JP6953701B2 - Equipment utilization system, equipment, equipment management device, alternative machine guidance device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device utilization system, a device, a device management device, an alternative machine guidance device, and a program.

The office system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of MFPs (multifunction peripherals) connected by a network. It operates in each MFP in the office system, communicates with the other MFP, and shares data, applications, and license information stored in the storage device of the management MFP. If the management MFP becomes unavailable for a long time due to a failure or maintenance, the data, applications, and license information shared by other MFPs in the office system can be used to replace the management MFP. I do.

The print agent disclosed in Patent Document 2 determines other printing devices that are available to process the print data, and discovers a printing device that allows the user to redirect the print data to the other printing device. Provide services. The print agent can also provide error logging capabilities that allow the generation of error logs. The error log contains information about the error that prevents the printing device from processing the print data. Error logs assist users and / or administrators in diagnosing and / or treating errors. Using a print agent thus provides the user with information about print errors and allows the user to select an alternative printing device to process the print data.

In the method disclosed in Patent Document 3, when the composite image processing device of the image output destination cannot output the image of the own machine, the composite image processing that may be a substitute for the own machine searched at the time of turning on the power. Image output is continuously executed by searching the device on the network instead of the image output device of the image output source and transferring the image data from the image output source to an alternative device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-278243 JP-A-2009-116874 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-339561

When a device fails, the method of using an alternative device on the network to which the device is connected instead is not valid unless there is an alternative device on the network. Such a method cannot be used in a small office or the like where there is only one device such as a multifunction device.

An object of the present invention is to enable a user to use another device in the event of a failure of the device even if there is no alternative device on the network to which the device is connected.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a first device and a second device, wherein the first device includes a detection means for detecting a failure and a detection means for detecting the failure while the failure detected by the detection means continues. each time receiving the output request of the ticket information from the user, wherein the output means for outputting the ticket information, the second device includes an input accepting unit that the user accepts the input of the ticket information, the ticket information the user who is pre-Symbol equipment utilization system including a display means for displaying lower rates than charge for you do not enter the ticket information as fees for use of the second device.

The invention according to claim 2, wherein the output means, as the ticket information, and issues the ticket information including the device identification information of the first device, the second device, the user input the ticket information The device utilization system according to claim 1, further comprising a recording means for recording the history information of the use of the second device in association with the device identification information included in the ticket information.

The invention according to claim 3, prior to the output means, as the ticket information, and outputs the ticket information including the function information indicating a feature not available due to the failure of the detection means detects one of the first function of the equipment When the function requested to be used by the user corresponds to the function indicated by the function information included in the ticket information , the display means displays a lower charge than when the function does not correspond to the function. The device utilization system according to claim 1 or 2.

The invention according to claim 4, wherein the output means, said as ticket information, outputs the ticket information including the date information indicating the expiration date determined on the basis of the recovery duration corresponding to the type of fault that the detection means detects and, the display means, to said expiration date indicating the date information included in the ticket information, to the user who has entered the ticket information, to display a lower fee than a user who does not perform the input of the ticket information The device utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

The invention according to claim 5 further includes a device management device capable of communicating with the first device and the second device, and the detection means refers to the device management device when a failure is detected. When the occurrence of the failure is notified and the recovery from the failure is detected, the device management device is notified of the recovery from the failure, and the input ticket information is valid for the display means. When an inquiry as to whether or not there is is sent to the device management device and the device management device replies that the ticket information is valid, the user who has input the ticket information is notified of the ticket information . The charge is displayed lower than that of the user who does not input, and the device management device receives the inquiry from the display means after the first device notifies the occurrence of the failure and the failure. If it is within a predetermined period of recovery after being notified of from or until the failure is notified recovery from, the ticket information is responded to the display means to be valid, before Symbol moment the Claims 1 to include a response means for responding to the display means that the ticket information is invalid if the period has passed since the notification of recovery from the failure. The device utilization system according to any one of 4.

The invention according to claim 6 further includes an alternative machine guidance device, wherein the alternative machine guidance device can use the storage means for storing the position and function of the device and the ticket information for each device. When a user requests guidance for a device that is a substitute for the device, information on a device that is located within a predetermined distance from the user's position and has a function equal to or higher than that of the first device is provided. The device utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a providing means provided to a user.

The invention according to claim 7 further includes an alternative device guidance device, which collects information on a storage means for storing the position of each device and the remaining amount of consumables of each device at each time point. Then, based on the collected information, a prediction means for predicting the remaining amount and usage amount of the consumables of each of the devices at a future point in time, and guidance of a device that can use the ticket information as a substitute for the first device. Is requested by the user, even if the predicted usage amount of the consumables of the first device is added to the predicted usage amount of the consumables of the device among the devices. Prediction of failure detected by the detection means A device whose remaining amount of consumables predicted by the recovery time does not reach 0 and is located within a predetermined distance from the user's position is provided to the user. The device utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the providing means is included.

The invention according to claim 8 further includes an alternative machine guidance device, and the alternative machine guidance device is a substitute machine for the first device that can use the ticket information held by the user in response to a request from the user. A guidance means for guiding the user to the device, and a delivery planning device that collects information on the remaining amount of consumables of each device at each time point and plans delivery of the consumables to each device based on the collected information. On the other hand, the device utilization according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , including an instruction means for instructing the frequency of collecting the remaining amount of the device guided by the guidance means to be higher than the normal frequency. It is a system.

The invention according to claim 9, each for receiving a detection means for detecting a fault, while the detection means is followed by the fault has been detected, the output request of the ticket information for alternative use of the other devices from the user, A device including an output means for outputting the ticket information.

The invention according to claim 10, wherein the output means, as the ticket information, and outputs the ticket information including the device identification information of the own device, it is a device according to claim 9, characterized in.

Invention, the output means, as the ticket information, and outputs the ticket information including the function information indicating a feature not available due to the failure of the detection means detects among the functions of its own device, characterized in that according to claim 11 The device according to claim 9 or 10.

The invention according to claim 12, wherein the output means, said as ticket information, outputs the ticket information including the date information indicating the expiration date determined on the basis of the recovery duration corresponding to the type of fault that the detection means detects The device according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , characterized in that.

The invention according to claim 13 is a detection means for detecting a failure of the device, and a ticket for the user to substitute another device while the failure detected by the detection means continues. This is a program for functioning as an output means for outputting the ticket information each time an information output request is received.

The invention according to claim 14 is a reception means for receiving input of ticket information output by another device having a failure from a user, and a fee for using the own device to the user who has input the ticket information. and display means for displaying the lower rates than user does not perform the input of the ticket information as a device including a.

The invention according to claim 15, the ticket information may include device identification information of the device that output the ticket information, history information of use of the self-device by a user who inputs the ticket information, to the ticket information The device according to claim 14 , further comprising a recording means for recording in association with the device identification information included.

In the invention according to claim 16 , the ticket information includes functional information indicating a function of a device that outputs the ticket information that cannot be used due to a failure of the device, and the display means is used by the user. The device according to claim 14 or 15 , wherein when the function requested in the above corresponds to the function indicated by the function information included in the ticket information , a lower charge is displayed than in the case where the function is not applicable. be.

The invention according to claim 17 is a receiving means for receiving input of ticket information output by another device having a failure from a user, and a self-device for a user who has input the ticket information. It is a program for functioning as a display means for displaying a lower charge than a user who does not input the ticket information as a charge for using the above.

The invention according to claim 18 is a means for receiving a notification of the occurrence of a failure and a notification of recovery from the failure from each device, and ticket information including device identification information of another device input from the device to the device. The means for receiving the validity inquiry and the time when the inquiry is received are after receiving the notification of the occurrence of the failure from the other device and until receiving the notification of recovery from the failure or recovery from the failure. If after receiving the notification is within a predetermined time period, the ticket information is responded to querying the device to be effective, the period before Symbol time is notified of the recovery from the fault It is a device management device including a means for responding to the device of the inquiry source that the ticket information is invalid when the time has passed.

The invention according to claim 19 is a means for receiving a notification of the occurrence of a failure and a notification of recovery from the failure from each device, and validity of ticket information output from the device by another device input to the device. Means for accepting sexual inquiries, the time when the inquiry is received is after receiving the notification of the occurrence of the failure from the other device and until receiving the notification of recovery from the failure or the notification of recovery from the failure. If it is within a predetermined period of time after receiving, the ticket information is responded to the inquiry source of the equipment to be effective, only the said period of time after being notified of the recovery from the previous Symbol time is the fault This is a program for functioning as a means for responding to the device of the inquiry source that the ticket information is invalid.

The configuration of the reference example is when the user requests a storage means for storing the position and function of the device for each device and a guide for an alternative device that can use the ticket issued by the device with the failure. It is characterized by including, It is an alternative machine guidance device.

Another reference example consists of a computer, a storage means for storing the location and function of each device, and a guide from the user for alternative devices that can use tickets issued by the failed device. To function as a providing means for providing the user with information on a device that is located within a predetermined distance from the position of the user and has a function equal to or higher than that of the device in which the failure has occurred when requested. Program.

Yet another reference example configuration is to collect information on the storage means for storing the position of each device and the remaining amount of consumables of each device at each time point, and based on the collected information, the device at a future time point. When the user requests guidance on a predictive means for predicting the remaining amount and usage of the consumables and an alternative device that can use the ticket issued by the failed device, which is the device in which the failure has occurred, each of the above. Of the devices, even if the predicted usage of the consumables of the device is added to the predicted usage of the consumables of the failed device, it is predicted by the predicted recovery time of the failure of the failed device. It is an alternative machine guide device including a device for which the remaining amount of the consumable does not reach 0, and a providing means for providing the user with information on the device located within a predetermined distance from the position of the user.

In yet another reference example , the computer collects information on the storage means for storing the position of each device and the remaining amount of consumables of each device at each time point, and based on the collected information, each of the above-mentioned devices at a future time point. When a user requests guidance on a predictive means for predicting the remaining amount and usage of the consumables of the device, and an alternative device that can use a ticket issued by the failed device, which is the device in which the failure has occurred, the above-mentioned Of each device, even if the predicted usage of the consumables of the device is added to the predicted usage of the consumables of the failure device, it is predicted by the predicted recovery time of the failure of the failure device. This is a program for functioning as a providing means for providing information on a device located within a predetermined distance from the position of the user, which is a device in which the remaining amount of the consumable does not reach zero.

The invention according to claim 20 is a guide for guiding a user to a device as a substitute for the failed device, which can use a ticket issued by the failed device, which is a device in which a failure has occurred, in response to a request from the user. The guidance means guides the means and the delivery planning device that collects information on the remaining amount of consumables of each device at each time point and plans delivery of the consumables to each device based on the collected information. It is an alternative machine guidance device including an instruction means for instructing the frequency of collecting the remaining amount of the device to be higher than the normal frequency.

The invention according to claim 21 provides a user with a device as a substitute for the failed device, which can use a ticket issued by the failed device, which is a device in which a failure has occurred, in response to a request from the user. The guidance means guides the delivery planning device, which collects information on the remaining amount of consumables of each device at each time point and plans delivery of the consumables to each device based on the collected information. This is a program for functioning as an instruction means for instructing the frequency of collecting the remaining amount of the guided device to be higher than the normal frequency.

According to the invention according to claim 1, 9 , 13 , 14 , or 17 , even if there is no alternative device on the network to which the device is connected, another device can be used by the user in the event of the failure of the device. be able to.

Further , it is possible to reduce the burden on the user when another device that requires payment is used due to a device failure that is not the responsibility of the user.

According to the invention according to claim 2 , 10 , or 15 , it is recorded which device is used for the replacement in the event of a failure of the second device (alternative device) by presenting the ticket information. Can be done.

According to the invention according to claim 3 , 11 , or 16 , the cost of the entire system can be reduced as compared with the case where the function of the first device that can be used even in the event of a failure is allowed to be used by the second device. ..

According to the invention of claim 4 or 12 , a more appropriate expiration date can be set according to the type of disability, as compared with the case where the expiration date of the ticket is set uniformly.

According to the invention of claim 5 , 18 , or 19 , it is possible to reduce that the ticket issued by the device is used even after the device recovers from the failure.

According to the invention of claim 6, when the alternative device is used by the ticket, the situation that the function obtained by the device that issued the ticket cannot be obtained does not occur.

According to the invention of claim 7 , it is possible to guide a device that is unlikely to run out of consumables as an alternative device even if the ticket issued by the device with the failure is used.

According to the invention of claim 8 , 21 , or 22 , the decrease in consumables when the ticket is used for the guided device can be detected earlier than usual, and the consumables can be replenished earlier than usual.

It is a figure which shows the example of the system configuration of an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the multifunction device which has a failure. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which is displayed on the multifunction device when a failure occurs. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the application of a mobile terminal at the time of acquiring a ticket from a multifunction device which has a failure. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen of the application of the mobile terminal at the time of ticket acquisition. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the application of the mobile terminal when using the acquired ticket. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen of the application of the mobile terminal at the time of using a ticket. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the multifunction device in which a ticket is input. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on the multifunction device in which a ticket is input. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the multifunction device where the failure occurred in the modification 1. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the multifunction device which input the ticket in the modification 1. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the system configuration of the modification 2. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the multifunction device where the failure occurred in the modification 2. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the multifunction device which input the ticket in the modification 2. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the device management system in the modification 2. It is a figure which illustrates the system configuration of the modification 3. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the printer driver in the modification 3. It is a figure which shows the example of the database managed by the device management system of the modification 4. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the application of the mobile terminal of the modification 4. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the device management system in the modification 4. It is a figure which illustrates the system configuration of the modification 5. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the device management system in the modification 5. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure of the device management system in the modification 6.

The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The system of the first embodiment includes two multifunction devices 10 and 20. The multifunction device is a device that also has the functions of a printer, a scanner, and a copier (in some cases, also a function of a fax machine).

The multifunction device 10 is a multifunction device installed in a certain office, and in this example, the case where the multifunction device 10 breaks down and cannot be used is taken as an example. There is no other multifunction device in the office that has the same or better functions as the multifunction device 10, and if the multifunction device 10 fails, one or more of copying, scanning, printing, fax transmission, etc. is impossible in the office. Imagine a situation where.

The multifunction device 20 is a multifunction device installed in a place other than the office where the multifunction device 10 is installed (for example, a convenience store near the office), and is used as a substitute for the failed multifunction device 10. The multifunction device 20 is a device managed by a person completely different from the office using the multifunction device 10, and is not in a relationship in which the two directly communicate with each other to request processing.

In the present embodiment, the failed multifunction device 10 issues the ticket 31. The ticket 31 contains information for identifying the failed multifunction device 10. When the user (staff of the office) presents the ticket 31 to another multifunction device 20, the multifunction device 20 permits the user to use the ticket 31. That is, the ticket 31 proves to the multifunction device 20 that the user holding the ticket 31 is a user of the multifunction device 10 that cannot be used due to a failure, and the multifunction device 20 follows the proof and tells the user the multifunction device 20. Allow the use of.

For example, when the multifunction device 20 is a multifunction device installed in a convenience store, it is necessary to pay a fee to the convenience store for use. On the other hand, in the mechanism of the present embodiment, the user who presents the ticket 31 to the multifunction device 20 may be exempted from paying the fee. The exemption from payment of charges may be limited to the case of using the failure function of the original multifunction device 10. In this case, the fee may be paid by, for example, a maintenance service provider who provides the maintenance service of the multifunction device 10 to the office. As part of the maintenance service provided by the vendor, in the unlikely event that a function that cannot be used in the multifunction device 10 to be maintained occurs, the service is provided so that the function can be used in another multifunction device 20 in the vicinity. It should be noted that the use of the alternative machine (multifunction device 20) is free of charge (total exemption) is only an example. The charge may be discounted instead of free, and the service provider may bear the difference from the regular charge.

Each element of this system will be described in more detail below.

The multifunction device 10 (the side that fails in this story) has a failure detection unit 12, a failure function determination unit 14, and a ticket issuing unit 16. In addition to these, the multifunction device 10 is provided with processing mechanisms for functions normally possessed by the multifunction device such as printing, scanning, and copying, but the illustration of these normal mechanisms is omitted.

The fault detection unit 12 detects a fault (failure) that has occurred in the multifunction device 10. The fault detection is a process that has been widely performed in the past, and the fault detection unit 12 may perform such a conventional fault detection. The failure function determination unit 14 cannot provide various functions (for example, print, scan, copy, fax transmission) that can be provided by the multifunction device 10 depending on the type of failure detected by the failure detection unit 12 due to the failure. Determine the function (called "failure function") that becomes (unusable from the user's point of view). This determination may also be made by a conventionally known technique. For example, if the paper transport path for printing fails, the print function and copy function cannot be used, but the scan function and fax transmission function cannot be used.

When the function of the multifunction device 10 becomes unavailable due to a failure detected by the failure detection unit 12, the ticket issuing unit 16 issues a ticket 31 for using the function in the alternative device. Ticket 31 includes ticket information. The ticket information includes multifunction device information that identifies the multifunction device 10. Further, the ticket information may include authority information indicating the usage authority granted by the alternative machine by the ticket 31. For example, in the case of a method of permitting the use of an alternative device for a function (failure function) that has become unavailable due to a failure of the multifunction device 10, the authority information for permitting the use of the failure function is incorporated into the ticket information. In this method, the usage authority is not incorporated into the ticket 31 for the functions that can be used in the multifunction device 10 even after the failure is detected.
Alternatively, the ticket information may be identification information associated with substantive information regarding the failure, such as multifunction device information and authority information. In this case, the substantive ticket information is stored in a server on the network accessible from the multifunction devices 10 and 20.

The form of the ticket 31 is not particularly limited. The ticket 31 may be a printed matter in which ticket information is printed on paper in the form of an image code such as a QR code (registered trademark). Further, the ticket 31 may be in the form of electronic data including ticket information. The electronic data format ticket 31 may be transmitted from the multifunction device 10 to, for example, a user's mobile terminal 30 (for example, a smartphone or tablet terminal). Further, the ticket 31 in the electronic data format may be held in a portable storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Further, the ticket 31 is pure ticket information itself (for example, the identification information associated with the actual ticket information held in the server is displayed on the screen of the multifunction device 10 and the user makes a note of the identification information). It may be.

The multifunction device 20 (an alternative machine in this story) includes a ticket input unit 22, a ticket verification unit 24, and a ticket usage recording unit 26.

The ticket input unit 22 accepts the input of the ticket 31. The input form of the ticket input unit 22 depends on the form of the ticket 31. For example, the ticket input unit 22 receives the electronic data format ticket 31 from the mobile terminal 30 by a wireless communication method such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Alternatively, the QR code (registered trademark) format ticket 31 displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 30 is read by the camera built in the multifunction device 20 and the ticket information indicated by the code is recognized. Alternatively, the file of the ticket 31 held in the USB memory is read via the USB terminal.

The ticket verification unit 24 verifies whether or not the ticket information of the ticket 31 input to the ticket input unit 22 is eligible. In this verification, for example, it is determined whether or not the ticket information matches a predetermined ticket information format. If the ticket information has an electronic signature, it may be verified by signature verification whether or not it has been tampered with. Further, when the ticket information includes the information on the expiration date of the ticket 31, it may be verified whether or not the expiration date has passed. When the ticket verification unit 24 verifies that the ticket 31 is eligible, the multifunction device 20 permits the user who entered the ticket 31 to operate.

The ticket usage recording unit 26 records the history information of the processing executed by the user on the multifunction device 20 using the input ticket 31. In this ticket usage history, for example, information on the date and time of use, information for identifying the failed multifunction device 10, the type of function used (copy, scan, etc.), and the amount of use (number of copies, number of scans, etc.) are included. included. The information for identifying the failed multifunction device 10 may be the identification information (multifunction device information) of the multifunction device 10 itself, or is linked to the ticket information (including the multifunction device information) held in the server. It may be the identification information of the ticket 31. The ticket usage history may be stored in the multifunction device 20 or may be registered in a server on a network such as the Internet. For the ticket usage history, for example, the operator of the multifunction device 20 (for example, a convenience store) pays the usage fee of the multifunction device 20 using the ticket 31 (for example, receives payment from the maintenance service provider of the multifunction device 10). It may be used for. The ticket usage recording unit 26 may record the ticket usage history in the storage device of the multifunction device 20, or notifies and records the ticket usage history to a server on the network (for example, the multifunction device management system 40 described later). You may ask for it.

In FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 shows a function for issuing a ticket when a failure occurs (fault detection unit 12 to the ticket issuing unit 16), and the multifunction device 20 has a function for using a ticket (ticket). Although the input unit 22 to the ticket usage recording unit 26) are shown, the multifunction devices 10 and 20 may have both functions, respectively.

Further, FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile terminal 30 carried by a user as a means for transmitting a ticket 31 from the multifunction device 10 to the multifunction device 20. An application (fault response application 32) for using the ticket-based failure substitution mechanism of the present embodiment is installed in the mobile terminal 30. The failure handling application 32 includes functional modules such as a ticket acquisition unit 34, a ticket management unit 36, and a ticket presentation unit 38.

The ticket acquisition unit 34 captures the ticket 31 issued by the failed multifunction device 10 into the failure response application 32. For example, the ticket acquisition unit 34 recognizes a code such as a QR code representing ticket information displayed on the screen of the multifunction device 10 by the ticket issuing unit 16 from an image captured by the built-in camera of the mobile terminal 30 and acquires ticket information. It may be a thing. Further, the ticket acquisition unit 34 may receive and capture the ticket 31 transmitted by the ticket issuing unit 16 by a wireless communication method such as NFC.

The ticket management unit 36 stores the ticket 31 acquired by the ticket acquisition unit 34 and presents it at the request of the user (for example, a screen display for selecting a ticket to be used).

The ticket presenting unit 38 performs a process of presenting the ticket 31 to the multifunction device 20 to which the ticket is used. The ticket 31 is presented, for example, by transmitting the ticket 31 to the ticket input unit 22 of the multifunction device 20 by wireless communication (wireless LAN, NFC, bluetooth, etc. in the convenience store store). As another example, the ticket presenting unit 38 displays a code such as a QR code representing the ticket information of the ticket 31 on the screen of the mobile terminal 30. In this example, the user transmits the ticket information to the ticket input unit 22 by having the camera for reading the code of the multifunction device 20 capture the screen.

With reference to FIG. 2, the processing procedure of the multifunction device 10 on the ticket issuing side will be illustrated.

The failure detection unit 12 detects a failure of the multifunction device 10 by a known method from signals from sensors provided in each part of the multifunction device 10 (S100). When the failure detection unit 12 detects the occurrence of a failure, the failure function determination unit 14 determines a function that cannot be used due to the failure. For example, it is determined whether the failure makes copying impossible (S102), and if the determination result is Yes, a flag indicating that copying is not possible is set (the flag value is changed from the initial value "false" to "true". (S104). Further, it is determined whether the failure makes scanning impossible (S106), and if the determination result is Yes, a flag indicating that scanning is not possible is set (S108). Further, it is determined whether the failure makes fax transmission impossible (S110), and if the determination result is Yes, a flag indicating that fax transmission is not possible is set (S112). Here, copying, scanning, and fax transmission are illustrated, but when the multifunction device 10 has other functions, the same determination is made for those other functions. The flag indicating that each of these functions cannot be used is reset (returned to the initial value "false") when the failure is resolved by, for example, repair by a maintenance service provider and each of these functions becomes available. That).

Further, the ticket issuing unit 16 waits for the input of the ticket issuing request from the user (S114). When the ticket issuance request is input (S114 is Yes), the ticket issuing unit 16 generates ticket information including the failure function information (S116) based on the above flags for each function, and includes the ticket information. Ticket 31 is issued (for example, provided to the user's mobile terminal 30) (S118). At this time, the model and machine number information to be incorporated in the ticket information may be obtained from the control unit that stores the information.

FIG. 3 illustrates a screen transition of the UI screen displayed on the touch panel for the UI (user interface) of the multifunction device 10 by the ticket issuing unit 16 when a failure occurs. This screen transition is an example of a method in which the ticket 31 is used by using the mobile terminal 30.

First, when a failure is detected by the failure detection unit 12, the ticket issuing unit 16 displays an error occurrence notification screen 100 on the touch panel. On the error occurrence notification screen 100, a message is displayed informing that a failure has occurred and that a ticket for using another multifunction device can be issued before the failure is recovered. In addition, a ticket issuing button 102 is displayed on this screen. When the user presses the ticket issuing button 102 with a finger, the ticket issuing unit 16 displays the application guidance screen 110 on the touch panel.

On the application guidance screen 110, a message informing that it is necessary to install the failure response application 32 on the mobile terminal 30 in order to use the ticket, the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the failure response application 32, and the URL thereof (Uniform Resource Locator) thereof are displayed. The QR code 112 indicating the URL is displayed. When the user reads the QR code 112 with the camera of the mobile terminal 30, for example, the mobile terminal 30 downloads and installs the failure handling application 32 from the URL indicated by the QR code by the QR code recognition function in the mobile terminal 30. When the installation is complete, the user presses the completion button 114. Then, the ticket issuing unit 16 displays the ticket issuing screen 120 on the touch panel. If the failure response application 32 is already installed on the user's mobile terminal 30, the user may simply press the completion button 114.

On the ticket issuing screen 120, a QR code 122 indicating the ticket information of the ticket 31 to be issued and a message indicating the usage guidance of the QR code 122 are displayed. When the user reads the QR code 122 with the camera of the mobile terminal 30, the failure response application 32 is activated, and the ticket acquisition unit 34 of the failure response application 32 uses the ticket information read from the QR code 122 as the ticket management unit. Register at 36. When the failure handling application 32 displays that the ticket acquisition is completed, the user presses the completion button 124 on the ticket issuing screen 120 of the multifunction device 10. In response to this, the ticket issuing unit 16 displays the error occurrence notification screen 100 on the touch panel. When the multifunction device 10 is out of order, an error occurrence notification screen 100 is displayed on the touch panel 106, and a user who intends to use the multifunction device 10 can obtain a ticket according to the guidance on the screen.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a processing procedure at the time of importing the ticket 31 performed by the failure response application 32 of the mobile terminal 30 will be illustrated. In this description, an example of the screen transition of the UI screen shown in FIG. 5 is referred to.

When the failure response application 32 is activated, the main menu screen 300 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 30. On this screen, buttons 302 to 308 that call various processing functions provided by the failure response application 32 are displayed. When the user fetches the ticket (QR code 122) from the ticket issuing screen 120 displayed on the multifunction device 10, the user presses the "capture ticket" button 304.

The failure handling application 32 waits for the user to press the "capture ticket" button 304 (S300). When the "import ticket" button 304 is pressed, the failure response application 32 (ticket acquisition unit 34) guides the user to image the QR code 122 to be displayed on the screen of the multifunction device 10 with the built-in camera of the mobile terminal 30. do.

When the user images the QR code 122 in response to this guidance (S302), the ticket acquisition unit 34 displays the ticket acquisition screen 310. On this screen, the image 312 of the captured QR code 122 and the ticket information 314 read from the image 312 by the code analysis are displayed. In the illustrated example, the ticket information 314 includes a code indicating the "model" of the multifunction device 10, a "machine number" which is individual identification information of the multifunction device 10, and a list of "failure functions" (only "print" in the illustrated example). , And an "expiration date" indicating the expiration date of the ticket. The user confirms that the ticket information 314 is displayed (that is, the QR code 122 of the ticket has been read correctly), and presses the "capture" button 316. Then, the ticket acquisition unit 34 registers the ticket information 314 in the ticket management unit 36 (S304).

When the registration is completed, the failure handling application 32 displays the ticket management screen 320. On the ticket management screen 320, a list of tickets registered in the ticket management unit 36 is displayed. In the illustrated example, two tickets 322 and 324 are displayed in the ticket list. Of these, ticket 322 is the ticket imported this time. In addition, the ticket 324 is displayed in a grayed out state so that it can be seen that the expiration date has passed. When the "back" button on the ticket management screen 320 is pressed, the failure handling application 32 displays the main menu screen 300 on the mobile terminal 30.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a processing procedure at the time of using a ticket, which is performed by the failure handling application 32 of the mobile terminal 30, will be illustrated. In this description, an example of the screen transition of the UI screen shown in FIG. 7 is referred to.

The failure response application 32 waits for the "use ticket" button 302 to be pressed on the main menu screen 300 (S310). When the button 302 is pressed, the ticket management unit 36 of the failure response application 32 displays the ticket management screen 330 displaying the list of held tickets (S312), and accepts the user to select the ticket to be used (S312). S314). For example, the user touch-operates to select the ticket to be used from the tickets 332 listed on the ticket management screen 330. When the ticket 332 to be used by the user is selected, the ticket presenting unit 38 searches for an available multifunction device from the network to which the mobile terminal 30 is connected (S316). Here, a user who has taken the ticket 31 from the failed multifunction device 10 into the mobile terminal 30 visits a convenience store store where the multifunction device 20 can use the ticket 31, and uses the mobile terminal 30 as a wireless LAN in the store. It is assumed that you are connected to (local area network). The ticket presenting unit 38 uses a known protocol such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) to search the network for a device having a function of a multifunction device.

The ticket presenting unit 38 displays a list screen 340 of the multifunction devices found by the search (S318). The illustrated list screen 340 is an example when one multifunction device (multi-copy machine) is found on the network. When the user selects the multifunction device 20 to be used from the multifunction device icon 342 displayed on the list screen 340, the ticket presenting unit 38 connects to the ticket input unit 22 of the multifunction device 20 via the network (S320). When the connection is successful, the selected ticket is transmitted to the ticket input unit 22 via the network (S322). If the transmission is successful, the ticket presenting unit 38 displays a guidance screen 350 that guides the user to operate the connected multifunction device 20. When the "back" button 352 of the guidance screen 350 is pressed, the failure response application 32 displays the main menu screen 300.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a processing procedure of the multifunction device 20 used as a substitute for the failed multifunction device 10 will be illustrated. In this description, an example of the screen transition of the UI screen shown in FIG. 9 is referred to.

The ticket input unit 22 of the multifunction device 20 waits for the ticket 31 to be transmitted from the ticket presentation unit 38 of the user's mobile terminal 30 (S200). When the ticket 31 is received, the ticket information included in the ticket 31 is acquired (S202), and it is verified whether the ticket information is valid (qualified). If the received ticket information is valid, the ticket management unit 36 displays the ticket usage guidance screen 200 on the touch panel of the multifunction device 20. On the guidance screen 200, a message 202 that guides the functions that can be used free of charge with the entered ticket 31 is displayed. When the user who sees this message presses the "Go to top" button 204, the top screen 210 of the operation screen group of the multifunction device 20 is displayed on the touch panel. On the top screen 210, buttons 212, 214, 216, ... For selecting each function such as copy, print, and scan provided by the multifunction device 20 to the user are displayed (S204). The control unit of the multifunction device 20 waits for the user to select a function to be used (S206). When the function is selected, the control unit determines whether the selected function corresponds to the failure function included in the ticket 31 input in S200 (S208). If it is determined that this is not the case, the control unit guides the user to put a deposit (deposit) for executing the process into the attached toll collection device (S210). When the user invests money in response to this guidance, the control unit waits for the function selected in S206 to be executable (S212), and when it becomes executable, a job (for example, copy or scan) for that function is performed. Execute (S214). During execution of the job, for example, each time one sheet is printed or scanned, the deposit is reduced by a predetermined amount, and when the deposit amount becomes 0, the job is interrupted and the user is prompted to make a deposit. And when the deposit is put in, the job is restarted. It should be noted that such fee payment management is merely an example, and of course, other known payment management methods may be used.

When it is determined in S208 that the selected function corresponds to the failure function shown in the ticket 31, the control unit skips S210 and proceeds to S212, and displays the guidance screen 220 on the touch panel. On the guidance screen 220, a message informing that the ticket can be used free of charge and a charge amount required for using the function (0 yen in this case) are displayed. In this example, since the alternative device does not charge the user for the failure function of the multifunction device 10, the job is executed without asking for a deposit. When the selected function becomes executable, the control unit executes the job of that function (S214).

The configuration of the embodiment and the flow of processing have been illustrated above. The failure response application 32 of the mobile terminal 30 holds the ticket 31 issued by the multifunction device 10, but in addition to this, for example, job data (for example, print data) that the multifunction device 10 cannot execute due to a failure is transmitted from the multifunction device 10. You may receive and retain it. In this case, the failure response application 32 transmits the ticket 31 to the multifunction device 20 selected by the user as the ticket transmission destination (S322 in FIG. 6), and then includes the data of the job held in the multifunction device. Send to 20. The multifunction device 20 executes the received job data.

Instead of the mobile terminal 30, the ticket 31 (and job data) may be transferred from the failed multifunction device 10 to the USB memory connected to the USB terminal of the multifunction device 10. In this case, the user inputs the ticket 31 (and job data) to the multifunction device 20 by connecting the USB memory to the USB terminal of the multifunction device 20 to be used as an alternative.

<Modification example 1>
Next, a first modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. This modification relates to the expiration date (expiration date) of the ticket.

The ticket used in the mechanism of the embodiment is intended to eliminate or reduce the inconvenience of the user in the event of a failure of the multifunction device 10, and the ticket is used endlessly even after the multifunction device 10 recovers from the failure. Is contrary to the purpose. Therefore, in this modification, the expiration date is set so that the ticket is valid only for a period as close as possible to the failure period of the multifunction device 10.

FIG. 10 shows the processing procedure of the multifunction device 10 on the failure-generating side in the modified example 1. This processing procedure is the addition of S113 to the processing procedure shown in FIG.

That is, in this procedure, when a failure is detected in S100, the ticket issuing unit 16 analyzes the failure (S102 to S112) and identifies the type of the failure according to the result of the analysis. The approximate length of time required for repairs, depending on the type of failure, is empirically known. Therefore, for example, the multifunction device 10 (or a server accessible from the multifunction device 10) is provided with a database of the repair required period for each type of failure, and the ticket issuing unit 16 refers to the database this time. Find the repair time required for the detected failure. Then, by adding the required period to the current time, the expiration date of the ticket issued for this failure is obtained (S113). The obtained expiration date is held by the ticket issuing unit 16 as in the flag group of the failure function described above, and is used in the subsequent ticket issuance request. In addition, when the failure state is recovered by repair, the retained expiration date information is destroyed.

Then, when there is a ticket issuance request, the ticket issuing unit 16 generates ticket information including the flag group of the failure function held and the expiration date information (S116a), and issues the ticket 31 including the information. (S118).

FIG. 11 shows a processing procedure of the alternative machine (multifunction device 20) in the first modification. This processing procedure is the addition of S203 to the processing procedure shown in FIG.

In this procedure, the ticket verification unit 24 checks whether the current time is within the expiration date included in the ticket entered in S200 (S203). If it is within the expiration date, the ticket issuing unit 16 executes the above-mentioned processing of S204 or less. If the expiration date has passed, the ticket verification unit 24 displays an error screen indicating that the ticket has expired on the touch panel of the multifunction device 20 (S216). After that, the multifunction device 20 executes a normal job process without using a ticket (S218).

The simplest way to set the ticket expiration date is to add a uniform validity period to the current time. However, this method does not reflect the fact that the time required for recovery differs depending on the type of failure, so that a ticket can be effectively used for a certain period of time even after recovery for a certain type of failure. On the other hand, in the modification 1, since the expiration date is set in the ticket according to the type of the failure that has occurred, such a defect is reduced.

<Modification 2>
Next, a second modification will be described. This variant also relates to managing ticket validity.

The system configuration of this modified example shown in FIG. 12 includes the multifunction device management system 40 in addition to the multifunction devices 10 and 20 shown in FIG. 1 (user's mobile terminal 30 is not shown). The multifunction device management system 40 is an information processing system managed by a provider of maintenance services for multifunction devices, and receives, for example, periodic notifications of the status of multifunction devices and notifications of failure occurrence from each multifunction device under control. According to these notifications, management such as remote maintenance of multifunction devices and dispatch of engineers will be performed. Such a multifunction device management system has been operated by various maintenance service providers from the past, and except for the function of confirming the validity of the ticket 31, which will be described below, the multifunction device management system 40 is such. The same system as the conventional system may be used.

In the first modification, the ticket issuing unit 16 sets an expiration date for the ticket 31 to be issued, whereas in the second modification, such an expiration date is not set. Instead, the multifunction device 20 that receives the input of the ticket inquires the multifunction device management system 40 (hereinafter, also referred to as “center”) about the validity of the ticket.

FIG. 13 illustrates the processing procedure of the multifunction device 10 on the failure-generating side in this modified example. In this procedure, when the failure detection unit 12 detects the occurrence of a failure, the failure detection unit 12 centers (combines) information indicating the content of the detected failure (for example, a code indicating the type of failure, a sensor detection value related to the failure, etc.). Notify the machine management system 40) (S101). This notification includes a machine number which is individual identification information of the multifunction device 10. Subsequent processing is the same as the procedure of FIG. The center that receives the notification of the occurrence of the failure from the multifunction device 10 holds the information on the content of the failure as the "state" information of the machine corresponding to the machine number of the multifunction device 10.

Further, although not shown, the multifunction device 10 notifies the center of the recovery when the failure is recovered by remote maintenance work via the network or repair by an engineer. This notification includes the machine number of the multifunction device 10. Upon receiving this notification, the center receives the information on the "status" of the machine corresponding to the machine number, the value indicating that it is in a normal state from the information on the details of the failure that had been held up to that point, and the date and time when the notification was received. Rewrite the information to indicate (recovery date and time).

FIG. 14 illustrates the processing procedure of the alternative machine (multifunction device 20) in this modified example. In this procedure, the ticket verification unit 24 of the multifunction device 20 transmits a confirmation request for the validity of the ticket input in S200 to the center (S220). This confirmation request includes the machine number included in the ticket. Then, the ticket verification unit 24 determines whether the response from the center to the confirmation request is valid or invalid (S222). If the determination result is valid, the multifunction device 20 performs the same processing as S204 to S214 of FIG. 8, and if it is invalid, the same processing as S216 and S218 of FIG. 11 is performed.

FIG. 15 illustrates the processing procedure of the center (multifunction device management system 40) in this modified example.

The center waits for a request (inquiry) for confirming the validity of the ticket from the multifunction device 20 (S400). When the confirmation request arrives, the machine state information corresponding to the machine number included in the confirmation request is searched (S402). Then, it is determined whether or not the searched machine state is a failure state (S404). Then, if it is in a failure state, it replies that the ticket is valid in response to the confirmation request (S406). On the other hand, when it is determined in S404 that the searched machine state is a normal state, the center determines whether or not the current time is within a predetermined time from the restoration date and time associated with the machine state (S408). If the result of this determination is Yes, the center replies that the ticket is valid for the confirmation request (S406), and if No, the center replies that the ticket is invalid for the confirmation request (S410).

For example, if the multifunction device 10 recovers from the failure while the user who obtained the ticket from the failed multifunction device 10 is moving to the alternative device, the ticket is already presented to the alternative device when the user presents the ticket. The multifunction device 10 is in a normal state. In such a case, if the user's ticket is invalidated, the user will be wasted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the multifunction device 10 recovers from the failure, the ticket is valid for a while to reduce the possibility that the above-mentioned situation such as the user's wasteful foot will occur.

<Modification example 3>
Next, a modified example of dealing with a case where the multifunction device 10 is out of order when the PC (personal computer) instructs the multifunction device 10 to execute a print job will be described.

In this modification, as shown in FIG. 16, the printer driver 60 installed in the PC registers a print job that could not be printed due to a failure of the multifunction device 10 in the net printing system 50, thereby performing an alternative machine ( The print job can be executed on the multifunction device 20).

The net printing system 50 is installed on the Internet, accepts registration of print jobs (print data) from users, and manages the registered print jobs (for example, a multifunction device 20 installed in a convenience store). To provide and print. In one example, the net printing system 50 provides the user with unique identification information (job ID) for the print job received from the user. After writing down the job ID, for example, the user goes to the multifunction device 20 corresponding to the net printing system 50, selects net printing from the top screen of the multifunction device 20, and inputs the job ID. Then, the net printing system 50 transmits the data of the print job corresponding to the job ID to the multifunction device 20, and the multifunction device 20 prints out the print job.

Here, the user acquires the ticket 31 from the malfunctioning multifunction device 10 by the mechanism of the above embodiment, presents the ticket 31 to the multifunction device 20, and presents the ticket 31 to the multifunction device 20 via the net printing system 50. You can get an exemption from the fee for print jobs executed in.

FIG. 17 illustrates the processing procedure of the printer driver 60 in this modified example. In this procedure, when the printer driver 60 sends a print job to the multifunction device 10 via the LAN, the multifunction device 10 executes the print job and returns a response indicating the execution result to the printer driver 60. The response of the execution result includes a success response when printing is successful and a failure response when printing is unsuccessful. The failure response contains failure information that indicates the failure that caused the failure. The printer driver 60 determines whether or not the printing of the print job is successful from the response of the multifunction device 10 (S600). If printing is successful, this process ends. When printing fails, the printer driver 60 determines whether or not the failure is fatal from the information on the content of the failure included in the failure response from the multifunction device 10 (S602). A fatal failure is a failure that cannot be recovered by the work that can be done by the user and requires maintenance work by a maintenance service provider. The determination of S602 may be performed by a known method based on the information on the content of the failure. If the failure is not fatal (for example, out of paper), the user can handle it, and this process ends.

In the case of a fatal failure, the printer driver 60 displays a screen on the display of the PC for selecting whether or not to register the failed job in the net print system (NPS) (S604). The printer driver 60 may notify the multifunction device management system 40 (see FIG. 12, omitted in FIG. 17) of the failure information received from the multifunction device 10. Further, instead of notifying immediately, the printer driver 60 that detects a fatal failure of the multifunction device 10 inquires the multifunction device management system 40 about the status of the multifunction device 10 (using the machine number of the multifunction device 10). Notification may be given according to the result of this inquiry. For example, when the state of the multifunction device 10 responded to the inquiry from the multifunction device management system 40 is a normal state or the printer driver 60 is different from the failure information acquired from the multifunction device 10, the failure is caused. Notify the information to the multifunction device management system 40. This is because the multifunction device 10 may not notify the multifunction device management system 40 of the failure information via the Internet depending on the type of failure and various other circumstances.

When the user selects not to register the job in the net printing system 50 on the selection screen of S604 (the determination result of S606 is No), the process ends.

On the other hand, when the user selects to register the job in the net printing system 50 (the determination result of S606 is Yes), the printer driver 60 sets the print data of the failed job and the machine number of the multifunction device 10 (for example, the job result). (Included in the response from the multifunction device 10) to be notified is registered in the net printing system 50 (S608). In response to this registration, the net printing system 50 returns a job ID unique to the registered job to the printer driver 60.

The printer driver 60 acquires the job ID provided by the net printing system 50 (S610) and displays it on the screen of the PC (S612). The user makes a note of the job ID.

After that, the user goes to another multifunction device 20 with the memo and the ticket 31 separately obtained from the multifunction device 10. Then, as in the above embodiment, the ticket 31 is presented to the multifunction device 20, and net printing is selected from the menu on the top screen displayed on the touch panel of the multifunction device 20. Then, according to the guidance on the net printing screen displayed by this, the written job ID is input and the job download is requested. As a result, the net printing system 50 transfers the print data of the job corresponding to the job ID to the multifunction device 20, and the multifunction device 20 prints out the print data.

Also in this modification, the expiration date of the ticket 31 shown in the modification 1 and the like may be set and confirmed.

Further, in this modification, the job ID provided by the net printing system 50 may be used instead of the ticket 31. That is, in this case, the ticket 31 is not issued from the multifunction device 10, and the user does not present the ticket 31 to the multifunction device 20 which is an alternative device. When the net printing system 50 returns the print data corresponding to the job ID sent from the multifunction device 20 to the multifunction device 20, it also returns the machine number stored in association with the print data. When the received print data is accompanied by a machine number, the multifunction device 20 recognizes that the print data should have been printed by the failed machine, and prints the print data free of charge, for example. Then, the ticket usage recording unit 26 (see FIG. 1) records information on the printing amount and other billing amounts in association with the machine number. The multifunction device 20 may use the record to settle the printing fee with, for example, the operation side of the multifunction device management system 40.

Here, when the job ID is sent from the multifunction device 20, the net printing system 50 determines whether the device with the machine number is in a failure state when the machine number is held in association with the job ID. You may contact the multifunction device management system 40. In this case, in the multifunction device management system 40 that has received the inquiry, as in the case of the above modification 2 (see FIG. 15), does the multifunction device 10 corresponding to the machine number remain in the failed state (S404 in FIG. 15). Yes), if it is within a predetermined period (S408 is Yes) after recovering from the failure, a print permission (ticket valid) reply is sent to the net printing system 50. If a predetermined time has passed since the multifunction device 10 corresponding to the machine number recovered from the failure, the reply that printing is not possible (ticket invalid) is returned to the net printing system 50. When the net printing system 50 receives a print permission reply from the multifunction device management system 40, the net printing system 50 sends print data and a machine number corresponding to the above job ID to the multifunction device 20, while giving a non-printable reply. When obtained, the net printing system 50 does not send the print data to the multifunction device 20, but instead sends error information indicating that the failed machine has been restored and the valid period of printing by the alternative machine has expired. The multifunction device 20 displays the received error information.

<Modification example 4>
Next, a fourth modification will be described. In this modification, a function of guiding the user where a multifunction device that can replace the failed multifunction device 10 is provided is provided.

In this modification, an alternative device guidance system is provided on a network (for example, the Internet) accessible from the multifunction device 10 or the user's mobile terminal 30. For example, the multifunction device management system 40 illustrated in FIG. 12 may include the function of the alternative machine guidance system, and this case will be described below as an example.

The multifunction device management system 40 includes the database illustrated in FIG. In this database, items such as the machine number, model, function, location, and status of the multifunction device are registered for each multifunction device under control.

The item "function" is information representing the functions of the multifunction device, such as information on the types of functions that the multifunction device can provide, such as copying, printing, scanning, and faxing, and the performance of each of these types of functions. Includes information about. Information on the performance of a function includes, for example, various parameters representing the performance of the function. For example, in the case of a printing function, the performance information includes, for example, information such as the paper size supported by the multifunction device, the availability of color printing, the availability of double-sided printing, and the level of print quality. Further, in the case of the scan function, the supported document size, scan image quality level (for example, resolution) and the like are examples of the performance parameters.

The item "location" is information that identifies the location where the multifunction device is installed. For example, information such as the address of the office where the multifunction device is installed, the building name and floor (floor), and latitude / longitude is an example. The location information is used to extract nearby alternatives to suggest to the user.

The item "status" includes various information indicating the current status of the multifunction device. For example, it is a normal state or a failure state, and in the case of a failure state, the type of the failure, the remaining amount of each consumable (paper, toner, etc.), and the like are examples.

In addition to this, the multifunction device management system 40 is notified of usage history information (for example, information indicating when, which function, and how much (number of prints, etc.) was used) from each multifunction device. The management system 40 may store the usage history information in the database.

Although shown as one database in FIG. 18, the plurality of items may be divided into a plurality of databases that can be searched by machine number, for example.

In this modification, the user inquires of the multifunction device management system 40 for an alternative device near him / her using, for example, the failure response application 32 of the mobile terminal 30. FIG. 19 shows an example of processing of the failure response application 32 at this time.

When the user wants to know the location of the alternative device near his / her current position, he / she presses the “ticket usage location” button 306 on the main menu screen 300 (see FIG. 5) of the failure response application 32 of the mobile terminal 30. The failure response application 32 determines whether or not the button 306 is pressed (S330). When pressed, the failure response application 32 displays a ticket list (similar to the screen 320 in FIG. 5) stored in the ticket management unit 36, and accepts the user to select a ticket to be used (S332). .. When the selection is made, the failure response application 32 sends an alternative machine search request including the current position acquired from the operating system of the mobile terminal 30 and the machine number included in the selected ticket to the multifunction device management system 40 ( S334). Then, the search result returned from the multifunction device management system 40 is received in response to the search request, and the information of the search result is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 30 (S336). The information of the search result displayed at this time may indicate, for example, the current position of the user and the position of the searched alternative machine candidate on the map (of course, this is only an example). The user moves to the alternative machine candidate that he / she wants to use by referring to the information of the search result.

FIG. 20 shows an example of processing of the multifunction device management system 40 when an alternative device search request is received. In this example, the multifunction device management system 40 waits for an alternative device search request from the user (S410). When an alternative machine search request arrives, the multifunction device management system 40 holds information on the current position of the user included in the request, and functional information of the multifunction device (failed machine) corresponding to the machine number included in the request. Is searched from the above-mentioned database (S412). Then, the database is searched for a multifunction device that is close to the user's current position (for example, located within a predetermined distance from the current position) and has a function equal to or higher than that of the failed device (S414). ). Then, the information of the searched multifunction device (alternative device candidate) is returned as a search result to the requesting user (fault response application 32 of the mobile terminal 30) (S416). The information in the search result includes the position of each alternative machine candidate. Further, the name (store name, etc.) of the installation location of the alternative machine candidate may be further included. Information indicating the position (and the user's current position) of each alternative machine candidate on the map of the map application may be provided to the user as search result information.

In the procedure of FIG. 20, only those having the same or higher functions as the failed machine are selected as alternative machine candidates, but this is only an example. For example, for a user who wants to print on a defective machine, there is no problem even if the scan image quality of the alternative machine candidate is low, and there is no problem even if the scan function is not provided in the first place. Therefore, as another example, at the search stage of S414, a multifunction device close to the user's current position may be simply searched as an alternative machine candidate, and the information on the function of the alternative machine candidate may be included in the search result information. Information on the function of each alternative device candidate is displayed or can be called on the search result display screen displayed by the failure response application 32. The user confirms the function of each alternative machine candidate on the screen and decides the alternative machine candidate to be used.

<Modification 5>
A further modification of the alternative machine search will be described. As shown in FIG. 21, the system of this modified example includes a consumables delivery management system 70 in addition to the multifunction device management system 40.

The consumables delivery management system 70 is a system operated by a company that provides maintenance services for multifunction devices, and information on the status and usage history of each multifunction device that is periodically notified from each multifunction device to the multifunction device management system 40. Based on, make a schedule for delivery of consumables to each multifunction device. For example, from the remaining amount of consumables in the notified information and the time-series transition of the printing amount required from the usage history, etc., predict the time when the consumables will be scarce, and make it in time for the own machine. Determine the delivery date for consumables. Necessary consumables are delivered to each multifunction device according to a schedule determined by the consumables delivery management system 70. A known system exists as such a consumables delivery management system 70, and such a known system may be used in this embodiment as well.

FIG. 22 illustrates the processing procedure of the multifunction device management system 40 in this modified example. The procedure of FIG. 22 is an addition of S420 and S422 to the procedure of FIG.

In this procedure, the multifunction device management system 40 further narrows down the alternative device candidates searched in S414 in S420 and S422.

That is, the multifunction device management system 40 determines (predicts) the time (recovery time) at which the failure is resolved from the failure information notified from the failed machine. Then, in S420, the multifunction device management system 40 sends a determination request including the machine number of the failed machine, the machine number of each alternative machine candidate obtained in S414, and the recovery time thereof to the consumables delivery management system 70. (S420).

In response to the determination request, the consumables delivery management system 70 uses information on the usage history of the failed machine to determine how much the failed machine is used during the period from the current time to the recovery time when the failed machine is normal. Predict. The estimated usage is, for example, one of the number of jobs that will be executed during that period, the amount that will be printed, the length of time that the multifunction device will be executing jobs, and so on. That is all. Further, the consumables delivery management system 70 predicts the usage amount of each alternative machine candidate included in the determination request from the usage history of the candidate, and also from the history of the transition of the remaining amount of consumables. Predict the remaining amount of each candidate consumable at the time of its recovery. Then, for each alternative machine candidate, it is determined whether or not it is possible to add the predicted usage amount of the failed machine during the period from the current time to the recovery time. For example, for each candidate, adding the predicted usage of the failed machine to the predicted usage of the candidate (for example, the length of the job execution time in that period) determines whether the operating status of the candidate becomes overcrowded. Candidates judged to be overcrowded due to this are excluded from the final alternative machine candidates. Further, for each alternative machine candidate, it is determined whether or not the predicted remaining amount of each consumable item at the recovery time of the candidate is sufficient to cover the predicted printing amount of the failed machine during the period from the current time to the recovery time. Then, the candidates judged to be insufficient are excluded from the final alternative machine candidates. In this way, the consumables delivery management system 70 determines an alternative machine candidate that can cover the usage amount of the failed machine until the recovery prediction time, and returns the judgment result to the multifunction device management system 40.

The multifunction device management system 40 provides the information of the alternative device candidate returned from the consumables delivery management system 70 to the user's mobile terminal 30 as a search result for the search request of S410 (S422).

The consumables delivery management system 70 and the multifunction device management system 40 may be an integrated system.

<Modification 6>
In this modification 6, in order to prevent or reduce the shortage of consumables of the multifunction device selected by the multifunction device management system 40 as the alternative device candidate in response to the request from the user, the multifunction device management system 40 for the alternative device candidate Increase the monitoring frequency. The system configuration of this modification may be similar to that shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 illustrates the processing procedure of the multifunction device management system 40 in this modified example. This procedure is an addition of S424 to the procedure in the modified example 4 shown in FIG. That is, in the procedure of FIG. 23, the multifunction device management system 40 increases the consumables monitoring frequency of each alternative device candidate obtained in S416 (S424). That is, the frequency of periodic notification to the multifunction device management system 40 for each multifunction device selected as an alternative device candidate is set to a higher predetermined frequency (for example, every 24 hours) than the normal frequency (for example, every 24 hours). For example, every 3 hours).

Each alternative machine candidate notifies the multifunction device management system 40 of the status of the candidate (particularly the remaining amount of each consumable) at each notification timing corresponding to the high frequency instructed by the multifunction device management system 40. do. The notified information is notified to the consumables delivery management system 70 via the multifunction device management system 40. The consumables delivery management system 70 calculates the consumables delivery schedule for each of the alternative machine candidates at a higher frequency than usual (for example, every time a notification of the remaining amount of consumables is received from the alternative machine candidate).

In this modified example, when the user of the failed machine uses one of the alternative machine candidates, the usage amount of the candidate increases and the consumption of consumables is accelerated, the change is quickly performed by the monitoring frequency higher than usual. It is recognized by the system 40 and the consumables delivery management system 70. Therefore, the consumables delivery management system 70 recalculates the scheduled delivery time of the consumables in consideration of the influence of the user's use of the failed machine earlier than in the case of the normal monitoring frequency, and the failed machine is checked. The occurrence of consumable shortage due to substitution is reduced.

In the above-described embodiment and each modification, the case where the failed multifunction device is replaced by another multifunction device has been described as an example, but the same mechanism is applied to devices other than the multifunction device, such as a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile machine. It is possible.

Further, in the above example, a multifunction device installed in a convenience store is illustrated as an example of an alternative machine, but this is also only an example. Devices such as multifunction devices installed in various stores and offices other than convenience stores may be used as alternative machines.

The information processing mechanisms of the multifunction devices 10 and 20, the mobile terminal 30, the multifunction device management system 40, the net printing system 50, and the consumables delivery management system 70 exemplified above are, for example, described above in a computer. It is realized by executing a program that represents a function. Here, the computer is, for example, hardware such as a microprocessor such as a CPU, a memory (primary storage) such as a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an SSD (solid state drive), and an HDD. A controller that controls a fixed storage device such as (hard disk drive), various I / O (input / output) interfaces, a network interface that controls connection to a network such as a local area network, etc., for example, via a bus or the like. It has a circuit configuration connected by. A program in which the processing contents of each of these functions are described is saved in a fixed storage device such as a flash memory via a network or the like, and is installed in a computer. By reading the program stored in the fixed storage device into the RAM and executing it by a microprocessor such as a CPU, the functional module group illustrated above is realized.

10 multifunction devices, 12 failure detection units, 14 failure function determination units, 16 ticket issuing units, 20 multifunction devices, 22 ticket input units, 24 ticket verification units, 26 ticket usage recording units, 30 mobile terminals, 31 tickets, 32 failure handling App, 34 Ticket acquisition department, 36 Ticket management department, 38 Ticket presentation department, 40 Multifunction device management system, 50 Net printing system, 60 Printer driver, 70 Consumables delivery management system.

Claims (21)

Including the first device and the second device,
The first device is
Detection means to detect failures and
An output means for outputting the ticket information each time a request for output of the ticket information is received from the user while the failure detected by the detection means continues.
Including
The second device is
A reception means that accepts the input of the ticket information from the user,
Display means for displaying lower rates than fee when the user entered the ticket information, do not enter the ticket information as fee for the use of pre-Symbol second device,
Equipment utilization system including. And the output means, as the ticket information, and outputs the ticket information including the device identification information of the first device,
The second device is
Recording means for recording history information of use of the second device by the user who entered the ticket information, in association with the device identification information included in said ticket information,
The device utilization system according to claim 1, further comprising. And the output means, as the ticket information, and outputs the ticket information including the function information indicating a feature not available due to the failure of the detection means detects one of the first function of the device,
When the function requested to be used by the user corresponds to the function indicated by the function information included in the ticket information , the display means displays a lower charge than when the function does not correspond.
The device utilization system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the device is used. And the output means, as the ticket information, and outputs the ticket information including the date information indicating the expiration date determined on the basis of the recovery duration corresponding to the type of fault that the detection means detects,
The display means, to said expiration date indicating the date information included in the ticket information, to the user who has entered the ticket information, to display a lower fee than a user who does not perform the input of said ticket information,
The device utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the device utilization system is characterized in that. The device management device capable of communicating with the first device and the second device is further included.
When the detection means detects the occurrence of a failure, it notifies the device management device of the occurrence of the failure, and when it detects that the failure has been recovered, the detection means notifies the device management device of the failure from the failure. Notify the recovery of
The display means sends an inquiry as to whether or not the input ticket information is valid to the device management device, and when the device management device replies that the ticket information is valid, the display means said. to users who enter the ticket information, to display the lower fee than a user who does not perform the input of the ticket information,
In the device management device, the time when the inquiry is received from the display means is after the first device notifies the occurrence of the failure and until the recovery from the failure is notified or from the failure. If the recovery after being notified is within a predetermined time period, the ticket information is responded to the display means to be valid, said period after being notified of the recovery from the previous SL moment the fault Includes answering means, which responds to the display means that the ticket information is invalid, if it has passed.
The device utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the device utilization system is characterized in that. Including an alternative machine guidance device
The alternative machine guidance device is
For each device, a storage means for storing the position and function of the device,
When a user requests guidance for a device that can use the ticket information as a substitute for the first device, the ticket information is located within a predetermined distance from the user's position and is equal to or more than the function of the first device. A means of providing information on a device having the above function to the user, and
The device utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device utilization system comprises. Including an alternative machine guidance device
The alternative machine guidance device is
A storage means for storing the position of each device,
A predictive means for collecting information on the remaining amount of consumables of each of the devices at each time point and predicting the remaining amount of consumables and the amount of use of the consumables of each device at a future time based on the collected information.
When the user requests guidance of a device that can be used as a substitute for the first device that can use the ticket information, the estimated usage amount of the consumables of the device is predicted among the devices. Even if the amount of the consumables used in the first device is added, the remaining amount of the consumables predicted by the predicted recovery time of the failure detected by the detection means does not reach zero. , A providing means for providing the user with information on a device located within a predetermined distance from the user's position.
The device utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device utilization system comprises. Including an alternative machine guidance device
The alternative machine guidance device is
In response to a request from the user, a guidance means for guiding the user to a device that is a substitute for the first device that can use the ticket information held by the user.
About the device guided by the guidance means to a delivery planning device that collects information on the remaining amount of consumables of each device at each time point and plans delivery of the consumables to each device based on the collected information. An instruction means for instructing the frequency of collecting the remaining amount of the remaining amount to be higher than the normal frequency, and
The device utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device utilization system includes. Detection means to detect failures and
While the detecting means is followed by the fault has been detected, each time receiving an output request for ticket information for alternative use of the other devices from the user, and output means for outputting the ticket information,
Equipment including. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the output unit, as the ticket information, to output the ticket information including the device identification information of the own device, it is characterized. And the output means, as the ticket information, and outputs the ticket information including the function information indicating a feature not available due to the failure of the detection means detects among the functions of its own device, in claim 9 or 10, characterized in Described equipment. And the output means, as the ticket information, and outputs the ticket information including the date information indicating the expiration date determined on the basis of the recovery duration corresponding to the type of fault that the detection means detects,
The device according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , characterized in that. A computer with a built-in device
A detection means for detecting a failure of the device,
Wherein while the sensing means is followed by the fault has been detected, each time receiving an output request for ticket information for alternative use of the other devices from the user, output means for outputting said ticket information,
A program to function as. A reception means that accepts input of ticket information output by another device with a failure from the user,
Display means for displaying lower rates than user does not perform the input of the ticket information as fee for the user who entered the ticket information, the use of the self-device,
Equipment including. The ticket information includes device identification information of the device that output the ticket information.
The history information of the use of its own device by the user who entered ticket information, recording means for recording in association with the device identification information included in said ticket information,
The device according to claim 14 , further comprising. The ticket information includes function information indicating a function that cannot be used due to a failure of the device among the functions of the device that outputs the ticket information.
When the function requested to be used by the user corresponds to the function indicated by the function information included in the ticket information , the display means displays a lower charge than when the function does not correspond.
The device according to claim 14 or 15. A computer with a built-in device
A reception means that accepts input of ticket information output by another device with a failure from the user,
Display means for displaying lower rates than user does not perform the input of the ticket information as fee for the user who entered the ticket information, the use of the self-device,
A program to function as. A means for receiving a notification of the occurrence of a failure and a notification of recovery from the failure from each device, and
A means for receiving inquiries about the validity of ticket information including device identification information of other devices input to the device from the device,
The time when the inquiry is received is determined in advance after receiving the notification of the occurrence of the failure from the other device and until receiving the notification of recovery from the failure or after receiving the notification of recovery from the failure. in the case is within the time period, in the case where the ticket information is responded to the inquiry source of the equipment to be effective, it is after the previous Symbol time has passed is the period after being notified of the recovery from the fault is , A means of responding to the device of the inquiry source that the ticket information is invalid, and
Equipment management equipment, including. Computer,
Means for receiving notification of the occurrence of a failure and notification of recovery from the failure from each device,
A means of receiving inquiries from a device about the validity of ticket information output by another device input to the device.
The time when the inquiry is received is determined in advance after receiving the notification of the occurrence of the failure from the other device and until receiving the notification of recovery from the failure or after receiving the notification of recovery from the failure. in the case is within the time period, in the case where the ticket information is responded to the inquiry source of the equipment to be effective, it is after the previous Symbol time has passed is the period after being notified of the recovery from the fault is , A means of responding to the inquiring device that the ticket information is invalid,
A program to function as. In response to a request from the user, a guidance means for guiding the user to a device that can be used as a substitute for the failed device, which can use a ticket issued by the failed device, which is the device in which the failure has occurred.
About the device guided by the guidance means to a delivery planning device that collects information on the remaining amount of consumables of each device at each time point and plans delivery of the consumables to each device based on the collected information. An instruction means for instructing the frequency of collecting the remaining amount of the remaining amount to be higher than the normal frequency, and
Alternative machine guidance device including. Computer,
A guidance means for guiding a user to a device that is a substitute for the failed device, which can use a ticket issued by the failed device, which is a device in which the failure has occurred, in response to a request from the user.
About the device guided by the guidance means to a delivery planning device that collects information on the remaining amount of consumables of each device at each time point and plans delivery of the consumables to each device based on the collected information. An instruction means for instructing the frequency of collecting the remaining amount of the above-mentioned remaining amount to be higher than the normal frequency.
A program to function as.

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