JP2017016095A - Information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system capable of determining whether the amount of reduction in consumables is adequate or not.SOLUTION: In an information processing system 100, an information processing device 40 and an apparatus 20 can communicate with each other via a network. The apparatus includes transmission means 23 for transmitting use amount information on an increasing use amount due to the use of the apparatus and consumable information on decreasing consumables due to the use of the apparatus. The information processing device includes: reception means 44 for receiving the use amount information and the consumable information from the apparatus; and determination means 43 for determining whether the amount of reduction in the consumables is adequate or not on the basis of the use amount information and the consumable information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

  With the spread of networks such as the Internet and wireless communication networks, the form used by users with image forming apparatuses connected to the network has increased. If the image forming apparatus is connected to a network, a server communicating with the image forming apparatus can provide various services to the user.

  For example, a service in which a server performs maintenance on an image forming apparatus connected via a network is known. The image forming apparatus transmits various kinds of information preferable for maintenance to the server. The server compares various types of information with failure information of various types of past models to detect signs of failure and determines necessary maintenance. As a result, if necessary, a customer engineer will be dispatched to perform appropriate maintenance, and inspections will be performed to prevent failure.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus transmits the remaining amount of toner or the amount of consumables used such as printing paper and staples to the server, the server can provide a service for arranging the shipment of consumables (for example, , See Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, in order to eliminate the out-of-stock of consumables, the monthly average usage amount is recorded for each device, and when there is no notification of consumables replenishment request for a period corresponding to the average usage amount, An output host computer is disclosed.

  However, the conventional service has a problem in that it is not determined whether the amount of toner used by the image forming apparatus is appropriate. How much toner the image forming apparatus uses when forming an image is controlled by the charging voltage of the photosensitive drum. However, toner consumption may be accelerated for some reason.

  When the image forming apparatus consumes a large amount of toner for some reason, the toner in the toner cartridge is consumed by the whole toner cartridge without printing the number of printable pages. When such a sign is seen, it is considered preferable that a customer engineer or the like maintain or inspect the image forming apparatus.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system capable of determining whether or not a reduction amount of consumables is appropriate.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention is an information processing system in which an information processing apparatus and a device can communicate with each other via a network, and the device includes usage amount information related to a usage amount that increases with use of the device, and Transmission means for transmitting consumable information relating to consumables that decrease with the use of the device, and the information processing device receives the usage information and the consumable information from the device; Determining means for determining whether or not the reduction amount of the consumable item is appropriate based on the usage amount information and the consumable item information;

  To provide an information processing system capable of determining whether or not the reduction amount of consumables is appropriate.

It is an example of the figure explaining the outline of an apparatus system. It is an example of the block diagram of an apparatus system. It is an example of the hardware block diagram of a management apparatus. 1 is an example of a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is an example of a functional block diagram of a management device and an image forming apparatus included in the device system. It is an example of the figure explaining the whole operation | movement of an apparatus system. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. It is a figure which shows an example of the electronic mail of the error notification which a management apparatus transmits to service charge PC. FIG. 10 is another example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate (second embodiment). FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate (third embodiment). FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate (third embodiment). It is a figure which shows an example of the electronic mail of the error notification which a management apparatus transmits to service charge PC. FIG. 10 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for determining whether the usage fluctuation information is transmitted and the remaining amount of toner is appropriate.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example of a diagram illustrating an outline of the device system 100 of the present embodiment. An image forming apparatus 20 (an example of an apparatus) and a management apparatus 40 (an example of an information processing apparatus) are communicably connected via a network N. A user of the image forming apparatus 20 receives an automatic supply service for consumables from the management apparatus 40. Therefore, when the remaining amount of toner in the image forming apparatus 20 becomes near-end, the management apparatus 40 arranges a toner cartridge.
(1) The image forming apparatus 20 according to the present exemplary embodiment periodically transmits the remaining amount of toner (an example of consumable information) and counter information (an example of usage amount information) to the management device 40, for example.
(2) The management device 40 determines whether the amount of decrease in the remaining amount of toner transmitted from the image forming device 20 is appropriate from the counter information sent simultaneously. For example, when the image forming apparatus 20 that consumes more toner than usual transmits a toner near end to the management apparatus 40, the management apparatus 40 can print with the number of print pages calculated from past counter information and the toner consumption. Compare with the number of printed pages. When the number of printed pages calculated from past counter information is less than the value that can be printed by the toner consumption, the management apparatus 40 can determine that the toner consumption of the image forming apparatus 20 is larger than normal. In this case, appropriate maintenance becomes possible.

  Similar maintenance can be performed when a toner end or toner near end toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus 20. That is, when the image forming apparatus 20 is not performing printing but a toner cartridge at the toner end or toner near end is mounted, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits the toner near end to the management apparatus 40. The management device 40 can detect that the toner is depleted abnormally early although the counter information has hardly increased. Therefore, the management device 40 can confirm whether or not it is necessary to arrange a toner cartridge by inquiring the customer.

  As described above, the management apparatus 40 according to the present exemplary embodiment can perform appropriate maintenance on the image forming apparatus 20 by comparing the toner consumption amount with the counter information.

<Terminology>
The terminology used will be described.
The user is a person who operates the image forming apparatus 20 or an information terminal (described later). The operator is a person who operates the management device 40.

  The usage variation information is the cumulative number of pages printed in the past (hereinafter referred to as counter information) and the remaining amount of toner. These are transmitted to the management device 40. The usage fluctuation information includes coverage (total of the area percentage occupied by toner per A4 size sheet), the number of discharged sheets, the cumulative rotation speed of the photosensitive drum, the energization time of the fixing unit, and the like. Also good. Both of these are useful for the management device 40 to grasp the usage amount of the image forming apparatus 20 as with the counter information. Further, the increment of the counter information and the decrease amount of the remaining amount of toner may be transmitted to the management apparatus 40 as usage variation information. These are equivalent to the counter information and the remaining amount of toner in that it is possible to determine whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate.

  The usage amount information relating to the usage amount is information relating to the usage amount that makes it possible to determine whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate, for example, counter information or an increase in the counter information. The consumable information regarding the consumable is information regarding the consumable that makes it possible to determine whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate, and is the remaining amount of toner or the amount of toner decrease.

  The toner end means that the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge is zero or an amount that can be regarded as zero, and the toner near-end means that the toner cartridge can be replenished. In general, since the toner near-end is followed by the toner-end, this embodiment will be described using the term toner near-end without distinguishing these.

<Configuration example>
FIG. 2 shows an example of a configuration diagram of the device system 100. The device system 100 includes a management device 40, a sales server 60, an image forming device 20, an information terminal 10, a service person in charge PC 90, and a settlement organization 80 that can communicate with each other via a network N. The device system 100 is an example of an information processing system.

  The network N is constructed by a LAN in a facility such as an in-house where the image forming apparatus 20 is arranged, a provider network of a provider that connects the LAN to the Internet, a line provided by a line operator, and the like. The network N may include the Internet. The network N may be constructed by either wired or wireless, and wired and wireless may be combined. When the image forming apparatus 20 is directly connected to a line telephone network or a mobile telephone network, it can be connected to a provider network without going through a LAN. In addition, communication according to a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or ZigBee (registered trademark) may be included in the route to connect to the LAN or the connection between the LANs.

  The management device 40 is a device that manages the image forming apparatus 20. The management refers to grasping the image forming apparatus 20 used by each customer, performing maintenance, and performing billing processing based on counter information included in usage variation information. For example, a charge is made every month by multiplying the increment of the counter information by the unit price.

  In addition, the management apparatus 40 obtains usage variation information of the image forming apparatus 20 and performs diagnosis, and detects a failure of the image forming apparatus 20 and a sign of the failure. Depending on the detection result, further diagnosis is performed from a remote location, and a customer engineer is dispatched if necessary. When a failure notification is received from the image forming apparatus 20, a customer engineer is dispatched. Also, the remaining amount of toner is acquired from the image forming apparatus 20 and a toner cartridge is shipped as necessary. The number of discharged sheets is acquired and printing paper is shipped as necessary. The amount of staple used is acquired. Or send staples as needed.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the management device 40 only needs to exist as an arrangement for receiving a toner remaining amount and counter information from the image forming apparatus 20 and arranging a toner cartridge, and does not have all of the above functions. Also good. Whether the toner cartridge is charged or free depends on what kind of contract the user has made with the sales server 60. If the contract is a fixed amount up to a certain number of printed pages every month, regardless of the number of printed pages or consumables, the toner cartridge can be delivered free of charge. On the other hand, if it is a pay-per-use contract, both the number of printed pages and the toner cartridge are charged. In this embodiment, it is assumed that it is not charged or free.

  The management apparatus 40 is operated by a sales company (dealer) that provides the image forming apparatus 20 to customers, a manufacturing company (manufacturer) of the image forming apparatus 20, or an affiliated company of the sales company or manufacturing company. It may be the same as the operating source of the sales server 60 described below.

  The sales server 60 sells various products and services. The sales server 60 provides a Web page that displays various products and services in a selectable manner, and requests the settlement organization 80 to settle the products and services selected by the customer. When payment is completed, various products and services are delivered to the customer. That is, the sales server 60 provides a Web site where electronic commerce is possible. Note that the sales server 60 transmits contract information (customer ID, address, name, contact information, etc.) with the customer that is concluded along with the sales of the image forming apparatus 20 to the management apparatus 40. The management apparatus 40 and its operator can acquire contract information together with the conclusion of the contract.

  The settlement institution 80 is, for example, a financial institution or a credit card company, and performs settlement of various products and services purchased by customers. For example, in a settlement using a credit card, the settlement organization 80 pays for a product or service to the sales company and charges the customer a fee. If it is a financial institution, the customer pays for the various products and services from the customer's account and pays them to the sales side. In the settlement using transfer paper, the transfer paper for requesting the price from the customer is mailed to the customer, and the payment paid by the customer at the convenience store is paid to the sales side by the settlement organization.

  The image forming apparatus 20 performs printing of a document input as electronic data, copying of a document, scanning (reading) of a document, FAX transmission of a document or document, FAX reception from a partner, and the like. The image forming apparatus 20 may have at least a print function. Further, the image forming apparatus 20 having two or more functions among document printing, document copying, document scanning, and FAX transmission / reception may be called an MFP (Multifunctional Peripheral / Printer / Product).

  The information terminal 10 is a general-purpose information processing device or a device called a terminal. The customer operates the information terminal 10 to apply for purchases of various products and rentals of various services (in this embodiment, simply distinguishing between rentals and leases without distinguishing between rentals and leases). In the information terminal 10, browser software for accessing an electronic commerce website provided by the sales server 60 or application software having an equivalent function operates.

  Specifically, the information terminal 10 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a wearable computer (such as a wristwatch, sunglasses, a head-mounted display), an electronic blackboard, a video conference. A terminal, a projector, or the like. Further, the image forming apparatus 20 may be used as the information terminal 10.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 20 and the information terminal 10 are installed in a customer environment 9 where the image forming apparatus 20 is purchased or rented and are operated by a customer. However, the information terminal 10 is allowed to be portable.

  The service staff PC 90 is a PC of a service staff who performs customer service. The service PC 90 periodically accesses the POP server that stores the e-mail and polls whether the e-mail has arrived to its own mail account. When an e-mail arrives at his / her e-mail account, the consumables are delivered to the customer or maintained based on the contents of the e-mail.

≪Hardware configuration≫
Next, the hardware configuration of the management device 40, the sales server 60, the service staff PC 90, the image forming device 20, and the like will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an example of a hardware configuration diagram of the management device 40. The management device 40 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, and an auxiliary storage device 204. Furthermore, the management apparatus 40 includes an input unit 205, a display control unit 206, and a communication unit 207. Note that the units of the management device 40 are connected to each other via the bus 208. Therefore, the management device 40 has a function as an information processing device.

  The CPU 201 executes various programs and OS (Operating System) stored in the auxiliary storage device 204. The ROM 202 is a nonvolatile memory. The ROM 202 stores programs, data, and the like necessary for the CPU 201 to execute various programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 204.

  The RAM 203 is a main storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). Various programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 204 when executed by the CPU 201 are expanded in the RAM 203, and the RAM 203 serves as a work area for the CPU 201.

  The auxiliary storage device 204 stores various programs executed by the CPU 201 (for example, the management program 4100) and various databases used when the various programs are executed by the CPU 201. The auxiliary storage device 204 is a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). Various databases will be described later.

  The input unit 205 is an interface for an operator to input various instructions to the management device 40. For example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a voice input device, and the like. Furthermore, a mounting portion for a recording medium such as a USB I / F may be provided.

  In response to a request from the CPU 201, the display control unit 206 displays various information included in the management device 40 on the display 210 in the form of a cursor, menu, window, character, image, or the like. The display control unit 206 is, for example, a graphic chip or a display I / F.

  The communication unit 207 is a network I / F that communicates with the sales server 60 and the image forming apparatus 20 via the network N.

  It is assumed that the sales server 60, the information terminal 10, and the service charge PC 90 also have the same hardware configuration as that of the management device 40. Although it is not necessary to be completely the same, even if there is a difference, it is assumed that there is no problem in the description of this embodiment.

  The hardware configuration of the illustrated management device 40 or the like does not need to be housed in a single housing or provided as a single device, and is preferably a hardware element that the management device 40 or the like has. Indicates. In addition, in order to support cloud computing, the physical configuration of the management device 40 and the like of this embodiment may not be fixed, and hardware resources may be dynamically connected / disconnected according to the load. May be configured.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 includes a controller 320. The controller 320 includes a CPU 301, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 305, an SDRAM 302, a flash memory 303, an HDD 304, and a network interface card (NIC) 306.

  The ASIC 305 is a multifunction device board including a CPU interface, an SDRAM interface, a local bus interface, a PCI bus interface, a MAC (Media Access Controller), an HDD interface, and the like.

  The CPU 301 reads and executes various programs (for example, a usage management program) from the HDD 304 via the ASIC 305.

  The SDRAM 302 functions as a program memory that stores various programs, a work memory that is used when the CPU 301 executes various programs, and the like. Note that a DRAM or SRAM may be used instead of the SDRAM 302.

  The flash memory 303 is a non-volatile memory, and stores a boot loader (boot program) for starting up the image forming apparatus 20 and an OS. Moreover, it functions as an application memory for storing each application software (for example, including a usage management program). The flash memory 303 functions as a service memory that stores software for each service (copy service, print service, facsimile service). Further, the flash memory 303 functions as a firmware memory for storing firmware, and a data memory for storing point setting information in which a network address, a model number, and the number of points are set.

  Instead of the flash memory 303, another nonvolatile memory such as a nonvolatile RAM in which a backup circuit using a RAM and a battery is integrated or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) may be used.

  The HDD 304 is a non-volatile recording medium that stores data regardless of whether the image forming apparatus 20 is powered on or off. The HDD 304 records programs and data other than the programs and data stored in the flash memory 303. The HDD 304 may be used as a farm memory.

  The NIC 306 is an interface for communicating with the management apparatus 40 via the network N (for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) card). Communication with the management apparatus 40 is performed via the NIC 306.

  An operation unit 307 is connected to the controller 320. The operation unit 307 has various operation keys, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or CRT character display as a display device, and a touch panel, and is used when a user inputs various instructions to the image forming apparatus 20.

  Further, a fax control unit 308, USB 309, IEEE 1394 (310), plotter engine 311, and scanner engine 312 are connected to the controller 320 via the PCI bus 330. As a result, the image forming apparatus 20 can provide services such as a copy service, a print service, and a facsimile service. The plotter engine 311 may employ either an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system.

  The illustrated configuration is merely an example, and the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 is not limited to the configuration in FIG. For example, the NIC 306 may be connected to the PCI bus 330. Further, the NIC 306 may be connected to the network N by wire, or may be connected wirelessly such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

  Further, instead of the NIC 306 or together with the NIC 306, a DSU (Digital Service Unit) or modem connected to the telephone line network may be included. You may have a communication apparatus connected to a mobile telephone network. Further, for example, the image forming apparatus 20 may include a device that communicates with a communication standard called Bluetooth (registered trademark), and may be connected to the network N by the device.

<Functions of equipment system>
Next, functional configurations of the management apparatus 40 and the image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an example of a functional block diagram of the management apparatus 40 and the image forming apparatus 20 included in the device system 100. The sales server 60, the service PC 90, and the settlement organization 80 are assumed to use known functions.

<< Image forming device >>
The image forming apparatus 20 includes a basic function unit 22, a device usage information management unit 21, and a network control unit 23. Each of these units included in the image forming apparatus 20 is operated by any of the components illustrated in FIG. 4 according to a command from the CPU 301 according to the usage management program 2100 expanded from the HDD 304 onto the SDRAM 302. Functions realized or means provided.

  The usage management program 2100 is distributed from a server for program distribution, or is recorded and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium.

  The basic function unit 22 is realized by the CPU 301, the ASIC 305, the fax control unit 308, the plotter engine 311, the scanner engine 312, and the like illustrated in FIG. 4 and provides the functions of the image forming apparatus 20. That is, a print job, a copy job, a scan job, a FAX transmission job, a FAX reception job, and the like are performed.

  The device usage information management unit 21 is realized by the CPU 301 and the like shown in FIG. 4, collects information that varies depending on the usage status of the image forming apparatus 20 (the above-described usage variation information), and notifies the management device 40 of the information. That is, the remaining amount of toner and counter information are transmitted.

  In response to a request from the device usage information management unit 21, the network control unit 23 transmits usage variation information to the management device 40 via the network N. The device usage information management unit 21 requests transmission of usage variation information at a predetermined time of the day (after the power is turned on if the power of the image forming apparatus 20 is not turned on at this time) or at regular intervals. To do. The transmission interval may be once every two days, once a week, once a month, or the like. Moreover, you may transmit twice or more a day. It is not necessary to transmit periodically, and it may be transmitted when the load on the image forming apparatus 20 decreases.

  The network control unit 23 includes a mail transmission function unit 24 and an https communication function unit 25. The mail transmission function unit 24 transmits the usage variation information managed by the device usage information management unit 21 with the mail address of the management device 40 as a destination.

  The https communication function unit 25 transmits the usage variation information managed by the device usage information management unit 21 to the http server 44 of the management device 40 using the http protocol. Note that either the transmission to the management device 40 by the http protocol or the notification by electronic mail may be used. Moreover, you may transmit with other communication protocols, such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

<< Management device >>
The management device 40 includes a network connection unit 41, a display unit 42, a toner remaining amount determination unit 43, an http server 44, a POP server 45, an SMTP server 46, and a device information management unit 47. Each of these components included in the management device 40 is operated by any one of the components shown in FIG. 3 according to a command from the CPU 201 according to the management program 4100 expanded from the auxiliary storage device 204 to the RAM 203. Functions realized or means provided.

  The management program 4100 is distributed from a program distribution server or is recorded and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Further, the management device 40 has a device information DB 49 constructed by the auxiliary storage device 204 and the RAM 203 shown in FIG.

表１は、機器情報ＤＢ４９に登録されている機器情報テーブルを模式的に示す。機器情報テーブルには通知日時、機器機番、カウンタ情報、及び、トナー残量が対応づけて登録されている。通知日時は、利用変動情報を管理装置４０が受信した日時（日にちと時刻）である。機器機番は画像形成装置２０に固有の識別情報であり、変更可能であるとしても一意性が保証されている。カウンタ情報は、画像形成装置２０が保持している累積の印刷ページ数である（片面の印刷で１ページ）。トナー残量は、トナーカートリッジにどのくらいのトナーが残っているかを示す。表１ではパーセント単位で示されているが、グラム単位、ドット（画素）単位などでもよい。

Table 1 schematically shows a device information table registered in the device information DB 49. In the device information table, notification date / time, device number, counter information, and remaining toner amount are registered in association with each other. The notification date and time is the date and time (date and time) when the management apparatus 40 received the usage variation information. The device number is identification information unique to the image forming apparatus 20 and is guaranteed to be unique even if it can be changed. The counter information is the cumulative number of printed pages held by the image forming apparatus 20 (one page for single-sided printing). The remaining amount of toner indicates how much toner remains in the toner cartridge. Although shown in Table 1 as a percentage unit, it may be a gram unit or a dot (pixel) unit.

  When the image forming apparatus 20 can perform color printing, the remaining amount of toner for each color of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow is recorded. In this case, the counter information is recorded separately for color printing and monochrome printing.

  In the device information table of Table 1, daily usage variation information of the image forming apparatus 20 with the same device number is shown, but such usage variation information is transmitted from each image forming device 20 to the management device 40.

(Management device functions)
Subsequently, each function of the management device 40 will be described. The network connection unit 41 is realized by the CPU 201 and the communication unit 207 shown in FIG. 3 and accesses the network N and connects the http server 44, the POP server 45, and the SMTP server 46 to the network N.

  The display unit 42 is realized by the CPU 201 and the display control unit 206 shown in FIG. 3, and displays various types of information that the management device 40 has on the display 210 in the form of a cursor, menu, window, character, image, or the like.

  The toner remaining amount determination unit 43 is realized by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 3 and the like, analyzes usage change information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20 by a method described later, and determines whether the toner consumption amount is appropriate. to decide. “Determining whether or not the amount of toner consumption is appropriate” refers to determining whether or not the usage amount (for example, counter information) of the image forming apparatus 20 is appropriate with respect to the remaining amount of toner (toner consumption amount). Further, it is said that the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate when it is determined that the toner is not appropriate. Alternatively, it may be expressed that the remaining amount of toner is not valid. Specifically, when the amount of use of the image forming apparatus 20 (for example, the number of increments of counter information) is small relative to the toner remaining amount, or when the toner remaining amount suddenly decreases, it is determined that the toner remaining amount is not appropriate. The

  The http server 44 functions as the http server 44 in response to a request from the https communication function unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 20, establishes a communication connection with the image forming apparatus 20, and receives usage variation information. Note that the http server 44 can also transmit information to the image forming apparatus 20.

  If it is determined that the toner remaining amount is not appropriate, the SMTP server 46 sends an e-mail to the POP server 45 with the e-mail address of the service person in charge PC 90 (may be expressed as the e-mail address of the service person in charge) as a destination. .

  The POP server 45 accepts polling for the presence / absence of an email from the service staff PC 90, and when there is an email, transmits the email to the service staff PC 90. In addition, an e-mail addressed to the management apparatus 40 is received from the image forming apparatus 20. That is, usage variation information is received from the image forming apparatus 20 by e-mail.

  The device information management unit 47 assigns a notification date and time to the usage change information received by the http server 44 or the POP server 45 and stores it in the device information DB 49 as one record.

<Operation procedure>
Next, referring to FIG. 6, a procedure for determining whether the usage variation information is transmitted and the remaining amount of toner is appropriate will be described. FIG. 6 is an example of a diagram illustrating the overall operation of the device system 100.

  S1: The https communication function unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 20 transmits usage variation information to the http server 44 of the management apparatus 40. The usage variation information includes a device number for identifying the image forming apparatus 20.

  S2: The https communication function unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 20 transmits the usage variation information to the http server 44 of the management apparatus 40 periodically or at a fixed timing. That is, as shown in Table 1, the repeated use variation information is transmitted to the http server 44.

  S3: The toner remaining amount determination unit 43 of the management device 40 acquires usage variation information from the http server 44, and determines whether the toner remaining amount is appropriate. Details will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case where it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate will be described. If it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is appropriate, error notification is not performed.

  S4: The http server 44 notifies the SMTP server 46 of an error because there is a possibility that the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate.

  S5: The SMTP server 46 designates the mail address of the service person of the service person PC 90 and transmits an e-mail containing the error notification to the POP server 45.

  S6: The service PC 90 checks the e-mail addressed to itself by polling the POP server 45.

  S6.1: The service PC 90 receives an e-mail containing an error notification.

  S7: Further, the http server 44 of the management apparatus 40 may transmit the above error to the image forming apparatus 20. Since direct communication from the management apparatus 40 to the image forming apparatus 20 is excluded by a firewall or the like, the https communication function unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 20 periodically inquires of the http server 44 of the management apparatus 40 whether there is an error.

  S7.1: In response to this inquiry, the http server 44 notifies the image forming apparatus 20 of an error. In addition, the management apparatus 40 may restrict the use of the image forming apparatus 20 instead of simply notifying the image forming apparatus 20 of the error or together with the notification of the error. The restriction of use means that the user cannot use all functions of the image forming apparatus 20 or the user cannot use some functions of the image forming apparatus 20. Upon receiving this notification, the image forming apparatus 20 restricts the acceptance of operations to the operation unit 307 and does not accept print jobs to the NIC 306. Also, the number of printed pages per day is limited to a predetermined value or less.

<< Determining whether the remaining amount of toner is appropriate >>
In step S3 of FIG. 6, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 of the management device 40 determines whether or not the amount of decrease in the toner remaining amount is appropriate from the toner remaining amount and the counter information. The concept of this determination is as follows, for example.

  First, when the toner exhibits a reduction amount of 20% (as an example), at least the number of printable pages is set as the printable page number N. Further, the increment of the counter information while the remaining amount of toner is reduced by 20% is assumed to be M (an example of the increase amount). Therefore, when N> M holds, it can be determined that the remaining amount of toner has abnormally decreased.

The increment M is obtained from past counter information. Further, the printable page number N is obtained by the following equation.
N = (number of printable dots when the remaining amount is 100% × 20%) ÷ number of dots when printing one page at the maximum density The number of printable dots when the remaining amount is 100% is known in advance (experimental or theoretical) Can ask for). The printing of one page with the maximum density is printing with a coverage (coverage information) of 100%, and in monochrome printing, the entire surface is printed in black. The number of dots (dot number information) when printing one page at the maximum density can also be obtained experimentally or theoretically. When printing is performed using the maximum amount of toner, the counter information may increase less than the number of printed pages required to reduce the toner by 20% (the minimum number of printed pages required to reduce the toner by 20%). Therefore, when N> M, it can be determined that the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate. In this case, an error is notified in step S4 of FIG.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate.

  Receiving the usage variation information, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 of the management device 40 identifies the oldest usage variation information in which the remaining amount of toner is greater by the threshold than the usage variation information (S10). That is, the usage variation information with the oldest notification date is specified from the usage variation information of the remaining amount of toner larger than the remaining amount of toner included in the latest usage variation information. This threshold value is 20% in the above example, but may be a resolution of the remaining amount of toner that can be detected by the image forming apparatus 20 (for example, 1%) or a larger numerical value up to 100%.

  The toner remaining amount determining unit 43 calculates an increment M of the counter information of the two usage fluctuation information (S20). That is, the difference between the counter information included in the latest usage fluctuation information and the counter information specified in step S10 is calculated.

  Next, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 calculates the minimum printable page number N necessary for consuming the threshold toner (S30). For example, if the minimum number of printed pages necessary to consume 1% of toner (the number of printed pages by printing at the maximum density) n is held in advance and the threshold is 20%, N = 20 × n, The minimum printable page number N necessary for consuming the threshold (20%) toner can be calculated.

  Next, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 determines whether or not N> M (S40).

  When the determination in step S40 is Yes, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 issues an error notification (S50). When the determination in step S40 is No, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 does not perform error notification.

  Thus, by comparing the increment M of the counter information with the minimum printable page number N, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate.

A specific example will be described using the device information table in Table 1 as an example. The management device 40
"2015/02/16 12:01 002490 sheets 70% remaining toner"
It is assumed that usage fluctuation information is received.

The oldest usage fluctuation information that can confirm 90% toner remaining, which is 20% more than 70% remaining toner,
"2015/01/02 12:00 00256 sheets of toner remaining 90%"
It is. That is, 20% of the toner was consumed during this period. The increment of the counter information is “2234 sheets = 2490-256”.

  Here, the minimum printable page number N required to consume 20% of toner is 200 sheets. Since N (200) <M (2234), it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is appropriate.

Next, the management device 40
"2015/02/17 12:00 002511 sheets Toner 50%"
It is assumed that usage fluctuation information is received. The oldest usage fluctuation information that can confirm 70% toner remaining, 20% more than 50% toner remaining,
"2015/02/16 12:01 002490 sheets 70% remaining toner"
It is. During this period, 20% of the toner was consumed. The increment of the counter information is “21 sheets = 2511-2490”. Since N (200)> M (21), it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate.

The same determination can be made for color printing. In the case of color printing, since it is unclear how much each of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow is used, it is estimated that, for example, each color is used at the same ratio (25% each). Accordingly, when the toner is reduced by 20%, at least the minimum printable page number N that can be printed is calculated as follows.
N = (number of dots that can be printed when the remaining amount is 100% × 20%) ÷ number of dots when printing one page at 25% density This makes it possible to appropriately determine the number N of pages that can be printed even in the case of color printing. In the case of color printing, the printable page number N may be calculated in the same manner as monochrome printing.

<Error notification>
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error notification e-mail transmitted from the management apparatus 40 to the service staff PC 90. This e-mail has a header portion 501, an error notification 502, device information 503, and contact information 504. Among them, there is a possibility that the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate is a message “Error is consumed abnormally. Please check.” Of error notification 502.

  Customer service that operates the service PC 90 performs contact with the contact information 504 or visits, etc. to perform maintenance of the image forming apparatus 20 and confirm toner usage.

<< About Coverage >>
In the determination method of FIG. 7, in order to suppress erroneous determination that the toner remaining amount is appropriate but not appropriate, the minimum printable page number N is calculated assuming that printing is performed with the maximum density. . However, in this case, when the user performs printing exceeding the minimum printable page number N, it may not be possible to correctly determine whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. That is, there is a risk of erroneously determining that the remaining amount of toner is appropriate although it is not appropriate. For example, if the toner cartridge is used in another image forming apparatus 20 and is mounted again, and printing exceeds the minimum printable page number N (200 pages in the above example), the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. There is a risk of being judged.

  Therefore, it is effective to calculate not the minimum printable page number N required to consume the reduced amount of toner but the printable page number P required to consume the reduced amount of toner. For this reason, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits the average daily coverage to the management apparatus 40 together with the usage variation information or separately.

表２はカバレッジが送信される場合に機器情報ＤＢ４９に登録されている機器情報テーブルを模式的に示す。なお、表１との相違点を主に説明する。表２の機器情報テーブルにはカバレッジが登録されている。このカバレッジは、例えば、毎日の平均的なカバレッジである。なお、カラー印刷が可能な画像形成装置２０では、各色ごとにカバレッジが記録される。

Table 2 schematically shows a device information table registered in the device information DB 49 when coverage is transmitted. The difference from Table 1 will be mainly described. Coverage is registered in the device information table of Table 2. This coverage is, for example, an average daily coverage. In the image forming apparatus 20 capable of color printing, coverage is recorded for each color.

The remaining toner amount determination unit 43, for example, a printable page necessary for consuming the reduced amount of toner using an average value, median value, or maximum value (hereinafter referred to as coverage statistical value) of the past month's coverage. The number P is calculated.
P = (number of printable dots when the remaining amount is 100% x reduced toner amount) ÷ coverage number of dots when printing one page The number of dots when printing one page at maximum density is known in advance, so coverage The number of dots when printing one page is obtained from the statistical value of coverage. For example, if the statistical value of coverage is 5%, the number of dots when printing one page with the statistical value of coverage is one-twentieth the maximum number of dots when printing one page.

  The remaining toner amount determination unit 43 determines that the remaining toner amount is not appropriate when “P> M” or “P−α> M”. α is a variable for suppressing erroneous determination that the toner remaining amount is appropriate but not appropriate. When the printable page number P is calculated using the coverage statistics, when the image forming apparatus 20 prints with a coverage smaller than the coverage statistics, it is erroneously determined that the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate but appropriate. There is a fear. Thus, for example, if α is determined to be 10% of P, such erroneous determination can be reduced.

  FIG. 9 is another example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. FIG. 9 mainly describes differences from FIG.

  Subsequent to step S10, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 calculates a statistical value of coverage (S15).

  The toner remaining amount determining unit 43 calculates an increment M of the counter information of the two usage fluctuation information (S20).

  Next, the remaining toner amount determination unit 43 calculates the number P of printable pages necessary for consuming the reduced amount of toner (S30). For example, if the number of printed pages necessary for consuming 1% of toner (number of printed pages based on coverage statistics) p is held in advance and the reduced toner remaining amount is 20%, P = 20 × p Thus, the number P of printable pages necessary for consuming the reduced amount of toner can be calculated.

  Next, the toner remaining amount determining unit 43 determines a variable α (S35).

  Next, the toner remaining amount determining unit 43 determines whether P-α> M is satisfied (S40).

  When the determination in step S40 is Yes, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 issues an error notification (S50).

  As described above, by determining the printable page number P from the statistical value of coverage, it is possible to suppress erroneous determination that the remaining amount of toner is appropriate even though it is not appropriate.

<Comparison with Judgment of Whether Remaining Toner Based on Detection of Replacement of Toner Cartridge>
If it can be detected that the toner cartridge has been replaced and it can be detected that the remaining amount of toner is near the end of the toner, it can be determined that the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate. Hereinafter, the case where the IC chip is arranged in the toner cartridge and the case where the IC chip is not arranged will be described separately. It is assumed that a chip number is stored in the IC chip.

In the case where an IC chip is arranged in the toner cartridge In this case, the device usage information management unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 records the remaining amount of toner and the chip number in association with each other. For example, it is assumed that the user has installed a toner near-end toner cartridge when the image forming apparatus 20 is powered off. Since the chip number detected by the image forming apparatus 20 immediately after the power is turned on is different from the chip number before the power is turned off, it can be detected that the toner cartridge has been replaced and the toner near end has been reached. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate.

  However, when the toner of the same toner cartridge is used or taken out by another image forming apparatus 20 and then attached to the original image forming apparatus 20, it is detected that the toner cartridge has been replaced because the chip number is the same. Can not.

When no IC chip is arranged in the toner cartridge Assume that the user has installed a toner near-end toner cartridge when the image forming apparatus 20 is powered off. Since the image forming apparatus 20 cannot read the chip number, it detects only the toner near end even when the power is turned on. That is, since the replacement of the toner cartridge cannot be detected, it cannot be detected that the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate.

  Even when the toner of the same toner cartridge is used in another image forming apparatus 20 and attached to the original image forming apparatus 20, it cannot be detected that the toner cartridge has been replaced because there is no IC chip.

  On the other hand, in the method for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner in this embodiment is appropriate, how to decrease the remaining amount of toner is determined using the counter information. Therefore, the remaining amount of toner regardless of the presence or absence of the IC chip of the toner cartridge. It is easy to detect that is not appropriate.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, a management device 40 that determines that the remaining amount of toner has reached the near end of the toner and the remaining amount of toner based on the counter information will be described.

  The fact that the remaining amount of toner is near the toner end means that the image forming apparatus 20 has printed the number of print pages sufficient to consume the toner of one toner cartridge. On the other hand, when the toner is abnormally decreased for some reason or a toner near-end toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus 20, the image forming apparatus 20 prints only to consume the toner of one toner cartridge. The page count is not printed.

  Note that the functional block diagrams of the management apparatus 40 and the image forming apparatus 20 of the present embodiment may be the same as in FIG. Moreover, description of the component once demonstrated may be abbreviate | omitted or only a difference may be demonstrated.

  FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. The procedure of FIG. 10 starts when usage variation information is received.

  The toner remaining amount determination unit 43 of the management device 40 determines whether or not the remaining amount of toner in the usage variation information is toner near-end (S10). Instead of the usage variation information, a toner call requesting toner may be received. If the determination in step S10 is No, the management apparatus 40 does not notify the error, so the process ends.

  When the determination in step S10 is Yes, the toner remaining amount determining unit 43 of the management device 40 specifies the oldest usage variation information among the usage variation information in which 100% toner remaining amount is recorded (S20).

  Next, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 calculates an increment M of the counter information up to now (S30). That is, the difference between the counter information of the usage fluctuation information specified in step S20 and the counter information of the usage fluctuation information received in step S10 is calculated.

  Next, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 determines whether or not the increment M of the counter information is smaller than “F-β” (S40). F is the number of printed pages to be printed when the toner of one toner cartridge is consumed. The value of F is calculated in advance with general coverage. Alternatively, it is calculated based on the statistical value of coverage as in the first embodiment. β is a constant for preventing erroneous determination that the toner remaining amount is appropriate but not appropriate. By estimating F slightly with β, it can be prevented that the image forming apparatus 20 actually consumes one toner cartridge but erroneously determines that the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate. The value of β is set to, for example, about 10% of the value of F, but is not limited thereto.

  When the determination in step S40 is Yes, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 issues an error notification (S50).

  Since the toner cartridge is arranged when the remaining amount of toner is near the end of the toner, the determination of this embodiment may be made only when the toner cartridge is near the end of toner. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate by reducing the processing load on the management device 40.

  Note that the method of determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner in this embodiment is appropriate can be applied to each of the black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner cartridges. For the toner near end of the black toner cartridge, an increase M in the number of printed pages for monochrome printing is calculated. For the toner near end of each toner cartridge for cyan, magenta, and yellow, the increase M in the number of printed pages for color printing is calculated. Calculated.

  Depending on the image forming apparatus 20, the number of printed dots may be counted. The number of dots is the number of points constituting an image formed on the printing paper. Naturally, toner is consumed as much as the dots are formed. That is, the toner consumption is proportional to the number of dots. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits this number of dots to the management apparatus 40. The management device 40 determines whether the remaining amount of toner is appropriate based on the number of dots. Since the number of dots is a control value of the image forming apparatus 20, it has a high correlation with the actually consumed toner. Therefore, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of the toner remaining amount.

表３は機器情報ＤＢ４９に登録されている機器情報テーブルを模式的に示す。なお、表１との相違点を主に説明する。表３の機器情報テーブルにはドット数が登録されている。このドット数は、画像形成装置２０が印刷用紙に形成した累積のドット数である。なお、カラー印刷が可能な画像形成装置２０では、各色ごとにドット数が記録される。

Table 3 schematically shows a device information table registered in the device information DB 49. The difference from Table 1 will be mainly described. The number of dots is registered in the device information table of Table 3. This number of dots is the cumulative number of dots formed on the printing paper by the image forming apparatus 20. In the image forming apparatus 20 capable of color printing, the number of dots is recorded for each color.

  FIG. 11 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. In FIG. 11, differences from FIG. 7 will be mainly described.

  When the usage fluctuation information is received, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 of the management device 40 specifies the oldest usage fluctuation information in which the toner remaining amount is larger by the threshold value (S10).

  Next, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 calculates an increase D in the number of dots of the two usage variation information (S20). That is, the difference between the number of dots included in the latest usage variation information and the number of dots specified in step S10 is calculated.

  Next, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 reads the number Q of dots necessary for consuming the threshold toner from the auxiliary storage device 204 (S40). Since there is a proportional relationship between the amount of toner consumed and the number of dots formed, an operator or the like can store the number Q of dots that can be formed with a threshold toner in the auxiliary storage device 204 in advance.

  Next, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 determines whether or not the increase D in the number of dots is smaller than “Q−γ” (S40). γ is a constant for preventing erroneous determination that the toner remaining amount is appropriate but not appropriate. The value of γ is set to about 10% of the value of Q, for example, but is not limited to this.

  When the determination in step S40 is Yes, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 issues an error notification (S50). When the determination in step S40 is No, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 does not perform error notification.

  In this way, by using the number of dots, it is possible to suppress misjudgment that the toner remaining amount is not appropriate and that the toner remaining amount is appropriate, or that the toner remaining amount is appropriate but not appropriate. It can be judged whether the amount is appropriate.

<< Determining if the amount of remaining toner is appropriate using toner near end >>
Similarly to the second embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the remaining amount of toner is appropriate using the toner near end.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. FIG. 12 mainly describes differences from FIG. The processes in steps S10 and S20 are the same as those in FIG.

  In step S30, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 calculates an increase T in the number of dots up to the present (S30). In other words, the number of dots of the usage variation information specified at step S20 and the increase T of the number of dots of the usage variation information received at step S10 are calculated.

  The toner remaining amount determining unit 43 reads the number of dots U required to consume one toner (S40). Since the number of dots that can be formed with one toner is known in advance, the operator or the like can store this number of dots U in the auxiliary storage device 204 in advance.

  Next, the toner remaining amount determining unit 43 determines whether or not the increase T in the number of dots is smaller than “U−ε” (S50). ε is a constant for preventing erroneous determination that the toner remaining amount is appropriate but not appropriate. The value of ε is set to about 10% of the value of U, but is not limited to this.

  When the determination in step S50 is Yes, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 sends an error notification (S60).

  The determination procedure of FIG. 12 only needs to be performed when the toner cartridge is near the toner end, so that it is possible to reduce the processing load of the management device 40 and determine whether the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. Further, by using the number of dots, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate.

  In the first embodiment, the minimum printable page number N necessary for consuming the threshold toner is used. That is, it has not been considered whether the user easily consumes toner (for example, printing of images and the like is often) or difficult to consume toner (for example, printing of characters is large and margins are large). In this embodiment, a management device 40 that determines the estimated number N of printable pages in consideration of the past toner usage history of the user and determines whether or not the toner has abnormally decreased will be described.

  For example, it is assumed that the increment of the counter information while the remaining amount of toner is reduced by 20% is M. The estimated printable page number N is the number of print pages necessary for the user to consume 20% of toner in a normal usage mode. In this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate by comparing the estimated printable page number N with the increment M of the counter information.

The estimated printable page number N serving as a threshold will be described. Past counter information is registered in the device information DB 49. N is obtained by the following equation.
Number of pages printed with N = 100% toner amount x 20%
The number of pages printed with the toner amount of 100% is the number of pages printed until the toner cartridge is finally changed from 100% to 0%. If it is 100%, it may not be 100% to 0%. Further, the average or median of the number of pages that can be printed with the past n toner cartridges may be used.

  If N> M, there is a possibility that this user has a small counter information increase M with respect to the toner decrease amount (the remaining amount is not appropriate). However, since the toner reduction method is not always constant even for the same user, the remaining amount may be determined to be inappropriate when N / 2> M by looking at the margin. Moreover, it is good also as 3N / 4> M, 4N / 5> M, etc. Since the determination becomes more strict as the value on the left side is larger, it can be suppressed that the toner is abnormally consumed but is not abnormal. For example, when the average number of pages printed with the past n toner cartridges varies (the variance is large), the margin may be increased (the larger the variance, the smaller α of αN> M).

  The determination timing is only an example in which 20% of the toner is consumed, and the management apparatus 40 can determine each time the usage variation information is transmitted. However, if the determination is made with the toner consumption being too small, the increment M tends to fluctuate and the determination accuracy may be reduced. On the other hand, if the determination is made with a large amount of toner consumption, the determination is delayed. Therefore, it may be determined appropriately at an appropriate timing. For example, the determination can be made at the timing when 1% to 100% of the toner is consumed.

表４は機器情報ＤＢ４９に登録されている機器情報テーブルを模式的に示す。なお、表１との相違点を主に説明する。この機器情報テーブルを例にして残量が妥当か否かの具体的な判断方法を説明する。まず、トナー残量判断部４３は１本分のトナーカートリッジ（１００％のトナー量）で印刷したページ数を読み出す。
2015/01/01 12:00 123枚 トナー残量１００％
2015/01/02 12:00 256枚 トナー残量９０％
2015/02/25 12:00 1280枚 トナー残量０％
これらから、１００％のトナーを消費するのに1157枚（＝1280-123）印刷されていることが分かる。したがって、トナーが２０％消費される推定印刷可能ページ数Ｎは1157×20% = 231.4である。

Table 4 schematically shows a device information table registered in the device information DB 49. The difference from Table 1 will be mainly described. A specific determination method for determining whether or not the remaining amount is appropriate will be described using this device information table as an example. First, the remaining toner amount determination unit 43 reads the number of pages printed by one toner cartridge (100% toner amount).
2015/01/01 12:00 123 sheets 100% remaining toner
2015/01/02 12:00 256 sheets Toner remaining 90%
2015/02/25 12:00 1280 sheets 0% remaining toner
From these, it can be seen that 1157 sheets (= 1280-123) are printed to consume 100% of the toner. Therefore, the estimated printable page number N that consumes 20% of toner is 1157 × 20% = 231.4.

Next, determination of whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate will be described. First, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 detects that the toner remaining amount has decreased by 20%.
2015/02/26 12:00 1282 Toner 100%
2015/03/15 12:00 1520 sheets Toner remaining 80%
The toner is consumed by 20%, and the increment M is 238 sheets (= 1520-1282). Since N / 2> M is not established, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 determines that the toner remaining amount is appropriate.

Next, the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 detects that the toner remaining amount has decreased by 20% since the last determination.
2015/03/15 12:00 1520 sheets Toner remaining 80%
2015/03/16 12:00 1530 Toner 60%
The toner is consumed by 20%, and the increase M is increased by 10 sheets (= 1530-1520). Since N / 2> M is established, the increment M is too small with respect to the toner consumption, and the toner remaining amount determination unit 43 determines that the toner remaining amount is not appropriate. Therefore, the management device 40 sends an error notification to the service charge PC or the like.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error notification e-mail transmitted from the management apparatus 40 to the service-in-charge PC 90. FIG. 13 mainly describes the differences from FIG. In FIG. 13, a message “Toner may have been consumed abnormally. Please check.” Is displayed as the error notification 502.

  Note that the operation procedure of the management apparatus 40 of this embodiment may be the same as that shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the method for obtaining the estimated printable page number N in step S30 and the determination in step S40 have been described in the present embodiment.

  As described above, the management apparatus 40 according to the present embodiment can determine whether or not the remaining amount is appropriate according to the normal usage mode of the image forming apparatus 20 by the user.

  Note that this embodiment is preferably combined with Embodiments 1 to 3 in consideration of a case where the toner may be abnormally reduced from the beginning when the image forming apparatus 20 is introduced. For example, when it is determined that the remaining amount is not appropriate in at least one of the first embodiment and the present embodiment, an error notification is performed. As a result, the management device 40 can send an error notification regarding the user whose toner is abnormally reduced from the beginning of the introduction of the image forming apparatus 20 to the service staff PC 90 or the like.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the counter information and the remaining amount of toner are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20 to the management apparatus 40. In the present embodiment, an apparatus system 100 in which the image forming apparatus 20 transmits a toner decrease amount and counter information increase amount to the management apparatus 40 will be described.

  FIG. 14 is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the procedure for determining whether the usage fluctuation information is transmitted and the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. Note that FIG. 14 mainly describes differences from FIG.

  S1: The https communication function unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 20 transmits usage variation information to the http server 44 of the management apparatus 40. The usage variation information in this embodiment is the amount of toner decrease and the increment of counter information.

  S2: The same applies to step S2. The usage fluctuation information transmission cycle is periodically, at a fixed timing, or when the remaining amount of toner is reduced by a certain amount. The device usage information management unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 stores the remaining amount of toner and counter information in association with transmission of usage variation information. The device usage information management unit 21 acquires the remaining amount of toner and counter information at the next transmission timing of usage variation information. Then, the difference between the most recent stored toner amount and the acquired remaining toner amount is defined as a toner decrease amount, and the difference between the most recent stored counter information and the acquired counter information is defined as an increment of the counter information.

  Assuming that the transmission timing of the usage variation information is every 20% decrease in the remaining amount of toner, the management device 40 can determine the validity of the remaining amount of toner at the timing when the remaining amount of toner decreases by 20%. When the transmission timing of the usage variation information is not related to the remaining amount of toner, the management apparatus 40 can detect that the remaining amount of toner has decreased by 20% by accumulating the amount of decrease in past toner. Note that 20% is only an example.

  S3: The toner remaining amount determination unit 43 of the management device 40 acquires usage variation information from the http server 44, and determines whether the toner remaining amount is appropriate. Since the decrease amount of the toner and the increase amount of the counter information are transmitted to the management device 40, it can be determined whether the remaining amount of toner is appropriate as in the first to fourth embodiments. For example, if the minimum printable page number N necessary for consuming 20% of toner as in the first embodiment is 200 and the increment of the counter information is 2234, N (200) <M (2234 Therefore, it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. The subsequent steps S4 to S7.1 may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, even when the image forming apparatus 20 transmits the toner decrease amount and the increment of the counter information to the management apparatus 40, the management apparatus 40 can determine whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate.

<Other application examples>
The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. And substitutions can be added.

  For example, the configuration example in FIG. 5 is divided according to main functions in order to facilitate understanding of processing by the management apparatus 40 and the image forming apparatus 20. The present invention is not limited by the way of dividing the processing unit or the name. The processes of the management device 40 and the image forming apparatus 20 can be divided into more processing units according to the processing contents. Moreover, it can also divide | segment so that one process unit may contain many processes.

  Further, the device information DB 49 of FIG. 5 may exist on the network.

  Further, the device system 100 may have a plurality of management devices 40, and the functions of the management device 40 may be distributed and arranged in a plurality of servers.

  In the present embodiment, the management device 40 determines whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate, but the image forming device 20 can also determine. The image forming apparatus 20 receives from the management apparatus 40 whether or not it has its own device management table. 7, 9, and 10 to 12, and if the remaining amount of toner is not appropriate, an error notification is transmitted to the management device 40.

  In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of toner is appropriate. However, when the image forming apparatus 20 forms an image by the inkjet method, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge can be similarly determined.

  In the present embodiment, the counter information is used as the usage amount of the image forming apparatus 20, but the number of sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 20 may be used. In this case, it is more preferable to use the number of discharged sheets converted to single-sided printing. Such a number of discharged sheets can be handled in the same manner as the counter information. Further, the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum may be used as the usage amount. Since the management device 40 can estimate the number of printed pages from the accumulated number of rotations, the estimated value is handled in the same manner as the counter information. Further, the energization time of the fixing unit may be used as the usage amount. Since the management device 40 can estimate the number of printed pages from the energization time of the fixing unit, it treats this estimated value in the same way as the counter information.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 is described as an example of an apparatus that is sold (rented) and thereafter manages the usage amount and consumables. However, such an apparatus is limited to the image forming apparatus 20. I can't. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a device that is charged according to the time used and consumes consumables. For example, in PCs, wearable computers, application software, video conferencing terminals, electronic blackboards, projectors, car navigation terminals, cameras, game consoles, medical equipment, etc. that are charged according to the time used, the usage amount is energized time, etc. The consumable is a battery or the like. The projector consumables include a lamp. Further, in agricultural equipment such as tillage machines and automobiles, the amount used is the operating time and the moving distance of the prime mover, and the consumable is fuel and the like.

  The device system 100 is an example of an information processing system, the https communication function unit 25 is an example of a transmission unit, the http server 44 is an example of a reception unit or an acquisition unit, and the remaining toner amount determination unit 43 is a determination unit. The network connection unit 41 is an example of a notification unit. The processing performed by the device system 100 in this embodiment is an example of an information processing method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Image forming apparatus 21 Equipment use information management part 22 Basic function part 23 Network control part 24 Mail transmission function part 25 https communication function part 40 Management apparatus 41 Network control part 42 Display part 43 Toner remaining amount judgment part 44 http server 45 POP server 46 SMTP server 47 Device information management unit 49 Device information DB
100 Equipment system

Japanese Patent No. 3720584

Claims (15)

An information processing system in which an information processing apparatus and a device can communicate via a network,
The device has transmission means for transmitting usage information on usage that increases with use of the device, and consumable information on consumables that decreases with use of the device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the usage information and the consumable information from the device;
An information processing system comprising: determination means for determining whether or not a reduction amount of the consumable item is appropriate based on the usage amount information and the consumable item information.   The determination means compares the increase amount of the usage amount information with the usage amount information estimated from the decrease amount of the consumable item information, so that the decrease amount of the consumable item with respect to the increase amount of the consumption amount is determined. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not it is appropriate.   When the increase amount of the usage amount information is smaller than the usage amount information estimated from the decrease amount of the consumable item information, the determining means determines that the decrease amount of the consumable item with respect to the increase amount of the usage amount is The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the information processing system determines that it is not valid. When the consumable information is the remaining amount of toner and the usage information is counter information,
When the increase amount of the counter information is smaller than the minimum printable page number estimated from the decrease amount of the remaining amount of toner, the determination unit determines the remaining amount of toner with respect to the increase amount of the counter information. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the reduction amount is determined to be inappropriate. When the consumable information is the remaining amount of toner and the usage information is counter information,
The receiving means of the information processing apparatus receives the usage information, the consumable information, and coverage information from the device,
The determination unit determines whether the counter information increase amount is smaller than the decrease amount of the remaining toner amount and the number of printable pages estimated from the statistical value of the coverage information. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the reduction amount of the toner remaining amount is determined to be inappropriate. When the consumable information is the remaining amount of toner, and the usage information is toner dot number information,
When the increase amount of the dot number information is smaller than the dot number converted from the decrease amount of the remaining toner amount, the determination unit determines the decrease amount of the remaining toner amount with respect to the increase amount of the dot number information. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the information is determined to be invalid. The consumable information is a remaining amount of toner, and the usage information is counter information;
When the receiving means receives the consumable information that the toner remaining amount can be regarded as zero or zero,
When the increment of the counter information until one toner cartridge is reduced to a level that can be regarded as zero or zero is smaller than the number of printable pages that can be printed by one toner cartridge, The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the toner remaining amount received by the means is determined to be invalid. The consumable information is a remaining amount of toner, and the usage amount information is toner dot number information;
When the receiving means receives the consumable information that the toner remaining amount can be regarded as zero or zero,
If the amount of increase in the dot number information until one toner cartridge is reduced to a level that can be regarded as zero or zero is smaller than the number of dots that can be printed by one toner cartridge, the receiving unit The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the toner remaining amount received is determined to be invalid. When the consumable information is the remaining amount of toner and the usage information is counter information,
When the increment of the counter information is smaller than the number of printable pages estimated from the past decrease in the remaining amount of toner of the device, the determination means determines the remaining toner to the increase in the counter information. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the amount of decrease in amount is determined not to be appropriate. An information processing system in which an information processing apparatus and a device can communicate via a network,
The device has transmission means for transmitting usage information on usage that increases with use of the device, and consumable information on consumables that decreases with use of the device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the usage information and the consumable information from the device;
An information processing system comprising: a notification unit configured to notify a predetermined destination or the device based on the usage amount information and the consumable information. An information processing system in which an information processing apparatus and a device can communicate via a network,
The device has transmission means for transmitting usage information on usage that increases with use of the device, and consumable information on consumables that decreases with use of the device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the usage information and the consumable information from the device;
An information processing system comprising: a notification unit configured to notify the device of restriction on use of the device based on the usage amount information and the consumable information. An information processing system in which an information processing apparatus and a device can communicate via a network,
The device has transmission means for transmitting usage information on usage that increases with use of the device, and consumable information on consumables that decreases with use of the device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the usage information and the consumable information from the device;
Based on the usage information and the consumable information, a notification for notifying a predetermined destination or the device when the usage information is less than the usage estimated from the reduction of the consumable And an information processing system. Acquisition means for acquiring from a device connected via an information processing apparatus or network a usage amount information related to a usage amount that increases as the device is used and a consumable information related to a consumable item that decreases as the device is used When,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether or not a reduction amount of the consumable item is appropriate based on the usage amount information and the consumable item information. An information processing method of an information processing system in which an information processing apparatus and a device can communicate via a network,
Performed by the device,
Transmitting usage information relating to usage that increases with use of the device, and consumable information relating to consumables that decrease with use of the device;
Performed by the information processing apparatus,
Receiving the usage information and the consumable information from the device;
Determining whether or not the amount of reduction of the consumable item is appropriate based on the usage amount information and the consumable item information. Information processing device
Acquisition means for acquiring from a device connected via an information processing apparatus or network a usage amount information related to a usage amount that increases as the device is used and a consumable information related to a consumable item that decreases as the device is used When,
A program for functioning as a determination unit that determines whether or not a reduction amount of the consumable item is appropriate based on the usage amount information and the consumable item information.

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