Consumable Management System Aligning Replacement with Collection Schedule

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Solution Overview

Problem

In situations where apparatuses are provided under loan contracts, the replacement of consumables based on usage often leads to premature collection, resulting in waste, as existing systems do not effectively manage consumables according to the apparatus's collection time period.

Innovation Solution

A consumable management system that includes a processor to acquire usage information, determine a replacement time period based on both usage and collection time periods, and provide instructions for replacement or replenishment only when the replacement time period meets predetermined conditions, thereby aligning consumable provision with the apparatus's collection schedule.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If consumables are replaced based on usage amount, then consumable replacement is timely, but the apparatus may be collected before the consumable is fully used, resulting in waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimely consumable replacementVSAvoidconsumable waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of the replacement time period by calculating usage amount and comparing it with the collection time period before actual replacement occurs. This allows the system to anticipate whether the apparatus will be collected before the consumable needs replacement, enabling proactive adjustment of replacement timing to avoid premature collection and waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the replacement decision based on the relationship between the calculated replacement time period and the collection time period. By making the replacement timing flexible and adaptive rather than fixed, the system can optimize the balance between timely replacement and avoiding premature collection, thereby reducing consumable waste while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Extent of automation

If consumables are replaced based on usage amount, then replacement is automated, but unnecessary replacements occur when apparatus is collected soon, increasing complexity of management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated consumable replacementVSAvoidconsumable management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback by continuously monitoring the relationship between usage amount and collection time period. The determination unit receives feedback information about the apparatus collection schedule and adjusts the replacement decision accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows automated replacement to be intelligent and adaptive, reducing unnecessary replacements while maintaining automation benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The determination unit performs multiple functions: it calculates replacement time period, compares it with collection time period, and makes replacement decisions based on both factors. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional determination unit, the system reduces management complexity while maintaining high automation extent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If consumables are replaced before collection time period, then usage is maximized, but the loan contract may be violated, resulting in loss of time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumable utilization rateVSAvoidtime loss due to premature collection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the replacement time period based on usage amount and compares it with the collection time period before making replacement decisions. This preliminary action allows the system to anticipate potential time loss due to premature collection and adjust replacement timing accordingly, maximizing consumable utilization while preventing contract violations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of replacement timing based on the relationship between usage amount and collection time period. By dynamically adjusting the replacement decision parameter according to the collection schedule, the system optimizes consumable utilization rate while avoiding time loss from premature collection and contract violations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20230306332A1Consumable management system, non-transitory computer readable medium storing program, and consumable management method

Publication Date: 2023.09.28 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A consumable management system includes a processor configured to acquire usage information of a consumable from an apparatus to be managed for which a collection time period is set, determine a replacement time period of the consumable based on the usage information, and provide an instruction of replacement or replenishment of the consumable in a case where the replacement time period satisfies a predetermined condition based on the collection time period and not to provide the instruction of the replacement or the replenishment of the consumable in a case where the replacement time period does not satisfy the condition.