System, method and apparatus for processing information

Abstract

To provide a system, method and apparatus for processing information adapted to suppress the consumption of supplies by earlier planning of maintenance while preventing the occurrence of down time due to a plurality of maintenance plans.SOLUTION: A system for processing information includes an apparatus for processing information comprising a schedule-information storing section that records job information to be executed on an image forming apparatus, a schedule managing section that calculates a consumption amount of consumables from the job information and plans maintenance to exchange consumables such that the remaining amount of consumables does not become equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, from the remaining amount of consumables and the calculated amount of consumption, and a maintenance-information storing section that stores, for each type of maintenance, work time, a required number of operators and a maintenance-information value table including a possibility / impossibility to carry out earlier. The schedule managing section, if the number of users who can carry out maintenance work in a time of overlap of a plurality of maintenance is smaller than a required number of personnel, plans maintenance earlier based on the maintenance-information value table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional image forming devices, it is possible to predict when each device's consumables (supplies such as paper, toner, and PM parts) will run out and when maintenance work will be required, and it is also possible to detect malfunctions and their precursors and plan maintenance. When multiple image forming devices are used, consumables in multiple devices may run out at the same time, requiring maintenance work. When the replacement periods for multiple supplies overlap, a technology has been developed that plans to perform maintenance work on those supplies at the same time (see Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, with the above technology, if the number of personnel required to perform the supply replacement work is less than the number of image forming apparatuses requiring maintenance at the same time, some image forming apparatuses will have to wait for the work to be performed. Image forming apparatuses that have to wait for maintenance will experience increased downtime. Extended downtime also reduces the printing efficiency of the entire printing system. Furthermore, in the case of consumables that require replacement, such as toner or PM parts, moving the replacement schedule forward shortens the lifespan of the consumables, increasing the cost of supplying the consumables.

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing device that can prevent downtime caused by multiple maintenance plans while suppressing consumption of supplies caused by planning maintenance in advance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention comprises a job information recording unit that records job information for a device that includes replaceable consumables; a consumable consumption calculation unit that calculates the consumption amount of the consumables in a job of the device from the job information; a maintenance planning unit that plans maintenance to replace consumables based on the remaining amount of the consumables and the calculated consumption amount so that the remaining amount of the consumables does not fall below a predetermined value; and a maintenance information storage unit that stores a maintenance information value table for each type of maintenance that includes the work time, the number of workers required, and whether the maintenance can be carried out ahead of schedule, and based on the maintenance information value table, if the number of users who can perform the maintenance work during a time when multiple maintenance tasks overlap is less than the number of personnel required, the maintenance planning unit plans the maintenance to be carried out ahead of schedule if there is any maintenance that can be carried out ahead of schedule. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The present invention has the effect of preventing downtime caused by multiple maintenance plans, while suppressing consumption of supplies caused by front-loaded maintenance plans. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an example of a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a system used in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing up to determining the maintenance implementation time and the implementer in the information processing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance information value table in the information processing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a UI display for a notification when maintenance is planned ahead of schedule in the information processing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a UI display for a notification when maintenance is planned by changing the order of jobs in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a UI display for a notification when maintenance is planned in the case where there is a shortage of maintenance personnel in the information processing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process for determining a maintenance time of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process for determining the time and person to perform maintenance on the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing device will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system according to the present embodiment includes, for example, an information processing device 1, a plurality of image forming devices 2, and terminal devices 3 that are individually used by a plurality of users.

[0010] The information processing device 1 can receive information about the remaining amount of supplies (consumables) from the image forming device 2. The information processing device 1 can also communicate with the image forming device 2 and the terminal device 3. In the above system configuration, the functions of the information processing device 1 may be included as part of the image forming device 2.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a system used in an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is an example of an apparatus that includes replaceable consumables. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 2 is described as an example of an apparatus that registers and centrally manages models to be managed, but is not limited to the image forming apparatus 2. The image forming apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 201 and a supply amount management unit 202. The communication unit 201 is capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus 1. The supply amount management unit 202 measures the remaining amounts of supplies (consumables) such as paper, ink, and toner, and transmits the measured amounts to the information processing apparatus 1 via the communication unit 201. The consumables may include replacement items (so-called parts) such as photoconductors, transfer members, blades, and rollers.

[0012] The terminal device 3 has a communication unit 301, a UI operation unit 302, a schedule management unit 303, etc. The communication unit 301 is capable of communicating with the information processing device 1. The UI operation unit 302 displays scheduled information for the implementation of maintenance of the image forming device 2, etc. The schedule management unit 303 stores scheduled information for the implementation of maintenance of the image forming device 2. The schedule management unit 303 also stores schedule information for each of the terminal devices 3.

[0013] The information processing device 1 is an example of an information processing device having a communication unit 101, a UI operation unit 102, a schedule management unit 103, a maintenance management unit 104, a schedule information storage unit 105, and a maintenance information storage unit 106. The communication unit 101 transmits and receives information about the remaining amount of supplies and user schedule information from the image forming device 2.

[0014] The schedule management unit 103 manages schedule information in the schedule information storage unit 105, including information about jobs to be performed on the image forming apparatus 2, the time for performing maintenance to replace supplies on the image forming apparatus 2, and the person performing the maintenance. In other words, the schedule information storage unit 105 is an example of a job information recording unit that records job information on the image forming apparatus 2. When a new job is added to the image forming apparatus 2 or when the content of a job on the image forming apparatus 2 is updated, the schedule management unit 103 determines whether maintenance is necessary based on the predicted amount of supplies consumed by the job and the remaining amount of supplies on the image forming apparatus 2. If it is determined that maintenance is necessary due to a supply shortage, the schedule management unit 103 starts planning the maintenance. The schedule management unit 103 also functions as an example of a schedule management unit that registers the maintenance schedule in the schedule information (an example of a schedule) of the user assigned by the maintenance management unit 104 as the person (user) performing the maintenance work. As a result, the maintenance schedule is registered in the schedule information of the terminal device 3 used by the user. The processing flow from adding a job to determining a maintenance plan will be described later using a flowchart.

[0015] When the schedule management unit 103 determines the time for maintenance, the UI operation unit 102 displays the notification dialogs shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 to notify the user of the maintenance plan.

[0016] The maintenance management unit 104 manages maintenance of the image forming apparatus 2 such as replacement of supplies, and reads the maintenance information value table stored in the maintenance information storage unit 106 .

[0017] Here, an example of a specific operation of the schedule management unit 103 will be described. The schedule management unit 103 is an example of a consumable consumption calculation unit that calculates the consumption of supplies for a job of the image forming apparatus 2 based on job information included in the schedule information stored in the schedule information storage unit 105. In the case of the consumable consumption calculation unit of the image forming apparatus 2, for example, the consumable consumption calculation unit predicts and calculates the consumption of paper based on print count information included in the scheduled job information. Furthermore, for example, the consumable consumption calculation unit may predict and calculate the consumption of each toner or ink based on color information of print image data included in the scheduled job information. Alternatively, for example, the consumable consumption calculation unit may record the consumption of consumables in past jobs as actual results, in addition to the scheduled job information of the print count information and print image data, and create a model for predicting consumption using machine learning based on the actual results to calculate the consumption of each consumable. In this way, advanced analysis functions and AI can be used to quickly detect consumable consumption, and operation history data can be used to minimize downtime due to maintenance. The schedule management unit 103 is an example of a remaining amount calculation unit that calculates the remaining amount of a supply immediately before a job is added to the image forming device 2 based on information about the remaining amount of the supply from the image forming device 2. The schedule management unit 103 is also an example of a maintenance planning unit that plans maintenance to replace supplies so that the remaining amount of the supply does not become empty based on the remaining amount of the supply in the image forming device 2 and the calculated consumption amount. Here, "emptying a supply" includes "the remaining amount of the supply becoming equal to or less than a preset amount (an example of a predetermined value)." For example, if the supply is a cleaning blade, "emptying a supply" may be "detecting distortion of the cleaning blade" or "detecting the passage of residual toner through the blade nip." For example, if the supply is a liquid such as toner or ink, "emptying a supply" may be "measured by a weight sensor or distance sensor and the measured value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value (e.g., the weight or level of the liquid becomes equal to or less than 90% of the default value)."For example, if the supply is a photosensitive element or a transfer unit part, the remaining supply amount may be empty when the number of rotations, distance, time, and days of use of the photosensitive element or transfer unit part are recorded and the recorded values ​​are within a predetermined range. For example, if the supply is a roller, the remaining supply amount may be empty when the wear amount of the roller is measured with a distance sensor and the remaining amount of the roller based on the measured wear amount is within a predetermined range. In the case of a remaining amount calculation unit in the image forming apparatus 2, for example, a weight sensor may be installed in the refill unit of the image forming apparatus 2 to measure the weight of the consumables in the refill unit and calculate the remaining amount. Alternatively, for example, the remaining amount calculation unit may be installed in the refill unit of the image forming apparatus 2 and calculate the remaining amount by measuring the thickness or liquid level of the consumables.

[0018] The maintenance information storage unit 106 is an example of a maintenance information recording (storage) unit in which a maintenance information value table is recorded (stored). The maintenance information value table stores, for each type of maintenance, setting values ​​such as the number of people required to perform the maintenance, the work time required to perform the maintenance, and whether the maintenance can be performed ahead of schedule. Whether the maintenance can be performed ahead of schedule may be determined based on whether performing the maintenance ahead of schedule will result in the consumption of supplies.

[0019] For example, refilling paper is considered to be maintenance that can be brought forward because the amount of paper consumed remains the same even if the refilling is brought forward. However, refilling supplies such as toner and ink requires replacing the entire bottle or cartridge, so if the refilling is brought forward, the remaining amount in the container will be consumed, and so it is considered to be maintenance that cannot be brought forward.

[0020] In this embodiment, when calculating the number of people who can perform maintenance, the schedule management unit 103 obtains schedule information of users who use the terminal device 3 via the communication unit 101, determines whether the users are able to perform maintenance, and calculates the total number of people who can perform maintenance for each hour.

[0021] In addition, in this embodiment, when the information processing device 1 determines the maintenance schedule and the person who will carry out the maintenance, the maintenance schedule information is sent to the terminal device 3 of the person who will carry out the maintenance via the communication unit 101, the maintenance schedule is registered in the schedule management unit 303 of the terminal device 3, and the maintenance schedule information is displayed on the UI operation unit 102.

[0022] Specifically, if the number of users who can perform maintenance work during a time when multiple maintenance tasks overlap is less than the required number of personnel, the schedule management unit 103 advances the schedule of any maintenance that can be performed ahead of schedule based on the maintenance information value table. This reduces the consumption of supplies due to advancing supply replacement maintenance, and prevents image forming devices 2 from having to wait for maintenance due to a lack of personnel when maintenance is required.

[0023] Furthermore, if the number of users who can perform maintenance work during a time when multiple maintenance tasks overlap is fewer than the required number of personnel, and if there is no maintenance that can be performed ahead of time, the schedule management unit 103 schedules, ahead of the maintenance, a job that can be performed ahead of time and that is scheduled after the time when multiple maintenance tasks overlap and that will not deplete the remaining supply even if it is performed before the maintenance. This makes it possible to reduce supply consumption by switching jobs, even in cases where maintenance cannot be performed ahead of time, and to prevent image forming apparatuses 2 from having to wait for work due to a lack of personnel to perform maintenance when it occurs.

[0024] The schedule management unit 103 is also an example of a display control unit that displays a plan change notification on a display unit such as the UI operation unit 101 when an implementation plan for a maintenance task that can be advanced or a job that can be advanced is advanced. Furthermore, the schedule management unit 103 is also an example of a warning unit that warns, via the UI operation unit 102, that there is a time period in which there is a shortage of maintenance workers when there is no maintenance task that can be advanced or when an implementation plan for a maintenance task that can be advanced or a job that can be advanced is advanced and the number of users who can perform maintenance work during a period in which multiple maintenance tasks overlap is less than the required number of personnel. This allows the user to be notified of occurrence of downtime of the image forming apparatus 2 due to a shortage of maintenance workers. For example, the schedule management unit 103 may warn of the existence of a time period in which there is a shortage of maintenance workers by outputting a sound such as a voice from the UI operation unit 102, or by flashing a display unit such as the UI operation unit 102.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow for determining the time and person to carry out maintenance in the information processing device according to the present embodiment. This process is executed by the schedule management unit 103 in the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance information value table in the information processing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a UI display for a notification when maintenance is planned ahead of schedule in the information processing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a UI display for a notification when maintenance is planned by changing the order of jobs in the information processing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a UI display for a notification when maintenance is planned in an information processing device according to the present embodiment when there is a shortage of maintenance personnel. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process for determining the time and person to carry out maintenance in the image forming device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process for determining the time and person to carry out maintenance in the image forming device according to the present embodiment.

[0026] The maintenance plan begins when a new job is submitted to the schedule management unit 103 (step S311). For the added job, the schedule management unit 103 calculates the consumption of various supplies that will be incurred by executing the job (predicted supply consumption for the added job) based on job information such as the number of prints for the job and image information. At the same time, the schedule management unit 103 also calculates the remaining amounts of various supplies immediately before the job is added (predicted remaining supply amounts before the added job is executed). Next, the schedule management unit 103 compares the predicted supply consumption for the added job with the predicted remaining supply amounts before the added job is executed (step S312).

[0027] If the predicted supply consumption amount for the additional job is equal to or less than the predicted remaining supply amount before the additional job is executed (step S312: No), the schedule management unit 103 determines that there is no possibility of running out of supply, and ends the process without planning maintenance.

[0028] If the predicted value of the remaining supply amount before the additional job is executed is greater than the predicted value of the supply consumption amount of the additional job (step S312: Yes), the schedule management unit 103 determines that there is a high possibility that the supply will run out after or during the execution of the job, and plans maintenance for the time (execution time) when the supply will run out during the execution of the job (step S313).

[0029] Next, the schedule management unit 103 acquires the maintenance schedules of devices other than the image forming device 2 to which the job is submitted and the user's schedule for the planned maintenance implementation time from the schedule information storage unit 105 (step S314).The schedule management unit 103 then calculates the number of personnel required to perform maintenance work on all image forming devices 2 at the same time (implementation time) based on the maintenance schedules of the other image forming devices 2 for the planned maintenance time.The number of personnel required to perform maintenance work on all image forming devices 2 is calculated based on information on the number of people required to perform maintenance set for each type of maintenance in the maintenance information value table.

[0030] Additionally, the schedule management unit 103 acquires the user's schedule for the time period for which maintenance is planned from the schedule information storage unit 105, and determines whether there is free time, thereby calculating the number of personnel available to perform maintenance work at that time.The schedule management unit 103 then compares the number of personnel required to perform maintenance work on all image forming devices 2 with the number of personnel available to perform maintenance work (step S315).

[0031] If the number of personnel required to perform maintenance work on all image forming devices 2 at the same time is less than or equal to the number of personnel available for maintenance work (step S315: No), the schedule management unit 103 determines that there is a low possibility that maintenance cannot be performed due to a lack of personnel available for the work and that there will be image forming devices 2 waiting for work, so it plans maintenance without changing the time of the planned maintenance, notifies the UI operation unit 102 that new maintenance has been planned, and ends the processing (step S318).

[0032] If the number of personnel required to perform maintenance work on all image forming devices 2 at the same time is greater than the number of personnel available for maintenance work (step S315: Yes), the schedule management unit 103 determines that there is a high possibility that maintenance cannot be performed on image forming devices 2 due to a lack of personnel available for the work, and that some image forming devices 2 will be waiting for work to be performed, and therefore proceeds to a step of determining whether the planned maintenance can be performed earlier.

[0033] Next, the schedule management unit 103 determines whether the type of planned maintenance work can be carried forward based on the maintenance information value table (see FIG. 4). The schedule management unit 103 determines whether the maintenance can be carried forward based on whether carrying out the maintenance ahead of schedule will result in consumption (loss) of supplies (step S316).

[0034] For example, refilling paper can be considered to be maintenance that can be brought forward because the amount of paper consumed remains the same even if it is brought forward. However, refilling supplies such as toner and ink requires replacing each bottle or cartridge, so if it is carried out ahead of schedule, the remaining amount in the container will be consumed (waste), and therefore it can be considered maintenance that cannot be brought forward.

[0035] If the maintenance can be carried out ahead of schedule (step S316: Yes), the schedule management unit 103 acquires the time immediately before the job to be added from the schedule of the image forming apparatus 2 (for example, printer B), and schedules the maintenance (for example, maintenance Bm) ahead of schedule to the available time (step S317), as shown in Fig. 8. Thereafter, the schedule management unit 103 notifies the UI operation unit 102 that the maintenance has been scheduled ahead of schedule, and ends the process (step S318), as shown in Fig. 5.

[0036] If the maintenance cannot be carried out ahead of schedule (step S316: No), the schedule management unit 103 considers whether the timing of the maintenance work can be changed by switching jobs. First, the schedule management unit 103 calculates a predicted value for the amount of supply consumption for the job scheduled one job after the added job (step S319), and compares the predicted value for the amount of supply consumption for the job scheduled one job after the added job with the predicted value for the remaining amount of supply before the added job was carried out (step S320).

[0037] If the predicted supply consumption amount for the job (job B3) scheduled one job after the added job (e.g., job B2) is less than the predicted remaining amount of supplies before the added job is executed (step S320: Yes), the schedule management unit 103 executes (plans) the job before the added job and executes the additional job after it, as shown in Fig. 9, since no maintenance due to a supply shortage will occur if the job scheduled one job after the added job is executed, the occurrence of maintenance due to a supply shortage can be delayed (step S321). Next, the schedule management unit 103 compares the number of personnel required to perform maintenance work on all image forming devices 2 such as printers at the same time as the newly scheduled maintenance with the number of personnel available for maintenance work (step S323). If the number of personnel required to perform maintenance work on all image forming devices 2 such as printers at the same time as the newly planned maintenance is less than or equal to the number of personnel available for maintenance work (step S323: No), thereby preventing simultaneous maintenance work from occurring, the schedule management unit 103 notifies the UI operation unit 102 that a swap between the planned maintenance and the job has occurred, as shown in FIG. 6, and terminates the process (step S318).

[0038] If the predicted supply consumption of the job scheduled one job after the added job is equal to or greater than the predicted remaining supply amount before the additional job is executed (step S320: No), the schedule management unit 103, even if the job is replaced, will require maintenance due to a supply shortage during the execution of the replaced job, making simultaneous maintenance unavoidable. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the schedule management unit 103 notifies the UI operation unit 302 that the simultaneous maintenance will occur and there will be a shortage of personnel to perform the maintenance, and terminates the process (step S322). Also, if the number of personnel required to perform the maintenance of all image forming devices 2, such as printers, scheduled at the same time as the newly scheduled maintenance is greater than the number of personnel available to perform the maintenance (step S323: Yes), the schedule management unit 103 also notifies the UI operation unit 302 that the simultaneous maintenance will occur and there will be a shortage of personnel to perform the maintenance, and terminates the process (step S322), as shown in FIG. 7.

[0039] In this way, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment can suppress the consumption of supplies due to bringing forward the maintenance of supply replacement, while preventing the occurrence of an image forming device 2 that has to wait for work due to a lack of personnel to carry out maintenance when maintenance is required.

[0040] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> a job information recording unit that records job information in a device that includes replaceable consumables; a consumables consumption calculation unit that calculates the consumption of the consumables in the job of the device from the job information; a maintenance planning unit that plans maintenance for replacing the consumables based on the remaining amounts of the consumables and the calculated consumption amounts so that the remaining amounts of the consumables do not become equal to or less than a predetermined value; a maintenance information storage unit that stores, for each type of maintenance, a maintenance information value table including the work time, the number of workers required, and whether or not the maintenance can be carried out ahead of schedule; The maintenance planning unit, based on the maintenance information value table, plans the maintenance ahead if there is any maintenance that can be performed ahead of schedule during a time when multiple maintenance tasks overlap, in an information processing system. <2> When the number of users who can perform maintenance work during the overlapping period of the plurality of maintenance tasks is less than the number of personnel required, if there is no maintenance task that can be performed ahead of the maintenance task, the maintenance planning unit plans, before the maintenance task, a job that can be performed ahead of the maintenance task, the job being scheduled after the overlapping period of the plurality of maintenance tasks and that will not deplete the remaining amount of the consumables even if it is performed before the maintenance task. <1> An information processing system according to claim 1. <3> a display control unit that displays a plan change notice when the execution plan of the maintenance or the job that can be advanced is advanced; <2> An information processing system according to claim 1. <4> If there is no maintenance or job that can be advanced, or if an implementation plan for the maintenance or job that can be advanced is advanced, and the number of users who can perform maintenance work during the overlapping period of the multiple maintenance tasks is less than the number of personnel required, a warning unit is provided that warns that there is a time period in which there is a shortage of maintenance workers. <2> An information processing system according to claim 1. <5> A schedule management unit is provided for registering the maintenance plan in the schedule of a user assigned to perform the maintenance work in the maintenance planning unit. <1> from <4> 10. The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein: <6> a remaining amount calculation unit that calculates the remaining amount of the consumable immediately before a job of the device is added; the maintenance planning unit plans the maintenance based on the calculated remaining amount of the consumable and the calculated consumption amount. <1> from <5> 10. The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein: <7> An information processing method executed by an information processing device including: a job information recording unit that records job information for a device that includes a replaceable consumable item; and a maintenance information storage unit that stores, for each type of maintenance for replacing the consumable item of the device, a work time, the number of workers required, and whether the work can be carried out ahead of schedule, calculating the consumption amount of consumables for the job of the device from the job information; a step of planning maintenance for replacing the consumables based on the remaining amounts of the consumables and the calculated consumption amounts so that the remaining amounts of the consumables do not become equal to or less than a predetermined value; When the number of users who can perform the maintenance work is less than the number of personnel required during the overlapping period of the plurality of maintenance works, if there is any maintenance work that can be performed earlier, planning the maintenance work earlier; An information processing method including: <8> a job information recording unit that records job information in a device that includes replaceable consumables; a consumables consumption calculation unit that calculates the consumption of the consumables in the job of the device from the job information; a maintenance planning unit that plans maintenance for replacing the consumables based on the remaining amounts of the consumables and the calculated consumption amounts so that the remaining amounts of the consumables do not become equal to or less than a predetermined value; a maintenance information storage unit that stores, for each type of maintenance, a maintenance information value table including the work time, the number of workers required, and whether or not the maintenance can be carried out ahead of schedule; The maintenance planning unit, based on the maintenance information value table, plans the maintenance ahead if there is any maintenance that can be performed ahead of schedule during a time when multiple maintenance tasks overlap and the number of users who can perform the maintenance is less than the required number of personnel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Information processing equipment 2. Image forming device 3 Terminal Devices 101, 201, 301 Communications Department 102,302 UI operation section 103,303 Schedule Management Department 104 Maintenance Management Department 105 Schedule information storage unit 106 Maintenance information storage unit 202 Supply Management Department [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0042] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5832776

Claims

1. a job information recording unit that records job information in a device that includes replaceable consumables; a consumables consumption calculation unit that calculates the consumption of the consumables in the job of the device from the job information; a maintenance planning unit that plans maintenance for replacing the consumables based on the remaining amounts of the consumables and the calculated consumption amounts so that the remaining amounts of the consumables do not become equal to or less than a predetermined value; a maintenance information storage unit that stores, for each type of maintenance, a maintenance information value table including the work time, the number of workers required, and whether or not the maintenance can be carried out ahead of schedule; The maintenance planning unit, based on the maintenance information value table, plans the maintenance ahead if there is any maintenance that can be performed ahead of schedule during a time when multiple maintenance tasks overlap, in an information processing system.

2. 2. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein, if the number of users capable of performing maintenance work during a time when multiple maintenance tasks overlap is less than the required number of personnel, and if there is no maintenance that can be performed ahead of time, the maintenance planning unit plans an advanceable job that is scheduled after the time when multiple maintenance tasks overlap and that will not deplete the remaining amount of consumables even if performed before the maintenance task.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2 , further comprising a display control unit that displays a plan change notice when an execution plan of the maintenance or the job that can be advanced is advanced.

4. The information processing system of claim 2 further comprises a warning unit that warns that there is a time period in which there is a shortage of maintenance workers if there is no maintenance or job that can be advanced, or if the implementation plan for the maintenance or job that can be advanced is advanced and the number of users who can perform maintenance work during the overlapping period of the multiple maintenance tasks is less than the required number of personnel.

5. 3. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a schedule management unit that registers the maintenance plan in a schedule of a user assigned by the maintenance planning unit as a user who will carry out the maintenance work.

6. a remaining amount calculation unit that calculates the remaining amount of the consumable immediately before a job of the device is added; The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the maintenance planning unit plans the maintenance based on the calculated remaining amount of the consumable and the calculated consumption amount.

7. An information processing method executed by an information processing device including: a job information recording unit that records job information for a device that includes a replaceable consumable item; and a maintenance information storage unit that stores, for each type of maintenance for replacing the consumable item of the device, a work time, the number of workers required, and whether the work can be carried out ahead of schedule, calculating the consumption amount of consumables for the job of the device from the job information; a step of planning maintenance for replacing the consumables based on the remaining amounts of the consumables and the calculated consumption amounts so that the remaining amounts of the consumables do not become equal to or less than a predetermined value; When the number of users who can perform the maintenance is less than the number of personnel required during the overlapping period of the plurality of maintenances, if there is any maintenance that can be performed earlier, planning the maintenance earlier; An information processing method including:

8. a job information recording unit that records job information in a device that includes replaceable consumables; a consumables consumption calculation unit that calculates the consumption of the consumables in the job of the device from the job information; a maintenance planning unit that plans maintenance for replacing the consumables based on the remaining amounts of the consumables and the calculated consumption amounts so that the remaining amounts of the consumables do not become equal to or less than a predetermined value; a maintenance information storage unit that stores, for each type of maintenance, a maintenance information value table including the work time, the number of workers required, and whether or not the maintenance can be carried out ahead of schedule; The maintenance planning unit, based on the maintenance information value table, plans the maintenance ahead if there is any maintenance that can be performed ahead of schedule during a time when multiple maintenance tasks overlap and the number of users who can perform the maintenance is less than the required number of personnel.

Images