JP6380327B2 - Inventory management apparatus and inventory management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inventory management apparatus and an inventory management method.

  The information processing apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 monitors a plurality of printing apparatuses that can communicate via a communication line. The printing apparatus uses a consumable material as a recording material for the recording medium. The information processing apparatus determines whether or not a consumable material is newly replenished to the printing apparatus, and performs inventory management associated with the replenishment of the consumable material in a unified manner for a plurality of printing apparatuses.

JP 20045543 A

  However, since the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 manages only the number of consumables in stock, the period during which consumables are stored is not managed. For example, when the consumable material is a container for storing toner, if the storage period of the container becomes long, all or a part of the toner collected in the container may be solidified, and the quality of the toner may be deteriorated. There is sex. Further, when all or part of the toner is solidified, there is a possibility that a load is applied to the screw that stirs the toner.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inventory management device and an inventory management method for preventing the storage period of containers stored as inventory from being prolonged.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the inventory management device manages the inventory of containers that store image forming agents. The inventory management apparatus includes a storage unit, a first selection unit, and a creation unit. The storage unit stores information on the containers stored as stock. A 1st selection part selects the container manufactured initially among the containers currently stored as the said inventory based on the said information. The creation unit creates first display information to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus. The creation unit creates the first display information at a replacement time of a container mounted on the image forming apparatus. The first display information includes identification information of the first manufactured container.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the inventory management method manages the inventory of containers that store image forming agents. The inventory management method includes a procedure for storing information on the containers stored as inventory, a procedure for selecting a container manufactured first among the containers stored as inventory, and an image forming apparatus. And a procedure for creating first display information to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus at the time of replacement of the container. The first display information includes identification information of the first manufactured container.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the prolongation of the period when the container stored as inventory is stored is prevented.

1 is a configuration diagram of an inventory management apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The container identification information which the memory | storage part of the inventory control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention memorize | stores, and the manufacture date of a container are shown. (A) The 1st display information and 3rd display information which the preparation part of the inventory control apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention produces are shown. (B) The 1st display information and the 3rd display information which the creation part of the inventory management apparatus concerning the embodiment of the present invention creates are shown. The 2nd display information which the preparation part of the inventory control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention produces is shown. The 4th display information which the creation part of the inventory control device concerning the embodiment of the present invention creates is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the inventory management method which the inventory management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is not repeated.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the inventory management apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. First, prior to the description of the inventory management apparatus 1, the network 5 that communicates with the inventory management apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 that communicates via the network 5 will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the inventory management apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2. The inventory management apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 communicate with each other via the network 5. The network 5 is, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or a public telephone network. In the network 5, encrypted communication by SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) may be performed.

  The image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on a sheet. For example, the image forming apparatus 2 is a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a multifunction machine. The multi-function peripheral includes, for example, at least two devices among a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 2 will be described as an example.

  The image forming apparatus 2 includes a control unit 40, an image forming unit 50, a display unit 60, a storage unit 70, and a communication unit 90. A container 80 is attached to the image forming apparatus 2.

  The control unit 40 controls the image forming unit 50, the display unit 60, the storage unit 70, the container 80, and the communication unit 90. The control unit 40 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Specifically, the control unit 40 executes a computer program stored in the storage unit 70.

  The storage unit 70 includes a main storage device (for example, a semiconductor memory) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary storage device (for example, a hard disk drive). The main storage device stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 40.

  The container 80 contains an image forming agent. The image forming agent is, for example, toner. The container 80 is, for example, a toner container that stores toner. The container 80 has a storage unit 801. The storage unit 801 stores the identification information of the container 80 and the manufacturing date of the container 80.

  The image forming unit 50 forms an image on a sheet made of paper or synthetic resin using the image forming agent accommodated in the container 80. Specifically, the image forming unit 50 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, a charge eliminating unit, and a fixing unit.

  The display unit 60 displays various images. The image is, for example, a drawing, a line, a photograph, a character, a symbol, a number, and / or a picture. The display unit 60 is a display element such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence (organic EL) display.

  The communication unit 90 connects the control unit 40 to the network 5. As a result, the control unit 40 can communicate with the inventory management apparatus 1 via the communication unit 90 and the network 5. The communication unit 90 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Controller).

  Next, the inventory management apparatus 1 will be described. The inventory management device 1 manages the inventory of the containers 80. The inventory management device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 20, and a communication unit 30.

  The communication unit 30 connects the control unit 10 to the network 5. As a result, the control unit 10 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 2 via the communication unit 30 and the network 5. The communication unit 30 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Controller).

  The storage unit 20 includes a main storage device (for example, a semiconductor memory) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary storage device (for example, a hard disk drive). The main storage device stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 10.

  FIG. 2 shows the identification information 210 and the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 stored in the storage unit 20. The storage unit 20 stores information about the containers 80 stored as stock. Specifically, the storage unit 20 stores the identification information 210 and the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 in association with each other. For example, the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 whose identification information 210 is “201500100001” is January 15, 2015. For example, the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 whose identification information 210 is “201500100002” is February 11, 2015.

  For example, when the user receives the ordered container 80 as necessary, the user inputs the identification information 210 and the manufacturing date 220 of the received container 80 into the inventory management apparatus 1. Then, the storage unit 20 stores the identification information 210 and the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 input by the user in association with each other. For example, the inventory management device 1 receives the identification information 210 and the manufacturing date 220 of the shipped container 80 from the shipping source that ships the ordered container 80. The storage unit 20 stores the identification information 210 and the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 received by the inventory management device 1 in association with each other. Further, for example, when the user receives the ordered container 80, the user inputs the identification information 210 of the received container 80 into the inventory management apparatus 1. The storage unit 20 acquires the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 corresponding to the identification information 210 input by the user from the shipping source of the container 80 ordered by the user via the communication unit 30. The storage unit 20 stores the input identification information 210 and the acquired manufacturing date 220 in association with each other.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the inventory management apparatus 1 will be continued. The control unit 10 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Specifically, the control unit 10 executes a computer program stored in the storage unit 20. The control unit 10 controls the storage unit 20 and the communication unit 30. The control unit 10 includes a first selection unit 101, a second selection unit 102, and a creation unit 103. The control unit 10 functions as the first selection unit 101, the second selection unit 102, and the creation unit 103 by executing the computer program stored in the storage unit 20. The first selection unit 101 selects the first manufactured container 80 among the containers 80 stored as stock. The second selection unit 102 receives a selection as to whether or not to change the container 80 in a predetermined case. The creation unit 103 creates predetermined information at the time of replacement of the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2. Hereinafter, the first selection unit 101, the second selection unit 102, and the creation unit 103 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The first selection unit 101 selects the first manufactured container 80 among the containers 80 stored as stock. Specifically, the first selection unit 101 selects the first manufactured container 80 based on the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 stored in the storage unit 20. In this embodiment, the container 80 manufactured on January 15, 2015 was manufactured first among the containers 80 stored as stock. Accordingly, the first selection unit 101 selects the container 80 whose identification information 210 is “201500100001”.

  Here, the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101 among the containers 80 stored as stock is a container 80 to be attached to the image forming apparatus 2 instead of the container 80 whose replacement time has come. That is, the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101 is a container 80 as a candidate to be attached to the image forming apparatus 2 among the containers 80 stored as inventory.

  FIG. 3A shows the first display information 61a, and FIG. 3B shows the first display information 61b. The creation unit 103 determines whether the number of days elapsed from the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101 is equal to or greater than a threshold value at the time of replacement of the container 80 mounted on the image forming apparatus 2. First display information 61a or first display information 61b is created. The replacement time of the container 80 is a time when the remaining amount of the image forming agent accommodated in the container 80 is less than a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount can be arbitrarily set by the user. The threshold can be arbitrarily set by the user.

  When the elapsed days from the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101 is less than the threshold, the creation unit 103 creates the first display information 61a. The first display information 61a includes identification information 210 of the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101, that is, the container 80 manufactured first among the containers 80 stored as inventory. In the present embodiment, the identification information 210 of the first manufactured container 80 out of the containers 80 stored as stock is “201500100001”. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first display information 61 a includes “201500100001” as the identification information 210 of the container 80 that is manufactured first.

  On the other hand, when the number of days elapsed from the production date 220 of the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the creation unit 103 creates the first display information 61b. The first display information 61b includes identification information 210 of the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101, that is, the container 80 manufactured first among the containers 80 stored as inventory. The creation unit 103 adds, to the first display information 61b, information indicating that a certain time has elapsed since the container 80 manufactured first was manufactured.

  For example, when the threshold value is 60 days and the number of days elapsed from the production date 220 of the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101 is 50 days, the creation unit 103 creates the first display information 61a, and the image First display information 61 a is displayed on the display unit 60 of the forming apparatus 2. For example, when the threshold is 60 days and the number of days elapsed from the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101 is 70 days, the creation unit 103 creates the first display information 61b. Then, the first display information 61b is displayed on the display unit 60 of the image forming apparatus 2.

  For example, the user refers to the first display information 61a or the first display information 61b displayed on the display unit 60, and selects a desired container 80 from the containers 80 managed as inventory. Then, the user mounts the container 80 selected by the user on the image forming apparatus 2 instead of the container 80 mounted on the image forming apparatus 2.

  FIG. 4 shows the second display information 62. In the creation unit 103, the identification information stored in the storage unit 801 of the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 in place of the container 80 whose replacement time has arrived matches the identification information 210 of the container 80 manufactured first. It is determined whether or not to do. When it is determined that the creation unit 103 does not match, that is, when the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 in place of the container 80 whose replacement time has arrived does not match the initially manufactured container 80, the creation unit 103 103 creates the second display information 62. The second display information 62 includes information indicating that the container 80 manufactured before the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 exists.

  The second selection unit 102 changes the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 when the identification information of the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 and the identification information 210 of the initially manufactured container 80 do not match. The selection of whether or not to do is accepted. Specifically, the creation unit 103 adds information for accepting selection of whether or not the second selection unit 102 changes the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 to the second display information 62. Then, the creation unit 103 displays the second display information 62 on the display unit 60 of the image forming apparatus 2.

  For example, the user of the image forming apparatus 2 inputs a selection as to whether or not to change the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 via an input unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 2. The second selection unit 102 receives a selection input from the user as to whether or not to change the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2. Note that the user of the image forming apparatus 2 may input a selection as to whether or not to change the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 via an input unit (not shown) of the inventory management apparatus 1. .

  FIG. 3A shows the third display information 63a, and FIG. 3B shows the third display information 63b. When the second selection unit 102 receives a selection to change the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 in place of the container 80 whose replacement time has come, the creation unit 103 receives the third display information 63a or the third display. Information 63b is created. The creation unit 103 creates either the third display information 63a or the third display information 63b in the same manner as the first display information 61a and the first display information 61b. The 3rd display information 63a and the 3rd display information 63b contain the discernment information 210 of the container 80 manufactured initially.

  In the present embodiment, the first display information 61a and the third display information 63a are the same, and the first display information 61b and the third display information 63b are the same. However, the first display information 61a and the third display information 63a may be different, and the first display information 61b and the third display information 63b may be different. Then, the creation unit 103 causes the display unit 60 to display the created third display information 63a or third display information 63b.

  FIG. 5 shows the fourth display information 64. The creation unit 103 creates fourth display information 64 to be displayed on the display unit 60. The fourth display information 64 includes information indicating the number of times the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 is shaken. Shaking the container 80 is, for example, an operation of swinging the container 80 by a predetermined width or more along the up-down direction, the left-right direction, or the front-rear direction. The predetermined width can be arbitrarily set by the user. The number of times the container 80 is shaken is the number of times that the container 80 is swung back and forth along the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, or the front-rear direction, for example. The number of times the container 80 is shaken may be the number of times that the container 80 is swung more than a predetermined width along one direction.

  The number of times the container 80 is shaken corresponds to the number of days elapsed from the date of manufacture of the container 80 mounted on the image forming apparatus 2. The creation unit 103 acquires the manufacturing date stored in the storage unit 801 of the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 via the communication unit 30 and the network 5. The creation unit 103 creates the fourth display information 64 including the number of times the container 80 corresponding to the acquired manufacturing date is shaken. Then, the creation unit 103 causes the display unit 60 to display the created fourth display information 64.

  For example, when the number of days elapsed from the date of manufacture of the container 80 is from 0 days to 100 days, the number of times the container 80 is shaken is five, and when the number of days elapsed from the date of manufacture of the container 80 is 101 days or more, the container 80 It is assumed that the number of times of shaking is 10 times. At this time, if the elapsed days from the date of manufacture of the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 is 120 days, the creation unit 103 includes fourth information including information indicating that the number of times the container 80 is shaken is 10 times. Display information 64 is created.

  Thereafter, the user removes the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 and shakes the removed container 80 with reference to information indicating the number of times the container 80 displayed on the display unit 60 is shaken. Thereafter, the user attaches the shaken container 80 to the image forming apparatus 2 again.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, according to the present embodiment, the display unit 60 displays the identification information 210 of the initially manufactured container 80. Therefore, the user can preferentially select the first manufactured container 80 among the containers 80 stored as stock. As a result, the storage period of the containers 80 stored as stock is shortened, and it is possible to prevent the storage period of the containers 80 stored as inventory from being prolonged. As a result, the deterioration of the quality of the image forming agent accommodated in the container 80 can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the first display information 61b includes information indicating that a certain time has elapsed since the container 80 was manufactured. Therefore, before mounting the container 80 on the image forming apparatus 2, the user takes measures against the deterioration of the quality of the image forming agent accommodated in the container 80 due to the long storage period of the container 80. Can do. The countermeasure is, for example, to shake the container 80 before mounting it on the image forming apparatus 2. As a result, deterioration of the quality of the image forming agent accommodated in the container 80 can be suppressed. For example, it is possible to reduce a load on the image forming apparatus 2 due to a part or all of the image forming agent coagulating due to a prolonged storage period.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the first display information 61a or the first display information 61b includes the identification information 210 of the container 80 that is manufactured first among the containers 80 stored as stock. Therefore, it can suppress that a user selects the container 80 located in hand among the containers 80 currently stored as inventory, or the container 80 which is easy to take. As a result, it is possible to prevent the storage period of the containers 80 stored as inventory from being prolonged.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 in place of the container 80 whose replacement time has arrived does not match the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101, the second selection unit 102 accepts the selection of whether or not to change the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2. Therefore, if the user mistakenly mounts a new container 80 on the image forming apparatus 2, the user can remount the initially manufactured container 80.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 in place of the container 80 whose replacement time has arrived does not match the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101, the second selection unit 102 accepts the selection of whether or not to change the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2. Therefore, the user can use the image forming apparatus 2 even when the new container 80 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 2.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the fourth display information 64 includes information indicating the number of times the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 is shaken. The number of times the container 80 is shaken corresponds to the number of days that have elapsed since the date of manufacture of the container 80. Therefore, it is easy for the user to grasp the number of times the container 80 is shaken. As a result, an insufficient number of times the container 80 is shaken before the image forming unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 2 uses the image forming agent accommodated in the container 80 can be prevented.

  Next, an inventory management method will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an inventory management method. When the container 80 mounted on the image forming apparatus 2 is replaced, the inventory management apparatus 1 executes steps S10 to S100, thereby preventing the storage period of the containers 80 stored as inventory from being prolonged. it can.

  In step S <b> 10, the first selection unit 101 of the inventory management device 1 selects the first manufactured container 80 among the containers 80 stored as inventory. In step S20, the creation unit 103 determines whether or not the number of days elapsed from the manufacturing date 220 of the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101 is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

  In step S20, when the creation unit 103 makes a negative determination (NO), that is, when the number of days elapsed from the manufacturing date 220 of the selected container 80 is less than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, the creation unit 103 creates the first display information 61a and causes the display unit 60 to display the first display information 61a. The first display information 61a includes the identification information 210 of the container 80 manufactured first.

  On the other hand, in step S20, when the creation unit 103 makes an affirmative determination (YES), that is, when the number of days elapsed from the production date 220 of the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the process is performed. The process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, the creation unit 103 creates first display information 61b and causes the display unit 60 to display the first display information 61b. The first display information 61b includes identification information 210 of the first manufactured container 80 and information indicating that a certain time has elapsed since the first manufactured container 80 was manufactured.

  In step S50, for example, the user of the image forming apparatus 2 refers to the first display information 61a or the first display information 61b and selects a desired container 80 from the containers 80 stored as stock. Then, the user of the image forming apparatus 2 attaches the container 80 selected by the user to the image forming apparatus 2 instead of the container 80 whose replacement time has come.

  In step S <b> 60, the creation unit 103 replaces the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 with the container 80 whose replacement time has arrived, and matches the container 80 manufactured first among the containers 80 stored as inventory. It is determined whether or not to do. Specifically, the creation unit 103 matches the identification information stored in the storage unit 801 of the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 with the identification information 210 of the container 80 selected by the first selection unit 101. It is determined whether or not to do.

  In step S60, when the creation unit 103 makes a positive determination (YES), the process proceeds to step S90. That is, when the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 in place of the container 80 whose replacement time has arrived matches the container 80 manufactured first among the containers 80 stored as stock, the process proceeds to step S90. Proceed to

  On the other hand, if the creation unit 103 makes a negative determination (NO) in step S60, the process proceeds to step S70. That is, when the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 in place of the container 80 whose replacement time has arrived does not match the container 80 manufactured first among the containers 80 stored as inventory, the process proceeds to step S70. Proceed to In step S <b> 70, the creation unit 103 creates the second display information 62. The second display information 62 includes information indicating that there is a container 80 manufactured before the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2. The creation unit 103 further adds to the second display information 62 information for the second selection unit 102 to accept whether or not to change the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2. Then, the creation unit 103 displays the created second display information 62 on the display unit 60 of the image forming apparatus 2.

  In step S <b> 80, the second selection unit 102 receives a selection as to whether or not to change the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 in place of the container 80 whose replacement time has arrived. For example, the second selection unit 102 accepts a selection for an inquiry displayed in the second display information 62 input from the user of the image forming apparatus 2.

  In step S80, when the second selection unit 102 makes an affirmative determination (YES), that is, the second selection unit 102 replaces the container 80 that has arrived at the replacement time with the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2. If the selection to be changed is accepted, the process proceeds to step S20 again. Then, the creation unit 103 creates the third display information 63a or the third display information 63b. The creation unit 103 determines in the same manner as the first display information 61a and the first display information 61b, and creates either the third display information 63a or the third display information 63b.

  On the other hand, when the second selection unit 102 makes a negative determination (NO) in step S80, that is, the second selection unit 102 replaces the container 80 whose replacement time has arrived, and the container attached to the image forming apparatus 2. If a selection not to change 80 is accepted, the process proceeds to step S90.

  In step S <b> 90, the creation unit 103 creates fourth display information 64 to be displayed on the display unit 60 of the image forming apparatus 2. The fourth display information 64 includes information indicating the number of times the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 is shaken. The number of times the container 80 is shaken corresponds to the number of days that have elapsed since the date of manufacture of the container 80. Specifically, the creation unit 103 creates the fourth display information 64 so as to include the number of times the container 80 is shaken corresponding to the number of days elapsed from the manufacturing date stored in the storage unit 801 of the container 80.

  In step S100, the user removes the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2, and shakes the container 80 with reference to the number of times of shaking the container 80 shown in step S90. Thereafter, the user attaches the shaken container 80 to the image forming apparatus 2.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, according to the present embodiment, when the replacement time of the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 comes, the container 80 stored as a stock is stored. Among them, the identification information 210 of the container 80 manufactured first is displayed on the display unit 60. Therefore, the user can select the oldest container 80 out of the containers 80 stored in stock and mount it on the image forming apparatus 2. As a result, it is possible to prevent the storage period of the container 80 having the longest storage period from being stored as inventory from being prolonged.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 6). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof (for example, (1) to (5) shown below).

  (1) As described with reference to FIG. 1, the container 80 included in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 2 contains toner as an image forming agent. However, when the image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on a sheet by the ink jet recording method, the container 80 provided in the image forming apparatus 2 may contain ink as an image forming agent. Further, the container 80 for storing ink is, for example, an ink tank.

  (2) As described with reference to FIG. 1, the inventory management apparatus 1 includes the control unit 10, the storage unit 20, and the communication unit 30, and the image forming apparatus 2 includes the control unit 40, the image forming unit 50, A display unit 60, a storage unit 70, and a communication unit 90 are provided. However, the inventory management apparatus 1 may include all or part of the control unit 40, the image forming unit 50, the display unit 60, the storage unit 70, the container 80, and the communication unit 90. The image forming apparatus 2 may include all or part of the control unit 10, the storage unit 20, and the communication unit 30.

  (3) As described with reference to FIG. 1, the inventory management apparatus 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus 2 via the network 5. However, the inventory management apparatus 1 may be mounted on the image forming apparatus 2. In this case, the inventory management apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 can be connected by an internal bus. The control unit 10 of the inventory management apparatus 1 can also serve as the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 2. Furthermore, the storage unit 20 of the inventory management apparatus 1 can also serve as the storage unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 2.

  (4) As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the container 80 is replaced by the user of the image forming apparatus 2, but the container 80 may be replaced by a service person.

  (5) As described with reference to FIG. 5, the number of times the container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus 2 is shaken corresponds to the number of days elapsed from the manufacturing date of the container 80 stored in the storage unit 801 of the container 80. did. However, if the container 80 has been attached to the image forming apparatus 2 or another image forming apparatus before the container 80 is attached to the image forming apparatus 2, the number of times the container 80 is shaken is the number of times the container 80 is attached to the image forming apparatus 2. This may correspond to the number of days that have elapsed since the image was mounted on the image forming apparatus 2 or another image forming apparatus before the image forming apparatus 2 is installed.

  The present invention relates to an inventory management apparatus and an inventory management method, and has industrial applicability.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inventory management apparatus 2 Image forming apparatus 10 Control part 101 1st selection part 102 2nd selection part 103 Creation part 20 Storage part 210 Identification information 220 Manufacturing date 30 Communication part 60 Display part 61a 1st display information 61b 1st display information 62 Second display information 63a Third display information 63b Third display information 64 Fourth display information 80 Container

Claims (5)

An inventory management device that manages inventory of containers that store image forming agents,
A storage unit for storing information on the containers stored as stock;
Based on the information, a first selection unit that selects a container manufactured first among containers stored as the stock; and
A creation unit for creating first display information to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus,
The creating unit creates the first display information at a replacement time of a container mounted on the image forming apparatus,
When the identification information of the container mounted on the image forming apparatus instead of the container that has reached the replacement time does not match the identification information of the first manufactured container, the creation unit displays the information on the display unit. Create second display information to be displayed,
The first display information, see contains the identification information of the First manufacturing vessel,
The said 2nd display information is an inventory management apparatus containing the information which shows that the container manufactured before the said container with which the said image forming apparatus was mounted | worn exists .   When the number of days elapsed from the date of manufacture of the first manufactured container is equal to or greater than a threshold, the creation unit is information indicating that a certain time has elapsed since the first manufactured container was manufactured. The inventory management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: is added to the first display information. Selection of whether or not to change the container mounted on the image forming apparatus when the identification information of the container mounted on the image forming apparatus does not match the identification information of the first manufactured container A second selection unit for receiving
When the second selection unit receives a selection to change the container mounted on the image forming apparatus, the creation unit creates third display information to be displayed on the display unit,
The inventory management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the third display information includes the identification information of the first manufactured container. The creation unit creates fourth display information to be displayed on the display unit,
The fourth display information includes information indicating the number of times the container mounted on the image forming apparatus is shaken,
4. The inventory management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the number of times the container is shaken corresponds to a number of days elapsed from a manufacturing date of the container mounted on the image forming apparatus. An inventory management method for managing inventory of containers for storing image forming agents,
A procedure for storing information about the containers stored in stock;
Based on the information, the procedure of selecting the first manufactured container among the containers stored as the inventory,
Creating first display information to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus ;
Creating second display information to be displayed on the display unit;
Including
The first display information, the created time to replace the container mounted on the image forming apparatus, viewed including the identification information of the initially produced container,
The second display information is created when the identification information of the container mounted on the image forming apparatus in place of the container that has reached the replacement time does not match the identification information of the first manufactured container. An inventory management method including information indicating that a container manufactured before the container mounted on the image forming apparatus exists .

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