Patent ID: 8792793
Filing Date: 2014-07-29
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A replacement consumable unit management apparatus comprising: a receiver which receives consumable unit replacement information indicating that at least one consumable unit of at least one color has been replaced with a new one, from at least one image forming apparatus which the replacement consumable unit management apparatus can access via a communication circuit; a consumable unit manager which manages remaining amount information or life information of the at least one consumable unit, and stock information indicating a state of stock of replacement consumable units for the at least one consumable unit for the at least one image forming apparatus; a determiner which, if the receiver receives the consumable unit replacement information while a consumable unit which cannot be replaced with a new one because of no stock and a consumable unit whose remaining amount information or life information is smaller than a first predetermined value are both used at the same place as the new consumable unit was most recently loaded, makes a first determination that a first replacement consumable unit of the same color as the consumable unit which cannot be replaced with a new one because of no stock and a second consumable unit of the same color as the consumable unit whose remaining amount information or life information is smaller than the first predetermined value should be delivered together; when the receiver receives the consumable unit replacement information while there are a consumable unit which cannot be replaced with a new one because of no stock and a consumable unit whose remaining amount information or life information is larger than the first predetermined value, but smaller than a second predetermined value, the determiner makes a second determination that the first replacement consumable unit and a third replacement consumable unit of the same color as the consumable unit whose remaining amount information or life information is larger than the first predetermined value, but smaller than the second predetermined value, should be kept on hold until the remaining amount information or the life information reaches the first predetermined value, and then be delivered together when the remaining amount information or the life information reaches the first predetermined value; and when the receiver receives the consumable unit replacement information while there is a consumable unit that cannot be replaced with a new one because of no stock and there is no consumable unit whose remaining amount information or life information is smaller than the second predetermined value, the determiner makes a third determination that only the first replacement consumable unit should be delivered; and a transmitter which outputs a delivery instruction as determined by the determiner.