JPH04318859A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain early correspondence to the occurrence of abnormality by remotely inspecting a copying device by means of an external device provided on a control charge section, etc., early detecting the occurrence of the abnormality. and stopping the operation of the copying device by means of a remote operation. CONSTITUTION:The copying device has the copying control means 800 controlling a copying action, a communication control means 900 controlling exchange with the external device 999 via a communicating line 908, and an abnormality detecting means detecting the abnormality of the copying device, and a power source interrupting stopping the operation of the copying device. When the abnormality detecting means detects the abnormality of the copying device, the communication control means 900 transmits the information of the abnormality of the external device 999, and when the communication control means receives an operation stopping signal from the external device, the power source interrupting means stops the operation.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine having a communication function with an external device.

0002

[Background Art] There is a strong desire to add various functions to copying machines and make them more sophisticated.The structures and functions of copying machines are becoming more and more complex, and the number of copying machines installed within a single company is also increasing. In addition, for proper and prompt maintenance, troubleshooting, etc., normal usage conditions and functional data of copying machines are collected and centrally managed by management departments within companies or specialized companies.

[0003] Therefore, the copying machine is equipped with a communication control means for communicating with an external device via a communication line,
2. Description of the Related Art Copying apparatuses are known that are configured to be able to communicate, such as sending and receiving data, with a management office device outside the copying apparatus, either periodically or at any time.

[0004] In addition, copying machines are equipped with safety devices that automatically shut off abnormal parts in the event of an abnormality in parts or operation, such as thermal fuses and thermostats in the fuser of copying machines, to prevent defective parts of the machine. When the temperature rises abnormally due to abnormal operation, the circuit is shut off to prevent serious malfunctions.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, parts of the safety device itself deteriorate over time or become defective, so that the safety device does not function properly and the copying machine There was a problem in that there was a delay in detecting an abnormality and taking measures such as turning off the power, making the accident worse. Furthermore, even in the case of a configuration in which the safety device is released by turning on/off the main switch, there is a problem in that monitoring and dealing with abnormalities are delayed.

[0006] Particularly, in the case of a copying apparatus having a complicated structure that is centrally managed by an external device, it is difficult to expect a copying worker to discover an abnormality in the apparatus and take appropriate early action.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and provides a copying machine that can be remotely monitored from an external device and can be stopped remotely at the discretion of the external device. The purpose is to provide the following.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Therefore, a copying apparatus according to the present invention includes a copying control means for controlling copying operations;
A copying apparatus comprising a communication control means for controlling transmission and reception performed with an external device via a communication line, an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the copying apparatus, and a power cutoff means for stopping operation of the copying apparatus, the copying apparatus comprising: When the abnormality detection means detects an abnormality in the copying machine, the communication control means transmits abnormality information to an external device connected via a communication line, and when the communication control means receives an operation stop signal from the external device, the communication control means The above objective is achieved by a configuration characterized in that the operation is stopped by a shutoff means.

[0009]

[Operation] With the above configuration, the copying apparatus can perform copying operations under the control of the copy control means, and can transmit and receive data, etc., with an external device via a communication line under the control of the communication control means. can.

[0010] While the copying machine is powered on, the abnormality detection means continues to detect whether an abnormality has occurred in the copying apparatus, and when an abnormality is detected, the communication control means transmits abnormality information to an external device. Send. Then, when an operation stop signal is transmitted to the copying apparatus from the external device side, the communication control means receives the operation stop signal and stops the operation of the copying apparatus by the power cutoff means. As mentioned above, the copying machine can be remotely monitored by an external device installed in the management department, etc., to detect the occurrence of an abnormality at an early stage, and the operation of the copying machine can be stopped by remote control, allowing early response to the occurrence of an abnormality. This can prevent the situation from developing into a serious accident.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A copying apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a main body of the copying apparatus, 800 a control means for controlling the copying operation, and 900 a communication control means (modem board) for transmitting and receiving data with an external communication line.
, 908 is a public line which is an external communication line, 99
9 is a post computer system located at a management base for managing the copying apparatus.

A switch 500 is a power cutoff means for stopping the operation of the copying apparatus, and when the communication control means 900 receives an operation stop signal from an external device 999, this switch 500 is activated to turn off the operation of the copying apparatus 100. The power is cut off and the copying machine stops operating.

FIG. 2 shows the communication control means (modem board) 9
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of 00. 901 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) for controlling communication, and 903 is a memory (R) for temporarily storing communication data.
AM), 905 transfers digital communication data to public line 908.
906 is a network control unit (NCU).

The copying operation of the copying apparatus 100, data storage, and communication with an external device via the external communication line 908 are carried out under the control of the copying control means 800 and the communication control means 900 having the above configuration.

The copy control means 800 and the communication control means 900 also constitute an abnormality detection means for detecting abnormalities in the copying apparatus using the built-in CPU, storage device, and its programs.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of the copying apparatus, and the structure and operation will be explained with reference to the figure. Reference numeral 100 denotes a main body of the copying apparatus, 200 a circulating automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RDF) that automatically feeds originals, 300 a sorter or sorter, and 400 an automatic computer form feeder (hereinafter referred to as CFF). , RDF20 above
0, Sorter 300 and CFF 400 are copying machine main body 1
It can be used in any combination with 00.

The configuration of the copying apparatus main body 100 will be explained below. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 101 denotes a document table glass serving as a document placing table. Further, 102 is an optical system as a document reading means, and a document illumination lamp (exposure lamp) 10
3, a scanning mirror, a lens, a motor 104, etc., the document is scanned by the motor 104, illuminated by an exposure lamp 103, and the reflected light from the document is directed to a photoreceptor drum 105 by the scanning mirror and lens. irradiate.

Around the photosensitive drum 105, there are a high voltage unit 106, a blank exposure unit 107, a potential sensor 108, a developing device 109, a transfer charger 110, a separation charger 111, and a cleaning device 112. These photoreceptor drums 105 and the like constitute image recording means.

The photosensitive drum 105 is connected to the main motor 113
The optical system 10 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
When reflected light from the document is irradiated from 2, an electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device 109 and visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 114 or the lower cassette 115 into the main body 100 by the paper feed rollers 118 and 119 via the pickup rollers 116 and 117 is separated by the registration rollers 120 between the leading edge of the toner image and the transfer paper. After timing is taken so that the leading edge of the toner image coincides with the leading edge of the toner image, the toner image is fed to the photoreceptor drum 105, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 110. After this transcription,
The transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 105 by a separation charger 111, guided to a fixing device 122 by a conveyor belt 121, where the toner image is fixed by pressure and heating, and then discharged from the main body 100 by a discharge roller 123. be done. Further, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 105 is cleaned by a cleaning device 112.

The copying apparatus main body 100 has, for example, 4000
A deck 124 capable of storing sheets of transfer paper is provided. The lifter 125 of the deck 124 is raised according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always comes into contact with the paper feed roller 126.

Reference numeral 127 denotes a paper discharge flapper, which switches the path between the double-sided recording side or multi-recording side and the discharge side (sorter 300). That is, the transfer paper sent out from the discharge roller 123 is switched by the paper discharge flapper 127 to the double-sided recording side or the multiplex recording side. Also, 128
is a lower conveyance path, in which the transfer paper sent out from the discharge roller 123 is turned over via a reversing path 129 and guided to the paper re-feeding tray 130.

Reference numeral 131 denotes a multiple flapper for switching the path between double-sided recording and multiplex recording, and by tilting this flapper to the left, the transfer sheet is guided directly to the lower conveyance path 128 without passing through the reversing path 129. A paper feed roller 132 feeds the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 105 through a path 133. 13
A discharge roller 4 is disposed near the paper discharge flapper 127 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the paper discharge flapper 127 to the outside of the machine.

During double-sided recording (double-sided copying) or multiplex recording (multiple overlapping copying), the paper discharge flapper 127 is raised upwards, and the copied transfer paper is re-inverted via the reversing path 129 and the lower conveyance path 128. The paper is stored in the paper feed tray 130. At this time, the multiplex flapper 131 is tilted to the right during double-sided recording, and the multiplex flapper 131 is tilted to the left during multiplex recording. During the next back-side recording or multiplex recording, the transfer sheets stored in the re-feeding tray 130 are guided one by one from the bottom to the registration rollers 120 of the main body via the path 133 by the sheet feeding roller 132.

When reversing and discharging the transfer paper from the copying apparatus main body 100, the paper discharge flapper 127 is raised upward, the flapper 131 is pushed down to the right, the copied transfer paper is conveyed to the conveyance path 129 side, and the transfer paper is transferred. After the trailing edge of the paper passes the first feed roller 140, it is transferred to the second feed roller 142 by the reversing roller 142.
It is conveyed to the feed roller side of the
Turn the transfer paper over and eject it out of the machine.

Next, the control devices 800 and 900 will be explained. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control devices 800 and 900 of this embodiment, in which 800 is a control device constituting the above-mentioned copying control means for controlling the copying operation of the copying apparatus main body 100, and 900 is an external communication line. This is a communication line control device constituting the above-mentioned communication control means that controls communication with.

Reference numeral 801 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls the entire copying apparatus, and 802 is a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) that stores control procedures (control programs) for the copying apparatus main body 100. and C
The PU 801 controls each component device connected via the path according to the control procedure stored in the ROM 802. Further, 803 is a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data and as a working storage area. An input/output unit 804 outputs control signals from the CPU 801 to loads such as the main motor 113 and inputs signals from sensors of the fixing device 122 and sends them to the CPU 801.

The communication line control device 900 that controls communication with the external communication line 908 uses the CPU 901 to control communication. 902 is a storage device (ROM) that stores control procedures for communication control and communication failure detection. The control device 800 of the copying apparatus main body 100 is an RS-
232C interfaces 805 and 907, and this RS-232C interface 907
When data is transferred from the control device 800 of the copying apparatus main body 100 via the controller, the transferred data is temporarily held in the RAM 903 provided in the communication control device 900, and the data transfer from the control device 800 of the copying apparatus main body is completed. later CPU
A network control unit (hereinafter referred to as NCU) section 901 is controlled by a network control unit (NCU) section 906 to establish a communication line connection with the outside, and after the line connection is established, data is transferred to the outside through the modem 905 and the NCU section 906. In addition, when data is transferred from outside, the transferred data is stored in the RAM 90.
3, and the RS-232C interfaces 805 and 9 are temporarily held at
07 to the control device 800 of the copying apparatus main body 100.

The copy control means 800 and the communication control means 900 also form an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the copying apparatus based on the operation data of each function and data from a sensor (not shown). It also has a function of receiving communication from the apparatus and activating the power cutoff means 500 to turn off the power of the copying apparatus.

Next, the operation panel will be explained. Figure 5
2 is an external view showing an example of an operation panel 600 provided in the copying apparatus main body 100. FIG.

601 is an asterisk (*) key,
The operator (user) uses this when in the setting mode, such as setting the binding margin or the size of document frame eraser. 62
7 is a cursor key, which is used when selecting a setting item in the setting mode. 628 is an OK key, which is used to confirm the settings in the setting mode.

Reference numeral 606 is an all reset key, which is pressed to return to the standard mode. The auto-reset key 606 is also pressed when returning from the auto-shutoff state to the standard mode.

Reference numeral 605 is a copy start key, which is pressed to start copying. A clear/stop key 604 functions as a clear key during standby and as a stop key during copy recording. This clear/stop key 604 is pressed to cancel the set number of copies or to interrupt continuous copying. Then, after the copying at the time when the button is pressed is completed, the copying operation stops.

Numeric keys 603 are pressed to set the number of copies. It is also used to set the asterisk (*) mode. A memory key 619 allows the user to register frequently used modes. Here, four modes, M1 to M4, can be registered.

Copy density keys 611 and 612 are pressed to manually adjust the copy density. 613 is AE
This key is pressed to automatically adjust the copy density according to the density of the original, or to cancel AE (automatic density adjustment) and switch the density adjustment to manual.

A copy paper selection key 607 is pressed to select the upper paper lifter 119, the lower paper lifter 115, the paper deck 124, and the multi-manual feeder 150. Also, when a manuscript is placed on RDF300,
APS (automatic paper cassette selection) can be selected using this copy paper selection key 607. When APS is selected, a cassette of the same size as the original is automatically selected.

Reference numeral 610 is a same size key, which is pressed to make a same size (original size) copy. Reference numeral 616 is an auto-magnification key, which is pressed to automatically reduce or enlarge the original image according to the specified transfer paper size.

A double-sided key 626 is pressed to make a double-sided copy from a single-sided original, a double-sided copy from a double-sided original, or a single-sided copy from a double-sided original. 625 is a binding margin key,
You can create a binding margin of a specified length on the left side of the transfer paper. 624 is a photo key, which is pressed when copying a photo original. 623 is a multiple key, which is pressed when creating (combining) an image from two originals on the same side of transfer paper.

Reference numeral 620 denotes a document frame erase key, which the user presses when erasing the frame of a standard size document. At this time, the size of the document is set using the asterisk key 601. 62
1 is a sheet frame erase key, which is pressed to erase the frame of the original according to the copy paper size.

Reference numeral 629 is a cover mode setting key, which is used to create a front cover and a back cover, and to insert a slip sheet. Reference numeral 630 is a page continuous copying key, which is used to successively copy the left and right sides of a two-page spread book.

Reference numeral 614 is a paper discharge method selection key for selecting the staple sort, sort, and group paper discharge methods. When the staple sorter 300 is connected, the staple sort mode, sort mode, and group mode for recording paper can be selected. You can make a selection or cancel the selection mode.

631 is a reservation key, and the reservation tray 21
It is used when starting the copy mode setting for the reserved original placed on the 0, and when canceling the reservation setting. 632 is a reservation setting key, which is used as a confirmation key when setting a reservation mode. Reference numeral 633 is a guide key, and the message display 7 provides explanations of the functions corresponding to various keys.
Used when displaying on 01.

701 is an LC that displays information regarding copying.
It is a D (liquid crystal) type message display, with 9
Displays characters and figures with 6 x 192 dots. For example, the number of copies set using the numeric keypad 603, the fixed size scaling key 608, etc.
, 609, same size key 610, zoom key 617, 618
The copy magnification set with the copy paper selection key 607, the paper size selected with the copy paper selection key 607, a message indicating the status of the copying apparatus main body 100, a guide message indicating the operating procedure, and other various mode settings are displayed.

704 is an AE display, and the AE key 61
Lights up when AE (automatic density adjustment) is selected by 3. Reference numeral 709 is a preheating indicator, which lights up in the preheating state.

When using the RDF200 in the standard mode, the settings are 1 copy, density AE mode, automatic paper selection, same size, and 1-sided copying from a 1-sided original. R
In standard mode when DF200 is not in use, the number of copies is 1,
The settings are manual density mode, same size, and single-sided copying from a single-sided original. The difference between when the RDF 200 is used and when it is not used is determined by whether or not a document is set on the RDF 200.

Next, an explanation will be given of the abnormality monitoring of the copying apparatus and the operation upon abnormality detection, which are the features of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of the copying apparatus of one embodiment and an external device connected by a communication line, and steps 2001 to 2003 show the operation flow of the external device.

First, an abnormality is detected in the copying machine (step 1001), and if no abnormality is detected, step 1001 is performed.
Repeat the judgment. If an abnormality is detected, abnormality information indicating that the copying apparatus is abnormal is transmitted to an external device via a communication line (step 1002). When the external device (management side) receives the abnormality information communication from the copying device (step 2001), it determines whether the content and frequency of the abnormality in the copying device indicates a dangerous state in the copying device and the external device ( Step 2002), Step 10 if not in danger
Return to 01.

If it is determined in step 2002 that there is a dangerous situation, the external device transmits an operation stop signal to the copying machine via the line (step 2003), the copying machine receives the operation stop signal (step 1003), activating the power cutoff means of the copying machine to stop the operation (step 1004);
finish.

[0051]

As explained above, according to the present invention, the copying apparatus performs copying operations under the control of the copying control means, and the copying apparatus can communicate with external devices, such as centrally managing the copying apparatus, under the control of the communication control means. Communication such as data exchange can be performed between the two via the communication line.

[0052] While the power of the copying device is on, the abnormality detection means continues to detect whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the copying device, and if an abnormality is detected, it detects an abnormality in the connected external device. Since the abnormality information is transmitted by the communication control means, the copying apparatus can be constantly monitored by an external device that manages and maintains the copying apparatus.

On the external device side, when it is determined that it is necessary to stop the operation of the copying machine based on the content and frequency of the abnormality information, it shuts off the power to the copying machine by sending a stop signal to the copying machine via the communication line. By activating the means, it is possible to remotely control the operation and stop of the copying machine. As mentioned above, it is possible to remotely monitor the copying machine using an external device installed in the management department, detect the occurrence of an abnormality at an early stage, stop the operation of the copying machine by remote control, and quickly respond to the occurrence of an abnormality. It is possible to prevent a chain reaction or serious accident from occurring, and to provide a highly safe and reliable copying device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of communication control means.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the copying device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control device.

FIG. 5 is an external view of the operation panel.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of one embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Copying device main body 500 Power cutoff means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Copying control means for controlling a copying operation, communication control means for controlling transmission and reception performed with an external device via a communication line, abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the copying apparatus, and a means for controlling the operation of the copying apparatus. and a power cutoff means for stopping the copying apparatus, and when the abnormality detection means detects an abnormality in the copying apparatus, the communication control means transmits abnormality information to an external device connected via a communication line, and controls the communication. A copying apparatus characterized in that when the means receives an operation stop signal from an external device, the operation is stopped by the power cutoff means.