EP0207077A1 - Control device, especially for copying machines - Google Patents
Control device, especially for copying machinesInfo
- Publication number
- EP0207077A1 EP0207077A1 EP85901130A EP85901130A EP0207077A1 EP 0207077 A1 EP0207077 A1 EP 0207077A1 EP 85901130 A EP85901130 A EP 85901130A EP 85901130 A EP85901130 A EP 85901130A EP 0207077 A1 EP0207077 A1 EP 0207077A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- current
- control device
- voltage
- control unit
- anyone
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/0042—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for hiring of objects
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
- G06Q20/342—Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
- G07C9/20—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass
- G07C9/22—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check of the pass holder
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/26—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/26—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus
- G07F17/266—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus for the use of a photocopier or printing device
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
- G07F7/025—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
Definitions
- Control device especially for copying machines
- the invention relates to a control device for monitoring the proper use of an electrical apparatus, especially a copying machine.
- the background of the invention is the heavily increasing volum of copies which are produced by means of copying machines at most offices.
- a major problem in this connection is that of unauthorized copying which often takes place to a relatively great extent.
- the object of the invention is to solve this problem and, thus, to effect an authority check and possibly even recordal of the respective operator's use of the apparatus by simple means which do not require any modification of the apparatus.
- a current sensor e.g. an induction coil, adapted to sense the current through the electic cable and, when a current flows through the cable, to deliver a voltage signal to
- a voltage detector device adapted to detect a characteristi current variation occuring when the apparatus is used an thereupon deliver at least one operation indication puls to .
- control unit which is connected, on the one hand, to an authority check unit, through which a user of the electr apparatus can feed an authorization signal into the con ⁇ trol unit, and, on the other hand, to a switch for incer rupting the supply current to the apparatus in the absence of said authorization signal.
- Fig. 1 shows a simplified block diagram illustrating the essential parts of a control device according to the invention
- Fig. 2 show a current diagramillustrating the operation of the d vice of Fig. 1.
- FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an electrical apparatus 1 the authorized use of which is to be checked and possibly recor ⁇ ded, the apparatus being connected to the electrical network (not shown) by means of an electrical supply cable, the phase and neutral conduits 2a,2b of which are shown, whereas the earth conduit has been left out on the drawing.
- an induc ⁇ tion coil 3 is disposed with its coils extending around one of t conduits, e.g. the neutral conduit 2b.
- the current variations in the neutral conduit 2b will cause an induced alternating voltage on the coil 3.
- This alternating voltage is rectified by means of a diod D and will charge a condensor C being connected in parallel with a resistor R, and the voltage of the condensor C is applied to a voltage detecting device 5 via an amplifier 4.
- the electrical apparatus 1 is assumed to be a copying machine which is preheated by thermostatic cont in a conventional manner in its stand-by state, wherein it oper with two predetermined current values between which switching takes place while being thermostatically controlled.
- copyi an.additional current flows (light and motor power) which is superposed as a pulse onto the respective current level, as illustrated in Fig. 2, where 10 and 10' denote the two current leves in the stand-by state, whereas 11 and 12 denote the curre levels when copying takes place.
- the voltage detector device 5 (fig. 1)is consequently provided with twovoltage level sensors 6 and 7, which are connected in parallel to each other for sensing of a respective voltage level (in practice a relatively narrow voltage interval) corresponding to the current levels 11 and 12.
- one of the voltage level sensors 6 or 7 delivers an operation indication pulse to a control unit constituted by a computer 8, which checks whether an authorization signal has been given from its peripheral equipment and which, in the absence of such an authorization signal, interrupts the supply current to the copyi machine 1 by means of a switch 9 that interrupts the phase and neutral conduits 2a, 2b but, of course, not the earth conduit of the cable.
- the computer 8 can be prgrammed for immediate interruption in which case not even the first copy will be delivered from the copying machine to an unauthorized user. In general, however, it is preferred to lat the working cycle for one copy be com ⁇ pleted and, thus, to interrupt the current after a corresponding time period, e.g. 5-10 seconds. Reconnection of the current shou not take place until an authorized user or operator has fed an authorization signal into the computer 8.
- a display unit 10, a key-board 11, a card reader 12 and a printe 13 are preferably connected to the computer.
- Authorized users are given ordinary plastic cards provided with a magnetic strip which are inserted into the card reader 12 before copying.
- the computer will receive the necessary authorization signal, and the copying process can proceed without current in ⁇ terruption.
- the display unit 10 indicates whether an authorized card has been inserted into the card reader 12 and, thereupon, the number of copies taken (or cost or e.g. the remaining part of a budgeted cost, etc).
- the key-board 11 can be used as a supplement to the card reader 12, e.g. for entering a personal code, as in cash delivery ma ⁇ chines, in order to prevent unauthorized use of the plastic cards.
- the card reader 12 can be omitted, in which case the authorization code is entered via the key-board 11 to provide authorization signals to the computer.
- the computer 8 can be programmed so as to count the number copies and to store the count results accumulated for each user or group of users. For example, a supervisor or head operator can effect a print ⁇ out by means of the printer 13 at desired times, the print-out listing the various user's accumulated number of copies for the preceding time period.
Landscapes
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
- Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
- Spinning Or Twisting Of Yarns (AREA)
Abstract
Dispositif de commande pour surveiller l'utilisation correcte d'un appareil électrique (1), en particulier une machine à copier, connecté à une source de courant par un câble électrique (2a, 2b). Le dispositif comporte un capteur de courant (3), par exemple une bobine d'induction, qui délivre après détection d'un écoulement de courant un signal de tension à un dispositif détecteur de tension (5) conçu pour détecter une variation caractéristique du courant, survenant lors de l'utilisation de l'appareil, et délivre ensuite une impulsion d'indication de fonctionnement à une unité de commande (8), en particulier sous la forme d'un ordinateur, relié d'une part à une unité de contrôle d'autorité (12, 11) permettant à l'utilisateur de l'appareil d'introduire un signal d'autorisation dans l'unité de commande et d'autre part à un commutateur (9) pour interrompre l'alimentation électrique de l'appareil en l'absence dudit signal d'autorisation.Control device for monitoring the correct use of an electrical device (1), in particular a copying machine, connected to a current source by an electrical cable (2a, 2b). The device comprises a current sensor (3), for example an induction coil, which delivers, after detection of a current flow, a voltage signal to a voltage detector device (5) designed to detect a characteristic variation in the current , occurring during the use of the device, and then delivers an operation indication pulse to a control unit (8), in particular in the form of a computer, connected on the one hand to a control unit authority control (12, 11) allowing the user of the device to introduce an authorization signal into the control unit and on the other hand to a switch (9) to interrupt the power supply of the device in the absence of said authorization signal.
Description
Control device, especially for copying machines
The invention relates to a control device for monitoring the proper use of an electrical apparatus, especially a copying machine.
The background of the invention is the heavily increasing volum of copies which are produced by means of copying machines at most offices. A major problem in this connection is that of unauthorized copying which often takes place to a relatively great extent. Moreover, for a given copying machine, there are difficulties in dividing the arising costs properly.
The object of the invention is to solve this problem and, thus, to effect an authority check and possibly even recordal of the respective operator's use of the apparatus by simple means which do not require any modification of the apparatus.
This object is achieved while using the electric power cable of the apparatus by means of a control device, which is characteri by
- a current sensor, e.g. an induction coil, adapted to sense the current through the electic cable and, when a current flows through the cable, to deliver a voltage signal to
- a voltage detector device adapted to detect a characteristi current variation occuring when the apparatus is used an thereupon deliver at least one operation indication puls to .
- a control unit which is connected, on the one hand, to an authority check unit, through which a user of the electr apparatus can feed an authorization signal into the con¬ trol unit, and, on the other hand, to a switch for incer rupting the supply current to the apparatus in the absence of said authorization signal.
Hereby, it is possible to effectively accomplish the desired authority check without any substantial modification of the electrical apparatus. Normally, it is sufficient to replace the electric supply cable of the apparatus or to insert a current sensor and switch unit therein. Thus, there- is no problem in using the invention in previously installed apparatus. For- example, in a previously installed copying machine, one can replace the old electric cable by a new cable provided with a current sensor and switch unit. If necessary, this cable can be provided with a strong protective shield, and the connection within the apparatus can be sealed.
Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the sub- claims and will be apparent from the detailed description below.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawing.
Fig. 1 shows a simplified block diagram illustrating the essential parts of a control device according to the invention;
Fig. 2 show a current diagramillustrating the operation of the d vice of Fig. 1.
Thus, Fig. 1 illustrates schematically an electrical apparatus 1 the authorized use of which is to be checked and possibly recor¬ ded, the apparatus being connected to the electrical network (not shown) by means of an electrical supply cable, the phase and neutral conduits 2a,2b of which are shown, whereas the earth conduit has been left out on the drawing.
For sensing a characteristic current variation in the conduits 2a,2b, occurring when the apparatus 1 is being used, an induc¬ tion coil 3 is disposed with its coils extending around one of t conduits, e.g. the neutral conduit 2b. The current variations in the neutral conduit 2b will cause an induced alternating voltage on the coil 3. This alternating voltage is rectified by means of a diod D and will charge a condensor C being connected in
parallel with a resistor R, and the voltage of the condensor C is applied to a voltage detecting device 5 via an amplifier 4.
In the illustrated example,the electrical apparatus 1 is assumed to be a copying machine which is preheated by thermostatic cont in a conventional manner in its stand-by state, wherein it oper with two predetermined current values between which switching takes place while being thermostatically controlled. When copyi an.additional current flows (light and motor power) which is superposed as a pulse onto the respective current level, as illustrated in Fig. 2, where 10 and 10' denote the two current leves in the stand-by state, whereas 11 and 12 denote the curre levels when copying takes place.
The voltage detector device 5 (fig. 1)is consequently provided with twovoltage level sensors 6 and 7, which are connected in parallel to each other for sensing of a respective voltage level (in practice a relatively narrow voltage interval) corresponding to the current levels 11 and 12. In case of copying, one of the voltage level sensors 6 or 7 delivers an operation indication pulse to a control unit constituted by a computer 8, which checks whether an authorization signal has been given from its peripheral equipment and which, in the absence of such an authorization signal, interrupts the supply current to the copyi machine 1 by means of a switch 9 that interrupts the phase and neutral conduits 2a, 2b but, of course, not the earth conduit of the cable.
«
The computer 8 can be prgrammed for immediate interruption in which case not even the first copy will be delivered from the copying machine to an unauthorized user. In general, however, it is preferred to lat the working cycle for one copy be com¬ pleted and, thus, to interrupt the current after a corresponding time period, e.g. 5-10 seconds. Reconnection of the current shou not take place until an authorized user or operator has fed an authorization signal into the computer 8.
A display unit 10, a key-board 11, a card reader 12 and a printe 13 are preferably connected to the computer. Authorized users are given ordinary plastic cards provided with a magnetic strip which are inserted into the card reader 12 before copying. Hereby, the computer will receive the necessary authorization signal, and the copying process can proceed without current in¬ terruption. The display unit 10 indicates whether an authorized card has been inserted into the card reader 12 and, thereupon, the number of copies taken (or cost or e.g. the remaining part of a budgeted cost, etc).
- The key-board 11 can be used as a supplement to the card reader 12, e.g. for entering a personal code, as in cash delivery ma¬ chines, in order to prevent unauthorized use of the plastic cards. Alternatively, the card reader 12 can be omitted, in which case the authorization code is entered via the key-board 11 to provide authorization signals to the computer.
Without difficulties and while copying, the computer 8 can be programmed so as to count the number copies and to store the count results accumulated for each user or group of users. For example, a supervisor or head operator can effect a print¬ out by means of the printer 13 at desired times, the print-out listing the various user's accumulated number of copies for the preceding time period.
It is understood that the invention may be advantageously used at other electrical apparatuses than copying machines, .e.g.
* other kinds of office equipment or apparatus in public environment.
Claims
1. Control device for monitoring the proper use of an electrica apparatus which is connected to a current source via an electri cable (2a,2b) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d by
- a current sensor (3) adapted to sense the current through the electric cable and, when a current flows through the electric cable, to deliver a voltage signal to
- a voltage detector device (5) adapted to detect a charac¬ teristic current variation occurring when the apparatus is used and thereupon deliver at least one operation indicatio pulse to
- a control unit (8) , which is connected, on the one hand, to an authority check unit (12,11) , through which a user of the electrical apparatus can feed an authorization signal into the control unit, and, on the other' hand,to a switch (9) for interrupting the supply current to the apparatus in the absence of said authorization signal.
2. A control device as defined in claim 1, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d in that the current sensor is constituted by an induction coil (3) adapted to sense the current in at least one of the conduits (26) of the cable.
3. A control device as defined in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the current sensor (3)is connected to a rectifier (D) and a condensor (C) , the voltage of which is applied to said voltage detector device (5) .
4. A control device as defined in anyone of claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the voltage detector device ( comprises at least one voltage level sensor (6,7), which de- livers said operation indication pulse when the voltage signal exceeds a predetermined voltage level.
5. A control device as defined in claim 4, wherein the elec¬ trical, apparatus (3) is constituted by a copying machine, which in its stand-by state is thermostatically controlled and operates with two current levels (10, 10'), c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the voltage detector device (5) com¬ prises two parallel voltage level sensors (6,7), each delivering an operation indication pulse upon receipt of a voltage signal within a voltage level interval corresponding to a current pulse (11,12) occurring when copying and being superposed onto the respective current level.
6. A control device as defined in anyone of claims 1-6, cf'-h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said switch (9) is connected in said electric cable for interrupting the phase and neutral conduits (2a,2b) thereof.
7. A control device as defined in anyone of claims 1-6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said control unit is con¬ stituted by a computer (8) with associated peripheral equipment (10-13) including said authority check unit (11,12).
8. A control device as defined in claim 7, c h a r a c t e - ri z e d in thattheperipheral equipment of the computer (8) includes a card reader (12) , in which the user can insert an authorization card.
9. A control device as defined in claim 7 or 8, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that said peripheral equipment includes a key-board (11).
10. A control device as defined in anyone of claims 7-9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the computer (8) is adapted to record and store each user's use of the apparatus.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE8401038 | 1984-02-24 | ||
| SE8401038A SE440563B (en) | 1984-02-24 | 1984-02-24 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE PROPER USE OF AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0207077A1 true EP0207077A1 (en) | 1987-01-07 |
Family
ID=20354897
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP85901130A Withdrawn EP0207077A1 (en) | 1984-02-24 | 1985-02-22 | Control device, especially for copying machines |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0207077A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS61501290A (en) |
| SE (1) | SE440563B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1985003789A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2658680A1 (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1991-08-23 | Technacom Sa | CONTROL DEVICE FOR PAYING A FAX. |
| FR2688912A1 (en) * | 1992-03-18 | 1993-09-24 | Michel Francois | Premises for self-service use of information sources |
| US5486725A (en) * | 1993-12-27 | 1996-01-23 | Keizer; Daniel J. | Security power interrupt |
| US5773368A (en) * | 1996-01-22 | 1998-06-30 | Motorola, Inc. | Method of etching adjacent layers |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA952606A (en) * | 1970-06-01 | 1974-08-06 | Heinz Hengstler | Counting and control for copiers and the like |
| JPS54104837A (en) * | 1978-02-03 | 1979-08-17 | Nippon Denso Co Ltd | Controller of copying machines |
| GB2042777B (en) * | 1979-02-21 | 1983-05-11 | South Eastern Elec Board | Electrical energy consumption meter |
| JPS56164356A (en) * | 1980-05-22 | 1981-12-17 | Nippon Denso Co Ltd | Device for managing copying machine |
| GB8305774D0 (en) * | 1983-03-02 | 1983-04-07 | Neumann M | Controller |
-
1984
- 1984-02-24 SE SE8401038A patent/SE440563B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1985
- 1985-02-22 JP JP60500884A patent/JPS61501290A/en active Pending
- 1985-02-22 EP EP85901130A patent/EP0207077A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1985-02-22 WO PCT/SE1985/000090 patent/WO1985003789A1/en unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| See references of WO8503789A1 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS61501290A (en) | 1986-06-26 |
| SE8401038D0 (en) | 1984-02-24 |
| WO1985003789A1 (en) | 1985-08-29 |
| SE440563B (en) | 1985-08-05 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
| AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB LI LU NL SE |
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| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
| 18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19861028 |