Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Communication
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-01
2004-08-03
Coles, Edward (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Communication
C717S168000, C717S169000, C717S170000, C717S171000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06771385
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of using a server connected with a network and to a server system, an in particular, the invention deals with information concerning a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected with a server.
In an output center and a mini-lab (small-sized photofinishing laboratory) for an image print service, for example, there have been used various types of image forming apparatuses. In the output center and mini-lab of this kind, various types of print services are offered by the use of a software, and a system is operated.
As an image forming apparatus of this type, an apparatus of a digital processing type employing, for example, a silver halide light-sensitive material has therein an image inputting section, a frame memory, an image processing section, a conveyance section, an exposure section, a development processing section, a system control section and CPU section.
In the apparatus of this kind, programs for each of the image inputting section, frame memory, image processing section, conveyance section, exposure section, development processing section and the system control section are recorded in EP-ROM, EEP-ROM and in a flush memory, and each processing section is executed based on the program, thereby, a print can be made. These programs are updated occasionally for correction of program errors called a bug and for addition of new functions, and even in the case of CPU section, a program for operation recorded on a hard disk is updated frequently.
An image forming apparatus used in such an output center or a mini-lab as stated above requires many types of consumables, and when errors in ordering take place or when troubles are caused, actions have been taken in each output center or mini-lab and repairs have been made individually. Therefore, absence of parts in stock has sometimes interfered with operation of the output center or mini-lab to make it lose its chance for profit.
It has been tried frequently that data for troubles of an image forming apparatus in the aforesaid output center or mini-lab are obtained on the equipment side, and a software for correcting the troubles is updated on occasion frequently.
In the case of the foregoing, a person in charge of maintenance and repair of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a maintainer) has visited the location where the image forming apparatus is installed each time to do jobs including confirmation of established data for the image forming apparatus, investigation of software control number conforming to the equipment number of each section of the image forming apparatus and its serial number and confirmation of the arrangement of peripheral equipment, and thereby to select the most appropriate combination for driving the image forming apparatus and to register and update the combination.
Further, when a photographic light-sensitive material is used as an output medium in the image forming apparatus, conditions for replenishing chemicals to be replenished and water need to be changed depending on a difference in amount of processing per day and on an amount of evaporation of processing solutions depending on a season and weather, and the maintainer has judged each time and changed the conditions periodically.
However, when the maintainer does jobs while investigating the program for each section each time, job errors are caused because of existence of a combination of complicated programs, and the image forming apparatus had to be suspended for a long time frequently.
Further, there has been less statistical data for troubles of an image forming apparatus, and there has been no way but to take actions for each image forming apparatus individually. Therefore, when taking actions for troubles, it has been difficult to use data of other image forming apparatuses as reference, resulting in repairs which take a long time.
With regard to information of troubles of an image forming apparatus in the past, a person who is in charge of maintenance and repair (hereinafter referred to as a maintainer) transmitted information, and information collected and summarized through several steps arrived at the persons who are in charge of development of an image forming apparatus. Therefore, the information sometimes was neither conveyed quickly nor conveyed accurately. Accordingly, it sometimes happened that development of software for improving the points to be improved clarified in the situation of actual use of an image forming apparatus was delayed, or the improved software did not satisfy demands of users.
On the contrary, with regard to statistical information concerning a degree of usage and the state of operation of an image forming apparatus in an output center or in a mini-lab, there has been no way except one wherein a user of the image forming apparatus or a company conducts market survey and collects data individually, because the equipment itself was not able to prepare data. Though templates required by a certain area are different from those required by other areas, in the case of a location outside the area, it has been extremely difficult to collect data quickly based on detailed information matching, for example, an age of an orderer and a season. Further, for the actual delivery, it was mostly unable to satisfy the request due to the cost for preparation and transport of media.
In addition, it has been difficult in many cases that further practical use of an image forming apparatus based on the data of usage as well as development of software for conducting appropriate maintenance control are carried out at the appropriate time.
Further, a revised version and a newest version prepared when software of for an image forming apparatus has been revised and software of the old control number for eliminating disused functions are distributed in the form of EP-ROM, floppy disk, photo-electro-magnetic disk and CD-ROM, and thereby, it has been difficult in many cases for an output center and a mini-lab to introduce quickly at the appropriate time, which has checked extension of chances for profits in many cases.
Further, the retrenchment of expenditure through a cut of personnel expenses has been demanded recently, and it has been requested to update maintenance and control data efficiently without visiting the location where an image forming apparatus is installed.
For example, in the case of an output center or a mini-lab developed in the form of a chain store, there is desired a system wherein a base which conducts maintenance and a headquarters of the chain store occasionally check control of sales such as the number of prints, sizes of prints and types of prints in an image forming apparatus, and control of materials including photographic papers and developing agents which need to be replenished from time to time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has been achieved in view of the problems stated above, and its first object is to collect or accumulate equipment information through a network, as occasion demands, from an image forming apparatus installed in an output center or a mini-lab, and to conduct efficiently program correction, control of image forming apparatus operation information, control of sales information and control of the image forming apparatus, based on the collected equipment information or on accumulation of the equipment information. The second object is to provide a method of using a server connected with a network and a server system wherein development and delivery of a new software and introduction of templates which meet demands of users are achieved in a short period of time, by delivering the information to the image forming apparatus or to the headquarters of the chain stores through the network.
The above objects can be achieved by following methods.
(1-1) A method of using a server connected with a network, comprises steps of:
receiving information regarding an image forming apparatus transmitted from each of a plurality of image forming apparatus connected with the network; and
storing the received
Igarashi Takashi
Iizuka Hiroyuki
Ikeda Hiroshi
Coles Edward
Jones David
Konica Corporation
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