Management system, image forming apparatus, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a mechanism capable of accurately predicting remaining days of consumables even after device replacement of an image forming apparatus, and achieving delivery of consumables at an optimal timing.SOLUTION: A management system connects, via a network, an image forming apparatus provided to a user through a subscription service and a server which provides a service for managing consumption degrees of consumables of the image forming apparatus. The server manages usage history of the consumables of the image forming apparatus including the consumption degrees, and determines whether replacement of consumables of the image forming apparatus is necessary on the basis of the consumption degrees. When the image forming apparatus is replaced from a first device to a second device with use of the subscription service, remaining lifetime prediction is performed using usage history of the first device, and a consumption degree is calculated based on a result of the remaining lifetime prediction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system, an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program, and more particularly to a management system, an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program that predict the number of days remaining until replacement of consumables used in an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles are equipped with a number of replaceable consumables that are consumed, reduced, or deteriorated as the image forming device operates, such as toner containers (toner cartridges), recovered toner containers, etc. These consumables eventually become unusable as they deteriorate over time or when the consumable materials contained in the containers are used up.

[0003] In order to maintain good print quality in an image forming apparatus, users or service engineers need to periodically replace each consumable item.

[0004] On the other hand, there are services that allow users to enter into a contract with a service provider of an image forming device and print a specified number of pages and replace consumables for a fixed fee within the contract period. Such services are called subscription services (hereinafter referred to as "subscription services"). A major benefit of subscription services is that users can use the image forming device without worrying about consumables running out, so service providers must deliver consumables appropriately. On the other hand, if consumables are delivered too early, they will have to be stored at the user's location, so optimal delivery timing is required.

[0005] For this reason, a technology related to a management system for delivering consumables at optimal timing has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this technology, the timing for delivering consumables is set by predicting the remaining days of the consumables from a user consumption history that indicates the consumption amount of the consumables in the image forming device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-37596 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that if an image forming device needs to be replaced due to a device failure or a change in service plan, the user's consumption history up to that point cannot be used, resulting in a decrease in the accuracy of the remaining days prediction after the replacement. For example, if a user's consumption history shows that a certain consumable item is used 10% per day and used up in 10 days, and it is estimated that it will take two days from ordering to delivery, the consumable item will be used 20% in two days, so the consumable item should be ordered when its usage reaches 80%. In this case, if the default setting after device replacement is set to 1% per day, when the consumable item reaches 20% after eight days of use, the remaining days will be predicted as 20 days based on the default setting, not 2 days. Even if an order is placed based on the default setting when the remaining consumable item is 2%, the remaining consumable amount will reach zero in less than one day, resulting in a period of device unavailability.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system that can accurately predict the remaining days of consumables even after a device in an image forming apparatus has been replaced, and can deliver the consumables at the optimal timing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the management system of claim 1 of the present invention is a management system consisting of an image forming device provided to a user by a subscription service and a server connected to the image forming device via a network and providing a service for managing the degree of wear of consumables of the image forming device, and is equipped with: a first management means in the server for managing the usage history of consumables of the image forming device, including the degree of wear; a decision means in the server for determining whether or not to replace consumables of the image forming device based on the degree of wear managed by the first management means; and a prediction means for predicting the remaining life of the consumables, wherein when the image forming device is replaced from a first device to a second device through use of the subscription service, the prediction means performs the remaining life prediction using the usage history of the first device and calculates the degree of wear from the result of the remaining life prediction.

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming apparatus of claim 15 of the present invention is an image forming apparatus provided to a user by a subscription service, and is connected via a network and comprises a communication means for communicating with a server that provides a service for managing the degree of wear of consumables of the image forming apparatus, and a prediction means for predicting the remaining life of the consumables, wherein when the image forming apparatus is replaced from a first device to a second device using the subscription service and the server notifies the user to use the usage history of the first device as the usage history of the second device, the prediction means predicts the remaining life using the usage history of the first device and calculates the degree of wear from the result of the remaining life prediction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately predict the remaining days of consumables even after device replacement of an image forming apparatus, and to realize optimally timed delivery of consumables. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a management system including an image forming apparatus and a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of contract information stored in a management server. [Figure 2B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of contract information updated when a contractor requests a device exchange. [Figure 2C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of contract information updated when a device exchange is completed in accordance with a device exchange request made by a contractor. [Figure 3] 10 is a conceptual diagram of a usage history of consumables of an image forming apparatus, which is stored in an HDD of a management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for predicting the remaining life of a consumable item in an image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of processing executed in the entire management system. [Figure 6A] This is an example of a login screen displayed on a PC's web browser. [Figure 6B] 10 is an example of a contract information screen displayed on a web browser of a PC. [Figure 6C] 10 is an example of a change selection screen displayed on a PC web browser. [Figure 6D] 10 is an example of a plan change acceptance completion screen displayed on a PC web browser. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a device change acceptance process executed in the management server. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a usage history change process executed in the management server. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a usage history change process executed in the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention relates to a management system that provides a subscription service (hereinafter referred to as "subscription service"). In this embodiment, when an image forming apparatus is replaced due to a malfunction or other reason, the consumption history of the device used by the subscriber of the subscription service (hereinafter referred to as "user") before the replacement is transferred to the replaced device, and the remaining days are predicted. Here, "consumption history" refers to the consumption history of consumables used in the device.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a management system 1 including an image forming apparatus 101 and a management server 121 (server) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, in the management system 1, an image forming apparatus 101, a management server 121, and a PC 131 are connected to each other via a LAN / WAN 141 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 101 will be described in detail later, but the image forming apparatus 101 transmits the degree of consumption of the consumables currently in use to the management server 121 via the LAN / WAN 141 .

[0017] The management server 121 manages the consumption level and consumption history of consumables of a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus 101, and contract information for subscription services.

[0018] The PC 131 updates contract information for subscription services managed by the management server 121 via the LAN / WAN 141 in response to user operations via a web browser. In this embodiment, the contract information for subscription services is updated from the PC 131 via a web browser, but this is not limiting. For example, the contract information for subscription services may be updated using a dedicated application on the PC 131, or may be updated on the image forming apparatus 101.

[0019] Next, the image forming apparatus 101 will be described in detail.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 101 includes a controller unit 102, a display unit 103, an operation unit 104, a printer unit 105, and a scanner unit 106.

[0021] The display unit 103 includes an LED or a liquid crystal display, and displays the contents of user operations and internal information of the device. The operation unit 104 accepts operations from the user. In this embodiment, the operation unit 104 is realized by a plurality of operation buttons, but may also be realized as a touch display together with the display unit 103.

[0022] The printer unit 105 receives a print instruction from the controller unit 102 and prints the image data sent from the controller unit 102 onto paper.

[0023] 1, the components constituting the image forming apparatus 101 include consumables (not shown) that can be replaced by a user, a service engineer, etc. For example, consumables such as a toner container and a collected toner container (not shown) are attached to the printer unit 105 in a detachable manner.

[0024] The scanner unit 106 receives a reading instruction from the controller unit 102, performs a reading operation of the document, and transmits image data obtained by the reading operation to the controller unit 102. There are two reading operation modes: a pressure plate mode in which a document placed on a glass platen is read, and an ADF mode in which a document is read while being transported by an automatic document feeder (ADF).

[0025] The controller unit 102 includes a CPU 107 , a ROM 108 , a RAM 109 , a HDD 110 , an EEPROM 111 , and a network I / F 112 .

[0026] The CPU 107 executes a control program stored in the HDD 110, and controls the operations of various units (103 to 106) in the image forming apparatus 101, various memories (108 to 111) in the controller unit 102, and a network I / F 112 (communication means).

[0027] The ROM 108 is a read-only memory that stores a boot program and other information required to start up the image forming apparatus 101. The RAM 109 is a volatile memory that serves as a work memory required to execute the control program. The HDD 110 is a memory formed from a magnetic disk or the like that stores the control program, image data, and the like. The EEPROM 111 is a non-volatile memory that stores setting values ​​and other information required to execute the control program. The EEPROM 111 also stores consumption history of consumables, which will be described later, and information related to contracts managed by the management server 121.

[0028] Next, the management server 121 will be described in detail.

[0029] The management server 121 includes a CPU 122 , a ROM 123 , a RAM 124 , a HDD 125 , and a network I / F 126 .

[0030] The CPU 122 is an execution medium for the server function of the management server 121, and controls the operations of various memories (123 to 125) and a network I / F 126 connected to the CPU 122.

[0031] The ROM 123 is a read-only memory that stores a boot program and the like required to start up the management server 121. The RAM 124 is a volatile memory that serves as a work memory required when executing programs for the various functions (hereinafter referred to as server functions) possessed by the management server 121. The HDD 125 is a memory formed of a magnetic disk or the like that stores programs for the server functions, contract information (described later), and the degree of consumption and consumption history of consumables. The management server 121 provides a contract information update service for the image forming apparatus 101 to the PC 131 via the WAN / LAN 141.

[0032] An example of the contract information 200 stored in the HDD 125 (second management means) of the management server 121 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C.

[0033] FIG. 2A shows contract information 200a stored in the management server 121.

[0034] The contract information 200a includes a contract management ID 201, a contract ID 202, a user ID 203, a password 204, a company name 205, a serial number 206, a model / PPM 207, a status 208, a replacement serial number 209, and a replacement model / PPM 210. However, the contract information 200a may include other items.

[0035] The contract management ID 201 is an ID for uniquely identifying a device included in the contract ID 202. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the device identified by the contract management ID 220, which is "K000001-01", is the image forming apparatus 101.

[0036] The contract ID 202 is an ID for uniquely identifying the subscription service contract. The user ID 203 and password 204 are an ID and password used to distinguish users when providing a device contract information update service. In this embodiment, the user can use the subscription service by entering "user01" as the user ID 203 and "aaaa" as the password 204 on the subscription service login screen on the web browser of the PC 131.

[0037] Company name 205 is the name of the company to which the user belongs. Serial number 206 is an ID for uniquely identifying the device. Model / PPM 207 indicates the device model information and print speed. Status 208 indicates the contract and device status, and indicates the status such as in use, being replaced, or contract expired. Replacement serial number 209 and replacement model / PPM 210 are information about the device to be replaced when status 208 is in replacement. In this case, being replaced refers to a state in which the user has requested a device replacement, but the device replacement has not yet been completed.

[0038] FIG. 2B shows contract information 200b updated when the user requests a device exchange via PC 131 in accordance with the process described below.

[0039] Contract information 200b is information indicating that image forming apparatus 101 is being replaced from a device (first device) having serial number 206 of "AAA0001" to a device (second device) having replacement serial number 209 of "AAA0006." In this case, status 208 is changed from "in use" for contract management ID 220 in contract information 200a (FIG. 2A) before the update to "being replaced" for contract management ID 221 in updated contract information 200b (FIG. 2B). Also, in FIG. 2B, "AAA0006" is added as replacement serial number 209 of contract management ID 221, and "model AAA / 40" is added as replacement model / PPM 210.

[0040] FIG. 2C shows contract information 200c updated when a device exchange is completed in accordance with a device exchange request made by a user.

[0041] Specifically, contract information 200c is information indicating that a device identified by contract management ID 222 of "K000001-01" has been replaced with a device having serial number 206 of "AAA0006." In this case, status 208 is changed from "replacement in progress," the status of contract management ID 221 in contract information 200b (FIG. 2B) during the replacement request, to "contract terminated," the status of contract management ID 222 in contract information 200c (FIG. 2C) after the replacement is completed. In addition, in order to manage the new device after the replacement, contract management ID 223 of "K000001-06" is added to contract information 200c, as shown in FIG. 2C.

[0042] Next, an example of usage history 300 of consumables of multiple image forming apparatuses including image forming apparatus 101, which is stored in HDD 125 (first management means) of management server 121, will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, usage history 300 is held in units of usage history 310 for each contract management ID 321 corresponding to contract management ID 201. In addition to contract ID 322 corresponding to contract ID 202 and serial number 323 corresponding to serial number 206, usage history 310 for each contract management ID 321 contains consumable data 330 corresponding to each consumable of the multiple image forming apparatuses, for each consumable.

[0043] Consumables data 330 is composed of information such as a consumables ID 331 for identifying the consumables, a degree of wear 332, and a consumables use start date 333. Here, the degree of wear 332 can be stored in any manner as long as it makes clear the current degree of wear relative to the degree of wear that requires replacement, such as storing a percentage where the degree of wear when the consumables need to be replaced is 100%. When replacing the consumables, the CPU 107 (wear degree calculation means) of the image forming apparatus 101 calculates the degree of wear based on a prediction of the remaining days of the consumables (to be described later) and transmits the calculated value to the management server 121. The CPU 122 (update means) of the management server 121 updates the consumables data 330 with the transmitted degree of wear.

[0044] The HDD 125 of the management server 121 stores replacement guideline data 350 in which replacement guideline 351 for each consumable item ID 331, which exists in the same number as the number of consumable items, is managed.

[0045] The HDD 125 of the management server 121 also stores detailed consumable data 360 that manages consumable names 361 corresponding to the consumable IDs 331. This information makes it possible to identify the consumable name from the consumable ID 331.

[0046] In this embodiment, the EEPROM 111 (third management unit) of the image forming apparatus 101 also stores information equivalent to the usage history 310 identified by the contract management ID 321 corresponding to the contract management ID 220.

[0047] Next, a method for predicting the remaining life of consumables of the image forming apparatus 101, which are stored as replacement guidelines in the HDD 125 of the management server 121, will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the remaining life is predicted based on the relationship between the remaining amount of toner contained in a toner container, which is an example of a consumable, and the number of days of use. The horizontal axis represents the number of days elapsed since the toner container was first used (day 0), and the vertical axis represents the remaining amount of toner contained in the container.

[0048] In Figure 4, the daily change in remaining toner is calculated by subtracting the amount of toner used per day from the initial amount of toner contained in a new toner container. In the example in Figure 4, 70 days after starting to use a new toner container, the remaining life prediction, i.e., the number of days remaining until the toner in the toner container runs out (the number of days until the remaining toner in the container is detected as 0), is predicted based on the change in the amount of toner remaining up to that point.

[0049] First, the average amount of consumables used over a given period is obtained. In the example of Figure 4, the amount of toner used after 70 days of use of the toner container is 70 g, so the average amount of toner used is 1 g / day.

[0050] Next, the remaining life is predicted based on the average usage amount and the remaining amount of consumables at the time of the remaining life prediction. In the example of Figure 4, it can be predicted that the remaining 30g of toner in the container will be consumed 30 days after the remaining life prediction was made (100 days after starting to use the toner in a new toner container).

[0051] An example of a formula for predicting the number of remaining days until it is detected that the consumables attached to the image forming apparatus 101 have been used more than the threshold (i.e., 100% consumed) is shown below. Current consumption of consumables (g) = Remaining amount of current consumable at the start of use (g) - Current remaining amount of current consumable (g) Current consumable age (days) = Last used date and time of current consumable - Start used date and time of current consumable Average usage of current consumables (g / day) = Amount of current consumables used (g) ÷ Number of days since the current consumables were used (days) Remaining days (days) = Current remaining amount of consumables (g) ÷ Average usage of current consumables (g / day)

[0052] When the toner container is replaced, the value used to predict the remaining days before replacement is used to predict the remaining days after the toner container is replaced. Specifically, taking into account the time when the toner container is replaced, the remaining days prediction method is as follows. Cumulative usage amount (g) before replacing the current consumable =Σ(remaining amount at the start of use of consumables (g) - remaining amount at the end of use of consumables (g)) Cumulative number of days elapsed until the current consumable item was replaced (days) =Σ(Consumable use end date / time - Consumable use start date / time) Amount of consumables used (g) = Cumulative usage amount (g) before replacing the current consumable + usage amount (g) of the current consumable Age of consumables (days) = Cumulative number of days elapsed until the current consumable was replaced (days) + Number of days elapsed since the current consumable was replaced (days) Average consumption of consumables (g / day) = Amount of consumables used (g) ÷ Number of days since the consumables were used (days) Remaining days (days) = Current remaining amount of consumables (g) ÷ Average amount of consumables used (g / day)

[0053] When a device is replaced, the value used to predict the remaining days from the usage history of the device used before the replacement is used to predict the remaining days after the device is replaced. Specifically, taking into consideration the replacement of the device and toner container, the remaining days prediction method is as follows, where (A) is the cumulative usage amount (g) in Figure 7 and (B) is the cumulative number of days (days) that have passed since the device was used before the replacement. Cumulative usage amount (g) before replacing the current consumable = (A) + device usage after replacement Σ (remaining amount at start of consumable use (g) - remaining amount at end of consumable use (g)) Cumulative number of days elapsed until the current consumable item was replaced (days) = (B) + cumulative number of days since replacement of the device Σ (end date and time of use of the consumable - start date and time of use of the consumable) Amount of consumables used (g) = Cumulative usage amount (g) before replacing the current consumable + usage amount (g) of the current consumable Age of consumables (days) = Cumulative number of days elapsed until the current consumable was replaced (days) + Number of days elapsed since the current consumable was replaced (days) Average consumption of consumables (g / day) = Amount of consumables used (g) ÷ Number of days since the consumables were used (days) Remaining days (days) = Current remaining amount of consumables (g) ÷ Average amount of consumables used (g / day)

[0054] In this way, when replacing a device, information on the average usage amount of the consumable before replacement is used to predict the remaining days of the consumable after replacement, so data is accumulated each time the device or consumable is replaced. By appropriately accumulating this data, it is expected that the accuracy of predictions immediately after device or consumable replacement will improve.

[0055] There is no particular limitation on the method for calculating the aforementioned degree of consumption 332. For example, the degree of consumption 332 may be calculated as a usage rate (%) calculated from the amount of use (g) and the estimated replacement date 351, or the degree of consumption 332 may be calculated as a usage rate (%) calculated from the number of uses (counter value) and the estimated replacement date 351.

[0056] The remaining days prediction and wear level may be transmitted to the management server 121 periodically (for example, once a day) at a predetermined time, or may be transmitted at a predetermined timing (for example, when the image forming apparatus 101 is started, when a print job is executed, or when printing of one page is completed). In addition, these transmissions may be transmitted when instructed by the user.

[0057] The cumulative amount of toner used, the cumulative number of days elapsed, the remaining amount at the start of use of the toner container, the start date and time of use, and the predicted number of remaining days are stored in RAM 109 or HDD 110 (third management means), and these values ​​are updated each time the remaining number of days is predicted.

[0058] Next, an overview of the processing executed by the entire management system 1, which is made up of the image forming apparatus 101, management server 121, and PC 131, will be explained using the sequence diagram in Fig. 5. Here, a specific explanation will be given using as examples the contract information shown in Figs. 2A to 2C and the web browser screens displayed on the display of PC 131 in Figs. 6A to 6D.

[0059] Contract information update for the image forming apparatus 101 begins with a login notification (step M501) from the PC 131 to the management server 121. At this time, a login screen 601 such as that shown in FIG. 6A is displayed on the web browser of the PC 131. The login screen 601 is composed of a user ID input area 602, a password input area 603, and a login button 604. When the user inputs a user ID and password in the user ID input area 602 and password input area 603, respectively, and presses the login button 604, the login notification (step M501) is executed from the PC 131 to the management server 121. The login notification here includes the user ID "user01" and password "aaaa" entered by the user on the login screen 601.

[0060] After the login notification, a contract information screen 611 such as that shown in Fig. 6B is displayed on the web browser of PC 131. The contract information screen 611 is composed of a contract information list 612 and a device selection button 613. The contract information list 612 displays a list of contract information subscribed to by the logged-in user and the serial numbers and model information of one or more image forming devices included in that contract information.

[0061] When the user selects the serial number of the image forming apparatus for which the user wants to change the contract information and presses the device selection button 613, a change selection screen 621 such as that shown in FIG. 6C is displayed on the web browser of the PC 131. The change selection screen 621 is composed of change candidates 622, a change button 623, and a cancel button 624. Change candidates 622 display changeable options. In the example of FIG. 6C, if the user is currently using model A, a device change option for replacing the device with the same model A due to a malfunction or the like, and a model change option for changing model A to model B to increase printing speed are displayed. When the user selects one of these options, sets the replacement device, and then presses the change button 623, a device change notification (step M502) is executed from the PC 131 to the management server 121.

[0062] When the management server 121 receives the device change notification from the PC 131 (step M502), it updates the contract information (step M503). Here, the contract information 200a in Fig. 2A is updated to the contract information 200b in Fig. 2B. As a result, the values ​​of the status 208, replacement serial number 209, and replacement model / PPM 210 in the contract management ID 220 are changed to the values ​​of the status 208, replacement serial number 209, and replacement model / PPM 210 in the contract management ID 221, respectively.

[0063] Thereafter, the management server 121 notifies the PC 131 of the plan change result (step M504). This notification causes a plan change acceptance screen 631, as shown in Fig. 6D, to be displayed on the web browser of the PC 131. When the user presses the OK button 632, the screen returns to the contract information screen 611, and the series of contract information change request acceptance processes is completed.

[0064] After completing the process of accepting the request to change the contract information, the subscription service provider arranges for a device exchange and provides the user with device AAA000006, which will be used as the new image forming device 101. The subscription service provider also collects device AAA000001, which the user had been using as the image forming device 101 until now.

[0065] After receiving the device AAA0006, the contracted user starts it as the image forming apparatus 101, and the image forming apparatus 101 notifies the management server 121 of device information including the serial number (step M505). Upon receiving the device information notification (step M505) from the image forming apparatus 101, the management server 121 compares the notified serial number with the replacement serial number in the contract information 200b (FIG. 2B) and identifies the usage history to be updated (step M506). Here, the usage history to be updated is identified by the contract information of the contract management ID 221.

[0066] The management server 121 notifies the image forming apparatus 101 of the usage history to be updated, identified in step M506, via a usage history change notification (step M507). Upon receiving the usage history change notification from the management server 121 in step M507, the image forming apparatus 101 changes the usage history for each consumable stored in the EEPROM 111 (step M508). The image forming apparatus 101 then notifies the management server 121 that the usage history has been changed via a usage history change completion notification (step M509). Upon receiving the usage history change completion notification (step M509) from the image forming apparatus 101, the management server 121 updates the contract information 200c (FIG. 2C) (step M510). Comparing the contract information update (step M510) to the example in FIG. 2, the contract management ID 221 is changed to contract management ID 222, and a contract management ID 223 is added.

[0067] The above is a rough outline of the overall processing flow of the management system 1.

[0068] Next, the details of the processing of FIG. 5 on the management server 121 side and the image forming apparatus 101 side will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0069] 7 is a flowchart of a device change reception process executed by the management server 121. This process corresponds to steps M501 to M504 in the sequence diagram of FIG. 5. This process is realized by the CPU 122 of the management server 121 executing a server function program. This process is started when a processing request is received from the web browser of the PC 131.

[0070] CPU 122 determines whether the user of PC 131 is currently logged in based on login session information notified from the web browser of PC 131 (step S701). If it determines that the user is currently logged in (YES in step S701), the process proceeds to step S706, and if it determines that the user is not currently logged in (NO in step S701), the process proceeds to step S702.

[0071] In step S702, CPU 122 determines whether the processing request from the web browser of PC 131 is a login notification. If the processing request from the web browser of PC 131 is a login notification (YES in step S702), the process proceeds to step S703. On the other hand, if not (NO in step S702), the process proceeds to step S705 because the user needs to perform the login process again using the web browser of PC 131.

[0072] In step S703, the CPU 122 performs authentication processing to determine whether the user ID and password included in the login notification match the user ID 203 and password 204 of any usage history in the contract information 200a (FIG. 2A). Also, in step S703, processing is performed to retain login session information used in the determination in step S701.

[0073] In step S704, CPU 122 determines whether the authentication process in step S703 was successful or unsuccessful. If the authentication process in step S703 was unsuccessful (NO in step S704), the process proceeds to step S705 because the user must perform the login process again using the web browser of PC 131. On the other hand, if the authentication in step S703 was successful (YES in step S704), the process proceeds to step S710.

[0074] In step S705, the CPU 122 creates web data for a login screen corresponding to Fig. 6A and transmits it to the PC 131. After that, the process returns to step S701.

[0075] In step S706, the CPU 122 determines the contents of the processing request sent from the web browser of the PC 131.

[0076] If the result of the determination in step S706 is that the notification content is neither a device selection nor a change selection notification ("Other" in step S706), the process proceeds to step S710. In step S710, the CPU 122 generates web data for the contract information screen corresponding to FIG. 6B and transmits it to the PC 131. The web data for the contract information screen is generated by searching for a match between the logged-in user ID and the user ID 203 in the contract information 200. Thereafter, this process ends.

[0077] If the result of the determination in step S706 is that a notification of device selection is required, i.e., if the device selection button 613 in Fig. 6B is pressed ("Select device" in step S706), the process proceeds to step S707. In step S707, the CPU 122 generates web data for the plan change screen corresponding to Fig. 6C and transmits it to the PC 131. Thereafter, this process ends.

[0078] If the result of the determination in step S706 is that a notification of change selection is required, i.e., if the change button 623 in FIG. 6C has been pressed ("change selection" in step S706), the process proceeds to step S708. In step S708, the CPU 122 updates the contract information. As described above, after changing the status 208, replacement serial number 209, and replacement model / PPM 210 of the contract information contract management ID 221, in step S709, the web data for the plan change successful completion screen corresponding to FIG. 6D is generated and sent to the PC 131. Thereafter, this process ends.

[0079] The device change acceptance process executed by the management server 121 has been described above.

[0080] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the usage history change process executed by the management server 121. This process will be explained below in conjunction with the examples of contract information in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B. This process corresponds to steps M505 to M507 and M509 to M510 in the sequence diagram in Fig. 5. This process is realized by the CPU 122 of the management server 121 executing a server function program.

[0081] First, in step S801, the CPU 122 waits to receive a device information notification from the image forming apparatus 101. If a device information notification has been received (YES in step S801), the process proceeds to step S802, where the process of identifying the usage history of the consumables is started.

[0082] In step S802, the CPU 122 checks whether the serial number information in the received device information notification matches the replacement serial number 209 of the contract management ID whose status 208 in the contract information 200 is being replaced. If the check shows a match (YES in step S802), the process proceeds to step S803; if the check shows a mismatch (NO in step S802), the process proceeds to step S806.

[0083] In step S803, the consumable usage history 310 linked to the serial number 206 of the matched contract management ID is identified, and a usage history change notification is sent to the image forming apparatus 101 to adopt the consumable usage history 310 linked to the serial number 206 of the matched contract management ID as the pre-replacement usage history of the device with the replacement serial number 209 (notification means). In the example of contract information 200b in FIG. 2B, contract information of contract management ID 221 in which "AAA0006 notified in step S801 is set as the replacement serial number and the status 208 is "replaced" is identified. Then, the usage history of AAA0001, which is the serial number of contract management ID 221, is referenced, and a usage history change notification is sent to adopt the referenced usage history as the usage history of AAA0006. More specifically, (A) and (B) in the explanation of the concept of remaining days prediction mentioned above mean that a notification is sent to use the usage history of the device with serial number AAA0001 as the usage history of the device that was used as the image forming apparatus 101 before replacement.

[0084] Thereafter, in step S804, the process waits for receipt of a usage history change completion notification from the image forming apparatus 101. If a usage history change completion notification has been received (YES in step S804), the process proceeds to step S805.

[0085] In step S805, the status 208 (replacement in progress) of the corresponding contract management ID 221 is changed to the status 208 (contract expired) of the contract management ID 222, the contract management ID 223 is added, the contract information is updated, and then this process is terminated.

[0086] In step S806, it is determined that a consumable item has been replaced, not a device, and the consumable item usage history included in the device information notification is updated, and the process proceeds to step S807.

[0087] In step S807, a notification of completion of updating the consumables usage history is sent to the image forming apparatus 101, and then this process ends.

[0088] If a consumables history change completion notice is not received within a certain period of time in step S804, the contract information may not be updated and the process may be terminated.

[0089] The above is the usage history change process executed by the management server 121.

[0090] Next, the usage history change process executed in the image forming apparatus 101 will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 9. This process will be described below using the contract information 200b in Fig. 2B. This process corresponds to steps M505 and M507 to M509 in the sequence diagram in Fig. 5. This process is realized by the CPU 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 executing a control program, and is started when the image forming apparatus 101 is started.

[0091] After the image forming apparatus 101 is started, the CPU 107 first notifies the management server 121 of device information (step S901). This information includes the serial number (AAA0006) and the usage history of consumables in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0092] Next, in step S902, CPU 107 checks whether or not a consumption history change notification has been received from management server 121. If a consumption history change notification has not been received (NO in step S902), the process proceeds to step S905, and if a consumption history change notification has been received (YES in step S902), the process proceeds to step S903.

[0093] In step S903, the CPU 107 stores or updates (changes) the value of the usage history of AAA0001, which is the device currently used in the image forming apparatus 101, as the pre-replacement history of AAA0006 in the EEPROM 111. This updated pre-replacement history is used in step S903 as information on the pre-device usage history such as (A) and (B) described above.

[0094] Next, in step S904, the CPU 107 notifies the management server 121 of the completion of the change of the usage history.

[0095] In step S905, CPU 107 (prediction means) predicts the remaining days (remaining life prediction) of the consumables based on the usage history of each consumable stored in EEPROM 111. If the usage history has been updated in step S903, the CPU 107 predicts the remaining days of the consumables in step S905 taking into account the updated usage history, and then ends this processing. Based on the result of the prediction of the remaining days of the consumables performed in step S905, CPU 107 further calculates the degree of wear and transmits the calculated degree of wear to management server 121. In management server 121, CPU 122 (determination means) updates usage history 300 in FIG. 3 with the degree of wear transmitted from image forming apparatus 101, and determines whether or not the consumables of image forming apparatus 101 need to be replaced based on the degree of wear. That is, when the degree of wear reaches 100%, CPU 122 determines that the consumables of image forming apparatus 101 need to be replaced, and arranges for the image forming apparatus 101 to deliver the consumables. The CPU 107 may also transmit the result of the remaining days prediction for the consumable in step S905 together with the calculated degree of consumption to the management server 121. In this case, the management server 121 may notify the PC 131 of the remaining days prediction result, and may display the remaining days prediction result on the screen of the web browser of the PC 131.

[0096] The usage history change process executed by the image forming apparatus 101 has been described above.

[0097] In this embodiment, in step S803, the usage history of the device used before the replacement is adopted as the usage history after the replacement, but this is not limiting. For example, a usage history with little variation, including history linked to the same contract ID 202, user ID 203, and company name 205, may be adopted as the usage history after the replacement.

[0098] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been given in which the usage history of the device used before the replacement is used as is in step S803, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0099] For example, assuming that the model / PPM 207 has changed (is different) before and after replacement, the usage history before replacement may be corrected, for example, by a PPM ratio. For example, if the device before replacement is a 40 PPM model (10% daily consumable usage) and the device after replacement is a 60 PPM model, which is 1.5 times the PPM ratio, the usage history before replacement is set to 15% daily consumable usage.

[0100] Also, for example, assuming that the contract plan for the monthly number of sheets of printing paper used when printing changes before and after replacement, the usage history before replacement may be corrected according to the ratio of the monthly number of sheets used before and after the replacement contract plan. For example, if the monthly number of sheets used under the contract plan is 1,000 sheets / month before replacement and 2,000 sheets / month after replacement, and the daily consumable usage of the device before replacement was 10%, the usage history before replacement will be set to a daily consumable usage of 20%.

[0101] In addition, in this embodiment, the remaining number of days is predicted by the image forming device 101, but it is also possible to configure the image forming device 101 to notify the management server 121 of the usage amount and usage history of consumables as device information, and have the CPU 122 (prediction means) of the management server 121 predict the remaining number of days.

[0102] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the present embodiment to a system or device via a network or a recording medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and run the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0103] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention.

[0104] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0105] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) A management system comprising an image forming device provided to a user through a subscription service, and a server connected to the image forming device via a network and providing a service for managing the degree of wear of consumables of the image forming device, the management system comprising: a first management means in the server for managing the usage history of consumables of the image forming device, including the degree of wear; a decision means in the server for determining whether or not to replace consumables of the image forming device based on the degree of wear managed by the first management means; and a prediction means for predicting the remaining life of the consumables, wherein when the image forming device is replaced from a first device to a second device through use of the subscription service, the prediction means predicts the remaining life using the usage history of the first device, and calculates the degree of wear from the result of the remaining life prediction. (Configuration 2) The management system described in Configuration 1 is characterized in that the prediction means is provided in the image forming apparatus, and further comprises a notification means that notifies the image forming apparatus from the server to use the usage history of the first device as the usage history of the second device when the first device is replaced with the second device. (Configuration 3) The management system according to configuration 1, wherein the prediction means is provided in the server. (Configuration 4) The management system described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the server further comprises a second management means for managing contract information related to the subscription service, and the second management means manages information about the first device and information about the second device in association with each other when the first device is replaced with the second device. (Configuration 5) The management system according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, further comprising: a wear level calculation means for calculating the wear level based on the result of the remaining life prediction performed by the prediction means; and an update means for transmitting the calculated wear level from the image forming device to the server and updating the usage history of the consumables of the image forming device managed by the first management means. (Configuration 6) The management system according to Configuration 5, further comprising a third management means for managing a usage history of consumables of the image forming device, including the result of the remaining life prediction, in the image forming device. (Configuration 7) The management system according to configuration 5 or 6, wherein the update means transmits the calculated wear level from the image forming device to the server periodically or at a predetermined timing. (Configuration 8) The management system according to configuration 7, wherein the predetermined timing is when the image forming device is started up. (Configuration 9) The management system according to configuration 7, wherein the determined timing is when a print job is executed in the image forming device. (Configuration 10) The management system according to configuration 7, wherein the determined timing is when printing of one page is completed in the image forming device. (Configuration 11) A management system described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that, when the first device and the second device are different models, the prediction means corrects and utilizes the usage history of the first device notified by the server in accordance with the difference in model, and performs the remaining life prediction. (Configuration 12) A management system according to configuration 11, characterized in that when the PPM of the first device is different from that of the second device, the prediction means corrects and utilizes the usage history of the first device using the PPM ratio between the first device and the second device to predict the remaining life. (Configuration 13) A management system described in any one of configurations 1 to 12, characterized in that when the first device is replaced with the second device, the prediction means corrects the usage history of the first device notified by the server using contract information in the subscription service and uses it to predict the remaining life. (Configuration 14) A management system as described in Configuration 13, characterized in that if the monthly number of sheets of printing paper used when printing included in the contract information related to the subscription service differs before and after replacement from the first device to the second device, the prediction means corrects and utilizes the usage history of the first device using the ratio of the monthly number of sheets used before and after replacement to predict the remaining life. (Configuration 15) An image forming device provided to a user through a subscription service, the image forming device being connected via a network and comprising: a communication means for communicating with a server that provides a service for managing the degree of wear of consumables of the image forming device; and a prediction means for predicting the remaining life of the consumables; wherein, when the image forming device is replaced from a first device to a second device using the subscription service and the server notifies the user to use the usage history of the first device as the usage history of the second device, the prediction means predicts the remaining life using the usage history of the first device and calculates the degree of wear from the result of the remaining life prediction. (Method 1) A control method for a management system consisting of an image forming device provided to a user by a subscription service and a server connected to the image forming device via a network and providing a service for managing the degree of wear of consumables of the image forming device, the control method comprising: a first management step in the server for managing the usage history of consumables of the image forming device, including the degree of wear; a decision step in the server for determining whether or not to replace consumables of the image forming device based on the degree of wear managed in the first management step; and a prediction step for predicting the remaining life of the consumables, wherein when the image forming device is replaced from a first device to a second device through use of the subscription service, the prediction step predicts the remaining life using the usage history of the first device, and the degree of wear is calculated from the result of the remaining life prediction. (Method 2) A control method for an image forming device provided to a user by a subscription service, comprising: a communication step of communicating with a server connected via a network that provides a service for managing the degree of wear of consumables of the image forming device; and a prediction step of predicting the remaining life of the consumables, wherein when the image forming device is replaced from a first device to a second device using the subscription service and the server notifies the user to use the usage history of the first device as the usage history of the second device, in the prediction step, the remaining life prediction is performed using the usage history of the first device, and the degree of wear is calculated from the result of the remaining life prediction. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the management system described in any one of configurations 1 to 14. (Program 2) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus described in Configuration 15. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1 Management System 101 Image forming device 102 Controller Unit 103 Display section 104 Operation section 105 Printer Unit 106 Scanner Unit 121 Management Server 122 CPU 123 ROM 124 RAM 125 HDD 126 Network Interface 131 PC 141 LAN / WAN

Claims

1. A management system including an image forming device provided to a user by a subscription service, and a server connected to the image forming device via a network and providing a service for managing the degree of consumption of consumables of the image forming device, a first management unit in the server for managing a usage history of the consumables of the image forming apparatus, including the degree of wear; a determining unit in the server that determines whether or not the consumable item of the image forming apparatus needs to be replaced based on the degree of wear managed by the first managing unit; a prediction means for predicting the remaining life of the consumables; Equipped with The management system is characterized in that, when the image forming apparatus is replaced from a first device to a second device through use of the subscription service, the prediction means predicts the remaining life using the usage history of the first device, and calculates the degree of wear from the result of the remaining life prediction.

2. the prediction unit is provided in the image forming apparatus, 2. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying the image forming apparatus from the server to use the usage history of the first device as the usage history of the second device when the first device is replaced with the second device.

3. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the prediction means is provided in the server.

4. The server further comprising a second management unit for managing contract information relating to the subscription service; The second management means 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein when the first device is replaced with the second device, information on the first device and information on the second device are linked and managed.

5. a wear level calculation means for calculating the wear level based on the result of the remaining life prediction performed by the prediction means; an updating unit that transmits the calculated wear level from the image forming apparatus to the server and updates the usage history of the consumables of the image forming apparatus managed by the first managing unit; 2. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. 6. The management system according to claim 5, further comprising a third management unit for managing a usage history of consumables of the image forming apparatus, including the result of the remaining life prediction, in the image forming apparatus.

7. 6. The management system according to claim 5, wherein the update unit transmits the calculated wear level from the image forming device to the server periodically or at a predetermined timing.

8. 8. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined timing is when the image forming apparatus is started up.

9. 8. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the determined timing is when a print job is executed in the image forming device.

10. 8. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined timing is when printing of one page is completed in the image forming device.

11. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein, when the first device and the second device are of different models, the prediction means corrects the usage history of the first device notified by the server in accordance with the difference in model and uses the corrected usage history to predict the remaining life.

12. 12. The management system according to claim 11, wherein when the PPM of the first device is different from that of the second device, the prediction means corrects and utilizes the usage history of the first device using the PPM ratio between the first device and the second device to predict the remaining life.

13. The management system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the first device is replaced with the second device, the prediction means corrects the usage history of the first device notified by the server using contract information in the subscription service and uses it to predict the remaining life.

14. The management system described in claim 13, characterized in that if the monthly number of sheets of printing paper used when printing, included in the contract information related to the subscription service, differs before and after replacement from the first device to the second device, the prediction means corrects and uses the usage history of the first device using the ratio of the monthly number of sheets used before and after replacement to predict the remaining life.

15. An image forming apparatus provided to a user through a subscription service, a communication means connected via a network to communicate with a server that provides a service for managing the degree of consumption of consumables of the image forming apparatus; a prediction means for predicting the remaining life of the consumables; Equipped with When the image forming apparatus is replaced from a first device to a second device using the subscription service and the server notifies the user to use the usage history of the first device as the usage history of the second device, the prediction means performs the remaining life prediction using the usage history of the first device and calculates the degree of wear from the result of the remaining life prediction.

16. A control method for a management system including an image forming device provided to a user by a subscription service, and a server connected to the image forming device via a network and providing a service for managing the degree of consumption of consumables of the image forming device, the method comprising: a first management step of managing, in the server, a usage history of the consumables of the image forming apparatus, including the degree of wear; a determination step in the server of determining whether or not replacement of the consumable item of the image forming apparatus is necessary based on the degree of wear managed in the first management step; a prediction step of predicting a remaining life of the consumable; Equipped with A control method characterized in that, when the image forming apparatus is replaced from a first device to a second device through use of the subscription service, in the prediction step, the remaining life prediction is performed using the usage history of the first device, and the degree of wear is calculated from the result of the remaining life prediction.

17. A method for controlling an image forming device provided to a user through a subscription service, comprising: a communication step of communicating with a server that is connected via a network and provides a service for managing the degree of consumption of consumables of the image forming apparatus; a prediction step of predicting a remaining life of the consumable; Equipped with A control method characterized in that, when the image forming apparatus is replaced from a first device to a second device using the subscription service and the server notifies the user to use the usage history of the first device as the usage history of the second device, in the prediction step, the remaining life prediction is performed using the usage history of the first device, and the degree of wear is calculated from the result of the remaining life prediction.

18. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the management system according to claim 1.

19. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to claim 15.

Images