JP2000069216A - State notification system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make management of equipment easier by automatically outputting and displaying the state of the equipment such as a printer to the terminal of a manger or the like. SOLUTION: A state detection part 4 detects the state of maintenance parts such as a toner. An information addressee is registered in an information addressee storage part 6, and when for example, there is no more toner, a message transmission part 5 takes out a message to the effect and transmits it to the information addressee concerned. An information addressee terminal 3 has a message displaying that toner has run out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a status notification system for notifying an operator or a service person of status information of maintenance and replacement parts of various devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a facsimile apparatus having an electrophotographic printing mechanism contains an EP (electrophotographic printing) cartridge and a toner cartridge. When a facsimile is received or a copy command is input, printing of a transmitted / received image or the like is performed by the EP cartridge using the toner contained in the toner cartridge. When the toner in the toner cartridge is exhausted, this is detected by a sensor and displayed on a facsimile operation panel or the like.

[0003] The EP cartridge is provided with a counter for counting the number of prints. When the count value exceeds a certain value, it is displayed on the operation panel that the replacement time has come. There is also a configuration in which a predetermined LED (light emitting diode) or the like is turned on at the time of replacement. When the operator sees such a warning display and replaces the corresponding cartridge, the state of displaying the alarm is canceled. In addition, since the replacement time display and the warning display are performed before the printer becomes unusable, if the replacement work is performed in this manner, a state in which printing or the like cannot be performed does not occur.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems to be solved.
Not only facsimile apparatuses but also general electrophotographic copying machines, printers, word processors, and the like are equipped with similar toner cartridges, EP cartridges, and the like. Each of these tasks is left to the manager. In an ink jet printer, replacement of an ink cartridge and the like is also performed by a manager.

However, if the administrator does not notice the alarm display, the replacement operation will be delayed if the state of the maintenance parts is not noticed. For example, when various devices such as a facsimile machine, a printer, and a multi-function terminal are connected to a network and operated, it is not easy to closely monitor and manage the status of all devices. Therefore, this type of work has placed a heavy burden on the system administrator.

In the case of a facsimile or a printer, for example, maintenance parts such as printing paper are present in addition to toner, and it is sufficient if these parts are always replenished in a normal state. In this case, the printer returns a response indicating that printing is not possible. That is,
Even if the replacement time display or warning message is displayed just before the printer becomes unprintable, if the user does not notice it, the printer status will be known only when a print command is issued, so urgent printing work And so on.

[0007]

The present invention employs the following structure to solve the above problems. <Configuration 1> A state detection unit that detects state information of maintenance parts, a notification destination storage unit that registers and stores a notification destination of the state information, and a state corresponding to the content of the state information detected by the state detection unit A message storage unit for storing a notification message, and a message corresponding to the status information detected by the status detection unit at a predetermined timing is read from the message storage unit at a predetermined timing, and stored in the notification destination storage unit. A status notification system, comprising: a message transmission unit that transmits a notification to the notified notification destination via a network.

<Configuration 2> In the status notification system according to Configuration 1, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the status detection unit detected the status information, a timer for permitting the message transmission unit to transmit a message is provided. A status notification system comprising:

<Configuration 3> In the status notification system according to Configuration 1, the notification destination of the status information is registered and stored by an IP address, and a message corresponding to the status information is electronically transmitted via a network. A status notification system comprising a message transmission unit for transmitting a notification by e-mail.

<Structure 4> A state detection unit for detecting state information of maintenance parts, a message storage unit for storing a state notification message corresponding to the content of the state information detected by the state detection unit, and a state detection unit A status notification system comprising: a message printing unit that reads a message corresponding to status information detected by a unit at a predetermined timing from the message storage unit at a predetermined timing and causes a printer to print the message.

<Structure 5> A state detection unit for detecting state information of maintenance parts, a notification destination storage unit for registering and storing a notification destination of the state information, and a content of the state information detected by the state detection unit A command storage unit for storing a corresponding status notification command; and a command corresponding to the status information detected by the status detection unit at a predetermined timing read from the command storage unit at a predetermined timing, and storing the notification destination storage. And a command transmitting unit for transmitting a notification via a network to a notification destination stored in the unit.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using specific examples. <Example 1> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system of Example 1. The status notification system 1 is connected to a system administrator terminal 3 via a network 2.
The status notification system 1 includes a status detection unit 4, a message transmission unit 5, a notification destination storage unit 6, and a message storage unit 7. This system is used for monitoring an electrophotographic printing unit such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, or a multifunctional terminal.

The toner sensor 8 is a sensor for detecting a decrease in toner. This output is received by the toner sensor verifying unit 10 and is configured to verify the toner replacement time. That is, when the toner is consumed and the output of the toner sensor 8 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, the toner sensor verification unit 10 outputs a signal indicating that the toner cartridge needs to be replaced to the message transmission unit 5. In addition, an EP cartridge counter verification unit 9 is provided for checking the replacement time of the EP cartridge incorporated in the electrophotographic printing mechanism. Thereby, the number of times of use of the EP cartridge is checked, and the replacement time is verified. The EP cartridge counter verification unit 9 compares the output of the counter of the EP cartridge with a certain reference value, and when the output of the counter exceeds the reference value, for example,
A signal indicating that the P cartridge needs to be exchanged is output to the message transmitting unit 5.

The message transmitting section 5 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor or the like. When a signal indicating that the toner cartridge needs to be replaced or a signal indicating that the EP cartridge needs to be replaced is input from the state detecting section 4, the message transmitting section 5 corresponds to the state. It has a function of reading a notification message from the message storage unit 7 and controlling to notify a notification destination registered in the notification destination storage unit 6.

The notification destination storage unit 6 registers, for example, a telephone number of a system administrator. In the message storage unit 7,
For example, in the case where the EP cartridge needs to be replaced, a message such as "Please replace the EP cartridge of the printer **" is associated. In the case where the toner cartridge needs to be replaced, a message such as "Please replace the toner cartridge of the printer **" is associated. Since the signal indicating that the toner cartridge needs to be replaced and the signal indicating that the EP cartridge needs to be replaced are appropriate digital values, the messages are stored in association with each other using these as indexes.

The message transmitting section 5 controls the call control section 11 and the modem 12, and controls transmission of a message to the notification destination terminal 3 through the communication control section 13 and the network 2. More specifically, when status information indicating that an EP cartridge needs to be replaced or a toner cartridge needs to be replaced is received from the EP cartridge counter verifying unit 9 or the toner sensor verifying unit 10, the corresponding notification destination telephone number is extracted from the notification destination storage unit 6. The call control unit 11 is controlled to call the notification destination terminal 3.

Here, for example, when the manager goes off-hook on the notification destination terminal 3, a voice message is transmitted through the modem 12. As a result, the administrator operating the notification destination terminal 3 can, for example, say "Please replace the EP cartridge."
Can be received by voice. When the notification destination terminal 3 is a facsimile machine,
The message stored in the message storage unit 7 is the modem 1
Notification destination terminal 3 as facsimile message through
Sent to. As a result, the message is facsimile-received by the notification destination terminal 3.

<Effect of Specific Example 1> With the above configuration, the system administrator can receive and know the status of a facsimile machine or a printer via a network without being near the printer or the like. Therefore, maintenance management of various devices becomes easy, and timely replacement of maintenance parts becomes possible.

<Embodiment 2> FIG. 2 shows a system block diagram of Embodiment 2. In the above example, the case where the administrator's terminal is a telephone or a facsimile machine has been described. Specific example 2
Now, a case where the administrator's terminal is a computer connected via a network will be described.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of the second embodiment. This system includes an operator panel 15, an IP address storage unit 16, and a timer 17. Further, it includes the message transmission unit 5, the message storage unit 7, and the state detection unit 4 described using the first specific example. The operator panel 15 is provided, for example, on an operation panel of a device whose condition is to be monitored. For example, as shown in FIG.
Used to set the P address and timer. I
The P address refers to an Internet protocol address, and is an address used when sending an electronic mail to various terminals connected to a wide area network.

The IP address storage unit 16 stores an IP address 21 corresponding to the notification destination described in the first embodiment. That is, although the telephone number is stored in the notification destination storage unit in the specific example 1, the IP address 21 of the notification destination terminal is stored in the IP address storage unit 16 here. If there is more than one place to notify the same state information, an arbitrary number of IP
The address 21 is stored. If the destination to be notified is different depending on the status, the IP address associated with the status information
The address 21 is stored.

The timer 17 has a timeout register 22
And a timer counter 23. In this example, the status information is not immediately notified to the other party, but is notified after a predetermined time has elapsed. For example, when it is detected that it is time to replace the toner cartridge, if there is an administrator nearby, the toner cartridge is immediately replaced and restored. When a nearby manager or the like can perform maintenance, there is no need to notify the management terminal at a remote location of the status information. Therefore, for example, when it is detected that the toner has decreased, 1
The procedure waits until 0 to 30 minutes elapse, and if the toner cartridge is not replaced yet, a message to that effect is transmitted.

The timer 17 is provided with a timeout register 22 for setting the standby time. Also,
The timer counter 23 is provided to start measuring the time when it is detected that the toner has run out, and to control the message transmission unit 5 for the first time when the time set in the time-out register 22 is reached. ing. Other configurations of the message storage unit 7, operations of the message transmission unit 5, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the actual operation of the system according to the second embodiment. First, in step S1, the administrator uses the operator panel 15 shown in FIG.
Then, the value of the timeout register 22 of the timer 17 is set. In step S2, the IP address is stored. In step S3, the timeout time is set to, for example, 10 seconds.
Perform processing such as setting to minutes. Note that the timeout time may be set separately according to the type of error.

In the next step S4, it is monitored whether or not a printer error has occurred. For example, when a printer error is detected, such as when the amount of toner has decreased, when the time for replacing the EP cartridge has come, or when the paper has run out, the type of the error is determined in step S5. Then, in step S6, an index corresponding to the error is assigned. That is, a number or the like corresponding to the type of error is selected. Further, in step S7, FIG.
Is reset to "0".
Then, in step S8, the increment of the timer counter is started.

The timer counter increments the timing in synchronization with a predetermined clock. If a time-out is detected in step S9, the process proceeds to step S10, and the message notification operation by the message transmission unit 5 shown in FIG. 2 is started. . That is, in step S10, a message corresponding to the index of the state information is selected, the corresponding IP address 21 is read from the IP address storage unit 16, and the transmission is performed in step S11.

In the above example, only the notification of the status information when an error occurs is described. However, not only the error information but also various status information is detected and notified. Good. For example, if a user replaces the toner cartridge after notifying that the toner in the toner cartridge is depleted,
It is good to notify that exchange was completed.

<Effect of Specific Example 2> With the above system, for example, a remote manager can monitor the status of various devices at one place and perform necessary management. Further, in the above example, since the message is transmitted using the IP address, the status information can be notified by e-mail, which is different from the case of the specific example 1, so that a wider area can be managed. In addition, a message may be displayed on the terminal of the administrator by e-mail, and an appropriate warning sound or the like may be emitted through a sound system to alert the administrator.

<Specific Example 3> In the above example, status information is transmitted as a message to the administrator's terminal via the network. However, even when, for example, an administrator is near a printer, a facsimile machine, or the like to be managed, if the administrator does not look at the display panel of the device, he or she does not notice, for example, that the toner has run out. Therefore,
Print messages to provide an environment that is easier for administrators to manage.

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of the third embodiment. The state detection unit 4, toner sensor 8, message storage unit 7, and the like have exactly the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. Here, the part that processes the message is the message printing unit 25. Then, the message printing unit 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a configuration in which the corresponding message is passed to the print control unit 26, and the message 28 is printed by the print head 27.

That is, in this example, when the toner runs out, for example, the message printing unit 25 selects a message to that effect and sends it to the print control unit 26. In the case of a facsimile machine, the print control unit 26 prints the message on facsimile printing paper. In the case of a network printer, the printing operation starts automatically,
Print the message on paper for printing. In this way, for example, a message such as “Toner is insufficient. Replace the toner cartridge.” Is printed. This output alerts the administrator. In this case, it is more effective if an appropriate warning sound is issued at the same time to alert the manager. Of course, the notification as in the first embodiment and the printing may be performed at the same time.

<Effect of Specific Example 3> Since state information is detected and a message corresponding to the content is automatically printed on a sheet, the state is transmitted to an administrator in an easy-to-understand manner to facilitate management.

<Specific Example 4> In the above example, the status information was printed using the printing function of the device to be monitored. In this specific example 4, a similar message is printed on a printer of another device connected through a network. That is, a message is printed on the administrator terminal at a remote place, for example, together with the display of the e-mail.

FIG. 5 is a system block diagram of the fourth embodiment. The operator panel 15, the state detector 4, etc. of this system are exactly the same as in the case of the second embodiment. here,
The IP address storage unit 16 stores, in addition to the IP address 21,
The flag 24 is stored. The flag 24 indicates whether the message is to be printed on a network printer,
It is used as an identifier to distinguish the case where a message is displayed on the display of the terminal of the administrator.

The command storage unit 29 stores a command 30 for printing a corresponding message. That is, in the examples so far, the message to be transmitted is stored in the message storage unit as it is. However, in this example, the command is transmitted using the command 30 stored in the command storage unit 29. On the receiving side, a message corresponding to the command is generated by itself and printed by a printer or the like. Generally, when a failure occurs in a printer, message data is prepared in the printer itself so that a fixed message is output.
For example, a function of displaying a message such as "Replace toner" or "Replace EP cartridge" is provided in general printers and terminal devices.

For example, when it is detected that the printer has run out of toner, a command for displaying a corresponding message is transmitted. The receiving printer is controlled by the command and can print the required message. This eliminates the need for the sending side to store many notification messages. In addition, sending a command generally has a smaller amount of data than sending a message, and reduces the communication load. Such a command is stored in the command storage unit 29 of FIG. 5, and the command transmission unit 31 has a function of extracting the command and transmitting the command to a notification destination.

FIG. 6 shows a system operation flowchart of the fourth embodiment. The processing in steps S1 to S9 in the figure is exactly the same as that shown in the specific example 2 in FIG. After detecting the timeout of the timer in step S10, a printer command is selected in step S11. Then, in step S12, a command for specifying an output destination is added. That is, the flag 24 described with reference to FIG. 5 is checked, and if the output destination is a printer, the output destination is a printer, and if the output destination is an administrator terminal, the output destination is an administrator, and the process proceeds to step S13. Send a command. As a result, it becomes possible to perform control such as causing the designated printer to print the status information or displaying the status information on the administrator's terminal.

<Effect of Specific Example 4> As described above, according to this example, it is also possible to transmit the status information of the printer and other devices to be managed to the administrator by various methods.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a specific example 1.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a specific example 2.

FIG. 3 is a system operation flowchart of a specific example 2;

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of a specific example 3;

FIG. 5 is a system block diagram of a specific example 4.

FIG. 6 is a system operation flowchart of a specific example 4.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 status notification system 2 network 3 notification destination terminal 4 status detection unit 5 message transmission unit 6 notification destination storage unit 7 message storage unit

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Claims (5)

[Claims] A status detection unit that detects status information of the maintenance part; a notification destination storage unit that registers and stores a notification destination of the status information; and a notification destination storage unit that corresponds to the content of the status information detected by the status detection unit. A message storage unit that stores a message for status notification, and a message corresponding to the status information detected by the status detection unit at a predetermined timing is read from the message storage unit at a predetermined timing, and is stored in the notification destination storage unit. A status notification system, comprising: a message transmission unit that transmits a notification to a stored notification destination through a network. 2. The status notification system according to claim 1, further comprising a timer for permitting the message transmission unit to transmit a message after a predetermined time has passed since the status detection unit detected the status information. A status notification system, comprising: 3. The status notification system according to claim 1, wherein the notification destination of the status information is registered and stored by an IP address, and a message corresponding to the status information is sent via an electronic mail via a network. A status notification system comprising a message transmission unit for transmitting and notifying by means of a message. 4. A status detection unit for detecting status information of a maintenance part; a message storage unit for storing a status notification message corresponding to the content of the status information detected by the status detection unit; A status notification system comprising: a message printing unit that reads a message corresponding to status information detected at a predetermined timing from the message storage unit at a predetermined timing and causes a printer to print the message. 5. A status detection unit for detecting status information of a maintenance part, a notification destination storage unit for registering and storing a notification destination of the status information, and a content corresponding to the content of the status information detected by the status detection unit. A command storage unit that stores a command for status notification, and a command corresponding to status information detected by the status detection unit at a predetermined timing is read from the command storage unit at a predetermined timing, and is stored in the notification destination storage unit. A status notification system, comprising: a command transmission unit that transmits a notification to a stored notification destination through a network.