JP7020213B2 - Consumables management device, consumables management method, program and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a consumables management device, a consumables management method, a program and an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, there has been known a technique for managing the remaining amount of consumables associated with the use of a device and encouraging the user to replace the consumables even if the pace of consumables used differs for each user.

For example, in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of presenting an appropriate consumables replacement date to the user, the frequency of use of the consumables per unit time is accurately grasped, and even if the number of times of use varies depending on the user, the variation is followed. Then, the technology that can notify the replacement of consumables at an appropriate timing is disclosed.

However, in the conventional technology as described above, although the means for determining the consumables replacement date from the usage pace for a certain period is used, it is considered that the consumables usage pace changes depending on the busy season / off-season even for the same user. There was a problem that the consumables replacement date shown to the user may not be appropriate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a consumables management device, a consumables management method, a program, and an image forming apparatus capable of presenting an appropriate consumables replacement time to the user. The purpose.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention is stored in the detection means for detecting the usage status of the consumables, the storage means for storing the usage history of the consumables, and the storage means. According to the analysis means for analyzing the consumption rate of the consumables in a plurality of cases based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables in the past obtained from the usage history of the consumables, and the usage status of the consumables in use. A predictive means for predicting the replacement time of the consumables in use by selectively applying the consumption rate of each of the cases, and a notification means for notifying the replacement time of the consumables predicted by the predictive means. Be prepared.

According to the present invention, the consumption rate of consumables is analyzed based on the degree of frequency of use of consumables obtained from the usage history of consumables. It is possible to obtain the consumption rate of consumables according to the degree of frequency. Then, according to the present invention, since the replacement time of the consumable is predicted from the usage status of the consumable and the consumption speed of the consumable, the consumption speed of the consumable that matches the usage status of the consumable in use is applied. It is possible to predict when to replace consumables. As a result, it is possible to present the user with an appropriate replacement time for consumables.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a device to which the consumables management device according to the embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an example of the device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system including equipment to which the consumables management device according to the embodiment is applied. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a consumables management device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the frequency of use of consumables. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the degree of frequency of use of consumables. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the consumables management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage history of consumables. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage history of consumables. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the operation of the consumables management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the processing procedure performed by the consumables management device according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a consumables management device, a consumables management method, a program, and an image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a device to which the consumables management device according to the embodiment is applied. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 300 as an example of an apparatus applied to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 300 can be applied to a multifunction device having at least two functions of a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function and a facsimile function. Further, the device is not limited to the image forming device, and other devices of the image forming device include, for example, a robot and an amusement device.

The image forming apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 1 is a digital copier having a paper feeding unit 303 and an image forming apparatus main body 304, and an image reading device 100 and an automatic document feeding device 200 mounted on the image forming apparatus 300.

In the image forming apparatus main body 304, a tandem type image forming unit 305, a resist roller 308 for conveying the recording paper supplied from the feeding unit 303 to the image forming unit 305 via the transport path 307, and an optical writing device are provided. 309, a fixing transfer unit 310, and a double-sided tray 311 are provided.

In the image forming unit 305, four photoconductor drums 312 are arranged side by side corresponding to four color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Around each photoconductor drum 312, image forming elements including a charger, a developer 306, a transfer device, a cleaner, and a static eliminator are arranged.

Further, between the transfer device and the photoconductor drum 312, an intermediate transfer belt 313 stretched between the drive roller and the driven roller while being sandwiched between the nips of both is arranged.

The tandem image forming apparatus 300 configured in this way writes light to the photoconductor drum 312 corresponding to each color for each of Y, M, C, and K colors, and stores the light in the cartridge 314 of each color by the developing device 306. Each toner is developed, and primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 313 in the order of, for example, Y, M, C, K.

Then, the image forming apparatus 300 forms a full-color image on the recording paper by secondarily transferring the full-color image superimposed in four colors by the primary transfer to the recording paper, fixing the image, and discharging the paper. Further, the image forming apparatus 300 forms the image read by the image reading apparatus 100 on the recording paper.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an example of the device shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 300, which is an example of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, has a configuration in which a controller 410 and an engine unit (Engine) 460 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) bus. The controller 410 is a controller that controls the entire image forming apparatus 300, and controls drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 460 is an engine that can be connected to the PCI bus, and is, for example, a print engine such as a plotter. In addition to the engine portion, the engine portion 460 includes an image processing portion such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

The controller 410 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 411, a north bridge (NB) 413, a system memory (MEM-P) 412, a south bridge (SB) 414, a local memory (MEM-C) 417, and an ASIC. It has a (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 416 and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 418, and has a configuration in which the north bridge (NB) 413 and the ASIC 416 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 415. Further, the MEM-P412 further has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 412a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 412b.

The CPU 411 controls the entire image forming apparatus 300, has a chipset including NB413, MEM-P412, and SB414, and is connected to other devices via this chipset.

The NB 413 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 411 to the MEM-P412, SB414, and AGP415, and has a memory controller for controlling reading and writing to the MEM-P412, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

The MEM-P412 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for expanding programs and data, a memory for drawing a printer, and the like, and is a storage device including a ROM 412a and a RAM 412b. The ROM 412a is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, and the RAM 412b is a writeable and readable memory used as a memory for expanding programs and data, a memory for drawing a printer, and the like.

The SB414 is a bridge for connecting the NB413 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB414 is connected to the NB413 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit or the like is also connected to the PCI bus.

The ASIC 416 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge connecting AGP415, a PCI bus, HDD 418, and MEM-C417, respectively. This ASIC 416 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 416, a memory controller that controls MEM-C417, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that rotate image data by hardware logic or the like. It consists of a PCI unit that transfers data between the Access Controller) and the engine unit 460 via the PCI bus. An FCU (Facsimile Control Unit) 430, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 440, and an IEEE1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 450 are connected to the ASIC 416 via a PCI bus. The operation display unit 420 is directly connected to the ASIC 416.

The MEM-C417 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer, and the HDD 418 is a storage for accumulating image data, programs, font data, and forms.

The AGP415 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing, and speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P412 with high throughput. ..

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system including equipment to which the consumables management device according to the embodiment is applied. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the system including the above-mentioned image forming apparatus 300 includes an external terminal 320 and a server 321 in addition to the image forming apparatus 300.

The external terminal 320 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) or the like, and is an externally connected device connected to the image forming apparatus 300 by wire or wirelessly outside the image forming apparatus 300. The external terminal 320 includes a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM, an external storage device such as an HDD and a CD drive device, a display device such as a display device, and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. It has a hardware configuration that uses a normal computer. The external terminal 320 can input various data from the image forming apparatus 300 and output various data to the image forming apparatus 300.

The server 321 is, for example, a PC or the like, and is an externally connected device connected to the image forming apparatus 300 or the external terminal 320 via the network 322 outside the image forming apparatus 300. The server 321 includes a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM, an external storage device such as an HDD and a CD drive device, a display device such as a display device, and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. It has a hardware configuration that uses a normal computer. The server 321 can input various data from the image forming apparatus 300 and the external terminal 320, and can output various data to the image forming apparatus 300 and the external terminal 320.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a consumables management device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the consumables management device includes a consumables usage history storage unit (storage means) 330, a consumables sensor (detection means) 331, a consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332, and a consumables replacement time prediction. A display unit (notification means) 333 is provided.

The consumables use history storage unit 330 is a storage device for storing data, and an HDD, a non-volatile memory, or the like can be applied. The consumables usage history storage unit 330 stores the usage history of the consumables 334 and the calculation result by the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332, and stores the program and data for operating the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332. To. The usage history of the consumable item 334 and the calculation result by the consumable item remaining amount calculation unit 332 are continuously stored even after the consumable item 334 is replaced. In the case of a new device, since there is no usage history of the consumables 334, the usage history prepared in advance (for example, pseudo data prepared for each industry) is stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330.

The consumables sensor 331 directly or indirectly measures the usage amount or the remaining amount of the consumables 334. The consumables 334 include, for example, toner in the image forming apparatus 300 as consumption, and fixing and conveying unit 310 in, for example, the image forming apparatus 300 as deteriorating ones. In the case of toner, the consumables sensor 331 measures the amount or amount of toner used in the cartridge 314. Further, in the case of the fixing transport unit 310, the consumables sensor 331 measures the rotation distance (hereinafter referred to as a mileage). The usage history of the consumables 334 stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330 can be obtained by recording the usage amount or the remaining amount of the consumables 334 from the consumables sensor 331 per hour. The number of consumable sensors 331 is not limited to one, and may be multiple.

The consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332 is a control device such as a CPU. The consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332 has an analysis unit (analysis means) 332a and a prediction unit (prediction means) 332b. The consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332 realizes each function of the analysis unit 332a and the prediction unit 332b by executing a predetermined program by a processor such as a CPU.

The analysis unit 332a obtains the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 from the usage history of the consumables 334 stored in the consumables use history storage unit 330. Then, the analysis unit 332a analyzes the consumption rate of the consumable item 334 based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumable item 334.

The prediction unit 332b predicts the replacement time of the consumables 334 in use from the usage status of the consumables 334 in use and the consumption rate of the consumables 334.

The consumables replacement time prediction display unit 333 displays the replacement time predicted by the prediction unit 332b of the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332. The consumables replacement time prediction display unit 333 has a display device such as a display device.

The consumables management device described above includes a consumables usage history storage unit (storage means) 330, a consumables sensor (detection means) 331, a consumables remaining amount calculation unit (analysis unit (analysis means) 332a, and a prediction unit (prediction). Means) 332b) 332 and a consumables replacement time prediction display unit (notification means) 333 are provided in an apparatus using the consumables 334 (for example, the image forming apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 3). That is, the consumables management device of the present embodiment is integrally provided with the device (image forming device 300) that uses the consumables 334, and the consumables 334 used in the device can be collectively managed.

Further, in the above-mentioned consumables management device, the consumables sensor (detection means) 331 is provided in a device using the consumables 334 (for example, the image forming apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 3), and the consumables use history storage unit (storage means). The 330 is provided in the external terminal 320 or the server 321 connected to the outside of the device, and the consumable remaining amount calculation unit (analysis unit (analysis means) 332a and prediction unit (prediction means) 332b) 332 is connected to the external terminal 320 or the server 321. The consumables replacement time prediction display unit (notification means) 333 may be provided in the device using the consumables 334, the external terminal 320, or the server 321. That is, the consumables management device of the present embodiment is provided by dividing the functions into the device (image forming device 300) that uses the consumables 334 and the external terminal 320 or the server 321. Can be managed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the frequency of use of consumables. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the degree of frequency of use of consumables.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is conceivable that the usage of consumables 334 is higher than the average (normal) at the end of each quarter of one year, and the usage is lower than the average at the beginning of the quarter. That is, every end of the quarter is a busy period in which the frequency of use of consumables 334 is higher than the average and the consumption rate is fast, and the beginning of the quarter is a quiet period in which the frequency of use of consumables 334 is lower than the average and the consumption rate is slow.

In such a frequency of use of consumables 334, as shown in FIG. 6, replacement of consumables 334 by the average consumption rate (indicated by 0 in FIG. 6) obtained by averaging the amount of consumables 334 used in one year. When the day is predicted, the degree of frequency of use will differ depending on the busy season and the off-season, so there will be no replacement consumables at hand when it should be replaced during the busy season, or it will be replaced with a limited storage space during the off-season. Problems such as having to leave consumables for long periods of time can occur.

Therefore, in the consumables management device of the present embodiment, the above-mentioned problem is avoided from the past frequency of use of the consumables 334 by the user (user of the device having the consumables 334).

An example of the operation of the consumables management device will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the consumables management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage history of consumables. FIG. 7 shows the usage history of the consumables 334 and the prediction of the replacement time, and FIG. 8 shows the change (usage history) of the usage amount of the consumables 334.

As shown in FIG. 7, the consumables 334 draws an ascending curve as the mileage advances and the replacement time approaches in the usage history of the consumables 334 obtained from the consumables sensor 331. Then, the consumables 334 reach the replacement time after the mileage until the threshold value for the life is reached.

In the ascending curve of the usage history of the consumables 334, after the timing when the ascending curve starts (for example, the predicted date), the inclination differs depending on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 by the user, and the replacement time also changes accordingly. The predicted date is an arbitrary date when the replacement time is approaching, and can be set by the input device 332c. In FIG. 7, the rising curve A is used (usage amount) at the same level as during the busy season with a high degree of frequency of use, and the consumption rate of the consumable item 334 is the fastest and the replacement time comes earlier (replacement time A). The ascending curve C is used as in the off-season (usage amount) with a low degree of frequency of use, and the consumption rate of the consumable item 334 is the slowest and the replacement time is delayed (replacement time C). In the ascending curve B, the degree of frequency of use is the average usage (usage amount), and the consumption rate of the consumables 334 is the average replacement time (replacement time B).

Here, the usage (usage amount) of the consumables 334 during the busy season, the off-season, and the average time will be described. The amount of consumables used is "mileage / s" = "total mileage / running time count value", and the mileage per unit time is calculated. In the case of the mileage per day, since it is calculated by "total mileage / number of days from the start of using consumables 334", the value includes days when the equipment is not used such as holidays, but the unit is Holidays can be excluded by using the mileage per hour. Next, in the usage amount of the consumables 334 obtained as described above, a predetermined fixed period is stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330. As shown in FIG. 8, the fixed period is, for example, one week or one month, which can be set by the input device 332c, stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330, and used by the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332. Used for quantity calculation. Then, in a certain period, the average of the usage of the top 20% is defined as the case of the busy season, the average of the usage of the bottom 20% is defined as the case of the off-season, and the average of all the data is defined as the case of the average time. In the case of a certain period shown in FIG. 8, it can be seen that the amount of consumables 334 used changes every one week. Users of this device do not use much on Sundays and Mondays, but use a lot from Tuesday to Saturday and are stable and constant. It is also possible to predict the future usage speed from the usage pace of such consumables 334. Then, the mileage (day) is calculated from the "mileage / s" in each case. One day at this time shall be one day by multiplying the average operating time of each usage period. That is, the consumption rate of the consumables 334 in a certain period is calculated from the usage amount of the consumables 334 (degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334) in each case of the busy season, the off-season, and the average time. This calculation is executed by the analysis unit 332a of the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332. The speed at which the consumables 334 are consumed differs depending on the printing direction of the paper (for example, A4 portrait / landscape) in the printer function of the image forming apparatus 300, and is consumed not only by printing but also by maintenance operations. The usage conditions of 334 are set in advance by the input device 332c, stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330, and used for calculating the usage amount in the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332.

Then, when the usage status of the consumables 334 after the predicted date corresponds to the busy season shown in FIG. 5, select the rising curve A shown in FIG. 7, which is the same usage (usage amount) as the busy season with a high degree of usage frequency. By applying, the exchange time A according to the rising curve A is predicted. If the usage status of the consumables 334 after the predicted date corresponds to the off-season shown in FIG. 5, select the rising curve C shown in FIG. 7, which is the same usage (usage amount) as in the off-season with a low degree of frequency of use. By applying, the exchange time C according to the rising curve C is predicted. Further, when the usage status of the consumables 334 after the predicted date corresponds to the average shown in FIG. 5, the rising curve B shown in FIG. 7 in which the degree of frequency of use is the average usage (usage amount) is selected and applied. The exchange time B according to the rising curve B is predicted. This prediction is executed by the prediction unit 332b of the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332. Further, in the prediction, the input device 332c sets the usage conditions of the consumables 334 in advance with the user's holidays (non-use days) as exclusion days, and stores them in the consumables usage history storage unit 330 to notify the user. It can be predicted as the exchange time to be done excluding holidays. Then, the predicted replacement time is notified by the consumables replacement time prediction display unit 333.

Another example of the operation of the consumables management device will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage history of consumables. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the operation of the consumables management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a change (usage history) in the usage amount of the consumable item 334, and FIG. 10 shows a prediction of the replacement time of the consumable item 334.

As shown in FIG. 9, a change (usage history) D in a predetermined period of the usage amount of the consumables 334 depending on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 by the user is stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330. FIG. 9 shows the history of the usage of consumables 334 in the one year from January 1 to December 31 of the previous year when the predicted date was January 1. The change D in the usage amount of the consumables 334 is measured by the consumables sensor 331 and stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330. The predicted date is an arbitrary day when the replacement time is approaching, can be set by the input device 332c, is stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330, and is used for calculating the usage amount in the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332. do. Further, the predetermined period can be set by the input device 332c, which is stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330 and used for the calculation of the usage amount in the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332. Then, the consumption rate of the consumables 334 is analyzed and calculated based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 in the predetermined period from the change in the usage amount of the consumables 334 in the predetermined period. This calculation is executed by the analysis unit 332a of the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332. In the case of the predetermined period shown in FIG. 8, it can be seen that the amount of consumables 334 used changes every one week. Users of this device do not use much on Sundays and Mondays, but use a lot from Tuesday to Saturday and are stable and constant. It is also possible to predict the future usage speed from the usage pace of such consumables 334.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that the change in the usage amount of the consumables 334 after the predicted date is the same as the change in the usage amount of the consumables 334 before the predicted date, and after the predicted date in FIG. As the change D in the usage amount of the consumables 334, the consumption speed calculated from the change D in the usage amount of the consumables 334 shown in FIG. Predict the replacement time from the distance. This prediction is executed by the prediction unit 332b of the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332. Further, in the prediction, when the number of users using the device (image forming apparatus 300) increases or decreases with respect to the predetermined period, the usage conditions of the consumables 334, which is the increase or decrease, are set in advance by the input device 332c. By storing in the consumables usage history storage unit 330, it is possible to predict the replacement time by taking into account the consumption speed of the consumables 334 (for example, 1.2 times when the number of users is 20% more than the predetermined period). can. Further, in the prediction, the input device 332c sets the usage conditions of the consumables 334 in advance with the user's holidays (non-use days) as exclusion days, and stores them in the consumables usage history storage unit 330 to notify the user. It can be predicted as the exchange time to be done excluding holidays. Then, the predicted replacement time is notified by the consumables replacement time prediction display unit 333.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the processing procedure performed by the consumables management device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the operation of the consumables management device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and 9 and 10 described above is the use of the consumables 334 that the user has used so far from the consumables usage history storage unit 330. Acquire the history (step S1). In step S1, the usage history includes the usage status of the consumables 334 such as the past usage amount and the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334, and the usage status of the consumables 334 is also acquired by acquiring the usage history. be able to. Next, the analysis unit 332a of the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332 analyzes the consumption rate of the consumables 334 from the usage history of the consumables 334 obtained from step S1 (step S2). In step S2, as described above, the consumption rate of the consumables 334 in a plurality of cases (busy season, off-season, average) is analyzed based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 in the past obtained from the usage history of the consumables 334. do. Alternatively, in step S2, as described above, the consumables 334 in the past predetermined period (for example, the period from the same day one year before the predicted date to the day before the predicted date) of the consumables 334 in use from the usage history of the consumables 334. The consumption rate of the consumables 334 is analyzed based on the degree of frequency of use. Next, the prediction unit 332b of the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332 predicts the replacement time when the consumables 334 reach the end of its life at the consumption rate of the consumables 334 analyzed in step S2 (step S3). In step S3, the replacement time can be predicted in consideration of the above-mentioned usage conditions of the consumables 334 set in advance by the input device 332c and stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330. Next, the consumables replacement time prediction display unit 333 notifies the replacement time predicted in step S3 (step S4).

As described above, the consumables management device of the present embodiment has a consumables sensor (detection means) 331 that detects the usage status of the consumables 334 and a consumables usage history storage unit (storage) that stores the usage history of the consumables 334. Means) Consumables remaining amount calculation unit that analyzes the consumption rate of consumables 334 based on the degree of frequency of use of consumables 334 obtained from the usage history of consumables 334 stored in the consumables usage history storage unit 330. The replacement time of the consumables 334 is predicted from the usage status of the consumables 334 detected by the analysis unit (analysis means) 332a of the 332 and the consumables sensor 331 and the consumption rate of the consumables 334 analyzed by the analysis unit 332a. It includes a consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332's prediction unit (prediction means) 332b, and a consumables replacement time prediction display unit (notification means) 333 that notifies the replacement time of the consumables 334 predicted by the prediction unit 332b.

According to this consumables management device, the consumption rate of the consumables 334 is analyzed based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 obtained from the usage history of the consumables 334. It is possible to obtain the consumption rate of the consumable 334 according to the degree of frequency of use of the consumable 334 on average. Then, since the replacement time of the consumables 334 is predicted from the usage status of the consumables 334 and the consumption speed of the consumables 334, the consumption speed of the consumables 334 suitable for the usage status of the consumables 334 in use is applied. The replacement time of consumables 334 can be predicted. As a result, the user can be presented with an appropriate replacement time for the consumables 334.

Further, in the consumables management device of the present embodiment, the analysis unit 332a has a plurality of analysis units 332a based on the degree of frequency of use of the past consumables 334 obtained from the usage history of the consumables 334 stored in the consumables use history storage unit 330. The consumption rate of the consumables 334 in the above cases (for example, busy season, off-season, average) is analyzed, and the prediction unit 332b selectively applies the consumption rate of each case according to the usage status of the consumables 334 in use. It is preferable to predict when to replace the consumables 334 in use.

According to this consumables management device, the consumption rate of the consumables 334 in a plurality of cases is analyzed based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 in the past, and each case according to the usage status of the consumables 334 in use. Since the consumption rate is selectively applied to predict the replacement time of the consumables 334 in use, it is possible to present the user with an appropriate replacement time of the consumables 334.

Here, it is preferable that the analysis unit 332a analyzes the consumption rate of the consumables 334 based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 per hour, thereby, for example, the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 per day. It is possible to exclude days when the device is not used, such as holidays, as compared with the case based on the above, and it is possible to analyze the consumption rate of the consumable item 334 suitable for the user.

Further, in the consumables management device of the present embodiment, the analysis unit 332a has a consumables 334 in the past predetermined period of the consumables 334 in use from the usage history of the consumables 334 stored in the consumables use history storage unit 330. The consumption rate of the consumables 334 is analyzed based on the degree of frequency of use, and the prediction unit 332b can predict the replacement time of the consumables in use from the consumption rate of the consumables 334 in use in the past predetermined period. preferable.

According to this consumables management device, for example, the consumption rate of the consumables 334 is analyzed based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 in the past predetermined period from the same day one year before the forecast date to the day before the forecast date. In order to predict the replacement time of the consumables in use from the consumption rate in the past predetermined period, it is possible to present the user with an appropriate replacement time of the consumables 334.

Further, in the consumables management device of the present embodiment, when the usage conditions of the consumables 334 are set, the analysis unit 332a may analyze the consumption rate of the consumables 334 in consideration of the set usage conditions. preferable.

According to this consumables management device, by setting the usage conditions of the consumables 334 for the user in advance, the consumption rate of the consumables 334 is analyzed in consideration of these usage conditions, so that the consumption is more appropriate for the user. It is possible to indicate the replacement time of the item 334.

Further, in the consumables management device of the present embodiment, when the usage conditions of the consumables 334 are set, the prediction unit 332b may predict the replacement time of the consumables 334 in consideration of the set usage conditions. preferable.

According to this consumables management device, by setting the usage conditions of the consumables 334 for the user in advance, the replacement time of the consumables 334 is predicted in consideration of the usage conditions, so that the consumption is more appropriate for the user. It is possible to indicate the replacement time of the item 334.

Further, in the consumables management device of the present embodiment, the consumables sensor 331, the consumables usage history storage unit 330, the analysis unit 332a, the prediction unit 332b, and the consumables replacement time prediction display unit 333 are combined with the consumables 334. It is preferable to prepare for the equipment that uses.

According to this consumables management device, consumables 334 used in the equipment can be collectively managed.

Further, in the consumables management device of the present embodiment, the consumables sensor 331 is provided in the device using the consumables 334, and the consumables use history storage unit 330, the analysis unit 332a, and the prediction unit 332b are connected to an external device ( It is preferable to provide the consumables replacement time prediction display unit 333 in the device or the externally connected device in preparation for the external terminal 320 or the server 321).

According to this consumables management device, it is possible to manage the consumables 334 used in the equipment by dividing the functions into the equipment that uses the consumables 334 and the externally connected equipment.

Further, in the consumables management device of the present embodiment, as the consumables 334, those consumed by use can be applied, and those deteriorated by use can also be applied.

Further, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes the above-mentioned consumables management apparatus.

According to this image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus can present the user with an appropriate replacement time of the consumables 334, and can manage the consumables 334 appropriately to the user.

Further, the consumables management method of the present embodiment includes a usage status acquisition step (step S1) for acquiring the usage status of the consumables 334, a usage history acquisition step (step S1) for acquiring the usage history of the consumables 334, and the usage history acquisition step (step S1). An analysis step (step S2) for analyzing the consumption rate of the consumable 334 based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumable 334 obtained from the usage history of the consumable 334, the usage status of the consumable 334, and the consumption rate of the consumable 334. Includes a prediction step (step S3) for predicting the replacement time of the consumables 334, and a notification step (step S4) for notifying the replacement time.

According to this consumables management method, the consumption rate of the consumables 334 is analyzed based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 obtained from the usage history of the consumables 334. It is possible to obtain the consumption rate of the consumable 334 according to the degree of frequency of use of the consumable 334 on average. Then, since the replacement time of the consumables 334 is predicted from the usage status of the consumables 334 and the consumption speed of the consumables 334, the consumption speed of the consumables 334 suitable for the usage status of the consumables 334 in use is applied. The replacement time of consumables 334 can be predicted. As a result, the user can be presented with an appropriate replacement time for the consumables 334.

Further, the program of the present embodiment includes a usage status acquisition step (step S1) for acquiring the usage status of the consumables 334, a usage history acquisition step (step S1) for acquiring the usage history of the consumables 334, and the consumables 334. Consumables from the analysis step (step S2) that analyzes the consumption rate of the consumables 334 based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables 334 obtained from the usage history of the consumables 334, and the usage status of the consumables 334 and the consumption rate of the consumables 334. This is a program for causing a computer to execute a prediction step (step S3) for predicting the exchange time of 334 and a notification step (step S4) for notifying the exchange time.

This program allows the computer to perform each step.

The program executed by the consumables management device of the present embodiment can be installed in the storage device of the above-mentioned device (image forming device 300) or the externally connected device (external terminal 320 or server 321) including the consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332. Files in various formats or executable formats are recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Further, the program executed by the consumables management device of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network. Further, the program executed by the consumables management device of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the program executed by the consumables management device of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided by incorporating it into a ROM or the like in advance.

The program executed by the consumables management device of the present embodiment has a module configuration including the analysis unit 332a and the prediction unit 332b described above, and as actual hardware, the CPU (processor) stores the program from the storage device. By reading and executing, the analysis unit 332a and the prediction unit 332b are loaded on the storage device and generated on the storage device.

300 Image forming device 320 External terminal 321 Server 322 Network 330 Consumables Usage history storage unit (storage means)
331 Consumables sensor (detection means)
332 Consumables remaining amount calculation unit 332a Analysis unit (analysis means)
332b Prediction unit (prediction means)
332c Input device 333 Consumables replacement time prediction display unit (notification means)
334 Consumables

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-99184

Claims (13)

Detection means to detect the usage status of consumables,
A storage means for storing the usage history of the consumables and
An analytical means for analyzing the consumption rate of the consumables in a plurality of cases based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables in the past obtained from the usage history of the consumables stored in the storage means.
A predictive means for predicting the replacement time of the consumables in use by selectively applying the consumption rate of each of the cases according to the usage status of the consumables in use.
A notification means for notifying the replacement time of the consumables predicted by the prediction means, and a notification means.
Consumables management device equipped with. The consumables management device according to claim 1 , wherein the analysis means analyzes the consumption rate of the consumables based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables per hour. The consumables management device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis means analyzes the consumption rate of the consumables in a case corresponding to the predetermined period based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables in the past predetermined period. .. The analysis means according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein when the usage conditions of the consumables are set, the consumption rate of the consumables is analyzed in consideration of the set usage conditions. Consumables management device. The predictive means according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein when the usage conditions of the consumables are set, the replacement time of the consumables is predicted in consideration of the set usage conditions. Consumables management device. When the increase / decrease in the number of users of the consumable is set as the usage condition of the consumable, the predicting means replaces the consumable in consideration of the set usage condition. The consumables management device according to claim 3, which predicts the timing. The consumables management according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection means, the storage means, the analysis means, the prediction means, and the notification means are provided in the device using the consumables. Device. Claims 1 to 6 include the detection means in a device that uses the consumable, the storage means, the analysis means, and the prediction means in the externally connected device, and the notification means in the device or the externally connected device. Consumables management device according to any one of. The consumables management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the consumables are consumed by use. The consumables management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the consumables are deteriorated by use. The usage status acquisition step to acquire the usage status of consumables, and
The usage history acquisition step for acquiring the usage history of the consumables, and
An analysis step for analyzing the consumption rate of the consumables in a plurality of cases based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables in the past obtained from the usage history of the consumables.
A prediction step for predicting the replacement time of the consumables in use by selectively applying the consumption rate of each of the cases according to the usage status of the consumables in use.
The notification step for notifying the exchange time and
Consumables management methods including. The usage status acquisition step to acquire the usage status of consumables, and
The usage history acquisition step for acquiring the usage history of the consumables, and
An analysis step for analyzing the consumption rate of the consumables in a plurality of cases based on the degree of frequency of use of the consumables in the past obtained from the usage history of the consumables.
A prediction step for predicting the replacement time of the consumables in use by selectively applying the consumption rate of each of the cases according to the usage status of the consumables in use.
The notification step for notifying the exchange time and
A program that lets your computer run. An image forming apparatus comprising the consumables management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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