Remote monitoring of consumables for a computer to plate imaging system

• US 20040098322A1
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Creo Incorporated (Eastman Kodak Company)
• Original Assignee: Creo Incorporated (Eastman Kodak Company)
• Inventors: Kalbfleisch, John, Manness, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US10/704,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20040098322A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 33/0009 Central control units
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

In a system for monitoring the usage of consumable items in a computer to plate imaging line, usage data is transferred to a remote management information system (MIS), which may be run by a media vendor or other service company. The remote MIS monitors the consumable inventory for a plant against pre-determined order points. An order is initiated if the inventory falls below the pre-determined order point.

Claims

1. A method for remotely monitoring consumable usage in a printing plant, the method comprising:

establishing an order point for at least one type of consumable item used in a computer-to-plate imaging line at the printing plant;

determining an initial inventory level for the type of consumable item;

establishing a communication link from the printing plant to a management information system remote from the printing plant and transferring consumption information relevant to the type of consumable item thereto;

updating the inventory level based on the consumption information; and

at the management information system, automatically initiating an order fulfilment process for the type of consumable item when the updated inventory level falls below the order point.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein updating the inventory level is performed at the management information system.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the order point is maintained at the management information system.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein updating the inventory level is performed at the printing plant and the consumption information comprises the updated inventory level.

5. A method according to claim 1 comprising obtaining consumption information by counting a number of consumable items of the type of consumable items passing a point in the imaging line using a counting mechanism separate from the imaging line.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the consumable items comprise items each bearing a machine-readable tag, the counting mechanism comprises a tag reader and counting the number of consumable items comprises reading the tags as the consumable items pass the tag reader.

7. A method according to claim 5 wherein the consumable items comprise printing plates.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the consumable items comprise items each bearing a machine-readable tag, the counting mechanism comprises a tag reader and counting the number of consumable items comprises reading the tags as the consumable items pass the tag reader.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein updating the inventory level comprises monitoring usage of the type of consumable item and updating the inventory level accordingly.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein updating the inventory level comprises estimating usage of the type of consumable item and updating the inventory level accordingly.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein estimating usage of the consumable item comprises determining an actual usage for a related consumable item related to the type of consumable item and determining a usage estimate based on the actual usage of the related consumable item.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein estimating usage of the type of consumable item comprises determining a consumption rate and determining a usage estimate based at least in part on the consumption rate.

13. A method according to claim 1, comprising reporting a summary of the usage of the type of consumable item to the printing plant.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein initiating an order fulfilment process comprises determining a shipping quantity of the type of consumable item in accordance with an inventory target.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein establishing an order point comprises determining the order point based on the updated inventory level and a historical consumption rate.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein establishing an order point comprises:

entering the order point into a controller at the computer to plate imaging line; and

transferring the order point to the remote management information system via the communication link.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining an initial inventory level comprises:

entering the initial inventory level into a controller at the computer to plate imaging line; and

transferring the initial inventory level to the remote management information system via the communication link.

18. A method according to claim 1, comprising:

determining an inventory level adjustment at the printing plant;

entering the inventory level adjustment into a controller at the computer-to-plate imaging line; and

transferring the inventory level adjustment to the remote management information system via the communication link.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein initiating the order fulfilment process comprises automatically initiating an order and shipping the order to the printing plant without further intervention or confirmation by the printing plant.

20. A system for monitoring usage of a consumable item, the system comprising:

a computer-to-plate imaging line capable of tracking the usage of at least one consumable item;

a remote management information system; and

a transmission channel operably connected between the imaging line and the remote management information system, the transmission channel for transferring consumption information concerning the usage of the consumable item.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the transmission channel comprises at least one of:

a modem link via a telephone line;

a internet connection;

a connection over a local area network;

a connection via electronic mail; and

a wireless network connection.

22. A system according to claim 20, wherein the transmission channel transfers information according to a transmission protocol.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the transmission protocol comprises CIP4 Job Definition Format.

24. A system according to claim 22, wherein the transmission protocol comprises CIP4 Job Messaging Format.

25. A system according to claim 22, wherein the management information system serves a plurality of printing plants and the transmission protocol comprises an identifier which uniquely identifies one of the plurality of printing plants from which the consumption information originated.