Systems, information processing devices, programs, and methods

Abstract

To suppress occurrence of an order error for a consumable supply in the subscription service of an image processing device.SOLUTION: An order managing system 100 includes: an image processing device (1) which updates the number of times of detection (822) of new parts when a new ink cartridge (4) is loaded, updates the remaining level of the ink cartridge (4) in accordance with execution of image processing, and transmits, to a managing server (9) at a predetermined timing, the number of times of detection (822) of new parts and the remaining level; and the managing server (9) which does not place an order for the ink cartridge (4) when the received number of times of detection (822) of new parts is greater than the number of times of placement (922) of order for the ink cartridge (4) or when the received remaining level is higher than or equal to a predetermined value, places an order when the number of times of detection (822) of new parts is smaller than or equal to the number of times of placement (922) of order and when the remaining level is lower than the predetermined value, and updates, when placing the order, the number of times of placement (922) of order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for managing the ordering of consumables used in an image processing apparatus and the like.

Background Art

[0002] There is a service in which a user can use contract-exclusive consumables or replacement parts in an image processing apparatus such as a printer by contracting with a vendor. Such a service is called a "subscription service".

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer to which a subscription service is applied. For a user who has contracted for a subscription service, a dedicated ink cartridge is delivered. Thereafter, when the remaining ink amount becomes less than or equal to a threshold value due to the use of the printer, the server places an order, and a new dedicated ink cartridge is delivered to the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The technology of Patent Document 1 has room for improvement from the viewpoint of preventing ordering mistakes of consumables. Here, ordering mistakes include, for example, "multiple ordering" in which more consumables than the appropriate amount are ordered, and "order omission" in which an order is not placed in a situation where an order should be placed.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to suppress ordering mistakes of consumables in a subscription service of an image processing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a system according to a first aspect of this disclosure includes an image processing device and a server which is communicably connected to the image processing device via a network and provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing device, wherein the image processing device includes an image processing unit which processes images using the consumables installed in the image processing device, a device-side interface for connecting to the network, a device-side memory which stores the number of times new, unused consumables have been installed and the lifespan of the consumables installed in the image processing device, and a device-side controller, wherein the device-side controller includes an installation count update process which updates the installation count stored in the device-side memory when a new consumable is installed in the image processing device, and a lifespan update process which updates the lifespan stored in the device-side memory in response to the execution of the image processing. The device performs a transmission process at a predetermined timing to send the number of installations and the lifespan stored in the device-side memory to the server via the device-side interface. The server comprises a server-side interface for connecting to the network, a server-side memory for storing the number of new orders, and a server-side controller. When the server-side controller receives the number of installations and the lifespan transmitted in the transmission process via the server-side interface, it performs an order process if the number of installations is greater than the number of orders, or if the lifespan is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and if the number of installations is less than or equal to the number of orders and the lifespan is less than or equal to a predetermined value, it does not place an order for the new product, and if the number of installations is less than or equal to the number of orders and the lifespan is less than or equal to a predetermined value, it places an order. If an order is placed in the order process, it performs an order count update process to update the number of orders stored in the server-side memory.

[0008] A second embodiment is the system of the first embodiment, wherein the predetermined timing includes timing within the period from when the consumable is installed in the image processing device until the image processing device becomes capable of performing the image processing.

[0009] The third embodiment is a system according to the first or second embodiment, wherein the image processing device can be fitted with managed consumables managed by the server and unmanaged consumables not managed by the server as consumables, the server-side controller does not place orders based on the lifespan of the unmanaged consumables among the managed and unmanaged consumables, but places orders based on the lifespan of the managed consumables, and the device-side controller, in the transmission process, transmits at least the lifespan of the managed consumables among the lifespan of the managed consumables and the lifespan of the unmanaged consumables.

[0010] The fourth embodiment is the system of the third embodiment, wherein the device-side controller, in the life update process, updates the life stored in the first area of ​​the device-side memory and the life stored in a second area of ​​the device-side memory, which is different from the first area, if the consumable currently installed in the image processing device is a managed consumable; updates only the life stored in the second area of ​​the second area (of the first and second areas), and in the transmission process, transmits at least the life stored in the first area (of the first and second areas).

[0011] The fifth embodiment is a system according to the third or fourth embodiment, wherein the device-side controller further performs a determination process to determine whether or not the managed consumable has been installed, and in the installation count update process, if the new item has been installed on the image processing device and the determination process determines that the managed consumable has been installed, the installation count is updated; if the determination process determines that the managed consumable has not been installed, the installation count is not updated.

[0012] The sixth embodiment is a system according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the device-side controller further performs a second determination process to determine whether the image processing device is subject to the service, and in the installation count update process, if the new product is installed in the image processing device and the second determination process determines that the image processing device is subject to the service, the installation count is updated, and if the second determination process determines that the image processing device is not subject to the service, the installation count is not updated.

[0013] The seventh embodiment is a system according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein the server-side controller further executes an order count initialization process to initialize the order count stored in the server-side memory when the image processing device is excluded from the scope of service provision, and the device-side controller further executes an installation count initialization process to initialize the installation count stored in the device-side memory when the image processing device is excluded from the scope of service provision.

[0014] To solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus in the eighth aspect of this disclosure is an image processing apparatus comprising an image processing unit that performs image processing using consumables attached to the image processing apparatus, A server that provides a service for managing the consumables, an interface for communication via a network, and a memory that stores the number of times new, unused consumables have been installed and the lifespan of the consumables installed in the image processing device. The device comprises a controller, the controller performing: an installation count update process which updates the installation count stored in the memory when the new product is installed; a lifespan update process which updates the lifespan stored in the memory in response to the execution of the image processing; and a transmission process which, at a predetermined timing, transmits the installation count and lifespan stored in the memory to the server via the interface, and causes the server to decide whether or not to place an order for the new product based on the transmitted installation count and lifespan and the number of new product orders stored in the server.

[0015] To solve the above problems, a server according to the ninth aspect of this disclosure is a server that provides a service for managing consumables used in an image processing apparatus, comprising: an image processing apparatus; an interface for communication via a network; a memory for storing the number of times new, unused consumables have been ordered; and a controller, wherein the controller, upon receiving from the image processing apparatus via the interface the number of times new consumables have been installed in the image processing apparatus and the lifespan of the consumables installed in the image processing apparatus, executes an ordering process in which, if the number of installations is greater than the number of orders, or if the lifespan is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, an order for new consumables is not placed, and if the number of installations is less than or equal to the number of orders and the lifespan is less than or equal to a predetermined value, an order is placed, and if an order is placed in the ordering process, an order count update process is executed to update the number of orders stored in the memory.

[0016] To solve the above problems, an ordering method according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is an ordering method for consumables executed by a system including an image processing device that performs image processing, and a server that is communicably connected to the image processing device via a network and provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing, the method comprising: an installation count update step that updates the number of times a new consumable has been installed when the image processing device detects that a new, unused consumable has been installed in the image processing device; a lifespan update step that updates the lifespan of the consumable installed in the image processing device in response to the execution of the image processing; a transmission step that transmits the installation count and the lifespan to the server at a predetermined timing; an ordering step that, when the server receives the installation count and the lifespan transmitted in the transmission step, does not place an order for the new consumable if the installation count is greater than the number of times the new consumable has been ordered, or if the lifespan is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and places an order if the installation count is less than or equal to the number of times the new consumable has been ordered and the lifespan is less than or equal to a predetermined value; and an order count update step that updates the number of orders if an order has been placed.

[0017] To solve the above problems, a system according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure includes an image processing device and a server which is communicably connected to the image processing device via a network and provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing device, wherein the consumables include managed consumables managed by the server and unmanaged consumables not managed by the server, the server comprises a server-side interface for connecting to the network and a server-side controller which does not order managed consumables based on the lifespan of unmanaged consumables according to their use in the image processing device, but does order managed consumables based on the lifespan of managed consumables according to their use in the image processing device, and the image processing device is the image processing device The device comprises an image processing unit that performs image processing using the consumables installed in the image processing unit, a device-side interface for connecting to the network, a device-side memory for storing the lifespan of the consumables installed in the image processing unit, and a device-side controller. The device-side controller, when the managed consumables are installed in the image processing unit, performs a lifespan update process to update the lifespan of the managed consumables stored in the device-side memory in response to the execution of the image processing, and a transmission process at a predetermined timing to send at least the lifespan of the managed consumables, of the lifespan of the managed consumables and the lifespan of the unmanaged consumables, to the server via the device-side interface.

[0018] To solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus in a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is an image processing apparatus capable of being fitted with managed consumables managed by a server and unmanaged consumables not managed by the server, and comprises an interface for communicating with the server, an image processing unit that performs image processing using the consumables fitted to the image processing apparatus, a memory for storing the lifespan of the consumables fitted to the image processing apparatus, and a controller, wherein, when the managed consumables are fitted to the image processing apparatus, the controller performs a lifespan update process that updates the lifespan of the managed consumables stored in the memory in response to the execution of the image processing, and a transmission process that, at a predetermined timing, transmits to the server via the interface at least the lifespan of the managed consumables stored in the memory, out of the lifespan of the managed consumables and the lifespan of the unmanaged consumables stored in the memory.

[0019] To solve the above problems, an ordering method according to a 13th aspect of the present disclosure is an ordering method executed by a system including an image processing device that performs image processing, and a server that is communicably connected to the image processing device via a network and provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing device, wherein the consumables include managed consumables managed by the server and unmanaged consumables not managed by the server, the server does not order the managed consumables based on the lifespan of the unmanaged consumables according to their use in the image processing device, but orders the managed consumables based on their lifespan according to their use in the image processing device, and if the image processing device is equipped with a managed consumable which is a consumable managed by the server, the ordering method includes a lifespan update step that updates the lifespan of the managed consumable stored in the image processing device in accordance with the execution of the image processing, and a transmission step that, at a predetermined timing, transmits to the server at least the lifespan of the managed consumable, which is one of the lifespans of the managed consumable and the lifespans of the unmanaged consumables stored in the image processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the system of the first aspect, the situation where the number of installations is greater than the number of orders indicates that a new product different from the new product ordered for the image processing apparatus has been installed in the image processing apparatus. This means that the user of the image processing apparatus has the new product ordered for the image processing apparatus in their possession without using it. Here, according to the above configuration, the number of installations being less than or equal to the number of orders becomes an essential condition for ordering a new product. As a result, in the above situation, subsequent orders for new products are not placed, so it is possible to suppress order mistakes for new products, specifically, duplicate orders for new products.

[0021] According to the system of the second aspect, transmission processing is performed after the consumable is installed in the image processing apparatus until image processing can be executed. In other words, transmission processing is performed at a timing when there is a high possibility that a new product has been installed in the image processing apparatus. As a result, it is possible to transmit in real time to the server the increase in the number of installations and the lifespan due to the installation of the new product.

[0022] According to the system of the third aspect, the server does not place an order based on the lifespan of non - managed consumables but places an order based on the lifespan of managed consumables. On the other hand, since the image processing apparatus transmits at least the number of installations and the lifespan of the managed consumables to the server, it is possible to surely order the managed consumables. As a result, it is possible to suppress omission of orders for the managed consumables.

[0023] Regarding the system of the fourth aspect, assume that the consumables of the image processing apparatus are replaced from managed consumables with a lifespan less than a predetermined value to non - managed consumables. In the prior art, when the timing for transmission processing comes after this replacement, the lifespan of the non - managed consumables is transmitted, but even if the lifespan is less than the predetermined value, the consumables are not ordered. And the fact that the lifespan of the managed consumables has become less than the predetermined value is not notified to the server, so a so - called order omission occurs.

[0024] On the other hand, according to the system of the fourth aspect, when a non-managed consumable is installed, the life stored in the first area is not updated, and in the transmission process, at least the life stored in the first area is transmitted. Therefore, even if the consumable installed in the image processing apparatus is a non-managed consumable, a configuration can be realized in which the life of the managed consumable is surely transmitted to the server. As a result, it is possible to suppress the omission of ordering due to the transmission of the life of the non-managed consumable.

[0025] According to the system of the fifth aspect, the number of installations is updated only when a new managed consumable is installed. Therefore, the accurate number of installations of the managed consumable can be transmitted to the server. As a result, the server can accurately determine whether a new order of the managed consumable is necessary.

[0026] Also, when image processing is executed a large number of times in a short period, there is a possibility that the managed consumable becomes unusable before a predetermined timing. In this case, it is conceivable that the user of the image processing apparatus inevitably uses a non-managed consumable (for example, a commercially available product). In such a case, if the number of installations is updated without distinguishing between the managed consumable and the non-managed consumable, the transmission process is executed in a state where the number of installations is greater than the number of orders, so no order is placed. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the number of installations is updated only when a new managed consumable is installed. Therefore, as described above, when the user uses a non-managed consumable without malice, an order can be placed.

[0027] Regarding the system of the sixth embodiment, consider the case where a consumable for another image processing device that is the target of the service is mistakenly installed on an image processing device that is not the target of the service. In this case, if the installation count is updated, and the user notices the error and removes the consumable, and then makes the image processing device the target of the service, the installation count will be updated again because the correct consumable has been installed. As a result, the installation count will exceed the number of orders, and no further orders will be placed. In contrast, with the above configuration, even if a new consumable is detected on an image processing device that is not the target of the service, the installation count is not updated, so that when the user notices the error and removes the consumable, and then makes the image processing device the target of the service, consumable orders can be placed as usual.

[0028] Regarding the system of the seventh embodiment, if the number of orders stored in the server is initialized but the number of attachments stored in the image processing device is not initialized, when the image processing device becomes eligible for service again, the number of attachments will exceed the number of orders, and therefore consumables will not be ordered. In contrast, with the above configuration, the number of attachments stored in the image processing device is initialized along with the number of orders stored in the server, so that when the device becomes eligible for service again, consumables can be ordered as usual.

[0029] According to the image processing apparatus of the eighth embodiment, the server of the ninth embodiment, and the ordering method of the tenth embodiment, the same effects as the system of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0030] According to the system of the 11th embodiment, the server does not place orders based on the lifespan of unmanaged consumables, but places orders based on the lifespan of managed consumables. In contrast, the image processing device transmits at least the number of times managed consumables have been installed and their lifespan to the server, so that managed consumables can be reliably ordered. As a result, it is possible to suppress the failure to order managed consumables.

[0031] The image processing apparatus of the 12th embodiment and the ordering method of the 13th embodiment produce the same effects as the system of the 11th embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] This figure shows an overview of the structure of an image processing device included in an order management system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the main components of the image processing device, ink cartridge, and management server in the above embodiment. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of the process flow during ink cartridge installation, which is performed when an ink cartridge is installed in an image processing device. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the ink information update process performed by an image processing device. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of the notification processing flow by an image processing device. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the order processing flow by the management server. [Figure 7] This diagram shows an example of the order management flow in a conventional order management system. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the order management flow in the order management system according to the above embodiment. [Figure 9] This diagram shows an example of the order management flow in a conventional order management system. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the order management flow in the order management system according to the above embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the structure of the image processing device 1 included in the order management system 100 (system) according to this embodiment.

[0034] The image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is an image processing apparatus that allows the user of the image processing apparatus 1 to use consumables specifically for the contract by entering into a contract with a service provider. In other words, the image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is an image processing apparatus to which a subscription service can be applied.

[0035] From this point forward, unless otherwise specified, image processing device 1 will be assumed to be an image processing device that is subscribed to (i.e., has a contract) for a subscription service.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, the case where the image processing apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer will be described. However, the image processing apparatus 1 may be a printer other than an inkjet printer. For example, the image processing apparatus 1 may be a laser printer. Also, the image forming apparatus 1 may be an image processing apparatus other than a printer. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a scanner.

[0037] <Overall configuration of the image processing device> Referring to Figure 1, the general structure of the image processing device 1 will be explained. For convenience, in the following explanation, the upper side of Figure 1 will be referred to as the upper side of the image processing device 1, the lower side as the lower side of the image processing device 1, the left side as the rear side of the image processing device 1, and the right side as the front side of the image processing device 1.

[0038] Image processing device 1 is an inkjet printer that prints data onto printing paper P by ejecting ink. One or more ink cartridges are installed in the main body housing of image processing device 1. In addition to the components shown in Figure 1, image processing device 1 may also be provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or lamps, and an input unit such as buttons. Furthermore, the liquid crystal display may be configured to function as an input unit by being integrated with a touch panel.

[0039] In the example shown in Figure 1, the image processing device 1 comprises a paper feed tray 20, a paper feeding unit 2, a transport roller 60, a recording unit 3, an output roller 62, and an output tray 30. An opening is formed on the front of the image processing device 1. The paper feed tray 20 is positioned in the opening so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Multiple stacked sheets of printing paper P are accommodated in the paper feed tray 20. The printing paper P is, for example, a sheet of a predetermined size. The printing paper P is not limited to paper media. For example, the printing paper P may be a resin material such as an OHP sheet.

[0040] The paper feeding unit 2 includes a paper feeding roller 21, a paper feeding arm 22, and a shaft 23. The paper feeding unit 2 feeds the printing paper P contained in the paper feeding tray 20 to the transport path R by the forward rotation of the paper feeding roller 21. The paper feeding roller 21 is rotatably mounted at the tip of the paper feeding arm 22. The paper feeding arm 22 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 23 supported by the frame of the image processing apparatus 1. The paper feeding arm 22 is biased to rotate toward the paper feeding tray 20 by its own weight or by an elastic force such as a spring. The driving force from the reverse rotation of a motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted to the paper feeding roller 21, causing the paper feeding roller 21 to rotate forward.

[0041] The transport path R is a space formed by guide member 51, guide member 52, recording unit 3, guide member 53, and guide member 54, etc.

[0042] Upstream of the recording unit 3 in the transport direction, a transport roller 60 is positioned. A pinch roller 61 is positioned opposite the lower part of the transport roller 60. The transport roller 60 rotates using the power of a motor in the image forming apparatus 1. The pinch roller 61 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 60. As the transport roller 60 and pinch roller 61 rotate in the forward direction, the printing paper P is transported to the image recording position X on the transport path R, while being held between the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61. The image recording position X is the position where the recording head 32 records an image onto the printing paper P. When the driving force from the forward rotation of the motor of the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted to the transport roller 60, the transport roller 60 rotates in the forward direction. Conversely, when the driving force from the reverse rotation of the motor is transmitted to the transport roller 60, the transport roller 60 rotates in the reverse direction.

[0043] The recording unit 3 is positioned between the transport roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 of the transport path R. The recording unit 3 includes a carriage 31, a recording head 32, a plurality of nozzles 33, and a platen 34. Each nozzle 33 is connected to an ink cartridge 4. The number of nozzles 33 and ink cartridges 4 is not particularly limited.

[0044] The ink cartridge 4 has a cartridge housing. The cartridge housing can be installed in the main housing of the image processing device 1. The ink cartridge 4 contains inks of different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) as materials used for image processing (image formation). Ink is a consumable item that is consumed each time printing is performed.

[0045] The carriage 31 moves back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, that is, in the width direction of the printing paper P. In image recording of the printing paper P, the image processing device 1, as a recording process, moves the carriage 31 in the width direction of the printing paper P while the transport of the printing paper P is stopped, and ejects ink from the nozzle 33 of the recording head 32 to record one line of image on the printing paper P. In addition, as a line break process, the image processing device 1 drives the transport roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 to transport the printing paper P by a predetermined amount of line breaks. The image processing device 1 repeats this recording process and line break process.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1, a recording head 32 is mounted on the carriage 31. Multiple nozzles 33 are provided on the underside of the recording head 32. The recording head 32 ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 33. The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-shaped member on which the printing paper P is placed. As the carriage 31 moves with respect to the printing paper P supported by the platen 34, the recording head 32 selectively ejects ink droplets, thereby recording an image on the printing paper P.

[0047] A discharge roller 62 is positioned downstream of the recording unit 3 in the transport direction. A spur 63 is positioned opposite the top of the discharge roller 62. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a motor provided in the image processing device 1. The spur 63 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. As the discharge roller 62 and spur 63 rotate in the forward direction, the printing paper P is caught between the discharge roller 62 and spur 63 and discharged to the discharge tray 30.

[0048] An output tray 30 is positioned above the paper feed tray 20. The output tray 30 supports the printed paper P ejected by the output roller 62.

[0049] <Internal configuration of image processing device 1, ink cartridge 4, and management server 9> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main components of the image processing device 1, ink cartridge 4, and management server 9 (server) in this embodiment.

[0050] (Ink cartridge 4) The ink cartridge 4 has an ink memory 42. The ink memory 42 is a memory that can read and write information. The ink memory 42 is, for example, a flash ROM or EEPROM (registered trademark).

[0051] The ink memory 42 stores the ink ID 421, ink type information 422, ink level information 423, and a new ink flag 424.

[0052] Ink ID 421 is, for example, a unique serial number used to identify individual ink cartridges 4.

[0053] Ink type information 422 indicates whether ink cartridge 4 is a contract-only ink cartridge (managed consumable) or a regular ink cartridge (unmanaged consumable). A "contract-only ink cartridge" is an ink cartridge supplied by the business to a user who has entered into a contract with the business regarding the image processing device 1. On the other hand, a "regular ink cartridge" is a cartridge other than a contract-only ink cartridge. For example, a regular cartridge may be an ink cartridge sold at a general store. Hereafter, contract-only ink cartridges may be referred to as "contract cartridges" and regular ink cartridges as "commercially available cartridges."

[0054] The ink level information 423 indicates the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 4. In other words, the ink level information indicates the lifespan of the ink cartridge 4, which is a consumable item. The ink level information 423 may also indicate the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 4 as a percentage of the maximum value. Alternatively, the ink level information 423 may indicate which of the predetermined numerical ranges the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 4 falls into. The predetermined numerical ranges may be, for example, three ranges for the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 4: a first range from the minimum value up to less than the first value, a second range from the first value up to less than the second value, and a third range from the second value up to the maximum value. The first value is smaller than the second value. Hereafter, these three ranges may be referred to as follows: the first range as "Empty", the second range as "Low", and the third range as "Full".

[0055] The "new" flag 424 indicates whether ink cartridge 4 is a new, unused consumable or a used, older consumable. Before ink cartridge 4 is installed in the cartridge housing, the "new" flag 424 indicates that it is new. Once ink cartridge 4 is installed in the cartridge housing, the "new" flag 424 changes to indicate that it is an older product.

[0056] The main casing of the image processing device 1 has a connector 101. When the ink cartridge 4 is installed in the image processing device 1, the connector 101 is electrically connected to the ink memory 42. This enables the image processing device 1 to communicate with the ink memory 42 of the ink cartridge 4.

[0057] (Image processing device 1) The image processing device 1 includes a controller 80 (device-side controller, controller), a communication unit 81 (device-side interface, interface), a first memory 82 (device-side memory, memory, first area), and a second memory 83 (second area).

[0058] The controller 80 is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The controller 80 is electrically connected to the communication unit 81, the first memory 82, and the second memory 83, which are located in the main housing of the image processing device 1. The controller 80 performs various processes to cause the image processing device 84 to perform various printing-related processes.

[0059] Furthermore, the controller 80 may include a processor such as a CPU. In this case, a control program that implements the control of the image processing device 1 may be stored in the first memory 82 or the second memory 83, and the controller 80 may cause the image processing device 1 to perform various processes by having the processor operate according to the control program.

[0060] Furthermore, the controller 80 may include a computer-readable recording medium that stores the control program. This recording medium can be a "non-temporary tangible medium," such as ROM (Read Only Memory), as well as tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, programmable logic circuit, etc. A RAM (Random Access Memory) for deploying the control program may also be used. The control program may also be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium capable of transmitting it (such as a communication network or broadcast). One aspect of this disclosure may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, where the control program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0061] When the ink cartridge 4 is installed in the image forming apparatus 1, the ink cartridge 4 is electrically connected to the controller 80, as shown in Figure 2. This enables the controller 80 to perform information reading from the ink memory 42 and information writing (including rewriting) to the ink memory 42.

[0062] The first memory 82 and the second memory 83 are memories that can read and write information. The first memory 82 and the second memory 83 are, for example, NVRAM (Non-volatile RAM). The second memory 83 may be a memory other than NVRAM, for example, flash ROM or EEPROM®.

[0063] The first memory 82 stores the contract ink information 821 and the number of new ink detections 822 (number of times installed). The second memory 83 stores the used ink information 831, the printer ID 832, and the contract information 833.

[0064] Printer ID 832 is identification information for identifying the image processing device 1. Printer ID 832 is, for example, the serial number of the image processing device 1.

[0065] Contract information 833 is information indicating the contract details of the image processing device 1. More specifically, contract information 833 indicates whether or not the image processing device 1 is under contract as the target of service provision. In this embodiment, it indicates whether the image processing device 1 is set to contract mode or to normal mode. Contract mode means that the image processing device 1 is under contract. Normal mode means that the image processing device 1 is not under contract. Contract information 833 may be rewritten via the management server 9 when the user of the image processing device 1 changes the contract details of the image processing device 1.

[0066] When the image processing device 1 is in contract mode, it can use contract cartridges and also commercially available cartridges. On the other hand, when the image processing device 1 is in normal mode, it cannot use contract cartridges, but it can use commercially available cartridges.

[0067] The ink usage information 831 is information that associates the ink ID, ink type information, and ink level information read from the ink memory 42 of each ink cartridge 4 with each ink cartridge 4. The ink usage information 831 is information about the ink cartridge 4 currently installed in the image processing device 1. In other words, the ink cartridge 4 corresponding to the ink usage information 831 may be a contracted cartridge or a commercially available cartridge.

[0068] The contract ink information 821 is information that associates the ink ID, ink type information, and ink level information read from the ink memory 42 of each ink cartridge 4 with each ink cartridge 4. The contract ink information 821 is information about the contract cartridge most recently installed in the image processing device 1. Note that "most recently installed contract cartridge" also includes "the contract cartridge currently installed".

[0069] The new product detection count 822 is the number of times a new contract cartridge has been installed in the installation unit 85. In other words, the new product detection count 822 is the number of times a contract cartridge that has been installed in the installation unit 85, the number of times the new product flag 424 indicates that it is new. The new product detection count 822 is data for each type of ink cartridge 4, i.e., for each color. For example, when the image processing device 1 installs four ink cartridges 4 of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, the new product detection count 822 corresponding to each of the four ink cartridges 4 is stored in the first memory 82.

[0070] The communication unit 81 is a communication interface that facilitates communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the management server 9. For example, the communication unit 81 transmits (notifies) information acquired from the controller 80 to the management server 9.

[0071] The image processing unit 84 operates according to the instructions of the controller 80 in order to perform various image processing operations, such as printing. The image processing unit 84 corresponds to the motors and recording unit 3 of the image processing apparatus 1 described with reference to Figure 1.

[0072] (Management Server 9) The management server 9 is a management device that manages one or more image processing devices 1, and also provides a service for managing consumables used in the image processing devices 1. In the example in Figure 2, the management server 9 is connected to only one image processing device 1, but the management server 9 may communicate with multiple image processing devices 1.

[0073] The management server 9 comprises a server communication unit 91 (server-side interface), server memory 92 (server-side memory), and server control unit 93 (server-side controller). The server communication unit 91 is a communication interface that facilitates communication between the management server 9 and the image processing device 1. The server communication unit 91 outputs information received from the image processing device 1 to the server control unit 93.

[0074] The server control unit 93 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that comprehensively controls the management server 9. Based on the information received via the server communication unit 91, the server control unit 93 performs ordering processing for consumables. This ordering processing includes a determination of whether or not to order consumables. If an order is to be placed, the server control unit 93 transmits information regarding the consumable order to the ordering server 7 via the server communication unit 91. This information includes, for example, information about the consumables and the quantity. To illustrate with an example where the consumables are ink cartridges 4, the consumable information would be, for example, the ink ID. Based on the information transmitted from the management server 9 to the ordering server 7, the consumables indicated by this information are shipped to the user.

[0075] Server memory 92 is a storage device that stores data necessary for the operation of the management server 9, the image processing device 1, and the management of consumables. Server memory 92 stores printer information 921 and order count 922.

[0076] Printer information 921 is data that summarizes various information about the image processing device 1. Printer information 921 is stored separately for each image processing device 1. Printer information 921 includes at least the printer ID, contract information, and status data. In addition, printer information 921 may also include, for example, the model number and manufacturing date of the image processing device 1.

[0077] The order count 922 is information stored for each image processing device 1, indicating the number of times consumables used by the image processing device 1 have been ordered. For example, the order count 922 is information that associates the printer ID with a value indicating the order count. In the example where the consumable is an ink cartridge 4, the order count 922 is data for each type of ink cartridge 4, i.e., for each color. For example, if the image processing device 1 is equipped with four ink cartridges 4 of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, the order count 922 corresponding to each of the four ink cartridges 4 is stored in the server memory 92, associated with the printer ID of the image processing device 1.

[0078] <Flow of various processes> Next, the flow of various processes executed by the controller 80 of the image processing device 1 will be explained using Figures 3 to 6.

[0079] (Processing during installation) Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the installation process that is executed when the ink cartridge 4 is installed in the image processing device 1.

[0080] In step S1, the controller 80 detects the installation of the ink cartridge 4. For example, the controller 80 detects the installation of the ink cartridge 4 based on a signal from a sensor (not shown) provided in the installation area (not shown) of the ink cartridge 4. The controller 80 then acquires various information stored in the ink memory 42. The installation process then proceeds to step S2.

[0081] In step S2, the controller 80 refers to the contract information 833 stored in the second memory 83 and determines whether the image processing device 1 is in contract mode. If it is determined to be in contract mode (YES in S2), the mounting process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined not to be in contract mode (NO in S2), the mounting process ends.

[0082] In step S3, the controller 80 refers to the acquired ink type information 422 and determines whether the installed ink cartridge 4 is a contracted cartridge. If it is determined to be a contracted cartridge (YES in S3), the installation process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined that it is not a contracted cartridge (NO in S3), the installation process proceeds to step 8.

[0083] In step S4, the controller 80 stores the information obtained from the ink memory 42, namely the ink ID 421, ink type information 422, and ink level information 423, in the first memory 82 as contracted ink information 821. Then, the installation process proceeds to step S5.

[0084] In step S5, the controller 80 refers to the acquired new product flag 424 to determine whether the installed ink cartridge 4 is new or not. If it is determined to be new (YES in S5), the installation process proceeds to step S6. If it is determined not to be new (NO in S5), the installation process proceeds to step S8.

[0085] In step S6, the controller 80 updates the new product flag 424 stored in the ink memory 42 to the old product flag, i.e., used product flag.

[0086] In step S7 (installation count update process), the controller 80 increments the new product detection count 822 stored in the first memory 82. If the new product detection count 822 is data for each color, the controller 80 identifies the new product detection count to be updated based on the information obtained from the ink memory 42 and increments it. Then the installation process is completed.

[0087] In step S8, the controller 80 stores the information obtained from the ink memory 42, namely the ink ID 421, ink type information 422, and ink level information 423, in the second memory 83 as the ink used information 831. Then the installation process is completed.

[0088] As described above, when an ink cartridge 4 is installed, the controller 80 increments the new cartridge detection count 822 corresponding to the ink cartridge 4 if all of the following conditions are met: (1) it is in contract mode, (2) a contract cartridge is installed, and (3) a new cartridge is installed. Furthermore, the controller 80 stores the ink ID 421, ink type information 422, and ink level information 423 in the first memory 82 only when a contract cartridge is installed. In other words, when a commercially available cartridge is installed, the controller 80 does not store the ink ID 421, ink type information 422, and ink level information 423 in the first memory 82.

[0089] (Ink information update process) Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the ink information update process by the image processing device 1. In step S11, the controller 80 causes the image processing device 84 to execute printing based on a signal for executing printing input via the input unit, etc. The ink information update process then proceeds to step S12.

[0090] In step S12, the controller 80 updates the ink usage information 831 stored in the second memory 83. Specifically, the controller 80 updates the ink remaining amount information in the ink usage information 831 based on the amount of ink used for printing. The ink information update process then proceeds to step S13.

[0091] In step S13, the controller 80 refers to the contract information 833 stored in the second memory 83 and determines whether the image processing device 1 is in contract mode. If it is determined to be in contract mode (YES in S13), the ink information update process proceeds to step S14. If it is determined not to be in contract mode (NO in S13), the ink information update process ends.

[0092] In step S14, the controller 80 refers to the ink usage information 831 stored in the second memory and determines whether the ink cartridge 4 installed in the image processing device 1 is a contracted cartridge. If it is determined to be a contracted cartridge (YES in S14), the ink information update process proceeds to step S15. If it is determined not to be a contracted cartridge (NO in S14), the ink information update process ends.

[0093] In step S15 (life renewal process), the controller 80 updates the contract ink information 821 stored in the first memory 82. Specifically, the controller 80 updates the remaining ink amount information in the contract ink information 821 based on the amount of ink used for printing. Then the ink information update process is completed.

[0094] As described above, when printing is performed using a contracted cartridge in contract mode, the controller 80 updates the ink level information for both the contracted ink information 821 and the used ink information 831. On the other hand, when printing is performed using a commercially available cartridge in contract mode, the controller 80 updates only the ink information of the used ink information 831 out of the contracted ink information 821 and the used ink information 831.

[0095] (Notification processing) Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the notification process flow by the image processing device 1. In step S21, the controller 80 detects that the ink cover has been closed (S21). The ink cover is a cover provided on the mounting section (not shown) where the ink cartridge 4 is installed. When a user installs an ink cartridge 4 into the image processing device 1, they open the ink cover, install the ink cartridge 4, and then close the ink cover. If the controller detects that the ink cover has been closed (YES in S21), the notification process proceeds to step S24. If the controller does not detect that the ink cover has been closed (NO in S21), the notification process proceeds to step S22.

[0096] In step S22, the controller 80 detects that the image processing device 1 has changed from an offline state to an online state. An offline state refers to a state in which the image processing device 1 cannot communicate with the management server 9, etc., via the communication unit 81. An online state refers to a state in which the image processing device 1 can communicate with the management server 9, etc., via the communication unit 81. If the controller 80 detects that the image processing device 1 has changed from an offline state to an online state (YES in S22), the notification process proceeds to step S24. If the controller 80 does not detect that the image processing device 1 has changed from an offline state to an online state (NO in S22), the notification process proceeds to step S23.

[0097] In step S23, the controller 80 determines whether or not it is time for a notification at a predetermined interval. The predetermined interval is, for example, 12 hours, but is not limited to this. If it is determined that it is time for a notification (YES in S23), the notification process proceeds to step S24. If it is determined that it is not time for a notification (NO in S23), the notification process proceeds to step S26.

[0098] In step S24, the controller 80 reads the contract ink information 821 and the new ink detection count 822 from the first memory 82. Then, the notification process proceeds to step S25.

[0099] In step S25 (transmission step), the controller 80 notifies the management server 9 of the read contract ink information 821 and the number of new ink detections 822 via the communication unit 81. The notification process then proceeds to step S26.

[0100] In step S26, the controller 80 waits for the image processing device 1 to be powered off. Specifically, the controller 80 waits to acquire a power-off signal based on an operation input to the input section (not shown) of the image processing device 1. If a power-off signal is acquired (YES in S26), the notification process ends. If a power-off signal is not acquired (NO in S26), the notification process returns to step S21.

[0101] As described above, the controller 80 notifies the management server 9 of the contracted ink information 821 and the number of new ink detections 822 when any of the following conditions are met: (1) the ink cover is closed, (2) the image processing device 1 changes from an offline state to an online state, or (3) a predetermined notification timing is reached.

[0102] (Order decision process) Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the order processing flow by the management server 9. In step S31, the server control unit 93 receives a notification from the image processing device 1 via the server communication unit 91. The order processing then proceeds to step S32.

[0103] In step S32, the server control unit 93 determines whether the image processing device 1 that sent the notification is in contract mode. For example, the server control unit 93 refers to the printer information 921 stored in the server memory 92 to determine whether the image processing device 1 that sent the notification is in contract mode. If it is determined that it is in contract mode (YES in S32), the order process proceeds to step S33. If it is determined that it is not in contract mode (NO in S32), the order process ends.

[0104] In step S33, the server control unit 93 compares the notified number of new product detections 822 with the number of orders 922 to determine whether the condition that the value indicating the number of new product detections is less than or equal to the value indicating the number of orders is met. If it is determined that the condition is met (YES in S33), the ordering process proceeds to step S34. If the condition is not met, that is, if the value indicating the number of new product detections is greater than the value indicating the number of orders, the ordering process ends.

[0105] In step S34, the server control unit 93 refers to the notified ink level information and determines whether the ink level information is "Low" or "Empty". If it is "Low" or "Empty" (YES in S33), the order process proceeds to step S35. If the ink level information is not "Low" or "Empty", i.e., it is the initial value "Full", the order process ends.

[0106] In step S35 (ordering process), the server control unit 93 places an order with the ordering server 7. Specifically, the server control unit 93 sends information about contracted cartridges with an ink level of "Low" or "Empty" to the ordering server 7, and has the contracted cartridges shipped to the user.

[0107] If step S35 is executed, the server control unit 93 increments the value indicating the order number in the record corresponding to the image processing device 1 that notified the order number 922 (order number update step). This completes the order processing.

[0108] As described above, if the number of new product detections exceeds the number of orders placed, the server control unit 93 will not execute an order, regardless of the remaining ink level information.

[0109] <Suppression of multiple orders> Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the suppression of duplicate orders by the order management system 100 according to this embodiment will be explained. Here, duplicate ordering refers to the situation where a user possesses more consumables than the appropriate amount by ordering more than the appropriate amount.

[0110] (Traditional ordering management) Figure 7 shows an example of the order management flow in a conventional order management system. Here, order management in a conventional order management system refers to the management server 9 deciding whether or not to place an order based solely on the ink level information of the contracted cartridges used in the image processing device 1. Furthermore, in order management in a conventional order management system, notification from the image processing device 1 to the management server 9 occurs either when the image processing device 1 goes from an offline state to an online state, or when a predetermined notification timing is reached. In other words, in order management in a conventional order management system, no notification is given when the ink cover is closed.

[0111] In Figure 7, the "User" column stores the process executed by the user or the image processing device 1. The "Notification" column stores whether or not a notification was sent from the image processing device 1 to the management server 9. The "Ink Level Information" column stores the notified ink level information. The "Order Count" column stores the order count of 922 at the time the notification was received. Note that since Figure 7 shows order management in a conventional order management system, the number of new product detections is not used. The definition of the information stored in each column is the same in the examples shown in subsequent figures.

[0112] In the example shown in Figure 7 and subsequent figures, the user is assumed to possess two image processing devices 1, specifically image processing devices 1A and 1B. Here, it is assumed that image processing device 1B is already under a service contract.

[0113] In step P1, the user registers the image processing device 1A for service, i.e., enters into a service contract. This notifies the management server 9 of the service registration information, and the management server 9 manages the image processing device 1A as being in contract mode. The management server 9 then sends information regarding the order of the starter kit to the order server 7, and the starter kit is shipped to the user. The starter kit consists of contract cartridges for each of the ink cartridges 4 used by the image processing device 1A. For example, if the ink cartridges 4 used by the image processing device 1A are magenta, cyan, yellow, and black ink cartridges, the starter kit consists of contract cartridges for these four colors.

[0114] For the sake of clarity, in the examples shown in Figure 7 and subsequent figures, we will assume that the ink cartridge 4 used by the image processing device 1A is of only one color (for example, black only).

[0115] In step P2, the user installs the contract cartridge from the shipped starter kit into the image processing device 1A.

[0116] In step P3, the user performs printing using the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0117] In step P4, the predetermined notification timing has arrived, and the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the ink level information. However, in step P4, since the ink level information is "Full," no order is placed.

[0118] In step P5, the user performs printing using the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0119] In step P6, the predetermined notification timing has arrived, and the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the ink level information. In step P6, since the ink level information is "Low," the management server 9 places an order for the contracted cartridge. Hereafter, the contracted cartridge ordered in step P6 will be referred to as contracted cartridge 4A.

[0120] In step P7, the user installs the contract cartridge 4A into the image processing device 1A.

[0121] In step P8, the user prints using the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information for the contracted cartridge 4A stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0122] In step P9, the user installs a new contract cartridge 4B, which was shipped for the image processing device 1B, into the image processing device 1A.

[0123] In step P10, the user prints using the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information for the contracted cartridge 4B stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0124] In step P11, the designated notification timing has arrived, and the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the ink level information. In step P6, since the ink level information is "Low," the management server 9 places an order for the contracted cartridge. As a result, the user will possess the contracted cartridge 4A ordered in step P6 and the new contracted cartridge. In this way, there is a risk of duplicate orders occurring with conventional order management systems.

[0125] (Order management according to this embodiment) Figure 8 shows an example of the order management flow in the order management system 100 according to this embodiment. The diagram in Figure 8 is the same as the diagram in Figure 7, but with the addition of a column called "Number of New Item Detections". The "Number of New Item Detections" column stores the number of new item detections (822) at that time.

[0126] In step P21, the user registers the image processing device 1A for service, i.e., enters into a service contract. As a result, information regarding the service registration is notified to the management server 9, which manages the image processing device 1A as being in contract mode. The management server 9 then sends information regarding the order of the starter kit to the ordering server 7, which then dispatches the starter kit to the user. As a result, the order count 922 becomes "1".

[0127] In step P22, the user installs the contract cartridge from the shipped starter kit into the image processing device 1A. As a result, the image processing device 1A increments the new product detection count 822, which becomes "1". The image processing device 1A also notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection count 822. In step P22, the condition that the new product detection count ≤ the number of orders is met, but since the ink level information is "Full", no order is placed.

[0128] In step P23, the user performs printing on the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0129] In step P24, the predetermined notification timing has arrived, so the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the number of new ink detections 822. In step P24, although the condition that the number of new ink detections ≤ the number of orders is met, no order is placed because the ink level information is "Full".

[0130] In step P25, the user performs printing on the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0131] In step P26, the predetermined notification timing has arrived, and the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection count 822. In step P6, the condition that the new product detection count ≤ the number of orders is met, and the ink level information is "Low", so the management server 9 places an order for the contract cartridge. As a result, the order count 922 becomes "2". Hereafter, the contract cartridge ordered in step P26 will be referred to as contract cartridge 4A.

[0132] In step P27, the user installs the contract cartridge 4A into the image processing device 1A. As a result, the image processing device 1A increments the new product detection count 822, which becomes "2". The image processing device 1A also notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection count 822. In step P27, the condition that the new product detection count ≤ the number of orders is met, but since the ink level information is "Full", no order is placed.

[0133] In step P28, the user prints using the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information for the contracted cartridge 4A stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0134] In step P29, the user installs a new contract cartridge 4B, which was shipped for image processing device 1B, into image processing device 1A. As a result, image processing device 1A increments the new product detection count 822, which becomes "3". Image processing device 1A also notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection count 822. However, in step P29, the condition that the new product detection count ≤ the number of orders is not met, so no order is placed.

[0135] In step P30, the user prints using the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information for the contracted cartridge 4B stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0136] In step P31, the predetermined notification timing has arrived, so the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the number of new ink detections 822. However, in step P29, the condition that the number of new ink detections ≤ the number of orders is not met, so no order is placed.

[0137] In step P32, the user reinserts the contract cartridge 4A into the image processing device 1A. As a result, the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the number of new cartridges detected 822. However, in step P29, the condition that the number of new cartridges detected ≤ the number of orders is not met, so no order is placed.

[0138] As described above, the order management system 100 according to this embodiment does not place an order for a contracted cartridge if the number of new product detections exceeds the number of orders. This prevents duplicate orders from occurring even if a user uses a contracted cartridge from a different image processing device 1 instead of one from a certain image processing device 1, i.e., even if a situation arises where duplicate orders could occur.

[0139] <Preventing order errors> Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the suppression of missed orders by the order management system 100 according to this embodiment will be explained. Here, a missed order refers to a situation in which an order is not placed when it should be placed, and the user does not possess a usable contract cartridge.

[0140] (Traditional order processing) Figure 9 shows an example of the order management flow in a conventional order management system. In this context, order management in a conventional order management system refers to the process where the image processing device 1 notifies the management server 9 of the ink usage information 831, and the management server 9 places an order if the notified ink usage information 831 is the ink usage information 831 for a contracted cartridge and the ink level is low. Furthermore, in order management in a conventional order management system, the notification from the image processing device 1 to the management server 9 occurs either when the image processing device 1 goes from an offline state to an online state, or when a predetermined notification timing is reached. In other words, in order management in a conventional order management system, no notification is made when the ink cover is closed.

[0141] In step P41, the user registers the image processing device 1A for service, i.e., enters into a service contract. As a result, information regarding the service registration is notified to the management server 9, which manages the image processing device 1A as being in contract mode. The management server 9 then sends information regarding the order of the starter kit to the ordering server 7, which then dispatches the starter kit to the user.

[0142] In step P42, the user installs the contract cartridge from the shipped starter kit into the image processing device 1A.

[0143] In step P43, the user performs printing on the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0144] In step P44, the predetermined notification timing has arrived, and the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the ink level information. However, in step P44, since the ink level information is "Full," no order is placed.

[0145] In step P45, the user performs printing on the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0146] In step P46, assume that the contracted ink cartridge installed in the image processing device 1A runs out of ink. Note that in step P46, the ink ran out before the notification timing, so the user does not possess a new contracted cartridge. In step P47, the user installs a commercially available cartridge into the image processing device 1A.

[0147] In step P48, the user prints using the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information stored in the image processing device 1A. This ink level information is the ink level information of the commercially available cartridge installed in step P47.

[0148] In step P49, the designated notification timing has arrived, and the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the ink level information. In step P49, the ink level information is "Low," but the management server 9 does not place an order based on the ink level information of commercially available cartridges. Therefore, in step P49, no order is placed for the contracted cartridges. In other words, even though the contracted cartridges are "Empty" in the image processing device 1A, no new contracted cartridges are ordered. Thus, there is a risk of order omissions occurring with conventional order management systems.

[0149] (Order management according to this embodiment) Figure 10 shows an example of the order management flow in the order management system 100 according to this embodiment. The diagram in Figure 10 is the same as the diagram in Figure 9, but with the addition of a column for "Number of New Item Detections".

[0150] On page 51, the user registers the image processing device 1A for service, i.e., enters into a service contract. As a result, information regarding the service registration is notified to the management server 9, which manages the image processing device 1A as being in contract mode. The management server 9 then sends information regarding the order of the starter kit to the ordering server 7, which then dispatches the starter kit to the user.

[0151] In step P52, the user installs the contract cartridge from the shipped starter kit into the image processing unit 1A. As a result, the image processing unit 1A increments the new product detection count 822, which becomes "1". The image processing unit 1A also notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the new product detection count 822. In step P52, the condition that the new product detection count ≤ the number of orders is met, but since the ink level information is "Full", no order is placed.

[0152] On page 53, the user performs printing using the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0153] In step P54, the predetermined notification timing has arrived, and the image processing device 1A notifies the management server 9 of the contract ink information 821 and the number of new ink detections 822. In step P54, although the condition that the number of new ink detections ≤ the number of orders is met, no order is placed because the ink level information is "Full".

[0154] On page 55, the user performs printing using the image processing device 1A. This updates the ink level information stored in the image processing device 1A.

[0155] In step P56, assume that the contracted ink cartridge installed in the image processing device 1A has run out of ink. Note that in step P56, the ink ran out before the notification timing, so the user does not possess a new contracted cartridge.

[0156] In step P57, the user installs a commercially available cartridge into the image processing device 1A. As a result, the ink usage information 831 is updated with the information of the commercially available cartridge, but the contracted ink information 821 retains the information of the contracted cartridge that ran out of ink in step P56. The image processing device 1A also notifies the management server 9 of the contracted ink information 821 and the number of new cartridges detected 822. In step P56, the condition that the number of new cartridges detected ≤ the number of orders is met, and the ink level information is "Empty," so the management server 9 places an order for the contracted cartridge.

[0157] As described above, the order management system 100 according to this embodiment transmits contract ink information 821 when sending a notification, regardless of the type of ink cartridge 4 installed in the image processing device 1. This makes it possible to prevent order omissions even in situations where order omissions may occur in conventional order management systems.

[0158] <Effects and Effects> As described above, the order management system 100 according to this embodiment includes an image processing device 1 and a management server 9.

[0159] The image processing device 1 includes an image processing unit 84 that performs printing using an ink cartridge 4 installed in the device. The image processing device 1 also includes a communication unit 81 for connecting to a network. The image processing device 1 also includes a first memory 82 that stores the number of times a new contract cartridge has been installed, which is the number of times the new cartridge has been installed, and the ink level information of the installed contract cartridge. The image processing device 1 also includes a controller 80. When a new contract cartridge is installed, the controller 80 performs an installation count update process that increments the new cartridge detection count 822. The controller 80 also performs a life update process that updates the ink level information in response to the execution of image processing. The controller 80 also performs a transmission process at a predetermined timing to send the new cartridge detection count 822 and the ink level information to the management server 9 via the communication unit 81.

[0160] The management server 9 includes a server communication unit 91 for connecting to the network. The management server 9 also includes a server memory 92 for storing the number of orders 922 for contracted cartridges. The management server 9 also includes a server control unit 93. When the server control unit 93 receives the number of new cartridges detected 822 and ink level information via the server communication unit 91, it executes an order process to place an order for the contracted cartridges if the number of new cartridges detected 822 is greater than the number of orders 922, or if the ink level information is "Full". If the number of new cartridges detected 822 is less than or equal to the number of orders 922, and the ink level information is "Low" or "Empty", it executes an order process to place an order for the contracted cartridges of ink cartridge 4. Furthermore, if the server control unit 93 has placed an order during the order process, it executes an order count update process to increment the order count 922.

[0161] The fact that the number of new product detections (822) is greater than the number of orders (922) indicates that a contract cartridge different from the one ordered for the image processing device 1 has been installed in the image processing device 1. This means that the user of the image processing device 1 is possessing the contract cartridge ordered for the image processing device 1 without using it. In this configuration, the condition for ordering contract cartridges is that the number of new product detections (822) is less than or equal to the number of orders (922). As a result, in the situation described above, no further orders for contract cartridges will be placed, thus preventing ordering errors, specifically duplicate orders of contract cartridges.

[0162] Furthermore, the predetermined timing in the transmission process includes the moment when the ink cover is closed. With this configuration, the transmission process is performed when the ink cover is closed, that is, at a time when it is highly likely that a new contract cartridge has been installed in the image processing device 1. This allows the number of new cartridge detections (822) and the increase in ink level information due to the installation of a new contract cartridge to be transmitted to the management server 9 in real time.

[0163] Furthermore, in contract mode, the image processing device 1 can be used with commercially available cartridges in addition to the contract cartridge. The server control unit 93 does not order contract cartridges based on the ink level information of commercially available cartridges, but orders contract cartridges based on the ink level information of the contract cartridges. Then, in the transmission process, the controller 80 transmits only the ink level information of the contract cartridges from the ink level information of the contract cartridges and the ink level information of commercially available cartridges.

[0164] With the above configuration, the management server 9 does not order contracted cartridges based on the ink level information of commercially available cartridges, but rather orders contracted cartridges based on the ink level information of the contracted cartridges. In contrast, the image processing device 1 transmits only the ink level information of the contracted cartridges from among the ink level information of the contracted cartridges and the ink level information of commercially available cartridges, so that contracted cartridges can be reliably ordered. As a result, it is possible to suppress missed orders for contracted cartridges.

[0165] Furthermore, during the life renewal process, if the ink cartridge 4 currently installed in the image processing device 1 is a contracted cartridge, the controller 80 updates the ink level information of the contracted ink information 821 stored in the first memory 82 and the ink level information of the used ink information 831 stored in the second memory 83. Also, during the life renewal process, if the ink cartridge 4 currently installed in the image processing device 1 is a commercially available cartridge, the controller 80 updates the ink level information of the used ink information 831 stored in the second memory 83, out of the two sets of ink level information. Furthermore, during the transmission process, the controller 80 transmits the contracted ink information 821 out of the contracted ink information 821 and the used ink information 831.

[0166] Suppose the ink cartridge 4 of the image processing device 1 is replaced from a contracted cartridge whose remaining ink level is "Low" or "Empty" to a commercially available cartridge. In conventional technology, when the transmission process is completed after this replacement, the ink level information of the currently used ink cartridge 4, i.e., the commercially available cartridge, is transmitted. However, even if the remaining ink level indicated by this information is "Low" or "Empty," the contracted cartridge is not ordered. Furthermore, the server is not notified that the contracted cartridge's remaining ink level has become "Low" or "Empty," resulting in what is known as an order omission. In contrast, with the above configuration, when a commercially available cartridge is installed, the ink level information in the contracted ink information 821 is not updated. Also, during the transmission process, the contracted ink information 821 is transmitted, so the information of the contracted cartridge whose remaining ink level has become "Low" or "Empty" can be transmitted to the management server 9 without fail. As a result, ordering errors for contracted cartridges, specifically, order omissions for contracted cartridges, can be suppressed.

[0167] Furthermore, the controller 80 performs a determination process to determine whether or not a contracted cartridge has been installed. In addition, if the controller 80 determines in the installation count update process that a new ink cartridge 4 has been installed in the image processing device 1 and that a contracted cartridge has been installed in the determination process, it increments the new cartridge detection count 822. On the other hand, if the controller 80 determines in the determination process that a contracted cartridge has not been installed, it does not increment the new cartridge detection count 822.

[0168] With the above configuration, the new cartridge detection count of 822 is incremented only when a new contract cartridge is installed, so the exact number of times a contract cartridge has been installed can be sent to the management server 9. As a result, the management server 9 can accurately determine whether or not an order for a contract cartridge is needed.

[0169] Furthermore, if image processing is performed many times in a short period of time, the installed contract cartridge may become unusable before the predetermined timing for transmission processing. In this case, the user of the image processing device 1 may be forced to use a commercially available cartridge. In such a case, if the new product detection count 822 is incremented without distinguishing between contract cartridges and commercially available cartridges, the transmission processing will be performed when the new product detection count 822 exceeds the order count, and therefore no order will be placed for the contract cartridge. In contrast, with the above configuration, the new product detection count 822 is incremented only when a new contract cartridge is installed, so that an order can be placed if the user uses a commercially available cartridge without malicious intent, as described above.

[0170] Furthermore, the controller 80 performs a second determination process to determine whether or not the image processing device 1 is in contract mode. In addition, if the controller 80 determines in the installation count update process that a new contract cartridge has been installed in the image processing device 1 and that the image processing device 1 is in contract mode in the second determination process, it increments the new cartridge detection count 822. On the other hand, if the controller 80 determines in the second determination process that the image processing device 1 is not in contract mode, it does not increment the new cartridge detection count 822.

[0171] Consider the case where a contract cartridge from another image processing device 1, which is in contract mode, is mistakenly installed in an image processing device 1 in normal mode. In this case, if the new product detection count 822 is incremented, and the user notices the error and removes the contract cartridge, and then switches the image processing device 1 to contract mode, the new product detection count 822 will be incremented again due to the installation of the contract cartridge. As a result, the new product detection count 822 will exceed the order count 922, and no further orders will be placed. In contrast, with the above configuration, even if a new contract cartridge is installed in the image processing device 1 in normal mode, the new product detection count 822 is not incremented. Therefore, if the user notices the error and removes the contract cartridge, and then switches the image processing device 1 to contract mode, orders for contract cartridges can be placed as usual.

[0172] [Variation] The order management system 100 may have only one of the following: a configuration for suppressing duplicate orders, or a configuration for suppressing order omissions.

[0173] If only the former configuration is provided, the image processing device 1 may not have a first memory 82. In this example, the image processing device 1 does not store contract ink information 821, but stores the new ink detection count 822 in the second memory 83. The controller 80 then sends the used ink information 831 and the new ink detection count 822 to the management server 9 at the notification timing.

[0174] If only the latter configuration is provided, the image processing device 1 may not be configured to store the number of new product detections 822. In this example, the controller 80 sends the contract ink information 821 to the management server 9 at the notification timing. The server control unit 93 of the management server 9 orders a contract cartridge if the ink level information in the contract ink information 821 is "Low" or "Empty".

[0175] The image processing device 1 may, when notifying the management server 9, transmit used ink information 831 in addition to contract ink information 821 and new product detection count 822. In this example as well, the server control unit 93 uses the contract ink information 821 to determine whether or not to order the contract cartridges.

[0176] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the consumables are ink cartridges, but the consumables of the image processing device 1 are not limited to ink cartridges. In an example where the image processing device 1 is an inkjet printer, the consumables may include consumables other than the ink cartridge 4. Also, in an example where the image processing device 1 is a laser printer, the consumables may include a toner cartridge instead of the ink cartridge 4. Furthermore, when the consumables include consumables other than the ink cartridge 4 or the toner cartridge described above, the information indicating the lifespan of the consumables is not limited to information indicating the remaining amount. Such information may be, for example, the service life of the consumables, the number of pages of printing paper used for printing, or, if the consumables are rotating parts, the rotation speed of the consumables.

[0177] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the order management system 100 manages orders for contract cartridges, which are ink cartridges specifically for contracts. However, the consumables whose orders are managed by the order management system 100 are not limited to consumables specifically for contracts. Such consumables may be, for example, consumables that can be used in both the image processing device 1 in contract mode and the image processing device 1 in normal mode.

[0178] In this example, the controller 80 does not determine whether the installed consumables are contract-specific consumables, that is, it does not perform the process corresponding to step S3 in Figure 3.

[0179] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the contract ink information 821 is stored in the first memory 82 and the used ink information 831 is stored in the second memory 83, which is a different memory from the first memory 82. However, the memory that stores this information is not limited to this example. The image processing device 1 only needs to store the contract ink information 821 and the used ink information 831 separately. For example, the contract ink information 821 may be stored in the first memory area of ​​the image processing device 1, and the used ink information 831 may be stored in the second memory area of ​​the image processing device 1, which is different from the first memory area.

[0180] Furthermore, although the new product detection count 822 was stored in the first memory 82 in the above embodiment, it may also be stored in the second memory 83.

[0181] The server control unit 93 of the management server 9 may execute an order count initialization process to initialize the order count 922 of a certain image processing device 1 when the image processing device 1 switches from contract mode to normal mode. In this example, it is desirable that the controller 80 of the image processing device 1 executes an installation count initialization process to initialize the new product detection count 822.

[0182] If the number of new product detections 822 stored in the image processing device 1 is not initialized when the number of orders 922 stored in the management server 9 is initialized, then when the image processing device 1 enters contract mode again, the number of new product detections 822 will be greater than the number of orders 922, and therefore, orders for contract cartridges will not be placed. In contrast, with the above configuration, the number of new product detections 822 stored in the image processing device 1 is initialized along with the number of orders 922 stored in the management server 9, so that when the image processing device 1 enters contract mode again, orders for contract cartridges can be placed as usual.

[0183] The memory of the image processing device 1 may store a history of previously installed ink cartridges 4. This history may, for example, be information indicating the ink ID 421 of the ink cartridge 4 that was installed immediately before the currently installed ink cartridge 4, or it may be a chronological storage of the ink ID 421s of previously installed ink cartridges 4. In the latter example, the number of ink ID 421s included in the history is not particularly limited.

[0184] In the above embodiment, the controller 80 was configured to determine whether or not to notify the management server 9 by determining (1) whether or not the ink cover has been closed, (2) whether or not the image processing device 1 has changed from an offline state to an online state, and (3) whether or not a predetermined notification timing has been reached. In contrast, the controller 80 only needs to be configured to determine at least one of the above (1) to (3).

[0185] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the controller 80 was configured to notify the management server 9 when the ink cover was closed. However, the controller 80 only needs to make a notification at any time during the period from when a new contract cartridge is installed in the image processing device 1 until the image processing device 1 becomes capable of performing image processing. In other words, the timing of the notification is not limited to when the ink cover is closed, but could be, for example, when the contract cartridge is installed, or when printing becomes possible after the ink cover has been closed.

[0186] In the above embodiment, the server control unit 93 determined whether the notified ink level information was "Low" or "Empty," but the determination of ink level information is not limited to this example. For example, the server control unit 93 may be configured to determine whether the notified ink level information is "Empty." In this example, if the notified ink level information is "Full" or "Low," the contracted cartridges are not ordered.

[0187] The ink level information in the contract ink information 821 and the ink usage information 831 may further include percentage information that shows the remaining amount as a percentage of the maximum value. In this example, the controller 80 includes either "Full," "Low," or "Empty" along with percentage information as ink level information.

[0188] Furthermore, the management server 9 may predict the date on which the ink level information for the contract cartridges shipped to the user will fall below a predetermined value, and store this date in the server memory 92 in association with the ink ID 421. This date may be, for example, the date on which the percentage information becomes "0%". In this example, the server control unit 93 may order a contracted cartridge even if the ink level information is "Full" if the following conditions are met: (1) there are less than 10 days until the predicted date, and (2) the percentage indicated by the notified percentage information is less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value in "percentage is less than a predetermined value" may be, for example, 51%.

[0189] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the management server 9 and the order server 7 are separate servers, but the management server 9 and the order server 7 may be configured as a single server.

[0190] [Examples of implementation using software] The control blocks of the image processing device 1 and the management server 9 may be implemented by logic circuits (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or by software.

[0191] In the latter case, the image processing device 1 and the management server 9 are equipped with a computer that executes instructions for a program, which is software that realizes each function. This computer is equipped with, for example, one or more processors and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. The object of the present invention is achieved when the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes it in the computer. For example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used as the processor. As the recording medium, a "tangible medium that is not temporary," such as ROM (Read Only Memory), can be used, as well as tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, programmable logic circuit, etc. It may also be further equipped with RAM (Random Access Memory) for deploying the program. Furthermore, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program (such as a communication network or broadcast wave). In one aspect of the present invention, the program can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, which is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0192] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0193] 1 Image processing device 4. Ink cartridges (consumables) 9. Management Server (Server) 80 Controller (device-side controller, controller) 81. Communication section (device-side interface, interface) 82. First memory (device-side memory, memory, first area) 83 Second memory (second area) 84 Image Processing Unit 91 Server communication section (server-side interface, interface) 92 Server memory (server-side memory, memory) 93 Server Control Unit (Server-side controller, controller) 822 Number of times new items were detected (number of times they were installed) 922 Number of orders

Claims

1. A system including an image processing device and a server, The aforementioned image processing device is An image processing unit that performs image processing using consumables attached to the aforementioned image processing device, The image processing device includes a detection unit for detecting unused consumables attached to the image processing device, The aforementioned server, A memory unit that stores the number of times consumables have been ordered, Equipped with a controller, The aforementioned controller, When it is determined that the information of the consumables attached to the aforementioned image processing device meets the ordering conditions, an ordering process is performed to order the consumables. In response to an order placed through the aforementioned order processing, an order count update process is executed to update the order count, In the aforementioned ordering process, if the number of times unused consumables detected by the detection unit have been installed is less than or equal to the number of orders, the system determines that the ordering condition is met.

2. The image processing device can be equipped with both managed consumables controlled by the server and unmanaged consumables not controlled by the server. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the ordering condition is met in the ordering process if the number of times an unused consumable item detected by the detection unit has been installed is less than or equal to the number of orders.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus includes an attachment count updating unit that does not update the attachment count when the non-managed consumable is attached to the image processing apparatus, and updates the attachment count when a new managed consumable is attached to the image processing apparatus.

4. The controller, in the order processing, The system according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the ordering conditions are met if the number of installations is less than or equal to the number of orders, and the lifespan of the managed consumables is less than a predetermined value.

5. A storage unit that stores the number of times consumables for the image processing device have been ordered, Equipped with a controller, The aforementioned controller, When it is determined that the information of the consumables installed in the aforementioned image processing device meets the ordering conditions, an ordering process is performed to order the consumables, In response to an order placed through the aforementioned order processing, an order count update process is executed to update the order count, An information processing device that determines that the ordering condition is met if, in the ordering process, the number of times an unused consumable has been installed as detected by the detection unit of the image processing device is less than or equal to the number of orders.

6. A program executed on an information processing device equipped with a storage unit for storing the number of times consumables for an image processing device have been ordered, and a controller, The program instructs the controller to: When it is determined that the information of the consumables attached to the aforementioned image processing device meets the ordering conditions, an ordering process is performed to order the consumables. In response to the order placed by the aforementioned order processing, the order count update processing is executed to update the order count, A program that determines that the ordering condition is met if the number of times an unused consumable has been installed, as detected by the detection unit of the image processing device, is less than or equal to the number of orders placed.

7. An image processing step performed by an image processing device, which performs image processing using consumables attached to the image processing device, A detection step performed in the image processing apparatus for detecting unused consumables installed in the image processing apparatus, An ordering process is performed on the server, and when it is determined that the information on the consumables attached to the image processing device meets the ordering conditions, an ordering process is performed to place an order for the consumables. The process includes an order count update process which is executed on the server and updates the order count in response to an order placed in the ordering process, In the ordering process, if the number of times unused consumables detected in the detection process have been installed is less than or equal to the number of orders, it is determined that the ordering conditions are met.

Images