Information management system and program

Abstract

To enable suitable management of inventory of parts removed from an image forming apparatus. [Solution] The information management system 100 includes a usage acquisition unit (control unit 11) that acquires usage information regarding the usage of components (device component parts) that make up an image forming device, an inventory acquisition unit (control unit 11) that acquires inventory information regarding the inventory amount of components of the same type as the components, a determination unit (control unit 11) that determines a judgment criterion (inventory judgment criterion value) for determining whether or not the components have a remaining life based on the inventory information acquired by the inventory acquisition unit, and a judgment unit (control unit 11) that compares the usage information acquired by the usage acquisition unit with the judgment criterion determined by the determination unit to determine whether or not the components have a remaining life.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Generally, an image forming apparatus is configured by attaching a plurality of units to the image forming apparatus main body, and each unit is a consumable item that needs to be replaced at appropriate times.

[0003] In recent years, in order to realize a recycling-oriented society, it is desirable to eliminate wasteful waste. Therefore, a recycling process is carried out in which a reusable unit with remaining life is removed from the main body of an image forming apparatus to be discarded and then the unit is attached to the main body of another image forming apparatus as a recycled apparatus.

[0004] In this regard, Patent Document 1 describes that a unit removed from the image forming device body is determined to be recycled if the cost of recycling the unit does not exceed the selling price of the recycled unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-326160 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with conventional technology, even if there is no free space in the storage area for parts removed from the image forming device main body, if the part satisfies certain conditions, it is determined that the part can be recycled. Therefore, as the inventory of parts increases, there is a possibility that there will not be enough storage space for the parts. Storing more parts requires more storage and management costs.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an information management system and program that can suitably manage the inventory of parts removed from an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the information management system according to claim 1 comprises: a usage amount acquiring unit that acquires usage amount information regarding usage amounts of components that constitute the image forming apparatus; an inventory acquisition unit that acquires inventory information regarding inventory amounts of parts of the same type as the part; a determination unit that determines a determination criterion for determining whether or not the part has a remaining life based on the inventory information acquired by the inventory acquisition unit; and a determination unit that compares the usage information acquired by the usage acquisition unit with the determination criterion determined by the determination unit to determine whether or not the part has a remaining life; Equipped with.

[0009] The invention described in claim 2 is the information management system described in claim 1, The determination unit determines the judgment criterion to be a value within a range that ensures the quality of the part.

[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is the information management system described in claim 1, The parts are those used in the development process.

[0011] The invention described in claim 4 is the information management system described in claim 1, The parts are used to transport paper.

[0012] The invention described in claim 5 is the information management system described in claim 1, The part is the part used in the transfer process.

[0013] The invention described in claim 6 is the information management system described in claim 1, The parts are those used in the fixing process.

[0014] The invention described in claim 7 is the information management system described in claim 1, The parts are parts related to the power supply of the image forming apparatus.

[0015] The invention described in claim 8 is the information management system described in claim 1, The component is an electronic component.

[0016] The invention described in claim 9 is the information management system described in claim 1, The component is a storage device that stores data.

[0017] The invention described in claim 10 is the information management system described in claim 1, The parts are parts other than the housing of the image forming apparatus.

[0018] The invention described in claim 11 is the information management system described in claim 1, The judgment unit compares usage information of the housing of the image forming device with the judgment criterion to determine whether or not the housing of the image forming device has a remaining life, and only if the housing of the image forming device has a remaining life, compares usage information of parts other than the housing of the image forming device with the judgment criterion to determine whether or not the parts other than the housing of the image forming device have a remaining life.

[0019] The invention described in claim 12 is the information management system described in claim 1, The judgment unit compares usage information of the housing of the image forming device with the judgment criterion to determine whether or not the housing of the image forming device has a remaining life, and only if the housing of the image forming device has no remaining life, compares usage information of parts other than the housing of the image forming device with the judgment criterion to determine whether or not the parts other than the housing of the image forming device have a remaining life.

[0020] The invention described in claim 13 is the information management system described in claim 1, The device further includes a control unit that executes disposal control processing for the part that has been determined by the determining unit to have no remaining life.

[0021] The invention described in claim 14 is the information management system described in claim 13, the determination unit updates the determination criterion when the newly determined determination criterion is different from a previous determination criterion; the determining unit compares usage information of the part stored as inventory with the newly determined determination criteria to determine whether or not the part has a remaining life; The control unit executes disposal control processing for a part determined by the determination unit to have no remaining life.

[0022] The invention described in claim 15 is the information management system described in claim 13, the determination unit compares usage information of parts stored as inventory with the newly determined determination criterion to determine whether or not the parts have a remaining life only when the newly determined determination criterion is a value that results in more parts being determined to have no remaining life than the previous determination criterion; The control unit executes disposal control processing for a part determined by the determination unit to have no remaining life.

[0023] The program according to claim 16 comprises: The information management system computer, a usage amount acquiring unit that acquires usage amount information regarding usage amounts of components that constitute the image forming apparatus; an inventory acquisition unit that acquires inventory information regarding inventory amounts of parts of the same type as the part; a determination unit that determines a determination criterion for determining whether or not the part has a remaining life based on the inventory information acquired by the inventory acquisition unit; a determination unit that compares the usage amount information acquired by the usage amount acquisition unit with the determination criterion determined by the determination unit to determine whether or not the part has a remaining life; Function as. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably manage the inventory of parts removed from an image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information management system according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of inventory management processing. [Figure 6] 10 is a table showing the relationship between the inventory amount of device components and the inventory determination reference value. [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing a calculation formula for the relationship between the inventory amount of an apparatus component and the inventory determination reference value. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of determining whether or not an apparatus component has a remaining life. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of inventory management processing according to Modification 1. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing the result of determination as to whether or not there is a remaining life of the device components when it is determined that the housing of the image forming device according to Modification 1 has a remaining life. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing the result of determining whether or not there is remaining life in the device components when it is determined that there is no remaining life in the housing of the image forming device according to Modification 1. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of inventory management processing according to Modification 2. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing the result of determining whether or not there is remaining life in the device components when it is determined that there is no remaining life in the housing of the image forming device according to Modification 2. FIG. [Figure 14]10 is a diagram showing the result of determination as to whether or not there is a remaining life of the device components when it is determined that the housing of the image forming device according to Modification 2 has a remaining life. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0027] <1. Information Management System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information management system 100 according to this embodiment. 1, the information management system 100 includes an information processing device 1 and an image forming device 2. The information processing device 1 and the image forming device 2 are connected via a communication network N.

[0028] The image forming device 2 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) that has a copy function, a scan function, a facsimile function, and the like in addition to an image forming function. The image forming apparatus 2 includes an image forming apparatus that is a disposal apparatus and an image forming apparatus that is a recycling apparatus.

[0029] In the work of recycling the image forming device 2, a worker at the manufacturer removes reusable parts from the discarded device, the main body of which is to be discarded. The worker then stores the parts removed from the discarded device as inventory. The worker then carries the used parts from the inventory storage location and installs them in the recycled device. The manufacturer then sells or rents the recycled device with the used parts installed.

[0030] (1-1. Configuration of Information Processing Device) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, an operation unit 14, a display unit 15, and the like, and each unit is connected via a bus.

[0031] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU of the control unit 11 reads out the system program, various processing programs, etc. stored in the storage unit 13, expands them in the RAM, and executes various processes in accordance with the expanded programs.

[0032] The communication unit 12 is connected to a communication network N wirelessly or via a wired connection to transmit and receive data to and from external devices such as the image forming apparatus 2.

[0033] The storage unit 13 includes a storage device such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 13 stores various programs executed by the control unit 11, parameters required for executing processes by the programs, etc., data such as processing results, etc. The storage unit 13 stores an apparatus component DB (database) 131. The apparatus component DB 131 will be described later.

[0034] The storage unit 13 stores inventory information, which is information regarding the inventory amount of each device component part at a storage location of the device component parts, which are parts that make up the image forming device 2. The device component parts are stored in the storage location by device component parts of the same type. The inventory information includes the number of each device component in stock, the occupancy rate of each device component in the storage location, and availability information, which is the number of each device component that can be stored in the future. The control unit 11 updates the inventory information every time an apparatus component is carried out from a storage location or every time an apparatus component is stored as inventory in a storage location.

[0035] The storage unit 13 stores stock determination reference values ​​that are determined in the stock management process described below.

[0036] The operation unit 14 includes, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, switches, buttons, etc. The operation unit 14 may be, for example, a touch panel integrally combined with the display unit 15, or an interface that accepts voice input. The operation unit 14 accepts instructions corresponding to various input operations from the user, converts the accepted instructions into operation signals, and outputs the signals to the control unit 11.

[0037] The display unit 15 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. The display unit 15 performs display based on display data output from the control unit 11.

[0038] (1-2. Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus) Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 2. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0039] The image forming apparatus 2 includes a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, a communication unit 24, a storage unit 25, a document reading unit 26, an image forming unit 27, a conveying unit 28, and a power supply unit 29.

[0040] The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, and the like. The CPU of control unit 21 reads out a program stored in storage unit 25, loads it into RAM, and controls each unit of image forming apparatus 2 in accordance with the loaded program. For example, control unit 21 performs image processing on image data of a job based on job settings input from the outside via communication unit 24. Next, control unit 21 causes paper feed unit 28 to feed a paper, and causes image forming unit 27 to form and fix an image on the paper.

[0041] The operation unit 22 includes operation keys, a touch panel integrally formed with the display unit 23, and the like, and outputs operation signals to the control unit 21 in response to these operations.

[0042] The display unit 23 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel 23A and the like, and displays display information such as an operation screen according to instructions from the control unit 21.

[0043] The communication unit 24 includes a network card and the like, is connected to the communication network N, and transmits and receives information to and from external devices such as the information processing device 1 on the communication network N.

[0044] The storage unit 25 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SDD). The storage unit 25 stores programs, files, etc. that can be read by the control unit 21. The storage unit 25 stores the names of the device components included in the image forming device 2, the identification information (for example, serial numbers) of the device components, and usage information (described later) of the device components.

[0045] The document reading unit 26 includes an automatic document transport unit, a scanner unit 261, a tray 262 on which documents are placed, a platen glass 263, and the like. The automatic document transport unit includes a mechanism for transporting document paper, document transport rollers, and the like, and transports the document paper along a predetermined transport path under the control of the control unit 21. The scanner unit 261 includes a light source, an optical system such as a reflecting mirror, and an image pickup element, and reads an image of a document sheet conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path or a document sheet placed on the platen glass 263 .

[0046] The image forming unit 27 forms and fixes an image made up of four colors on a sheet according to the pixel values ​​of the four colors C, M, Y, and K of each pixel of the image data that has undergone image processing. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming section 27 includes four writing units 271, an intermediate transfer belt 272, a secondary transfer roller 273, and a fixing unit 274.

[0047] The four writing units 271 are arranged in series (tandem) along the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 272, one for each of the four monochrome colors C, M, Y, and K, and form images of each of the C, M, Y, and K colors on the paper. The writing unit 271 includes an exposure unit 271a, a photosensitive drum unit 271b, a developing unit 271c, a charging unit 271d, a cleaning unit 271e, and a primary transfer roller 271f.

[0048] The photosensitive drum unit 271b includes a rotating conductive cylinder (photosensitive element). The charging unit 271d charges the photosensitive element. The exposure unit 271a includes a semiconductor laser light source, and under the control of the control unit 21, drives the semiconductor laser light source based on image data to scan and irradiate the photosensitive element charged by the charging unit 271d with laser light, thereby exposing the photosensitive element. Under the control of the control unit 21, the developing unit 271c supplies toner onto the photosensitive element using a charging developing roller, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive element by exposure. The images formed on the photosensitive elements of the four writing units 271 are transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 272 in a sequentially overlapping manner by the respective primary transfer rollers 271f. A color toner image consisting of each color is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 272. After the primary transfer, the cleaning unit 271e removes any toner remaining on the photosensitive element.

[0049] The intermediate transfer belt 272 is an endless belt stretched over a plurality of rollers, and is controlled by the control unit 21 to rotate in accordance with the rotation of each roller. Under the control of the control unit 21, the secondary transfer roller 273 transfers (secondary transfers) the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 272 onto a sheet of paper conveyed from the manual feed tray T1 or the paper feed tray T2.

[0050] The fixing unit 274 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. Under the control of the control unit 11, the fixing unit 274 applies heat and pressure to the paper onto which the image has been transferred by the secondary transfer roller 273, thereby fixing the image onto the paper.

[0051] Conveyance unit 28 includes a paper feed roller, a transport roller, etc., and transports paper from manual feed tray T1 or paper feed tray T2 to image forming unit 27 in accordance with instructions from control unit 21. Conveyance unit 28 ejects paper onto paper output tray T3 after the image has been fixed by fixing unit 274. Conveyance unit 28 has a reversing unit that serves as a paper reversing path, and when double-sided printing is performed, turns over the paper with the image fixed on the front side and transports it to image forming unit 27 again.

[0052] The power supply unit 29 includes a power adapter, a power cable, etc., and is connected to an external power source. The power supply unit 29 supplies power to each unit of the image forming apparatus 2 .

[0053] <2.Device component DB> Next, the device component DB 131 stored in the storage unit 13 will be described. The equipment component DB 131 stores the name, identification information, usage amount information, and storage location of each used equipment component stored as inventory. This makes it possible to easily manage information on multiple equipment components stored as inventory in the equipment component DB 131.

[0054] The device components in this embodiment include a first part and a second part. The first component is a housing that is the main body of the image forming apparatus 2. The second part is a device component other than the first part. The second components include components used in the development process, such as the development unit and / or toner unit of the development unit 271c. The second components include components used to transport paper, such as the paper feed roller and / or transport roller of the transport unit 28. The second components include components used in the transfer process, such as the intermediate transfer belt 272 and secondary transfer roller 273. The second components include components used in the fixing process, such as the fixing unit 274. The second components include components related to the power supply of the image forming apparatus 2, such as the power adapter and / or power cable of the power supply unit 29. The second components include capacitors, semiconductors, and other electronic components of each unit. The second components include storage for storing data, such as an HDD and / or SSD of the memory unit 25. The second component may include the photosensitive drum unit 271b, the LCD panel 23A, and the like.

[0055] The usage information of the device components is information relating to the usage amount of the device components. The usage information of the device components includes at least one of the operating time, the travel distance, the number of printed (image formed) sheets, the number of printed pages, and the number of times of use.

[0056] The operating time is the cumulative operating time of the equipment component from when it was new until it was removed from the discarded equipment. The travel distance is the cumulative travel distance of the device component from when it was new until it was removed from the discarded device. The travel distance is information corresponding to, for example, the fixing unit 274, the photosensitive drum unit 271b, etc. The number of printed sheets is the cumulative number of sheets printed from when the device component was new until it was removed from the disposal device. The number of printed sheets is information corresponding to, for example, the fixing unit 274, the photosensitive drum unit 271b, the paper feed roller, the transport roller, etc. The number of printed pages is the total number of pages printed from when the device component was new until it was removed from the disposal device. The number of printed pages is information corresponding to, for example, the fixing unit 274, the photosensitive drum unit 271b, the paper feed roller, the transport roller, etc. The number of uses is the cumulative number of times that a device component has been used from a new state until it is removed from the discarded device.

[0057] <3. Remanufacturing of image forming equipment> Next, the inventory management process executed by the information management system 100 in the recycling operation of the image forming device 2 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of an inventory management process for managing the inventory of device components that make up the image forming device 2.

[0058] (Inventory management process) The control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 2 receives, from the operator via the operation unit 22, the designation of an apparatus component to be removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus 2. Next, the control unit 21 acquires the name, identification information, and usage information of the designated apparatus component from the storage unit 25, and transmits them to the information processing apparatus 1 via the communication network N. The control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 1 acquires the name, identification information, and usage information of the apparatus component from the image forming apparatus 2 (step A1). The control unit 11 functions as a usage acquisition unit. Next, based on the name of the device component acquired in step A1, control unit 11 acquires from memory unit 13 inventory quantity information at the storage location of device components of the same type as the device component to be removed from image forming device 2 (step A2). Control unit 11 functions as an inventory quantity acquisition unit.

[0059] Next, based on the inventory amount information acquired in step A2, the control unit 11 determines the inventory determination reference value of the device component to be removed from the image forming device 2 (step A3). The control unit 11 functions as a determination unit. The inventory determination reference value is a determination criterion for determining whether or not an apparatus component has a remaining life. The stock determination reference value is a reference value for the amount of use of an equipment component, a reference value for the usage rate of an equipment component relative to its lifespan, a reference value for the amount of use (remaining amount of use) that can be used until the end of the lifespan of an equipment component, etc.

[0060] In step A3, the control unit 11 determines the stock determination reference value based on the table showing the relationship between the stock amount of the device component parts and the stock determination reference value shown in Fig. 6. The table showing the relationship between the stock amount of the device component parts and the stock determination reference value is stored in advance in the memory unit 13. Alternatively, the control unit 11 determines the stock determination reference value using a calculation formula that indicates the relationship between the stock amount of the device component and the stock determination reference value. The calculation formula that indicates the relationship between the stock amount of the device component and the stock determination reference value is stored in advance in the storage unit 13. Figure 7 shows an example of a graph of the calculation formula. The table and calculation formula showing the relationship between the inventory amount of the device component and the inventory determination reference value may be determined for each device component, or may be common to all device components. In the table and calculation formula showing the relationship between the inventory amount of equipment components and the inventory judgment reference value, the range of the inventory judgment reference value may be limited to a range in which the quality of the equipment components can be ensured. The minimum value in the range in which the quality of the equipment components can be ensured is the quality assurance minimum value shown in Figure 7.

[0061] In step A3, if the newly determined inventory determination standard value differs from the previous inventory determination standard value stored in the memory unit 13, the control unit 11 updates the inventory determination standard value stored in the memory unit 13 with the newly determined inventory determination standard value.

[0062] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the usage amount of the device component indicated by the usage amount information acquired in step A1 is less than the stock determination reference value determined in step A3 (step A4). If the usage amount of the device component is less than the stock determination reference value (step A4; YES), the control unit 11 determines that the device component has a remaining life (step A5). In other words, the control unit 11 determines that the device component is to be stored as stock. Next, for the device component determined to have a remaining life, the control unit 11 stores the name, identification information, and usage information of the device component acquired in step A1, as well as the storage location of the device component, in the device component DB 131 (step A6).

[0063] On the other hand, if the usage amount of the device component is equal to or greater than the stock determination reference value (step A4; NO), the control unit 11 determines that the device component has no remaining life (step A7). That is, the control unit 11 determines that the device component should be discarded.

[0064] As described above, the control unit 11 compares the usage information of the device component acquired in step A1 with the judgment criteria (inventory judgment criteria value) determined in step A3 to judge whether the device component has a remaining life. The control unit 11 functions as a judgment unit.

[0065] Next, the control unit 11 displays the determination result of step A5 or A7 on the display unit 15 (step A8), and ends the inventory management process. In step A8, control unit 11 may transmit the determination result of step A5 or A7 to image forming apparatus 2, thereby causing it to be displayed on display unit 23 of image forming apparatus 2. Alternatively, control unit 11 may transmit the determination result of step A5 or A7 to an external device communicatively connected to information processing apparatus 1, thereby causing it to be displayed on a display unit included in the external device.

[0066] In step A8, the control unit 11 displays the name of the device component and the determination result of step A5 or A7 corresponding to the device component, as shown in Fig. 8. The control unit 11 may further display the usage amount of the device component, the stock determination reference value determined in step A3, etc. Instead of step A8, control unit 11 may transmit the determination result of step A5 or A7 to image forming apparatus 2, thereby causing image forming apparatus 2 to print.

[0067] Even if the housing (first component) that is the main body of the image forming device 2 is determined to have a remaining life, if the exterior is significantly soiled, it cannot be reused as a recycling device main body. Therefore, in the above-described inventory management process, the control unit 11 may determine the remaining life of only the second component without determining the remaining life of the first component. In this case, the device component for which the remaining life is determined is the second component other than the housing (first component) of the image forming device 2.

[0068] <4. Modifications> Although the present embodiment has been described above, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified within the scope of the gist of the invention. Modifications of the present embodiment will be described below. In the modifications, the same components as those in the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0069] (Variation 1) FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the inventory management process of the first modification.

[0070] (Inventory management process of variant 1) The control unit 21 of the image forming device 2 acquires the name, identification information, and usage information of the housing (first component) which is the main body of the image forming device 2 from the storage unit 25, and transmits them to the information processing device 1 via the communication network N. The control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 acquires the name, identification information, and usage information of the first component from the image forming device 2 (step B1). Next, the control unit 11 acquires inventory information about the storage location of the first part from the storage unit 13 (step B2).

[0071] Next, the control unit 11 determines the stock determination reference value for the first part based on the stock amount information acquired in step B2 (step B3). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the usage amount of the first part indicated by the usage amount information acquired in step B1 is less than the stock determination reference value determined in step B3 (step B4). If the usage amount of the first part is less than the stock determination reference value (step B4; YES), the control unit 11 determines that the first part has a remaining life (step B5). Next, the control unit 11 stores the name, identification information, and usage amount information of the first part acquired in step B1, and the storage location of the first part, in the device component part DB 131 (step B6).

[0072] Next, the control unit 11 executes steps B7 to B13 similar to steps A1 to A7 in the above embodiment for the device components (second components) other than the housing of the image forming device 2. The control unit 11 may execute steps B7 to B9 simultaneously for all second parts, or may execute steps B7 to B9 for each second part immediately before executing step B10.

[0073] On the other hand, if the usage amount of the first part is equal to or greater than the stock determination reference value (step B4; NO), the control unit 11 determines that the first part and the second part have no remaining life (step B14). Next, the control unit 11 shifts the stock management process to step B15.

[0074] Next, the control unit 11 displays the determination results of steps B5, B11, B13, and B14 on the display unit 15 (step B15), and ends the inventory management process. In step B15, the control unit 11 may display the determination result of whether the first part has a remaining life and the determination result of whether the second part has a remaining life on the same display screen, or may display them on different display screens.

[0075] 10 shows the determination result of whether or not there is remaining life in the device components when it is determined that there is remaining life in the housing (first component) of the image forming device 2. As shown in FIG. 10, when it is determined that there is remaining life in the first component, the control unit 11 displays the determination result of whether or not there is remaining life in each second component.

[0076] 11 shows the determination result of the remaining life of the device components when it is determined that there is no remaining life of the housing (first component) of the image forming device 2. As shown in FIG. 11, when it is determined that there is no remaining life of the first component, the control unit 11 also displays that there is no remaining life of the second component.

[0077] In image forming devices 2 that do not use second-hand device components, second parts that can be used until the end of the life of the housing of the image forming device 2 are often attached to the housing of the image forming device 2. Therefore, if the housing of the image forming device 2 has no remaining life, it is highly likely that the second parts attached to that housing also have no remaining life. Therefore, in Modification 1, if the housing of the image forming device 2 has no remaining life, the control unit 11 omits determining whether each second part has any remaining life. In this case, the control unit 11 determines that all second parts removed from the housing of the image forming device 2 have no remaining life. In other words, the control unit 11 compares the usage information of the housing of the image forming device 2 with the judgment standard (inventory judgment standard value) to determine whether or not there is a remaining life for the housing of the image forming device 2. Next, only if there is a remaining life for the housing of the image forming device 2, the control unit 11 compares the usage information of the second part with the judgment standard (inventory judgment standard value) to determine whether or not there is a remaining life for the second part.

[0078] (Variation 2) FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the inventory management process of the second modification.

[0079] (Inventory management process of variant 2) The control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 executes steps C1 to C7 similar to steps B1 to B7 in the first modification. Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the usage amount of the second part indicated by the usage amount information acquired in step C7 is less than a predetermined reference value set in advance (step C8). In other words, in the inventory management process of variant example 2, if it is determined that the housing (first part) of the image forming device 2 has a remaining life, the control unit 11 does not determine the inventory determination reference value for the second part based on the usage amount of the second part.

[0080] If the usage amount of the second part is less than the preset reference value (step C8; YES), the control unit 11 determines that the second part has a remaining life (step C9). Next, for the second part determined to have a remaining life, the control unit 11 stores the name, identification information, and usage information of the second part acquired in step C7, and the storage location of the second part, in the device component part DB 131 (step C10). Next, the control unit 11 shifts the inventory management process to step C17.

[0081] On the other hand, if the usage amount of the second part is equal to or greater than the preset reference value (step C8; NO), the control unit 11 determines that the second part has no remaining life (step C11). Next, the control unit 11 shifts the inventory management process to step C17.

[0082] If the usage amount of the housing (first part) of the image forming apparatus 2 is equal to or greater than the stock determination reference value (step C4; NO), the control unit 11 determines that the first part has no remaining life (step C12). Next, the control unit 11 executes steps C13 to C16, which are similar to steps B7 to B10 in the first modification. The control unit 11 may execute steps C13 to C15 for all second parts simultaneously, or may execute steps C13 to C15 for each second part immediately before executing step C16.

[0083] If the usage amount of the second part is less than the stock determination reference value (step C16; YES), the control unit 11 shifts the stock management process to step C9. On the other hand, if the usage amount of the second part is equal to or greater than the stock determination reference value (step C16; NO), the control unit 11 shifts the stock management process to step C11.

[0084] Next, the control unit 11 displays the determination results of steps C5, C9, C11, and C12 on the display unit 15 (step C17), and ends the inventory management process. In step C17, the control unit 11 may display the determination result of whether the first part has a remaining life and the determination result of whether the second part has a remaining life on the same display screen, or may display them on different display screens.

[0085] 13 shows the determination result of the presence or absence of remaining life of the device components when it is determined that there is no remaining life of the housing (first component) of the image forming device 2. As shown in Fig. 13, when it is determined that there is no remaining life of the first component, the control unit 11 displays the determination result of the presence or absence of remaining life of each second component with respect to the inventory determination reference value determined in step C15.

[0086] 14 shows the determination result of whether or not the device components have remaining life when it is determined that the housing (first component) of the image forming device 2 has remaining life. As shown in Fig. 14, when it is determined that the first component has remaining life, the control unit 11 displays the determination result of whether or not each second component has remaining life with respect to a predetermined determination reference value (default determination reference value).

[0087] In Modification 2, a case will be described in which the second part is determined to have a remaining life and is stored as inventory. In this case, if the first part is determined to have a remaining life, the second part is stored attached to the first part. On the other hand, if the first part is determined to have no remaining life, the second part is detached from the first part and stored. In other words, the inventory quantity of the second part affects the storage costs and management costs of the second part only when the first part is determined to have no remaining life. Therefore, in the inventory management process of the above-described modified example 2, the control unit 11 compares the usage information of the housing of the image forming device 2 with the judgment standard (inventory judgment standard value) to determine whether or not the housing of the image forming device 2 has a remaining life. Next, only when the housing of the image forming device 2 has no remaining life, the control unit 11 compares the usage information of the second part with the judgment standard (inventory judgment standard value) determined based on the inventory information to determine whether or not the second part has a remaining life.

[0088] (others) When the control unit 11 determines a new stock determination reference value in the above-mentioned inventory management process and updates the previous stock determination reference value with the new stock determination reference value, the control unit 11 re-determines whether or not the device components stored as inventory have remaining life based on the new stock determination reference value. Specifically, the control unit 11 compares the usage information of the device components stored in the device component DB 131 with the new stock determination reference value, and re-determines whether or not the device components have remaining life. Next, the control unit 11 executes a disposal control process for device components determined to have no remaining life in the re-determination of whether or not they have a remaining life. Specifically, as the disposal control process, the control unit 11 sets a disposal flag for device components determined to have no remaining life in the device component DB 131, thereby indicating that the device components are to be disposed of from the device component DB 131. Alternatively, as the disposal control process, the control unit 11 may output an instruction signal to an external printing device to print a list of identification information for device components determined to have no remaining life. In this case, the control unit 11 may output an instruction signal to the external printing device to print a list of identification information for device components determined to have no remaining life, along with the storage locations of the device components.

[0089] The control unit 11 may re-determine whether or not the device components stored as inventory have a remaining life at predetermined intervals. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may re-determine whether or not the device components stored in inventory have remaining life only if the newly determined inventory determination standard value in the above-mentioned inventory management process is a value that results in more device components being determined to have no remaining life than the previous inventory determination standard value.

[0090] <4. Effects> As described above, the information management system 100 of this embodiment includes a usage amount acquisition unit (control unit 11) that acquires usage amount information relating to the usage amounts of components (apparatus components) that configure the image forming apparatus. The information management system 100 of this embodiment includes an inventory acquisition unit (control unit 11) that acquires inventory information regarding the inventory of parts of the same type as the part. The information management system 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a determination unit (control unit 11) that determines a determination criterion (inventory determination criterion value) for determining whether or not the part has a remaining life based on the inventory quantity information acquired by the inventory quantity acquisition unit. The information management system 100 of this embodiment includes a judgment unit (control unit 11) that compares the usage information acquired by the usage acquisition unit with the judgment criteria determined by the determination unit to determine whether or not the part has a remaining life. Therefore, the number of parts stored as inventory can be adjusted depending on the inventory amount of the parts, which prevents a shortage of storage space for parts, and reduces the cost of storing and managing parts. This allows for proper management of the inventory of parts removed from the image forming apparatus.

[0091] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the determination unit (control unit 11) determines the criterion (inventory determination criterion value) to be a value within a range that ensures the quality of the part. Therefore, the quality of the parts stored as inventory can be ensured.

[0092] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the parts are parts used in the development process. Therefore, it is possible to suitably manage the inventory of parts used in the development process that are parts removed from the image forming apparatus.

[0093] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the parts are parts used for transporting paper. Therefore, it is possible to suitably manage the inventory of parts used for transporting paper that have been removed from the image forming apparatus.

[0094] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the parts are parts used in the transcription process. Therefore, it is possible to suitably manage the inventory of parts used in the transfer process that are parts removed from the image forming apparatus.

[0095] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the parts are parts used in the fixing process. Therefore, it is possible to suitably manage the inventory of parts used in the fixing process that are parts removed from the image forming apparatus.

[0096] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the components are components related to the power supply of the image forming apparatus 2. Therefore, it is possible to suitably manage the inventory of parts related to the power supply of the image forming apparatus 2, which are parts removed from the image forming apparatus.

[0097] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the components are electronic components. Therefore, it is possible to suitably manage the inventory of electronic parts that have been removed from the image forming apparatus.

[0098] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the component is a storage that stores data. Therefore, it is possible to suitably manage the inventory of storage devices that store data and are parts removed from image forming apparatuses.

[0099] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the parts are parts other than the housing of the image forming apparatus 2. Therefore, it is possible to suitably manage the inventory of parts other than the housing of the image forming apparatus 2, which are parts removed from the image forming apparatus.

[0100] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the determination unit (control unit 11) compares usage information of the housing of the image forming device 2 with the determination standard (inventory determination standard value) to determine whether or not there is a remaining life for the housing of the image forming device 2. Only when there is a remaining life for the housing of the image forming device 2, the determination unit compares usage information of parts other than the housing of the image forming device 2 with the determination standard (inventory determination standard value) to determine whether or not there is a remaining life for the parts other than the housing of the image forming device 2. Therefore, if a second part that can be used until the end of the life of the housing of the image forming device 2 is attached to the housing of the image forming device 2, and the housing of the image forming device 2 has no remaining life, it is possible to omit determining whether each second part has a remaining life.

[0101] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the determination unit (control unit 11) compares usage information of the housing of the image forming device 2 with the determination standard (inventory determination standard value) to determine whether or not there is a remaining life for the housing of the image forming device 2. Only when there is no remaining life for the housing of the image forming device 2, the determination unit compares usage information of parts other than the housing of the image forming device 2 with the determination standard (inventory determination standard value) to determine whether or not there is a remaining life for the parts other than the housing of the image forming device 2. Therefore, if the housing of the image forming device 2 has a remaining life and the inventory quantity of the second part does not affect the storage costs and management costs of the second part, the process of determining the inventory judgment standard value based on the inventory quantity information of the second part can be omitted.

[0102] The information management system 100 of this embodiment includes a control unit 11 that executes disposal control processing for the part that has been determined by a determination unit (control unit 11) to have no remaining life. Therefore, it is possible to clearly indicate that the device component parts that have been determined to have no remaining life are parts to be discarded.

[0103] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the determination unit (control unit 11) updates the determination criterion when a newly determined determination criterion (stock determination criterion value) differs from a past determination criterion. The determination unit (control unit 11) compares usage information of parts stored as inventory with the newly determined determination criteria to determine whether or not the part has a remaining life. The control unit 11 executes disposal control processing for a part that has been determined by the determining unit to have no remaining life. Therefore, when the criteria are updated, the presence or absence of remaining life can be re-determined, and it can be clearly indicated that device components determined to have no remaining life are to be discarded.

[0104] In the information management system 100 of this embodiment, the judgment unit (control unit 11) compares the usage information of parts stored as inventory with the newly determined judgment criterion to determine whether or not the parts have remaining life only if the judgment criterion newly determined by the determination unit (control unit 11) is a value that results in more parts being judged to have no remaining life than the previous judgment criterion. The control unit 11 executes disposal control processing for a part that has been determined by the determining unit to have no remaining life. Therefore, when the judgment criteria are updated to a value that increases the number of parts that are judged to have no remaining life, the presence or absence of remaining life can be re-evaluated, and it can be clearly indicated that device components that are judged to have no remaining life are parts that will be discarded.

[0105] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of the information management system, information processing device, and program according to the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The detailed configuration and operation of each device constituting the system may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0106] For example, in the above embodiment, the storage unit 13 of the information processing device 1 stores the inventory information of the device components, but this is not limited to this. An external device communicably connected to the information processing device 1 may store the inventory information of the device components. In this case, in the inventory management process, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 acquires the inventory information of the device components from the external device.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the storage unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 2 stores the usage amount information of the apparatus components, but this is not limited to this. An external device communicably connected to the information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 may store the usage amount information of the apparatus components. In this case, in the inventory management process, the control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 1 acquires the usage amount information of the apparatus components from the external device.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 functions as a usage amount acquisition unit, an inventory amount acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a judgment unit, but this is not limited to this. The control unit 21 of the image forming device 2 may function as a usage amount acquisition unit, an inventory amount acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a judgment unit. Alternatively, an external device connected to the information processing device 1 so as to be able to communicate with it may function as any of the usage amount acquisition unit, inventory amount acquisition unit, determination unit, and judgment unit.

[0109] The programs for executing the processes in each device may be stored on a portable recording medium, and a carrier wave may be used as a medium for providing program data via a communication line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 100 Information Management System 1. Information processing equipment 11 control unit (usage amount acquisition unit, inventory amount acquisition unit, determination unit, judgment unit, control unit) 12 Communications Department 13 Storage section 131 Equipment component DB 14 Control section 15 Display 2. Image forming device 21 Control section 22 Control section 23A LCD panel 23 Display section 24 Communications Department 25 Memory section 26 Document reading unit 27 Image forming unit 28 Conveyor 29 Power supply section

Claims

1. a usage amount acquiring unit that acquires usage amount information regarding usage amounts of components that constitute the image forming apparatus; an inventory acquisition unit that acquires inventory information regarding inventory amounts of parts of the same type as the part; a determination unit that determines a determination criterion for determining whether or not the part has a remaining life based on the inventory information acquired by the inventory acquisition unit; and a determination unit that compares the usage information acquired by the usage acquisition unit with the determination criterion determined by the determination unit to determine whether or not the part has a remaining life; An information management system comprising:

2. The information management system according to claim 1 , wherein the determining unit determines the criterion to be a value within a range that ensures the quality of the part.

3. The information management system according to claim 1 , wherein the parts are parts used in a development process.

4. The information management system according to claim 1 , wherein the part is a part used for transporting paper.

5. The information management system according to claim 1 , wherein the part is a part used in a transcription process.

6. The information management system according to claim 1 , wherein the part is a part used in a fixing process.

7. The information management system according to claim 1 , wherein the part is a part related to a power supply of the image forming apparatus.

8. The information management system according to claim 1 , wherein the component is an electronic component.

9. The information management system according to claim 1 , wherein the component is a storage device that stores data.

10. The information management system according to claim 1 , wherein the part is a part other than a housing of the image forming apparatus.

11. 2. The information management system of claim 1, wherein the determination unit compares usage information of the housing of the image forming device with the determination criterion to determine whether or not the housing of the image forming device has a remaining life, and only if the housing of the image forming device has a remaining life, compares usage information of parts other than the housing of the image forming device with the determination criterion to determine whether or not the parts other than the housing of the image forming device have a remaining life.

12. 2. The information management system of claim 1, wherein the determination unit compares usage information of the housing of the image forming device with the determination criterion to determine whether or not the housing of the image forming device has a remaining life, and only if the housing of the image forming device has no remaining life, compares usage information of parts other than the housing of the image forming device with the determination criterion to determine whether or not the parts other than the housing of the image forming device have a remaining life.

13. The information management system according to claim 1 , further comprising a control unit that executes disposal control processing for the part determined by the determining unit to have no remaining life.

14. the determination unit updates the determination criterion when the newly determined determination criterion is different from a previous determination criterion; the determining unit compares usage information of the part stored as inventory with the newly determined determination criteria to determine whether or not the part has a remaining life; The information management system according to claim 13 , wherein the control unit executes disposal control processing for a part determined by the determination unit to have no remaining life.

15. the determination unit compares usage information of parts stored as inventory with the newly determined determination criterion to determine whether or not the parts have a remaining life, only when the newly determined determination criterion is a value that results in more parts being determined to have no remaining life than the previous determination criterion; The information management system according to claim 13 , wherein the control unit executes disposal control processing for a part determined by the determination unit to have no remaining life.

16. The information management system computer, a usage amount acquiring unit that acquires usage amount information regarding usage amounts of components that constitute the image forming apparatus; an inventory acquisition unit that acquires inventory information regarding inventory amounts of parts of the same type as the part; a determination unit that determines a determination criterion for determining whether or not the part has a remaining life based on the inventory information acquired by the inventory acquisition unit; a determination unit that compares the usage amount information acquired by the usage amount acquisition unit with the determination criterion determined by the determination unit to determine whether or not the part has a remaining life; A program that functions as a

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