Information management system, information management method and program

Abstract

To provide an information management system, an information management method, and a program that enable easy searching of multiple types of units under a desired condition.SOLUTION: In an information management system in which a server and multiple terminal devices are connected via a communication network, the server 1 comprises a database (DB 131) that stores information (unit-related information) regarding a unit removed from a first device (disposal unit), a first acquisition unit (control unit 11) that acquires unit type information indicating the type of each unit among multiple types of units to be installed in a second device (regenerator), and a retrieval unit (control unit 11) that extracts from the database a combination of multiple types of units that are of the type indicated by the unit type information acquired by the first acquisition unit and satisfy a predetermined condition (search condition).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information management system, an information management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, an image forming apparatus is configured by attaching a plurality of units to an image forming apparatus main body. Each unit is a consumable and is replaced at an appropriate timing. In recent years, in order to realize a recycling-based society, it has been desired to eliminate wasteful disposal. Therefore, a reusable unit with remaining life is removed from the discarded image forming apparatus main body, and a recycling operation is performed in which the unit is attached to the image forming apparatus main body of another image forming apparatus as a recycling apparatus. In the above recycling operation, it is necessary to manage the used units removed from the discarded image forming apparatus main body as inventory.

[0003] Regarding this, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe inventions for searching for used units to be installed in an image forming apparatus as a recycling apparatus in an inventory database.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when mounting a plurality of types of units on an image forming apparatus as a playback apparatus, there is a demand for searching an inventory database for an optimal combination of units according to the situation. Specifically, for example, when it is desired to reduce the number of visits by a service technician who replaces units, it is necessary to extract combinations of a plurality of types of units in which the difference in remaining life is within a predetermined range. Further, for example, when the selling price of the playback apparatus is preset, it is necessary to extract combinations of a plurality of types of units in which the total price is within a predetermined range. Further, for example, when it is desired to shorten the time for procuring a plurality of types of units, it is necessary to extract combinations of a plurality of types of units in which the storage location is within a predetermined range. However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 only describe searching for a single unit and cannot achieve the above demand.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an information management system, an information management method, and a program that can easily search for a plurality of types of units under desired conditions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, the information management system according to claim 1 is a database that stores information about units removed from the first device, a first acquisition unit that acquires unit type information indicating each type of a plurality of types of units to be mounted on the second device, a search unit that extracts combinations of a plurality of types of units that are the types of units indicated by the unit type information acquired by the first acquisition unit and that satisfy a predetermined condition from the database, and includes.

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is the information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the remaining life of the unit is within a predetermined range.

[0009] The invention according to claim 3 is the information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that, in the combination of the plurality of types of units, the storage position of the unit is within a predetermined range.

[0010] The invention according to claim 4 is the information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that, in the combination of the plurality of types of units, the moving time between the storage positions of the units is the shortest.

[0011] The invention according to claim 5 is the information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that, in the combination of the plurality of types of units, the total price of the combination is within a predetermined range.

[0012] The invention according to claim 6 is the information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the storage period of the unit is within a predetermined range.

[0013] The invention according to claim 7 is the information management system according to claim 1, wherein it includes a second acquisition unit that acquires priority information indicating the priority order among a plurality of the predetermined conditions, and the search unit extracts a combination of the plurality of types of units based on the priority information acquired by the second acquisition unit.

[0014] The invention according to claim 8 is the information management system according to claim 1, wherein when the search unit cannot extract a combination of the plurality of types of units that satisfies the predetermined condition from the database, the search unit extracts a combination of the plurality of types of units including units that satisfy an approximate condition corresponding to the predetermined condition from the database.

[0015] The information management method according to claim 9 is An information management method executed by a computer of an information management system including a database that stores information about a unit removed from a first device, a first acquisition step of acquiring unit type information indicating each type among a plurality of types of units to be attached to a second device, a search step of extracting, from the database, combinations of a plurality of types of units that are the types of units indicated by the unit type information acquired in the first acquisition step and that satisfy a predetermined condition, and including.

[0016] The program according to claim 10, causes a computer of an information management system including a database that stores information about a unit removed from a first device to function as a first acquisition unit that acquires unit type information indicating each type among a plurality of types of units to be attached to a second device, a search unit that extracts, from the database, combinations of a plurality of types of units that are the types of units indicated by the unit type information acquired by the first acquisition unit and that satisfy a predetermined condition, and function as.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a plurality of types of units can be easily searched for under desired conditions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0020] <1. Configuration of Information Management System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration example of an information management system 100 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information management system 100 includes a server 1 and a terminal device 2. The server 1 and the terminal device 2 are connected via a communication network N.

[0021] The server 1 is a cloud server provided in a cloud environment. The server 1 may be a local server. The terminal device 2 is a computer device such as a PC (Personal Computer). The number of terminal devices 2 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] In the reproduction operation of the image forming apparatus, the manufacturer's operator removes reusable used units from the image forming apparatus (first apparatus) whose main body is to be discarded. Next, the operator attaches the used unit removed from the first apparatus to the second apparatus. The manufacturer sells or rents the second apparatus with the used unit attached as a reproduction apparatus. Server 1 manages the inventory information of the used unit removed from the first apparatus and before being attached to the second apparatus.

[0023] The image forming apparatus forms an image on paper using toners of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The image forming apparatus includes units such as an exposure unit, a photosensitive drum for each color, a developing unit having a developing device for each color, a transfer system unit having a transfer roller and a transfer belt, a fixing unit, and a waste toner conveyance unit. In the formation of an image, the exposure unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. Next, the developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner to form a toner image. Next, the transfer system unit transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum to the paper. Next, the fixing unit fixes the toner image on the paper to the paper. The waste toner conveyance unit conveys the waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum, the transfer belt, etc., and accumulates it in a waste toner collection container.

[0024] (1-1. Configuration of Server) Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of Server 1. As shown in Figure 2, Server 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, etc., and each unit is connected via a bus.

[0025] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU of the control unit 11 reads out the system program and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 13 and expands them in the RAM, and executes various processes according to the expanded programs.

[0026] The communication unit 12 is connected to the communication network N and transmits and receives data to and from external devices such as the terminal device 2.

[0027] The storage unit 13 includes a storage device such as a non-volatile semiconductor memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 13 stores various programs executed by the control unit 11, parameters necessary for executing the programs, or data such as processing results. The storage unit 13 stores a unit DB (database) 131, which will be described later.

[0028] (1-2. Configuration of the Terminal Device) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, an operation unit 24, a display unit 25, etc., and each unit is connected via a bus.

[0029] The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, etc. The CPU of the control unit 21 reads out various programs stored in the storage unit 23, expands them in the RAM, executes various processes according to the expanded programs, and controls the operations of each part of the terminal device 2.

[0030] The communication unit 22 is connected to the communication network N and transmits and receives data to and from external devices such as the server 1.

[0031] The storage unit 23 includes a storage device such as a non-volatile semiconductor memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 23 stores various programs executed by the control unit 21 and parameters necessary for executing the programs.

[0032] The operation unit 24 includes a keyboard equipped with cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, etc., a pointing device such as a mouse, a touch panel laminated on the surface of the display unit 25, etc. The operation unit 24 outputs various signals based on operations performed by the operator to the control unit 21.

[0033] The display unit 25 includes a monitor such as an LCD, and displays various screens and the like according to instructions of a display signal input from the control unit 21.

[0034] <2. Unit DB> Next, the unit DB 131 stored in the storage unit 13 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of the content of the unit DB 131. The unit DB 131 stores unit-related information, which is information about the unit, for each used unit taken out from the first device (disposal device). The unit-related information includes the model name of the image forming apparatus main body to which the unit is attached, the type of the unit, the price, the remaining life, the storage location, the period stored as inventory (storage period), and the like. Thereby, the unit-related information of a plurality of units removed from the first device (disposal device) and stored as inventory can be easily managed in the unit DB 131.

[0035] The types of units in the present embodiment are, for example, a photosensitive drum, a transfer unit, a developing device, a fixing unit, a waste toner conveying unit, and the like. The photosensitive drums include a C photosensitive drum that is a photosensitive drum for cyan (C), an M photosensitive drum that is a photosensitive drum for magenta (M), a Y photosensitive drum that is a photosensitive drum for yellow (Y), and a K photosensitive drum that is a photosensitive drum for black (K). The transfer unit includes a transfer roller and a transfer belt. The developing devices include a C developing device that is a developing device for cyan (C), an M developing device that is a developing device for magenta (M), a Y developing device that is a developing device for yellow (Y), and a K developing device that is a developing device for black (K).

[0036] In the reproduction operation of the image forming apparatus, the manufacturer's operator takes out a reusable unit (used unit) from the first apparatus (disposal apparatus). Next, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 receives an input operation of unit-related information of the used unit via the operation unit 24 by the operator. Next, the control unit 21 transmits the received unit-related information of the used unit to the server 1. Next, the control unit 11 of the server 1 stores the unit-related information of the used unit received from the terminal device 2 in the unit DB 131.

[0037] <3. Operation of Information Management System> Next, the operation of the information management system 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a ladder chart showing the flow of unit search processing executed by the information management system 100.

[0038] The operator inputs search conditions for the used unit to be attached to the second apparatus (reproduction apparatus) in the terminal device 2. The control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 displays the search condition screen 251 shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 25 and receives an input operation of the search condition of the used unit via the operation unit 24 by the operator (step S1).

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the search condition screen 251 includes a search condition input field 251a, a search execution button 251h, and the like. The search condition input field 251a has input fields 251b to 251g. The operator inputs the search condition of the unit in at least any one of the input fields 251b to 251g. The control unit 21 receives a selection operation of the model name of the image forming apparatus main body to which the unit is attached in the input field 251b. In the example shown in FIG. 6, "A" is selected as the model name of the image forming apparatus main body. The control unit 21 receives a selection operation of the unit type in the input field 251c. In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 receives a selection operation of each type in a plurality of types of units. In the example shown in FIG. 6, "K developing device" and "transfer roller" are selected as the unit types. The control unit 21 accepts an input operation for the range of the total price of the units of the type selected in the input field 251c in the input field 251d. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the total price of the units, that is, the total price of the "K developer" and the "transfer roller" is specified to be 12,000 yen or less in the input field 251d. The control unit 21 accepts an input operation for the range of the remaining life of the units in the input field 251e. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the remaining life of the units is specified to be 80% - 90%. The control unit 21 is in the input field 251f for the units of the type selected in the input field 251c and accepts an input operation for the range of the storage location. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the range of the storage location of the units is not specified. The control unit 21 accepts an input operation for the range of the storage period of the units in the input field 251g. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the range of the storage period of the units is specified to be 200 days or less.

[0040] Next, when the control unit 21 accepts the pressing operation of the search execution button 251h by the operator, it transmits the search conditions of the units received on the search condition screen 251 to the server 1 (step S2).

[0041] The control unit 11 of the server 1 obtains the search conditions of the units by receiving the search conditions of the units from the terminal device 2 (step S3). That is, the control unit 11 obtains unit type information indicating each type among the plurality of types of units to be mounted on the second device. The control unit 11 functions as a first acquisition unit. Step S3 is a first acquisition step. The unit type information indicates the type of unit selected in the input field 251c of the search condition screen 251.

[0042] Next, the control unit 11 searches the unit DB 131 for units that correspond to the model name of the image forming apparatus main body, the range of the remaining life, and / or the range of the storage period specified by the search conditions for any type of unit selected by the search conditions obtained in step S3 (step S4). When the maximum value of the total price of a plurality of types of units is specified in the search conditions, in step S4, the control unit 11 may search for units having a price equal to or less than the maximum value of the total price.

[0043] Next, in step S4, the control unit 11 determines whether a unit corresponding to the model name of the image forming apparatus main body, the remaining life range, and / or the storage period range specified in the search conditions has been extracted (step S5). The case where a unit corresponding to the model name of the image forming apparatus main body, the remaining life range, and / or the storage period range specified in the search conditions could not be extracted (step S5; NO) will be described. In this case, the control unit 11 extracts an alternative unit that is a unit corresponding to the approximate conditions corresponding to the model name of the image forming apparatus main body, the remaining life range, and / or the storage period range specified in the search conditions (step S6). The approximate conditions are conditions having a model name of the image forming apparatus main body, a remaining life range, and / or a storage period range in which the difference from the model name of the image forming apparatus main body, the remaining life range, and / or the storage period range specified in the search conditions is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0044] On the other hand, when a unit corresponding to the model name of the image forming apparatus main body, the remaining life range, and / or the storage period range specified in the search conditions has been extracted (step S5; YES), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S7 for the unit search process.

[0045] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether all types of units or alternative units selected in the search conditions have been extracted (step S7). When there is a type of unit that has not been extracted (step S7; NO), the control unit 11 returns to step S4 for the unit search process and searches for the type of unit that has not been extracted in the unit DB 131.

[0046] On the other hand, the case where all types of units selected in the search conditions or alternative units are extracted (step S7; YES) will be described. In this case, the control unit 11, among the combinations of the extracted units or alternative units, of the units specified in the search conditions extracts combinations corresponding to the range of the total price and / or the range of the storage location of the units (step S8). That is, the control unit 11 extracts, from the unit DB 131 (database), combinations of a plurality of types of units that are the types of units indicated by the unit type information acquired as the first acquisition unit and that satisfy a predetermined condition (search condition). The control unit 11 functions as a search unit. Steps S4 and S8 are search steps.

[0047] Next, the control unit 11 transmits a search result, which is information on the combination of units extracted in step S8, to the terminal device 2 (step S9).

[0048] The control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 receives the unit search result from the server 1. Next, the control unit 21 displays, on the display unit 25, a search result screen 252 (see FIG. 7) for displaying the received unit search result (step S10), and ends the unit search process.

[0049] The example shown in FIG. 7 is a search result obtained by searching for units according to the search conditions specified in the example shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 21 displays unit-related information on the combination of units extracted by the unit search process on the search result screen 252. Specifically, the control unit 21 displays unit-related information on a combination of units where the model name of the image forming apparatus main body to which the unit is attached is "A", the types of the units are "K developer" and "transfer roller", the total price is 12,000 yen or less, the remaining life is 80% to 90%, and the storage period is 200 days or less.

[0050] Note that when the number of combinations of a plurality of types of units extracted from the unit DB 131 is greater than a predetermined number, the control unit 21 may further extract combinations of units with the same search condition. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 21 extracts combinations of units with the same remaining life and storage period.

[0051] FIG. 8 shows another example of the unit search conditions input to the search condition screen 251. In the example shown in FIG. 8, "A" is selected as the model name of the image forming apparatus main body in the input field 251b. As the types of units, "C photosensitive drum", "Y photosensitive drum", and "waste toner conveyance unit" are selected in the input field 251c. The total price of the unit is not specified. The remaining life of the unit is not specified. The range of the storage location of the unit, that is, the range of the storage locations of the "C photosensitive drum", "Y photosensitive drum", and "waste toner conveyance unit" is specified within 100 m in the input field 251f. The range of the storage period of the unit is specified as 200 days or less in the input field 251g.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a search result screen 252 that displays the search results of units according to the search conditions specified in the example shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 21 displays the unit-related information of the combination of units extracted by the unit search process on the search result screen 252. Specifically, the control unit 21 displays the unit-related information of the combination of units for which the model name of the image forming apparatus main body to which the unit is attached is "A", the types of units are "C photosensitive drum", "Y photosensitive drum", and "waste toner conveyance unit", the range of the storage location is within 100 m, and the storage period is 200 days or less.

[0053] FIG. 10 shows another example of the unit search conditions input to the search condition screen 251. In the example shown in FIG. 10, "A" is selected as the model name of the image forming apparatus main body in the input field 251b. As the type of unit, "C photosensitive drum, "M photosensitive drum", "Y photosensitive drum", "K photosensitive drum", "transfer roller" and "transfer belt" is selected. The total price of the unit is not specified. The remaining life of the unit is specified as 80% - 90% in the input field 251e. The range of the storage location of the unit is not specified. The range of the storage period of the unit is specified as 200 days or less in the input field 251g. As shown in FIG. 10, when the total price of the unit and the range of the storage location of the unit are not specified in the search conditions, the control unit 11 extracts a combination of units in which any search condition is the same in step S8 of the unit search process. For example, the control unit 21 extracts a combination of units in which the remaining life and the storage period are the same.

[0054] FIG. 11 is a search result screen 252 that displays the search results of searching for units according to the search conditions specified in the example shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 21 displays the unit-related information of the combination of units extracted by the unit search process on the search result screen 252. Specifically, the control unit 21 displays the unit-related information of the combination of units in which the model name of the image forming apparatus main body to which the unit is attached is "A", the type of unit is "C photosensitive drum, "M photosensitive drum", "Y photosensitive drum", "K photosensitive drum", "transfer roller" and "transfer belt", the remaining life is 80%, and the storage period corresponds to 100 days or 200 days.

[0055] <4. Others> In the examples shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 10 of the above embodiment, the control unit 21 is assumed to receive an input operation of the range of the remaining life of the unit in the input field 251e, but is not limited thereto. The control unit 21 may receive an input operation of the range of the difference in the remaining life in the unit of the type selected in the input field 251c. In this case, in step S8 of the unit search process, the control unit 11 of server 1 extracts a combination that corresponds to at least the range of the difference in the remaining life of the units specified by the search conditions from among the combinations of the extracted units or alternative units.

[0056] In the examples shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 10 of the above embodiment, it is assumed that the control unit 21 accepts an input operation within the range of the storage location of the units of the type selected in the input field 251c in the input field 251f, but it is not limited to this. The control unit 21 may accept an input operation within the range of the difference in the storage location of the units of the type selected in the input field 251c. In this case, in step S8 of the unit search process, the control unit 11 of server 1 extracts a combination that corresponds to at least the range of the difference in the storage location of the units specified by the search conditions from among the combinations of the extracted units or alternative units.

[0057] The unit DB 131 may store the distances between the storage locations of the respective units. In this case, the control unit 21 may accept an input operation within the range of the total distance between the storage locations of the units of the type selected in the input field 251c on the search condition screen 251. In this case, in step S8 of the unit search process, the control unit 11 of server 1 extracts a combination that corresponds to at least the range of the total distance between the storage locations of the units specified by the search conditions from among the combinations of the extracted units or alternative units.

[0058] The unit DB 131 may store the travel time when moving between the storage locations of the respective units at a predetermined speed. In this case, the control unit 21 may accept an instruction operation to extract a combination of units having the shortest total travel time between the storage locations of the units of the type selected in the input field 251c on the search condition screen 251. In this case, in step S8 of the unit search process, the control unit 11 of the server 1 extracts a combination with the shortest total movement time between the storage locations of the units from among the combinations of the extracted units or alternative units.

[0059] The price of the units stored in the unit DB 131 may include various costs related to the unit in addition to the price of the unit itself. The various costs of the unit are, for example, the labor cost for installing the unit, the transportation cost for transporting the unit, and the like.

[0060] The control unit 21 may receive an input operation of the priority order in the unit search conditions on the search condition screen 251. When the control unit 21 receives a pressing operation of the search execution button 251h by the operator, it transmits the unit search conditions with the priority order to the server 1. The control unit 11 of the server 1 acquires priority information indicating the priority order in the unit search conditions by receiving the unit search conditions from the terminal device 2. The control unit 11 functions as a second acquisition unit. In this case, in step S8 of the unit search process, the control unit 11 of the server 1 extracts a combination of units from the unit DB 131 based on the priority information. Specifically, when the control unit 11 cannot extract a combination of units that satisfies all the search conditions specified on the search condition screen 251 from the unit DB 131, it extracts a combination of units that corresponds to search conditions with a relatively high priority from the unit DB 131.

[0061] <5. Effects> As described above, the information management system 100 of the present embodiment includes a database (DB 131) that stores information (unit-related information) regarding the units removed from the first device (disposal device). The information management system 100 of the present embodiment includes a first acquisition unit (control unit 11) that acquires unit type information indicating each type among a plurality of types of units to be mounted on the second device (reproduction device). The information management system 100 of this embodiment includes a search unit (control unit 11) that extracts, from a database, combinations of a plurality of types of units that are of the type indicated by the unit type information acquired by the first acquisition unit and that satisfy a predetermined condition (search condition). Thereby, an optimal combination of units according to a desired condition can be searched for in the database. Therefore, combinations of a plurality of types of units can be easily searched for under the desired condition.

[0062] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the remaining life of the unit is within a predetermined range. Thereby, combinations of a plurality of types of units whose remaining life is within a predetermined range can be easily searched for. Therefore, the replacement timing of the units can be made uniform after the units are mounted on the playback device.

[0063] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that, in a combination of a plurality of types of units, the storage location of the unit is within a predetermined range. Thereby, combinations of a plurality of types of units whose storage location is within a predetermined range can be easily searched for. Therefore, a plurality of types of units stored within a desired range can be extracted.

[0064] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that, in a combination of a plurality of types of units, the movement time between the storage locations of the units is the shortest. Thereby, combinations of a plurality of types of units whose movement time between the storage locations is the shortest can be easily searched for. Therefore, a plurality of types of units can be procured in the shortest time.

[0065] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the total price of a combination of a plurality of types of units is within a predetermined range. As a result, combinations of multiple types of units whose total price is within a predetermined range can be easily searched. Therefore, multiple types of units corresponding to a preset price of the playback device can be extracted.

[0066] In the information management system 100 of the present embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the storage period of the unit is within a predetermined range. As a result, combinations of multiple types of units whose storage period is within a predetermined range can be easily searched. Therefore, multiple types of units stored for a desired period can be extracted.

[0067] The information management system 100 of the present embodiment includes a second acquisition unit (control unit 11) that acquires priority information indicating the priority order among a plurality of predetermined conditions. In the information management system 100 of the present embodiment, the search unit (control unit 11) extracts combinations of multiple types of units based on the priority information acquired by the second acquisition unit. As a result, the user can easily search for combinations of multiple types of units that meet the search conditions to be prioritized.

[0068] In the information management system 100 of the present embodiment, when the search unit (control unit 11) cannot extract combinations of multiple types of units that satisfy a predetermined condition from the database (DB131), it extracts combinations of multiple types of units including units that satisfy an approximate condition corresponding to the predetermined condition from the database. As a result, combinations of multiple types of units that meet conditions approximating the desired conditions can be easily searched.

[0069] The descriptions in the above embodiments are examples of the information management system, information management method, and program according to the present invention, and are not limited thereto. The detailed configuration and detailed operations of each device constituting the system can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0070] For example, in the above embodiment, although the storage unit 13 of the server 1 is provided with the unit DB 131, this is not limiting. The storage unit 23 of the terminal device 2 may be provided with the unit DB 131.

[0071] Also, the program for executing each process in each device may be stored in a portable recording medium. Further, as a medium for providing the program data via a communication line, a carrier wave may be applied.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 100 Information management system 1 Server 11 Control unit (first acquisition unit, second acquisition unit, search unit) 12 Communication unit 13 Storage unit 131 Unit DB 2 Terminal device 21 Control unit 22 Communication unit 23 Storage unit 24 Operation unit 25 Display unit

Claims

1. A database that stores information about units removed from the first device, A first acquisition unit that acquires unit type information indicating each type among a plurality of types of units to be attached to the second device, A search unit that extracts, from the database, combinations of a plurality of types of units that are of the types indicated by the unit type information acquired by the first acquisition unit and that satisfy a predetermined condition, An information management system comprising the above.

2. The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the remaining life of the unit is within a predetermined range.

3. The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that, in the combination of the plurality of types of units, the storage location of the unit is within a predetermined range.

4. The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that, in the combination of the plurality of types of units, the movement time between the storage locations of the units is the shortest.

5. The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the total price of the combination of the plurality of types of units is within a predetermined range.

6. The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the storage period of the unit is within a predetermined range.

7. Comprising a second acquisition unit that acquires priority information indicating the priority order among a plurality of the predetermined conditions, The search unit extracts combinations of the plurality of types of units based on the priority information acquired by the second acquisition unit. The information management system according to claim 1.

8. When the search unit cannot extract, from the database, combinations of the plurality of types of units that satisfy the predetermined condition, the search unit extracts, from the database, combinations of the plurality of types of units that include units that satisfy an approximate condition corresponding to the predetermined condition. The information management system according to claim 1.

9. An information management method executed by a computer of an information management system comprising a database that stores information about units removed from the first device, A first acquisition step of acquiring unit type information indicating each type among a plurality of types of units to be attached to the second device, A search step of extracting from the database a combination of a plurality of types of units that are units of the type indicated by the unit type information obtained in the first acquisition step and that satisfy a predetermined condition; An information management method including the above.

10. A computer of an information management system including a database that stores information about a unit removed from a first device, A first acquisition unit that acquires unit type information indicating each type among a plurality of types of units to be attached to a second device, A search unit that extracts from the database a combination of a plurality of types of units that are units of the type indicated by the unit type information acquired by the first acquisition unit and that satisfy a predetermined condition ; A program that functions as such.

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