “printable” message as illustrated in FIG. 24 on the operation unit 607. Display control is performed, and the printing unit is set in a printable state.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a determination result message displayed on the operation unit 607 illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, FIG. 24 illustrates a message display example when it is determined that the determination result ID is “1”.

  According to the above embodiment, it is not necessary to store information such as compatibility and expiry date in the consumable parts and the apparatus body itself, so that consumable parts management can be realized with simpler electronic parts, and commodities and parts are shared. This can reduce the cost of consumable parts and the device body.

As a result, manufacturers and sales companies can provide users with products and services of higher quality than ever before at the following cost. Also, information such as compatibility and expiry date is retained in consumable parts and the device itself. This eliminates the need to deal with consumable parts and device bodies that have been shipped or manufactured even if the compatibility and expiry date specifications change. This can reduce inventory costs and increase sales opportunities. This enables manufacturers and sales companies to provide users with products and services of higher quality than ever before at the following cost.

  Further, the user can definitely use the combination of the consumable part and the apparatus main body whose quality is guaranteed by the manufacturer within the expiration date.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the consumable material management system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs that can be read by the consumable material management system according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 12, FIG. 14, FIG. 16, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  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 another program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  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) or the like running 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 to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the 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.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the process cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus is used as the consumable material has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an ink cartridge.

  Needless to say, a consumable unit that can be replaced by an electronic device is not limited to a process cartridge.

  Further, the storage medium of the process cartridge may be constituted by an IC chip capable of writing and reading data.

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the consumable parts management system which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the computer shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the printing apparatus installed in the user site shown in FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement example of a memory shown in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows an example of the data stored in the semiconductor memory shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining an example of the consumable parts shipment management table and consumable parts goods ID table managed by the database shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining an example of the consumable part machine number ID table and consumable part status ID table managed by the database shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st data processing procedure in the consumables management system which concerns on this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a consumable component status ID table managed by the device module illustrated in FIG. 4. It is a figure explaining the state transition of the status of the consumable part in the apparatus main body shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd data processing procedure in the consumables management system which concerns on this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error message displayed on the operation unit illustrated in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd data processing procedure in the consumable material management system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data sent to the computer from the apparatus main body shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 4th data processing procedure in the consumable material management system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the exhaustion notification data sent to the computer from the apparatus main body shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 5th data processing procedure in the consumable material management system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 6th data processing procedure in the consumable material management system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the consumable part determination result table which the computer shown in FIG. 1 manages. It is a figure which shows an example of the usability result data notified to an apparatus main body from the computer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the consumable component status ID table shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the determination result ID table which the device module of the apparatus main body side shown in FIG. 1 manages. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a determination result message displayed on the operation unit illustrated in FIG. 4. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read with the consumable material management system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Printer 201 Computer (Management Server)
202, 204 Gateway 205 Remote communication network 211 Database 212 Database 220 Service module 230 Device module

Claims (4)

A consumable material management system in which a cartridge including a consumable material can be attached to and detached from the main body, and a printer that forms an image using the consumable material and a server device that manages the usage status of the cartridge can communicate via a communication network Because
The printer is
Inquiry means for sending cartridge solid identification information of a mounted cartridge to the server device and inquiring cartridge management information ;
To the inquiry of the cartridge management information, in response to said cartridge management information received from the server apparatus, display control means for displaying a message,
An exhaustion detecting means for detecting that the consumable material contained in the cartridge is exhausted;
Exhaust information sending means for sending, to the server device, together with cartridge solid identification information, exhaust information indicating that the consumable material has been consumed in response to detection by the exhaustion detecting means ,
The server device
Management means for managing the usage status of the cartridge in a database for each cartridge identification information received together with the exhaustion information, based on the exhaustion information received from the printer;
In response to an inquiry from the inquiry unit of the printer , a determination unit that determines a usage status of a cartridge mounted on the printer with reference to the database based on the cartridge individual identification information ;
A consumable material management system comprising: management information sending means for sending cartridge management information indicating a judgment result by the judging means to the printer . The server device
2. The consumable material management system according to claim 1 , further comprising a database for managing shipping information of the cartridge . A consumable material management system in which a cartridge including a consumable material can be attached to and detached from the main body, and a printer that forms an image using the consumable material and a server device that manages the usage status of the cartridge can communicate via a communication network Consumable parts management method in
The printer is
An inquiry step of sending cartridge solid identification information of the mounted cartridge to the server device and inquiring cartridge management information ;
To the inquiry of the cartridge management information, in response to said cartridge management information received from the server apparatus, a display control step of displaying a message,
An exhaustion detecting step of detecting that the consumable material contained in the cartridge is exhausted;
In response to detection of the exhaustion detection step, the exhaustion information sending step that sends out the exhaustion information indicating that the consumable material is exhausted together with cartridge solid identification information to the server device ,
The server device
A management step of managing the usage status of the cartridge in a database for each cartridge identification information received together with the exhaustion information, based on the exhaustion information received from the printer;
In response to the inquiry of the inquiry step of the printer , a determination step of determining the usage status of the cartridge mounted on the printer with reference to the database based on the cartridge individual identification information ;
A consumable part management method comprising: a management information sending step for sending cartridge management information indicating a judgment result in the judging step to the printer . A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the consumable part management method according to claim 3 .

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