Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus that sends a consumable item at an appropriate timing, a method for controlling the same, and a program.SOLUTION: In a management system, a management server executes consumable item ordering processing for sending a consumable item of an image forming apparatus. In the consumable item ordering processing, the management server calculates, for example, the predicted degree of consumption of the consumable item corresponding to consumable item data in apparatus data on the basis of a plan contracted by a user. When the predicted degree of consumption reaches a value of an ordering guideline corresponding to a consumable item ID of the consumable item data, the management server performs control of sending a consumable item corresponding to the consumable item data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method for an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Subscription services for image forming devices such as printers are known. With image forming device subscription services, users can print up to the maximum number of pages corresponding to the plan they have subscribed to for a fixed fee during the contract period. Furthermore, with image forming device subscription services, users can also replenish printing paper and replace replacement parts such as toner cartridges during the contract period without paying additional fees.

[0003] A major advantage of the image forming device subscription service is that users can use the image forming device without worrying about using up printing paper, toner, etc. For this reason, service providers need to ship consumables such as printing paper and toner cartridges at an appropriate timing before the printing paper, toner, etc. are used up. In response to this, for example, a predicted consumption amount of consumables in the user's use of the image forming device is calculated based on relationship information indicating the relationship between the user's attribute information and consumption information indicating the consumption amount of consumables of the image forming device (see Patent Document 1). Furthermore, control is performed to ship consumables based on this predicted consumption amount. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-117877 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1 described above, the predicted consumption is calculated from the actual consumption of the consumables when the user has used the image forming device in the past, so that the calculation accuracy of the predicted consumption decreases if the user's consumption behavior changes from the past. Here, in the subscription service for the image forming device, for example, multiple plans with different upper limit print numbers are provided, and the user can change the plan according to the change in consumption behavior. For example, in a busy month, the user changes to a plan with a larger upper limit print number in order to print more sheets, and when the busy month is over, the user changes to a plan with a smaller upper limit print number. In the calculation of the predicted consumption in the technology of Patent Document 1 described above, such changes in the user's consumption behavior are not taken into account, so the calculation accuracy of the predicted consumption decreases, and as a result, the consumables cannot be shipped at an appropriate time.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a mechanism for dispatching consumables at an appropriate time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the information processing device of the present invention is provided with a control means for executing a predetermined process for shipping consumables for an image forming device, and in the predetermined process, the control means calculates a predicted degree of wear of the consumables based on a plan subscribed to by a user from among a plurality of plans that restrict the use of the image forming device, determines whether the predicted degree of wear reaches a predetermined value set in advance, and, if it is determined that the predicted degree of wear reaches the predetermined value, controls the shipping of the consumables to the user. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, consumables can be shipped at an appropriate time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system including a management server as an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of a management server of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of data stored in the HDD of FIG. 2; [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing the steps of a plan change process executed by the management server of FIG. 1; [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a consumables ordering process executed by the management server of FIG. 1; [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of device data stored in the HDD of FIG. 2; [Figure 8] 7 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the consumables ordering process of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system including a management server 103 as an information processing device according to the present embodiment. This management system is composed of a plurality of image forming devices, a plurality of communication devices, the management server 103, and an order server 104. These are communicably connected via a network 105. Note that, in FIG. 1, for ease of explanation, only the image forming device 101 out of the plurality of image forming devices is shown, and only the communication device 102 out of the plurality of communication devices is shown. In the following, the image forming device will be described using the image forming device 101, and the communication device will be described using the communication device 102.

[0012] This management system provides a subscription service for an image forming device. This subscription service offers multiple plans with different upper limit numbers of prints. With this subscription service, during the contract period, the user can print up to the upper limit number of prints corresponding to the plan he or she has subscribed to for a fixed fee. Furthermore, with this subscription service, the image forming device itself is rented out during the contract period without paying any additional fees, and it is also possible to replenish printing paper and replace replacement parts such as toner cartridges.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 101 prints an image on a sheet based on print data received from the communication apparatus 102. The image forming apparatus 101 also reads an original using a scanner (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 101 to generate image data of the original, and prints the image data on a sheet. The image forming apparatus 101 transmits the degree of consumption of consumables used in the image forming process to the management server 103. The consumables are, for example, replacement parts such as toner cartridges and ink cartridges, and printing paper. In this embodiment, count values ​​such as the number of times the consumables have been used or the number of sheets used may be transmitted to the management server 103 as the degree of consumption. Information indicating the degree of consumption of the consumables as a percentage, with the degree of consumption at which the consumables need to be replenished or replaced being 100%, may also be transmitted to the management server 103. The image forming apparatus 101 periodically transmits the degree of consumption of the consumables to the management server 103. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 101 transmits the degree of consumption of the consumable to the management server 103 after executing a specified event in which the consumable is used, such as an image forming process, or when receiving a transmission request from the management server 103.

[0014] The management server 103 manages the wear levels received from the image forming apparatus 101. The management server 103 can also provide the setting values ​​and wear levels of the multiple image forming apparatuses that are the targets of management to the communication apparatus 102 and the like via the network 105. For example, a user can access the management server 103 from a web browser of the communication apparatus 102 to check the wear levels and setting values ​​of the image forming apparatus 101 from information displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the communication apparatus 102.

[0015] Furthermore, the management server 103 manages information on plans subscribed to by the user. For example, the user can check information on the subscribed plan or change the plan by accessing the management server 103 from a web browser of the communication device 102. Furthermore, the management server 103 performs a consumables ordering process shown in Figs. 6 and 8, which will be described later, and controls the delivery of consumables for the image forming device 101 to the user.

[0016] The ordering server 104 dispatches the consumables to the user based on the information received from the management server 103. Although the present embodiment describes a configuration in which the management server 103 and the ordering server 104 are separate devices, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the functions of the management server 103 and the ordering server 104 may be realized by only one server.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the management server 103 shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the management server 103 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a HDD 203, and a network I / F 204.

[0018] The CPU 201 is responsible for overall control of the management server 103, and can control data transmission and reception between the RAM 202, the HDD 203, and the network I / F 204. The CPU 201 also loads a control program read from the HDD 203 into the RAM 202, and executes the control program stored in the RAM 202.

[0019] The HDD 203 stores a control program executable by the CPU 201. The HDD 203 also stores wear levels received from the image forming apparatus 101, etc., setting values ​​used in the image forming apparatus 101, etc. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the management server 103 includes the HDD 203 as a storage device will be described, but the storage device included in the management server 103 is not limited to an HDD, and may be another storage device such as an SSD.

[0020] The RAM 202 temporarily stores the control program executed by the CPU 201 and data required for executing the control program. The network I / F 204 is an I / F for communicating with an external device via the network 105, and transmits received data to the CPU 201 and transmits data on the RAM 202 to the external device via the network 105.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 101 includes a control unit 301, a touch panel 318, a display 319, a storage device 320, a scanner 321, and a printer 322. The control unit 301 is connected to the touch panel 318, the display 319, the storage device 320, the scanner 321, and the printer 322. The control unit 301 also includes a CPU 311, a RAM 312, a ROM 313, an input control I / F 314, a display control I / F 315, a storage device I / F 316, and a communication I / F controller 317. These are connected to each other via a system bus 310. The scanner 321 and the printer 322 are also connected to the system bus 310. The CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. The RAM stands for Random Access Memory. The ROM stands for Read Only Memory.

[0022] The CPU 311 controls the entire image forming apparatus 101. The RAM 312 is a volatile memory, and is used as the main memory of the CPU 311 and as a temporary storage area such as a work area. The ROM 313 is a non-volatile memory, and stores image data, other data, various programs for the operation of the CPU 311, and the like. The CPU 311 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 101, for example, according to the program stored in the ROM 313, using the RAM 312 as a work memory. The program for the operation of the CPU 311 may be stored in a storage device other than the ROM 313, for example, the storage device 320.

[0023] The input control I / F 314 is connected to a touch panel 318. The touch panel 318 is an input device configured to output, for example, coordinate information indicating a position where a user touches an input unit configured in a plane to the input control I / F 314. The input control I / F 314 is also connected to an input device that accepts user operations, such as a keyboard (not shown) for inputting character information and a hard key (not shown) for directly inputting numerical values ​​and the like. The input control I / F 314 generates a control signal according to the content of the user's operation of the input device, and outputs this control signal to the CPU 311. The CPU 311 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 101 according to a program based on the received control signal. This allows the image forming apparatus 101 to perform an operation according to the user's operation.

[0024] The display control I / F 315 is connected to the display 319. The display control I / F 315 outputs a display signal for displaying an image to the display 319. For example, the CPU 311 generates a display control signal according to a program, and outputs the display control signal to the display control I / F 315. The display control I / F 315 generates a display signal based on the received display control signal. For example, the display control I / F 315 generates a display signal for displaying a GUI screen constituting a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The display control I / F 315 outputs the generated display signal to the display 319. Note that in this embodiment, the touch panel 318 and the display 319 may be integrally configured. For example, the touch panel 318 is configured so that the light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the display 319, and is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the display 319. Then, input coordinates on the touch panel 318 and display coordinates on the display 319 are associated with each other. This makes it possible to configure a GUI that allows a user to directly operate a screen displayed on the display 319.

[0025] The storage device I / F 316 is connected to the storage device 320. The storage device 320 is, for example, a storage device such as an HDD or a flash memory. Under the control of the CPU 311, data is read from the storage device 320 and data is written to the storage device 320. The storage device 320 stores control programs, setting values, etc. The storage device 320 is also used as a storage device in place of the RAM 312 and the ROM 313.

[0026] The communication I / F controller 317 performs communication with various networks such as a LAN, the Internet, wired networks, and wireless networks under the control of the CPU 311. For example, the communication I / F controller 317 performs communication with the communication device 102 connected via the network 105.

[0027] The scanner 321 executes a scan process under the control of the CPU 311. In the scan process, the scanner 321 reads an original placed on a platen or an original conveyed by an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and generates image data of the original. The scanner 321 stores the generated image data in the storage device 320 via the storage device I / F 316.

[0028] Printer 322 executes print processing of image data stored in storage device 320 under the control of CPU 311. For example, CPU 311 causes printer 322 to execute print processing based on a print instruction input by a user to touch panel 318 or print data received from communication device 102 or the like. In print processing, printer 322 reads image data from storage device 320, converts the image data into image data in a printable data format, and prints the converted image data on paper fed from a paper feed unit (not shown). Image forming apparatus 101 includes, as paper feed units, a cassette feed unit capable of feeding a large amount of paper of a specific size such as A4 or A5 at once, and a manual feed unit into which paper is manually placed by a person.

[0029] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of data stored in the HDD 203 of the management server 103. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of data stored in the HDD 203 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing a storage area of ​​the HDD 203.

[0030] HDD 203 is composed of a program storage area 401 and a device data storage area 402. The program storage area 401 stores a control program executed by CPU 201. CPU 201 reads out the control program from program storage area 401, expands it in RAM 202, and executes the control program stored in RAM 202. The device data storage area 402 stores a plurality of device data corresponding to a plurality of image forming devices to be managed. Note that the device data has the same configuration, so in this embodiment, the configuration of device data 440 (FIG. 4(b)) of image forming device 101 will be described as an example.

[0031] The device data 440 is composed of device identification data 420 and a plurality of consumable data 430a to 430n corresponding to a plurality of consumables included in the image forming device 101. Note that, as an example, Fig. 4(b) shows the consumable data 430a and the consumable data 430b among the consumable data 430a to 430n.

[0032] The device identification data 420 is data for identifying the image forming device 101, and is composed of user identification information 421, a serial number 422, a contract end date 423, and a maximum number of pages printed 424. The user identification information 421 is information for identifying a user who uses the image forming device 101. The serial number 422 is a number for identifying the image forming device 101. The contract end date 423 is the contract end date for the subscription service of the image forming device 101. The maximum number of pages printed 424 is the maximum number of pages that the image forming device 101 can print within the contract period without paying an additional fee.

[0033] The consumables data 430a to 430n are data related to consumables of the image forming apparatus 101. The consumables data 430a to 430n all have the same configuration, and the configuration will be described below using the consumables data 430a as an example.

[0034] The consumables data 430a is composed of a consumables ID 431a, a wear level 432a, and a consumables use start date 433a. The consumables ID 431a is a number for identifying the consumables corresponding to the consumables data 430a from among a plurality of consumables included in the image forming apparatus 101. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4(c), the names of the consumables corresponding to the consumables IDs are managed. Also, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4(d), an order guideline indicating the wear level at which the consumables need to be replenished or replaced is defined for each consumables ID.

[0035] The degree of consumption 432a is information that expresses the degree of consumption of the consumable as a percentage, with the degree of consumption at which the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 430a needs to be replenished or replaced being 100%. Note that the degree of consumption 432a does not have to be information expressed as a percentage as described above, so long as it is information that makes clear the current degree of consumption relative to the degree of consumption at which replenishment or replacement is required. The consumable use start date 433a is the date on which use of the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 430a started.

[0036] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the plan change process executed by the management server 103 in Fig. 1. The plan change process in Fig. 5 is realized by the CPU 201 of the management server 103 executing a control program stored in the HDD 203. The plan change process in Fig. 5 is started when a user who has signed a contract for the subscription service with a service provider and uses the image forming device 101 instructs the communication device 102 to transmit user identification information indicating the user to the management server 103.

[0037] 5, first, CPU 201 receives user identification information from communication device 102 via network I / F 204 (S (step) 501). Next, CPU 201 acquires device data 440 corresponding to the received user identification information from among a plurality of device data stored in HDD 203. CPU 201 identifies the contract expiration date of the subscription service of image forming device 101 based on contract expiration date 423 in the acquired device data 440 (S502).

[0038] Next, the CPU 201 determines whether the current date is before the contract expiration date (S503). If it is determined in S503 that the current date is not before the contract expiration date, the plan change process ends. If it is determined in S503 that the current date is before the contract expiration date, the plan change process proceeds to S504.

[0039] In S504, the CPU 201 notifies the communication device 102 of plan information indicating the contents of the plan subscribed to by the user corresponding to the user identification information received in S501. The communication device 102 displays the received plan information on the display unit of the communication device 102. In the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of plans with different upper limit numbers of prints are provided, and the user can change the plan according to changes in consumption behavior. For example, in a busy month, the user changes to a plan with a larger upper limit number of prints in order to print more sheets, and when the busy period is over, the user changes to a plan with a smaller upper limit number of prints. When the communication device 102 receives an instruction to change to another plan from the user, it transmits a plan change request notice to the management server 103 requesting a change to another plan. This plan change request notice includes, for example, the user identification information received in S501, information indicating the type of the other plan, and information indicating the upper limit number of prints corresponding to the other plan.

[0040] The CPU 201 receives a plan change request notification from the communication device 102 via the network I / F 204 (S505). Next, the CPU 201 sets the upper limit number of prints included in the plan change request notification to the upper limit number of prints 424 in the device data 440 (S506). The updated device data 440 is saved in the HDD 203. The plan change process then ends.

[0041] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the consumables ordering process executed by the management server 103 in Fig. 1. The consumables ordering process in Fig. 6 is realized by the CPU 201 executing a control program stored in the HDD 203. The consumables ordering process in Fig. 6 is executed, for example, when the management server 103 receives a plan change request notification from the communication device 102 or the like. In this case, the management server 103 identifies device data to be processed from among a plurality of device data stored in the HDD 203 based on user identification information included in the plan change request notification. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which device data 440 of the image forming device 101 is identified as the device to be processed from among a plurality of device data stored in the HDD 203.

[0042] 6, first, CPU 201 reads device data 440 identified as a processing target from HDD 203 (S601), and loads read device data 440 in RAM 202. Next, CPU 201 identifies one data, for example, consumable data 430a, from among a plurality of consumable data 430a to 430n included in device data 440. Next, CPU 201 acquires the value of consumption degree 432a from identified consumable data 430a (S602).

[0043] Next, the CPU 201 judges whether the acquired value of the consumption level 432a reaches the value of the order guideline corresponding to the consumable ID 431a of the consumable data 430a (S603). For example, if the value of the consumption level 432a is 80[%] and the above-mentioned order guideline value is 70[%], it is judged that the acquired value of the consumption level 432a reaches the above-mentioned order guideline value. In this case, the consumable ordering process proceeds to S610 described later. On the other hand, if the value of the consumption level 432a is 50[%] and the above-mentioned order guideline value is 70[%], it is judged that the acquired value of the consumption level 432a does not reach the above-mentioned order guideline value. In this case, the consumable ordering process proceeds to S604.

[0044] In S604, CPU 201 calculates the usage period of the consumable corresponding to consumable data 430a based on the date of consumable use start date 433a in consumable data 430a and the current date. Next, CPU 201 acquires the number of sheets printed within the usage period calculated in S604 (hereinafter referred to as "usage period print count") from image forming device 101 corresponding to the value of serial number 422 in device data 440 read in S601 (S605).

[0045] Next, CPU 201 calculates the degree of wear of the consumable corresponding to consumable data 430a based on the number of sheets printed during the usage period acquired in S605 and the value of degree of wear 432a acquired in S602 (S606). The degree of wear indicates the degree of wear of the consumable per one printed sheet. For example, in calculating the degree of wear of printing paper that was 2000 sheets on the day of consumable use start date 433a, if the number of sheets printed during the usage period is 1000 sheets, the value of degree of wear 432a is 50[%]. In this case, the degree of wear is 50[%] / 1000[sheets]=0.05[% / sheet]. In addition, when calculating the degree of wear of a toner cartridge that is full of toner on the consumable use start date 433a, if the number of pages printed during the usage period is 1000 [pages] and the value of the wear degree 432a is 50 [%], the degree of wear is 50 [%] / 1000 [pages] = 0.05 [% / page].

[0046] Next, CPU 201 calculates a predicted degree of consumption of the consumable corresponding to consumable data 430a based on the degree of consumption calculated in S606 and the value of upper limit number of prints 424 in device data 440 read in S601 (S607). The predicted degree of consumption is a predicted value of the degree of consumption of the consumable corresponding to consumable data 430a when printing is performed up to the upper limit number of prints. As described above, the value of upper limit number of prints 424 is the upper limit number of sheets that image forming device 101 can print without paying an additional fee in the plan subscribed to by the user.

[0047] For example, if the wear progress rate is 0.05[%] and the value of the upper limit number of prints 424 is 500[sheets], the wear progress rate is expected to increase by 0.05[%]×500[sheets]=25[%] when the upper limit number of prints is printed. This 25[%] is added to the value of the wear progress rate 432a, for example, 50[%], to calculate 75[%] as the predicted wear progress rate. On the other hand, if the wear progress rate is 0.05[%] and the value of the upper limit number of prints 424 is 300 sheets, the wear progress rate is expected to increase by 0.05[%]×300[sheets]=15[%] when the upper limit number of prints is printed. This 15[%] is added to the value of the wear progress rate 432a, 50[%], to calculate 65[%] as the predicted wear progress rate. In this way, in this embodiment, the predicted wear progress rate of the consumables of the image forming apparatus 101 is calculated based on the plan subscribed to by the user.

[0048] Next, the CPU 201 determines whether the predicted degree of consumption calculated in S607 reaches the value of the order guideline corresponding to the consumables ID 431a of the consumables data 430a (S608). For example, if the predicted degree of consumption calculated in S607 is 65[%] and the order guideline value is 70[%], it is determined that the predicted degree of consumption calculated in S607 does not reach the order guideline value. In this case, the consumables ordering process proceeds to S609.

[0049] In S609, CPU 201 judges whether or not confirmation of all consumable data included in device data 440 has been completed. If it is judged in S609 that confirmation of any consumable data included in device data 440 has not been completed, CPU 201 identifies the next data, for example, consumable data 430b, from the remaining consumable data included in device data 440. Next, the consumable ordering process returns to S602. In this manner, in the present embodiment, it is judged whether or not the replacement schedule has been reached for all consumables provided in image forming device 101. If it is judged in S609 that confirmation of all consumable data included in device data 440 has been completed, the consumable ordering process ends.

[0050] In S608, for example, if the predicted degree of consumption calculated in S607 is 75[%] and the value of the order guideline 451 is 70[%], it is determined that the predicted degree of consumption calculated in S607 has reached the value of the order guideline. In this case, the consumables ordering process proceeds to S610. Also, as described above, if it is determined in S603 that the value of the acquired degree of consumption 432a has reached the value of the order guideline, the consumables ordering process also proceeds to S610.

[0051] In S610, the CPU 201 performs control to ship the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 430a. Specifically, the CPU 201 notifies the ordering server 104 of the value of the consumable ID 431a of the consumable data 430a. The ordering server 104 performs processing to ship the consumable corresponding to the received value of the consumable ID 431a to the user. When the processing of S610 is completed, the consumable ordering processing ends.

[0052] According to the above-described embodiment, the consumables ordering process of FIG. 6 is executed to ship consumables for the image forming apparatus 101. In the above-described consumables ordering process of FIG. 6, for example, a predicted degree of consumption of a consumable corresponding to the consumables data 430a of the apparatus data 440 is calculated based on the plan subscribed to by the user. When this predicted degree of consumption reaches a value (a predetermined value set in advance) of an order guideline corresponding to the consumables ID 431a of the consumables data 430a, control is performed to ship the consumable corresponding to the consumables data 430a. That is, the predicted consumption amount is calculated taking into account the consumption behavior of the user expected from the plan subscribed to by the user. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the calculation accuracy of the predicted degree of consumption, and therefore to ship the consumables at an appropriate timing.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the predicted degree of wear is calculated based on the upper limit of the number of prints corresponding to the plan subscribed to by the user and the degree of wear indicating the degree of wear of the consumables per print. This makes it possible to calculate the predicted degree of wear indicating the predicted value of the degree of wear of the consumables when printing up to the upper limit of the number of prints from the upper limit of the number of prints corresponding to the plan subscribed to by the user.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, in response to receiving the plan change request notification, the consumables ordering process shown in Fig. 6 is executed. This makes it possible to calculate the predicted consumption amount while taking into account the change in the user's consumption behavior that is expected from the plan change, thereby making it possible to suppress a decrease in the calculation accuracy of the predicted consumption level caused by the change in the user's consumption behavior.

[0055] In this embodiment, the timing of executing the consumables ordering process in Fig. 6 described above is not limited to the timing of receiving a plan change request notification. For example, the consumables ordering process in Fig. 6 described above may be executed when the management server 103 receives an instruction to execute the consumables ordering process in Fig. 6 described above from a user. In this case, the management server 103 identifies the device data to be processed from among the multiple device data stored in the HDD 203 based on the user identification information specified by the user, and starts the process of S601. In this way, by executing the consumables ordering process in Fig. 6 described above according to the user's instruction, the consumables can be shipped at the timing intended by the user.

[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, the consumables ordering process in FIG. 6 may be periodically executed at a preset interval. In this case, the management server 103 identifies one device data to be processed from among the multiple device data stored in the HDD 203, and starts the process of S601. When the management server 103 completes the execution of the consumables ordering process in FIG. 6 using the identified device data, it identifies the next device data from among the multiple device data stored in the HDD 203, and executes the consumables ordering process in FIG. 6. In this way, the consumables ordering process in FIG. 6 is executed for all device data stored in the HDD 203. By periodically executing the consumables ordering process in FIG. 6 at a preset interval in this way, it is possible to reduce the situation in which the user runs out of printing paper, toner, etc. and is unable to use the image forming device 101.

[0057] In the above-mentioned consumables ordering process of FIG. 6, even if the predicted degree of consumption does not reach the order guideline by a small amount, the consumables are not ordered. In this case, the amount of consumables used may change due to a slight change in the user's consumption behavior thereafter, and replenishment or replacement may be required earlier than predicted. In contrast, in the configuration in which the consumables ordering process of FIG. 6 is periodically executed, if the predicted degree of consumption does not reach the order guideline and the difference between the predicted degree of consumption and the order guideline is equal to or less than a preset threshold, the next consumables ordering process may be executed at an interval shorter than a predetermined interval. This allows the consumables to be shipped at an appropriate time in response to a slight change in the user's consumption behavior.

[0058] In this embodiment, the predicted remaining amount of the consumables of the image forming apparatus 101 may be calculated based on the plan subscribed by the user, and the consumables may be shipped based on the predicted remaining amount. In such a configuration, the image forming apparatus 101 transmits the remaining amount of the consumables used in the image forming process to the management server 103. In this embodiment, the remaining amount of the consumables may be a counter value such as the remaining number of uses or the remaining number of sheets, or information in which the remaining amount of the consumables is expressed as a percentage, with 0% being the case when the remaining amount of the consumables is zero. The image forming apparatus 101 periodically transmits the remaining amount of the consumables to the management server 103. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 101 transmits the remaining amount of the consumables to the management server 103 after executing a predetermined event in which the consumables are used, such as an image forming process, or when a transmission request is received from the management server 103.

[0059] The management server 103 stores device data 701 of Fig. 7 including the remaining amount received from the image forming device 101 in the device data storage area 402 of the HDD 203. The device data 701 has a configuration similar to the above-mentioned device data 440, and is made up of device identification data 710 and a plurality of consumable data 720a to 720n corresponding respectively to a plurality of consumables equipped in the image forming device 101. Note that Fig. 7 shows, as an example, consumable data 720a and consumable data 720b among the consumable data 720a to 720n.

[0060] The device identification data 710 is data for identifying the image forming device 101, and has the same configuration as the above-mentioned device identification data 420. The consumables data 720a to 720n are data related to consumables of the image forming device 101. Note that the consumables data 720a to 720n all have the same configuration, and the configuration will be described below using the consumables data 720a as an example.

[0061] The consumables data 720a is composed of a consumables ID 721a, a remaining amount 722a, and a consumables use start date 723a. The consumables ID 721a is a number for identifying a consumables of the image forming apparatus 101. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4(c), the name of the consumables corresponding to the consumables ID is managed. Also, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4(d), an order guideline indicating the remaining amount at which the consumables need to be replenished or replaced is defined for each consumables ID.

[0062] The remaining amount 722a is information that expresses the remaining amount of the consumable as a percentage, with 0% being the case when the remaining amount of the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 720a is zero. For example, if the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 720a is printing paper, the remaining amount 722a is information that expresses the remaining number of printing paper as a percentage. Also, if the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 720a is a replacement part such as a toner cartridge or ink cartridge, the remaining amount 722a is information that expresses the remaining amount of toner or ink as a percentage. Note that the remaining amount 722a does not have to be information expressed as a percentage as described above, as long as the information reveals the current remaining amount.

[0063] The consumable use start date 723a indicates the date on which use of the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 720a started.

[0064] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the consumables ordering process of FIG. 6. The consumables ordering process of FIG. 8 is similar to the consumables ordering process of FIG. 6 described above, and the following will describe the contents that are different from the consumables ordering process of FIG. 6 described above. The consumables ordering process of FIG. 8 is also realized by the CPU 201 executing a control program stored in the HDD 203, similar to the consumables ordering process of FIG. 6 described above. Similarly to the consumables ordering process of FIG. 6 described above, the consumables ordering process of FIG. 8 is also executed when the management server 103 receives a plan change request notification from the communication device 102 or the like, or when the management server 103 receives an instruction to execute the consumables ordering process from a user. The consumables ordering process of FIG. 8 is also executed periodically at a predetermined interval that is set in advance. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described where the device data 701 of the image forming device 101 is specified as a processing target among a plurality of device data stored in the HDD 203.

[0065] 8, first, the CPU 201 reads out the device data 701 identified as the processing target from the HDD 203 (S801), and loads the read out device data 701 in the RAM 202. Next, the CPU 201 identifies one data, for example, the consumable data 720a, from among the multiple consumable data 720a to 720n included in the device data 701. Next, the CPU 201 acquires the value of the remaining amount 722a from the identified consumable data 720a (S802).

[0066] Next, the CPU 201 determines whether the acquired value of the remaining amount 722a is equal to or less than the value of the order guideline corresponding to the consumable ID 721a of the consumable data 720a (S803). For example, if the value of the remaining amount 722a is 10[%] and the above-mentioned order guideline value is 20[%], it is determined that the acquired value of the remaining amount 722a is equal to or less than the above-mentioned order guideline value. In this case, the consumable ordering process proceeds to S810, which is the same process as S610 described above. On the other hand, if the value of the remaining amount 722a is 50[%] and the above-mentioned order guideline value is 20[%], it is determined that the acquired value of the remaining amount 722a is not equal to or less than the above-mentioned order guideline value. In this case, the consumable ordering process proceeds to S804.

[0067] In S804, CPU 201 calculates the usage period of the consumable corresponding to consumable data 720a based on the date of consumable use start date 723a in consumable data 720a and the current date. Next, CPU 201 acquires the number of printed sheets during the usage period from image forming apparatus 101 corresponding to the value of serial number 712 in apparatus data 701 read in S801 (S805). This number of printed sheets during the usage period is the number of sheets printed within the usage period calculated in S804.

[0068] Next, the CPU 201 calculates the degree of consumption of the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 720a based on the number of printed sheets during the usage period acquired in S805 and the value of the remaining amount 722a acquired in S802 (S806). In S806, the degree of consumption is calculated in the same manner as in S606 described above.

[0069] Next, CPU 201 calculates the predicted remaining amount of the consumable corresponding to consumable data 720a based on the degree of wear calculated in S806 and the value of upper limit number of prints 714 in device data 701 read in S801 (S807). The predicted remaining amount is a predicted value of the remaining amount of the consumable corresponding to consumable data 720a when printing is performed up to the upper limit number of prints.

[0070] For example, if the degree of wear is 0.05% and the value of the upper limit number of prints 714 is 500, the remaining amount of the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 720a is expected to decrease by 0.05% x 500 = 25% when the upper limit number of prints is printed. The remaining amount 722a is calculated as the predicted remaining amount of the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 720a by subtracting this 25% from the remaining amount 722a, for example, 50%. On the other hand, if the degree of wear is 0.05% and the value of the upper limit number of prints 714 is 300, the remaining amount of the consumable corresponding to the consumable data 720a is expected to decrease by 0.05% x 300 = 15% when the upper limit number of prints is printed. The value of remaining amount 722a, for example, 35[%] obtained by subtracting 15[%] from 50[%], is calculated as the predicted remaining amount of the consumable corresponding to consumable data 720a. In this manner, in this embodiment, the predicted remaining amount of the consumable of image forming apparatus 101 is calculated based on the plan subscribed to by the user.

[0071] Next, the CPU 201 determines whether the predicted remaining amount calculated in S807 is equal to or less than the order guideline value corresponding to the consumables ID 721a of the consumables data 720a (S808). For example, if the predicted remaining amount calculated in S807 is 25[%] and the order guideline value is 20[%], it is determined that the predicted remaining amount calculated in S807 is not equal to or less than the order guideline value. In this case, the consumables ordering process proceeds to S809.

[0072] In S809, the CPU 201 determines whether or not checking of all consumable data included in the device data 701 has been completed. If it is determined in S809 that checking of any of the consumable data included in the device data 701 has not been completed, the CPU 201 identifies the next data, for example, consumable data 720b, from the remaining consumable data included in the device data 701. Thereafter, the consumable ordering process returns to S802. If it is determined in S809 that checking of all of the consumable data included in the device data 701 has been completed, the consumable ordering process ends.

[0073] In S808, for example, if the predicted remaining amount calculated in S807 is 15[%] and the above-mentioned order guideline value is 20[%], it is determined that the predicted remaining amount calculated in S807 is equal to or less than the above-mentioned order guideline value. In this case, the consumables ordering process proceeds to S810, which is the same process as S610 described above.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the consumables ordering process of Fig. 8 is executed to ship consumables for the image forming apparatus 101. In the above-described consumables ordering process of Fig. 8, for example, a predicted remaining amount of a consumable corresponding to the consumables data 720a of the apparatus data 701 is calculated based on the plan subscribed to by the user. If this predicted remaining amount is equal to or less than the order guideline value corresponding to the consumables ID 721a of the consumables data 720a, control is performed to ship the consumable corresponding to the consumables data 720a. That is, the predicted remaining amount is calculated taking into account the consumption behavior of the user expected from the plan subscribed to by the user. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the calculation accuracy of the predicted remaining amount, and therefore to ship the consumables at an appropriate timing.

[0075] In the above-mentioned consumables ordering process of FIG. 8, even if the predicted remaining amount is slightly larger than the order guideline, the consumables are not ordered. In this case, a slight change in the user's consumption behavior may change the amount of the consumables used, and replenishment or replacement may be required earlier than predicted. In contrast, in a configuration in which the above-mentioned consumables ordering process of FIG. 8 is periodically executed, if the predicted remaining amount is larger than the order guideline and the difference between the predicted remaining amount and the order guideline is within a preset threshold, the next consumables ordering process may be executed at intervals shorter than a predetermined interval. This allows consumables to be ordered at an appropriate time in response to slight changes in the user's consumption behavior.

[0076] In addition, in this embodiment, when the plan change request notification received by the management server 103 from the communication device 102 or the like is a notification for the purpose of increasing the number of printed sheets, the order guideline may be changed to a value that advances the order timing. A plan change request notification for the purpose of increasing the number of printed sheets is, for example, a notification requesting a change from a contracted plan to a plan with a higher upper limit number of printed sheets than the contracted plan, or a notification requesting a change from a contracted plan to a plan with a faster printing speed than the contracted plan. For example, the order guideline used in the consumables ordering process of FIG. 6 described above is changed to a value smaller than that before the plan change. Also, the order guideline used in the consumables ordering process of FIG. 8 described above is changed to a value larger than that before the plan change. By performing such control, consumables can be shipped at an appropriate timing during a period when the number of printed sheets suddenly increases due to a busy season.

[0077] In addition, in this embodiment, if the plan change request notification received by the management server 103 from the communication device 102 or the like is a notification for the purpose of reducing the number of printed sheets, the order guideline may be changed to a value that delays the order timing. A plan change request notification for the purpose of reducing the number of printed sheets is, for example, a notification requesting a change from a contracted plan to a plan with a lower upper limit number of printed sheets than the contracted plan, or a notification requesting a change from a contracted plan to a plan with a slower print speed than the contracted plan. For example, the order guideline used in the consumables ordering process of FIG. 6 described above is changed to a value larger than that before the plan change. Also, the order guideline used in the consumables ordering process of FIG. 8 described above is changed to a value smaller than that before the plan change. By performing such control, it is possible to avoid a situation in which consumables are shipped early and stored for a long period of time at the user's place during a period when the number of printed sheets can be reduced after the busy season has passed.

[0078] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0079] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) An information processing device comprising: a control means for executing a predetermined process for shipping consumables for an image forming device, wherein in the predetermined process, the control means calculates a predicted degree of wear of the consumables based on a plan subscribed to by a user from among a plurality of plans that restrict use of the image forming device, determines whether the predicted degree of wear reaches a predetermined value set in advance, and controls the shipping of the consumables to the user when it is determined that the predicted degree of wear has reached the predetermined value. (Configuration 2) An information processing device as described in configuration 1, further comprising a means for acquiring the degree of consumption of the consumable, a means for acquiring the number of pages printed during the usage period of the consumable, and a means for calculating a degree of consumption progress indicating the degree of consumption of the consumable per printed page based on the acquired degree of consumption and the acquired number of pages, wherein in the specified processing, the control means calculates a predicted degree of consumption of the consumable based on the upper limit number of printed pages corresponding to the contracted plan and the degree of consumption progress. (Configuration 3) The information processing device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means executes the predetermined processing in response to receiving a request notification requesting a change from the contracted plan to another plan. (Configuration 4) The information processing apparatus according to configuration 3, wherein when the request notification is a notification aimed at increasing the number of printed sheets, the predetermined value is changed to a value smaller than the predetermined value. (Configuration 5) The information processing apparatus according to configuration 3 or 4, wherein if the request notification is a notification aimed at reducing the number of printed sheets, the predetermined value is changed to a value larger than the predetermined value. (Configuration 6) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the control means executes the predetermined process at a preset interval. (Configuration 7) The information processing device according to Configuration 6, characterized in that when it is determined that the predicted degree of wear has not reached the predetermined value and the difference between the predicted degree of wear and the predetermined value is equal to or less than a preset threshold, the control means executes the next predetermined processing at an interval shorter than the predetermined interval. (Configuration 8) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the control means executes the predetermined process in accordance with an instruction from the user. (Configuration 9) An information processing device comprising: a control means for executing a predetermined process for shipping consumables for an image forming device, wherein in the predetermined process, the control means calculates a predicted remaining amount of the consumables based on a plan subscribed to by a user from among a plurality of plans that limit use of the image forming device, determines whether the predicted remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value set in advance, and controls the shipping of the consumables to the user when it is determined that the predicted remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value. (Configuration 10) An information processing device as described in Configuration 9, further comprising a means for acquiring the remaining amount of the consumable, a means for acquiring the number of pages printed during the usage period of the consumable, and a means for calculating a degree of consumption indicating the degree of consumption of the consumable per printed page based on the acquired remaining amount and the acquired number of pages, wherein in the specified processing, the control means calculates a predicted remaining amount of the consumable based on the upper limit number of pages printed corresponding to the contracted plan and the degree of consumption. (Configuration 11) The information processing device according to configuration 9 or 10, characterized in that the control means executes the specified processing in response to receiving a request notification requesting a change from the contracted plan to another plan. (Configuration 12) The information processing apparatus according to configuration 11, wherein if the request notification is a notification aimed at increasing the number of printed sheets, the predetermined value is changed to a value larger than the predetermined value. (Configuration 13) The information processing apparatus according to configuration 11 or 12, wherein when the request notification is a notification aimed at reducing the number of printed sheets, the predetermined value is changed to a value smaller than the predetermined value. (Configuration 14) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 9 to 13, wherein the control means periodically executes the predetermined process at preset intervals. (Configuration 15) An information processing device as described in Configuration 14, characterized in that when it is determined that the predicted remaining amount is not equal to or less than the predetermined value and the difference between the predicted remaining amount and the predetermined value is equal to or less than a preset threshold, the control means executes the next specified processing at an interval shorter than the predetermined interval. (Configuration 16) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 9 to 15, wherein the control means executes the predetermined process in accordance with an instruction from the user. (Configuration 17) In the information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 16, the consumable item is printing paper. (Configuration 18) In the information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 16, the consumable item is a toner cartridge. (Configuration 19) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 16, wherein the consumable item is an ink cartridge. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 101 Image forming device 103 Management Server 201 CPU 204 Network Interface

Claims

1. It is equipped with control means for performing predetermined processing for shipping consumables for an image forming apparatus, In the predetermined processing described above, the control means obtains the degree of wear of the consumables from the image forming apparatus via a communication interface, obtains the number of printed pages printed during the usage period of the consumables, calculates a wear rate indicating the degree of wear of the consumables per printed page based on the obtained degree of wear and the obtained number of printed pages, receives a request notification from a user requesting a change from the plan contracted by the user to another plan from among a plurality of plans that restrict the use of the image forming apparatus, sets a predetermined value based on the request notification, decreases the predetermined value if the request notification is intended to increase the number of printable pages, increases the predetermined value if the request notification is intended to decrease the number of printable pages, calculates a predicted wear rate of the consumables based on the upper limit number of printable pages corresponding to the other plan and the wear rate, determines whether the predicted wear rate reaches a predetermined value, and generates a control signal to initiate a shipping request to the order server in order to ship the consumables to the user if it is determined that the predicted wear rate has reached the predetermined value.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means performs the calculation of the predicted wear rate at predetermined intervals set in advance.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein if it is determined that the predicted wear rate does not reach the predetermined value and the difference between the predicted wear rate and the predetermined value is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the control means performs the next calculation of the predicted wear rate at an interval shorter than the predetermined interval.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs the calculation of the predicted wear rate in accordance with the instructions of the user.

5. It is equipped with control means for performing predetermined processing for shipping consumables for an image forming apparatus, In the predetermined processing described above, the control means obtains the remaining amount of the consumables from the image forming apparatus via a communication interface, obtains the number of printed pages printed during the usage period of the consumables, calculates a degree of wear indicating the degree of wear of the consumables per printed page based on the obtained remaining amount and the obtained number of printed pages, receives a request notification from the user requesting a change from the plan contracted by the user to another plan from among a plurality of plans that restrict the use of the image forming apparatus, sets a predetermined value based on the request notification, increases the predetermined value if the request notification is intended to increase the number of printable pages, decreases the predetermined value if the request notification is intended to decrease the number of printable pages, calculates a predicted remaining amount of the consumables based on the upper limit number of printable pages corresponding to the other plan and the degree of wear, determines whether the predicted remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and if it is determined that the predicted remaining amount is less than or equal to the predetermined value, generates a control signal that initiates a shipping request to the order server in order to ship the consumables to the user.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the control means performs the calculation of the predicted remaining amount at a predetermined interval.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, if it is determined that the predicted remaining amount is not less than or equal to the predetermined value, and the difference between the predicted remaining amount and the predetermined value is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the control means performs the next calculation of the predicted remaining amount at an interval shorter than the predetermined interval.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control means performs the calculation of the predicted remaining amount in accordance with the instructions of the user.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the consumable is printing paper.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the consumable is a toner cartridge.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the consumable is an ink cartridge.

12. It has a control step that performs a predetermined process for shipping consumables for an image forming apparatus, A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that, in the predetermined processing, the control step involves obtaining the degree of wear of the consumables from the image forming apparatus via a communication interface, obtaining the number of printed pages during the usage period of the consumables, calculating the wear progress based on the degree of wear and the number of printed pages, receiving a request notification requesting a change from a contracted plan to another plan, setting a predetermined value based on the request notification, decreasing the predetermined value if the request notification is intended to increase the number of printable pages, increasing the predetermined value if the request notification is intended to decrease the number of printable pages, calculating a predicted wear rate based on the upper limit of printable pages corresponding to the other plan and the wear progress, and generating a control signal to initiate a shipping request to the order server when it is determined that the predicted wear rate has reached the predetermined value.

13. It has a control step that performs a predetermined process for shipping consumables for an image forming apparatus, A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that, in the predetermined processing, the control step involves obtaining the remaining amount of the consumables from the image forming apparatus via a communication interface, obtaining the number of printed pages printed during the usage period of the consumables, calculating the degree of consumption based on the remaining amount and the number of printed pages, receiving a request notification requesting a change from a contracted plan to another plan, setting a predetermined value based on the request notification, increasing the predetermined value if the request notification is intended to increase the number of printable pages, decreasing the predetermined value if the request notification is intended to decrease the number of printable pages, calculating a predicted remaining amount based on the upper limit of printable pages corresponding to the other plan and the degree of consumption, and generating a control signal to initiate a shipping request to the order server when it is determined that the predicted remaining amount is less than or equal to the predetermined value.

14. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the information processing device described in claim 12 or 13.

Images