JPH08187921A - Office equipment control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable a single department to keep abreast of use conditions of a multiple number of office equipment intensively and individually and execute inventory control. CONSTITUTION: In a multiple number of office equipment, copiers A connected to a computer B for example, in the case of consumables such as paper, paper sizes and numbers of sheets are grasped by a counter 12 every time copying is made, output from the counter 12 is stored in a storage 14. The computer B has an operation section 22 which stores a variety of files including standard stocks of consumables, compares the standard stocks with current counts and decides whether stocks have reached a reordering point or not. The result of operation is shown on a display 23 and also can be printed on an input/output section 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an office equipment management system, and more particularly to an office equipment management system for centrally managing the stock amount of consumables in a copying machine or the like at one place. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, office equipment such as copiers, facsimiles, printers, etc. has spread dramatically, and within a single company or organization, dedicated office equipment is provided for each floor or each department in charge. It has been introduced and installed. Due to the functional nature of these office equipment, it is inevitable that various sizes of paper, roll paper, toner, etc. will be consumed. Is managed for each department in charge, and this is managed and supplemented by a single section such as the general affairs department.

[0003]

However, in such a management and replenishment system, it is necessary to secure a large amount of consumables at one time in a warehouse or the like, a large dedicated space must be provided, and more than necessary. In addition to being likely to hold inventory, the company's expansion causes the inconvenience that the responsibility of the management department for consumables and the like also increases. In particular, consumables whose quality deteriorates over time, for example, consumables such as toner, are prone to deterioration due to an increase in the inventory period before use, that is, the standby period. , The original printing performance may not be exhibited.

By the way, recently, there has been proposed a system in which a plurality of copying machines are connected to a single management department existing outside through a communication line or the like, and the management department concerned monitors a failure or abnormality of the copying machines. . According to this, by incorporating a self-diagnosis function for a failure or the like in the copying machine, there is an advantage that the information on the occurrence of the failure can be immediately known to the management department and required maintenance can be performed.

However, in this system,
The target of management is limited to the failure, and it is not possible to smoothly manage the stock amount of consumables such as paper and toner accompanying the use of office equipment. In addition, the usage status of each office equipment at one place in the company, for example, cost management for each office equipment, comprehensive diagnosis or management including the difference in consumption amount that occurs between each office equipment. Not suitable for doing.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised by paying attention to the disadvantages of the conventional example, and its purpose is to collect the usage statuses of a plurality of office equipment in a single department in a concentrated and individual manner. It is possible to grasp the consumption amount of consumables one by one, to establish a system in which replenishment is possible with a minimum inventory, and to perform comprehensive diagnosis including cost management of each office equipment. It is to provide an office equipment management system capable of performing.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is to connect a single computer device to a plurality of office equipment, and use the respective computer equipment with this computer equipment. In the office equipment management system, the office equipment includes at least a counter capable of counting the consumption amount of consumables for each type, and a storage device capable of storing and updating output information of the counter. The computer device stores various files including a standard stock amount of consumables that is predetermined for each office device, and
An arithmetic unit having a function of comparing the information provided from the office equipment with the standard inventory amount, and a display unit capable of displaying the usage status of each office equipment based on the output of the arithmetic unit, Is adopted.

The office equipment in the office equipment management system is a copying machine equipped with an input device for outputting a predetermined value to a counter, and the input device has a function of reading an identification symbol for identifying a user of the copying machine. And a function of identifying the paper size to be used are preferably adopted.

Further, a construction is adopted in which a warning is displayed on the display means on condition that the consumption amount of the consumables has reached the standard inventory amount or less, and a value larger than the standard inventory amount is set as a threshold value. Is also set in the calculation unit, and when the consumption amount reaches the area above the standard stock amount and below the threshold value, an order advance notice display is also provided.

Further, the computing unit in the computer device maintains the cost analysis function for each office equipment and maintains each office equipment on the basis of a predicted end time of consumption of parts and the like.
It is provided with a management function and a system management function including generation / revision of a master.

[0011]

Each time the office equipment is used, the consumption amount of the consumable item is sequentially counted by the counter, and the counter output is input to the storage device and accumulated in the storage device. The count number stored in this storage device is given to the arithmetic unit of the computer device. The computing unit sets a predetermined standard stock amount, such as the number of consumables initially installed in the office equipment and the required number of consumables to be stored for the office equipment. , The count number is subtracted from the sum of these. The calculation result in the calculation section is
It is displayed on the display means connected to this.

In a configuration in which the office equipment is a copying machine, a person who uses each copying machine can read it by an input device by inserting a predetermined ID card, and the read information is output to the counter. Also, the paper size selected at the time of copying can be identified by the input device.
The number of sheets used for each sheet is captured by the counter, accumulated in the storage device based on the output of the counter, and the content is displayed on the computer side.

In the structure in which a warning is displayed when the amount of consumables falls below the standard stock amount, it is sufficient to place an order for the consumables at the time when the warning is displayed. With the configuration set as, when the inventory quantity is below the threshold value and equal to or more than the standard inventory quantity, the order notice display is displayed. Therefore, this is used as a standard for ordering consumables at a preliminary stage, and it is possible to further stabilize the securing of the necessary inventory amount.

In the office equipment having the cost analysis function in the arithmetic unit, the cost of each office equipment can be grasped and accumulated by performing a predetermined arithmetic operation based on the accumulated consumption amount. The number of counts makes it possible to predict the amount of consumption of various consumables such as toner. For example, for consumables such as toner, the end point of consumption can be predicted by the correlation between the size of paper used and the number of sheets, so a specific count number before reaching the end point of consumption is set in advance as a maintenance count number. In addition, the next toner can be ordered on condition that the maintenance count has been exceeded, whereby the copyable system can be continuously maintained. Furthermore, if a management function for the entire system including master generation / modification is provided, it becomes possible to rewrite the initial setting conditions in the computing unit individually based on various information given to each office equipment. It enables highly accurate device management according to the characteristics of office equipment.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment in which the office equipment management system according to the present invention is applied to a plurality of copying machines. In this figure, each copying machine A is connected to a single computer device B via a cable. The copying machine A includes an input device 10 and a drive device 11.
A counter 12 having these outputs as inputs; a storage device 14 having the outputs of the input device 10, the output device 11 and the counter 12 as inputs; and a storage device connected to the next stage of the storage device 14. The communication device 15 is configured to mutually access predetermined information to the computer device B.

The input device 10 is provided with an ID card slit provided in the copying machine A so as to be able to read an identification symbol when an ID card of each user is inserted, and a sheet selected for copying. The size and the number of copies can be set. This input device 10
A copy start switch (not shown) is included, and when the copy start switch is turned on, the read identification mark, the paper size, and the number of copies are taken into the counter, whereby cancellation after setting is made. In such a case, the number of copies is not counted. Further, the input device 10 can set various initial values such as the date, time, and the like in addition to the machine number ID symbol, the installation position, etc. in the storage device 15, while the stored contents are input from the storage device 15. It can be confirmed on a liquid crystal display unit or the like (not shown) in the device 10.

The drive unit 11 drives each drive system on condition that the copy start switch in the copying machine A is turned on. The number of times the drive unit 11 is driven, the time, etc. are taken into the counter 12. The trouble information such as a failure in the drive device 11 can be directly output to the storage device 14 while being stored in the storage device 14, and the location of the failure or the like is displayed on the input device 10 via the storage device 14. It is possible.

The counter 12 counts the read identification mark, the number of copies for each selected paper size, the number of times the drive device 11 has been driven, and the output of the counter 12 is stored in the storage device 14, respectively. . On this occasion,
The capacity of the data management area of the storage device 14 is preferably a capacity that can withstand a period of at least about one month when considered as a standard. In addition, when the data area management in the storage device 14 exceeds a certain amount, in addition to a method of forcibly overwriting and updating the data in the order of oldest date, a predetermined clear button of the input device 10 is used. A method of clearing by means of a computer or a method of clearing by a command from the computer B is adopted.

In each copying machine A, various information stored and held in the storage device 14 is given to the computer device B via the communication device 15. In this embodiment, the communication device 15 is composed of an interface, which constitutes a network of the entire system.
When the computer device B is installed at a separate geographical location, it can be connected to each copying machine A by using a telephone line. In this case, it is sufficient to adopt a modem as the communication device 15.

The computer device B comprises a communication device 20 including an interface and the like, and an input / output unit 21 connected to the communication device 20. The input / output unit 21 is connected to an arithmetic unit 22 that executes various arithmetic operations based on the information given from each copying machine A. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the arithmetic unit 22 is connected to the arithmetic unit 22. , A display 2 as a display means for displaying current information of each office equipment A
3 is connected.

The input / output unit 21 has a function of inputting information for executing various kinds of processing in the arithmetic unit 22, and also reads the stored contents of the storage device 14 in the copying machine B and calculates it. Is configured to have a function of outputting a signal to be stored in. The input / output unit 21 also includes a printer for printing the current status of each copying machine A on a document.

In the present embodiment, the arithmetic unit 22 stores various files for managing each copying machine A. In addition to the standard stock amount corresponding to each copying machine A, the calculating unit 22 stores a file that stores and updates the ordering point for each sheet, the replenishment amount, the date and time when the previous order is received, and the date and time when the order is received this time. It is configured to include various files for storing the maintenance count number and the like necessary for maintenance corresponding to each of the parts therein. Further, in the file of the calculation unit 22, the initial installation value such as the standard stock amount is provisionally set, but the individual characteristics based on the information given from the copying machine A, for example, the paper which is used relatively frequently. Depending on the size, time zone, etc., the initial setting values can be rewritten to create and recreate new master files. The current usage state of each copying machine A is displayed on the display 23 as a matrix or printed by the printer of the input / output unit 21 as shown in FIGS. Further, in the present embodiment, the management of the amount of consumption of the paper is performed by collectively performing the stock in the paper feeder of each copying machine A and the stock of the stock of the paper prepared around the stock, and the management of the entire organization is performed. It does not reach the stock management of the prepared paper.

Next, the operation of the system in this embodiment will be described.

It is assumed that information such as date and time is preset in each copying machine A. Here, when the system is started, the standard stock amount, the ordering point, the replenishment amount, etc. are provisionally set in the arithmetic unit 22 of the computer apparatus B for each paper size of each copying machine A.

At this point, the system is started up, and the current status of each copying machine A can be confirmed by the matrix shown in FIGS. 2 to 3 by printing by the display 23 or the input / output unit 21. At this time, the identification of each copying machine A is specified in the device ID column.

Now, the state of the specific copying machine A read from the storage device 14 by the read signal from the input / output unit 21 in the computer device B is the standard stock amount "400" and the consumption amount "4" of the paper size A4. 200 ", order point" 100 ",
It is assumed that the amount of replenishment is “200”, which is displayed on the display 23 (see FIG. 2). After that, when 100 sheets of A4 size paper in the copying machine A are consumed, the consumption amount calculated as a result of the calculation unit 22 is "300".
Then, the number "300" synchronized with this is displayed as the supplement amount. At this time, the number of sheets as a result of subtracting the consumption amount “300” from the standard inventory amount “400” is “10”.
It becomes "0", which is exactly the ordering point "100". At this time, a predetermined display that should be ordered is displayed in the warning column,
The administrator orders an A4 size sheet corresponding to the number of sheets displayed in the replenishment amount. Then, when it arrives, a corresponding number of sheets are installed around the copying machine A. At this time, the administrator manually inputs the estimated arrival date and the approximate time in the "current order arrival date and time" field. And
It is considered that the replenishment amount will be received by entering OK in the "Order confirmation" field, and the data of "the ordered date and time of arrival of this time" is copied or overwritten in "the date and time of arrival of the previously ordered order" or The "arrival date and time" column is cleared. Then, each time the system is operated, this "last ordered order arrival date and time" is compared with the date and time incorporated in the computer device, and if "last ordered order arrival date and time" = <"computer incorporated date and time", then "replenishment""Amount"-"consumption" is calculated, and "consumption" is updated with that value. As a condition for displaying the warning, a threshold value which is a preliminary ordering point is set in advance before the ordering point,
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an order advance notice display consisting of different marks and the like is displayed when the threshold value is exceeded.

The above operation is performed for each copying machine A and each paper size.

Other consumables in the copying machine A, such as toner and drum parts replacement or maintenance, are shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the display 23 or printed by the input / output unit 21 in the mode shown in FIG. As is generally known,
For example, the toner is “3000” on the standard copy amount of A4 size paper and “5” on the standard copy amount of B5 size.
The end point of consumption per toner can be determined to some extent, such as "000" sheets. Therefore, when simply copying "3000" sheets of A4 size paper, the count number before the total count number of A4 size sheets reaches "3000" is set to the "standard maintenance count number". As a result, a warning is displayed on condition that the set value is exceeded. In consideration of the actual copying mode, it is almost never possible to use only the same paper size. Therefore, a standard is set in which the number of counts per A4 size paper is set to "1", and other papers are used. However, the problem of accuracy can be avoided by setting a value obtained by multiplying an appropriate constant for A4 conversion as the count number. Even in the maintenance and management of consumable parts, by setting a value lower than the "standard maintenance count" as the threshold value, the display in the "Notice" column will be displayed if the threshold value is exceeded. Done. Also, the last maintenance date shows the date when the actual maintenance was performed last time, and the count number shows the cumulative value of the count at the time of the actual maintenance, while the next maintenance scheduled date shows the next maintenance date. Set and enter the planned maintenance cost, instruct the manufacturer, etc., and replace the data with the previous maintenance date when the maintenance is confirmed. Further, as the next planned maintenance count number, the planned count number may be input in advance, and after confirming the implementation of the maintenance, correct data may be confirmed and replaced with the previous maintenance count field.

Therefore, according to such an embodiment, the amount of paper consumed for each copying machine A is stored in the device A, and the stored contents can be captured by the computer device B. Since the configuration is adopted, there is an effect that a single management department can always manage the paper stock quantity, and can secure the stock quantity of the paper stock only for the necessary quantity, thereby significantly reducing the stock cost. Moreover, in this management, the characteristics of each copying machine A, for example, the number of times of use for each user, only a specific paper size is significantly consumed, or the time used is concentrated in the evening. The characteristics such as the above can be grasped and can be used as a reference for setting the arrival date and time, and the inconvenience such as delay of arrival of the paper can be avoided in advance.

Further, the actual results of use of all the devices can be grasped numerically as expenses, and for example, they can be the subject of management in a subject such as "copy expenses".

Further, since all the devices can be centrally managed by the network, it is possible to establish the administrator role of the company or the organization as a whole with a very small number of people. According to this, it is possible to control the usage balance between departments and devices in a company, to consider sharing with other alternative devices, and the like, which also contributes to maintaining a long device life as a whole.

When toner, especially cartridge type toner, is used as a maintenance target component, it is possible to set a short inventory period for the component which is relatively expensive in terms of cost and easily deteriorates with time. Not only can inventory costs be reduced, but good copying or printing accuracy can be ensured.

The system of the present invention is used in the copying machine A.
In addition, the invention can be similarly applied to a printer, a facsimile, and other printing machines. For example, if the management target is a roll paper type facsimile, the feed roll is equipped with an encoder or the like capable of counting the amount of roll delivery, while the computer device B is set to a count number corresponding to the total roll length. By setting it, it becomes possible to specify the remaining length of the roll paper by these subtraction processes. Further, in the case of a single-cut plain paper type facsimile which has been popular recently, the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment can be applied.

Further, even when the copying machine A is a color copying machine, the number of subjects to be managed by the copying machine and the computer apparatus B can be coped with without any difficulty by designing the toner. Inventory management is also possible.

Further, in the embodiments, the copying machine A has been described as a management object in a unified manner, but in the present invention, it is of course possible to manage each copying machine in a mixed state of the copying machine and other office equipment. It is possible.

Further, the configurations of the copying machine A and the computer device B in the present invention are not limited to the block configuration example of FIG. 1, and various configurations are possible as long as equivalent input / output functions, arithmetic functions, etc. can be achieved. Design change is possible. For example, in the warning or order advance notice stage, instead of the display, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a voice or the like is used to notify the outside, whereby it is possible to surely avoid a trouble such as omission of the order by the person in charge of management.

[0038]

Since the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, it allows a single department to grasp the usage status of a plurality of office equipment in a concentrated and individual manner. It is possible to monitor the consumption amount of consumables one by one, establish a system that can be replenished with a minimum inventory, and perform comprehensive diagnosis including cost management of each office equipment, Thus, it is possible to provide an office equipment management system having an unprecedented excellent effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a management system of a copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of contents displayed on a display in a computer device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of contents displayed on a display of a computer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A copy machine as office equipment B computer device 21 input / output section 23 constituting display means 23 display constituting display means

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An office equipment management system in which a single computer is connected to a plurality of office equipment, and the usage status of each office equipment can be managed by the computer, Equipment comprises at least a counter capable of counting the consumption amount of consumables for each type and a storage device capable of storing and updating the output information of the counter, and the computer device corresponds to each office equipment. Stores various files including a predetermined standard stock amount of consumables, and
An arithmetic unit having a function of comparing the information provided from the office equipment with the standard inventory quantity, and a display unit capable of displaying the usage status of each office equipment based on the output of the arithmetic unit An office equipment management system characterized by being configured. 2. The office equipment comprises a copying machine provided with an input device for outputting a predetermined value to a counter, and the input device is used with a function of reading an identification symbol for identifying a user of the copying machine. The office equipment management system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of identifying a paper size. 3. The office equipment management system according to claim 1, wherein a warning is displayed on the display means on condition that the consumption amount of the consumable item has reached a standard inventory amount or less. . 4. An order is set when a value larger than the standard stock amount is set in the arithmetic unit as a threshold value, and when the consumption amount reaches a region which is equal to or more than the standard inventory amount and equal to or less than the threshold value. The office equipment management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a notice is displayed. 5. The calculation unit has a cost analysis function for each office device, a function for maintaining and managing each office device based on a predicted end time of consumption of parts and the like, and a master generation. 3. The office equipment management system according to claim 1, further comprising a system management function including alteration and abolition.