JP5135310B2 - Replacement parts management system for image processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to the technical field of image processing apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals and copying machines, and more particularly to management of replacement parts.

  Since image processing apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals and copying machines are equipped with components having a lifetime (hereinafter referred to as replacement parts) such as photosensitive drums and developing units, in this type of apparatus, replacement parts are usually not provided. When it reaches or reaches the end of its service life, it performs a process of notifying the user or service person to that effect.

  Generally, whether or not a replacement part is approaching or has reached its end of life is determined based on the number of times that the replacement part is used or printed, and the number of times that the replacement part is used or printed is determined by the image processing apparatus. Even when the main power source of the device is turned off, it is stored using a nonvolatile ROM such as an EEPROM so that the detected value is maintained.

  Here, the nonvolatile ROM may be mounted on the replacement part side or on the apparatus main body side. In the former case, a nonvolatile ROM is required for each replacement part, resulting in an increase in cost. In consideration of this point, means for mounting a nonvolatile ROM on the apparatus main body side may be employed.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1 below, a current value to the charging charger corresponding to the history content (number of times of use) is stored in advance, and a bar code label displaying a history of reuse (number of times of use) is provided on the charging unit. It is disclosed that the bar code on the bar code label is read and the current value to the charging charger is set to a current value corresponding to the history content (number of uses) indicated by the bar code. .

  Patent Document 2 below discloses that a replaceable part is scanned by an image reading unit, and whether or not the replaceable part is compatible with the image forming apparatus is determined based on the scanned image. ing.

  Further, in Patent Document 3 below, one side edge of the photosensitive belt is provided with the serial number of the photosensitive belt, toner color information, and sensitivity information of the photosensitive belt. Bar code information is captured when the photoconductor is replaced, and the unit serial number included in the bar code information is compared with the unit serial number stored in the EEPROM. The point which performs is cleared is disclosed.

  Patent Document 4 below discloses a technique for predicting the presence or absence of toner in a toner cartridge.

JP 2000-66554 A JP 2003-162187 A JP-A-3-210573 JP-A-3-171070

  By the way, conventionally, a service man has mainly performed replacement work for parts having a life of an image reading apparatus or an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral. However, in recent years, in order to reduce maintenance costs and service costs. In some cases, a user may provide a service with a content that allows a user to perform simple work such as replacement to remove a serious malfunction.

  However, the replacement work by the user tends to be less reliable than the work by the service person, and the replacement part (old product) removed for the replacement of the replacement part is replaced with the apparatus again, In many cases, after replacement of a replacement part, the user forgets to clear the measured value of the number of times of use (printing number) of the replacement part.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a technique for performing replacement work accurately and reliably even when a user performs replacement work of replacement parts. For the purpose.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an identification information holding unit that is installed in a replacement part mounted on the image processing apparatus and holds identification information for identifying an individual replacement part, and counts the number of times the replacement part is used An identification information reading unit that reads the identification information held by the identification information holding unit, a replacement necessity determining unit that determines whether the replacement part needs to be replaced based on a count value of the counting unit, and an identification information holding unit And the replacement necessity determination unit determine that the old and new replacement of the replacement part is necessary, the identification information held by the identification information holding unit of the replacement part having no use history to be newly installed is A first instruction unit for instructing execution of a work to be read by the identification information reading unit, and an identification information storage unit for storing in advance identification information of a replacement part mounted on the image processing apparatus at the time before replacement And before A first determination unit that determines whether or not the identification information read by the identification information reading unit is stored in the identification information storage unit based on an instruction from the first instruction unit; and the first instruction When the first determination unit determines that the identification information read by the identification information reading unit is stored in the identification information storage unit based on the instruction from the unit, the replacement part having the identification information Is a replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus that includes a first notification processing unit that notifies that a replacement part that has no usage history to be newly installed is present.

  According to the present invention, when the replacement necessity determination unit determines that the replacement part needs to be replaced, the first instruction unit may replace the identification information holding unit of the replacement part with no use history to be newly installed. When the identification information reading unit is instructed to perform the operation of reading the identification information held by the identification information reading unit and the identification information reading unit reads the identification information based on the instruction from the first instruction unit, Whether or not the identification information is stored in the identification information storage unit, that is, whether or not the replacement part whose identification information has been read by the identification information reading unit is a replacement part (old product) with a use history Is determined by the first determination unit.

  The identification information is stored in the identification information storage unit (the replacement part whose identification information is read by the identification information reading unit is a replacement part (old product) with a history of use). If it is determined by the first determination unit, the first notification processing unit notifies that the replacement part having the identification information is not a replacement part having no use history to be newly mounted.

  By such processing, it is possible to allow the user to perform replacement work while strongly recognizing the distinction between a new product and an old product. It is possible to prevent the old product from being attached to the image processing apparatus as much as possible.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the identification information read by the identification information reading unit based on an instruction from the first instruction unit is the identification. When the first determination unit determines that the replacement information is not stored in the information storage unit, the replacement unit from which the identification information is read is instructed to be mounted on the image processing apparatus, and then the replacement is performed. A second instruction unit for instructing execution of an operation for causing the identification information reading unit to read the identification information held by the identification information holding unit installed in the replacement part that has been removed for replacement of the parts; A second determination unit configured to determine whether the identification information read by the identification information reading unit based on an instruction from the second instruction unit is stored in the identification information storage unit; Instruction of instruction unit When the second determination unit determines that the identification information read by the identification information reading unit is not stored in the identification information storage unit, the replacement part having the identification information is A second notification processing unit that notifies that the replacement part is determined not to be replaced is further provided.

  According to this invention, the first determination unit determines that the identification information read by the identification information reading unit is not stored in the identification information storage unit based on an instruction from the first instruction unit. Then, since the instruction to mount the replacement part from which the identification information has been read is attached to the image processing apparatus, the user can identify the identification information installed in a new product based on the instruction from the first instruction unit. After the identification information of the holding unit is read by the identification information reading unit, it is possible to prevent the replacement part (old product) that has been removed for the replacement of the replacement part from being replaced by mistake. can do.

  Instructing the identification information reading unit to read the identification information held by the identification information holding unit installed in the replacement part that has been removed for the replacement of the replacement part. If the identification information read by the identification information reading unit is not stored in the identification information storage unit, a replacement part having the identification information is replaced with a new one that is determined to require replacement. Since it is informed that it is not a part, when the user mistakenly attaches the old product to the image processing apparatus again as described above, the user is made aware that the wrong replacement work is being performed, It is possible to prevent as much as possible the occurrence of a state in which the image processing apparatus operates again while the old product is erroneously attached to the image processing apparatus.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the count unit is read by the identification information reading unit based on an instruction from the second instruction unit. When the second determination unit determines that the identification information is stored in the identification information storage unit, the count value is cleared.

  According to this invention, when the second determination unit determines that the identification information read by the identification information reading unit is stored in the identification information storage unit, the count unit Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the measured value of the number of times of use of the replacement part from being continuously counted without being cleared after replacement of the replacement part.

  The replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification information holding unit packs a replacement part body or a replacement part as in the invention according to claim 4. It is good to install in the box to do.

  5. The replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information holding unit is a bar that represents the identification information as in the invention according to claim 5, for example. It is good to use code.

  Further, in the replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, as the identification information reading unit, for example, an image of a document is read as in the invention according to claim 6. A document reading unit may be used. As a result, when a document reading unit that reads an image of a document is installed in the image processing apparatus, the replacement part management system can be made larger than when the identification information reading unit is provided separately from the document reading unit. And cost increase can be suppressed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the user from mistakenly mounting the replacement part (old part), which has been removed for the replacement of the replacement part, to the image processing apparatus as much as possible. After the replacement, it is possible to prevent the count value (measured value of the number of times the replacement part is used (number of times printed)) from being continuously counted without being cleared. As a result, even when the user performs replacement work for replacement parts, the replacement work can be performed accurately and reliably.

It is a side view which shows the internal structure of the multifunctional machine which mounts the replacement part management system which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. It is a flowchart which shows the exchange process of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the exchange process of a control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the replacement | reporting alerting | reporting screen which alert | reports the replacement part which approached replacement | exchange time among the various replacement | exchange parts mounted in an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the setting screen for setting the processing content of the process performed with an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the reading operation instruction | indication screen for instruct | indicating execution of the operation | work which reads the code number which the code number holding | maintenance part installed in the new article is read by the original reading part. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a notification screen for notifying that the replacement part whose code number has been read this time is not a replacement part that is determined to need replacement in step # 1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the alerting | reporting screen for instruct | indicating a new installation. It is a figure which shows the alerting | reporting screen which performs execution instruction | indication of the operation | work which reads the code number installed in the old product with a document reading part. It is a figure which shows the installation aspect of a code number holding | maintenance part. It is a figure which shows the memory content of a code number memory | storage part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a replacement part management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral (an example of an image processing apparatus) equipped with a replacement part management system according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device 1 has modes such as a copy mode, a printer mode, a scanner mode, and a facsimile mode, and a main body 2 and a stack tray disposed on the left side of the main body 2. 3, a document reading unit 4 disposed above the main body unit 2, and a document feeding unit 5 disposed above the document reading unit 4.

  The document reading unit 4 includes a scanner unit 6 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor and an exposure lamp, a document table 7 made of a transparent member such as glass, and a document reading slit 8. The scanner unit 6 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 7, the scanner unit 6 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 7, and reads the document image. Image data acquired while scanning is output to an unillustrated image processing unit. When reading the document fed by the document feeding unit 5, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 8, and is synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 5 via the document reading slit 8. The image of the original is acquired and the image data is output to the image processing unit.

  The document feeder 5 includes a document placement unit 9 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 10 for discharging a document whose image has been read, and a document placed on the document placement unit 9. A document transport mechanism 11 including a feed roller (not shown), a transport roller (not shown), and the like for feeding the paper one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 8 and discharging it to the document discharge section 10 is provided. The document transport mechanism 11 is further provided with a sheet reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the front and back of the document and transports it again to a position facing the document reading slit 8, and scans both sides of the document through the document reading slit 8. It is possible to read from the unit 6.

  The document feeding unit 5 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit 2 so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 5 upward to open the upper surface of the document table 7, the operator can place a read document, for example, a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the document table 7. It is like that.

  The main body 2 has been fed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 12, a paper feed roller 13 for feeding recording sheets from the paper feed cassette 12 one by one to a later-described image forming unit 14, and a paper feed cassette 12. And an image forming unit 14 that forms an image on recording paper.

  The image forming unit 14 outputs a laser or the like based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 6 or the like to expose the photoconductive drum 15, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 15. A developing unit 17 that visualizes an image to form an image, a transfer unit 18 that transfers an image formed on the photosensitive drum 15 to a recording paper, and a heating unit that heats the recording paper on which the image is transferred. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit 19 that fixes the recording paper, and conveyance rollers 20 and 21 that are provided in a paper conveyance path in the image forming unit 14 and convey the recording paper to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 22.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming unit 14 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 20 on the discharge tray 22 side. In this state, the conveyance roller 20 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L, and is conveyed again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 14, and an image is formed on the other surface by the image forming unit 14. After the formation, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 22.

  An operation unit 23 is provided at the front part of the multifunction machine 1. The operation unit 23 displays a start key 24 for a user to input a print execution instruction and a read execution instruction, a numeric keypad 25 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and the like. A display unit 26 including a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function for inputting various settings, a reset key 27 for resetting setting contents set on the display unit 26, and the printing (image forming) operation being executed are stopped. , And a function switching key 29 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected about the structure same as the structure shown in FIG. 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 1 includes a communication unit 30 and a control unit 31 in addition to the document reading unit 4, the document feeding unit 5, the image forming unit 14, and the operation unit 23 described above. The communication unit 30 communicates various data with a predetermined external device X (not shown) such as a personal computer.

  The control unit 31 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) having a function of temporarily storing data and a function as a work area, a flash memory that stores a program in advance, and a CPU that reads and executes the program from the flash memory The CPU, the RAM, and the flash memory are configured to exchange data via a data bus. The CPU executes a process corresponding to the contents of the program by appropriately executing the program stored in the flash memory.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, each replacement part such as the developing unit 17 and the photosensitive drum 15 mounted on the multifunction machine 1 is assigned a serial number that is an individual identification number. The replacement time is individually managed and monitored in the multifunction device 1 using the serial number. The serial number assigned to each replacement part is held in a code number holding unit (an example of an identification information holding unit) 100 in the form of, for example, a barcode, and the code number holding unit 100 is, for example, shown in FIG. ) And a form affixed to the surface of the casing (replacement part main body) constituting the replacement part, as shown in FIG. 11B, a form affixed to an appropriate position of the box for packing the replacement part as shown in FIG. Is provided. In addition, the code number holding | maintenance part 100 in this embodiment shall be comprised, for example as a barcode label, and shall be provided with the form shown to Fig.11 (a).

  In the present embodiment, when the replacement time of the replacement part approaches, the user is notified of this, and processing for causing the user to perform a replacement work peculiar to the present case using the code number holding unit 100 is performed.

  In order to carry out this process, the control unit 31 of the present embodiment includes a usage count unit 311, a replacement necessity determination unit 312, a notification processing unit 313, an input reception unit 314, a code number extraction unit 315, It functions as a code number storage unit 316 and a code number determination unit 317.

  The usage count unit 311 counts the usage count of each replacement part for each replacement part. The replacement necessity determination unit 312 replaces the replacement part based on whether or not the updated count value reaches a predetermined threshold when the count value is updated by the use count unit 311, for example. This is to determine whether it is necessary.

  When the replacement necessity determination unit 312 determines that the replacement part needs to be replaced, the notification processing unit 313 notifies that fact, or sends a code number to the document reading unit (an example of the identification information reading unit) 4. Instructing the execution of work to be read. Further, as will be described later, the notification processing unit 313 determines whether the code number read by the document reading unit 4 is a new replacement part with no use history (hereinafter referred to as a new part) or a used replacement part (hereinafter referred to as a new replacement part). When the code number determination unit 317, which will be described later, determines whether the product is an old product, for example, a notification of the determination result and an instruction to perform the work required according to the determination result are displayed. This is performed by screen display in the unit 26. Specific notification contents will be described later. The notification processing unit 313 corresponds to a first instruction unit, a second instruction unit, a first notification processing unit, and a second notification processing unit.

  The input receiving unit 314 receives operations on various screens displayed by the processing of the notification processing unit 313. The code number extraction unit 315 extracts a code number from the image read by the document reading unit 4. As shown in FIG. 12, the code number storage unit 316 stores the code numbers extracted by the code number extraction unit 315 according to the types of replacement parts, and corresponds to an identification information storage unit.

  When the code number is read by the document reading unit 4, the code number determination unit 317 determines whether the code number is a new one or an old one. Specific determination contents will be described later. The code number determination unit 317 corresponds to a first determination unit and a second determination unit.

  3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the exchange process of the control unit 31.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the replacement necessity determination unit 312 determines that the replacement time for a certain replacement part is approaching (YES in step # 1), the notification processing unit 313 notifies the replacement notification screen, for example. Notification is made at G1 (step # 2). An example of the exchange notification screen G1 is shown in FIG.

  The replacement notification screen G1 shown in FIG. 5 displays the types of replacement parts determined by the replacement necessity determination unit 312 as those that are approaching the replacement time among the various replacement parts mounted on the multifunction machine 1. A message M1 for notifying that the replacement part is approaching the time for replacement, and a button for inputting whether or not the replacement part is to be replaced B1 and B2 are displayed.

  Note that, during a normal period until the replacement necessity determination unit 312 determines that the replacement time of a certain replacement part is approaching, the display unit 26 displays the processing contents of the processing to be performed by the multifunction device 1. A setting screen G2 (see FIG. 6) for setting is displayed. In this embodiment, when the replacement necessity determination unit 312 determines that the replacement time of a certain replacement part is approaching, the setting screen is displayed. G1 is masked with, for example, black, and the exchange notification screen G2 is displayed on top of it. Hereinafter, screens related to replacement of replacement parts are displayed on the display unit 26 in the same display form as the replacement notification screen G1.

  If there is no input to replace the replacement part on the replacement notification screen G1 (NO in step # 3), the process waits until a predetermined time elapses (step # 4), and when the predetermined time elapses (step # 4). YES), the process returns to step # 2. On the other hand, when the input notification unit 314 receives an input to replace the replacement part on the replacement notification screen G1 (YES in step # 3), the code number determination unit 317 displays the code number related to the replacement part. The code number is read from the code number storage unit 316 (step # 5), and the code number held by the code number holding unit 100 installed in the new article is displayed on the original reading unit 4 (in FIG. The user is instructed to perform the operation to be read by "scanner" (step # 6).

  Upon receiving this instruction, the user places the replacement part on the platen 7 with the code number held by the code number holding unit 100 affixed to the surface of the casing (replacement part main body) facing the original reading unit 4. Then, a reading execution instruction is input by the start key 24.

  When the code number is read by the document reading unit 4 using this input as a trigger (YES in Step # 7), the code number determination unit 317 replaces the replacement part from which the current code number is read based on the read code number. Is the type of replacement part (developing part 17 or photosensitive drum 15) that the replacement necessity determination unit 312 has determined to need replacement in step # 1 (the appropriate replacement part to be replaced this time). Whether or not there is) is determined (step # 8).

  The code number determination unit 317 is not the type of replacement part for which the code number has been read this time, that the replacement necessity determination unit 312 determines that replacement is necessary in step # 1 (inappropriate replacement part). (NO in step # 8), for example, this is notified on the notification screen G4 shown in FIG. 8 (step # 9), and the process returns to step # 3.

  This allows the user to perform replacement work while strongly recognizing whether the replacement part is to be replaced this time, and the user mistakenly replaces the replacement part that is not the replacement part to be replaced this time. 1 can be prevented as much as possible.

  On the other hand, the code number determination unit 317 is the type of replacement part for which the replacement part from which the current code number is read is determined to be required to be replaced by the replacement necessity determination part 312 in step # 1 (this replacement part) If it is determined that it is a kind of replacement part to be used (YES in step # 8), as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the code number read by the document reading unit 4 is the code number of the old product. Judgment is made (step # 10).

  When the code number determination unit 317 determines that the code number read by the document reading unit 4 is the code number of the old product (YES in step # 10), it notifies that fact (step # 11). On the other hand, the process returns to the process of step # 3. On the other hand, if it is determined that this is not the case (NO in step # 10), the user is instructed to install a new article on the notification screen G5 shown in FIG. .

  When a replacement part is mounted by the user, an instruction to perform the operation of causing the document reading unit 4 to read the code number of the code number holding unit 100 installed in the old product is notified to the user, for example, a notification screen G6 shown in FIG. (Step # 13).

  Upon receiving this instruction, the user places the replacement part on the document table 7 with the code number held by the code number holding unit 100 affixed to the surface of the replacement part housing (replacement part main body) facing the document reading unit 4. The reading execution instruction is input by the start key 24.

  When the code number of the replacement part placed on the document table 7 is read by the document reading unit 4 using this input as a trigger (YES in step # 14), the code number determination unit 317 reads the code number thus read. Is the code number of the old product (code number stored in the code number storage unit 316) (step # 15).

  If code number determination unit 317 determines that the code number read in step # 13 should be the code number of the old product but is not the code number of the old product (NO in step # 15), The notification processing unit 313 notifies the fact on the notification screen G4 shown in FIG. 8, for example (step # 16), and returns to the process of step # 2.

  As a result, when the user mistakenly attaches the old product to the multi-function device 1 based on the new attachment instruction in step # 12, the user is made aware that the wrong replacement work is being performed, and the old product is As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a state in which the multifunction device 1 is operated again while it is mounted on the multifunction device 1 as much as possible.

  On the other hand, if the code number determination unit 317 determines that the code number read in step # 14 is the code number of the old product (YES in step # 15), a notification process (announcement) related to replacement of replacement parts is performed. ) Is ended, and the use count counting unit 311 clears the count value (step # 17).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, prior to replacement of replacement parts, the user is instructed to perform the operation of causing the document reading unit 4 to read the code number held by the code number holding unit 100 installed in a new product, When the replacement part whose code number is read based on the instruction is different from the replacement part of the type that needs to be replaced, the fact that the replacement part is about to be replaced It is possible to allow the user to perform replacement work while strongly recognizing whether the replacement part is to be replaced, and the user erroneously mounts the replacement part that is not the replacement part to be replaced this time on the multifunction device 1 again. Can be prevented as much as possible.

  Further, when the replacement part whose code number is read based on the instruction is a replacement part that needs to be replaced, it is determined whether or not the code number is the code number of the old product. When the determination is made, a new mounting instruction is output to the user, so that the replacement part (old product) that has been removed for the replacement of the replacement part is erroneously mounted on the multifunction device 1 by mistake. It can be prevented as much as possible.

  In addition, when a replacement part is mounted on the multi function device 1 based on the new mounting instruction, the original reading unit 4 reads the code number of the replacement part that has been removed for replacement of the replacement part. If the code number read by the document reading unit 4 based on this instruction is not an old product, a notification to that effect is made so that the user mistakenly inserts the old product into the multifunction device 1. When it is mounted again, the user is made aware that an incorrect replacement operation is being performed, and a state occurs in which the multifunction device 1 is operated again while the old product is erroneously mounted on the multifunction device 1. Can be prevented as much as possible.

  In addition, when a replacement part is mounted on the multi function device 1 based on the new mounting instruction, the original reading unit 4 reads the code number of the replacement part that has been removed for replacement of the replacement part. If the code number read by the document reading unit 4 based on this instruction is an old product, the use count unit 311 clears the count value. It is possible to reliably prevent the measured value of the number of times of use of the replacement part from being continuously counted without being cleared.

  In this embodiment, the serial number assigned to each replacement part is represented by a barcode, and the code number holding unit 100 is configured as a barcode label. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, the barcode (serial number) held on the barcode label is read by the document reading unit 4, but a reading unit different from the document reading unit 4 is provided, and the barcode is read by the reading unit. The code (serial number) may be read. However, since the original reading unit 4 is also used for reading a barcode (serial number), the replacement part management system has a large scale as compared with the case where a reading unit different from the original reading unit 4 is provided. And cost increase can be suppressed.

  Further, the application target of the present case is not limited to the multi-function device 1, and includes an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and an image reading apparatus.

1 MFP 4 Document Reading Unit 31 Control Unit 100 Code Number Holding Unit 311 Usage Count Counting Unit 312 Replacement Necessity Determination Unit 313 Notification Processing Unit 314 Input Accepting Unit 315 Code Number Extracting Unit 316 Code Number Storage Unit 317 Code Number Determination Unit

Claims (6)

An identification information holding unit that is installed in a replacement part mounted on the image processing apparatus and holds identification information for identifying an individual replacement part;
A counting unit for counting the number of times the replacement part is used;
A replacement necessity determination unit that determines whether or not replacement of the replacement part is necessary based on a count value of the counting unit;
An identification information reading unit for reading the identification information held by the identification information holding unit;
When the replacement necessity determining unit determines that the old or new replacement of the replacement part is necessary, the identification information read by the identification information holding unit of the replacement part having no use history to be newly installed is read the identification information. A first instruction unit that instructs execution of work to be read by the unit;
An identification information storage unit that preliminarily stores identification information of a replacement part mounted on the image processing apparatus at a time before replacement;
A first determination unit for determining whether or not the identification information read by the identification information reading unit based on an instruction from the first instruction unit is stored in the identification information storage unit;
When the first determination unit determines that the identification information read by the identification information reading unit based on an instruction from the first instruction unit is stored in the identification information storage unit, the identification information A replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus, comprising: a first notification processing unit for notifying that a replacement part having no is a replacement part with no use history to be newly installed. When the first determination unit determines that the identification information read by the identification information reading unit based on an instruction from the first instruction unit is not stored in the identification information storage unit, the identification information After the instruction to mount the replacement part read in the image processing apparatus, the identification information holding unit installed in the replacement part removed for the replacement of the replacement part is held by the identification information holding unit. A second instructing unit for instructing the identification information reading unit to perform an operation to read
A second determination unit for determining whether or not the identification information read by the identification information reading unit based on an instruction from the second instruction unit is stored in the identification information storage unit;
When the second determination unit determines that the identification information read by the identification information reading unit based on an instruction from the second instruction unit is not stored in the identification information storage unit, the identification information The replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second notification processing unit that notifies that the replacement part having a replacement part that is determined to be unnecessary for replacement of the old and new parts.   The counting unit is determined by the second determination unit that the identification information read by the identification information reading unit is stored in the identification information storage unit based on an instruction from the second instruction unit. The replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the count value is cleared.   The replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification information holding unit is installed in a replacement part main body or a box that packs the replacement part.   The replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the identification information holding unit is a bar code representing the identification information.   The replacement part management system for an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the identification information reading unit is a document reading unit that reads an image of a document.