JP2001187480A - Apparatus control equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a disadvantage due to a delay of a responding operation by making an apparatus execute an urgent operational instruction or the like immediately when the instruction or the like is received from a centralized control system on the occasion when the apparatus to be controlled is in a sleep mode. SOLUTION: This apparatus control equipment has a means to check whether or not a control part of the apparatus to be controlled is controlling the apparatus, a startup means to make the control part of the apparatus start to control the apparatus and a means to start up the control part by the startup means when the urgent instruction is received from the centralized control system in a state wherein the control part is not controlling the apparatus, so as to make the apparatus execute the instruction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device management device for managing devices to be managed, which are connected by wire or wirelessly, based on commands from a centralized management device. In particular, the present invention relates to a device management device having a function of setting a device in accordance with an instruction from a centralized management device, and operating the device to collect data on an operation state. Here, examples of the device to be managed include a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A function of receiving parameters related to connection control such as a telephone number and an identification number of a device to be managed from a centralized management device connected via a public telephone line, and setting the received parameters. There has been proposed a device management apparatus provided with a device (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-318731). Further, there has been proposed a device management apparatus having a function of stopping the operation of a copying machine in accordance with an instruction from a centralized management apparatus when an abnormality occurs in a copying machine to be managed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-31).
No. 8859).

[0003] There is provided a device provided with a function of automatically shutting off power supply to most modules constituting the device when the device is not used for a certain period of time. This shut-off state is generally called “sleep mode”. Some devices having a sleep mode are configured, for example, to restart power supply in response to a change in the level of one signal line. In such a configuration, it is necessary to start the device from outside. Is possible.
Further, there is also a device configured to restart power supply, triggered by an operation of the device by an operator.

[0004]

When the device is operated in accordance with an instruction from the central control device to collect data on the operation state, or when the setting instructed by the central control device is applied to the device, the operation or the like is performed immediately. There are cases where it is necessary to execute (when there is urgency) and cases where there is no need to immediately execute an operation or the like (when there is no urgency). The former is, for example, a case where it is desired to know the operation state of each unit in the device in order to clarify the cause of a trouble that has occurred in the device. In the latter case, for example, the user wants to change the set value of a component of the device in order to compensate for the deterioration with time of the component.

[0005] When a device operation command or a setting command is received from the central control device, the device may be in a sleep mode. In such a case, if the sleep mode of the device is canceled to execute an operation or the like, the sleep mode is canceled even if there is no urgency, and as a result, the energy saving effect may be impaired. On the other hand, if the operation is performed after the sleep mode of the device is released, the treatment is delayed despite the urgency, and the user is inconvenienced. In some cases, serious damage may occur.

According to the present invention, if an urgent operation command or setting command is received from a centralized management device while the device is in a sleep mode, the device immediately executes the operation command or setting command. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to prevent a problem due to a delay in response from occurring. Further, when an operation command or a setting command having no urgency is received, the operation command or the setting command is executed after the sleep mode of the device is released, so that the energy saving effect is not wasted. The purpose is to:

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device management apparatus comprising: a first communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from a device control unit of a device to be managed; A device management apparatus comprising: a second communication unit for transmitting and receiving data; an inspection unit configured to check whether a device control unit of the device to be managed is controlling the device; and a device control unit of the device to be managed. A start unit for starting control of the device by the unit, and the start unit when the urgent command is received from the central management device in a state where the device control unit of the device to be managed is not controlling the device. And control means for activating the unit and executing the instruction. Data communication between the device control unit of the device to be managed and the device management device may be wired or wireless. The device managed by the device management device may be a single device or a plurality of devices.
When there are a plurality of devices managed by the device management device, the centralized management device may be configured to transmit commands (operation commands, setting commands) for all devices managed by the device management device. A configuration in which transmission is performed by specifying (for example, by specifying a device in which a trouble has occurred) may be used. The device management device may be a dedicated device (for example, a copier management device that manages a copier) provided in accordance with the device to be managed, or a LAN that manages various devices without specifying the device to be managed. A general-purpose machine (for example, a management device that manages a copier / printer / facsimile, etc.) may be used. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means is arranged such that, when a non-urgent command is received from the centralized management device while the device control unit of the device to be managed is not controlling the device. The apparatus waits until control of the device by the device control unit is started, and executes the command when the control is started. The device management device of claim 3 is
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the control unit waits until control of the device by the device control unit of the device to be managed is started, the control unit notifies the central management device of the fact.

[0008]

FIG. 1 shows one device (copier 4).
1 shows a system in which one device management device (data terminal 1) provided in is connected to a centralized management device 90 (center) via a telephone network. The present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated system. Although only one device management device is shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of simplifying the drawing and simplifying the description, a large number of device management devices are similarly connected to the central management device 90 via the telephone line network. Connectable. FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configuration in which a device management apparatus of the present invention is installed. One device is provided for a plurality of devices (copier / printer / facsimile / one or more multifunction devices).
The configuration may be such that two device management devices are connected by wire or wirelessly, or connected to a centralized management device by a dedicated line, LAN, or the like.

1. System configuration: FIGS. 2 and 3 show FIG.
1 shows a circuit configuration of the system. The data terminal 1 provided in the copying machine 4 has a modem 52 having a function as a communication terminal device. Also, the data terminal 1
When a predetermined process is performed on the data transmitted from the copying machine 4 and a predetermined transmission condition (a condition for setting the transmission flag to ON: details will be described later) is satisfied, the modem 52
Is started, and a communication line with the center is connected to transmit data for managing the copying machine 4 (element data, count data, and the like to be described later) to the center.

The data terminal 1 allows the copier 4 to execute a predetermined operation from the center side,
Is transmitted to the CPU 41 of the copying machine 4 to execute the above operations and the above settings. The above-described predetermined operation is performed, for example, in a case where the state of each unit in the copying machine 4 when the copying machine 4 is actually operated is detected by a sensor in order to clarify a trouble that has occurred in the copying machine 4. Ordered.
This operation is urgent because it is for solving a trouble. Further, the above-mentioned predetermined setting is, for example, when the parts of the copying machine 4 cannot exhibit their initial performance due to deterioration over time or the like, the parameters of the parts (for example, charging output of the photosensitive drum, etc.) ) Is changed in order to obtain the performance before deterioration with time.
Such settings need only be made by the time the copying machine 4 is used next time, so that there is no urgency.

The CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 is connected to the CPU 41 of the copying machine 4 via the serial I / F 12 and the serial I / F 42 of the copying machine 4. That is, it is configured to be able to communicate with the control unit (CPU 41) of the copying machine 4. The data transmitted from the data terminal 1 to the copying machine 4 is, for example, the above-described data (operation command and setting command). On the other hand, 8-bit data b7 to b0 shown in FIG. The falling edge of bit b0 (change from 1 to 0) indicates the paper ejection code. Bit b7 = 1 and bit b8 = 0 represent the JAM code. Further, bit b7 = 1 and bit b6 = 1 represent a trouble code. The 8-bit data is transmitted from the copying machine 4 to the data terminal 1 at a predetermined cycle. Also transmitted when a paper jam or trouble occurs in the copying machine 4.

The CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 is connected to a power supply (power supply unit PU30) of the copying machine 4 by a signal line. The CPU 11 of the data terminal 1
It has a function of instructing the power supply unit PU30 to “change the signal level from a low level to a high level” to release the sleep mode of the copying machine 4. That is, in response to the above command, the power supply unit PU30 of the copying machine 4 resumes the supply of power to the CPU 41, whereby the sleep mode of the copying machine 4 is released. The sleep mode is an energy saving mode which is entered when the copying machine 4 is not used for a certain period of time, and includes a state in which at least power supply from the power supply unit PU30 to the CPU 41 is cut off.

As shown in the figure, the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 has an EP-ROM storing a control program.
14, an operation system RAM 15, an NV-RAM 16 storing a telephone number of the center, etc., a clock IC 17, and the like. Four DIP switches DIP / SW
1 to DIP / SW4 are, respectively, a center telephone number input mode, a data terminal 1 identification ID number (DTID) input mode, a center identification ID number (center ID) input mode, and an initial mode. A switch for setting a setting mode. The push switch 21 is a switch for executing an initial call.

The CPU 41 of the copying machine 4 controls the operation of each unit in the copying machine 4 and sets parameters of each component of the copying machine 4. Operation control and parameter setting
In addition to being executed in response to an operation input from the operation panel or the like of the copying machine 4, it may be executed in response to an instruction from the data terminal 1 that has received an instruction from the central management device 90 as described above. is there.

The CPU 41 of the copying machine 4 includes a power supply unit P
Power is supplied from U30, but copying machine 4 is not used continuously for a certain period of time, operation input from an operation panel or the like is not performed, or copying machine 4 performs an operation. If there is no operation related to the above (for example, pulling out a paper cassette, setting a document, etc.), the apparatus enters the sleep mode. Thus, the supply of power from the power supply unit PU30 to the CPU 41 is cut off. This sleep mode is released in response to an operation input from an operation panel or the like or an operation associated with causing the copier 4 to execute an operation, and, as described above, the CPU 1 of the data terminal 1.
It is released in response to the command from the first.

The CPU 41 of the copying machine 4 includes a counter (a total counter indicating the number of times of sheet discharge, a counter for each sheet size indicating the number of sheets used for each sheet size) serving as a basis of a charge for copying and a counter (a counter for maintenance). The respective count values of the JAM counter for each location indicating the number of times of JAM for each location, the trouble counter for each location indicating the number of troubles for each location, and the PM counter indicating the number of times of use for each part) are transmitted to the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 respectively.

The CPU 41 of the copying machine 4
Various element data that affect the image forming process obtained from the detection results of various sensors disposed at various locations within the printer (eg, the time required to convey paper in each path, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum, the developer The toner concentration, the exposure amount of the photosensitive drum, the developing bias voltage, the amount of toner adhering on the photosensitive drum, the grid voltage of the charging charger, etc. are transmitted to the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1.

The central management device (computer 90) on the center side is a modem 7 having a function as a communication terminal device.
2 A display 92, a keyboard 93, and a printer 94 are connected to the CPU 91 of the computer 90. The computer 90 of the center manages the copying machines of many users via the corresponding data terminals 1.

2. System control: FIG. 5 shows the copy machine CP
6 to 13 are flowcharts for explaining the procedure executed by the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1, and FIGS. 14 to 15 are for explaining the procedure executed by the computer 90 of the center. It is a flowchart. Hereinafter, control performed by the system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in the drawings. Prior to the description, the terms "on edge" and "off edge" are defined. Hereinafter, a state change when the state of a switch, a sensor, a signal, or the like changes from an off state to an on state is referred to as an “on edge”. Conversely, a state change when the state changes from an off state to an on state is referred to as an “on edge”. ].

2-1. Procedure in CPU 41 of Copying Machine 4: CP
In U41, the processing is started by turning on a power switch (not shown) or releasing the sleep mode. First, initial settings such as clearing of a memory (not shown) and setting of a standard mode are performed (step S41).
The process of S45 is repeatedly executed unless a trouble occurs.

Step S43 is a step which shows collectively the receiving process for various input signals. The input signal is, for example, an input signal from a key switch group on the operation panel 40 of the copying machine, a sensor group 45 at various points in the copying machine 4, and the like. Step S45 is a step in which sequence processing and the like necessary for the copying operation are collectively shown. For example,
These are controls of various operation unit groups 44 such as paper feed control, scanning control, control around the photosensitive drum, and control of the developing device.

When troubles such as a conveyance failure (JAM) and a control / operation failure of the machine occur (Ye in step S47).
s), the signal corresponding to the trouble that has occurred is sent to the CPU
11 (step S49). Further, when the trouble reset switch 49 is operated by the operator or the like (Yes in step S51), a trouble reset signal is transmitted to the CPU 11 (step S5).
3). In response to this, the CPU 11 executes the processing described below.

2-2. Procedure in CPU 11 of Data Terminal 1 2-2-1. Outline of Procedure: FIG. The CPU 11 starts processing when the power switch of the data terminal 1 is turned on. The power supply of the data terminal 1 is supplied from a power supply different from the power supply of the copying machine 4. If the initial setting mode is set (Yes in step S11), an initial setting process (step S13) is executed, and then a copy permission signal is transmitted to the CPU 41 of the copying machine (step S15). If the initial setting mode has not been set (No in step S11), a copy permission signal is immediately transmitted (step S15). After the transmission of the copy permission signal, the processes of steps S17 to S31 are repeatedly executed.

Step S13 and steps S17 to S3
In each step (1), the following processing is roughly performed. a. Initial setting (Step S13): Data terminal 1
DIP switch DIP / SW4 at the start of processing
Is set to the ON state, in other words, when the initial setting mode is set (Ye in step S11).
s), an initial setting process is executed. In the initial setting process, the telephone number of the center, the ID number of the data terminal (DTID), the ID number of the center (center ID)
Setting and initial setting transmission are performed. b. Data reception (step S17): A process of receiving various data relating to the state of the copying machine 4 transmitted from the CPU 41 is performed. The contents of the data are the paper ejection code, J
AM / trouble code, JAM / trouble count value,
A count value for each paper size, a PM count value, and an element data value. The CPU 11 always keeps the latest values of these data. c. Emergency call determination (step S19): As described later, a determination is made as to whether or not trouble data / trouble recovery data should be transmitted to the center side. If so, the corresponding transmission flag is set to ON. Is done. d. Closing date transmission determination (step S21): At a predetermined closing date transmitting time, a closing date transmitting flag is set to ON.
As a result, the total count value and the count value for each sheet size, which are the basis of the calculation of the copy charge amount, are transmitted to the center. After the transmission is completed, the center sends back the date and time data of the next closing date. e. Regular transmission determination (step S23): When a predetermined regular transmission time comes, the regular transmission flag is set to ON.
As a result, data relating to the various states of the corresponding copying machine 4 is transmitted to the center. After sending,
The center returns the current time data and the next scheduled transmission date and time data. f. Warning transmission determination (step S25): As will be described later, element data, the count value of the JAM counter,
The count value of the PM counter is compared with a predetermined threshold value. Further, based on the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the warning data / warning cancellation data should be transmitted to the center. If the data should be transmitted, the corresponding transmission flag is set to ON. g. User transmission determination (step S27): When the push switch 21 is pressed when the mode is not the initial setting mode,
The user call flag is set on. This allows
Various data relating to the state of the copying machine are transmitted to the center. h. PM transmission determination (step S29): As will be described later, the count value before clearing of the PM counter whose count value has been cleared to "0" by component replacement is transmitted to the center. i. Call processing (step S31): As described later, when any of the transmission flags is set to ON, the modem 52 is activated and processing for connecting a communication line with the center side is executed. When the communication line with the center is connected, data communication with the CPU 91 on the center is executed. When an operation command of the copier (command for causing the copier 4 to perform a predetermined operation) or a setting command (command for performing predetermined settings for the copier 4) is received from the center side by this data communication, Performs the corresponding processing.

2-2-2. Emergency call determination (FIG. 7): In this process, emergency call and emergency recovery call are managed. For example, when the trouble flag is off (step S10)
1; Yes), trouble code b from copier 4
6 is detected (YES in step S111).
es), the trouble flag and the emergency call flag are
Each is set to ON (step S113).

When the trouble flag is on (No in step S101), when the off edge of the sheet discharge code b0 from the copying machine 4 is detected (step S101).
If Yes in 121), the trouble flag is reset to off, and the emergency recovery transmission flag is set to on (step S123). The reason for performing such processing is that the case where the paper is discharged by the copying machine is the case where the trouble has been recovered.

When the emergency transmission flag or the emergency recovery transmission flag is set to ON, the call processing (FIGS. 11 to 1)
3) is executed, and the truffle data or the trouble recovery data is transmitted to the CPU 91 of the center.

2-2-3. Warning transmission determination (FIGS. 8 to 9): In this processing, warning transmission and warning release transmission are managed.
Steps S201 to S227 are processes for executing a warning transmission when the value of the element data deviates from the inherent allowable range, and a warning release transmission when the element data value returns to the allowable range.

First, an initial value "1" is set to the item number i indicating the type of element data (step S2).
01). Next, in step S211, a warning flag for the element data specified by the item number i (first time, the element data of the first item) is determined. As a result, if the warning flag related to the element data is off (Yes in step S211), it is determined whether the value of the element data is within an allowable range unique to the element data, in other words, the upper limit threshold value. iU or less, and
It is determined whether it is within the range equal to or more than the lower threshold iL, and if it is out of the allowable range (Yes in step S213)
s or the case of Yes in S215), the warning flag Fi and the warning transmission flag relating to the element data are set to ON (step S21).
7). As a result, the call processing (FIGS. 11 to 13) described later is executed, and the warning data is transmitted to the center.

On the other hand, if the warning flag of the element data designated by the item number i is on (No in step S211) in step S211, it is determined whether the value of the element data has returned to within the allowable range. Is determined, and if it returns (Yes in S221 and S2
If the result is Yes in step S23), the warning flag Fi related to the element data is reset to off, and the warning release transmission flag is set to on (step S225).
As a result, the call processing (FIGS. 11 to 13) described later is executed, and the warning release data is transmitted to the center. When the above processing is performed for all element data (Yes in step S227), step S23
The following processing is executed.

Steps S231 to S245 are processes for executing a warning transmission when the count values of the JAM counter and the PM counter exceed a specific threshold value, and a warning release transmission when the count value returns to the threshold value or less, respectively. is there.
First, an initial value “i (the value of the last item number of the element data + 1)” is set to the item number m indicating the type of the JAM counter and the PM counter (step S23).
1).

Next, in step S233, a warning flag relating to the JAM counter or PM counter designated by the item number m is determined. As a result, if the warning flag for the JAM counter or the PM counter is off (Yes in step S233), the count value is within the allowable range specific to the counter, that is, the threshold value m
Is determined, the warning flag Fm and the warning transmission flag for the counter are set to ON, respectively (step S237). As a result, call processing (FIGS. 11 to 13) described later is executed, and warning data is transmitted to the center.

On the other hand, in step S233, the item number
If the warning flag for the JAM counter or PM counter specified by m is on (No in step S233)
), It is determined whether or not the count value has returned to the threshold value or less. If the count value has returned (Y in step S241)
In the case of es), the warning flag Fm related to the counter is reset to OFF, and the warning release transmission flag is set to ON. Thereby, the gantry processing described later (FIG. 11)
To FIG. 13) is executed, and the warning release data is transmitted to the center. If the above processing is performed for all JAM counters and PM counters (Yes in step S245)
), Return to the main routine. As described above,
Warning transmission and warning release transmission are managed.

2-2-4. PM transmission determination (FIG. 10): In this processing, PM transmission is managed. First, an initial value “1” is set to the item number i indicating the type of the PM counter (step S301). Next, the processing of steps S303 to S311 is executed, and thereafter, the value of the item number i is incremented (step S313), and the above-mentioned step S30 is performed.
The processes of 3 to S311 are repeated. That is, the processes of steps S303 to S311 are repeated while changing the type of the PM counter.

Steps S303 to S311 are executed when the PM counter is cleared (Yes in step S305).
s, and in the case of Yes in step S307), the PM
This is a process for storing the count value immediately before clearing the counter (step S309) and setting the PM transmission flag to ON (step S311). It should be noted that the PM counter is cleared by a serviceman when replacing a part corresponding to the PM counter. When the PM transmission flag is set to ON (step S31)
1) The call processing (FIGS. 11 to 13) described below is executed,
PM data (the type of the replaced part and the count value immediately before the replacement) is transmitted to the center.

2-2-5. Call processing (FIGS. 11 to 13): In this processing, the center is called in response to turning on one of the transmission flags, and the communication line with the center is established. Upon connection, data corresponding to the turned on transmission flag is transmitted. In addition, data transmitted from the center is received, and when an operation command or a setting command for the copying machine is transmitted from the center, a corresponding process is performed.

First, if any of the outgoing flags is set to ON (Yes in step S401), the system is not in a redial standby state (No in step S403), and
The center side is called on condition that the communication line with the center side is not connected (No in step S405) and that the center side is not on standby after instructing the calling (step S407: No). An instruction to do so is issued to the modem 52 (step S409).

As a result of the processing in step S409, if, for example, the telephone set attached to the communication line is "in use" and the center cannot be called (Yes in step S411), a predetermined time A subsequent redial time is set (step S413), and the determination in step S403 is "Y" until the redial time is reached.
es ", and the processing in step S409 is not executed. At the redial time, the center is called again.

As a result of the processing in the step S409, the center side says "busy (even if the connection with the modem 72 is made,
(Including the case where there is no response from the CPU 91) ”(in the case of Yes in step S415),
The redial time is set in the same manner as described above, and when the redial time is reached, the center is called again.

As a result of the processing in step S409, when the line to the center side is connected (Y in step S405)
In the case of es), after the standby of the modem 52 is ready (in the case of Yes in step S421), the data corresponding to the transmission flag set to ON is transmitted to the center side (step s425).

When there is no more data to be transmitted to the center (No in step S423), the data transmitted from the center is received (step S423).
431). The received data includes, for example, data such as the current time, the next scheduled transmission date and time, and the next closing date and time, as well as a command for requesting the operation of the copier (operation command) and a setting of the copier. An instruction (setting instruction or setting change instruction) for changing the condition can be given.
When a communication error occurs, a data retransmission instruction is received (not shown).

When neither the operation command nor the setting change command is received (No in step S433), the transmission flag is reset to off (step S441), and the communication line is disconnected (step S443). ).

When an operation command or a setting command (setting change command) is received (Yes in step S433), a command receiving process (S500) is executed. The command receiving process will be described later with reference to FIG.

When an operation command or a setting command (setting change command) is received and command reception processing (S500) is executed, and the received data is data that needs to wait for processing in the copying machine 4 (Step S435)
In the case of Yes), the connection state is maintained as it is. The data that needs to wait for the end of the processing in the copying machine 4 is, for example, an operation executed by the copying machine in response to an operation command, such as when it is desired to operate the developing device to detect the toner density. (A detection result of a sensor, etc.) can be immediately obtained. When data is transmitted from the copying machine 4 in this connection state, the determination in step S423 is Yes, and the data is transmitted to the center again (S425). The receiving process of the copying machine 4 in response to the above command is executed in the above-described step S43.

When an operation command or a setting command (setting change command) is received and a command receiving process (S500) is executed, the command cannot be immediately executed because the copying machine 4 is in the sleep mode. In the case of a non-urgent operation command or a setting change command, it is necessary to notify the center of this fact. In this case, the determination in step S435 is also Yes, and the center is notified until the notification is completed. The connection state with the side is maintained. This notification will be described in the description of the command processing.

If there is no need to wait for processing in the copying machine 4 or to notify the center that the copying machine 4 is in the standby mode because it is in the sleep mode (step S).
(No in 435), the transmission flag is reset to off (step S441), and thereafter, the communication line is disconnected (step S443). As described above,
Communication with the center is performed by the call processing.

2-2-6. Command Receiving Process (FIG. 13): Here, the process of step S500 in FIG. 11 (command receiving process) will be described.

First, it is checked whether or not the copying machine 4 is in the sleep mode (step S501). As a result, if the copying machine 4 is not in the sleep mode (No in step S501), the command (operation command / setting change command) received from the center side is transmitted to the CPU.
41 (step S521). In response, the copier performs the corresponding operation or setting.

On the other hand, if the copying machine 4 is in the sleep mode (Yes in step S501), the emergency attribute information attached to the command (operation command / setting change command) is checked (step S503). ). As a result, when the urgent attribute is “urgent” (step S503)
In the case of Yes), the power supply unit PU3
0, an instruction is output to "change the signal level from the low level to the high level to release the sleep mode of the copying machine 4" (step S50).
5) The command (operation command / setting change command) received from the center is transmitted to the CPU 41 of the copying machine 4 (step S521). As a result, in the copying machine 4, the commanded operation or setting is performed.

If the emergency attribute is "non-emergency" in step S503, the center is notified that the copier 4 cannot execute the command (operation command / setting change command) because of the sleep mode. (S511). During this time, the line disconnection process is not executed as described above. The command (operation command / setting change command) transmitted from the center side is temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the memory 15 (S513).

2-2-7. Processing when Sleep Mode is Canceled (FIG. 1)
4): Step S in the above-described command receiving process (FIG. 13)
The data stored in a predetermined area of the memory 15 in 513 (operation command / setting change command not executed in the sleep mode) is used when the sleep mode of the copying machine 4 is released (Yes in S551). Is read from the predetermined area (S555), and is read from the CPU 4 of the copying machine 4.
1 (S557). That is, when the sleep mode of the copying machine 4 is released, the CP of the data terminal 1 is released.
In U11, the interrupt processing shown in FIG. 14 is executed.
Step S553 is a step of checking whether or not there is data in the predetermined area.

2-3. Procedure in the CPU 91 of the Center: Processing in the CPU 91 mounted on the computer 90 of the center will be described with reference to FIGS.

2-3-1. Function key processing (FIG. 1)
5): The CPU 91 starts processing when the power is turned on, and first executes environment setting of a modem, a printer, and the like (step S61). In the environment setting of the modem 72, for example, initial settings such as a dial mode and automatic incoming / outgoing are performed. Thereafter, in response to an operation input from each of the function keys Fl to F7, the following mode setting and the following processing are executed. a. Fl key operation (Yes in step S63):
The model registration acceptance mode is set (step S6).
5). That is, new registration of the model name, the number of items of element data, the name of each element data, the standard threshold value of each element data, the standard threshold value of each count data, and the like are accepted. b. F2 key operation (Yes in step S67):
The user master registration acceptance mode is set (step S69). That is, new registration of the user's name, address, telephone number, model name, machine number, scheduled transmission date and time, etc. is accepted. In addition, the ID of the data terminal 1 (DTI
D) is set automatically. c. F3 key operation (Yes in step S71):
A trouble state is displayed (step S73). That is,
User information of the copier that made the emergency call (user name,
Address, phone number, model name), date and time of trouble occurrence, etc.
It is displayed on the display 92 together with the trouble content. The number of troubles is always displayed at the corner of the display 92 regardless of the operation of the F3 key. d. F4 key operation (Yes in step S75):
A warning situation is displayed (step S77). That is, the user information of the copying machine that issued the warning is displayed on the display 92 together with the contents of the warning. The number of warnings is always displayed in the corner of the display 92 irrespective of the operation of the F4 key. e. F5 key operation (Yes in step S79):
An unreceived state is displayed (step S81). That is, the user information of the copying machine that does not perform the scheduled transmission even after the predetermined scheduled transmission time has passed is displayed on the display 92. Regardless of the operation of the F4 key, the number of unreceived messages is always displayed in the corner of the display 92. f. F6 key operation (Yes in step S83):
The user data display mode is set (step S85).
That is, when a user is selected, user information is displayed on the display 92. If you select a submenu,
The count values of various counters (total counter, counter for each paper size, JAM counter, trouble counter, PM counter) and element data of the user copying machine are displayed for each month or for each item. g. F7 key operation (Yes in step S87):
The bill is printed out (step S8)
9). The printer connected to the computer 90 is activated, and the copy charge calculated based on the count value of the total counter and a predetermined formula is printed out.

2-3-4. Incoming Interrupt Process (FIG. 16) When an incoming interrupt occurs, the CPU 91 sequentially receives data transmitted from the data terminal side, and performs a predetermined process on the received data. Apply. First DTID
And data reception processing is performed (step S601).
If a communication error has occurred (step S603)
In the case of Yes), retransmission of data is requested to the data terminal side (step S611). When the receiving process is completed (Yes in step S605), tabulation by item / month is performed, and screen display data is created by operator selection (see step S85 in FIG. 15) (step S621).

Subsequently, if the communication is based on the scheduled transmission, the next scheduled transmission date and time, the cut-off date and time, and the current time are transmitted to the data terminal 1 (step S62).
5). If there is an operation command or a setting change command for the copying machine 4, the command is transmitted (step S62).
3). Thereafter, if the data is not transmitted from the data terminal 1 by looping back (N in step S625).
In the case of o), the communication line disconnection processing is executed (step S631), and the interruption processing ends. If the data is transmitted from the data terminal 1 in a loop (Yes in step S625), the above-described processing is performed again.

Although not shown in the above embodiment,
As means for the data terminal 1 to communicate with the center, packet communication via the Internet, wireless communication such as a mobile phone, or the like may be used.

[0057]

According to the present invention, when an urgent operation command or setting command is received from the central control device while the device is in the sleep mode, the operation command or setting command is immediately transmitted to the device. , So that a trouble due to a delay in response can be prevented. Further, when an operation command or a setting command having no urgency is received, the operation command or the setting command is executed after the sleep mode of the device is released, so that the energy saving effect is not wasted. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a system in which a device management apparatus according to an embodiment is provided.

FIG. 2 is a part of a circuit configuration diagram of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the rest of the circuit configuration diagram of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of data transmitted from a CPU 41 to a CPU 11;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure executed by a CPU 41;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure executed by the CPU 11;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of step S19 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a part of a flowchart showing the procedure of step S25 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is the remaining part of the flowchart showing the procedure of step S25 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of step S29 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a part of a flowchart showing the procedure of step S31 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is the remaining part of the flowchart showing the procedure of step S31 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of step S500 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure executed by the CPU 11 when the sleep mode of the copying machine 4 is released.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing corresponding to a function key input executed by the CPU 91;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an incoming call interruption process executed by the CPU 91;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Data terminal (equipment management device) 4 Copy machine (equipment to be managed)

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 HJ08 HJ10 HK11 HK19 HN05 HN15 HQ20 HT03 HT07 HT09 HV09 2H027 DA50 EJ13 EJ15 EJ19 ZA07 5B021 AA01 AA02 AA05 AA19 BB01 CC02 MM02 5K048 DCA HA02 9A001 BB02 BB04 BB06 CC05 CC06 CC08 DD10 DD13 GG01 JJ25 JJ35 KK42 LL05 LL09

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from a device control unit of a device to be managed, and a second communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from a centralized management device. A device management apparatus comprising: an inspection unit configured to check whether a device control unit of the device to be managed is controlling the device; a start unit configured to start control of the device by the device control unit of the device to be managed; When an urgent command is received from the central control device in a state where the device control unit of the target device is not controlling the device, a control unit that starts the device control unit by the start unit and executes the command when the command is urgent. A device management device, comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to control the device when a non-urgent command is received from the centralized management device while the device control unit of the device to be managed is not controlling the device. A control unit that waits until control of the device is started, and executes the command when the control is started. 3. The control means according to claim 2, wherein, when waiting until the control of the device by the device control unit of the device to be managed is started, the control unit notifies the central management device of the fact. A device management device characterized by the above-mentioned.