Information Processing Terminal for Automated Consumable Ordering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatuses lack an efficient mechanism to automatically order consumables, leading to operational rate reductions when supplies run low, as they often do not have the ordering function implemented post-production.
Innovation Solution
A program for an information processing terminal that displays available image processing apparatuses, receives consumable status information, and automatically transmits a ship request to a server when the consumable status meets a replacement condition, enabling timely ordering of consumables for apparatuses without a built-in ordering function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an ordering function is implemented in an image processing apparatus, then consumable ordering can be automated, but the device complexity increases and existing apparatuses cannot be updated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary information processing terminal (separate from the image processing apparatus) that performs the ordering function. The terminal communicates with the apparatus to obtain consumable status and automatically places orders with suppliers, thereby achieving automated ordering without modifying the apparatus itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the image processing apparatus (which only provides consumable status), the information processing terminal (which handles communication and ordering logic), and the supplier server (which fulfills orders). This segmentation allows the ordering function to be implemented independently of the apparatus.
2Reliability
If consumable status monitoring is continuously performed, then operational disruptions can be prevented, but energy consumption and system resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The information processing terminal performs periodic status checks at predetermined intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The terminal automatically acquires consumable status information at scheduled times, compares it against threshold values, and triggers ordering only when necessary, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining operational reliability.
3Productivity
If manual consumable ordering is required, then system complexity remains low, but operational efficiency decreases and user time is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated ordering where the information processing terminal autonomously monitors consumable status, determines when ordering is needed based on predetermined conditions, and automatically places orders with the supplier server without requiring user intervention. This eliminates manual ordering tasks while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program which, when executed by a computer, causes an information processing terminal to perform displaying a first screen including a plurality of apparatus objects corresponding to each of a plurality of image processing apparatuses, receiving a user operation of designating one of the apparatus objects, receiving, from the designated apparatus, consumable information indicating a status of a consumable to be used for an operation of the image processing apparatus, determining whether a status indicated by the consumable information satisfies a replacement condition of the consumable, and when it is determined that the replacement condition is satisfied, transmitting, to a server, first ship request information for requesting the server to ship the consumable, for which it is determined in the determining of the status that the replacement condition is satisfied.