HK1090153B - Image forming apparatus using system and office supply information server - Google Patents

Description

Image forming apparatus using system and office supply information server

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus use system and an office supply information server.

Background

Supplies such as toner and copy paper used in offices require day-to-day replenishment. While the supplies are typically in stock at the user's location, in many cases, the user needs to place an order for the supply after knowing that the supply is short. Some users periodically view an inventory of supplies to order only the consumed supplies.

A user places an order for a supply (or may be referred to as a "consumable") in various ways. Some users call a sales company and inform of the name of goods, quantity, customer information, and the like. Some users fill out orders using commodity names, quantities, customer information, etc., and send the orders to a sales company by facsimile. Other users access the home page of the shop on the world wide web by using a PC (personal computer), and select some items and input necessary data among the items.

However, when the consumable runs out, there may be a case where replenishment of the consumable is delayed and thus the consumable cannot be replenished. In addition, for a method of regularly checking inventory and ordering only consumed amount, there is a problem of additional cost for managing inventory.

In addition, with respect to the ordering method of calling a sales company, there is a problem in that: a lot of time is required to order because the user needs to view the name of the goods and the transmission address, etc. With regard to an ordering method for filling out an order and sending the order by facsimile, there is a problem in that: the user may incorrectly fill the order or the sales company may incorrectly read the order. With respect to the subscription method using the PC, there is a problem in that: the start-up and operation of the software takes time, so that it is inconvenient for the user.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus using system and an office supply information server for replenishing supplies in a timely manner.

The above object is achieved by an image forming apparatus using system including at least one image forming apparatus having a touch panel and an office supply information server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network,

the image forming apparatus includes:

a client information transmitting section for transmitting order information to the office supply information server; and

a server information receiving section for receiving information from an office supply information server;

the office supply information server includes:

a server information transmitting portion for transmitting information to the image forming apparatus; and

a client information receiving section for receiving information input from a touch panel of the image forming apparatus,

wherein the image forming apparatus orders office supplies from an office supply information server by using a client information transmitting part.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus using system and an office supply information server for easily, correctly and timely compensating supplies.

In addition, according to the present invention, bidirectional communication between the office supply information server and the image forming apparatus can be realized so that an order can be placed directly for office supplies from the image forming apparatus. Although the office supplies may be articles such as copy paper and stationery, which are mainly used in offices, the articles are referred to as "office supplies" even when the articles are used in laboratories or factories and the like other than "offices". On the other hand, beakers or other devices mainly used in laboratories or in factories are included in "office supplies".

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus using system of a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2A shows an example of stored information in the consumable remaining amount storage section;

fig. 2B shows an example of a consumable and an IC tag;

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram for indicating the functionality of an office supply information server;

fig. 4A shows an example of user information stored in the user information storage portion;

fig. 4B shows an example of preference information stored in the preference information storage section;

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a process according to a first embodiment of the invention;

fig. 6A shows a diagram generated by the office supply information server 1 and by the image forming apparatus 2₁Examples of advertisement screens displayed;

fig. 6B illustrates an example of an order screen displayed by touching the order button 601 illustrated in fig. 6A;

fig. 7A shows an example of a warning about the remaining number of consumables;

FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a consumable ordering alert message;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus using system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates example information stored in an expanded merchandise store;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus using system according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 shows a flowchart for illustrating a processing procedure in the third embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present invention enables data communication between an image forming apparatus, which may be a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, a compound machine including these functions, and the like, and a server to efficiently replenish consumables and other supplies used in the image forming apparatus and to realize new uses. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[ first embodiment ]

First, a configuration example of the first embodiment of the present invention is described. FIG. 1 is a view showing an image forming apparatus using system of the first embodimentExamples of configurations of systems. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus using system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 2₁And is connected to the image forming apparatus 2 via the network 2₁The office supply information server 1. The office supply information server 1 includes: a catalog storage 10 for registering commodities managed by the office supply information server 1; a user information storage 11 including information such as a user's subscription history and subscription authorization; and a preference information storage 12 for storing the interests of the user. Each image forming apparatus 2₁The method comprises the following steps: a mailbox 209; an input/output section 300; a user identifying part 201 for identifying a user using the image forming apparatus; and a PC function section 203 having the same function as a general PC. Office supply information server 1 and image forming apparatus 2₁Are connected via a network 2 so that the devices can send and receive information to and from each other.

In the following embodiments, it is preferable that execution is performed in the image forming apparatus 2 by using an HTTPS (hypertext transfer protocol secure) protocol₁And the office supply information server 1. Data to be transmitted is encrypted by SSL (secure socket layer) by using HTTPS so that it is difficult for an illegal third party to eavesdrop or tamper the data. In addition, in an environment in which a session of SSL can be established, authentication of the office supply information server 1 can be performed. As for the encryption method, IPsec (IP security) can also be used.

In an environment where a session of SSL cannot be established, data to be transmitted may be encrypted by a public key or a symmetric key. Also, the office supply information server 1 may be authenticated by using an authentication method such as a challenge/response method so as not to transmit data to a computer other than the office supply information server 1.

[ image Forming apparatus ]

Next, the image forming apparatus 2 will be described₁Each function of (1). The user identification part 201 is for realizing identification of the image forming apparatus for useOf the user. Although there are various methods for identifying the user, the user identifying section 201 may adopt any method. For example, the user may be identified by inserting an ID card of the user such as a magnetic card or an IC card into the image forming apparatus. In addition, the image forming apparatus can identify the user by receiving a radio wave signal transmitted from an IC tag embedded in an ID card. Also, the image forming apparatus can identify the user by using biometric authentication information such as a fingerprint, a voiceprint, and a retina registered in advance in the image forming apparatus. By the user identifying part 201, the image forming apparatus 2₁Recognizing use of the image forming apparatus 2₁To the user. As a result, the image forming apparatus 2₁Information indicating the number of copies made by the user and the time at which the user made the copies may be stored. Further, the image forming apparatus 2₁A copy mode frequently used by the user can be automatically provided. The consumable remaining number identification portion 202 is a portion for obtaining the remaining number of consumables in the image forming apparatus. For example, for toner, the remaining consumable amount identifying section 202 identifies the remaining amount of toner based on the weight of the toner cartridge or based on the number of copies made. For ink ejection, the remaining amount can be identified from the number of ejected paper. By the function of the consumable supply remaining amount identifying portion 202, a new consumable supply can be prepared before the consumable supply in the image forming apparatus is used up.

The PC function portion 203 is a portion for providing the same function as the personal computer. The PC function section 203 includes: a main control section; an input and output control section for controlling input from an input/output device such as a keyboard and controlling output to a display; a main memory for temporarily storing programs and data; a memory for storing programs and data; and a communication section for controlling communication with the internet and a Local Area Network (LAN). Windows, UNIX, LINUX, etc. may be used as an operating system, and the operating system may be operated by using a Graphical User Interface (GUI).

The input and output device 300 is a human-machine interface for a user, and provides a function for receiving an operation from the user. The input and output device 300 may be operated by using a touch panel through which a user may operate an image forming apparatus by touching a screen with a user's finger or a stylus pen. Also, a keyboard or a mouse may be used.

The consumable remaining amount storage section 204 is a section for providing a function for storing the remaining amounts of a plurality of kinds of consumables. Fig. 2A shows one example of stored information in the consumable remaining amount storage section 204. As shown in fig. 2A, the consumable remaining amount storage section 204 includes a storage area for storing the remaining amount of supplies such as toner of each color and CD-R. For example, as shown in fig. 2B, when a CD-R301 is purchased, an antenna provided at a predetermined position receives a radio wave signal 303 transmitted from an IC tag 302 attached to the CD-R301, so that the image forming apparatus increases the number of remaining stock. Instead of using an IC tag, purchase information may be input by optically reading a bar code, or a purchaser may manually input information.

The mailbox 209 provides a storage area for each user who uses the image forming apparatus. For example, the mailbox 209 stores information transmitted from the office supply information server 1 to each user. When the user uses the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus reads information from the mailbox 209 and displays the information.

When the image forming apparatus transmits information to the office supply information server 1 or receives information from the office supply information server 1, the encryption portion 210 encrypts or decrypts the information by SSL.

The image forming apparatus has an ID dedicated to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus uses the ID to transmit order information of the consumable supplies to the office supply information server 1 so that the office supply information server 1 can identify the image forming apparatus. If the image forming apparatus is identified, a company and a department in which the image forming apparatus is located can be identified.

[ office supply information Server 1]

Next, the function of the office supply information server 1 will be described with reference to fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a functional block diagram for indicating the functions of the office supply information server 1. The office supply information server 1 shown in fig. 3 includes, like a general computer: a main control portion 31 for generally controlling the functions of the server; an input and output control section 32 for controlling input from an input/output device such as a keyboard and output to a display; a main memory 34 for temporarily storing programs and data; a memory 35 for storing programs and data; a communication section 33 for controlling communication with the internet and a local area network; and a drive 36 for reading the program and data from the recording medium 28. As shown in fig. 1, the memory 35 includes: a catalog storage 10 for registering commodities managed by the office supply information server 1, a user information storage 11, and a preference information storage 12.

The recording medium 28 stores an office supply order reception program for providing each function of the office supply information server. The recording medium 28 is provided in the drive 36 so as to install the office supply order reception program in the memory 35 via the drive 36. The recording medium storing the office supply order reception program may be: recording media for electrically or magnetically storing data, such as CD-ROM, floppy disks, magneto-optical disks; or a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a flash memory, or the like, which electrically stores data, or may be one of other various types of recording media.

The office supply order receiving section 40 that receives an order for consumables or other supplies includes: a server information transmitting section 41 for transmitting information from the office supply information server 1 via the communication section 33; a client information receiving section 42 for receiving information from the image forming apparatus 2₁Receiving information; an advertisement generation section 43 for generating an advertisement for each user based on the subscription history of each user; an advertisement transmission section 44 for transmitting the advertisement generated in the advertisement generation section 43The advertisement of (2); an order approval processing section 45 for processing the image from the image forming apparatus 2₁The order of (1); a directory search section 46 for searching the directory memory 10; a server encryption section 47 for encrypting information to be transmitted. Next, each section of the office supply order receiving section 40 is described.

[ Server information transmitting section 41]

The server information transmitting portion 41 provides a function of transmitting information to a specific image forming apparatus or a plurality of image forming apparatuses. The server information transmission section 41 may transmit information in various ways. For example, when information is transmitted via the internet, the server information transmitting portion 41 specifies an image forming apparatus to which the information needs to be transmitted, so that the server information transmitting portion 41 transmits a mail including the information to a mailbox address of the image forming apparatus, to which a user ID or the like for specifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus is added. Accordingly, the office supply information server can transmit activity information and various information of each user.

[ client information receiving section 42]

The client information receiving section 42 is for providing the slave image forming apparatus 2₁Part of the function of receiving information. The client information receiving section 42 receives data associated with the number of remaining consumables or the number of remaining consumables so that the server can provide the correct information to the user. In addition, since the office supply information server 1 can directly receive an order of consumables from the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus can order the consumable supplies timely and without an error.

[ advertisement generation section 43 and advertisement transmission section 44]

The advertisement generation section 43 is a section for providing a function for generating an advertisement for each user. Each advertisement is generated based on the user's subscription history and preference information. Fig. 4A shows an example of user information stored in the user information storage section 11. Fig. 4B shows an example of preference information stored in the preference information storage section 12 of fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 4A, the user information storage portion 11 stores "user ID", "ordered supply", and the like. The data is stored for each user even if the user belongs to one company. As shown in fig. 4A, the stored information includes an "authorization level" for limiting the user's subscription capabilities. For example, the authorization level is represented as A, B, C, etc. The amount of money available for the user's order may be limited according to the authorization level. The authorization level may be the amount of money itself.

As shown in fig. 4B, the preference information storage section 12 stores a company name, a user ID, preference information of each user. For example, one file is generated for each company, and user preference fields such as "soccer" and "softball" are stored.

The advertisement generating section 43 generates an advertisement for each user based on the stored information. For example, the advertisement producing section 43 produces the campaign information of the previously ordered supplies when a predetermined day has passed since the previous ordering date. In addition, for example, for a user interested in economic aspects such as exchange rate, the advertisement producing section 43 may produce economic information periodically. By providing the advertisement, ordering of supplies from the image forming apparatus can be facilitated. The generated advertisement is transmitted to the corresponding user by the advertisement transmitting part 44. The office supply order receiving section 40 is stored in the memory 35, and is read to the main memory 34 when it is executed.

[ order approval processing section 45]

The order approval processing section 45 is for providing a request for approval from the image forming apparatus 2₁A portion of the functionality to receive orders and transmit order information to the order processing portion. When the order approval processing section 45 receives the order, the order approval processing section 45 refers to the amount of money of the order and the authorization level of the user. If the order can be approved according to the user's authorization, the order approval processing section 45 sends the order processing section an order approval processing sectionAnd transmitting the order information. If the order cannot be approved due to lack of authorization of the user, the order approval processing section 45 transmits order information to, for example, a purchasing department of the user's company to obtain approval.

[ catalog search section 46]

When the image forming apparatus 2 is driven₁When a query about an article is made, the catalog search section 46 searches the catalog storage 10 for the article to see whether or not the article is included (processed). As a result of the search, if the commodity is included in the catalog, the catalog search section 46 checks the stock quantity of the commodity. When the stock quantity is less than a predetermined quantity, the replenishment processing of the commodity is performed.

[ Server encrypting portion 47]

The server encryption portion 47 encrypts the information to be transmitted by the server information transmission portion 41 by using SSL or the like, and decrypts the information received by the client information reception portion 42. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2 is provided with₁Information communicated with the office supply information server 1 is encrypted, and thus it is possible to prevent an illegal third party from stealing and tampering the information.

Next, the ordering of consumables by the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of the process according to one embodiment of the invention. First, the user approaches the image forming apparatus 2₁To use the image forming apparatus 2₁. When the user has an identification means such as an IC tag that can identify the user regardless of the user's intention, the image forming apparatus 2₁The user is automatically identified. In this case, even if the user does not use the image forming apparatus 2₁When the user arrives at the image forming apparatus 2, at step S400₁Within a certain distance, the image forming apparatus 2₁The user is also authenticated. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 2₁May be available only to the user for the image forming apparatus 2₁And authenticating the user after executing the preset operation.

After recognizing the user, the image forming apparatus 2₁To see if there is an advertisement in the user's mailbox. When there is an advertisement in the mailbox, the image forming apparatus 2₁The advertisement is displayed at step S401. Fig. 6A shows a diagram generated by the office supply information server 1 and by the image forming apparatus 2₁Examples of advertisement screens displayed. In fig. 6A, the merchandise determined to have a high purchase possibility according to the past order history of the user is displayed as "sales promotion". In addition, an article such as a new article in progress with an event is displayed as an "event". In addition, the column in which "today's exchange rate" is displayed is part of the advertisement generated based on the user's preference information. As shown in fig. 6A, the number of copies made per month may be displayed. In addition, the circulation information within the company can be displayed via the office supply information server 1. Also, a catalog of the supply may be displayed, and advertisement information or the catalog may be printed.

In addition, as shown in fig. 6A, the advertisement screen includes order buttons 601 and 602, each of which corresponds to an advertised supply. Since the supply item suitable for the image forming apparatus can be automatically displayed as the advertised supply item, the user can correctly select the supply item only by touching the order button.

Fig. 6B shows an example of an order screen displayed by touching the order button 601 shown in fig. 6A. Image forming apparatus 2₁Automatically displaying a code, an office supply name for the code, and a unit price. Thus, the user can complete the ordering process by merely entering the number of supplies to purchase. Although the order screen of the supply shown in fig. 6B and the advertisement screen of fig. 6A are provided separately in the present embodiment, the order screen and the advertisement screen may be provided as the same screen. In addition, supplies not shown in the advertisement screen may be displayed on the order screen.

Next, in step S402, if necessary, the image forming apparatus 2₁Output information on the image forming apparatus 2₁Warning of the remaining amount of consumable used. As described above, the remaining number of consumables is checked by the consumable remaining number identification section 202. If the remaining number is less than the predetermined amount, the image forming apparatus 2₁The office supply information server 1 is notified of the absence of the consumable supplies.

The office supply information server 1 prepares a warning of the remaining number and gives the image forming apparatus 2a warning of the remaining number₁Transmitting the warning so that the image forming apparatus 2₁Displaying the alert. Fig. 7A shows an example of the remaining number of warnings. As shown in fig. 7A, for example, if the remaining amount of cyan toner is smaller than a predetermined remaining amount, the information shown in fig. 7A is displayed. Then, an order screen for ordering the supply is displayed by touching the "ok" button 603.

Because the office supply information server 1 is informed of the presence of the image forming apparatus 2₁The remaining amount of the supply used, and therefore the office supply information server 1 can estimate the date on which the toner will be changed. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2 can be performed on the date₁Maintenance of (3).

Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 2₁A consumable supply ordering alert message is displayed at step S403 as necessary. The remaining number of consumables is stored in the consumable remaining number storage section 204 as described above. Image forming apparatus 2₁The remaining number of consumables is transmitted to the office supply information server 1 at predetermined time intervals (for example, once a day).

The office supply information server 1 compares the remaining quantity of each consumable part stored in the consumable part remaining quantity storage section with the corresponding predetermined remaining quantity of consumable parts that should be kept in a predetermined stock. If the actual remaining amount is less than the predetermined remaining amount, the office supply information server 1 supplies the image forming apparatus 2 with the office supply information server 1₁A consumable ordering alert message is sent.

Fig. 7B illustrates an example of a consumable ordering alert message. Fig. 7B shows, as an example, a consumable supply ordering prompting message that prompts the user to order a4 copy sheet, showing that the remaining amount of a4 copy sheet is insufficient. In addition, as shown in fig. 7B, the message may include the current remaining amount of each supply so that the user can know the amount. To place an order, the user touches the "ok" button 605 in the same manner as shown in fig. 7A to display an order screen of the supply.

Although all of the advertisement (step S401), the remaining amount warning (step S402), and the consumable supply ordering alert message (step S403) are shown in the flowchart of fig. 5, for example, only the advertisement may be displayed. In addition, none of them may be displayed. Also, for example, only when the image forming apparatus 2 is used₁The warning or the consumable ordering alert message is displayed upon identification of a particular purchaser. In addition, although the advertisement (step S401), the remaining amount warning (step S402), and the consumable supply ordering notice message (step S403) are displayed separately according to the present embodiment, a screen in which these information and the advertisement are composed may be displayed as necessary.

When any of the above-described information is displayed on the screen, the goods displayed on the screen are likely to be ordered. Therefore, the office supply information server 1 searches the catalog storage 10 by using the catalog search section shown in fig. 3 to see whether or not the inventory of commodities remains. If the number of the commodities in stock is less than a predetermined amount, replenishment of the stock is performed. Therefore, since replenishment of the inventory with high purchase possibility office supplies is started before the user actually orders the supplies, it is possible to reduce even the delivery time from the order.

Subsequently, in the case of placing an order in step S404, as described above, the order screen of fig. 6B is displayed so that the user inputs a predetermined item. In step S405, when the user inputs a predetermined item for ordering, the user touches the order view button 607 to transmit the order information to the office supply information server. At this time, the image forming apparatus 2₁Subscription information may be output. If no order is to be placed, the process ends at step S404.

In step S406, the office supply information server 1 receives the order information and transmits the order information to the order approval process. The order approval process is performed by the aforementioned order approval process section 45 shown in fig. 3. Thus, the processing shown in the flowchart of fig. 5 ends.

In the first embodiment, since information can be transmitted between the image forming apparatus and the office supply information server 1, replenishment of supplies can be performed promptly and correctly without using a PC. In addition, information related to the supply is collected by the office supply information server 1 via the image forming apparatus, and may be collected via the image forming apparatus 2₁To provide various information services.

[ second embodiment ]

As described above, in the first embodiment, the consumable supplies can be ordered according to information output from the image forming apparatus, wherein the information is an advertisement generated by the image forming apparatus, a warning of the remaining amount of the consumable supplies, or a consumable supply ordering message. In the second embodiment below, an example is described in which the user starts placing an order.

Fig. 8 shows an example of a block diagram of an image forming apparatus using system according to the second embodiment. In the block diagram shown in fig. 8, the same reference numerals are used to identify corresponding features. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that: in the present embodiment, the office supply information server 1 includes an expanded merchandise storage 13.

The expanded merchandise storage 13 is a storage for storing information of office supplies that the user inquires but does not trade. The expanded commodity memory 13 is stored in the slave image forming apparatus 2₁The office supplies of the queried office supplies that can be expanded to the newly traded goods.

The present embodiment is explained with reference to the flowchart of fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows a flowchart of a processing procedure in the second embodiment.

First, in step S601, the user uses the image forming apparatus 2₁To scan the bar code of the office supply. The bar code of the office supplies is a bar code printed or attached on a packing material of copy paper, a packing material of stationery or a container. Since the barcode includes a manufacturer name, a commodity code, a price, etc. of the office supply, the office supply can be identified by identifying the barcode.

Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 2₁The barcode scanned in step S601 is transmitted to the office supply information server 1 in step S602.

Since the barcode scanned in step S601 is image data, information embedded in the barcode cannot be used as it is from the image data. In addition, the scanned data includes information other than the barcode, such as a name of a commodity printed on a packing material of copy paper.

Accordingly, the office supply information server 1 that receives the image data including the barcode executes processing for identifying the barcode area and processing of OCR (optical character reader) in step S603. The region of the barcode is identified as a region in which straight lines of different thicknesses are arranged at irregular intervals. In addition, by performing the OCR process, the thickness and the interval of the line are recognized so that information such as a manufacturer name, a commodity code, a price, and the like embedded in the barcode can be used. Barcode data is generated from the barcode by an OCR process.

Can pass through the image forming apparatus 2₁The process of step S603 is executed. When passing through the image forming apparatus 2₁To execute the processing of step S603, the amount of data to be transmitted to the office supply information server 1 is reduced so that the data can be transmitted in a shorter time.

Next, the office supply information server 1 searches for the commodity corresponding to the barcode data by using the catalog searching section 46 in step S604. At this time, the office supply information server 1 refers to the number of the commodities in stock. If the number is less than the predetermined number, the office supply information server 1 performs replenishment processing of the stock of the commodity. Therefore, because replenishment of the stock of office supplies with a high possibility of purchase is started before the user actually orders the supplies, even if the amount of stock is insufficient, the delivery time from the order can be reduced.

If the corresponding product data is searched for in step S604, the office supply information server 1 sends the image forming apparatus 2 to the image forming apparatus in step S605₁Transmitting the official name, the manufacturer name, the delivery date, the price, etc. of the commodity. In addition to the above-mentioned information, the office supply information server 1 may transmit information of another article having the same function as the above-mentioned article corresponding to the bar code data. For example, the office supply information server 1 transmits information of copy paper of another manufacturer in addition to the searched products. Therefore, the range of selection can be increased for the user.

Image forming apparatus 2₁The information transmitted in step S605 is received from the office supply information server 1, and is displayed on the touch panel 300. Thereafter, the processing shown in steps S405 and S406 in the flowchart of fig. 5 is executed.

If the commodity data corresponding to the barcode is not searched for in step S604, the process proceeds to step S607. Then, the office supply information server 1 sends the image forming apparatus 2 to the office supply information server 1 in step S607₁Sending information indicating that the article is not to be traded. Also at this time, the office supply information server 1 may transmit information of another article having the same function as the above-mentioned article corresponding to the bar code data. For example, the office supply information server 1 transmits information of copy paper of a manufacturer different from the article corresponding to the barcode data. Therefore, the selection range of the user can be increased. In addition, there is an advantage: another commodity can be purchased even if the commodity corresponding to the barcode is not traded.

When the article corresponding to the barcode is an article not transacted, the article is stored in the expanded article memory 13 in step S608. Fig. 10 shows an example of information stored in the expanded merchandise memory 13. The information stored in the extended merchandise storage 13 includes "user ID", "user name", "company name", "merchandise bar code data inquired", "merchandise name inquired", and "date of inquiry". As described above, the expanded merchandise storage 13 is a storage for storing information of office supplies that the user inquires but does not trade. Since various inquiry data are collected by the office supply information server 1, commodities that receive many inquiries in a short time are started to be traded. Thereafter, the processing of the flowchart of fig. 9 ends.

Although the commodity is identified by scanning the barcode in the present embodiment, the commodity may be identified by a radio wave signal transmitted from an IC tag, or may be identified by a user by inputting a name of the commodity to inquire about the commodity.

According to the above-described embodiment, the user can easily inquire about the article, and the expansion of the article can be performed based on the inquiry. Thus, user convenience is made.

[ third embodiment ]

The first and second embodiments provide a method of forming an image by using the image forming apparatus 2₁And an example of the supply of the office supply information server 1. In the third embodiment, an image forming apparatus using system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are used is described.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus using system of the third embodiment. In the block diagram shown in fig. 11, the same reference numerals are used to identify corresponding features.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 11, the image forming apparatus 81 exists in, for example, a company to which the user belongs. The image forming apparatus 82 exists in municipalities. The present embodiment is explained with reference to the flowchart of fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing of the third embodiment.

First, the user requests the municipality to issue a document by using the image forming apparatus 81 in step S501. For example, to apply for a residence card, the user selects the district office or a branch of the district office where the user will receive the residence card. The image forming apparatus 81 can refer to the address of the user or the like by using the user identifying section 201 so as to show a municipality having a high possibility that the user receives the residence card. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 81 may show a municipality near the image forming apparatus 81. The selected one of the municipalities is stored in the mailbox 209 as personal information of the user.

In step S502, the application information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 81 to the office supply information server 1. The office supply information server 1 recognizes the image forming apparatus 82 existing in the municipality designated by the user, and the office supply information server 1 transmits reservation information to the image forming apparatus 82. The reservation information includes the date of birth of the user required for applying for the resident card, and the like. The subscription information is identified by a subscription number.

The municipality may prepare the user's residence card in advance of the user's arrival at the municipality. The prepared information of the resident card is stored in a predetermined storage area such as the mailbox 209 in the image forming apparatus 82 so that the information can be output from the image forming apparatus 82. Alternatively, the information of the residence card may be stored in the PC of the municipality.

The reservation number is transmitted not only to the image forming apparatus 82 but also to the image forming apparatus 81. The reservation number is output from the image forming apparatus 81. Therefore, the user can obtain the residence card from the reservation number displayed or output by the image forming apparatus 81.

The user who obtains the reservation number goes to a municipality where the image forming apparatus 82 exists, and inputs the reservation number to the image forming apparatus 82 at step S504. Alternatively, the user may give the reservation number to a person in the municipality so that the person inputs the reservation number into the image forming apparatus 82.

Next, in step S505, image forming apparatus 82 outputs the resident card of the user based on the input reservation number. The user pays for dispensing the document from, for example, a cash slot installed near the image forming apparatus 82. Alternatively, an image forming apparatus in the same municipality other than the image forming apparatus 82 that receives the reservation number may output the residence card, and the user may pay the municipality in exchange for the residence card.

According to the present embodiment, the residence card may be prepared in advance so that congestion in the municipality can be alleviated. In addition to the residence card, the present embodiment may also be applied to various documents issued by municipalities, such as a copy of a person's family registration, an identification card, and the like.

The present embodiment can be applied to various cases. For example, the present embodiment may be applied to a library. For example, regarding copying a book, magazine, newspaper, or the like in a library for a user, the workload in the library can be reduced by receiving a request in advance.

As described above, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus using system including at least one image forming apparatus having a touch panel and an office supply information server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, the image forming apparatus including: a client information transmitting section for transmitting order information to the office supply information server; and a server information receiving section for receiving information from an office supply information server, the office supply information server including: a server information transmitting section for transmitting information to the image forming apparatus; and a client information receiving section for receiving information input from a touch panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus orders office supplies from an office supply information server using the client information transmitting section.

The image forming apparatus may further include a user identification part for identifying a user when the user uses the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to provide each user with a correct image forming apparatus use system. In the image forming apparatus using system, the office supply includes an IC chip by which the office supply can be identified, the IC chip includes an identification information transmitting portion for transmitting identification information of the office supply to the image forming apparatus by radio, and the image forming apparatus further includes: a counting section for counting the number of remaining supplies based on the identification information transmitted from each of the IC chips; and a section for transmitting the number of remaining supplies to an office supply information server, wherein when the remaining amount is less than a predetermined amount of supplies, the office supply information server transmits a supply order prompting message for prompting a user to order supplies to the image forming apparatus. According to this configuration, since the image forming apparatus automatically counts the remaining number of office supplies and prompts the order to be placed by the remaining number being smaller than the predetermined number, it is possible to avoid a delay in replenishment of office supplies. The office supplies include consumables such as toner and copy paper. If the consumable is used, the number of consumables is reduced. Office supplies such as consumables are not limited to use in the image forming apparatus. For example, a spare lead of a mechanical pencil is included as an office supply.

In the image forming apparatus using system, the office supply information server may further include: a user information storage section for storing a subscription history of each user; a preference information storage section for storing preference information of each user; an advertisement generation section for generating an advertisement to be transmitted to each user according to the subscription history and the preference information; and an advertisement transmitting section for transmitting an advertisement to the image forming apparatus. Therefore, since an advertisement based on the past subscription history of the user and the preference of the user can be transmitted, the replenishment of office supplies can be correctly performed.

In the image forming apparatus using system, the image forming apparatus may further include: a supply remaining amount transmitting section for transmitting data of a remaining amount of supplies in the image forming apparatus to an office supply information server, wherein the office supply information server transmits a warning about the remaining amount to the image forming apparatus when the received remaining amount is less than a predetermined amount. Since the warning is displayed before the office supplies are exhausted, the office supplies can be properly replenished.

In the image forming apparatus using system, the image forming apparatus may further include: a scanning section for scanning a bar code of a supply; and a barcode transmitting section for transmitting information of the barcode to an office supply information server, and the office supply information server may further include: a search section for searching for office supplies corresponding to the bar codes using the information of the bar codes, wherein the office supply information server transmits the information of the office supplies to the image forming apparatus if the office supplies are found from the information of the bar codes, and registers the information of the office supplies as a commodity to be newly traded in an extended commodity storage if the office supplies are not found from the information of the bar codes. The image forming apparatus may display an order screen for ordering office supplies in addition to information for displaying supply order prompting messages, advertisements, warnings, or supplies corresponding to bar codes, and transmit information input from the order screen to an office supply information server so as to order office supplies. According to this configuration, the order form is attached to the supply order prompting message, the advertisement, the warning, or the information of the supply corresponding to the barcode, so that the user can place an order for the office supply by filling out the order form and sending it to the server. Therefore, office supplies can be easily and correctly ordered. The order screen may be displayed on the image forming apparatus as a screen different from a screen for showing a supply order prompting message, an advertisement, a warning, or information of a supply corresponding to a barcode. Therefore, the display screen associated with the office supply can be flexibly configured.

The image forming apparatus may output order information input from an order screen into a facsimile format to order office supplies by facsimile. Since the facsimile format is used, the user can visually check the information and record the order information by using paper.

The office supply information server may refer to a money amount stored in the user information storage section, wherein the money amount is a limit money amount that the user can use to order the office supply, and if a money amount required for purchasing the office supply that the user orders from the image forming apparatus is less than the limit money amount, the image forming apparatus performs an approval process. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent orders from being placed that exceed the authorization of the user.

In addition, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus using system including a first image forming apparatus located at a user location, a second image forming apparatus located at a municipality, and an office supply information server connected to the first and second image forming apparatuses, wherein: the first image forming apparatus applies for a document by transmitting application information to an office supply information server; the office supply information server transmits a document reservation number to the first image forming apparatus according to the application information; the first image forming apparatus outputs a file reservation number; and the second image forming apparatus outputs the file according to the file reservation number input by the user. According to this system, since the user can apply for the document issued by the municipality by using the image forming apparatus of the user, the user can receive the document conveniently. In addition, the invention provides the office supply information server. The office supply information server may further include: an inventory management section for managing inventory of office supplies, wherein the inventory management section performs inventory management based on information of office supplies associated with a supply order prompting message, information of office supplies associated with the warning, or information of the barcode. According to this configuration, replenishment of the commodities which are likely to be ordered can be performed in advance, inventory management can be performed efficiently, and the time of delivery can be reduced.

The present invention encompasses subject matter associated with Japanese patent application No. 2003-.

The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

1. An image forming apparatus using system includes at least one image forming apparatus having a touch panel and an office supply information server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network,

the image forming apparatus includes:

a user identification section for identifying a user when the user uses the image forming apparatus;

an operating system that provides a graphical user interface through which a user operates the image forming apparatus on a touch panel;

a client information transmitting section for transmitting the supplementary information to the office supply information server; and

a server information receiving section for receiving information from the office supply information server,

the office supply information server includes:

a server information transmitting portion for transmitting information to the image forming apparatus; and

a client information receiving section for receiving information input from a touch panel of the image forming apparatus,

wherein the office supply comprises: an IC chip by which office supplies can be identified, and which includes an identification information transmitting portion for transmitting identification information of office supplies to the image forming apparatus by radio,

the image forming apparatus further includes:

a counting section for counting the number of remaining office supplies based on the identification information transmitted from each IC chip; and

a section for transmitting the number of remaining office supplies to the office supply information server,

wherein the office supply information server transmits a supply replenishment prompting signal for prompting a user to replenish the office supply to the image forming apparatus displaying information based on the supply replenishment prompting signal on the touch panel when the remaining number is less than a predetermined number of office supplies, and orders the office supply from the office supply information server by using the client information transmitting section based on the information input from the touch panel.

2. The image forming apparatus using system according to claim 1, said office supply information server further comprising:

a user information storage section for storing a subscription history of each user;

a preference information storage section for storing preference information of each user;

an advertisement generation section for generating an advertisement to be transmitted to each user according to the subscription history and the preference information; and

an advertisement transmitting section for transmitting an advertisement to the image forming apparatus.

3. The image forming apparatus using system according to claim 1, the image forming apparatus further comprising:

a supply remaining amount transmitting section for transmitting data of a remaining amount of supplies in the image forming apparatus to an office supply information server,

wherein the office supply information server transmits a warning about the remaining amount to the image forming apparatus when the received remaining amount is less than a predetermined amount.

4. The image forming apparatus using system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises:

a scanning section for scanning a bar code of a supply; and

a barcode transmitting section for transmitting information of the barcode to an office supply information server,

the office supply information server further includes:

a search section for searching for office supplies corresponding to the bar code using information of the bar code,

wherein the office supply information server transmits the information of the office supply to the image forming apparatus if the office supply is found from the information of the barcode, and registers the information of the office supply as a commodity to be newly traded in an extended commodity storage if the office supply is not found from the information of the barcode.

5. The image forming apparatus using system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus displays an ordering screen for ordering office supplies in addition to a supply replenishment notice signal, an advertisement, a warning, or information of supplies corresponding to a barcode, and

the image forming apparatus transmits information input from the ordering screen to an office supply information server to order office supplies.

6. The image forming apparatus using system according to claim 5, wherein the ordering screen is displayed on the image forming apparatus as a screen different from a screen for showing a supply replenishment notice signal, an advertisement, a warning, or information of a supply corresponding to a barcode.

7. The image forming apparatus using system according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs order information input from an order screen into a facsimile format to order office supplies by facsimile.

8. The image forming apparatus using system according to claim 1, wherein the office supply information server refers to a money amount stored in the user information storage portion, wherein the money amount is a limit number that the user can use to order office supplies, and

the image forming apparatus performs an approval process if an amount of money required for purchasing office supplies ordered by the user from the image forming apparatus is less than the limit amount of money.

9. The image forming apparatus using system according to one of claims 2 to 8,

the image forming apparatus has a storage area for each user, the office supply information server generates advertisement information for each user based on a past order history, the advertisement information being stored in the storage area for each user, the advertisement information for the user identified by the image forming apparatus being displayed; and

the image forming apparatus automatically authenticates a user having an IC tag, displays an advertisement of the authenticated user, and displays a remaining number of warnings if the authenticated user is a specific user.