JP5177213B2 - Inventory management device, inventory management system, inventory management method, inventory management program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a function of forming an image on a recording sheet using consumables such as toner, an inventory management apparatus for managing inventory on the user side of consumables used in the image processing apparatus, and The present invention relates to an inventory management system in which the image processing apparatus and the inventory management apparatus are communicably connected.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer using an electrophotographic method, when the remaining amount of toner in a toner cartridge falls below a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the toner is almost out (near empty) In general, a message notifying the user is displayed on a display device such as an operation panel to notify the user. In response to this notification, the user prepares a replacement toner cartridge, and places an order if there is no toner cartridge in stock.

  In recent years, an image processing apparatus is connected to an inventory management apparatus through a communication circuit, and the inventory management apparatus is further connected to a remote inventory management system to exchange various information and perform inventory management of the image processing apparatus. It is coming. In many cases, the inventory management apparatus is installed in an image processing apparatus sales or service company, and various information including the toner near empty information from the image processing apparatuses of a plurality of users is used for maintenance management of the image processing apparatus. ing. If the image processing apparatus is connected to such an inventory management apparatus, the inventory management apparatus can recognize the toner near empty state and the toner replacement.

  Further, the inventory management device may be connected to an ordering system for replacement consumables such as toner. In such a case, the inventory management device orders replacement consumables from the consumable ordering system. It is also possible to go and deliver to the user. In this way, an automatic delivery system has been built in which replacement consumables are automatically delivered to the user without the user placing an order for consumables.

In particular, in the case of consumables that need to be replaced relatively frequently, such as toner, the advantage of using such an automatic delivery system is that the user is freed from the trouble of frequently ordering toner. There is. In addition, there is a merit that manufacturers can reduce the administrative procedure costs associated with ordering.
In Patent Document 1, in a consumable item order management system including a management device that manages a device group of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the order number of consumables received from each device group is set for each device group. A configuration is disclosed in which when the number of receptions is reached, consumables addressed to the device group are ordered together.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when there is a consumable that manages a device (printer) for each group and the stock quantity is predicted to fall below a predetermined threshold within a period required for delivery, another consumable Thus, a configuration is disclosed in which replenishment and delivery are performed together if there are items that are less than or equal to the preset maximum inventory number for each consumable.

JP 2008-271231 A JP 2008-90710 A

However, in the configurations disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the user has to set a threshold value that is the number of received orders and the minimum stock quantity, but what value should be set depending on the user? There are cases where it is difficult to understand or when such numerical setting itself is bothersome.
In addition, for users who have a certain margin in the inventory space, a certain amount of consumables can be stocked as inventory. However, especially when many consumables are stocked, such as when there are many types of image processing devices used and many consumables are used, when consumables need to be replaced, In some cases, the user may find it troublesome to search for spare consumables to be exchanged from the stock pile.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is that there is a certain margin in the user's inventory space, but there is not enough room to stock all consumables. Or if you do not want to stock too many consumables as inventory, make sure that the necessary consumables are properly stocked as inventory without setting numerical values such as the maximum inventory quantity or the minimum inventory quantity. An object of the present invention is to provide an inventory management device that can reduce the labor of the user.

  Another object of the present invention is an inventory management system having such an inventory management apparatus, an image processing apparatus having the functions of such an inventory management apparatus, and the inventory management apparatus, inventory management system, and image processing. An object of the present invention is to provide an inventory management method executed in the apparatus, and an inventory management program executed in a computer of the inventory management apparatus and the image processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an inventory management apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a group of apparatuses including one or a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network, and performs inventory management of consumables used in the image processing apparatus. An inventory management device for each device group, in each of the image processing devices, consumption information acquisition means for acquiring consumption information that indicates the degree of consumption of each used consumable, and each consumption based on the consumption information Replacement time predicting means for predicting a replacement time that needs to be replaced due to wear, information indicating an inventory quantity for each of the consumables, information on an image processing apparatus in which the consumables should be used, and Inventory information storage that associates the information of the device group to which the image processing apparatus belongs and the predicted replacement time by the replacement time prediction means, and stores it as inventory information in units of the device group. And information indicating that a predetermined consumption state related to consumption, which is a timing for replenishment of consumables, has occurred for each of the consumables in the image processing apparatus, the type of consumables in which the predetermined consumption state has occurred, and Inventory replenishment timing generation information acquisition means for acquiring inventory replenishment timing generation information including identification information of an image processing apparatus in which a predetermined consumption state has occurred, and inventory replenishment consumable selection means for selecting a consumable to be restocked. The inventory replenishment consumables selection means, when the inventory replenishment timing occurrence information is acquired, refers to the inventory information about the apparatus group to which the image processing apparatus in which the predetermined consumption state has occurred, and Consumables used in a group that are not in stock and for which the expected replacement time comes within the selection period of the preset standard length , And executes a first consumable selection mode for selecting a consumable to be restocking.

The inventory management system according to the present invention includes the inventory management apparatus.
Furthermore, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with the function of the inventory management apparatus.

  With the above configuration, the inventory management apparatus of the present invention predicts the time when replacement of consumables such as a toner cartridge is necessary, and supplies consumables that have a predicted replacement time within a preset reference length selection period. Since it is selected as a consumable item for inventory replenishment, for consumable items that are expected to be replaced within the selected period, the consumable item for replacement will be secured as inventory, and the user will be limited to the maximum stock number, minimum order quantity, etc. It is possible to secure an appropriate inventory and contribute to the convenience of the user while omitting the trouble of performing the input setting.

  The inventory information includes information on a predetermined priority condition, and the inventory replenishment consumable selection unit is used in the apparatus group to which an image processing apparatus in which the consumable that has generated the predetermined consumable state is used belongs. Consumables that are not in stock and that do not meet the predetermined priority condition are consumables that are to be restocked with consumables that are expected to be replaced within the standard length selection period. For a consumable that satisfies the predetermined priority condition, a third consumable selection mode for selecting a consumable with a selection period longer than the reference length is selected as the first consumable selection. It may be executed instead of the mode.

As a result, since the consumables corresponding to the predetermined priority condition, which is the second priority condition, are selected as consumables to be restocked earlier, a consumable item with higher importance for the user is replaced. Can be reliably stocked by the user when it becomes necessary.
In addition, the exchanged information for acquiring the replacement consumable information including the information indicating that the consumable of the image processing apparatus has been replaced, the type of the consumable to be replaced, and the identification information of the image processing apparatus in which the consumable has been replaced is acquired. Consumable information acquisition means may be provided, and the inventory information storage means may update the inventory information with reference to the replaced consumable information.

As a result, even if consumables are replaced and the inventory is reduced accordingly, the inventory management device automatically updates the inventory information, eliminating the need for the user to manually update the inventory information. Therefore, it can contribute to the convenience of the user.
Further, a consumable item delivery instruction unit that instructs the delivery server connected via the network to deliver the consumable item selected by the inventory replenishment consumable item selection unit may be provided.

As a result, since the selected consumable item to be replenished is automatically delivered to the user, it is possible to save the user's trouble of placing an order for the stock and contribute to the convenience of the user.
Here, the exchanged consumable information acquisition means acquires delivered consumable information indicating that the consumable designated by the consumable delivery instruction means has been delivered, and the inventory information storage means comprises the delivery The inventory information may be updated with reference to the spent consumable information.

As a result, even if consumables for inventory replenishment are delivered to the user and the inventory increases by that amount, the inventory management device automatically updates the inventory information. It is possible to save the trouble of updating information and contribute to the convenience of the user.
Here, message information for notifying the user of the consumables selected by the inventory replenishment consumables selection means as consumables to be ordered for inventory replenishment is displayed on the display means provided in the image processing apparatus. It may be displayed.

This makes it possible to deal with individual user situations, such as when placing an order for stock with a vendor that does not support a delivery server, or when waiting for a few days to place an order for consumables. can do.
Here, a second consumable item selection mode for selecting a consumable item of the same type as the consumable item in which the predetermined consumption state has occurred as a consumable item to be restocked, and the first consumable item selection mode, Mode selection acquisition means for acquiring a user's selection as to which of the consumables selection modes to execute, wherein the stock replenishment consumable selection means determines whether the acquired user's selection is the second consumption In the item selection mode, the second consumable item selection mode may be executed instead of the first consumable item selection mode.

Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a user who wants to deliver the same consumable as the replaced consumable.
Here, the image processing apparatus further includes a replacement time determining means for determining a replacement time which is a time when the consumables used in the image processing apparatus are replaced. It may be that the exchanged time has been confirmed.

As a result, when the consumables are replaced, the consumables to be restocked are selected and delivered to the user, so for the user, the decrease and increase of the stock are synchronized and the consumables for stock replenishment are synchronized. There is an advantage that it is easy to grasp the delivery timing.
Further, here, the predetermined consumption state may be a state in which the consumption level of the consumables reaches a predetermined consumption level set in advance.

Accordingly, it is possible to select consumables to be replenished in stock at an earlier stage than the timing at which the consumables are replaced, and to secure the stock earlier, thereby contributing to the sense of security of the user.
Further, the predetermined priority condition may be that the consumable is a consumable to be used for black image processing in the image processing apparatus.

This makes it possible to preferentially select the black consumables that are most frequently used in offices, etc., when outputting character information, etc. It can prevent and contribute to the convenience of the user.
Here, the predetermined priority condition is stability of a consumption rate of the consumable item,
The selection period may be longer as the stability of the consumption rate is lower.

As a result, by preferentially selecting consumables that tend to deviate from the predicted replacement time and have a large variation in consumption speed, even if the prediction deviates, the replacement stock is reliably stocked at the user's hand. As such, it can contribute to the convenience of the user.
Here, the predetermined priority condition may be that the image processing apparatus to which the consumable is to be used has a facsimile function.

As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which a facsimile function that is often used for exchanging important information cannot be used, thereby contributing to user convenience.
Further, the image processing apparatus further includes an installation period information acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating an installation period of each image processing apparatus, and the inventory replenishment consumable selection unit is used in an image processing apparatus in which the installation period is longer than a predetermined period. For a consumable to be performed, a fourth consumable selection mode for selecting a consumable with a selection period shorter than the reference length may be executed instead of the first consumable selection mode. .

As a result, for consumables that should be used for image processing devices that have a long installation period and are more likely to be removed or replaced, shorten the stock stock period and remove the image processing device. It is possible to suppress the risk of wasteful inventory by replacement.
Here, consumption history storage means for storing the acquired consumption information as a consumption history, and when the inventory replenishment timing generation information is acquired, the consumption of the device group to which the image processing apparatus in which the predetermined state has occurred belongs. A cumulative consumption level acquisition unit that acquires by calculating a cumulative consumption level for each predetermined counting period with reference to a history, and the stock replenishment consumables selection unit increases the latest cumulative consumption level, The fifth consumable item selection mode for selecting a consumable item by extending the selection period may be executed instead of the first consumable item selection mode.

As a result, in consideration of the consumption trend of consumables in the entire device group, if there is a large amount of consumables consumed in the entire device group, select consumables to be restocked earlier and consume consumables. When the amount is small, the selection timing of consumables to be restocked can be delayed to perform inventory management in accordance with the consumption trend of consumables.
Here, the stock replenishment consumables selection means, when the replacement time of the consumables is determined by the replacement time determination means, the replacement time is determined in the apparatus group to which the confirmed image processing apparatus belongs. When there is an unconsumable consumable, the consumable to be restocked may be selected after the replacement time of the consumable is determined.

As a result, when selecting a consumable item to be replenished in stock, a more appropriate selection can be made based on a more accurate inventory situation at the time of selection.
Here, the image processing apparatus further forms the toner image on the recording sheet, and calculates the calculation value from the count value counted by the dot counter that cumulatively adds the toner usage amount in the toner image formation as the dot count number. You may provide the consumption information calculating part which acquires consumption information.

As a result, the amount of toner consumed as a consumable can be acquired more accurately, and the replacement timing of the toner cartridge can be predicted more accurately.
The present invention can achieve the same effect as an inventory management system including the above-described inventory management apparatus and an image processing apparatus including the functions of the above-described inventory management apparatus.
Furthermore, the present invention may be an inventory management method executed in the inventory management apparatus, inventory management system, and image processing apparatus, or an inventory management program executed in a computer of the inventory management apparatus and image processing apparatus. it can.

It is a figure which shows typically schematic structure of the inventory management system provided with the inventory management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a tandem type color digital printer which is an image processing apparatus constituting an inventory management system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a schematic configuration of a developing device, a toner cartridge, and a sub hopper illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a schematic configuration inside a sub hopper shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration inside a developing device. It is a control block diagram of an image processing apparatus. It is a control block diagram of an inventory management apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating toner state transition in a toner cartridge and a sub hopper. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of toner cartridge replacement completion time determination processing. (A) is a figure which shows the structural example of the notification frame of exchanged toner information, (b) is a figure which shows the structural example of image processing apparatus registration information. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of toner consumption amount information. FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a method for predicting a transition of a remaining amount of toner in a toner cartridge and a replacement time. (A) is a table showing a configuration example of inventory information in the first embodiment, and (b) shows a method of selecting a toner cartridge to be replenished, which is determined based on the inventory information of (a). It is a table. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus and the inventory management apparatus related to consumables inventory management processing of the inventory management apparatus in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. (A) is a table showing a configuration example of inventory information in Embodiment 2, and (b) shows a method for selecting a toner cartridge to be replenished, which is determined based on the inventory information of (a). It is a table. 10 is a part of a flowchart showing processing contents of the inventory management apparatus in a control sequence between the image processing apparatus and the inventory management apparatus related to consumables inventory management processing of the inventory management apparatus in the second embodiment. (A) is a table which shows the example of a structure of the inventory information in the modification 1, (b) is a table which shows the selection method of the toner cartridge which should be restocked determined based on the inventory information of (a). It is. 10 is a part of a flowchart showing processing contents of an inventory management device in a control sequence between an image processing device and an inventory management device related to consumables inventory management processing of the inventory management device in Modification 1; (A) is a table which shows the example of a structure of the inventory information in the modification 2, (b) is a table which shows the selection method of the toner cartridge which should be restocked determined based on the inventory information of (a). It is. 10 is a part of a flowchart showing processing contents of an inventory management device in a control sequence between an image processing device and an inventory management device related to consumables inventory management processing of the inventory management device in Modification 2. (A) is a table which shows the example of a structure of the inventory information in the modification 3, (b) is a table which shows the selection method of the toner cartridge which should be restocked determined based on the inventory information of (a). It is. 14 is a part of a flowchart showing processing contents of an inventory management device in a control sequence between an image processing device and an inventory management device related to consumables inventory management processing of the inventory management device in Modification 3. (A) is a table showing data obtained by collecting toner consumption every three months for each image processing apparatus 100 and for the entire apparatus group, and (b) is a toner consumption amount and selection for the entire apparatus group. It is a table | surface which shows the correspondence with a period. (A) is a table which shows the example of a structure of the inventory information in the modification 4, (b) is a table which shows the selection method of the toner cartridge which should be restocked determined based on the inventory information of (a). It is. 14 is a part of a flowchart showing processing contents of an inventory management device in a control sequence between an image processing device and an inventory management device related to consumables inventory management processing of the inventory management device in Modification 4. 10 is a part of a flowchart showing processing contents of an inventory management device in a control sequence between an image processing device and an inventory management device related to consumables inventory management processing of the inventory management device in Modification 5. 16 is a flowchart showing a control sequence between an image processing apparatus and an inventory management apparatus related to consumables inventory management processing of an inventory management apparatus in Modification 8. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the notification frame of the near empty information in the modification 8. 18 is a part of a flowchart showing processing contents of an inventory management device in a control sequence between an image processing device and an inventory management device related to consumables inventory management processing of an inventory management device in Modification 9; 16 is a flowchart illustrating a control sequence between an image processing apparatus and an inventory management apparatus according to inventory information update processing of an inventory management apparatus in Modification 10; 18 is a flowchart showing a control sequence between an image processing apparatus and an inventory management apparatus related to consumables inventory management processing of an inventory management apparatus in Modification 11. FIG. 19 is a control block diagram of an image processing apparatus in Modification 12. FIG. 20 is a control block diagram of an inventory management device in Modification 12. FIG. 20 is a control block diagram of an image processing apparatus in Modification 13. 18 is a flowchart showing the contents of consumables inventory management processing of the image processing apparatus in Modification 13.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Embodiment 1>
(1. Overall system configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inventory management system including an inventory management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, in the inventory management system, the image processing apparatus 100 and the client apparatus 200 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network), and further, the inventory management apparatus 300 and the consumables delivery server 400 are connected. Etc. are connected to the LAN via a network such as the Internet.
The image processing apparatus 100 is, for example, a so-called multi function peripheral (MFP) having a printer function, a copy function, a FAX function, and a scanner function, but does not necessarily have all these functions. Alternatively, the image processing apparatus may have some or any one of these functions. In addition, it may be a color model or a monochrome model.

Specifically, the client device 200 includes, for example, a personal computer (PC), and performs a print job or the like that is a process of printing a document or an image created by installed application software on a recording sheet. Issue to 100 and execute.
For example, the office A, which is a user's company or department, is connected to the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, 100-A03 and the client apparatuses 200-A01, 200-A02 via the LAN 1, and the office B Are connected to the image processing apparatuses 100-B01 and 100-B02 and the client apparatuses 200-B01, 200-B02, and 200-B03 via the LAN2.

  When the toner cartridge as a consumable item is replaced, the inventory management apparatus 300 decreases the amount of inventory on the user side. Therefore, the inventory management device 300 indicates that the toner cartridge has been replaced, and the toner color of the replaced toner cartridge. Information relating to the replacement of the toner cartridge, such as in which image processing apparatus 100 the toner cartridge has been replaced, is acquired from each image processing apparatus 100 connected via the network, and the connected image processing apparatus 100 As a single device group (group) or divided into a plurality of device groups, the inventory on the user side is managed for each device group, and the toner cartridge to be replenished is selected and delivered to the user. The consumables delivery server 400 is instructed. Details will be described later.

  The apparatus group is set for an image processing apparatus that the user wants to manage as one apparatus group, such as a department or a company. In the figure, the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03 arranged in the office A are one apparatus group, and the image processing apparatuses 100-B01 and 100-B02 arranged in the office B are different. It is set and managed as a device group. Usually, a plurality of image processing apparatuses are set in one apparatus group, but one apparatus group may be used. Here, the term “apparatus group” is used even when there is only one image processing apparatus belonging to the apparatus group.

Further, in the present embodiment, there are a plurality of device groups managed by the inventory management device 300, but there may be only one device group.
The consumable delivery server 400 receives an instruction from the inventory management apparatus 300 to deliver the toner cartridge to be replenished to the user, and performs delivery processing of the designated toner cartridge.
(2. Configuration of image processing apparatus)
(2-1. Overall Configuration of Image Processing Device)
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing the overall configuration of the image processing apparatus 100. Here, a tandem color digital multi-function peripheral will be described as an example of the image processing apparatus 100.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a paper feeding unit 13, a fixing unit 14, a control unit 60, an operation panel 16, and the like, and reads a document image and records a recording sheet based on the image data. A copy job for forming an image on the printer, a print job for forming an image on a recording sheet based on image data sent from an external terminal via a network, a transmission job for transmitting image data to the outside by FAX and e-mail, etc. A so-called multi-function multifunction peripheral (MFP), which is a color image composed of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K), or A monochrome, for example, black image is formed and reproduced on a recording sheet. Hereinafter, the reproduction colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are represented as C, M, Y, and K, respectively, and are added as subscripts to be distinguished as corresponding to the reproduction colors.

The image reading unit 11 is a known device that reads an image of a set original and outputs image data obtained by the reading.
The image forming unit 12 corresponds to the image forming units 20C to 20K corresponding to the C, M, Y, and K reproduction colors, the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the toners of the C, M, Y, and K colors, respectively. Toner replenishing units 7C to 7K for replenishing the image forming unit 20 are provided.

The image forming units 20C to 20K are respectively photosensitive drums 1C to 1K, charging rollers 2C to 2K, exposure units 3C to 3K, primary transfer rollers 4C to 4K, developing units 5C to 5K, and photosensitive drums disposed around the photosensitive drums 1C to 1K. Cleaners 6C to 6K for cleaning the body drums 1C to 1K are provided, and C to K color toner images are formed on the photoreceptor drums 1C to 1K.
The intermediate transfer belt 21 is an endless belt, is stretched around a driving roller 22 and a driven roller 23, and is driven to circulate in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG.

The paper feed unit 13 includes a paper feed cassette 31 that stores the paper S, a feed roller 32 that feeds the paper S in the paper feed cassette 31 one by one onto the transport path 37, and a transport roller that transports the fed paper S A pair 33, a timing roller pair 34 for taking the timing of sending the conveyed paper S to the secondary transfer position 351, a secondary transfer roller 35, and the like are provided.
The fixing unit 14 includes a fixing roller and a pressure roller that are pressed against each other, a heater for heating the fixing roller, and the like.

The operation panel 16 includes a group of keys for accepting an instruction for copying or the like and selection of a color or monochrome mode, and a liquid crystal display unit for notifying or warning various information to the user.
When the control unit 60 receives an instruction to execute copying or the like from the user via the operation panel 16 or the like, based on the instruction, the control unit 60 controls the image reading unit 11 and the image forming unit 12 to start the received operation such as copying. Let Specifically, in the case of copying, the image reading unit 11 is caused to execute reading of an original image, and the laser diodes of the exposure units 3C to 3K are driven based on image data obtained by reading. As a result, the laser light L for each color is emitted from the laser diodes of the exposure units 3C to 3K, and the photosensitive drums 1C to 1K are exposed and scanned line by line.

Before this exposure scanning, the photosensitive drums 1C to 1K are uniformly charged by the charging rollers 2C to 2K, and electrostatic latent images are formed on the photosensitive drums 1C to 1K by the exposure scanning of the laser beam L. Is done. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed (visualized) by a developer contained in the developing devices 5C to 5K, and toner images are formed on the photosensitive drums 1C to 1K.
Further, toner cartridges 71C, 71M, 71Y, 71K and sub hoppers 72C, 72M, 72Y, 72K are provided as a supply mechanism for supplying toner to the developing devices 5C, 5M, 5Y, 5K of the image forming units 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K. Are arranged above the image forming units 20C, 20M, 20Y, and 20K.

The toner cartridges 71 </ b> C, 71 </ b> M, 71 </ b> Y, 71 </ b> K are taken out by opening a dedicated door (hereinafter referred to as “TC door cover”) (not shown) provided on the front surface of the image processing apparatus 100, or newly added from the outside. Can be loaded with other cartridges.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the toner cartridge 71K, the sub hopper 72K, and the developing device 5K. Actually, these configurations exist as many as the number of image forming units, but here, a black (K) type will be described as a representative. The other C, M, and Y colors have basically the same configuration except that the toner colors are different. In the following description, the reference numerals are omitted for the components of the toner cartridge 71K and the sub hopper 72K.

  As shown in the drawing, the toner cartridge 71K has a semi-cylindrical shape and has a space filled with toner. A gear mechanism 712 is provided on the end wall of the toner cartridge 71K (the back side of the image processing apparatus when mounted inside the image processing apparatus 100), and a spiral spring 711 having one end attached to the gear mechanism 712. Is rotatably accommodated in the space inside the toner cartridge 71K.

  In addition, a toner feeding hole 713 is formed at the bottom of the front side of the toner cartridge 71K (the front side of the image processing apparatus when mounted inside the main body of the image processing apparatus 100). The toner supply hole 713 is in a positional relationship with the upper entrance of the sub hopper 72K below the toner cartridge 71K. When the TC door cover is opened and the toner cartridge 71K is loaded into the image processing apparatus 100 main body, a stepping motor (hereinafter referred to as “cartridge motor”) 73CK provided with a gear mechanism 712 on the image processing apparatus 100 main body side. (See FIG. 2) and the spiral spring 711 is rotationally driven. As a result, the toner inside the toner cartridge 71K is fed out from the toner feeding hole 713 by an appropriate amount and supplied to the sub hopper 72K disposed below the toner feeding hole 713.

A toner feed hole 721 is also formed in the bottom of the sub hopper 72K. The toner feeding hole 721 is in a positional relationship that coincides with a toner receiving port provided in an upper portion of the developing device 5K below the toner feeding hole 721.
This type of image processing apparatus includes four toner cartridges for each of C, M, Y, and K colors, but has two cartridge motors 73 that drive the spiral spring 711. One is assigned for Y and M toner cartridges, and the other is assigned for C and K cartridges. The gear mechanism 712 for Y and K colors is composed of an even number of gears and a one-way clutch, and the gear mechanism 712 for M and C colors is composed of an odd number of gears and a one-way clutch. As a result, when the cartridge motor 73 is rotated forward, the Y-color and C-color spiral springs 711 are rotated, and the remaining (M-color and K-color) spiral springs 711 are idled. When 73 is reversed, the spiral springs 711 for M color and K color rotate, and the remaining (Y color and C color) spiral springs 711 run idle. Thus, the toner to be replenished is switched by switching between normal rotation and reverse rotation of the cartridge motor 73.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a part of the main body 725 of the sub hopper 72K with a part cut away. The sub hopper 72K includes a scraping paddle 722, a spiral roller 723, and a toner empty sensor 724 inside a main body 725 having a quarter-cylindrical shape, and one end portion in the axial direction of the spiral roller 723 (in FIG. In addition, a toner receiving opening (not shown) is provided at the upper part of the rear end of the paper surface, and communicates with the toner cartridge 71K mounted on the upper part through the toner receiving opening.

  The spiral roller 723 includes a spiral blade standing on the peripheral surface of the rotation shaft, and is rotatably supported by the main body 725. One end portion of the rotating shaft passes through the main body portion 725, and the end portion is a stepping motor (hereinafter referred to as “sub hopper motor”) 74K provided in the vicinity of the sub hopper 72K (see FIG. 3). ) Through a gear or directly, and the spiral roller 723 rotates in response to the driving force.

The raking paddle 722 is fixed to the spiral roller 723, and rotates with the rotation of the spiral roller 723, stirs the toner in the sub hopper 72K and makes the liquid level of the toner in the sub hopper 72K uniform.
The toner that has moved by its own weight from the toner cartridge 71K mounted above the sub hopper 72K to the inside of the sub hopper 72K is conveyed in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure (the front side in the figure) by the rotation of the spiral roller 723. Then, the toner is supplied to the developing device 5K through a toner feeding hole 721 provided at an end of the sub hopper 72K on the downstream side in the toner conveyance direction (opposite to the toner receiving opening).

A toner empty sensor 724 made of a piezo sensor is disposed on the inner wall of the main body 725 of the sub hopper 72K, and the presence or absence of toner in the sub hopper 72K is detected.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration in the developing device 5K. The developer 5K is filled with developer (toner and carrier). The developing device 5K is provided with a stirring screw 51 that is rotationally driven by a developing motor (not shown) and conveys the developer. The stirring screw 51 is equipped with a mylar 52. As the mylar 52 rotates, the developer in the developing device 5K is agitated.

A toner density sensor 53 is installed on the bottom surface in the developing device 5K to detect the toner density. The developer around the toner density sensor 53 is stirred by the mylar 52 mounted on the stirring screw 51, and a new developer flows. That is, the developer around the toner density sensor can be replaced every rotation of the stirring screw (one ripple).
The toner concentration sensor 53 is, for example, a magnetic sensor that detects the magnetic permeability of the developer (toner and carrier) conveyed through the developing device 5K by the stirring screw 51 from a change in coil inductance. From the magnetic permeability detected by the toner density sensor 53, the ratio of the carrier, which is a magnetic substance contained in the developer, is detected, and the ratio of the toner to the developer, that is, the toner density is obtained indirectly. For example, when the carrier ratio contained in the developer is low, it is detected that the toner ratio is high. On the other hand, when the carrier ratio contained in the developer is high, it is detected that the toner ratio is low. A detection signal from the toner density sensor 53 is input to the control unit 60 (see FIG. 2), and a necessary toner replenishment amount is calculated based on the detection signal.
(2-2. Configuration of control unit of image processing apparatus)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 60.

As shown in the figure, the control unit 60 includes, as main components, a CPU 61, a communication interface (I / F) unit 62, an image processing unit 63, an image memory 64, a laser diode driving unit 65, a storage unit 66, a toner. A remaining amount counter unit 67 and a dot counter unit 68 are provided.
The communication I / F unit 62 is an interface for connecting to a LAN such as a LAN card or a LAN board, receives print job data from the outside, and sends the received data to the image processing unit 63.

The image processing unit 63 converts the print job data from the communication I / F unit 62 into C, M, Y, and K reproduction color image data, and outputs the image data to the image memory 64. This image data is reproduced color. Store each.
The laser diode driving unit 65 reads the image data of each color from the image memory 64 and drives each laser diode of the exposure unit 3.

The modem 81 is connected to a public telephone network or the like via an NCU (Network Control Unit) 82, and transmits / receives FAX data to / from a desired destination.
The storage unit 66 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 661, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 662, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 663, a page dot number storage unit 664, and the like. .

The ROM 661 stores a control program related to the image forming operation.
The CPU 61 reads a necessary program from the ROM 661 and controls the operations of the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the paper feeding unit 13, and the fixing unit 14 in a unified manner with timing, and the communication I / F unit 62. Smoothly execute a print operation based on the print job data received by the user, a copy job input by the user from the operation panel 16, and the like.

Further, the CPU 61 receives a detection signal from the toner density sensor 53 and reads a necessary program from the ROM 661 to drive and control the cartridge motor 73 and the sub hopper motor 74 to supply a necessary amount of toner to the developing device 5. And replenish.
Further, the CPU 61 receives a detection signal from the toner empty sensor 724, determines the state of the toner in the sub hopper 72, and displays a message prompting the user to replace the toner cartridge according to the determination result. To display.

The RAM 662 is used as a work area for the CPU 61.
The CPU 61 includes a toner replacement completion time determination unit 611 and a toner consumption amount calculation unit (consumption information calculation unit) 613 as some of the functions of the CPU 61.
The toner replacement completion time determination unit 611 determines the time when the toner cartridge has been replaced based on detection signals from the toner cartridge set sensor 75, the TC door cover open / close detection sensor 76, and the toner empty sensor 724.

  The replaced toner information storage unit 665 is detected by the toner cartridge set sensor 75 when the toner cartridge is replaced, and the toner replacement time determination unit 611 determines the replacement time, which is the date when the toner cartridge is actually replaced. The information indicating the type of the replaced toner cartridge and the image processing apparatus identification information which is the identification information of the own apparatus are stored as the replaced toner information together with the determined replacement timing information.

The remaining toner counter 67 calculates the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge 71 to the sub hopper 72 by integrating the rotation amount such as the rotation time and rotation angle of the cartridge motor 73, and calculates this from the initial toner amount. By subtracting, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 71 is calculated, and the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 71 is determined.
When image formation is started, the dot counter unit 68 counts the number of dots in units of pixels for each page in the page order, and counts the sum of the count values of all pixels as the number of page dots on the page. This page dot count is performed for each color. Since only the image portion is counted as the number of dots, if there is no image in one page, the number of page dots is 0 for each color for that page (paper).

The page dot number is sequentially correlated with time information when each page dot number is counted, that is, information indicating the date and time when each page is printed. 664 is stored. The page dot number storage unit 664 is a storage unit including a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.
The toner consumption amount calculation unit 613 reads out and accumulates the number of dots stored in the page dot number storage unit 664 for each color for a predetermined period, and calculates the period cumulative dot number. Then, for each color, the toner consumption (consumption information) that would have been consumed for image formation during the predetermined period is calculated. This calculation is performed by, for example, storing information on the estimated toner amount per unit dot consumed for one dot in advance for each color in the ROM 661 and the like, and multiplying the estimated cumulative toner amount by the cumulative number of dots for the period. It is. Therefore, the calculated value is an estimated value. The amount of toner per unit dot is obtained in advance through experiments or the like. Note that the toner consumption may be calculated using a method different from the above.

Further, the page dot number storage unit 664 and the replaced toner information storage unit 665 may be separate storage media, but may be separate storage areas of one storage medium.
Further, the EEPROM 663 may perform the function of one or both of the page dot number storage unit 664 and the replaced toner information storage unit 665.

Further, the CPU 61 is not limited to a single CPU, and may be composed of a plurality of CPUs working in cooperation with each other.
(3. Functional configuration of inventory management device)
FIG. 7 is a control block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the inventory management apparatus 300. As shown in the figure, the inventory management apparatus 300 includes a communication I / F unit 301, a display unit 302, an input / operation unit 303, a storage unit 320, and the like, which are connected to the control unit 310, respectively.

The communication I / F unit 301 transmits and receives exchanged toner information, toner consumption information, and the like to and from the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02,... Via a network such as a LAN or the Internet. . Details will be described later.
The storage unit 320 includes an inventory information storage unit 321, a toner consumption information storage unit 322, and an image processing device registration information storage unit 323.

The inventory information storage unit 321 stores information such as the inventory status of toner cartridges used in each image processing apparatus 100 belonging to each device group as inventory information for each device group.
The toner consumption information storage unit 322 stores toner consumption information that is information about the consumption of each color toner used in each image processing apparatus.

The image processing device registration information storage unit 323 has, for each image processing device 100 to be managed by the stock management device 300, device group identification information, IP address, color or monochrome, copy function or FAX. Attributes such as image processing function information provided for the function or the like are stored in association with each image processing apparatus identification information.
The inventory information storage unit 321, the toner consumption information storage unit 322, and the image processing device registration information storage unit 323 may be separate storage areas in one storage medium such as an EEPROM. It may be a storage medium. These will be described in detail later.

The control unit 310 includes a replaced toner information acquisition unit 311, a toner consumption information acquisition unit 312, a toner replacement time prediction unit 313, an inventory replenishment consumable selection unit 315, a delivery instruction unit 316, and the like.
The replaced toner information acquisition unit 311 acquires information about the replaced toner cartridge in each image processing apparatus.

The toner consumption information acquisition unit 312 acquires information on the consumption of each color toner in each image processing apparatus.
The toner replacement time prediction unit 313 predicts the replacement time, which is the time when the toner is consumed and needs to be replaced for each toner cartridge in use in each image processing apparatus.
The inventory replenishment consumable selection unit 315 selects a consumable (toner cartridge) to be restocked for each device group.

The delivery instruction unit 316 instructs the consumables delivery server 400 to deliver the toner cartridge selected by the inventory replenishment consumables selection unit 315.
These will be described in detail later.
The display unit 302 and the input / operation unit 303, for example, display information necessary for the manager when the manager of the inventory management system performs maintenance inspection or the like, or provide a data input unit.

The consumable delivery server 400 (detailed configuration is not shown) includes a general-purpose computer including a display unit, an input / operation unit, a storage unit, a control unit, a communication I / F unit, and the like. When the communication I / F unit receives a toner cartridge delivery instruction (notification), the received order is received from an order receiving processing terminal installed on the order receiving side (manufacturer or sales agent of the image processing apparatus). Based on the device group information and toner cartridge identification information included in the ordering instruction, a processing function for placing an order for the toner cartridge indicated by the toner cartridge identification information corresponding to the device group indicated by the device group information is provided.
(4. Toner cartridge replacement)
(4-1. Transition of toner remaining state)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating toner state transitions in the toner cartridge 71 and the sub hopper 72.

There are four states relating to the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 71 and the sub hopper 72: cartridge near empty, cartridge empty, sub hopper empty, and normal state.
The cartridge near empty is a result of accumulating the rotation amount of the cartridge motor 73 when the cartridge motor 73 rotates and estimating the amount of toner replenished from the toner cartridge 71 to the sub hopper 72. As a result, the toner remaining in the toner cartridge 71 becomes the near empty region. It is in a state. In this state, the toner cartridge 71 still has an amount of toner that can be printed on the order of several thousand sheets, so printing is permitted.

  Cartridge empty is a state in which the output of the toner empty sensor 724 in the sub hopper 72 is OFF for a predetermined time when the cartridge motor 73 rotates. At this time, since about 100 copies of toner remain in the sub hopper 72, printing is permitted. After the toner cartridge is replaced, when the remaining amount of toner in the sub hopper 72 is recovered by normal toner replenishment and the output of the toner empty sensor 724 is turned on, a transition is made to the normal state.

  The sub hopper empty is a state in which the toner is further consumed from the cartridge empty and the toner in the sub hopper 72 is exhausted, and the toner in the developing device 5 is also consumed and the toner density is lowered. Specifically, for example, the toner density in the developing device 5 detected by the toner density sensor 53 is 1% or more lower than the target toner density, and this is detected 30 times continuously. At this time, printing is prohibited. When the toner cartridge is replaced and the sub-hopper 72 is forcibly supplied from the new toner cartridge 71, the normal state is entered.

The normal state is a state other than the above. When the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 71 is in the near empty region in the normal state, the state changes to cartridge near empty.
In the case of cartridge near empty, a message is displayed on the operation panel 16 to inform the user that the time for replacement of the toner cartridge is approaching. In the case of cartridge empty, a message prompting the user to replace the toner cartridge is displayed. In the case of hopper empty, a full warning is displayed to the effect that printing is prohibited due to running out of toner.
(4-2. Confirmation of toner cartridge replacement period)
Some image processing apparatuses and toner cartridges that are widely used generally include a mechanism that detects that a new toner cartridge is mounted on the image processing apparatus. As a mechanism for detecting a new toner cartridge, for example, information indicating that it is new (unused) is stored in an IC chip provided in the toner cartridge. There are a detection method by reading, a detection method by a fuse provided in the toner cartridge, and the like. Since these methods are known techniques, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a new toner cartridge detection unit 77. As a result, when a toner cartridge having a corresponding new article detection mechanism is installed, it is detected that the installed toner cartridge is new and that the toner cartridge has been immediately replaced. Accordingly, in this case, as soon as the toner cartridge is replaced, the replacement timing is determined.

On the other hand, when a toner cartridge that does not have a corresponding new article detection mechanism is installed, the image processing apparatus 100 cannot detect whether or not the installed toner cartridge is new.
Here, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a TC door cover open / close detection sensor 76 that detects that a cover (hereinafter referred to as a “TC door cover”) at a portion where the toner cartridge of the apparatus main body is mounted is opened and closed. A toner cartridge set sensor 75 for detecting that the toner cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body is provided. If opening / closing of the TC door cover is detected by the TC door cover open / close detection sensor 76, the toner cartridge may be replaced. Further, when the output of the toner cartridge set sensor 75 is turned off (the toner cartridge is removed) and then turned on (the toner cartridge is attached), the toner cartridge may be replaced.

However, the toner cartridge may not be replaced although the TC door cover is opened and closed. Also, the toner cartridge may have been removed once, but it may not have been replaced with a new one, but the same toner cartridge may have been restored.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the content of the toner cartridge replacement timing determination process for determining that the toner cartridge has been replaced and the replacement timing when the toner cartridge not equipped with the new article detection mechanism has been replaced. .

First, it is assumed that the toner cartridge has been replaced, such as opening / closing of the TC door cover, removal of the toner cartridge and mounting, and power-off / on of the main body of the image processing apparatus 100 (hereinafter, “ It is determined whether or not “toner cartridge replacement estimation operation” is detected (step S1).
When the toner cartridge replacement estimation operation is detected, it is determined whether the toner empty state is equal to or higher than the cartridge empty (step S1: YES, step S2). Here, the toner empty state equal to or higher than the cartridge empty means the state of the cartridge empty and the sub hopper empty.

If the toner empty state is not equal to or higher than the cartridge empty, it is not necessary to replace the toner cartridge yet, and it is unlikely that the toner cartridge has been replaced. Therefore, it is determined that the toner cartridge has not been replaced (step S2: NO, step S3). ), Return as it is.
When the toner empty state is equal to or higher than the cartridge empty, it is highly likely that the toner cartridge has been replaced. Therefore, it is determined that the toner cartridge has been replaced temporarily, and the counter value of the remaining toner counter 67 is reset and started. The date when the replacement estimation operation is detected is stored as a temporary replacement date, and the display of a message prompting the user on the operation panel 16 to replace the toner cartridge is turned off (step S2: YES, step S4, step S5, step S6, step S7).

  Then, it is determined whether a predetermined amount of print job has been executed (step S8). Here, the predetermined amount of print job refers to the remaining amount of toner in the sub hopper 72 when the cartridge motor 73 is rotationally driven so as to supply toner from the toner cartridge 71 to the sub hopper 72 as the print job is executed. Is increased so that the rotation amount of the cartridge motor 73 is supplied so that a sufficient amount of toner is supplied so that the output of the toner empty sensor 724 is turned on. Although it depends on the image, specifically, for example, a print job of about several tens to several hundreds of A4 sheets.

If a predetermined amount of print job has not been executed, the determination is continued until it is executed (step S8: NO, step S8).
If a predetermined amount of print job is being executed, it is next determined whether or not the output of the toner empty sensor 724 is ON (step S8: YES, step S9).
If the output of the toner empty sensor 724 is ON, it means that the remaining amount of toner in the sub hopper 72 has increased. Therefore, it is determined that the toner cartridge has been replaced, and the toner cartridge replacement estimation operation detected in step S6 is detected. The date is determined as the toner cartridge replacement time when the toner cartridge is actually replaced (step S9: YES, step S10, step S11).

  If the output of the toner empty sensor 724 is not ON in step S9, that is, if it is OFF, the remaining amount of toner in the sub hopper 72 has not increased, that is, toner has not been supplied from the toner cartridge 71 to the sub hopper 72. Therefore, it is determined that the toner cartridge has not been replaced, the count value of the remaining toner counter 67 is reset, and a message prompting the user to replace the toner cartridge is displayed on the operation panel 16 again. (Step S9: NO, Step S12, Step S13, Step S14).

According to the above-described method, the replacement and replacement timing of the toner cartridge not equipped with the new article detection mechanism are determined. In this case, as described above, the replacement is performed after the replacement is actually performed. There is a time lag before it is confirmed.
(4-3. Prediction of toner cartridge replacement time)
Next, prediction of toner cartridge replacement timing will be described.
(4-3-1. Notification / Acquisition of Replaced Toner Cartridge Information)
First, when a new toner cartridge is replaced, the image processing apparatus 100 detects that the toner cartridge has been replaced by the above-described method, and notifies the inventory management apparatus 300 of it.

  FIG. 10A shows a configuration example of a notification frame for the replaced toner information notified from the image processing apparatus 100 to the inventory management apparatus 300 at this time. As shown in the figure, in the replaced toner information, in addition to the notification destination information for recognizing the notification destination of the replaced toner information (inventory management apparatus 300), the supply source (notification source) of the replaced toner information Image processing apparatus identification information for identifying the image processing apparatus 100 (image processing apparatus 100 in which toner cartridge replacement has been detected), toner cartridge identification information indicating the type of the replaced toner cartridge, and a confirmed toner cartridge It has a configuration including information on a confirmed replacement time indicating the replacement date (the actual replacement date).

Here, in the inventory management apparatus 300, information indicating the attributes of all the image processing apparatuses to be managed is registered in advance, and stored as image processing apparatus registration information in the image processing apparatus registration information storage unit 323 (see FIG. 7). ing.
FIG. 10B shows an example of the configuration of the image processing apparatus registration information. As shown in the figure, the image processing device registration information includes identification information of each image processing device 100 arranged in each device group (office A, office B) in the system configuration of FIG. 1, and a device to which each image processing device belongs. Group identification information, destination information (in the example shown in the present embodiment, IP address), and function information of each image processing apparatus 100 (color or monochrome, printer function, scanner function, copy function, FAX function) Are associated with each other and stored in the image processing apparatus registration information storage unit 323. In the figure, A-T07-JP represents the identification information of the office A, and B-T07-JP represents the identification information of the office B.

  When the stock management device 300 acquires the replaced toner information from the image processing device, the stock management device 300 refers to the image processing device registration information and identifies a device group to which the image processing device that supplied the replaced toner information belongs. As a result, the inventory management apparatus 300 can know which toner cartridge was replaced and when in which image processing apparatus 100 belonging to which apparatus group.

Note that the replacement toner information may be notified from the image processing apparatus 100 to the inventory management apparatus 300 at the timing when the replacement of the toner cartridge is confirmed. The information storage unit 665 may be periodically accessed to check and acquire the replaced toner information. In this case, it is not preferable that the inventory management apparatus 300 waits for a long time after the toner cartridge is actually replaced to detect the replacement, so that accurate inventory management becomes difficult. It is recommended to check and acquire toner information.
(4-3-2. Prediction of toner cartridge replacement time)
In each image processing apparatus 100, when an image forming operation is executed, the dot counter 68 counts the number of dots in units of pixels for each page in the page order. The information on the number of dots is the information on the counted date and time. It is stored in the page dot number storage unit 664 in association with it.

  The inventory management device 300 periodically requests each image processing device 100 for toner consumption amount information for each toner cartridge consumed during a predetermined period. When receiving the request for the toner consumption amount information, each image processing apparatus 100 calculates the cumulative number of dots for each period by integrating the number of page dots counted during the requested period for each color. Then, for each color, a toner consumption amount that would have been consumed for image formation during the predetermined period is calculated. Then, the toner consumption amount of each color acquired by the calculation is transferred to the inventory management apparatus 300.

  An example of the configuration of the toner consumption information transferred from the image processing apparatus to the inventory management apparatus 300 is shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the toner consumption amount information includes the consumption amount of each color toner in the requested period in association with the identification information of the toner cartridge, and also includes identification information of the image processing apparatus 100. It is. The inventory management apparatus 300 acquires such toner consumption amount information from each image processing apparatus a plurality of times at time intervals. For each toner cartridge, the remaining amount of toner is calculated, and the date when the remaining amount of toner becomes zero based on the obtained remaining amount of toner, that is, the replacement time is predicted.

  FIG. 12 is a graph schematically showing a method for predicting the replacement time of the toner cartridge. In the figure, a solid line represents a change in the remaining amount of toner over time, and a broken line represents an approximate line obtained from a change in the remaining amount of toner indicated by the broken line. In this way, by using the approximate line, the replacement time can be predicted by obtaining the time when the remaining amount of toner becomes 0% in the approximate line. In the figure, as an example, the change in the remaining amount of toner in the Y toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 and the C toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 and approximate straight lines thereof are shown. .

  The Y toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 was replaced on May 4, 2011, and the C toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 was replaced on May 28, 2011. However, since the consumption speed of the C color toner of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 is faster than the consumption speed of the Y color toner of the image processing apparatus 100-A01, the predicted replacement time, which is the predicted replacement time, becomes earlier. Yes. The predicted replacement time of the Y toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is August 20, 2011, whereas the predicted replacement time of the C toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 is 7/2011. The 25th of the month. The confirmed replacement timing of each toner cartridge is obtained by referring to the replaced toner information.

The acquisition of the toner consumption may be performed periodically (at equal time intervals). However, if it is known how much time intervals are acquired, it is not always performed at the same time intervals. It does not have to be.
Further, in this embodiment, each image processing apparatus 100 holds information on the estimated toner amount per unit dot consumed for one dot in its own device in the ROM 661 or the like for each color, and the cumulative number of dots for the period Each of the image processing apparatuses 100 calculates the toner consumption amount of each color in its own apparatus by multiplying the estimated toner amount by the same, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the inventory management apparatus 300 stores information on the estimated toner amount per unit dot consumed for each dot for each image processing apparatus 100 that is the object of inventory management for each color, and performs image processing. Upon receipt of information on the cumulative number of dots for the period from the apparatus 100, the toner management amount of each color in each image processing apparatus 100 may be calculated on the inventory management apparatus 300 side.
(5. Selection of toner cartridge for inventory replenishment)
In the present invention, the time when a predetermined consumption state related to toner consumption occurs is used as the consumables inventory replenishment timing for selecting a toner cartridge for inventory replenishment.

  In the present embodiment, when a predetermined consumption state relating to toner consumption occurs, the toner cartridge is replaced (when the replacement timing of the toner cartridge is determined), and the toner cartridge (consumable) In the case where the toner cartridge is used as an inventory replenishment timing as an example, a configuration in which all the toner cartridges that reach the predicted replacement time within a predetermined selection period from when the toner cartridge is replaced is selected as a toner cartridge to be restocked. An example in which is 60 days will be described. Hereinafter, the standard length of the selection period is 60 days, and this is referred to as a “standard selection period”.

  FIG. 13A shows a configuration example of inventory information used by the inventory management apparatus 300 to manage the inventory of toner cartridges in units of apparatus groups. The inventory information includes information for identifying a device group, an upper limit number of inventory set for the device group, information for identifying each image processing device belonging to the device group, and each toner used in each image processing device Information on the inventory status of the cartridge and the predicted replacement timing of each currently used toner cartridge is included, and these pieces of information are associated with each other and stored in the inventory information storage unit 321 (see FIG. 7) of the inventory management apparatus 300. . Here, as an example, on June 15, 2011, when the M toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is replaced in the office A (the replacement time is fixed) and the inventory information is updated. Information is shown. Since the M color toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is immediately after replacement (a state in which the replacement time has already been determined), the replacement time has not yet been predicted. At that time, there are a total of four inventory storage locations (also referred to as “inventory spaces”) in office A, the C and K colors of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 and the M and K colors of the image processing apparatus 100-A02. Toner cartridges are stocked in stock. The total of five toner cartridges of M color and Y color of the image processing apparatus 100-A01, C color and Y color of the image processing apparatus 100-A02, and K color of the image processing apparatus 100-A03 are in stock. There is no state.

In the figure, those items that are not in stock are shown surrounded by thick lines. The same applies to the second embodiment and each modification.
In addition, when the inventory management apparatus 300 has one apparatus group to be managed, the inventory information may not necessarily include information for identifying the apparatus group.
The inventory replenishment consumable selection unit 315 (see FIG. 7) of the inventory management apparatus 300 selects a toner cartridge (consumable) to be replenished with reference to the inventory information. Hereinafter, a method for selecting a toner cartridge to be replenished in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the device group (in this case, office A), a table in which toner cartridges that are not in stock at the time are extracted and arranged in the order of the predicted replacement time, that is, in ascending order of days from the confirmed replacement time to the predicted replacement time As shown in FIG. In the table shown in the figure, for each toner cartridge, the number of days (hereinafter referred to as “selected days”) d from the confirmed replacement time (here, June 15, 2011) to the predicted replacement time is shown. Yes. The number of selected days d is within 60 days of the reference selection period because the C color toner cartridge (d = 40 days, predicted replacement time July 25, 2011) of the image processing apparatus 100-A02, and the image processing apparatus 100-A01 Y toner cartridge (d = 56 days, predicted replacement time August 10, 2011). In the present embodiment, a toner cartridge that reaches the predicted replacement time within the selection period is selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock. Accordingly, here, the toner cartridges of the C color of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 and the Y color of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 are selected as the toner cartridges to be restocked. In the figure, for easy understanding, the toner cartridge is surrounded by a bold line, and the selected days d are shown in bold.

For the M color toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01, the replacement time is not yet predicted because it is immediately after replacement, but it is considered that the toner remaining amount is still approximately 100% immediately after replacement. In the table shown in the figure, the forecast exchange time is treated as the latest. The same applies to the second embodiment and each modification.
FIG. 14 is a part of a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the consumables inventory management process of the inventory management apparatus in this embodiment, and FIG. 15 shows the continuation. It is the remaining flowchart. Here, office A (see FIG. 1) will be described as an example.

First, the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03 belonging to the office A monitor whether or not toner cartridge replacement has been detected in their own devices (step S21). The toner cartridge replacement detection here includes detection of a toner cartridge replacement estimation operation.
When the replacement of the toner cartridge is detected in any one of the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03, the toner replacement timing determining unit 611 (see FIG. 6) is next used in the apparatus itself. It is determined whether or not the replacement timing of the toner cartridge is confirmed (step S21: YES, step S22).

If the replacement timing of the toner cartridge has not been determined, the determination is continued until it is determined (step S22: NO, step S22).
When the toner cartridge replacement completion time is fixed, the replacement toner information stored in the replacement toner information storage unit 665 (see FIG. 6) is transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300 (step S22: YES, step S23). ).

  Here, the inventory management apparatus 300 monitors whether or not the replaced toner information is received (step S31). When the replaced toner information acquisition unit 311 (see FIG. 7) receives the replaced toner information, the inventory management apparatus 300 replaces each of the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03. A signal for requesting information indicating that the replacement period has been determined, which is information as to whether there is a toner cartridge that has been determined (the replacement period has not yet been determined), is transmitted (step S31: YES, step S32).

On the other hand, at this time, the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03 monitor whether or not the information request signal indicating that the replacement period has been determined has been received (step S24). Upon receipt of the information requesting signal for completion of replacement time, the information on the completion of replacement time is transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300 (step S24: YES, step S25).
Then, the inventory management apparatus 300 monitors whether or not the exchanged time finalizing information has been received from all the image processing apparatuses 100 that have transmitted the request signal. It is determined whether or not there is a toner cartridge for which the replacement time has been determined with reference to the information on the completion of replacement time (step S33: YES, step S34).

In any one of the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03, if there is a toner cartridge for which the replacement timing is determined, the process returns to step S31, and the replacement timing for the determined toner cartridge is determined. Then, it waits until the replaced toner information is transmitted (step S34: YES, step S31).
When there is no toner cartridge for which the replacement time has been determined, the storage unit 320 (see FIG. 7) of the inventory management apparatus 300 refers to the replaced toner information received in step S31, and the image processing apparatus in which the toner cartridge has been replaced. In the inventory information of the device group to which 100 belongs (in this case, office A), the replaced toner cartridge is subtracted from the inventory, and the inventory information is updated (step S34: NO, step S35). In this way, when there is a product that has already been confirmed, it is possible to reflect the actual inventory status at that time more accurately in the inventory information by waiting until it is confirmed and updating the inventory information. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately select a toner cartridge to be replenished, which will be described later.

  Then, referring to the updated latest inventory information, the number of selection days d from the confirmed replacement time (here, June 15, 2011) to the predicted replacement time is within 60 days which is the reference selection period. Select a toner cartridge and instruct the consumables delivery server 400 from the delivery instruction unit 316 (see FIG. 7) to deliver the selected toner cartridge to the user (in this case, the inventory manager of the office A). (Step S36, Step S37).

  Thereafter, the inventory management apparatus 300 receives the delivered consumable information from the consumables delivery server 400 informing that the toner cartridge instructed to be delivered has been delivered to the user (in this case, the inventory manager in the office A). When the received consumable information is received, the inventory information storage unit 321 (see FIG. 7) refers to the received delivered consumable information and determines the delivered toner cartridge. In addition to the inventory of the device group to be used (in this case, office A), the inventory information of the device group is updated (step S38: YES, step S39), the process returns to step S31 and the next replaced toner information is stored. Monitor if received.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the inventory of toner cartridges, which are consumables used in the image processing apparatus, is managed for each apparatus group, and the toner cartridges are consumed and need to be replaced. Predicting the replacement time, the replacement of the toner cartridge (confirmed of the replacement time) is set as a predetermined consumption state related to the exhaustion, which is the supply timing of the consumables inventory, and the inventory replenishment timing occurs When the replacement toner information as the inventory replenishment timing occurrence information indicating that the toner cartridge is acquired by the inventory management apparatus 300, the toner cartridge that reaches the predicted replacement time within the reference selection period (60 days in the present embodiment) is in stock. The toner cartridge to be refilled is selected and delivered to the user. Hereinafter, the method of selecting the toner cartridge for inventory replenishment in the present embodiment is referred to as “first selection mode”.

  As a result, toner cartridges that are likely to be replaced next time can be stocked without having to make input settings such as the upper limit number of stocks and the minimum order number. When the cartridge needs to be replaced, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a situation in which the user is not in stock because there is no inventory of toner cartridges to be replaced, which contributes to user convenience.

  In the above-described embodiment, the apparatus to which the image processing apparatus whose toner cartridge has been replaced belongs by referring to the image processing apparatus registration information based on the image processing apparatus identification information included in the replaced toner information. Although the group was specified, it is not limited to this. For example, identification information of the device group to which the image processing apparatus 100 whose toner cartridge has been replaced may belong to the replaced toner information. At this time, device group identification information may be incorporated in the image processing device identification information. In this way, the inventory management apparatus 300 (inventory information storage unit 321) does not refer to the image processing apparatus registration information, and uses the replaced toner as the identification information of the apparatus group to which the image processing apparatus 100 to which the toner cartridge has been replaced belongs. Can be obtained directly from the information.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the reference | standard selection period was set to 60 days, it is not restricted to this. For example, an arbitrary number of days may be appropriately set as the reference selection period in consideration of the number of image processing apparatuses installed in each apparatus group, the toner consumption speed of the entire apparatus group, and the like. Furthermore, the number of days for the reference selection period may be set and changed by the manager of the inventory management system or the inventory management apparatus 300, but is set by the user from the operation panel 16 or the client apparatus 200. And may be changeable. Furthermore, the reference selection period is not limited to the number of days, and the unit may be year, month, hour, minute, second, or the like. The same applies to each embodiment and each modification.

  Regarding the setting of the reference selection period, if a very short period is set as the reference selection period, the toner cartridge to be restocked is selected and ordered just before the predicted replacement time comes, and the inventory Since it may occur that the replacement toner cartridge needs to be replaced before it is actually delivered to the user, an appropriate period is set in consideration of the toner consumption speed and the number of days required for delivery. It is good.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, when selecting a toner cartridge for inventory replenishment, a configuration is described in which all the toner cartridges whose predicted replacement time comes within the reference selection period are selected using the predicted replacement time as the first priority condition. did. However, if the toner consumption speed is faster than expected and the replacement time is predicted earlier, it is not possible to place an inventory order after the predicted replacement time has entered the standard selection period. In addition, the toner cartridge may be delivered to the user just before it needs to be replaced or may be later than that.

In addition, monochrome printing can be performed even when the color (C, M, Y) toner is used up, but printing cannot be performed when the black toner is used up. Therefore, the K toner is considered to be more important.
For this reason, for example, toner that has a large fluctuation in toner consumption speed and is likely to shift in the predicted replacement time, or K-color toner that has a higher importance level, is placed in stock early, that is, restocked early. In some cases, it may be better to select the toner cartridge for use so that the stock is stocked more reliably.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the toner cartridge that reaches the predicted replacement period within the reference selection period (the number of selection days d is within the reference selection period), a predetermined reproduction color (here, K color) is set as the second priority condition. For the toner cartridge for (), if there is a toner cartridge that will reach the predicted replacement period within the expansion selection period longer than the reference selection period, it will be described as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock. Here, in the present embodiment, the expansion selection period is 90 days.

In addition, in order to avoid duplication of description, the description is abbreviate | omitted about the same content as Embodiment 1, and shall attach | subject the same code | symbol about the same component. Hereinafter, the same applies to each modification.
FIG. 16A is a configuration example of inventory information in the present embodiment. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is selected at the timing when the M toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is replaced in the office A (the replacement time is fixed).

In the figure, among the items constituting the inventory information, the device group is the same as that shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the same applies to each modification.
FIG. 16B shows a table in which toner cartridges that are not in stock at that time are extracted from the device group (in this case, office A), and are arranged in order of the predicted replacement time, that is, in the order of decreasing selection days d. Show. In the table shown in the figure, for each toner cartridge, the number of selection days d from the confirmed replacement time (here, June 15, 2011) to the predicted replacement time is shown. This is because only the Y color toner cartridge (d = 56 days, predicted replacement time August 10, 2011) of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is within the 60 days of the reference selection period. The toner cartridge to be restocked is first selected.

  Next, looking at a toner cartridge whose selection days d exist between the reference selection period (60 days) and the expansion selection period (90 days), the color C (d = 78 days) of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 and There is a toner cartridge for K color (d = 78 days) of the image processing apparatus 100-A03. Here, since the K color is highly important, the K toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A03 is further selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock.

In the figure, for the sake of clarity, the two toner cartridges are surrounded by a thick line, and the type information of the toner cartridge indicating the selected days d and the toner color (K color) is shown in bold.
FIG. 17 shows a part of a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the consumables inventory management process of the inventory management apparatus in the present embodiment. In the figure, the control sequence of the image processing apparatus 100 is the same as that in FIG. 14, and in the control sequence of the inventory management apparatus 300, the processing step prior to step S41 is step S31 in the flow shown in FIG. To S35, the illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

When the inventory information is updated in step S35 (see FIG. 14), next, a toner cartridge that has a selected number of days d ≦ 60 from the confirmed replacement time to the predicted replacement time is first selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock. (Step S35, Step S41).
Subsequently, a toner cartridge whose selected days d is 60 <d ≦ 90 is extracted, and it is determined whether or not the extracted toner cartridge includes a K-color toner cartridge (steps S42 and S43).

  If a K toner cartridge is included, the K toner cartridge is selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock (step S43: YES, step S44), and the toner cartridge selected in steps S41 and S44 is selected. The delivery instruction unit 316 (see FIG. 7) instructs the consumables delivery server 400 (see FIG. 1) to deliver to the user (in this case, the inventory manager in the office A) (step S45).

If no K color toner cartridge is included, the consumables delivery server 400 is instructed to deliver the toner cartridge selected in step S41 to the user (step S43: NO, step S45).
Hereinafter, step S46 and step S47 are the same as step S38 and step S39 in the flow of FIG. 15, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, in addition to the toner cartridge in which the number of selection days d falls within the reference selection period, the K color toner cartridge has an extension selection period longer than the reference selection period. If there is a cartridge with the selected number of days d, it is also selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock, so that the K color toner cartridge is selected earlier than when it is selected in the reference selection period. It becomes. As a result, replacement toner cartridges can be more reliably stocked for high-importance K-color toner cartridges.

  In this embodiment, the expansion selection period is set to 90 days. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any period may be set as long as it is longer than the reference selection period (60 days). Also good. The number of days setting for the expansion selection period may be set and changed by the manager of the inventory management system or the inventory management apparatus 300, but can be set and changed by the user from the operation panel 16 or the client apparatus 200. It is good. Also, instead of using the expansion selection period as days, for example, the number of days obtained by multiplying the reference selection period by a predetermined coefficient greater than 1 is used as the expansion selection period, and the coefficient is input and set. Also good. Furthermore, the expansion selection period is not limited to the number of days, and the unit may be year, month, hour, minute, second, or the like. Hereinafter, the same applies to each modification.

<Modification of Embodiment 2>
In the second embodiment, the toner color is considered as the second priority condition. However, the second priority condition to be considered is not limited to the toner color, and the following modifications may be considered.
(1) When the degree of variation in the toner consumption speed is large, the prediction of the replacement time is likely to deviate, and there is a high possibility that the toner will be lost earlier than predicted.

In the present modification, the variation degree (stability) of the toner consumption speed is considered as the second priority condition.
In this modification, the consumption amount per unit time (day) obtained from each toner consumption amount in each predetermined period used when calculating the predicted replacement time is used as an index of the variation degree of the toner consumption speed. When a standard deviation of a certain toner consumption speed is used and the value of the standard deviation is 10 or more, the enlargement selection period is applied on the assumption that the degree of variation is large. Hereinafter, the degree of variation in toner consumption speed is represented by v.

FIG. 18A is a configuration example of inventory information in this modification. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is selected at the timing when the M toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is replaced in the office A (the replacement time is fixed).
FIG. 18B shows a table in which toner cartridges that are not in stock at that time are extracted from the device group (in this case, office A), and are arranged in order of the predicted replacement time, that is, in the order of decreasing selection days d. Show.

  In the table shown in the figure, the selected number of days d is within 60 days of the reference selection period. The Y color toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 (d = 35 days, predicted replacement time July 20, 2011). ) And the C color toner cartridge (d = 35 days, predicted replacement time July 20, 2011) of the image processing apparatus 100-A02, these are first selected as toner cartridges to be restocked.

  Next, looking at the toner cartridge whose selection days d are between the reference selection period (60 days) and the expansion selection period (90 days), the Y color (d = 76 days) of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 and There is a toner cartridge for K color (d = 87 days) of the image processing apparatus 100-A03. Here, the Y toner consumption speed variation degree v of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 is 14.9, and the K toner consumption speed variation degree v of the image processing apparatus 100-A03 is 5.4. is there. Since the Y toner consumption speed variation degree v of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 is 10 or more, the toner cartridge is further selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock.

In the drawing, for the sake of clarity, the three toner cartridges are surrounded by a thick line, and the selected days d and the variation rate v of the Y color toner consumption rate of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 are bold. It is shown by.
FIG. 19 shows a part of a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the consumables inventory management process of the inventory management apparatus in this modification. In the figure, the control sequence of the image processing apparatus 100 is the same as that in FIG. 14, and in the control sequence of the inventory management apparatus 300, the processing step prior to step S51 is step S31 in the flow shown in FIG. To S35, the illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

Step S51 and Step S52 are the same as Step S41 and Step S42 in the flow shown in FIG. 17, and Step S55 to Step S57 are the same as Step S37 to Step S39 in the flow shown in FIG. Then, explanation is omitted.
In step S52, when a toner cartridge having the selected number of days d of 60 <d ≦ 90 is extracted, next, whether or not the extracted toner cartridge has a toner consumption rate variation degree v of 10 or more. Determination is made (step S53).

  If there is a toner cartridge with a degree of variation v of 10 or more, the toner cartridge of 10 ≦ v is selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock (step S53: YES, step S54), and the toner selected in steps S51 and S54 The delivery instruction unit 316 (see FIG. 7) instructs the consumables delivery server 400 (see FIG. 1) to deliver the cartridge to the user (in this case, the inventory manager in the office A) (step S55). .

If there is no toner cartridge having a variation degree v of 10 or more, the consumables delivery server 400 is instructed to deliver the toner cartridge selected in step S51 to the user (step S53: NO, step S55).
As described above, according to the configuration of the present modification, for a toner with a large variation in toner consumption speed, a toner to be restocked even if the selection period is extended and the number of selection days d falls within the expansion selection period By selecting the cartridge, the replacement toner cartridge can be reliably stocked even when the toner consumption speed becomes faster than expected and the toner disappears earlier than expected.

In this modification, the consumption amount per unit time (day) obtained from each toner consumption amount in each predetermined period used when calculating the predicted replacement time is used as an index of the variation degree v of the toner consumption speed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any index may be used as long as it indicates the degree of fluctuation of the toner consumption rate.
Further, although the threshold for applying the enlargement selection period is 10 because the degree of variation v of the toner consumption speed is large, this is given as an example for explanation, and is not limited to this, and an appropriate numerical value is set as the threshold. You may use for.

Further, the threshold value is not limited to one, and two or more threshold values may be used.
Further, instead of using a fixed numerical value as the threshold value, the value of the variation degree v of the toner consumption speed is obtained by multiplying a value by a predetermined coefficient when the selected number of days d is outside the range of the reference selection period. If the selected number d falls within the expansion selection period obtained for each toner cartridge, the selected value may be selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock.

  (2) Among the functions of the image processing apparatus, there are functions that are frequently used by the user and functions that are important to the user even if the frequency of use is low. Among them, FAX is used in offices for exchanging important information in business such as information that is not desirable to send and receive by e-mail in terms of security, and for sending and receiving information that is difficult to explain by telephone such as maps and drawings. Therefore, if the received fax cannot be output (printed out) because the toner has run out, there is a high risk of inconvenience.

In the present modification, the FAX function is considered among the specific functions provided in the image processing apparatus as the second priority condition.
FIG. 20A is a configuration example of inventory information in this modification. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is selected at the timing when the M toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is replaced in the office A (the replacement time is fixed).

FIG. 20B shows a table in which toner cartridges that are not in stock at that time are extracted from the device group (in this case, office A) and are arranged in the order of the predicted replacement time, that is, in the order of decreasing selection days d. Show.
In the table shown in the figure, there is no toner cartridge in which the selection days d are within 60 days of the reference selection period. Here, if there is a toner cartridge whose selected days d are within 60 days of the reference selection period, it is first selected as a toner cartridge to be restocked.

Next, looking at the toner cartridges whose selection days d are between the reference selection period (60 days) and the expansion selection period (90 days), the color K of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 (d = 76 days) and There is a toner cartridge for K color (d = 76 days) of the image processing apparatus 100-A03.
Here, the image processing apparatus 100-A03 is provided with a FAX function, but the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is not provided with a FAX function. Therefore, here, the toner cartridge (K color) of the image processing apparatus 100-A03 having the FAX function is selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock. In the figure, for easy understanding, the toner cartridge is surrounded by a thick line, and the predicted replacement time and the FAX function are shown in bold.

  FIG. 21 shows a part of a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the consumables inventory management process of the inventory management apparatus in this modification. In the figure, the control sequence of the image processing apparatus 100 is the same as that in FIG. 14, and the processing steps prior to step S61 in the control sequence of the inventory management apparatus 300 are step S31 to step S35 in FIG. Therefore, illustration and description are omitted here.

Further, Step S61 and Step S62 are the same as Step S41 and Step S42 in the flow shown in FIG. 17, and Step S65 to Step S67 are the same as Step S37 to Step S39 in the flow shown in FIG. Then, explanation is omitted.
In step S62, when the toner cartridge having the selected number of days d of 60 <d ≦ 90 is extracted, the extracted toner cartridge includes a toner cartridge to be used in the image processing apparatus having a FAX function. Whether or not (step S63).

If there is a toner cartridge to be used in the image processing apparatus having the FAX function, it is selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock (step S63: YES, step S64), and the toner cartridge selected in steps S61 and S64 Is delivered from the delivery instruction unit 316 (see FIG. 7) to the consumables delivery server 400 (see FIG. 1) (step S55).
If there is no toner cartridge to be used in the image processing apparatus having the FAX function, the consumables delivery server 400 is instructed to deliver the toner cartridge selected in step S61 to the user (step S53: NO). Step S55).

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present modification, as for the toner cartridge used in the image processing apparatus having the FAX function, if there is a cartridge that has the selected number of days d within the expansion selection period longer than the reference selection period, In addition, by selecting the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock, the toner cartridge is selected earlier than the case where it is selected in the reference selection period. As a result, for toner cartridges that should be used in image processing apparatuses having a highly important FAX function, replacement toner cartridges can be stocked more reliably and stocked when a FAX is received. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which FAX output cannot be performed due to the absence of the error.

In this modification, the toner cartridge used in the image processing apparatus having the FAX function is only K color. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a color MFP having the FAX function may be considered. In such a case, it is only necessary to select a K color toner cartridge that is used in the image processing apparatus having a FAX function in step S64.
Further, in this modification, it is considered whether or not the FAX function is provided as the second priority condition, but the function of the image processing apparatus as the second priority condition is not limited to the FAX function. For example, in an office where copying is frequently used, a copying function may be used. The function of the image processing apparatus as the second priority condition may be settable by the user.

  (3) Many image processing apparatuses such as MFPs and printers installed in offices are installed in lease contracts with manufacturers and agents, and such lease contracts usually start from 3 years. In many cases, the contract period is about five years. If the lease contract has expired, the image processing device will be collected by the manufacturer or distributor if the contract is not renewed. It is often changed to a different model.

Even if it is not a lease contract, if the installation period becomes long, there will be more failures and troubles, and users will be dissatisfied with the performance and functions of the image processing device such as processing speed. The possibility of being replaced with an image processing apparatus increases.
When the image processing apparatus is replaced with another model, the toner cartridge that has been used until then is often unusable for the new model, and in that case, the toner cartridges that are stocked as stock are wasted. .

Therefore, in this modification, for a toner cartridge to be used in an image processing apparatus having an installation period longer than a predetermined period, the selection period is set shorter than the reference selection period, and the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is selected. A configuration for delaying the timing to be performed will be described.
In this modified example, the case where the predetermined period is 5 years and the selection period shorter than the reference selection period (hereinafter referred to as “reduction selection period”) is 30 days will be described as an example.

FIG. 22A is a configuration example of inventory information in the present modification. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is selected at the timing when the M toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is replaced in the office A (the replacement time is fixed).
In the device group (in this case, office A), a table in which toner cartridges that are not in stock at the time are extracted and arranged in the order of the predicted replacement time, that is, in ascending order of the selection days d is shown in FIG. Show.

In the table shown in the figure, the selection days d are within 60 days of the reference selection period because the Y toner cartridge (d = 47 days) of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 and the C of the image processing apparatus 100-A02. Color toner cartridge (d = 56 days).
Here, regarding the above two toner cartridges, when the installation period p of the image processing apparatus is viewed, the installation period p of the C color toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A02 is one year, whereas the image processing apparatus 100-A02 has one year. The Y-color toner cartridge of the apparatus 100-A01 has an installation period p of 6 years and is installed for 5 years or more. Accordingly, the reduction selection period is applied to the Y toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01. Since the reduction selection period is 30 days, the number d = 56 days for selecting the Y toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is not within the reduction selection period. Accordingly, here, the Y toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is not selected as the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock, but only the Y toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is selected.

In the figure, for easy understanding, the Y toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is surrounded by a bold line, and the selection days d and the installation period p are shown in bold.
FIG. 23 shows a part of a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the consumables inventory management process of the inventory management apparatus in this modification. In the figure, the control sequence of the image processing apparatus 100 is the same as that in FIG. 14, and in the control sequence of the inventory management apparatus 300, the processing step prior to step S71 is step S31 in the flow shown in FIG. To S35, the illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

Steps S77 to S79 are the same as steps S37 to S39 in the flow shown in FIG.
When the inventory information is updated in step S35 (see FIG. 14), next, a toner cartridge in which the number of selection days d from the confirmed replacement time to the predicted replacement time is d ≦ 60 is extracted, and the extracted toner is extracted. It is determined whether or not there is a toner cartridge in which the installation period of the image processing apparatus to be used is 5 years or longer (steps S71 and S72).

  If there are no more than five years, all the extracted toner cartridges are selected as toner cartridges to be restocked, and the selected toner cartridges are delivered to the user (in this case, the inventory manager of office A). Next, the delivery instruction unit 316 (see FIG. 7) instructs the consumables delivery server 400 (see FIG. 1) (step S76: NO, step S76, step S77).

If there is a cartridge of 5 years or more, a toner cartridge having an installation period of less than 5 years is first selected (step S72: YES, step S73).
Then, it is determined whether or not there is a selection period d of 30 days or less among those having an installation period of 5 years or more (step S74).
In the case where the installation period is five years or more and there is a selection day d of 30 days or less, a toner cartridge having the selection day d of 30 days or less is selected as a toner cartridge to be restocked (step S74: YES). , Step S75), instructing the consumables delivery server 400 (see FIG. 1) to deliver the toner cartridge selected in Step S73 and Step S75 to the user (in this case, the inventory manager in the office A). (Step S77).

If there is no installation period of 5 years or more and the selection period d is 30 days or less, the consumables delivery server 400 is instructed to deliver the toner cartridge selected in step S73 to the user. (Step S74: NO, Step S77).
As described above, according to the configuration of the present modification, for a toner cartridge to be used in an image processing apparatus having a long installation period, the selection period is shorter than the reference selection period, and the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is used. When the selected timing is delayed, the period during which the image is stored in the inventory storage area is shortened, and an image processing apparatus with a long installation period is replaced, fewer toner cartridges are wasted, resulting in the loss of the user. Can be suppressed.

In this modification, the case where the installation period of the image processing apparatus to which the reduction selection period is applied is 5 years has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be 5 years or less (for example, 3 years) or 5 years or more (for example, 10 years).
The reduction selection period has been described by taking the case of 30 days as an example. However, the reduction selection period is not limited to this, and any number of days can be used as the reference selection period as long as it is shorter than the reference selection period (60 days here). It may be set. Furthermore, the number of days for the reference selection period may be set and changed by the manager of the inventory management system or the inventory management apparatus 300, but is set by the user from the operation panel 16 or the client apparatus 200. And may be changeable. Furthermore, the reference selection period is not limited to the number of days, and the unit may be year, month, hour, minute, second, or the like.

<Modification of Embodiments 1 and 2>
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the modified example of the second embodiment. Such a modification can be considered.
(4) Even if the consumption rate of individual toner cartridges does not change so much, when the total toner consumption amount is seen for each device group, the individual consumption changes greatly change the toner consumption rate. There may be.

  Also, in offices, etc., there are many busy periods and quiet periods depending on the circumstances of the business partners and the industry. For example, in busy periods, it is usually used in image processing devices installed in offices. When the image processing apparatuses are crowded, it is possible that an image processing apparatus that is not normally used will be used. In such a case, the toner consumption rate of the toner cartridge, which has been relatively slow until then, and the predicted replacement time is still earlier, is accelerated, and the replacement time comes sooner than expected.

Therefore, in this modification, a configuration in which the length of the selection period is changed in consideration of the toner consumption tendency of the entire apparatus group will be described.
In this modification, the toner consumption tendency is determined based on the toner consumption amount of the entire apparatus group for each aggregation period (every 3 months) with the aggregation period being 3 months.
FIG. 24A is a table showing data obtained by tabulating the amount of toner consumption every three months in the office A for each image processing apparatus 100 and for the entire apparatus group. Here, as an example, on June 15, 2011, a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock at the timing when the M-color toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 is replaced in the office A (the replacement time is fixed). The case of selecting will be described.

In the toner consumption amount from April to June shown in the table shown in the figure, an estimated value is used for the toner consumption amount from June 15 to June 30. The estimation of the toner consumption amount is performed based on the toner consumption amount acquired for each toner cartridge in the same manner as when the replacement time is predicted.
Regarding the K color toner of the image processing apparatus 100-A03, the past nine months (from October
In June, there is no significant change in toner usage. However, looking at the amount of toner used in the entire office A, it is 300 (g) from October to December, and 290 (g) from January to March, but 440 (from April to June). g) and the toner consumption is greatly increased. For this reason, it is considered that the use frequency of the image processing apparatus in the entire office A is increasing, and there is a possibility that the use frequency of the image processing apparatus 100-A03 will increase in the future.

Therefore, when the toner consumption of the entire apparatus group (here, office A) is large, the selection period for the apparatus group is lengthened, and the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is selected earlier, and the user's Deliver to the original.
FIG. 24B is a table showing the correspondence between the toner consumption of the entire apparatus group and the length of the selection period. When the total toner consumption t for the entire apparatus group for 3 months is less than 200 (g), the selection period is 30 days, and when t is 200 (g) or more and 400 (g) or less, the selection period Is 60 days and if t is greater than 400 (g), the selection period is 90 days.

FIG. 25A is a configuration example of inventory information in this modification. FIG. 25B is a table in which toner cartridges that are not in stock at that time point are extracted from the device group (in this case, office A), and are arranged in order from the earliest predicted replacement time, that is, from the smallest selection days d. It is.
The toner consumption amount for the three months from April to June in office A is 440 (g) from the table of FIG. 24A, so the selection period is 90 days from the table of FIG. is there.

In the table shown in FIG. 25B, the selected number of days is within 90 days because the K color toner cartridge (d = 45 days) of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 and the K color of the image processing apparatus 100-A03. Since the toner cartridges (d = 76 days), the above two toner cartridges are selected here as toner cartridges to be replenished in stock.
In the figure, for the sake of clarity, the K toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A01 and the K toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A03 are surrounded by a thick line and are selected. The number of days d is shown in bold.

  FIG. 26 shows a part of a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the consumables inventory management process of the inventory management apparatus in this modification. In the figure, the control sequence of the image processing apparatus 100 is the same as that in FIG. 14, and in the control sequence of the inventory management apparatus 300, the processing step prior to step S81 is step S31 in the flow shown in FIG. To S35, the illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

Further, Steps S86 to S88 are the same as Steps S37 to S39 in the flow shown in FIG.
When the inventory information is updated in step S35 (see FIG. 14), the total toner consumption t for the last three months for the entire device group (here, office A) is calculated, and the value of t is calculated. It is determined whether the number is greater than or less than 200 (g) or greater than or less than 400 (g) (steps S81 and S82).

  When t is less than 200 (g), a toner cartridge having a selected number of days d of 30 days or less is selected as a toner cartridge to be restocked, and the selected toner cartridge is selected by a user (in this case, inventory management in office A). To the consumables delivery server 400 (see FIG. 1) (step S82: t <200, step S83, step S86).

When t is 200 (g) or more and 400 (g) or less, a toner cartridge having a selected number of days d of 60 days or less is selected as a toner cartridge to be restocked, and the selected toner cartridge is delivered to the user. (Step S82: 200 ≦ t ≦ 400, Step S84, Step S86).
If t is greater than 400 (g), a toner cartridge having a selected number of days d of 90 days or less is selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock, and an instruction is given to deliver the selected toner cartridge to the user (step) S82: 400 <t, step S85, step S86).

  According to said structure, there exist the following effects, for example. As can be seen from the table shown in FIG. 24A, the toner consumption amount of the K color of the image processing apparatus 100-A03 did not change significantly in the past nine months. By changing the selection period according to the toner consumption amount, the K color toner cartridge of the image processing apparatus 100-A03 is also selected as the toner cartridge to be replenished at this time, and the frequency of use of the image processing apparatus 100-A03 will be increased in the future. Even when the price increases, the toner cartridge inventory can be secured early.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present modification, when the toner consumption of the entire device group is large, the selection period is lengthened and the toner cartridge for stock replenishment in the device group is selected early to replenish the stock. However, when the total toner consumption of the entire device group is small, the selection period is shortened, and the selection of the toner for replenishing stock or the cartridge is delayed, so that the image processing in the whole office such as busy season and quiet season can be performed. It is possible to manage the inventory of toner cartridges in response to changes in the usage status of the apparatus.

  In the above description, the toner consumption amount of the entire apparatus group, which is the criterion for determining the length of the selection period, is the total for three months, but is not limited thereto. The aggregation period may be, for example, a period shorter than 3 months or a period longer than that. However, if the period is too short or too long, the tendency of toner consumption in the entire apparatus group does not appear clearly. For example, it is preferable to set the period to several weeks to several months.

  In the table shown in FIG. 24A, toner consumption data for the past year is listed, but the present invention is not limited to this. Only the toner consumption data for the most recent three months may be stored, or data for one year or more may be stored, and if a similar trend is observed every year in the increase / decrease in toner consumption, based on that, the future The selection period may be changed early by predicting the amount of toner used.

  Furthermore, in this modification, when the period (three months) for calculating the total value of toner consumption is fixed every quarter and the total value is calculated in the middle of the period, the remaining time until the end of the period is calculated. Although the predicted value is used for this period, it is not limited to this. For example, the total value of the toner consumption may be calculated from the time point when the toner cartridge to be replenished is selected as the starting point and going back to the past three months.

(5) In the first and second embodiments and the modifications of the second embodiment, when the toner cartridge is replaced, it is predicted that the number of selected days within the selection period is out of stock. The configuration for selecting the toner cartridge to be replenished from the earliest replacement time has been described.
However, among users who manage inventory of consumables (toner cartridges) by the methods of the above embodiments, there are a mixture of users who have very limited inventory space and users who have sufficient inventory space. In such a case, it is possible that some users who have sufficient inventory space want to select a toner cartridge of the same type as the replaced toner cartridge as a toner cartridge to be restocked.

  In this modification, the first selection mode of the first embodiment and the selection mode for selecting the same type of toner cartridge as the replaced toner cartridge as the toner cartridge to be restocked (hereinafter referred to as “second selection mode”). The configuration that can be selected by the user as to which of the selection modes is executed by the inventory management apparatus 300 will be described. The selection by the user for executing the selection mode is set by inputting the selection from the operation panel 16 (see FIG. 2) by the user.

  FIG. 27 shows a part of a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the consumables inventory management process of the inventory management apparatus in this modification. In FIG. 14, the control sequence of the image processing apparatus 100 is the same as that in FIG. 14, and the processing steps prior to step S91 in the control sequence of the inventory management apparatus 300 are step S31 to step S35 in FIG. Therefore, illustration and description are omitted here.

Steps S94 to S96 are the same as steps S37 to S39 in the flow shown in FIG.
When the inventory information is updated in step S35 (see FIG. 14), it is next determined which one of the first selection mode and the second selection mode is selected by the user (step S35). Step S91).

  When the first selection mode is selected, a toner cartridge whose selection days d are 60 days or less is selected as a toner cartridge to be restocked, and the selected toner cartridge is selected by the user (in this case, the inventory of office A). The consumables delivery server 400 (see FIG. 1) is instructed to deliver to the administrator (step S91: first, step S92, step S93).

If the second selection mode is selected by the user in step S91, a toner cartridge of the same type as the replaced toner cartridge is selected for inventory replenishment, and the selected toner cartridge is delivered to the user. The consumables delivery server 400 is instructed (step S91: second, step S93, step S94).
As described above, according to the configuration of this modified example, the user can select and set which of the first and second selection modes the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is selected. It is possible to respond to the user's individual desires and circumstances, which can contribute to the convenience of the user.

  Also, when a toner cartridge of a different type from the replaced toner cartridge is delivered for inventory replenishment, some users may feel uneasy even if there is actually no problem. By enabling the user to select one of the first selection mode and the second selection mode, the user's anxiety can be reduced and the user's convenience can be contributed.

  In the above description, the toner cartridge selection mode selection setting may be set once by the user in advance, and thereafter the setting may be followed unless the setting is changed by the user. Each time when the replacement toner cartridge is selected, a message prompting the user to input which selection mode to select is displayed on the operation panel 16, for example. You may make it follow a user's selection input every time.

In the above description, the selection input of the selection mode is performed from the operation panel 16. However, the selection mode is not limited to this and may be input from the input / operation unit 303 of the inventory management apparatus 300, or the client. It may be input from input means of the apparatus 200.
(6) In the fifth modification, the configuration in which the user can select either the first selection mode or the second selection mode has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in the same manner as in each of the second and second exemplary embodiments, the second priority is given in addition to the toner cartridge that reaches the predicted replacement time within the reference selection period (the number of selection days d is within the reference selection period). For toner cartridges that meet the conditions, if there is a cartridge that has a predicted replacement time within an expansion selection period that is longer than the reference selection period, it is also selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock (hereinafter referred to as “No. 3 selection mode)) and the second selection mode may be selected by the user.

(7) Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which a user can select any one selection mode from 1st, 2nd, 3rd selection mode.
(8) In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the predetermined consumption state related to the consumption that is the replenishment stock timing is that the toner cartridge has been replaced in the image processing apparatus 100 (the replacement time is fixed). Was explained). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the predetermined consumption state related to the consumption that becomes the supply timing of the consumables inventory replenishment may be performed at a timing when the toner reaches a predetermined consumption level (for example, cartridge near empty).

In the present modification, a configuration for selecting a toner cartridge to be replenished at the timing when a cartridge near empty is detected will be described below.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the consumables inventory management process of the inventory management apparatus in this modification. Here, office A (see FIG. 1) will be described as an example.

First, the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03 belonging to the office A each determine whether or not a cartridge near empty is detected in the own apparatus (step S101).
When the cartridge near empty is not detected, it is determined whether or not it has been detected that the toner cartridge has been replaced next (step S101: NO, step S103). Here, the toner cartridge replacement detection includes detection of a toner cartridge replacement estimation operation.

If the replacement of the toner cartridge is not detected, the process returns to step S101 to determine whether or not the cartridge near empty is detected (step S103: NO, step S101).
If the replacement of the toner cartridge is detected, it is next determined whether or not the replacement timing of the toner cartridge has been determined by the toner replacement timing determination unit 611 (see FIG. 6) (step S103: YES, step S104).

If the replacement timing of the toner cartridge has not been determined, the determination is continued until it is determined (step S104: NO, step S104).
When the toner cartridge replacement completion time is fixed, the replacement toner information stored in the replacement toner information storage unit 665 (see FIG. 6) is transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300 (step S104: YES, step S105). ).

If cartridge near empty is detected in step S101, near empty information is transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300 (step S101: YES, step S102).
FIG. 29 shows a configuration example of a notification frame of near empty information notified from the image processing apparatus 100 to the inventory management apparatus 300 at this time. As shown in the figure, near-empty information is notification destination information for recognizing a notification destination of the near-empty information (inventory management device 300), and an image processing apparatus that is a supplier (notification source) of the near-empty information. 100 (image processing apparatus 100 in which cartridge near empty is detected), image processing apparatus identification information, toner cartridge identification information indicating the type of toner cartridge in which cartridge near empty is detected, and detection of cartridge near empty This has a configuration including cartridge near empty detection date information indicating the date, and corresponds to the replaced toner information in the first embodiment. In this modification, near empty information is used as inventory replenishment timing generation information.

Returning to the flow of FIG. 28, near empty information is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 100 to the inventory management apparatus 300 in step S102. Here, in the inventory management apparatus 300, has the near empty information been received? Whether or not is determined (step S111).
When the near empty information is received, a toner cartridge having a selected number e of 60 days or less, which is the number of days from the cartridge near empty detection date to the predicted replacement time, is selected as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock (step S111: YES, step S112). Then, after instructing the consumables delivery server 400 from the delivery instruction unit 316 (see FIG. 7) to deliver the selected toner cartridge to the user (in this case, the inventory manager in the office A), the delivery is performed. It is determined whether or not delivered consumable information indicating that the instructed toner cartridge has been delivered to the user (in this case, the inventory manager in office A) is received from the consumable delivery server 400 (step S113). Step S114).

If near empty information is not received in step S111, it is subsequently determined whether or not delivered consumable information is received from the consumable delivery server 400 (step S111: NO, step S114).
When the delivered consumable information is received in step S114, the inventory information of the device group of the delivery destination user is updated with reference to the delivered consumable information, and then the process returns to step S111 to return the near empty information. It is determined whether it has been received (step S114: YES, step S116, step S111).

If the delivered consumable information has not been received, it is next determined whether or not the replaced toner information has been received (step S114: NO, step S115).
When the replaced toner information is received, the inventory information of the apparatus group to which the image processing apparatus 100 of the supply source (notification source) of the replaced consumable information belongs is updated with reference to the replaced toner information (step S115). : YES)

If the replaced toner information has not been received, the process returns to step S111 to determine whether or not near empty information has been received (step S115: NO, step S111).
As described above, even when the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is selected at the timing when the cartridge near empty is detected, the selection is performed at the timing when the toner cartridge is replaced. Similarly, the toner cartridges in stock can be appropriately stocked while reducing the user's troubles such as input settings such as the upper limit number of stocks and the minimum order number.

The selection days e is the number of days from the cartridge near empty detection date to the predicted replacement time, but is not limited thereto. For example, the number of days from when the inventory management apparatus 300 receives (acquires) near empty information may be used.
Further, the degree of toner consumption that becomes the timing for selecting a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is not limited to cartridge near empty. For example, it may be when the toner remaining in the toner cartridge is halved, or when the cartridge empty is detected.

  (9) In the first and second embodiments and the modifications, the toner cartridge to be restocked is selected by the stock replenishment consumable selection unit 315 (see FIG. 7) of the stock management apparatus 300 (see FIG. 1). Then, an instruction is sent from the delivery instruction unit 316 (see FIG. 7) to the consumables delivery server 400 to deliver the selected toner cartridge to the user, and the selected toner cartridge is automatically delivered to the user. The configuration has been described.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following modifications can be considered. For example, when a toner cartridge to be restocked is selected by the stock replenishment consumables selection unit 315, the selected toner cartridge is restocked instead of being automatically instructed to the consumables delivery server 400. The toner cartridge may be displayed on the operation panel as a power toner cartridge, and a user who sees it may order the toner cartridge from an office supply dealer or a sales agent by FAX or telephone.

In this modification, the case where the above configuration is applied to the configuration of the first embodiment will be described as an example.
FIG. 30 shows a part of a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the consumables inventory management process of the inventory management apparatus in this modification. In this figure, the control sequence of the image processing apparatus 100 is the same as that in FIG. 14, and the processing steps prior to step S121 in the control sequence of the inventory management apparatus 300 are step S31 to step S35 in FIG. Therefore, illustration and description are omitted here, and step S121 is the same as step S36 in FIG.

  In step S121, when a toner cartridge having a selected number of days d of 60 days or less is selected, the selected toner cartridge is displayed on the operation panel 16 (see FIG. 2) as a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock. Returning to step S31 in the flow shown in FIG. 14, it is monitored whether or not the next replaced toner information is received (step S122, step S31).

  As described above, according to the configuration of this modification, it is desired that the inventory or the toner to be replenished is automatically selected by the inventory management apparatus 300, but the consumable delivery server 400 automatically orders the order. The user can place an order directly with a supplier who wants to ask a familiar supplier who has not been associated with the image processing apparatus manufacturer's sales / service company, etc., which can contribute to user convenience. .

  However, the consumables delivery server 400 in the inventory management system of each embodiment and each modification of the present invention is not limited to the consumables delivery server of the sales / service company of the image processing apparatus manufacturer. In the case of having a consumables delivery server that is compatible with the inventory management system of the present invention, the inventory management system of the present invention can be applied using the above-mentioned supplier's server as the consumables delivery server 400.

Note that the configuration of this modification may be applied to the second embodiment and each modification.
(10) In the above embodiments and modifications, the storage unit 320 (see FIG. 7) of the inventory management apparatus 300 (see FIG. 1) has been replaced with reference to the acquired replaced toner information. The configuration has been described in which the toner cartridge is updated to be subtracted from the inventory information of the corresponding device group, and the received toner cartridge is updated to be added to the inventory information of the corresponding device group with reference to the received delivered consumable information. .

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user may manually input information about increase / decrease in inventory to update the inventory information.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the inventory information update process of the inventory management apparatus in this modification. Here, office A (see FIG. 1) will be described as an example.

First, in each of the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03 belonging to the office A, information related to increase / decrease in inventory (hereinafter referred to as “inventory change information”) is input by the user. Whether or not it has been monitored (step S131).
Here, the inventory change information includes information regarding a decrease in inventory due to the replacement of the toner cartridge (corresponding to the replaced toner information in the first embodiment), and the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock as stock. Information related to an increase in inventory due to the information (corresponding to the delivered consumable information in the first embodiment) is included.

Also, the input of inventory change information is performed by the user from the operation panel 16 (see FIG. 2) of any one of the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03.
When the input of inventory change information is accepted in step S131, the received inventory change information is transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300, and then the process returns to step S131 to monitor whether the input of inventory change information is accepted again. (Step S131: YES, Step S132, Step S131).

The inventory management apparatus 300 monitors whether or not inventory change information has been received. When the inventory change information is received, the inventory information of the corresponding device group is updated with reference to the received inventory change information. Thereafter, the process returns to step S141 to monitor whether or not the inventory change information is received again (step S141: YES, step S142, step S141).
According to the configuration of this modified example described above, even when the user directly orders a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock, the inventory information can be updated to the latest state. Selection can be made appropriately.

  The input of the inventory information is performed by the user from the operation panel 16 of any one of the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03, but is not limited thereto. . For example, only one of the image processing apparatuses 100-A01, 100-A02, and 100-A03 may accept the inventory change information. In this case, only the receivable image processing apparatus may monitor whether or not the input of the inventory change information in step S131 is accepted.

  Further, the input of the inventory change information is not limited to the operation panel of the image processing apparatus. For example, inventory change information may be input from a client device connected via a network using an input device such as a keyboard. In this case, the input inventory change information may be transmitted directly to the inventory management apparatus 300 or may be transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300 via the image processing apparatus 100.

Furthermore, the above-described inventory change information may be input only by a person in charge of inventory management using a password or the like. In this way, it is possible to prevent a plurality of users from entering the same inventory change information repeatedly without knowing that another user has input the inventory change information.
In addition, as the inventory change information, the user manually inputs only information related to inventory increase, and the inventory management apparatus 300 performs image processing apparatus information regarding inventory decrease as in the above embodiments and modifications. The replacement toner information may be acquired from 100 and updated by referring to the acquired replacement toner information.

  (11) In each of the modified examples other than the above embodiments and the modified example 8, when the replacement time is determined for each toner cartridge whose replacement is detected by the image processing apparatus 100, the replaced toner information is stored in the inventory management device. Each time the inventory management device 300 receives the exchanged toner information, the inventory management device 300 requests each image processing apparatus 100 in the corresponding device group for information on the exchange completion time, and the exchange completion time. The configuration has been described in which when there is a toner cartridge being confirmed, the stock information is updated after the toner cartridge is confirmed, and the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is selected.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be as follows, for example. When the image processing apparatus 100 detects the replacement of the toner cartridge in its own apparatus, the image processing apparatus 100 displays information on whether or not there is a toner cartridge whose replacement time has been determined in each image processing apparatus belonging to the apparatus group including the apparatus itself. If the acquired toner cartridge is not confirmed, the information about the replaced toner cartridge is transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300 as the replaced toner information, and if there is a confirmed cartridge, it is confirmed. After waiting for this, the replaced toner information may be transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a control sequence between the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 related to the consumables inventory management process of the inventory management apparatus in this modification. Here, as an example, office A (see FIG. 1) will be described as an example in which the configuration of the present modification is applied to the first embodiment.
Step S151 and step S152 are the same as step S21 and step S22 in the flow shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S152 that the toner cartridge replacement time has been determined, the replacement time for each of the other image processing apparatuses 100 belonging to the same apparatus group to which the own apparatus belongs is next determined. A request is made to transmit information indicating that the replacement period has been confirmed, which indicates whether there is a toner cartridge that has been confirmed (step S152: YES, step S153).

Then, it is monitored whether or not information indicating that the replacement period has been determined has been received from all requested image processing apparatuses 100 (step S154).
When all the information regarding the exchange time determined has been received, it is determined by referring to the received information regarding the completion of the replacement time whether or not there is a toner cartridge for which the replacement time has been determined in the image processing apparatus 100 of the device group. Step S154: YES, step S155).

  If there is a toner cartridge for which the replacement time has been determined, the process returns to step S153 to request each image processing apparatus 100 belonging to the same apparatus group to transmit information regarding the completion of replacement time (step S155: YES). Step S153) and thereafter, Steps S153 to S155 are repeated until it is determined in Step S155 that there is no toner cartridge for which the replacement time has been determined.

If there is no toner cartridge for which the replacement time is being determined, the replacement toner information is transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300 (step S155: NO, step S156).
Here, the inventory management apparatus 300 monitors whether or not the replaced toner information is received (step S161).
When the replaced toner information acquisition unit 311 (see FIG. 7) of the inventory management apparatus 300 receives the replaced toner information, the storage unit 320 (see FIG. 7) refers to the received replaced toner information, and the toner cartridge is stored. In the inventory information of the apparatus group (in this case, office A) to which the replaced image processing apparatus 100 belongs, the replaced toner cartridge is subtracted from the inventory, and the inventory information is updated (step S161: YES, step S162).

Hereinafter, steps S163 to S166 are the same as steps S36 to S39 in the flow shown in FIG.
As described above, even in the configuration of the present modified example, even when a toner cartridge that does not include a new article detection mechanism is replaced, as in the configuration of each of the embodiments and each modified example, the replacement of the toner cartridge has been completed. By updating the inventory information after the timing is fixed, more accurate inventory information can be referred to, and the toner cartridge to be replenished can be selected more appropriately.

  When the replacement toner information is transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300, if the image processing apparatus 100 in which the replacement of the toner cartridge is detected is different from the image processing apparatus 100 for which the replacement time has been determined, The image processing apparatus 100 may separately transmit information about the toner cartridges exchanged in the apparatus itself to the inventory management apparatus 300. For example, any one of the image processing apparatuses 100 may exchange these toner cartridges. May be collected and transmitted to the inventory management apparatus 300.

(12) In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the toner replacement time prediction unit 313 (see FIG. 7) that predicts the replacement time of each toner cartridge used in each image processing apparatus is included in the inventory management apparatus 300. It is provided, but it is not limited to this.
For example, each image processing apparatus 100 includes a toner replacement time prediction unit, and each image processing apparatus 100 predicts the replacement time of each toner cartridge used in its own apparatus, and stores information on the predicted replacement time in the inventory management apparatus 300. You may send to.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 60 of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present modification, and FIG. 34 is a control block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the inventory management apparatus 300 according to the present modification.
The control unit 60 of the image processing apparatus 100 includes a toner consumption amount information acquisition unit 614 and a toner replacement time prediction unit 615, which are respectively a toner consumption amount information acquisition unit 312 and a toner in the first embodiment shown in FIG. It performs the same function as the replacement time prediction unit 313. Each of these is a part of the function of the CPU 61.

  The storage unit 66 includes a toner consumption amount information storage unit 666 that stores toner consumption amount information, which is information about the consumption amount of each color toner used in the own device. The toner consumption amount information storage unit 666 performs the same function as the toner consumption amount information storage unit 322 of the inventory management apparatus 300 according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. Note that the function of the toner consumption information storage unit 666 may be performed by the EEPROM 663.

On the other hand, the control unit 310 of the inventory management apparatus 300 in this modification does not include the toner consumption amount information acquisition unit 312 and the toner replacement time prediction unit 313 illustrated in FIG.
Further, the storage unit 320 of the inventory management apparatus 300 in the present modification does not store the toner consumption amount information shown in FIG.
(13) In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the image processing apparatus 100 and the inventory management apparatus 300 are connected via a network, the inventory management apparatus 300 selects a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock, and manages the inventory. The configuration for performing is described.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the inventory management system shown in FIG. 1, the inventory management apparatus 300 may not be provided, and the functions of the inventory management apparatus 300 may be executed by each image processing apparatus 100.
Hereinafter, in this modification, the case where the above configuration is applied to the first embodiment will be described as an example.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 90 of the image processing apparatus 900 according to the present modification. Here, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus 900 is installed in the office A (see FIG. 1).
The communication I / F unit 92, the image processing unit 93, the image memory 94, and the laser diode driving unit 95 are the communication I / F unit 62 in the control unit block diagram of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The image processing unit 63, the image memory 64, and the laser diode driving unit 65 perform the same functions.

  Further, the CPU 91 includes a toner replacement completion time determination unit 911, a toner consumption amount calculation unit 913, a toner consumption amount information acquisition unit 914, a toner replacement time prediction unit 915, an inventory replenishment consumable selection unit 917, and a delivery instruction unit 918. These are the toner replacement completion time determination unit 611, the toner consumption amount calculation unit 613, the toner consumption amount information acquisition unit 614, the toner replacement timing prediction unit 615, the inventory replenishment consumable selection unit 315, respectively, in FIGS. It performs the same function as the delivery instruction unit 316.

  The CPU 91 further includes a replaced toner information acquisition unit 912 as part of its function. When the toner cartridge has been replaced and the toner replacement time determination unit 911 has determined the replacement time, which is the date when the toner cartridge has actually been replaced, Information indicating the detected type of the replaced toner cartridge is acquired as the replaced toner information together with the information of the determined replacement timing. The acquired replaced toner information may be temporarily stored in the EEPROM 963 or the like.

  The storage unit 96 includes a ROM 961, a RAM 962, an EEPROM 963, and a page dot number storage unit 964, which are the same as the ROM 661, RAM 662, EEPROM 663, and page dot number storage unit 664 shown in FIG. The toner consumption amount information storage unit 965 fulfills the same function as the toner consumption amount information storage unit 322 shown in FIG.

In the present modification, the storage unit 96 of the control unit 90 further includes an inventory information storage unit 966, and the inventory information storage unit 966 performs the same function as the inventory information storage unit 321 in FIG.
FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the contents of inventory management processing in the image processing apparatus 900 of this modification.

First, it is monitored whether or not toner cartridge replacement has been detected (step S171). The toner cartridge replacement detection here includes detection of a toner cartridge replacement estimation operation.
When the replacement of the toner cartridge is detected, it is determined whether or not there is a toner cartridge whose replacement time is being confirmed (unconfirmed) in its own device including the toner cartridge in which the replacement is detected (step S171: YES, Step S172).

If there is a toner cartridge for which the replacement time has been determined, the determination is repeated until the replacement time is determined (step S172: YES, step S172).
When there is no toner cartridge for which the replacement time has been determined, the inventory information storage unit 966 updates the inventory information with reference to the replaced toner information acquired by the replaced toner information acquisition unit 912 (step S172: NO, Step S173).

In the present modification, for example, a plurality of image processing apparatuses 900 are installed in the office A, and each image processing apparatus 900 is assigned a stock space dedicated to a toner cartridge used for its own machine. The upper limit number of stocks in the stock space allocated to the own device is set, and the stock information of the own device is stored.
Then, referring to the updated latest inventory information, a toner cartridge having a selected number of days d of 60 days or less is selected, and the selected toner cartridge is delivered to the user (in this case, the inventory manager of office A). In this manner, the consumables delivery server 400 is instructed from the delivery instruction unit 918 (see FIG. 35) (steps S174 and S175).

  Thereafter, it is monitored whether or not delivered consumable information indicating that the toner cartridge instructed for delivery has been delivered to the user (in this case, the inventory manager of office A) is received from the consumable delivery server 400 ( In step S176), when the delivered consumable information is received, the inventory information storage unit 966 (see FIG. 35) refers to the received delivered consumable information, adds the delivered toner cartridge to the inventory, Inventory information is updated (step S176: YES, step S177), and the process returns to step S171 to monitor whether the toner cartridge has been replaced.

Here, the delivered consumable information is transmitted from the consumable delivery server 400 to the image processing apparatus 900 in which the delivered toner cartridge is used (subject to inventory replenishment).
Even with the configuration of the present modification described above, similar to each embodiment and each modification, the toner to be replaced when replacement is necessary even if the number of toner cartridges to be stocked is small. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of a situation in which the user is troubled because the cartridge is not in stock, which contributes to user convenience.

Note that the configuration of this modification can also be applied to the case where there is one image processing apparatus 900 installed in an office or the like.
(14) In the second embodiment, the second priority condition is that the toner is K (black), but the toner color considered as the second priority condition is not limited to the K color, and C, M Any of toner colors Y, Y, and K may be set as the second priority condition.

For example, in an office where C toner consumption is high, C color may be set as the second priority condition.
(15) In the second modification, the configuration in which having the FAX function is considered as the second priority condition has been described, but the function of the image processing apparatus considered as the second priority condition is not limited thereto.

  For example, an image processing apparatus that can use recording paper of various types (plain paper, cardboard, OHP sheet, etc.) and various sizes (A4, B5, A3, postcard size, etc.) is more convenient for the user. It is not difficult to imagine that the usage frequency and importance are high. Accordingly, a toner cartridge used in the image processing apparatus 100 having a large number of supported recording paper types and paper sizes may be preferentially selected.

(16) In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the timing for selecting the inventory replenishing toner cartridge is the time when the toner cartridge is replaced (when the replacement is confirmed), but is not limited thereto. .
For example, the selection may be made at predetermined time intervals such as every day, every other day, several minutes, or several hours. In this case, if the predetermined time interval is too long, the order of the toner cartridge for stock replenishment may be delayed and may not be delivered to the user before it needs to be replaced. It is desirable to set the degree. It should be noted that the timing of the selection does not necessarily have to be every constant time interval as long as the time interval does not become too long.

(17) In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the toner cartridge has been described as an example of the consumable item to be stocked, but the present invention is not limited to this.
In addition to the toner cartridge, consumables such as a photoreceptor unit, a transfer belt unit, and a fixing unit may be consumables for inventory management. In this case, the timing for selecting the consumable item for inventory replenishment for each consumable item may be the time when the consumable item is replaced (when the replacement of the consumable item is confirmed), as in the above embodiments, For each consumable, for example, it may be set when a predetermined consumption level is reached.

(18) In the above embodiments and modifications, the configuration in which the toner empty sensor 724 detects the presence or absence of toner in the sub hopper 72 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, a translucent window is provided on each of the opposing side walls of the main body 725 of the sub hopper 72, and a photosensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit is disposed outside the main body 725 so as to face the translucent window, thereby emitting light. A method of detecting that the toner in the sub hopper 72 is exhausted by the light emitted from the portion being not blocked by the toner inside the sub hopper 72 and being received by the light receiving portion through the light transmission window, By detecting the position of the magnet attached to the detection plate placed on the toner liquid level with a reed switch, the height of the toner liquid level in the sub hopper 72 is detected, and the toner liquid level is a predetermined height. The remaining amount of toner may be detected using a method of detecting that the toner in the sub hopper 72 has run out when the value is lower than.

  (19) In Modification 9, when the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock is selected by the inventory management apparatus 300, the selected toner cartridge is displayed on the operation panel 16 of the image processing apparatus 100 and notified to the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as a notification method to the user, for example, a method of printing out from the image processing apparatus 100 and displaying it on a recording sheet, or sending an e-mail to the user (administrator) May be used, or a method of notifying the user by voice from a speaker provided in the image processing apparatus 100 may be used.

(20) In the above embodiments and modifications, the case where one inventory management device 300 performs inventory management of a plurality of device groups has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one inventory management device 300 is used. There may be one device group that performs inventory management. Further, as described in the first embodiment, the number of image processing apparatuses belonging to one apparatus group is not limited to a plurality, and may be one.
(21) In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, when the replacement of the toner cartridge is detected and the replacement time is determined, the information about the replaced toner cartridge is referred to the updated inventory information. The configuration for selecting the toner cartridge to be restocked has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, when the replacement of the toner cartridge is detected and the replacement completion time is determined, the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock may be selected prior to the update of the inventory information.
In the inventory information in which the information about the replaced toner cartridge is not updated, the toner cartridge is “in stock”, so it is not listed as a candidate for the toner cartridge to be replenished. Since the toner cartridge that has just been replaced still contains sufficient toner, and the replacement time cannot be predicted yet, it is considered that there is no problem even if it is excluded from the selection candidate of the toner cartridge to be replenished in stock.

  However, at this time, it is not preferable to select a toner cartridge to be replenished in stock before the replacement timing of the toner cartridge is determined. There is a possibility that the toner cartridge is not actually replaced in the state before the replacement time is fixed (indeterminate). In that case, if the toner cartridge to be replenished is selected, the number exceeds the upper limit of inventory. This is because there is a risk of overflowing from the inventory storage area.

(22) The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a tandem type color digital multifunction peripheral, but may be a multifunction peripheral that forms a monochrome image, and is not limited to a multifunction peripheral. The present invention can also be applied to printers, copiers, fax machines, and the like that can form an image.
Further, the contents of the above embodiments and the above modifications may be combined.

In addition, the numerical value shown in said each embodiment, each modification, and each drawing is shown as an example, and, of course, it is not limited to these numerical values.
Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the inventory management apparatus, the inventory management system, and the image processing apparatus, and may be a method for managing inventory in these. Furthermore, the method may be a program executed by a computer. The program according to the present invention includes, for example, a magnetic disk such as a magnetic tape and a flexible disk, DVD, CD-ROM, CD-R, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE, HD DVD-R, and HD DVD-. It can be recorded on various computer-readable recording media such as optical recording media such as ROM, HD DVD-RW, HD DVD-RAM, MO, and PD, and flash memory recording media such as Smart Media (registered trademark). In some cases, production, transfer, etc. may be made in the form of the recording medium, and in the form of a program, it is transmitted and supplied via various wired and wireless networks including the Internet, broadcasting, telecommunication lines, satellite communications, etc. There is also a case.

  According to the present invention, spare consumables are properly stocked as inventory while eliminating the need for the user to input settings such as the maximum number of stocks for consumables such as toner cartridges used in the image processing apparatus. This is useful as a technique for managing inventory.

5 Developing Device 11 Image Reading Unit 12 Image Forming Unit 13 Paper Feeding Unit 14 Fixing Unit 16 Operation Panel 20 Image Forming Unit 51 Stirring Screw 52 Mylar 53 Toner Concentration Sensor 60 Control Unit 71 Toner Cartridge 711 Spiral Spring 712 Gear Mechanisms 713 and 721 Toner Feed hole 72 Sub hopper 722 Scoop paddle 723 Spiral roller 724 Toner empty sensor 725 Main body 73 Cartridge motor 74 Sub hopper motor

Claims (23)

An inventory management apparatus that is connected to a group of apparatuses including one or a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network and performs inventory management of consumables used in the image processing apparatus in units of the apparatus group,
In each of the image processing apparatuses, consumption information acquisition means for acquiring consumption information indicating the consumption level of each consumable being used;
Based on the consumption information, for each consumable, a replacement time prediction means for predicting a replacement time that requires replacement due to wear,
For each of the consumables, information indicating the quantity in stock, information on the image processing apparatus in which the consumable is to be used, information on the device group to which the image processing apparatus belongs, and a predicted replacement time by the replacement time prediction unit , And inventory information storage means for storing as inventory information in units of the device group;
For each consumable in the image processing apparatus, information indicating that a predetermined consumable state related to consumables, which is the timing of replenishment of consumables, has occurred, the type of consumable in which the predetermined consumable state has occurred, and the predetermined consumable Inventory replenishment timing occurrence information acquisition means for acquiring inventory replenishment timing occurrence information including identification information of the image processing apparatus in which the state has occurred;
Inventory replenishment consumables selection means for selecting consumables to be restocked,
The inventory replenishment consumables selection means, when the inventory replenishment timing occurrence information is acquired, refers to the inventory information about the apparatus group to which the image processing apparatus in which the predetermined consumption state has occurred, and in the apparatus group First consumable selection for selecting a consumable to be replenished in stock within a selection period of a preset reference length among consumables used but not in stock An inventory management device characterized by executing a mode. The inventory information includes information on a predetermined priority condition,
The inventory replenishment consumables selection means is configured to use the predetermined priority among consumables used in the group of devices to which the image processing apparatus to which the consumables in which the predetermined consumable state has been used belongs are not in stock. For consumables that do not meet the conditions, select consumables that are expected to be replaced within the standard length selection period as consumables to be restocked, and for consumables that meet the predetermined priority conditions, The third consumable item selection mode for selecting a consumable item with a selection period longer than the reference length is executed instead of the first consumable item selection mode. Inventory management equipment. Replaced consumables that acquire replacement consumable information including information indicating that the consumables of the image processing apparatus have been replaced, the type of consumables replaced, and identification information of the image processing apparatus from which the consumables have been replaced With information acquisition means,
The inventory management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inventory information storage unit updates the inventory information with reference to the replaced consumable information. The consumable item delivery instruction means for instructing a delivery server connected via a network to deliver the consumable item selected by the inventory replenishment consumable item selecting means is provided. The inventory management apparatus according to any one of the above. The replaced consumable information acquisition means acquires delivered consumable information indicating that the consumable designated by the consumable delivery instruction means has been delivered,
The inventory management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inventory information storage unit updates the inventory information with reference to the delivered consumables information. Message information for notifying a user of a consumable selected by the inventory replenishment consumable selection means as a consumable to be ordered for inventory replenishment is displayed on a display means provided in the image processing apparatus. The inventory management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Any one of the second consumable selection mode for selecting a consumable of the same type as the consumable in which the predetermined consumable state has occurred as a consumable to be restocked and the first consumable selection mode. Further comprising mode selection acquisition means for acquiring a user's selection as to whether to execute the selection mode;
When the acquired user selection is the second consumable item selection mode, the inventory replenishment consumable item selection unit replaces the execution of the first consumable item selection mode with the second consumable item. The inventory management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a selection mode is executed. The image processing apparatus further includes a replacement time determination means for determining a replacement time which is a time when a consumable used in each of the own devices is replaced,
The inventory management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the predetermined consumption state is that a replacement time of a consumable item is determined. The inventory management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the predetermined consumption state is a state in which a consumption level of a consumable has reached a predetermined consumption level set in advance. The inventory management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined priority condition is that the consumable is a consumable to be used for black image processing in the image processing apparatus. The predetermined priority condition is the stability of the consumption rate of the consumables,
The inventory management apparatus according to claim 2 or 10, wherein the lower the stability of the consumption rate, the longer the selection period. The inventory management apparatus according to any one of claims 2, 10, and 11, wherein the predetermined priority condition is that the image processing apparatus to which the consumable is to be used has a facsimile function. . An installation period information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the installation period of each image processing apparatus;
The stock replenishment consumables selection means selects consumables for a consumable to be used in an image processing apparatus whose installation period is longer than a predetermined period, with a selection period shorter than the reference length. The inventory management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable item selection mode 4 is executed in place of the first consumable item selection mode. Consumption history storage means for storing the acquired consumption information as a consumption history;
When the inventory replenishment timing occurrence information is acquired, the device group to which the image processing apparatus in which the predetermined state has occurred is acquired by referring to the consumption history and calculating the cumulative consumption level for each predetermined counting period. A cumulative wear level acquisition means,
The inventory replenishment consumables selection means sets the first consumable selection mode to the first consumable selection mode by extending the selection period and selecting the consumables as the latest cumulative consumption level is larger. The inventory management device according to claim 1, wherein the inventory management device is executed instead. The stock replenishment consumables selection means is a consumable whose replacement time is not yet determined in the device group to which the confirmed image processing apparatus belongs when the replacement time of the consumables is determined by the replacement time determination means. 9. The inventory management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein if there is, the consumable to be restocked is selected after the replacement time of the consumable is determined. The image processing apparatus forms a toner image on a recording sheet, and acquires the consumption information by calculation from a count value counted by a dot counter that cumulatively adds a toner usage amount in forming the toner image as a dot count number. The inventory management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a consumption information calculation unit. An inventory management system in which an apparatus group including one or a plurality of image processing apparatuses and an inventory management apparatus that performs inventory management of consumables used in the image processing apparatus in units of the apparatus group are connected via a network. There,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Consumption information detection means for detecting consumption information indicating the degree of consumption of each consumable used in the own machine;
Consumable state generation detecting means for detecting that a predetermined consumption state related to consumption that is a timing of consumables inventory replenishment has occurred for the consumables used in the own machine;
When it is detected that the predetermined consumption state has occurred, inventory replenishment timing including information indicating that the predetermined consumption state has occurred, the type of consumable item in which the predetermined consumption state has occurred, and identification information of the own device Inventory replenishment timing occurrence information storage means for storing occurrence information;
With
The inventory management device comprises:
Inventory replenishment timing occurrence information acquisition means for acquiring the inventory replenishment timing occurrence information from the image processing device;
Consumption information acquisition means for acquiring the consumption information from the image processing apparatus;
Based on the consumption information, for each consumable, a replacement time prediction means for predicting a replacement time that requires replacement due to wear,
For each of the consumables, information indicating the quantity in stock, information on the image processing apparatus in which the consumable is to be used, information on the device group to which the image processing apparatus belongs, and a predicted replacement time by the replacement time prediction unit , And inventory information storage means for storing as inventory information in units of the device group;
When the inventory replenishment timing occurrence information is acquired, the inventory information about the apparatus group to which the image processing apparatus in which the predetermined consumption state has occurred is referred to, and there is no inventory of consumables used in the apparatus group. Stock replenishment consumable selection that executes a first consumable selection mode for selecting a consumable that has a predicted replacement time within a selection period of a preset reference length as a consumable to be restocked. An inventory management system comprising: means. The inventory information includes information on a predetermined priority condition,
The inventory replenishment consumables selection means is configured to use the predetermined priority among consumables used in the group of devices to which the image processing apparatus to which the consumables in which the predetermined consumable state has been used belongs are not in stock. For consumables that do not meet the conditions, select consumables that are expected to be replaced within the standard length selection period as consumables to be restocked, and for consumables that meet the predetermined priority conditions, The third consumable item selection mode for selecting a consumable item with a selection period longer than the reference length is executed instead of the first consumable item selection mode. Inventory management system. 19. The inventory management system according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined priority condition is that the consumable is a consumable to be used for black image processing in the image processing apparatus. The predetermined priority condition is the stability of the consumption rate of the consumables,
The inventory management system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the lower the stability of the consumption rate, the longer the selection period. The inventory management system according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the predetermined priority condition is that the image processing apparatus to which the consumable is to be used has a facsimile function. An inventory management method in an inventory management apparatus that is connected to a group of apparatuses including one or a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network and performs inventory management of consumables used in the image processing apparatus in units of the apparatus group,
In each of the image processing apparatuses, a consumption information acquisition step for acquiring consumption information that indicates the degree of consumption of each consumable being used;
Based on the consumption information, for each consumable item, a replacement time prediction step for predicting a replacement time that requires replacement due to wear,
For each of the consumables, information indicating the quantity in stock, information on the image processing apparatus in which the consumable is to be used, information on the device group to which the image processing apparatus belongs, and a predicted replacement time by the replacement time prediction unit , And an inventory information storage step of storing as inventory information in units of the device group;
For each consumable in the image processing apparatus, information indicating that a predetermined consumable state related to consumables, which is the timing of replenishment of consumables, has occurred, the type of consumable in which the predetermined consumable state has occurred, and the predetermined consumable Inventory replenishment timing occurrence information acquisition step for acquiring inventory replenishment timing occurrence information including identification information of the image processing apparatus in which the state has occurred;
When the inventory replenishment timing occurrence information is acquired, the inventory information about the apparatus group to which the image processing apparatus in which the predetermined consumption state has occurred is referred to, and there is no inventory of consumables used in the apparatus group. And a first consumable item selection mode execution step of selecting a consumable item for which a predicted replacement time comes within a selection period of a preset reference length as a consumable item to be restocked. A featured inventory management method. Inventory management for managing inventory in an inventory management apparatus connected to an apparatus group including one or a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network and performing inventory management of consumables used in the image processing apparatus in units of the apparatus group. A program,
In each of the image processing apparatuses, consumption information acquisition processing for acquiring consumption information indicating the degree of consumption of each consumable in use;
Based on the consumption information, for each consumable, a replacement time prediction process for predicting a replacement time that requires replacement due to wear,
For each of the consumables, information indicating the quantity in stock, information on the image processing apparatus in which the consumable is to be used, information on the device group to which the image processing apparatus belongs, and a predicted replacement time by the replacement time prediction unit , And inventory information storage processing for storing as inventory information in units of the device group;
For each consumable in the image processing apparatus, information indicating that a predetermined consumable state related to consumables, which is the timing of replenishment of consumables, has occurred, the type of consumable in which the predetermined consumable state has occurred, and the predetermined consumable Inventory replenishment timing occurrence information acquisition processing for acquiring inventory replenishment timing occurrence information including identification information of the image processing apparatus in which the state has occurred;
When the inventory replenishment timing occurrence information is acquired, the inventory information about the apparatus group to which the image processing apparatus in which the predetermined consumption state has occurred is referred to, and there is no inventory of consumables used in the apparatus group. A first consumable item selection mode execution process for selecting a consumable item for which a predicted replacement time is reached within a selection period of a preset reference length, as a consumable item to be replenished in stock. An inventory management program that is executed by a computer.

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