JP6813111B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device.

Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus that transmits a delivery request for a toner cartridge to a consumables management system when the remaining amount of toner falls below a delivery threshold value. In the technique of Patent Document 1, the delivery threshold is determined by transmitting statistical data for predicting future toner consumption obtained based on actual measurement data of toner consumption and delivery request, and then the toner cartridge is delivered. It is done using the number of days required for delivery until it is delivered.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-109202

Fluctuations in toner consumption may vary significantly depending on the convenience of the user. In that respect, Patent Document 1 does not consider anything. Since the technique described in Patent Document 1 determines the delivery threshold from the prediction based on the actual measurement data of the toner consumption, the toner consumption is larger than the others at a certain time according to the convenience of the user. If it fluctuates, the fluctuation may not be sufficiently reflected in the statistical data, the transmission time of the delivery request may be delayed, and the toner cartridge may not be delivered in time. As described above, there is a limit to the determination of the ordering time based on the measured data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device capable of delivering consumables at an appropriate time according to a user's situation.

In order to achieve this object, the information processing device of the first aspect of the present invention is a server and an information processing device, which includes a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, and the control unit is a consumable item. A first acquisition means for acquiring consumables information including remaining amount information regarding the remaining amount of information, a first output means for outputting information regarding an input screen for inputting information regarding ordering conditions, which is a condition for ordering consumables, and When the consumables information is acquired by the first receiving means that receives the information about the ordering condition input via the input screen based on the information about the input screen output by the first output means and the first acquiring means. Consumables are consumed based on the first determination means for determining whether the ordering condition is satisfied according to the information received by the first reception means and the first determination means for determining whether the ordering condition is satisfied. It is provided with a second output means for outputting ordering information including information regarding ordering of goods to the server.

The information processing device of the second aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit and a control unit, and the control unit is a first acquisition means for acquiring consumables information including remaining amount information regarding the remaining amount of consumables. The first output means for outputting information on the input screen for inputting information on the ordering condition, which is a condition for ordering consumables, and the information processing device or the external device input from the output destination by the first output means. When the second acquisition means for acquiring information on the ordering conditions and the consumables information are acquired by the acquisition means, it is determined whether or not the ordering conditions for the consumables according to the information acquired by the second acquisition means are satisfied. It includes a first determination means and a determination means for determining an order for consumables based on the determination by the first determination means that the ordering condition is satisfied.

The management server according to the first aspect of the present invention is a management server capable of communicating with a printer, a server, and an information processing device, and includes a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, and the control unit is the storage unit. Information on the receiving means for receiving consumables information including the remaining amount information on the remaining amount of consumables of the printer specified by the unique information stored in the unit, and the ordering conditions which are the conditions for ordering the consumables. A first transmitting means for transmitting information regarding an input screen to be input to an information processing device or a printer, and a first receiving means for receiving information regarding the ordering conditions input from the information processing device or the printer to be transmitted by the first transmitting means. When the consumables information is received by the receiving means, it is determined whether or not the ordering condition is satisfied for the consumables of the printer specified by the unique information according to the information received by the first receiving means. Based on the determination means and the determination by the first determination means that the ordering condition is satisfied, the second order information including the information regarding the ordering of the consumables of the printer specified by the unique information is transmitted to the server. It is equipped with a transmission means.

The management server of the second aspect of the present invention is a management server capable of communicating with a printer and an information processing device, and includes a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, and the control unit is provided in the storage unit. To input the acquisition means for acquiring the consumables information including the remaining amount information about the remaining amount of the consumables of the printer specified by the stored unique information, and the information about the ordering condition which is the condition for ordering the consumables. A first transmitting means for transmitting information about an input screen to an information processing device or a printer, a first receiving means for receiving information about the ordering conditions input from the information processing device or the printer of the transmission destination by the first transmitting means, and the like. When the consumables information is acquired by the acquisition means, the first determination means for determining whether the ordering condition according to the information received by the first reception means is satisfied for the consumables of the printer specified by the unique information. And, based on the determination by the first determination means that the ordering condition is satisfied, the determination means for determining the ordering of the consumables of the printer specified by the unique information is provided. Management server.

The management server of the present invention can be configured in various forms such as a control device for controlling the information processing device, a control method, a control program, and a recording medium for recording the control program.

According to the information processing device and the management server of the first aspect disclosed in the present specification, when the information regarding the input screen is transmitted to the information processing device or the printer, the first receiving means is the information processing device of the transmission destination. Alternatively, it accepts information about ordering conditions entered from the printer. The input screen is a screen for inputting information regarding ordering conditions, which are conditions for ordering consumables. When the consumables information including the remaining amount information about the remaining amount of consumables of the printer specified by the unique information is received, the consumables of the printer specified by the unique information are according to the information received by the first reception means. Whether or not the ordering condition is satisfied is determined by the first determination means. Based on the determination that the ordering condition is satisfied by the first determination means, the ordering information including the information regarding the ordering of the consumables of the printer specified by the unique information is transmitted to the server. As a result, it is possible to decide whether or not to place an order based on the ordering conditions based on the contents input on the input screen, so that consumables can be placed at an appropriate time according to the situation of the user who input on the input screen. Can be delivered.

Further, when the first receiving means receives the information regarding the ordering condition from the transmission destination of the information regarding the input screen, the information is stored in the storage unit. The first determination means determines whether or not the ordering condition is satisfied based on the information stored in the storage unit. As a result, it is possible for the first receiving means to determine whether or not the ordering condition is satisfied according to the information input in advance at the destination of the information regarding the input screen.

Further, when the information regarding the ordering conditions is the information that specifies the threshold value regarding the remaining amount of consumables, the threshold value according to the delivery destination information regarding the delivery destination of the consumables is displayed as a default value or one of the options. Information about the screen is transmitted by the first transmission means. As a result, the threshold value regarding the remaining amount of consumables can be selected according to the delivery destination of the consumables.

If it is determined by the first determination means that the ordering condition is satisfied, it is determined whether or not there is a consumable item that satisfies the ordering condition that is being delivered. Order information is sent to the server, provided that it is determined that there are no consumables in transit. As a result, if there are already consumables being delivered when the ordering conditions are met, duplication of consumables can be prevented.

Further, when it is determined by the first determination means that the ordering condition is satisfied, the first inquiry information for inquiring whether or not to place an order for consumables is transmitted to the information processing device or the printer. When the second receiving means receives the information indicating whether or not to place an order for consumables, which is input from the destination of the first inquiry information, the ordering information is transmitted to the server. As a result, even if the ordering conditions are satisfied, it is possible to select whether or not to place an order for consumables as necessary.

In particular, the first inquiry information is transmitted when it is determined by the first determination means that the ordering condition is satisfied and that some consumables satisfying the ordering condition are being delivered. As a result, even if there are consumables being delivered when the ordering conditions are satisfied, the consumables can be ordered appropriately.

Further, when the first receiving means receives information for designating the first threshold value regarding the remaining amount of consumables as the information regarding the ordering condition, the first determining means is the consumables indicated by the remaining amount information received from the printer. When the remaining amount reaches the first threshold value, it is determined that the ordering condition is satisfied. Therefore, whether or not the ordering condition is satisfied is determined based on the first threshold value received by the first reception means, so that it is possible to order consumables suitable for the user who has input the first threshold value.

Further, as information on ordering conditions, the first issuing receiving means has the first threshold value and the second threshold value which is the threshold value of the number of times the remaining amount of consumables indicated by the remaining amount information received from the printer reaches the first threshold value. When the above is received, the first determination means is when the remaining amount of consumables indicated by the remaining amount information received from the printer reaches the first threshold value and the number of times the remaining amount reaches the first threshold value reaches the second threshold value. In addition, it is judged that the ordering conditions are satisfied. Therefore, whether or not the ordering condition is satisfied is determined based on the first threshold value and the second threshold value received by the first reception means. Therefore, consumables suitable for the user who has input the first threshold value and the second threshold value. Orders can be fulfilled.

In addition, when the exchange count indicated by the exchange count information received from the printer is a value that is not continuous with the exchange count indicated by the exchange count information received last time, a second inquiry for inquiring whether to place an order for consumables. Information is sent. The third receiving means receives the information input from the destination of the second inquiry information indicating whether or not to place an order for consumables. The first determination means determines that the ordering condition is satisfied when the information received by the third reception means indicates that the consumables are ordered. As a result, consumables that have been replaced by the printer but have not been ordered by the management server, and whether or not to order can be determined in response to the reply to the second inquiry information.

In particular, when the exchange count indicated by the exchange count information received from the printer is a value that is not continuous with the exchange count indicated by the exchange count information received last time, the consumables can be ordered by transmitting the third inquiry means. Can be performed with the number of orders within the range corresponding to the difference between the number of exchanges this time and the number of exchanges last time. As a result, it is possible to prevent an excessive number of consumables from being ordered or run short.

Further, the fourth inquiry information for inquiring about the delivery form of the consumable is transmitted to the information processing device or the printer. The fifth receiving means receives the information regarding the delivery form of the consumables input from the destination of the fourth inquiry information. The ordering information sent to the server includes information on the delivery form of the consumables received. Therefore, the delivery form of the ordered consumables can be set to the form desired by the user.

In addition, the remaining amount of consumables predicted based on the consumption transition of consumables calculated from each value of the remaining amount of consumables indicated by each remaining amount information included in each consumables information received a plurality of times is the first. The period between the time when the threshold value specified by the information received by the receiving means is reached and the time when the remaining amount of consumables predicted based on the consumption transition reaches a value at which the consumables cannot be used is the period of the consumables. If it is shorter than the delivery time, you will be notified by the notification means. As a result, when the threshold value of the remaining amount of consumables is changed, the consumables used in the current usage transition cannot be used before the consumables ordered based on the changed threshold value arrive. Can be suppressed.

In addition, the consumables information includes information on the types of consumables. Thereby, it can be determined whether the ordering conditions are satisfied for each type of consumables. Further, the ordering information includes information on the type of consumables to be ordered and unique information for identifying the printer that transmitted the received consumables information. As a result, consumables used in the printer specified by the unique information can be ordered according to the type of the consumables. In addition, consumables information is received at predetermined intervals. As a result, consumables information can be received on a regular basis.

According to the information processing device and the management server of the second aspect disclosed in the present specification, when the information regarding the input screen is transmitted to the information processing device or the printer, the first receiving means is the information processing device of the transmission destination. Alternatively, it accepts information about ordering conditions entered from the printer. The input screen is a screen for inputting information regarding ordering conditions, which are conditions for ordering consumables. When consumables information including the remaining amount information about the remaining amount of consumables of the printer specified by the unique information is acquired, the information received by the first reception means for the consumables of the printer specified by the unique information is obtained. Whether or not the ordering condition is satisfied is determined by the first determination means. Based on the determination that the ordering condition is satisfied by the first determination means, the ordering of the consumables of the printer specified by the unique information is determined. As a result, it is possible to decide whether or not to place an order based on the ordering conditions based on the contents input on the input screen, so that consumables can be placed at an appropriate time according to the situation of the user who input on the input screen. Can be delivered.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the consumables ordering system. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical configuration of a management server. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the input screen for inputting the information about ordering conditions. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the table stored in the management server. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the problem which may occur when the ordering condition is changed. It is a flowchart which shows the ordering condition setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the consumables order processing. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an inquiry mail. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the consumables ordering system of another Embodiment 1. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the consumables ordering system of another Embodiment 2. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the consumables ordering system of another Embodiment 3. It is a flowchart which shows the order condition setting process of another Embodiment 3.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of the consumables ordering system 1. The consumables ordering system 1 includes a printer 10, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") 50, a management server 100, and a shipping server 200. The management server 100 is an embodiment of the management server of the present invention. Although the details will be described later, the management server 100 of the present embodiment determines whether or not to automatically order consumables based on the ordering conditions set by the user.

In the consumables ordering system 1, the PC 50 transmits information regarding ordering conditions to the management server 100. The information on the ordering conditions includes, for example, the threshold value of the remaining amount of consumables, the frequency of ordering, and the handling when a situation may require a plurality of orders. Information on ordering conditions will be described later with reference to FIG. The PC 50 may be configured to transmit information regarding ordering conditions to the shipping server 200, and the information is transmitted to the management server 100 via the shipping server 200.

The printer 10 transmits unique information for identifying the printer 10 and consumables information to the management server 100 at predetermined timings (for example, at a predetermined time every day). In the present embodiment, the management server 100 transmits a consumables information notification request at predetermined timings, and the printer 10 sends consumables information to the management server 100 in response to receiving the consumables information notification request. Send. The printer 10 may periodically transmit the consumables notification information to the management server 100 without using the consumables information notification request.

The unique information is, for example, the MAC address of the printer 10, the node name of the printer 10 registered in advance, the model number of the printer 10, or a unique character string such as a serial number assigned to each printer 10. In the present embodiment, the unique information of the printer 10 is the model number and serial number of the printer 10. The "unique information" described in the claims may be both the model number and the serial number of the printer 10, or either one. Further, the "unique information" described in the claims may be the MAC address of the printer 10, the node name of the printer 10 registered in advance, or the like.

The consumables information includes information on the remaining amount of consumables used in the printer 10 (hereinafter referred to as "remaining amount information"). As a consumable item, for example, an ink cartridge. The printer 10 has a sensor that detects the remaining amount of consumables, detects the remaining amount of consumables each time the consumables information is transmitted, and consumables information including the remaining amount information indicating the detected remaining amount. Is transmitted to the management server 100. The remaining amount indicated by the remaining amount information may be a ratio of the remaining amount represented by%, or may be a physical quantity represented by ml, g, or the like.

When the consumable item is an ink cartridge, the printer 10 is equipped with a plurality of ink cartridges for each available color. The consumables information includes information on the type of consumables (hereinafter referred to as "type information"). That is, the consumables information includes the type information for each type of consumables and the remaining amount information for the type of consumables indicated by the type information. In the present embodiment, the type of consumable item indicated by the type information is the model number of the consumable item. The color and capacity of the consumable can be specified by the model number of the consumable. The type of consumables indicated by the type information may be the color or capacity of the consumables.

In addition, the consumables information includes the number of times that the type of consumables indicated by the type information is exchanged (hereinafter referred to as "replacement number"). The printer 10 has an exchange counter that counts the number of exchanges of consumables for each type of consumables. The replacement counter is initialized to zero when the printer 10 is shipped from the factory. The printer 10 includes the number of exchanges according to the value of the exchange counter in the consumables information.

The management server 100 analyzes the consumables information received from the printer 10 and determines whether or not the ordering condition set from the PC 50 is satisfied. When the management server 100 determines that the ordering condition is satisfied, the management server 100 determines the ordering of consumables and transmits the ordering information to the shipping server 200. The analysis of the consumables information is performed for each type indicated by the type information included in the consumables information. The ordering information includes type information corresponding to the type of consumables to be ordered, unique information of the printer 10 that transmits the consumables information for the consumables to be ordered, and an ordering request.

For the plurality of printers 10, the shipping server 200 contains unique information of the printer 10 registered by each user, a model number of the consumable item which is a type of consumable item, and information on the delivery destination of the consumable item (hereinafter, "" A shipping information table associated with "delivery information") is stored. The delivery address information is, for example, a delivery address. Each piece of information stored in the shipping information table is registered in advance by the user. In the shipping information table, the color of the consumable item and the model number of the consumable item for each color may be associated with each other as the type of consumable item.

When the shipping server 200 receives the ordering information from the management server 200, the shipping server 200 refers to the shipping information table and identifies and identifies the model number and the shipping address information of the consumables according to the unique information included in the received ordering information. The process of delivering the consumables of the model number to the delivery destination indicated by the specified delivery destination information is executed. As a result of the processing, the consumables of the model number corresponding to the ordering information transmitted to the shipping server 200 based on the consumables information received from the printer 10 by the management server 100 is the delivery destination according to the ordering information, that is, the ordering information. It is delivered to the user who owns the printer 10 which is the target of the above.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the management server 100. The management server 100 is provided, for example, by the vendor of the printer 10. The management server 100 may be a device having a well-known server function. The management server 100 is mainly provided with a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a network interface (hereinafter referred to as "network I / F") 103. Each of these parts is connected to each other via an input / output port 104.

The control unit 101 includes a CPU (not shown) and a ROM and RAM electrically connected to the CPU to form a computer. The CPU controls the operation of the management server 100 according to the programs and data stored in the ROM and the storage unit 102.

The storage unit 102 is a non-volatile storage device. The storage unit 102 is, for example, a hard disk drive. The storage unit 102 stores various programs that control the operation of the management server 100, for example, programs for the control unit 101 to execute each process in FIGS. 6 and 7 described later. Further, the storage unit 102 stores the unique information of the printer 10 registered by the user. In addition, unique information may be stored in association with each user account. The network I / F 103 is a device for communicating with another device connected to the Internet 800. A well-known network card can be adopted as the network I / F 103. The management server 100 is connected to the Internet 800 via the network I / F 103.

The printer 10 is mainly provided with a control unit 11, a printer unit 12, a connection unit 13, a reading unit 14, a detection sensor 15, and a network I / F16. Each of these parts is connected to each other via an input / output port 17. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (not shown) and a ROM and RAM electrically connected to the CPU to form a computer. The CPU controls the operation of the printer 10 according to the programs and data stored in the ROM.

The printer unit 12 is a printing mechanism and has an inkjet head. The control unit 11 inputs a drive signal to the printer unit 12, and the inkjet head ejects ink from the nozzle in response to the input drive signal. The printer unit 12 may be a printing mechanism by a laser method.

The connection unit 13 is for connecting the ink-filled cartridge 21 used in the printer unit 12. The cartridge 21 can be connected to the connection unit 13 by the amount of ink color that can be used depending on the model of the printer 10. That is, one or a plurality of cartridges 21 depending on the model of the printer 10 can be connected to the connection unit 13. An IC chip in which a serial ID for identifying the cartridge 21 is stored is attached to the cartridge 21.

The reading unit 14 reads the serial ID from the IC chip of the cartridge 21 connected to the connecting unit 13. The detection sensor 15 detects the remaining amount of ink in each cartridge 21 connected to the connection unit 13. The network I / F 16 is a device for communicating with another device connected to the Internet 800.

The printer 10 connects to the router 30 via the network I / F16. The PC 50 is also connected to the router 30 via the built-in network I / F (not shown). As a result, the printer 10 and the PC 50 are each connected to the Internet 800 via the router 30. Although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the printer 10 and the PC 50 are connected to the same router 30, the printer 10 and the PC 50 may be connected to the Internet 800 via different routers.

Communication between the management server 100 and the printer 10 is performed according to a connection-established protocol, more specifically, XMPP over BOSH (Extensive Messaging and Presence Protocol Over Biraditional-Streams Over Synchronous HTTP). XMPP over BOSH is a always-on or connection-maintaining protocol that keeps the connection established almost all the time. On the other hand, communication between the management server 100 and the processing server 200 or the PC 50 is performed according to HTTP (abbreviation of Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a screen (hereinafter referred to as “condition input screen”) for inputting information regarding ordering conditions displayed on a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display device) of the PC 50. The PC 50 displays the condition input screen based on an instruction from the management server 100. The input screen may be displayed based on an instruction from the shipping server 200. The condition input screen is displayed after the user registration of the printer 10 is performed, or when the user requests the display of the condition input screen from the PC 50 as necessary, such as when he / she wants to change the shipping conditions. In either case, the condition input screen is displayed in a state in which the user signs in to the management server 100 with the user account assigned to him / her and specifies the unique information of the printer 10. .. That is, the condition input screen is displayed on the PC 50 with the user and the printer 10 specified.

The condition input screen includes areas 20 to 26 and buttons 27. The area 20 is an area for inputting the model number of the printer 10 to be set. In the area 20, various model number options are displayed as a drop-down list, and the model number selected from the drop-down list is input. In the present embodiment, the drop-down list displayed in the area 20 includes not only the model number of the printer provided by the vendor that manages the management server 100, but also the model number of the printer of various manufacturers as an option. Further, only the model number of the printer 10 registered by the signed-in user may be displayed in the area 20.

The area 21 is an area for inputting a serial number assigned to each printer 10. A serial number is input to the area 21 by direct input by the user. The serial number acquired by the PC 50 from the printer 10 may be automatically input to the area 21. In the condition input screen, instead of the areas 20 and 21, an area for inputting the MAC address of the printer 10 and the node name of the printer 10 registered in advance may be provided.

The area 22 is an area for inputting the model number of the ink cartridge which is a consumable item. The area 22 is provided for each color of the ink cartridge that can be mounted on the printer 10. In the example shown in FIG. 3, four regions are provided for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In the area 22, a drop-down list for selecting the model number of the ink cartridge that can be used by the printer of the model number input in the area 20 is displayed, and the model number selected from the drop-down list is input. The management server 100 stores information for specifying the color, capacity, and the like of the ink cartridge for each model number. Therefore, when the model number entered in the area 22 is transmitted to the management server 100, the management server 100 can determine the color and capacity of the ink cartridge from the received model number.

Since the number of colors of the ink cartridges that can be mounted on the printer 10 differs depending on the model number of the printer, the number of areas 22 displayed on the condition input screen should be increased or decreased according to the model number entered in the area 20. It should be. Alternatively, the area 22 is displayed according to the maximum number of colors of the ink cartridge that can be installed, and if there is a color that cannot be installed by the printer of the model number entered in the area 20, that color cannot be selected. It may be.

The area 23 is an area for inputting an index (hereinafter referred to as “ordering index”) when ordering an ink cartridge. The area 23 is provided for each area 22, that is, for each color of the ink cartridge that can be attached to the printer 10. In the area 23, the available ordering index options are displayed as a drop-down list, and the ordering index selected from the drop-down list is input. The ordering index is, for example, the ratio of the remaining amount of ink expressed in%, or the physical remaining amount of ink expressed in ml or g. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the percentage of the remaining amount of ink expressed in% units is input to the area 23 as the default of the ordering index.

The area 24 is an area for inputting a threshold value according to the ordering index input in the area 23. The area 24 is provided for each area 23, that is, for each color of the ink cartridge that can be mounted on the printer 10. In the area 22, the threshold options corresponding to the ordering index input in the area 23 are displayed as a drop-down list, and the ordering index selected from the drop-down list is input.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a value of 20% is entered in the region 24 as the default threshold. In the present embodiment, threshold options are prepared for each ordering index. Specifically, the storage unit 102 of the management server 100 stores a table 102a that manages options to be displayed as a drop-down list in the area 23 and the area 24.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in the table 102a, the item (that is, the ordering index) 102a1 corresponding to the area 23 and the item (that is, the threshold value) 102a2 corresponding to the area 24 are selected as options. A value has been assigned. Specifically, for item 102a1, the "remaining ink amount (%)" which is the remaining amount of ink expressed in% units, the "remaining ink amount (ml)" which is the remaining amount of ink expressed in ml units, and , The "remaining ink amount (g)", which is the remaining amount of ink expressed in g units, is assigned. As a result, the area 23 displays a drop-down list consisting of the options of "remaining ink amount (%)", "remaining ink amount (ml)", and "remaining ink amount (g)".

On the other hand, in the item 102a2, each value as an option is assigned to each value of the item 102a. Specifically, with respect to the remaining ink amount (%) of item 102a1, the options for the remaining ink amount (%) are "10%", "20%", "40%", "60%", and "80". % ”Is assigned. As a result, when the remaining ink amount (%) is selected in the area 23, the area 24 has "10%", "20%", "40%", "60%", and "80%". A drop-down list of choices is displayed. Further, each value as an option is also assigned to the remaining ink amount (ml) and the remaining ink amount (g) of the item 102a1.

The management server 100 acquires the delivery destination information corresponding to the target printer 10 from the delivery server 200, and the threshold value corresponding to the delivery destination indicated by the delivery destination information is displayed in the area 24 as a default. May be good. For example, the farther the delivery destination is, the higher the threshold displayed as the default. The delivery destination information may be stored in the management server 100.

Further, the range of options that can be selected in the area 24 may be different depending on the delivery destination. For example, the farther the delivery destination is, the wider the range of options that can be selected in the area 24. Since the number of days required to deliver consumables (hereinafter referred to as "delivery days") differs depending on the delivery destination, the number of delivery days can be changed by changing the range of options that can be selected in the area 24 according to the delivery destination. It is possible to show the user an appropriate threshold value in consideration of. The value input to the area 24 may be a direct input to the area 24 instead of being selected from the drop-down list.

The area 25 is an area for inputting the ordering frequency N (N is an integer of or more). The ordering frequency N is the number of ink cartridges whose remaining amount has reached the threshold value set in the areas 23 and 24 by the time the automatic ordering is performed. When the ordering frequency N is 1, it indicates that the automatic ordering is performed every time the remaining amount of the ink cartridge reaches the threshold value. On the other hand, when the ordering frequency N is a plurality, it is shown that one automatic ordering is performed every time the remaining amount reaches the threshold value set in the areas 23 and 24 to N ink cartridges. In the area 25, as the ordering frequency N, the candidate options of the value N are displayed as a drop-down list.

Specifically, the storage unit 102 of the management server 100 stores a table 102b that manages options to be displayed as a drop-down list in the area 25. As shown in FIG. 4B, in the table 102b, each value as an option (that is, a candidate for the value of N) is assigned to the item (that is, ordering frequency) 102b1 corresponding to the area 25. .. Specifically, "1", "3", and "5" are assigned to the item 102b1. As a result, the area 25 displays a drop-down list consisting of the choices of "1", "3", and "5".

The area 26 is an area for inputting the behavior of a plurality of orders, more specifically, the handling when a situation in which a plurality of orders may be required occurs. As a situation where multiple orders may be required, for example, after an automatic order is placed by the management server 100, the user replaces the ink cartridge with the next one, but the ink consumption is faster than the delivery days of the consumables. , During delivery based on automatic ordering, new ordering conditions may be met for the next cartridge that has been replaced.

Alternatively, the management server 100 is closest to the printer 10 because the network environment is poor and the printer 10 and the management server 100 are not connected to each other, or the consumables are consumed faster than the consumable information reception interval. Even if the number of exchanges included in the received consumables information is not the same as the previous value and is not continuous, there is a possibility that multiple orders may be required. That is, the management server 100 handles ink cartridges that have been replaced by the printer 10 during the period from the previous reception timing of consumables information to the latest reception timing, but have not been automatically ordered. ..

Area 26 displays a drop-down list with options that let the user choose whether to place all of those multiple orders, order only one, or contact the user in situations where multiple orders may be required. The one selected from them is input as the handling in the case of a situation where multiple orders may be required. The above-mentioned "situation in which a plurality of orders may be required" includes a situation in which new ordering conditions are satisfied for the next consumable item during delivery based on automatic ordering as described above, and the management server 100. Is a situation in which the number of exchanges included in the consumables information most recently received from the printer 10 is not the same as the previous value and is not continuous.

Specifically, the storage unit 102 of the management server 100 stores a table 102c that manages options to be displayed as a drop-down list in the area 26. As shown in FIG. 4C, in the table 102c, each value as an option is displayed for the item corresponding to the area 26 (that is, the handling when a situation in which a plurality of orders may be required occurs) 102c1. Assigned. Specifically, for item 102c1, "all orders" indicating that all of a plurality of orders are placed, "only one order" indicating that only one order is placed, and "inquiry" indicating that the user is inquired. Is assigned. As a result, the area 25 displays a drop-down list consisting of the options of "order all", "order only one", and "inquire".

The button 27 is an operator for instructing confirmation of input to each of the areas 20 to 26. When the button 27 is operated, the input values of the areas 20 to 26 are transmitted to the management server 100. The management server 100 stores the model number of the printer input in the area 20 and the serial number input in the area 21 as unique information in the storage unit 102. The value stored as unique information may be either the model number of the printer or the serial number.

The management server 100 stores the model number of the ink cartridge input in the area 22 in the storage unit as type information. Further, the management server 100 associates each value input in the areas 23 and 24 with the model number (type information) input in the corresponding area 22 as an automatic ordering threshold value which is one of the ordering conditions, and stores the storage unit. Store in 102. The management server 100 stores the ordering frequency input in the area 25 as one of the ordering conditions in the storage unit 102. The management server 100 stores in the storage unit 102 as one of the ordering conditions the handling when a situation that may require a plurality of orders, which is input to the area 26, occurs.

Specifically, the storage unit 102 of the management server 100 stores a table 102d that manages the contents input from the condition input screens 20 to 26 received from the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 4D, the table 102c is ordered with the printer model number 102d1, the serial number 102d2, the ink model number 102d3, the capacity 102d4, the ordering index 102d5, the threshold value 102d6, and the user account 102d0. The frequency 102d7, the behavior of multiple orders 102d8, the remaining amount 102d9, and the number of exchanges 102d10 are associated with each other.

When the management server 100 receives the input values of the areas 20 to 26 of the condition input screen from the printer 10, the value input to the area 20 is set to the printer model number 102d1 for the signed-in user account 102d0. The value entered in the area 21 is set to the serial number 102d2, the value entered in the area 22 is set to the ink model number 102d3, the value entered in the area 23 is set to the order index 102d5, and the value entered in the area 24 is set to the threshold value 102d6. The value input in the area 25 is stored in the ordering frequency 102d7, and the value input in the area 25 is stored in the behavior 102d8 of the plurality of orders.

The capacity 102d4 stores the capacity of the ink cartridge specified by the model number stored in the ink model number 102d3. Since the management server 100 stores information for specifying the capacity of the ink cartridge for each model number, when the management server 100 receives the model number of the ink cartridge from the printer 10, the management server 100 corresponds to the model number from the received model number. The capacity of the ink cartridge is specified, and the specified value is stored in the capacity 102d4.

The remaining amount 102d9 stores the remaining amount of the ink cartridge used by the printer 10. When the management server 100 receives the consumables information from the printer 10, the remaining amount indicated by the remaining amount information included in the consumables information is indicated by the type information corresponding to the remaining amount included in the consumables information. It is stored in the remaining amount 102d9 corresponding to the model number of the ink cartridge (that is, the value of the ink model number 102d3).

The number of exchanges 102d10 stores the number of exchanges included in the consumables information received from the printer 10. When the management server 100 receives the consumables information from the printer 10, the number of replacements included in the consumables information is the model number of the ink cartridge indicated by the type information corresponding to the number of replacements included in the consumables information. , The value of the ink model number 102d3) is stored in the replacement number 102d10.

When the button 27 is operated, the destination of the input values of the areas 20 to 26 may be the shipping server 200. In such a case, the management server 100 acquires the input values of the areas 20 to 26 via the shipping server 200.

Since the condition input screen can be displayed by making a display request as described above, the user can appropriately change the ordering conditions from the condition input screen. However, when the user changes the automatic ordering threshold, the changed threshold may become inappropriate. That is, with the changed automatic ordering threshold, a situation may occur in which the consumables are not ordered in time when the remaining amount reaches the threshold.

Here, the situation causing the above problem will be described with reference to FIG. The management server 100 calculates usage prediction information of consumables based on the remaining amount information included in the consumables information received from the printer 10 at predetermined timings (for example, a fixed time every day).

Specifically, the usage prediction information is calculated based on the time change of the remaining amount of consumables indicated by the remaining amount information included in the consumables information. For example, when the consumables information is acquired at a fixed time every day, each time the consumables information is received from the printer 10 from the date P when the consumables are replaced, the consumables information is received with respect to the date. The remaining amount of the consumables indicated by the remaining amount information is plotted as the current remaining amount of the consumables of the type indicated by the type information.

The usage prediction information is calculated based on a plot showing the time change of the remaining amount. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, on the date Q, which is Da days after the date P, the first-order regression line L of each point plotted on each day from the date P to the date Q is calculated as the usage prediction information. In calculating the linear regression line L, it is not necessary to use all the points plotted on each day from the date P to the date Q. In FIG. 5, the illustration of each point in the plot showing the time change of the remaining amount is omitted.

The date R at which the linear regression line L calculated in this way reaches the remaining amount A at which it is determined that the consumables cannot be used in the printer 10, the linear regression line L, and the threshold value set by the input to the condition input screen ( (Automatic ordering threshold) If the number of days between the date S1 and the intersection J1 with TH1 is equal to or greater than the number of days required for delivery of consumables (hereinafter referred to as "delivery days") Db, the consumables are automatically set to date S1. By placing an order, the ordered consumables can be delivered before the consumables in use become unusable.

The number of delivery days Db is calculated based on the delivery destination information. When the delivery destination information includes, for example, an address, a zip code, a telephone number, etc., the delivery days Db is calculated as the number of days required to deliver consumables to the house or area specified by those addresses or the like. In the present embodiment, the delivery destination information is stored in the delivery server 200 for each unique information. Therefore, when calculating the delivery days Db, the management server 100 acquires the delivery destination information corresponding to the unique information of the printer 10 that is the transmission source of the consumables information from the delivery server 200.

On the other hand, when the user changes the threshold from TH1 to TH2, the number of days between the date R and the date S2 corresponding to the intersection J2 between the first-order regression line L and the threshold TH2 is shorter than the delivery days Db, so that consumables When the order is automatically placed on the date S2, there is a high possibility that the ordered consumables cannot be delivered before the consumables in use become unusable. That is, the changed automatic ordering threshold value TH2 is a threshold value at which the ordering of consumables may not be in time, and the change to the threshold value TH2 is inappropriate.

When an inappropriate ordering condition is set from the condition input screen, the management server 100 of the present embodiment displays a confirmation screen (not shown) on the display unit of the PC 50. As a result, the user can know that the ordering conditions are inappropriate.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an ordering condition setting process. This process is a process executed by the CPU of the control unit 101 of the management server 100. This process is started when a situation occurs in which the condition input screen is displayed on the PC 50. As for the situation in which the condition input screen is displayed on the PC 50, the PC 50 requests the display of the condition input screen after the user registration of the printer 10 or when the user wants to change the shipping conditions. For example.

The CPU of the control unit 101 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “CPU”) acquires the unique information of the target printer 10, that is, the delivery destination information for the unique information corresponding to the signed-in user account from the shipping server 200. (S500). The CPU displays the condition input screen on the browser of the PC 50 (S501). The CPU causes the browser to display a condition input screen in which the threshold value corresponding to the delivery destination indicated by the delivery destination information acquired in S500 is displayed in the area 24 as a default. The PC 50 that is the display destination of the condition input screen is the PC 50 that has registered the user of the printer 10 or the PC 50 that is the source of the display request of the condition input screen.

The CPU waits for the reception of the notification from the browser of the communication destination (S502). The CPU determines whether the notification has been received from the browser (S503). When the CPU determines that the notification has not been received from the browser (S503: No), the processing shifts to S502.

On the other hand, when the CPU determines that the notification has been received from the browser (S503: Yes), the CPU determines the type of the received notification (S504). When the CPU determines that the received notification is a notification of the ordering condition (S504: ordering condition), the CPU determines whether the notification of the ordering condition received this time is for changing the ordering condition (S504: ordering condition). S505). The management server 100 stores the ordering conditions in the table 102d for each user account. The management server 100 determines which user (user account) is using the PC 50 to be displayed on the condition input screen based on the user account input from the PC 50.

If the ordering conditions of the user who uses the PC 50 are not stored, the CPU determines that the notification of the ordering conditions received this time is not for changing the ordering conditions but is a new ordering condition (S505). : No). The CPU stores each ordering condition included in the received notification in the table 102d of the storage unit 102 in association with the user account (S507), and ends this process.

More specifically, the CPU sets each ordering condition for the signed-in user account 102d0 in the table 102d, the ordering index 102d5, the threshold value 102d6, the ordering frequency 102d7, and the behavior of multiple orders for the corresponding user account 102d0. Store in 102d8. Each ordering condition such as the automatic ordering threshold is stored in association with the ink model number 102d3, which is the model number of the ink cartridge indicated by the type information corresponding to the ordering condition. Each ordering condition stored in the storage unit 102 in S507 is referred to in the consumables ordering process (see FIG. 7).

Further, the CPU stores the printer model number and the serial number included as unique information in the received notification in the table 102d of the storage unit 102 in association with the user account 102d0. More specifically, the CPU stores the printer model number and the serial number included as unique information in the received notification in the printer model number 102d1 and the serial number 102d2 for the signed-in user account 102d0, respectively.

On the other hand, when the ordering conditions of the user who uses the PC 50 are already stored, the CPU determines that the notification of the ordering conditions received this time is for changing the ordering conditions (S505: Yes). It is determined whether the automatic ordering threshold included in the received notification is appropriate for the current usage prediction information (S506). That is, the CPU determines whether a situation may occur in which the consumables are not ordered in time by changing to the automatic ordering threshold included in the received notification.

When the CPU determines that the automatic order threshold value included in the received notification is appropriate (S506: Yes), the CPU shifts the process to S507. On the other hand, when the CPU determines that the automatic ordering threshold value is inappropriate (S506: No), the CPU displays a confirmation screen (not shown) on the browser as described above (S508), and shifts the process to S502. To do.

The confirmation screen is a screen for inquiring about an inappropriate automatic ordering threshold, and a message indicating that the automatic ordering threshold entered this time is inappropriate on the condition input screen and the inappropriate automatic ordering threshold are changed. Includes a button that allows you to choose whether or not. When the user inputs an instruction to make a change using the button displayed on the confirmation screen, a notification including the instruction to make the change is input to the management server 100 as a notification of the change confirmation. On the other hand, when the user inputs an instruction not to change, a notification including an instruction not to change is input to the management server 100 as a notification of change confirmation.

When the CPU determines that the received notification is a change confirmation notification (S504: change confirmation), the CPU determines whether or not the notification includes an instruction to make a change (S509). When the CPU determines that the notification of the ordering condition includes an instruction to change (S509: Yes), the processing shifts to S507. On the other hand, when the CPU determines that the change confirmation notification includes an instruction not to make a change (S509: No), the CPU ends this process. If the notification of the ordering conditions includes an instruction not to change, only the inappropriate automatic ordering threshold value is not changed, and the appropriate automatic ordering threshold value is changed according to the input from the condition input screen. Good.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a consumables ordering process. This process is a process executed by the CPU of the control unit 101 of the management server 100. This process is started in response to the power being turned on to the management server 100. The CPU waits for the notification from the printer 10 (S601). The CPU determines whether the notification has been received from the printer 10 (S602). When the CPU determines that the notification has not been received from the printer 10 (S602: No), the processing shifts to S601.

On the other hand, when the CPU determines that the notification has been received from the printer 10 (S602: Yes), the CPU determines the type of the received notification (S603). When the CPU determines that the received notification is a notification of consumables information (S603: consumables information), the CPU analyzes the received consumables information and updates the usage prediction information (S604). That is, the CPU calculates the first-order regression line L shown in FIG. 5 as usage prediction information. In S604, the CPU stores the remaining amount indicated by the remaining amount information included in the received consumables information in the table 102d of the storage unit 102.

The CPU determines whether the number of exchanges included in the received consumables information is an abnormal value (S605). Specifically, when the number of exchanges included in the consumables information received this time is not the same as the number of exchanges included in the consumables information received last time and is not a continuous value, the CPU uses the number of exchanges this time. Is determined to be an abnormal value. The number of exchanges included in the consumables information received last time is stored in the table 102d of the storage unit 102.

When the CPU determines that the number of replacements this time is not an abnormal value (S605: No), the CPU stores the number of replacements this time in the storage unit 102 as the number of replacements included in the consumables information received last time (S606). .. More specifically, the CPU stores the value of the exchange count included in the consumables information received this time in the exchange count 102d10 of the table 102d. The CPU determines whether the remaining amount of consumables indicated by the remaining amount information included in the received consumables information has reached the automatic ordering threshold value set from the input condition setting screen, that is, has fallen below the threshold value ( S607). The threshold value used for the determination of S607 is an automatic ordering threshold value defined by each value input in the areas 23 and 24 of the input condition setting screen, and is provided for each type of consumable item. More specifically, it is defined as the values of the order index 102d5 and the threshold value 102d6 for each ink model number 102d3 in the table 102d.

When the CPU determines that the remaining amount according to the received consumables information has not yet reached the automatic ordering threshold value (S607: No), the processing shifts to S601. On the other hand, when the CPU determines that the remaining amount corresponding to the received consumables information has reached the automatic ordering threshold value (S607: Yes), the CPU adds 1 to the frequency counter provided in the storage unit 102 (S608). The frequency counter is a counter that counts the number of consumables that have reached the automatic ordering threshold but are not shipped. The frequency counter is provided for each unique information, that is, for each printer 10.

The CPU determines whether the value of the frequency counter has reached N (S609), and the value of N is the ordering frequency input to the area 25 of the condition input screen. More specifically, it is the value of the ordering frequency 102d7 in the table 102d. When the CPU determines that the value of the frequency counter reaches N (S609: Yes), it determines whether there is a consumable item being delivered (S610). In the present embodiment, the shipping server 200 manages the delivery status of consumables, and the CPU inquires whether or not there are consumables being delivered to the shipping server 200. Alternatively, the management server 100 is configured to store the date when the order information is transmitted to the shipping server 200, and the CPU acquires the date and the number of delivery days based on the delivery destination information from the shipping server 200, and is consumed during delivery. You may decide whether or not there is an item.

When the CPU determines that there are no consumables being delivered (S610: No), the CPU sets the number of orders to 1 (S611), and transmits the order information of the consumables to be the set number of orders to the shipping server 200. (S612). As described above, the ordering information to be transmitted to the shipping server 200 is the type information corresponding to the type of consumables whose remaining amount has reached the automatic ordering threshold, and the printer that transmits the consumables information for the consumables to be ordered. Includes 10 unique information and an order request. The CPU initializes the value of the frequency counter to zero (S613), and shifts the process to S601.

When the CPU determines that there are consumables being delivered (S610: Yes), it handles the ordering conditions entered in the area 26 of the condition input screen, that is, when a situation may require multiple orders. Is determined (S619). The CPU makes a determination in S619 based on the value stored in the behavior 102d7 of the plurality of orders in the table 102d. When the CPU handles all orders when a situation may require multiple orders (S619: all), one consumable item based on the remaining amount reaching the automatic ordering threshold. The number of orders is set to 1 in order to place an order (S611). As a result, along with the consumables being delivered, one consumable based on the remaining amount reaching the automatic ordering threshold is delivered to the user this time.

When a situation occurs in which a plurality of orders may be required, the CPU shifts the processing to S601 when only one is ordered (S619: 1). As a result, this time, the consumables based on the remaining amount reaching the automatic ordering threshold are not ordered, and only one consumable being delivered reaches the user.

When the CPU is supposed to inquire the user about the handling in the case where multiple orders may be required (S619: inquiry), the CPU sends an inquiry e-mail to the e-mail address registered in advance in the shipping server 200. The transmission (S620) is performed, and the process shifts to S601. The CPU acquires an e-mail address associated with the unique information of the printer 10 that is the source of the consumables information received this time from the shipping server 200. The management server 100 may be configured to store the e-mail address.

The inquiry e-mail sent in S620 includes, for example, a message 61 notifying the current status, a URL 62 for sending an order request as a reply to the e-mail to the management server 100, and no order required, as shown in FIG. Is included as a reply to the e-mail with a URL 63 for sending to the management server 100. When the URL 62 is clicked, the management server 100 receives the notification of the order request. On the other hand, when the URL 63 is clicked, the management server 100 receives a notification that no order is required.

Returning to the description of FIG. When the CPU determines in S605 that the number of replacements this time is an abnormal value (S605: Yes), the CPU stores the number of replacements this time as the number of replacements included in the consumables information received last time, as in S606. It is stored in the unit 102 (S614). Similar to S619, the CPU determines which ordering condition is entered in the area 26 of the condition input screen (S615).

The CPU sets the number of orders to M (S616) and shifts the processing to S612 when the handling when a situation that may require multiple orders occurs is to order all (S615: all). To do. The value of M is a value obtained by subtracting the number of exchanges included in the previously received consumables information stored in the storage unit 102 from the number of exchanges included in the consumables information received this time. As a result, the number of consumables corresponding to the number of replacements that could not be counted is delivered to the user.

When a situation occurs in which a plurality of orders may be required, the CPU sets one order (S615: 1), sets the number of orders to 1 (S617), and sets the process to S612. Transition. As a result, one consumable item is used by the user regardless of the difference between the number of exchanges included in the consumables information received this time and the number of exchanges stored in the storage unit 102 included in the previously received consumables information. It arrives at.

When the CPU is supposed to inquire the user when a situation may require multiple orders (S615: inquiry), the CPU addresses the e-mail address registered in advance in the shipping server 200 as in S620. An inquiry email is sent to (S618), and the process shifts to S601.

The inquiry email sent in S618 is the same as the inquiry email sent in S620, a message notifying the current situation, a URL for sending an order request to the management server 100 as a reply to the email, and an order. It includes a URL for sending unnecessary to the management server 100 as a reply to the mail. When the former URL is clicked, the management server 100 receives the notification of the order request. When the latter URL is clicked, the management server 100 receives a notification that no order is required.

When the CPU determines in S603 that the received notification is a notification of an order request (S603: order request), the CPU sets the number of orders to X (S621), and shifts the process to S612. As described above, when the URL for answering the order request, such as URL 62, is clicked in the inquiry email, the management server 100 receives the notification of the order request.

The value of the number of orders X set in S621 is 1 when the management server 100 receives the notification of the order request as a reply to the inquiry mail sent in S620. When the management server 100 receives the notification of the order request as a reply to the inquiry mail sent in S618, it is stored in the storage unit 102 from the number of exchanges included in the consumables information received this time. The value obtained by subtracting the number of exchanges included in the consumables information received in is set as the number of orders X.

When the management server 100 receives the notification of the order request as a reply to the inquiry mail sent in S618, the number of orders may be set to 1. Alternatively, the number of orders for consumables is within the range of the number of exchanges included in the consumables information received this time minus the number of exchanges included in the previously received consumables information stored in the storage unit 102. May be configured to be selected by inquiry mail. In such a case, the selected number of orders is set as the number of orders X.

According to the management server 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not to place an order for consumables based on the ordering conditions such as the automatic ordering threshold and the ordering frequency input from the condition input screen. Consumables can be delivered at an appropriate time according to the situation of the user who made the input.

In particular, when the automatic ordering threshold is changed from the ordering input screen, it is inappropriate for the current usage prediction information (first-order regression line L), that is, there may be a situation where the ordering of consumables cannot be made in time. The management server 100 displays the confirmation screen on the browser of the PC 50. Therefore, when the user changes the automatic ordering threshold from the order input screen, the consumables used in the current usage transition cannot be used before the consumables ordered based on the changed automatic ordering threshold arrive. The situation can be suppressed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to input the handling when a situation in which a plurality of orders may be required occurs from the condition input screen as an order condition. The situation is, for example, a situation in which the same consumable item to be ordered is being delivered, or a situation in which the number of exchanges included in the most recently received consumable item information is not continuous with the previous value. Therefore, when such a situation occurs, an order is placed according to the intention of the user who has input to the order input screen, so that it is possible to prevent consumables from being ordered in duplicate against the intention of the user. ..

<Other Embodiment 1>
In addition to the above embodiment, other embodiments will be described below. First, another embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment is different in that there is no shipping server 200, and the management server 100 (an example of an information writing device) has the role of the shipping server 200. Therefore, the CPU of the management server 100 does not send the order information to the shipping server 100 in S612 of FIG. 7, and the management server 100 ships the consumables.

<Other Embodiment 2>
Another second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment is different in that the management server 100 is not provided and the PC (personal computer) 50 has the role of the management server 100. Since the printer 10 and the shipping server 200 have the same configurations as those in FIG. 2, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the PC 50 (an example of an information processing device) of the present embodiment includes a control unit 51. The control unit 51 includes a CPU and a ROM and RAM electrically connected to the CPU to form a computer. The CPU controls the operation of the PC 50 according to the programs and data stored in the ROM and the storage unit 302.

The storage unit 52 is a non-volatile storage device. The storage unit 52 is, for example, a hard disk drive. Various programs for controlling the operation of the PC 50 and the like are stored in the storage unit 52. Further, the storage unit 52 stores the unique information of the printer 10 registered by each user for each user. The display unit 59 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various screens.

The network I / F 53 is a device for communicating with another device connected to the Internet 800. A well-known network card can be adopted as the network I / F53. The PC 50 is connected to the router 30 via the network I / F 53. It is connected to the Internet 800 via the router 30. Further, the USBI / F58 is connected to the USBI / F18 of the printer 10. That is, the PC 300 is connected to the printer 10 via the USB I / F.

Each of these parts is connected to each other via an input / output port 54.

In the present embodiment, the CPU of the PC 50 executes the ordering condition setting process of FIG. 6 and the consumables ordering process of FIG. 7. Hereinafter, the steps similar to those in FIG. 5 of the above embodiment will be described in detail, but detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only the differences will be described. In S500 of FIG. 6, the CPU of the PC 50 acquires the delivery destination information from the delivery server 200. In S501 and S501, the condition input screen is displayed (output) on the browser of the display unit 59 of the PC 50, and the notification from the browser is received in S502. That is, the CPU receives the notification from the display unit 59. Further, in S509, the CPU causes the browser of the display unit 59 to display a confirmation screen (not shown). Here, information regarding the confirmation screen may be transmitted to the printer 10 to display the confirmation screen on the display unit 19 of the printer 10.

Subsequently, in S602 of FIG. 7, the CPU of the PC 50 receives the notification. Here, the communication with the printer 10 may be performed via the network I / F53 or the USBI / F58.

In S612 of FIG. 7, the CPU transmits order information based on the unique information stored in the storage unit 52 to the shipping server 200 via the network I / F.

<Other Embodiment 3>
Another embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 12 and 7. The present embodiment is different in that the management server 100 is not provided and the printer 10 (an example of the information processing device) has the role of the management server 100. That is, the CPU of the printer 10 executes the ordering condition setting process of FIG. 6 and the consumables ordering process of FIG. 7. Although it will be described in detail below, detailed description of the same processing as in the above embodiment will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

The printer 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 11 transmits order information of consumables of the printer 10 to the shipping server 200. The type information of consumables and the unique information of the printer 10 are stored in the ROM or the like of the control unit 11 of the printer 10.

Next, the ordering condition setting process will be described with reference to FIG. The steps of the same processing as in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

This process is a process executed by the CPU of the control unit 11 of the printer 10. This process is started when a situation occurs in which the condition input screen is displayed on the display unit 19 or the PC 50. As for the situation for displaying the condition input screen, the display unit 19 or the PC 50 requests the display of the condition input screen after the user registration of the printer 10 or when the user wants to change the shipping conditions. For example, if you did.

The CPU of the control unit 11 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “CPU”) acquires the delivery destination information corresponding to the own device from the delivery server 200 (S500). The CPU displays (outputs) the condition input screen on the display unit 19 (S801). At this time, the CPU may transmit (output) information about the input screen to the PC 50 via the network I / F16 or the USBI / F18, and display the information on the browser on the display unit 59 of the PC50.

The CPU waits for the reception of the notification from the display unit 19 or the PC 50 (S802). At this time, if the CPU displays the input screen on the browser of the PC 50, the notification from the browser may be received. The CPU determines whether the notification has been received (S503). When the CPU determines that the notification has not been received (S503: No), the processing shifts to S602.

On the other hand, when the CPU determines that the notification has been received (S503: Yes), the CPU determines the type of the received notification (S504).

When the CPU determines in S505 that it is a new ordering condition (S505: No), the CPU associates each ordering condition included in the received notification with the user account, for example, in the ROM or the like in the control unit 11. It is stored in the table 102d (S507), and this process is terminated. That is, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the table 102d is inside the printer 10.

Next, in S506, when the CPU determines that the automatic ordering threshold is inappropriate (S506: No), the display unit 19 displays (outputs) a confirmation screen (not shown) as described above. (S808), the process shifts to S502. At this time, the information regarding the confirmation screen may be transmitted (output) to the PC 50 and displayed on the browser of the PC 50.

Subsequently, the flowchart showing the consumables ordering process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 at different points from the above-described embodiment. This process is a process executed by the CPU of the control unit 11 of the printer 1010. This process is started in response to the power being turned on to the printer 10. The CPU waits for notification from the printer 10 (S601). The CPU determines whether the notification has been received from the printer 10 (S602). When the CPU determines that the notification has not been received from the printer 10 (S602: No), the processing shifts to S601.

On the other hand, when the CPU determines that the notification has been received from the printer 10 (S602: Yes), the CPU determines the type of the received notification (S603). When the CPU determines that the received notification is a notification of consumables information (S603: consumables information), that is, when it receives information on the remaining amount of consumables from the detection sensor 15, the received consumables information Is analyzed and the usage prediction information is updated (S604). That is, the CPU calculates the first-order regression line L shown in FIG. 5 as usage prediction information. In S604, the CPU stores the remaining amount indicated by the remaining amount information included in the received consumables information in a table 102d such as a ROM in the control unit 11.

When the CPU determines in S610 that there are no consumables being delivered (S610: No), the CPU sets the number of orders to 1 (S611), and sends the order information of the consumables to be the set number of orders to the shipping server 200. Send to (S612)
Subsequently, when the handling in the case where a situation in which a plurality of orders may be required occurs in S619 is to inquire the user (S619: inquiry), the CPU is addressed to the e-mail address registered in advance in the shipping server 200. An inquiry email is sent to (S620), and the process shifts to S601. The CPU acquires an e-mail address associated with the unique information of the printer 10 that is the source of the consumables information received this time from the shipping server 200. The printer 10 may be configured to store an e-mail address.

The inquiry email sent in S620 includes, for example, a message 61 notifying the current situation, a URL 62 for sending an order request to the printer 10 as a reply to the email, and no order required, as shown in FIG. Includes URL 63 for sending to the printer as a reply to the email. When the URL 62 is clicked, the management server 100 receives the notification of the order request. On the other hand, when the URL 63 is clicked, the printer 10 receives a notification that no order is required. The form of inquiries and responses to inquiries is not limited to e-mail, and may be performed via network I / F16 or via USB I / F18.

In S618, when it is said that the user is inquired about the handling when a situation in which a plurality of orders may be required occurs (S615: inquiry), the CPU is a mail registered in advance in the shipping server 200 as in S620. An inquiry email is sent to the address (S618), and the process shifts to S601.

According to the other embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the handling when a situation in which a plurality of orders may be required occurs can be input from the condition input screen as an order condition. The situation is, for example, a situation in which the same consumable item to be ordered is being delivered, or a situation in which the number of exchanges included in the most recently received consumable item information is not continuous with the previous value. Therefore, when such a situation occurs, an order is placed according to the intention of the user who has input to the order input screen, so that it is possible to prevent consumables from being ordered in duplicate against the intention of the user. ..

Further, in the above-mentioned plurality of embodiments, the management server 100 is an example of a management server, an information processing device, and a server. The printer 10 is an example of a printer and an information processing device. The PC 50 is an example of an information processing device. The shipping server 200 is an example of a server. The control unit 101 is an example of the control unit. The network I / F 103 is an example of a communication unit. The storage unit 102 is an example of the storage unit. The control unit 101 that executes the process of S603 is an example of the receiving means, the first acquiring means, the second receiving means, and the third receiving means. The control unit 101 that executes the processes of S501 and S801 is an example of the first transmission means and the first output means. The control unit 101 that executes the process of S503 is an example of the first reception means. The control unit 101 that executes the processes of S607 and S609 is an example of the first determination means. The control unit 101 that executes the process of S612 is an example of the second transmission means and the second output means. The control unit 101 that executes the process of S507 is an example of the storage means. The control unit 101 that executes the process of S500 is an example of the acquisition means and the second acquisition means. The control unit 101 that executes the process of S610 is an example of the second determination means. This is an example of a third transmission means and a third output means for executing the process of S620. The control unit 101 that executes the process of S618 is an example of the fourth transmission means and the fourth output means. The control unit 101 that executes the process of S506 is an example of the third determination means. The control unit 101 that executes the processes of S508 and S808 is an example of the notification means.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is easy that various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be inferred from.

For example, in the above embodiment, one physically existing server is exemplified as the management server 100 which is the management server of the present invention. The management server 100 may be a virtual machine in which a plurality of physical devices cooperate to function as one server. For example, the management server 100 includes a first server that receives consumables information from the printer 10 and a second server that determines whether or not to place an order based on the consumables information acquired from the first server. May be configured to cooperate and function as one server. Further, the management server 100 may be configured to have the function of the shipping server 200.

In the above embodiment, the printer 10 is exemplified as the device connected to the management server 100, but at least any multifunctional peripheral device having a printing function can be applied to the present invention. In the above embodiment, an ink cartridge is exemplified as a consumable item, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a toner cartridge.

In the above embodiment, the printer 10 is configured to directly transmit consumables information to the management server 100 via the Internet 800. Instead of this, the consumables information of the printer 10 may be indirectly transmitted to the management server 100 via an information processing device such as a PC 50 or another PC. In such a case, the connection between the printer 10 and the information processing device that relays the consumables information from the printer 10 may be a wired connection by USB, LAN, or the like, or a wireless connection by wireless LAN or the like.

Therefore, the "management server capable of communicating with the printer" in the claims is intended for both the case where the printer and the management server communicate directly and the case where the printer and the management server communicate indirectly. Further, the reception of the consumables information by the "reception means" in the claims is intended for both the case where the consumables information is directly received from the printer and the case where the consumables information is indirectly received from the printer. Further, the output of the "output means" is intended to be both an information output to an external device and a screen output (display) to the own device. Further, "acquisition" is intended to acquire both information from an external device and information inside the own device.

In the above embodiment, the usage prediction information of consumables is a linear regression line, but if the information can statistically predict the consumption status of consumables, it is not limited to the linear regression line and is calculated statistically in various ways. Predictive formulas are available. In the above embodiment, the plot showing the time change of the remaining amount is created every time the consumables mounted on the printer 10 are replaced, and the usage prediction information (first-order regression line L) is calculated. The usage prediction information may be configured to use past data, that is, each value of the remaining amount change with respect to the consumables installed before the currently installed consumables.

When using the past data, the process of S505 may be omitted. That is, when a new ordering condition is input from the condition input screen, it may be made to judge whether or not the automatic ordering threshold value is appropriate based on the usage prediction information calculated from the past data.

In the above embodiment, the remaining amount information is a value indicating the remaining amount of the consumables, but when the consumables information includes the print count, the print count may also serve as the remaining amount information. That is, the value of the print count may be used as an index of the remaining amount of consumables. The "print count" is a value indicating the number of pages printed using the current consumables for the types of consumables indicated by the type information included in the consumables information. The printer 10 has a print counter that counts the number of pages printed using the current consumables for each type of consumables. The print counter is initialized to zero each time the corresponding consumable is replaced. The printer 10 includes the value of the print counter as a print count in the consumables information.

In the above embodiment, the condition input screen and the confirmation screen are displayed on the browser of the PC 50, but the display destination of these screens may be a terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. Alternatively, these screens may be displayed on a display unit (such as a liquid crystal display device) of the printer 10.

In the above embodiment, the inquiry mail is transmitted in S618 and S620, but a screen having the same contents as the inquiry mail may be displayed on the browser of the PC 50, the display unit of the printer 10, or the like.

In the above embodiment, the inquiry mail sent in S618 includes a URL for returning an order request or an order-free answer to the management server 100. In addition to this, when requesting an order, a response specifying the number of orders may be returned to the inquiry email. For example, an order request URL is provided for each number of orders in the inquiry email. In this modification, the control unit 101 that executes the processes of S618 and S603 is an example of the fifth transmitting means, the fifth output means, and the fourth receiving means, respectively.

Alternatively, the management server 100 may be configured to send an e-mail inquiring about the number of orders when receiving a reply to the order request. In this modification, by setting the selectable number of orders within the range corresponding to the difference between the number of exchanges this time and the number of exchanges last time, it is possible to prevent an excessive number of consumables from being ordered.

The condition input screen may be configured so that the delivery form can be selected. That is, on the condition input screen, whether to use the first delivery form in which the consumables are delivered in the normal delivery days or the second delivery form in which the consumables are delivered in the special delivery days shorter than usual is used. The configuration may be selectable. In this modification, when the management server 100 transmits the order information in S612, the management server 100 transmits the information including the information indicating the delivery form input on the condition input screen. In the modified example, the control unit 101 that executes the processes of S501, S801 and S504 is an example of the sixth transmitting means, the sixth output means, and the fifth receiving means, respectively. The delivery form may be configured so that it can be set at a timing different from the condition input screen.

In the above embodiment, the delivery destination information is stored in the shipping server 200, and the management server 100 is configured to be acquired from the shipping server 200, but the delivery destination information may be stored in the storage unit 102.

In the above embodiment, if it is determined that delivery is not in progress in S610, the order information is transmitted to the shipping server 200 in S612, but before S612, whether or not to place an order is sent by e-mail or the like. It may be configured to inquire. As a result, even if the ordering condition is satisfied, it is possible not to place an order if it is unnecessary depending on the situation at that time of the user.

In the above embodiment, each process shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 12 has been described as a configuration in which the CPU of the control unit 101 or the control unit 11 executes each process, but each process described in each of the above figures is described. A configuration may be configured in which a plurality of CPUs jointly execute. Further, an IC such as an ASIC may be configured to execute each process described in each of the above figures independently or in collaboration with a plurality of ICs. Further, the CPU 11 and an IC such as an ASIC may cooperate to execute each process described in each of the above figures.

1: Consumables ordering system, 10: Printer, 100: Management server, 200: Shipping server

Claims (17)

An information processing apparatus,
With the communication department
Memory and
Control unit and
With
The control unit
The first acquisition means for acquiring consumables information including the remaining amount information regarding the remaining amount of consumables,
If the consumable information is acquired by the previous SL first obtaining unit, a first determining means for determining whether the order satisfies a condition for ordering consumables for consumables,
When it is determined by the first determination means that the ordering condition is satisfied, the second determination means for determining whether or not there is a consumable item that satisfies the ordering condition is being delivered.
When the second determination means determines that there are consumables being delivered, the first output means for outputting the first inquiry information for inquiring whether or not to place an order for the consumables, and the first output means.
A first receiving means for receiving information indicating whether or not to place an order for consumables, which is input from an information processing device or a printer to which the first inquiry information is output by the first output means.
When the first reception unit receives the information indicating that performing order of the consumable, and the second output means for outputting order information including information on ordering consumables servers,
An information processing device characterized by being equipped with. Before Stories second output means on a condition that it is determined that there is no consumables during shipping by the second determining means, according to the order information to Claim 1, characterized in that the output to the server Information processing device. Before Symbol first determining means, the remaining amount of the consumables in which the remaining amount information indicating included in the consumable information acquired by the first acquisition means, first a threshold value for the remaining amount of the consumable 1 The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein when the threshold value is reached, it is determined that the ordering condition is satisfied. Said first determining means, the remaining amount of the consumables in which the remaining amount information indicating included in the consumable information acquired by the first acquisition means reaches the front Symbol first threshold and the first threshold value The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein it is determined that the ordering condition is satisfied when the number of times the information is reached reaches the second threshold value, which is the threshold value of the number of times the first threshold value is reached . The first acquisition means acquires the consumables information including the replacement number information indicating the replacement number of the consumables.
Before Symbol control unit,
The number of exchanges indicated by the exchange number information included in the consumables information acquired by the first acquisition means is indicated by the exchange number information included in the consumables information previously acquired by the first acquisition means. When the value is not continuous with the number of exchanges, the third output means for outputting the second inquiry information for inquiring whether or not to place an order for the consumables, and the third output means.
A second receiving means for receiving information indicating whether or not to place an order for consumables, which is input from an information processing device or a printer to which the second inquiry information is output by the third output means, is provided.
Any of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the first determination means determines that the ordering condition is satisfied when the information received by the second reception means indicates that the consumables are ordered. Information processing device described in Crab. The control unit
The number of exchanges indicated by the exchange number information included in the consumables information acquired by the first acquisition means is indicated by the exchange number information included in the consumables information previously acquired by the first acquisition means. If the value is not continuous with the number of exchanges, the fourth output means for outputting the third inquiry information for inquiring the number of orders for the consumables within the range corresponding to the difference between the number of exchanges this time and the number of previous exchanges. When,
A third receiving means for receiving information regarding the number of orders for the consumables input from the information processing device or printer to which the third inquiry information is output by the fourth output means.
With
The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the second output means outputs the order information including information indicating the number of orders received by the third reception means to the server. The control unit
A fifth output means for outputting the fourth inquiry information for inquiring the delivery form of the consumables, and
A fourth receiving means for receiving information regarding a delivery form of the consumables input from an information processing device or a printer to which the fourth inquiry information is output by the fifth output means.
With
The second output means according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the second output means outputs the order information including the information regarding the delivery form of the consumables received by the fourth receiving means to the server. Information processing device. Prior Symbol controller, consumption relating to the consumable calculated from the values of the remaining amount of the consumable represented by each of said remaining information included in each of said consumable information acquired a plurality of times by the first acquisition means The time when the remaining amount of the consumables predicted based on the transition reaches the threshold value for the remaining amount of the consumables and the remaining amount of the consumables predicted based on the consumption transition become the values at which the consumables cannot be used. A third determination means for determining whether the period of arrival is shorter than the delivery time of the consumables, and
A notification means for notifying when the period is determined to be shorter than the delivery days by the third determination means.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the consumables information includes unique information for identifying a printer and information on the type of the consumables. The ordering information is characterized by including information on the type of the consumable item to be ordered and unique information for identifying a printer corresponding to the consumable item information acquired by the first acquisition means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the first acquisition means acquires the consumables information at predetermined intervals. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the information processing device is a printer. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the information processing device is a management server. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the information processing device is a personal computer. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , wherein the consumable is a consumable of a printer specified by unique information for identifying the printer. The information processing device according to claim 15 , wherein the unique information is stored in the storage unit. Memory and
Control unit and
With
The control unit
The first acquisition means for acquiring consumables information including the remaining amount information regarding the remaining amount of consumables,
If the consumable information is acquired by the pre-Symbol acquiring unit, a first determining means for determining whether the order satisfies a condition for ordering consumables for consumables,
When it is determined by the first determination means that the ordering condition is satisfied, the second determination means for determining whether or not there is a consumable item that satisfies the ordering condition is being delivered.
When the second determination means determines that there are consumables being delivered, the first output means for outputting the first inquiry information for inquiring whether or not to place an order for the consumables, and the first output means.
A first receiving means for receiving information indicating whether or not to place an order for consumables, which is input from an information processing device or a printer to which the first inquiry information is output by the first output means.
When the first receiving means receives information indicating that the consumables are ordered, the determining means for determining the ordering of the consumables and the determining means.
A server characterized by having.

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