JP2003069783A - Managing system for image forming device, image forming device, program and computer readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly and surely transmit data from a copying machine to a host computer. SOLUTION: The copying machine has a mail mode composed of a mail transmitting function and a mail receiving function in addition to a print mode at least and when the mail mode is selected by a mode selecting means, an electronic mail communication picture is displayed on a display means. When the mail receiving function is selected by a mail function selecting means in the state of displaying this electronic mail communication picture, received electronic mail is displayed on the display means. When the mail transmitting function is selected by the mail function selecting means, on the other hand, the input of the electronic mail text from an input means is enabled, the inputted electronic mail text is displayed on the display means, and mail is transmitted by the mail function part while attaching a mail address read out of a storage means to the electronic mail text by the ON operation of a mail transmitting key.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, a printing machine, etc., a management system for an image forming apparatus which performs meter reading and failure management of this image forming apparatus by a computer at a remote place, and an image. Program for controlling forming apparatus, and floppy disk, hard disk, MO recording such program
The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium such as a disc or a CD-ROM.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus and a host computer of a sales office which is in charge of maintenance of the image forming apparatus are connected by a telephone line, and charging data such as copy count information transmitted from the image forming apparatus is connected. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming apparatus management system in which a host computer at a business office that issues a bill receives the received data and the received data is analyzed and displayed on the host computer side.

Further, in such an image forming apparatus management system, when the image forming apparatus fails, the failure notification is transmitted to the host computer side of the service center which integrally manages a plurality of business offices, and the image forming apparatus is informed. The details of the failure are displayed on the monitor of the host computer of the service center. Then, the operator of the service center makes a repair request to the sales office in charge of the repair.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional management system for an image forming apparatus, when the failure notification is transmitted from the image forming apparatus side to the host computer side, the host computer side is busy or there is a power failure. If the telephone cannot be connected in the middle or the like, it will automatically retry several times, but if the telephone is still not connected and transmission is not possible, the display panel of the image forming device will indicate that communication is not possible, and a call will be sent to the service center. Since the user is requested to report the failure, there is a problem that the failure notification may not be carried out smoothly and the user may be burdened.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to enable smooth and reliable data transmission from the image forming apparatus side to the host computer or the like so as not to burden the user side.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus, a host computer, and a wireless telephone are configured so that they can mutually transmit and receive various data via a public network, and the image forming apparatus, The host computer and the wireless telephone are each provided with a mail function unit capable of transmitting and receiving electronic mail, and the management of the image forming apparatus is such that the electronic mail can be mutually transmitted and received between the image forming apparatus, the host computer and the wireless telephone. It is about the system. The image forming apparatus has a mail mode including a mail sending function and a mail receiving function in addition to at least the print mode, and when the mail mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the electronic mail communication screen is displayed on the displaying means. Is displayed, and when the mail receiving function is selected by the mail function selecting means while the electronic mail communication screen is displayed, the received electronic mail is displayed on the displaying means while the mail sending function is selected by the mail function selecting means. Then, it enables the input of the email body from the input means, displays the entered email body on the display means,
When the mail transmission key is turned on, the mail address read from the storage means is attached to the body of the electronic mail and the mail is transmitted by the mail function unit.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
A mail function that enables the host computer and the wireless telephone to send and receive various data to and from each other via a public network, and also enables a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the host computer, and the wireless telephone to send and receive electronic mail. The present invention relates to a management system for an image forming apparatus, which is provided with a unit and can exchange electronic mails with a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a host computer, and a wireless telephone. The image forming apparatus has a mail mode including a mail sending function and a mail receiving function in addition to at least the print mode, and when the mail mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the electronic mail communication screen is displayed on the displaying means. Is displayed, and when the mail receiving function is selected by the mail function selecting means while the electronic mail communication screen is displayed, the received electronic mail is displayed on the displaying means while the mail sending function is selected by the mail function selecting means. Then, the body of the email can be entered from the input means, the entered email body is displayed on the display means, and the email address read from the storage means is added to the email body by turning on the mail transmission key. Attach
A mail is sent by the mail function unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a mail mode having a mail sending function and a mail receiving function in addition to at least the print mode, and the operation control in each mode is performed by the control means. .
In the image forming apparatus, when the mail mode is selected by the mode selecting unit, an electronic mail communication screen is displayed on the display unit, and the mail receiving function is displayed by the mail function selecting unit with the electronic mail communication screen displayed. When selected, the received e-mail is displayed on the display means, while when the mail sending function is selected by the mail function selection means, the e-mail text can be entered from the input means, and the entered e-mail text is displayed. Is displayed on the display means,
When the mail transmission key is turned on, the mail address read from the storage means is attached to the body of the electronic mail and the mail is sent by the mail function unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, when the mail mode is selected by the mode selection means in the control means of the image forming apparatus having a mail mode having a mail transmission function and a mail reception function in addition to at least the print mode. A step of displaying an electronic mail communication screen on the display means, and a step of displaying the received electronic mail on the display means when the mail receiving function is selected by the mail function selecting means while the electronic mail communication screen is displayed. When the mail sending function is selected by the mail function selecting means, the step of enabling the input of the email body from the input means, the step of displaying the entered email body on the display means, When turned on, attach the email address read from the storage means to the email body A step of sending mail by department, and a program for execution.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, when the mail mode is selected by the mode selecting means in the control means of the image forming apparatus having a mail mode including a mail sending function and a mail receiving function in addition to at least the print mode. A step of displaying an electronic mail communication screen on the display means, and a step of displaying the received electronic mail on the display means when the mail receiving function is selected by the mail function selecting means while the electronic mail communication screen is displayed. When the mail sending function is selected by the mail function selecting means, the step of enabling the input of the email body from the input means, the step of displaying the entered email body on the display means, When turned on, attach the email address read from the storage means to the email body A step of sending mail by department, a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for executing the.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a management system for an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a copying machine 1 as an image forming apparatus includes various communication means such as a PHS 2a and a modem 2b, and a host computer (service center of a service center) of a business office via a public line network. (To be distinguished from the host computer, it is called the meter reading host computer)
3, the host computer of the service center (to be referred to as a failure management host computer in order to distinguish from the host computer of the sales office) 4 and the PHS (wireless telephone) 9 owned by the service person can perform transmission / reception. Further, the meter reading host computer 3 and the failure management host computer 4 are each connected to the ISDN line via a terminal adapter (TA). Further, the copying machine 1, the respective host computers 3 and 4 and the PHS 9 of the service person can mutually send and receive electronic mails via the Internet.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the copying machine 1, the meter reading host computer 3 and the failure management host computer 4 which constitute the management system of the image forming apparatus.

The copying machine 1 has at least a print mode for executing printing and a mail mode having an electronic mail transmission function and an electronic mail reception function. The copying machine 1 includes an exposure unit for reading an original document, and an image forming unit including a photoconductor and a developing unit for converting an image read by the exposure unit into a toner image.
Transfer means arranged in a transfer area for transferring the toner image formed by the image forming means to transfer paper, paper feeding means for supplying the transfer paper to the transfer area, and toner image transferred to the transfer paper And a fixing unit that heats and pressurizes to fix the transfer paper. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine 1 includes an operating state detecting means 5 having various sensors for detecting a failure of each part of the copying machine 1, jam (paper jam), copy count, and the like, and a copying machine. An input means 6 such as a keyboard, a touch panel, and an operation button of an operation panel arranged on the upper part of the main body, a display means 7 such as a liquid crystal display device for displaying various data relating to the operation of the copying machine 1, a function selection screen, and the like, It is provided with a communication means 2 that enables transmission and reception of data to and from the meter reading host computer 3 and the failure management host computer 4, and a control means 8 that controls the operation of the communication means 2, the operating state detection means 5, and the like. . here,
The communication means 2 includes everything that enables communication, and includes hardware such as the PHS 2a and the modem 2b and software such as a control program. The communication unit 2 includes a general communication function unit C1 that enables direct transmission and reception of data to and from the host computers 3 and 4 and the PHS 9 of the service person via the public line network.
Sending mail server 19a and receiving mail server 19
It is provided with a mail function unit C2 capable of transmitting and receiving mails with the host computers 3 and 4 and the PHS 9 of a service person via the Internet connected to b (see FIG. 1). The input unit 6 includes a keyboard displayed on the display panel (display unit 7) when the mail mode is selected, and a character string (e-mail text) or the like can be input by the keyboard. You can do it.

The control means 8 includes a CPU 10 for executing arithmetic processing according to a control program, a storage means 11 including a ROM for storing the control program and a readable / writable RAM for storing the arithmetic result, and an input / output interface (not shown). No.) is provided by the microcomputer. If an external storage device such as a hard disk is installed in the main body of the copying machine, the control means 8 is also connected to the external storage device. here,
The storage means 11 stores a communication destination telephone number, a communication destination mail address (for example, a meter reading host computer 3, a failure management host computer 4 and a service person's PHS 9 mail address), failure data, and the like.

Further, the control means 8 switches between the general communication function section C1 and the mail function section C2 to be used depending on the contents of the transmission data. For example, when the operating state detecting unit 5 detects a failure of the copying machine 1, the control unit 8 reads out the failure data corresponding to the detection result from the control unit, and changes the failure data into a mail format by the mail function unit C2. And the failure management host computer 4
Also, send an email to the PHS9 service person. Also,
The control unit 8 periodically detects the numerical value of the copy counter, changes the copy count data into a mail format by the mail function unit C2, and sends the copy count data to the meter reading host computer 3 by mail.

As will be described later, the control means 8 has remote control units RC1, RC2, RC of the meter reading host computer 3, failure management host computer 4 or PHS9.
The job data output by 3 is the mail function unit EH
2, SH2, 92 is sent by mail, and when the mail-transmitted job data is received by the mail function unit C2, the operation of each unit of the copying machine is controlled based on the job data of the received mail.

The meter reading host computer 3 is a copying machine 1.
It is installed in a business office that provides services such as meter reading and maintenance, and includes a CPU 12 that executes arithmetic processing according to a control program, a ROM that stores the control program and a readable / writable RAM that stores the arithmetic result and the like. The storage unit 13 includes a storage unit 13, a remote control unit RC1 that outputs job data for controlling the operation of the copying machine 1, and an input / output interface (not shown). The meter reading host computer 3 includes an external storage device 14 such as a hard disk, an input unit 15 such as an input keyboard and operation buttons, and a communication unit 16 that enables data transmission / reception with the copying machine 1. It is connected to a display means 17 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device via an input / output interface (not shown). Of these, the communication means 16 includes a general communication function unit EH1 that enables direct transmission / reception of data to / from the copying machine 1, the failure management host computer 4, and the service person's PHS 9 via a public line network. A mail function unit EH2 that enables transmission / reception of electronic mail to / from the copying machine 1, the failure management host computer 4, and the PHS 9 of a service person via the Internet connected to the sending mail server 19a and the receiving mail server 19b. And (see FIG. 1). It should be noted that the storage means 13 stores a communication destination telephone number, a communication destination email address, and the like. Further, the communication means 16 includes all that enables communication, and includes a terminal adapter (TA), a communication control program, and the like. The meter reading host computer 3 sends an e-mail in which the e-mail text input from the input unit 15 is attached with the e-mail address read from the storage unit 13 to the mail function unit E.
It can be sent by H2.

The failure management host computer 4 is installed in a service center that controls a plurality of business offices. In addition, the service center receives a notification of failure of each of the copying machines 1 and 1 (for example, a trouble such as a voltage abnormality of the charger, which cannot be easily solved by the user), and the failure is detected. It is designed to instruct the sales office in charge of the generated copying machine 1 to dispatch a service person for repair.

The failure management host computer 4 is
CPU that executes arithmetic processing according to a control program
18 and a ROM 2 for storing control programs and a readable / writable RAM for storing calculation results and the like.
0, a remote controller RC2 for outputting job data for controlling the operation of the copying machine 1, and an input / output interface (not shown). The failure management host computer 4 includes an external storage device 22 such as a hard disk,
It is connected to an input keyboard (input means) 23, a communication means 24 capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from a copying machine, and a display means 25 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device through an input / output interface (not shown). There is. Among them, the communication means 24 is a general communication function unit SH1 that enables direct transmission / reception of data to / from the copying machine 1, the meter reading host computer 3 and the service person's PHS 9 via the public line network, and the transmission. A mail function unit SH2 that enables sending and receiving of electronic mail with the copier 1, the meter reading host computer 3, and the service person's PHS 9 via the Internet connected to the side mail server 19a and the receiving side mail server 19b; (See FIG. 1). The recording means 20 stores a communication destination telephone number, a communication destination mail address, and the like. Further, the communication means 24 includes all that enables communication, and includes a terminal adapter (TA), a communication control program, and the like. In addition, the failure management host computer 4
The storage means 2 is stored in the text of the email input from the input means 23.
An electronic mail attached with the mail address read from 0 can be sent by the mail function unit SH2.

The PHS carried by the service person
In the copying machine 1 and its memory 95, a communication destination telephone number and a communication destination mail address are stored. The PHS is a general communication function unit 91 that enables voice communication.
And a mail function unit 92 that enables sending and receiving of electronic mail
And a remote control unit RC3 for outputting job data for controlling the operation of the copying machine 1, an input means 93 including an operation key, a touch panel, etc. for inputting an e-mail text and various function selection signals, and functions. Display means 94 such as a liquid crystal display panel for displaying a selection screen, an e-mail communication screen, etc.
And a memory 95 in which a communication destination telephone number and a communication destination mail address are recorded.

A case where the host computer 3, 4 or PHS is used to remotely control the copying machine 1 in the image forming apparatus management system configured as described above will be described.

The meter reading host computer 3, the failure management host computer 4 or the service personnel PHS 9
When the selection keys for remote control of the input means 15, 23, 93 are pressed, the selection menu for remote control is displayed on the display means 17, 25, 94 such as a liquid crystal display panel. When the desired remote control is selected, the remote control units RC1, RC2, RC3 store the job data corresponding to the selected remote control in the storage means 11, 20.
Or from the memory 95. Then, the job data is changed into a mail format by the mail function units EH2, SH2, 93, and the mail address of the copying machine 1 recorded in the storage means 11, 20 or the memory 95 is read and attached. Email function section EH2, SH2, 92
Is sent from the sender to the sending mail server 19a. The mail sent to the sending mail server 19a is sent to the receiving mail server 19b via the Internet, and a signal indicating that the mail has arrived at the copying machine 1 is sent from the receiving mail server 19b. Upon receiving the signal, the control means 8 of the copying machine 1 receives the mail server 1 on the receiving side.
9b is automatically accessed and the mail addressed to the copying machine 1 is fetched via the mail function unit C2. At this time, the control means 8
Displays the content of the received mail on the display means 7 of the copying machine 1 so that the user can read the content of the mail. Then, the control means 8 of the copying machine 1 controls functions of the copying machine 1 and various copying operations based on the job data of the received mail. Here, the control means 8
When other job data is received during job processing, the job data is recorded in the storage means 11 in the order of reception and the job is processed in the order of reception. The control unit 8 may prioritize the job processing regardless of the order of reception and perform the job processing according to the priority.

Further, jobs (copying work) are concentrated on one of the plurality of copying machines 1, and the copying machine 1 is in operation.
If the job fails and the job cannot be executed,
The control means 8 of the copying machine 1 reads out the unexecutable job data from the storage means 11, mails the job data to the sender mail server 19a by the mail function unit C2, and sends the job data from the sender mail server 19a via the Internet. Alternatively, the job data may be sent from the receiving mail server 19b to the other copying machine 1 in operation by mail. Here, the method of selecting the copying machines 1 to be transferred by mail is not particularly limited. For example, the copying machines 1 having a small number of jobs may be sequentially sent by mail, or the copying machines 1 located at a close position may be sequentially sent by mail. You may make it transmit. When performing this mail transfer, the control means 8 displays the transfer destination on the display means 7 and notifies the job request destination of the transfer destination (mail transmission). By doing so, job processing can be efficiently performed in a short time.

As described above, according to the management system of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the job data of the copying machine 1 is transferred to the host computers 3 and 4 and the PHS 9 of the service person.
Even if the communication means of the copying machine 1 is in communication or the copying machine 1 side is out of power and cannot directly connect the telephone, since the mail is transmitted from the host computer 3, 4 or PHS 9 The job data of No. 1 can be smoothly and reliably transmitted to the copying machine 1 side. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the job reservation setting for the copying machine 1 and the remote operation of the copying machine 1 can be performed smoothly and reliably.

Further, since the management system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment sends and receives the job data by e-mail, even if the telephone number of the destination or the destination is changed due to transfer or the like, As long as the email address is not changed, data can be sent reliably.

Further, the management system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the PHS 2a as the communication means of the copying machine 1.
By adopting, it is not necessary to connect a telephone line to the copying machine 1, the degree of freedom of the installation place of the copying machine 1 is increased, and the FA
The present invention can be widely applied to the copying machine 1 that does not have the X function.

Next, a case where a character string (e-mail text) input by the user from the input means 6 of the copying machine 1 is sent to each of the host computers 3 and 4, the PHS 9 and other copying machines 1 by mail will be described. It will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the copying machine 1 is powered on, a print mode screen is displayed on the display means 7 (step S).
1). Here, when the mail key (mode selecting means) 6a of the input means 6 is selected (step S2), the print mode is switched to the mail mode, and the mail mode screen (e-mail communication screen) is displayed on the display means ( Step S3). When the mail receiving function is selected by the mail function selection key (mail function selecting means) 6b in the state of being switched to the mail mode, the received electronic mail is displayed on the display means 7 (step S4). A list of received e-mails is displayed on this screen, and details of the e-mails are displayed by selecting an e-mail to read from the list. Then, when the mail end key 6c is selected (step S5), the mail receiving mode ends, and the display screen of the display means 7 becomes the print mode display screen (step S5).
1).

In step S5, if the mail transmission function is selected by the mail function selection key 6b without selecting the mail end, the mail reception mode is switched to the mail transmission mode (step S6), and the display means 7 displays the mail creation screen. (Step S7). Here, a touch panel type keyboard (input means 6) similar to the keyboard of a personal computer is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel as the display means 7. Then, when the body of the e-mail is created with this keyboard and the mail transmission key 6d is pressed, the e-mail having the mail address read from the storage means 11 attached to the body of the e-mail is transmitted by the mail function unit C2 ( Step S8). When the mail transmission is completed (step S9), the display of the display means 7 returns to the mail mode display screen (step S3). If the mail transmission function is not selected in step S6 and the key (email non-transmission key) 6e indicating that mail is not transmitted is selected in step S8, the display of the display unit 7 returns to the mail mode display screen (step S3). ).

The mail sent from the copying machine 1 is sent to the sending mail server 19a and further sent to the receiving mail server 19b via the Internet. Then, the receiving mail server 19b notifies the destination of the incoming mail. The destination is the receiving mail server 19b
From the notification from the user, he / she knows that there is a mail addressed to him / her, and accesses the receiving mail server 19b to receive the mail.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can send the data regarding the ordering of consumables, the request for the repair and the like to the host computers 3 and 4 side and the PHS 9 side by e-mail, and therefore, the transmission destination. Even if the user cannot make a direct call due to communication or power failure, the data can be transmitted smoothly and surely, and the burden on the user side at the time of data transmission can be reduced. As described above, in the management system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the copying machine 1, the meter reading host computer 3, the failure management host computer 4 and the PHS 9 are the mail function units C2, EH2, S respectively.
Since H2 and 92 are provided, mails can be sent and received mutually, and messages can be transmitted to the destination smoothly and reliably, so the quality of services such as maintenance for users can be improved. .

In the present embodiment, the PHS9
Are not limited to those possessed by service personnel, for example,
It may be possessed by a user who needs to operate the copying machine 1.

Further, in the present embodiment, the copying machine 1
In addition to the host computers 3 and 4 and the PHS, the electronic mail may be transmitted / received to / from an electronic device capable of transmitting / receiving the electronic mail.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 shows a management system for an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus management system shown in FIG. 4 is similar in that the copying machine 1 is configured to be able to send and receive mails with the host computers 3 and 4 and the PHS 9 via the Internet. A computer (control means 8) built in a plurality of copying machines 1 is connected to an internal LAN
It is supposed to be tied with. The internal network and the external network are blocked by the firewall 31, and the WWW that stores and manages internal data is stored in the LAN.
A server 32, an in-house mail server 33, etc. are connected.

In the management system for an image forming apparatus having such a configuration, when a job (copying work) is concentrated on one of the copying machines 1 or the copying machine 1 in operation fails. If the job cannot be executed, the control means 8 of the copying machine 1 reads out the unexecutable job data from the storage means 11 and sends the job data to the in-house mail server 33 by the mail function unit C2. The job data is sent from the mail server 33 to another copying machine 1 in operation by mail. Here, the method of selecting the copying machines 1 to be transferred by mail is not particularly limited. For example, the copying machines 1 having a small number of jobs may be sequentially sent by mail, or the copying machines 1 located at a close position may be sequentially sent by mail. You may make it transmit. When performing this mail transfer, the control means 8
The transfer destination is displayed on the display unit 7, and the job request destination (computer connected to LAN, PHS, etc.) is notified of the transfer destination via the in-house mail server 3 (mail transmission).

According to this embodiment having such a configuration,
A large number of jobs can be processed efficiently, and the job processing time can be shortened.

[Modifications of Embodiment] In the above embodiment, the copying machine 1 is illustrated as the image forming apparatus and the management system of the image forming apparatus is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be widely applied to a facsimile, a printer, a complex machine of these, a printing machine, and the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a mobile phone having a mail function may be used instead of the PHS 9 of the service person. Moreover, although PHS is illustrated as the communication means of the copying machine 1, the communication means applying the mobile phone function may be used without being limited to this.

Although the above embodiment has exemplified the case where the service center and the sales office are separate, when the service center also serves as the sales office, the host computer of the service center is for failure management and It becomes a host computer for meter reading.

In the above-described embodiment, the mail server function may be provided to the applications of the host computers 3 and 4 and the control means (computer) 8 of the copying machine 1 to have the mail server function. By doing so, there is an advantage that the arrival of the mail or the like can be immediately known, as compared with the case where the mail arrival protocol or the like uses a mail capturing protocol such as POP3.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the image forming apparatus, the host computer, and the wireless telephone can send and receive e-mail to and from each other, the data transmission destination is communicating or there is a power failure. Even when it is not possible to directly connect a telephone by using a wireless telephone, various data can be smoothly and surely transmitted and received between the image forming apparatus, the host computer and the wireless telephone, and the user's burden is not imposed when transmitting the data. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a management system for an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for controlling a copying machine, a meter reading host computer, a failure management host computer, and a PHS that constitute the image forming apparatus management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operating state of the copying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a management system for an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Copying machine (image forming apparatus), 3 ... Meter reading host computer (host computer), 4 ... Failure management host computer (host computer), 6a.
Mail key (mode selection means), 6b ... Mail function selection key (mail function selection means), 6d ... Mail transmission key, 8 ... Control means, 9 ... PHS (wireless telephone), 11
...... Memory means, C2, EH2, SH2 …… Mail function section

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Jiro Yanagi             1-22 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture             Kyocera Mita Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 HJ07 HJ08                       HJ10 HQ12 HV35                 5B089 GA13 GB03 JA35 JB14 KA01                       LA06 LA12 LB14                 5C062 AA05 AA12 AA13 AA29 AA37                       AB38 AC35 AE16 BD09

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, a host computer, and a wireless telephone are configured to mutually transmit and receive various data via a public line network, and each of the image forming apparatus, the host computer, and the wireless telephone sends an electronic mail. A management system for an image forming apparatus, which includes a mail function unit that enables transmission and reception, and is capable of mutually transmitting and receiving electronic mail among an image forming apparatus, a host computer, and a wireless telephone, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises: In addition to the print mode, at least a mail mode having a mail sending function and a mail receiving function is provided, and when the mail mode is selected by the mode selecting means,
When the e-mail communication screen is displayed on the display means and the mail reception function is selected by the mail function selection means while the e-mail communication screen is displayed, the received e-mail is displayed on the display means while the mail function selection is performed. When the mail transmission function is selected by the means, the body of the email can be entered from the input means, the entered body of the email is displayed on the display means, and is stored in the body of the email when the mail transmission key is turned on. A management system for an image forming apparatus, wherein the mail function read out from the means is attached, and the mail is transmitted by the mail function unit. 2. A plurality of image forming apparatuses, a host computer, and a wireless telephone are configured to mutually transmit and receive various data via a public line network, and each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the host computer, and a wireless telephone. Is equipped with a mail function unit that enables sending and receiving of e-mail,
A management system for an image forming apparatus capable of exchanging electronic mail with each other among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a host computer, and a wireless telephone, wherein the image forming apparatus includes at least a print mode and a mail transmission. It has a mail mode consisting of a function and a mail receiving function, and when the mail mode is selected by the mode selecting means,
When the e-mail communication screen is displayed on the display means and the mail reception function is selected by the mail function selection means while the e-mail communication screen is displayed, the received e-mail is displayed on the display means while the mail function selection is performed. When the mail transmission function is selected by the means, the body of the email can be entered from the input means, the entered body of the email is displayed on the display means, and is stored in the body of the email when the mail transmission key is turned on. A management system for an image forming apparatus, wherein the mail function read out from the means is attached, and the mail is transmitted by the mail function unit. 3. An image forming apparatus having a mail mode having a mail sending function and a mail receiving function in addition to at least a print mode, wherein the control means controls the operation in each mode, and the mode selecting means sends mail. Once the mode is selected,
When the e-mail communication screen is displayed on the display means and the mail reception function is selected by the mail function selection means while the e-mail communication screen is displayed, the received e-mail is displayed on the display means while the mail function selection is performed. When the mail transmission function is selected by the means, the body of the email can be entered from the input means, the entered body of the email is displayed on the display means, and is stored in the body of the email when the mail transmission key is turned on. An image forming apparatus, wherein the mail address read out from the means is attached and the mail is transmitted by a mail function unit. 4. When the mail mode is selected by the mode selection means in the control means of the image forming apparatus having a mail mode having a mail transmission function and a mail reception function in addition to at least the print mode,
A step of displaying an electronic mail communication screen on the display means; a step of displaying the received electronic mail on the display means when the mail receiving function is selected by the mail function selecting means while the electronic mail communication screen is displayed; When the mail sending function is selected by the mail function selecting means, it is possible to input the e-mail text from the inputting means, the step of displaying the input e-mail text on the displaying means, and the operation of turning on the mail sending key. Then, a program for executing the step of attaching the email address read from the storage means to the body of the email and sending the email by the email function unit. 5. When the mail mode is selected by the mode selection means in the control means of the image forming apparatus having a mail mode having a mail transmission function and a mail reception function in addition to at least the print mode,
A step of displaying an electronic mail communication screen on the display means; a step of displaying the received electronic mail on the display means when the mail receiving function is selected by the mail function selecting means while the electronic mail communication screen is displayed; When the mail sending function is selected by the mail function selecting means, it is possible to input the e-mail text from the inputting means, the step of displaying the input e-mail text on the displaying means, and the operation of turning on the mail sending key. Then, a step of sending a mail by the mail function unit with the mail address read from the storage means attached to the body of the electronic mail, and a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for executing the step.