JP2003058000A - Image forming apparatus, management system for the image forming apparatus, program, and computer- readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately register the telephone number of an image forming apparatus side into a host computer. SOLUTION: A copying machine 1 as the image forming apparatus sends and receives data to and from the host computer 3 for reading a meter by a PHS communication means 2. While the copying machine 1 is installed and powered-on, number (unique telephone number) data on the PHS communication means 2 are read out and registered in a memory. When an initialization start signal is inputted from an input means 6, a control means 8 reads data for initialization and the number data out of the memory 11 and transmits the data for initialization and the number data to the host computer 4 for reading a meter by the PHS communication means 2. The host computer 3 for reading a meter once receiving the data for initialization from the copying machine 1 generates an ID corresponding to the copying machine 1 and automatically registers the telephone number data on the copying machine 1 in a storage means 13 while relating them to the ID.

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 and a printing machine, and a management system for the image forming apparatus, in which meter reading and failure management of the image forming apparatus are performed by a remote host computer. The present invention relates to a program for controlling an image forming apparatus and a recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an MO disk, or a CDROM in which such a program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus and a host computer at a sales office in charge of maintenance of the image forming apparatus are connected by a telephone line, and data such as count information transmitted from the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the host computer. There is known a management system for an image forming apparatus which receives the received data and analyzes and displays the received data on the host computer side.

In such an image forming apparatus management system, when the image forming apparatus is installed, the telephone number of the image forming apparatus is registered in the host computer so that the host computer selects a plurality of copying machines by the telephone numbers. Or read the telephone number registered by the host computer and call the image forming apparatus with the telephone number,
Various data (count information, etc.) of the image forming apparatus is fetched.

In such a conventional management system for an image forming apparatus, a serviceman informs the operator of the host computer of the telephone number of the installation location of the image forming apparatus by telephone or the like, and the operator who receives the notice The keyboard is operated to input the telephone number of the image forming apparatus to the host computer, or the service person inputs the telephone number from the keyboard of the image forming apparatus at the time of the initialization operation of the image forming apparatus. The data was sent to the host computer together with the initialization data.

[0005]

However, when the telephone number of the image forming apparatus is input to the host computer by such a method, the service person informs the operator of the host computer of an incorrect telephone number or the operator of the host computer. Mistakenly heard the telephone number, or caused an error in the keyboard operation of the service person or the operator of the host computer.
There was a risk that the correct phone number would not be entered.

To use the PHS or the mobile phone as a communication means on the image forming apparatus side and display the own number of the PHS or the mobile phone (the phone number of the PHS or the mobile phone) on the host computer side, the host computer It is necessary to provide a function of a number display on the side and a PHS terminal for reception or a mobile phone terminal on the side of the host computer, which causes a problem that running cost of the management system of the image forming apparatus increases.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately notify the host computer side of the telephone number of the image forming apparatus without increasing running costs.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from a host computer, input means for inputting a telephone number of the host computer and an initialization start signal, and An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that reads out initialization data from a memory based on an input signal for starting initialization from an input unit and transmits the initialization data to the host computer by the communication unit. Thus, the communication means has its own built-in telephone number data. Then, the control means reads the telephone number data of the communication means and registers it in a memory at the first power-on after installation, and when transmitting the initialization data to the host computer, the telephone number data. Is read from the memory and added to the initialization data, and the initialization data and the telephone number data are transmitted to the host computer.

According to the present invention having such a configuration, the telephone number on the image forming apparatus side is automatically transmitted to the host computer side when the image forming apparatus is initialized, and is automatically recorded on the host computer side. Therefore, erroneous input by a service person or an operator of the host computer is prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the power is turned on for the first time after the image forming apparatus is installed, a step of reading the telephone number data contained in the communication means and registering it in the memory, and an initialization start signal from the input means. A program for causing the control means of the image forming apparatus to execute a step of reading the initialization data and the telephone number data from the memory when input, and transmitting the initialization data and the telephone number data to the host computer. It is about.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the power is turned on for the first time after the image forming apparatus is installed, a step of reading the telephone number data contained in the communication means and registering it in the memory, and an initialization start signal from the input means. A program for causing the control means of the image forming apparatus to execute a step of reading the initialization data and the telephone number data from the memory when input, and transmitting the initialization data and the telephone number data to the host computer. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium in which is recorded.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a management system for an image forming apparatus, which is configured so that the image forming apparatus and the host computer can mutually send and receive various data via a communication means. The image forming apparatus includes a communication unit that incorporates unique telephone number data, an input unit that inputs a telephone number of the host computer and an initialization start signal, and an initialization start input signal from the input unit. Control means for reading the initialization data from the memory based on the above, and transmitting the initialization data to the host computer by the communication means. Of these, when the control means reads the telephone number data of the communication means and registers it in the memory at the first power-on after installation, and when transmitting the initialization data to the host computer, the telephone number data Is read from the memory and added to the initialization data, and the initialization data and the telephone number data are transmitted to the host computer. When the host computer receives the initialization data and the telephone number data transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the host computer generates an ID corresponding to the image forming apparatus and associates the ID with the telephone number data. It is designed to be registered in the storage means.

According to the present invention having such a configuration, the telephone number on the image forming apparatus side is automatically transmitted to the host computer side when the image forming apparatus is initialized, and is automatically recorded on the host computer side. Therefore, erroneous input by a service person or an operator of the host computer is prevented. Moreover, when the initialization data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus side to the host computer side, an ID corresponding to the image forming apparatus is generated on the host computer side and the I
Since D and the telephone number of the image forming apparatus side are associated with each other and registered in the storage means, it is possible to accurately create the customer management data.

[0014]

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

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 is referred to as a meter reading host computer in order to distinguish it from a host computer of a business office (a host computer of a C call center) by a built-in PHS communication means 2. ) 3 and a C call center host computer (referred to as a failure management host computer in order to distinguish from a sales office host computer) 4. The meter reading host computer 3 and the failure management host computer 4 are each connected to an ISDN line via a terminal adapter (TA), and are connected to the PHS network on the copying machine 1 side. In addition, each sales office A in charge of meter reading and repair,
The plurality of copying machines 1 and 1 connected to the B meter reading host computers 3 and 3 are connected to the failure management host computer 4 of the C call center that collectively manages each business office. In addition, the meter reading host computer 3
And the failure management host computer 4 are connected by an ISDN line.

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

The copying machine 1 includes an exposure unit for reading a document, an image forming unit including a photoconductor and a developing unit for converting an image read by the exposure unit into a toner image, and the image forming unit. A transfer unit arranged in a transfer area for transferring the formed toner image to a transfer paper,
A sheet feeding unit that supplies the transfer sheet to the transfer area and a fixing unit that heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred to the transfer sheet to fix the toner image on the transfer sheet are provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine 1 includes a data acquisition unit 5 having various sensors for detecting a failure of each part of the copying machine 1, a jam (paper jam), and the like. Input means 6 such as a keyboard, a touch panel, and operation buttons of the arranged operation panel, a display means 7 such as a liquid crystal display device for displaying various data relating to the operation of the copying machine, a host computer 3 for meter reading, and failure management It comprises a PHS communication means 2 that enables transmission and reception of data to and from the host computer 4, and a control means 8 that controls the operation of the PHS communication means 2, the data acquisition means 5, and the like. Of these, the PHS communication means 2
Built-in unique phone number data. And this P
The telephone number data of the HS communication unit 2 is read by the data reading unit of the control unit 8, converted into a data format that can be read and written by the management system of the image forming apparatus, and registered in the memory 11.

The control means 8 includes a CPU 10 for executing arithmetic processing according to the control program, a ROM for storing the control program, a storage means (memory) 11 including a readable / writable RAM for storing the arithmetic result, and an input / output interface. It is configured by a microcomputer including (not shown). 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.

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 stores the CPU 12, which executes arithmetic processing according to the control program, and the control program, etc.
The storage unit 13 includes an OM, a readable / writable RAM for storing calculation results, and an input / output interface (not shown). Further, when the meter reading host computer 3 receives the initialization data (for example, empty ID = 00000) transmitted from the copying machine 1, the host computer 3 for reading the meter reads the ID corresponding to the copying machine 1 (for example, ID = 12345). The communication control data is generated and the area code number (for example, 123) is added to the ID to create the communication control data, and the communication control data is transmitted to the copying machine 1. The meter reading host computer 3 also creates a customer information management list corresponding to the above-mentioned communication control data in a customer information file and records it in the storage means 13.

The meter reading host computer 3
Is an external storage device 14 such as a hard disk, an input means 15 such as an input keyboard or an operation button, a communication means 16 for enabling data transmission / reception with the copying machine 1, a display means 17 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device. They are connected via an input / output interface (not shown).

The failure management host computer 4 is installed in a C call center which controls a plurality of business offices. In addition, the C call 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, a storage means 2 including a ROM for storing control programs and the like, and a readable / writable RAM for storing calculation results, etc.
0, and an input / output interface (not shown). The failure management host computer 4
Is an external storage device 21 such as a hard disk, a keyboard (input means) 22 for input, a communication means 23 that enables data transmission / reception with a copying machine, and an input / output not shown in the display means 24 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device. It is connected through the interface.

The operation of the image forming apparatus management system configured as described above will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 3 to 5 and FIG.

First, the initialization operation of the copying machine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and FIG. When the copying machine 1 is installed, the service person turns on the main switch of the copying machine 1 to activate the copying machine 1 (step S1).
When the copying machine 1 is activated, the control means 8 acquires the unique telephone number data contained in the PHS communication means 2 and records it in the memory 11 (step S2).

When the copier 1 is activated, the service person inputs the telephone number of the meter reading host computer 3 in order to enable mutual data communication between the copier 1 and the meter reading host computer 3. The telephone number is registered in the memory 11 of the copying machine 1, and the telephone number of the failure managing host computer 4 is input to enable mutual data communication between the copying machine 1 and the failure managing host computer 4. The telephone number is registered in the memory 11 of the copying machine 1 (step S3). Then, the service person copies the copy machine 1
When an initialization start signal is input from the input means 6 (step S4), communication to the meter reading host computer 3 is started based on the registered telephone number of the meter reading host computer 3, and initialization data and PHS communication are performed. The telephone number data of the means 2 is read from the memory 11, and the initialization data and the telephone number data of the PHS communication means 2 are transmitted to the meter reading host computer 3 (step S5). Here, the initialization data is an empty ID (00000) previously stored in the memory 11 of the copying machine 1 (FIG. 6).
reference).

The meter reading host computer 3 which has received the initialization data and the telephone number data of the PHS communication means 2 generates an ID for the copying machine 1 which has transmitted the initialization data, as will be described later. Area code number for this ID (business office identification number set in advance for each business office)
Is transmitted to the copying machine 1 (see steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6). The communication control data is an identifier for identifying the communication partner.

On the other hand, the copying machine 1 receives the communication control data from the meter reading host computer 3 (step S
6) Then, the communication control data is registered in the memory 11 (step S7). Then, the communication control data registered in the copying machine 1 and the telephone number data of the PHS communication means 2 are transmitted to the failure management host computer 4 automatically or by a service person (step S8).

Next, the operation of the meter reading host computer 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in these drawings, when the meter reading host computer 3 receives the initialization data from the copying machine 1 and the telephone number data of the PHS communication means 2 (step S11), the copy for transmitting the initialization data is performed. The ID corresponding to the machine 1 is generated, and
The area code number of the business office that manages the meter-reading host computer 3 is added to the generated ID to create communication control data (step S12). Then, the meter reading host computer 3 transmits the communication control data to the communication means 16
Then, the call is transmitted to the copying machine 1 (step S13).

Further, the meter-reading host computer 3 stores the communication control data in the storage means 13, creates a customer information management list corresponding to the ID of the communication control data in the customer information management file, and stores the customer information management list. The telephone number data of the PHS communication means 2 is recorded in the information management list (step S14). After the initialization operation, at the sales office, the customer data (user name, address, etc.) corresponding to the ID of the communication control data is input means 1.
When it is input by 5 (step S15), the customer data is written in the corresponding part of the customer information management list corresponding to the ID, and the customer information management list is updated (step S16).

The meter reading host computer 3 is
The communication control data and the updated customer information management list are transmitted to the copying machine 1 by the communication means 16 (step S17). Note that the data transmission from the meter-reading host computer 3 to the copying machine 1 is automatically performed when the customer information management list is updated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be performed by a key operation by an operator or the like. Then, the customer information management list transmitted from the meter reading host computer 3 to the copying machine 1 is further transmitted from the copying machine 1 to the failure management host computer 4 so that the meter reading host computer 3 and the failure management host computer 4 can communicate with each other. It is designed to share the same customer information management list.

Next, the operation of the failure management host computer 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in these figures, when the failure management host computer 4 receives the communication control data from the copying machine 1 and the telephone number data of the PHS communication means 2 (step S21), the communication control data and the telephone number data are transmitted. It is registered in the storage means 20 (step S22).

Thereafter, the failure management host computer 4
Is to be transmitted to the copying machine 1 when the data is stored in the storage means 2.
Read communication control data and telephone number data from 0,
A call is made to the copying machine 1 based on the telephone number data, and communication control data and transmission data are transmitted to the copying machine 1 by the communication means 23 to enable data transmission / reception with the copying machine 1. To do. If the communication control data of the copying machine 1 and the failure management host computer 4 do not match, data transmission / reception between them is rejected, and the communication control data of the copying machine 1 and the meter reading host computer 3 do not match. In this case, data transmission / reception between the two parties is rejected.

According to the management system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment as described above, the telephone number data of the PHS communication means 2 of the copying machine 1 is set when the copying machine 1 is initialized.
Since it is automatically transmitted to the meter reading host computer 3 together with the initialization data and automatically recorded in the meter reading host computer 3, erroneous input by a serviceman or an operator of the meter reading host computer 3 is prevented, The telephone number of the copying machine 1 side is accurately registered in the meter reading host computer 3.

Further, according to the management system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the initialization data and the PHS communication means 2 are transferred from the copying machine 1 side to the meter reading host computer side when the copying machine 1 is initialized. Is transmitted, the communication control data corresponding to the copying machine 1 is generated on the host computer side, and the ID of the communication control data and the telephone number on the copying machine 1 side are associated and registered in the storage means 13. Therefore, it is possible to accurately create customer management data.

Further, according to the management system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the communication control data is transmitted from the meter reading host computer 3 to the copying machine 1 during the initialization work of the copying machine 1, the communication is performed. The control data and the telephone number data of the PHS communication means 2 read from the memory 11 are transmitted from the copying machine 1 to the failure management host computer 4,
The ID of the communication control data and the telephone number of the copying machine 1 are associated and accurately registered in the storage means 20 of the failure management host computer 4.

Further, since the management system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment employs the PHS communication means 2 as the communication means of the copying machine 1, there is no need to connect a telephone line to the copying machine, and copying is possible. The degree of freedom of the installation location of the copying machine 1 is increased, and it can be widely applied to the copying machine 1 not having the FAX function.

(Modification of Embodiment of the Present Invention) In the above embodiment, the copying machine 1 was illustrated as the image forming apparatus and the management system of the image forming apparatus was explained, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus can be widely applied to facsimiles, page printers, printing machines and the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the input of various data to the meter reading host computer 3 and the failure management host computer is performed by the meter reading host computer 3.
Alternatively, it may be performed by another computer connected to the failure management host computer via a LAN.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the PHS communication means 2 is illustrated as the communication means of the copying machine 1, but the communication means is not limited to this, and any communication means having its own number may be incorporated, for example, a mobile phone function. You may make it use the communication means which applied.

Further, in the above embodiment, the PHS
The own number of the communication means 2 may be used as the ID of the communication control data.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the telephone number data on the image forming apparatus side is automatically transmitted to the host computer side together with the initialization data when the image forming apparatus is initialized. Since the data is automatically recorded in, the erroneous input by the service person or the operator of the host computer is prevented, and the telephone number on the image forming apparatus side is accurately registered in the host computer.

Further, according to the present invention, when the initialization data and the telephone number data are transmitted from the image forming apparatus side to the host computer side, the ID corresponding to the image forming apparatus is generated on the host computer side, and the ID and the ID are generated. Since the telephone number of the image forming apparatus is associated and automatically registered in the storage means, it is possible to accurately create the customer management data.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

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

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operating state of the meter reading host computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operating state of the failure management host computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data communication state at the time of initialization of the management system of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Copier (image forming apparatus), 2 ... PHS communication means (communication means), 3 ... Meter reading host computer, 4 ...
... host computer for failure management, 6 ... input means, 8
...... Control means, 11 ...... Memory (storage means), 16, 2
3 ... Communication means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Jiro Yanagi             1-22 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture             Kyocera Mita Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AQ06 HJ08                       HP00                 2H027 EJ08 EJ09 EJ15 EK00                 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA12 AA13 AA37                       AB42 AB49 AC22 AC38 AF03                       AF12 BA01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host computer, an input means for inputting a telephone number of the host computer and an initialization start signal, and an initialization start input signal from the input means. An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for reading initialization data from a memory based on the communication means, and transmitting the initialization data to the host computer by the communication means, wherein the communication means has unique telephone number data. When the first power-on after installation, the control means reads the telephone number data of the communication means and registers it in a memory, and when transmitting the initialization data to the host computer, The telephone number data is read from the memory and added to the initialization data, and the initialization data and the telephone number data are added to the host computer. Image forming apparatus and transmits to. 2. The control means of the image forming apparatus, when the power is turned on for the first time after the image forming apparatus is installed, a step of reading the telephone number data contained in the communication means and registering it in the memory, and starting the initialization from the input means. Is input, the initialization data and the telephone number data are read from the memory, and the step of transmitting the initialization data and the telephone number data to the host computer is executed. 3. The control means of the image forming apparatus, when the power is turned on for the first time after the image forming apparatus is installed, a step of reading out telephone number data built in the communication means and registering the same in a memory, and initialization starting from the input means. When the signal of is input, a step of reading the initialization data and the telephone number data from the memory and transmitting the initialization data and the telephone number data to the host computer, A readable recording medium. 4. A management system for an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus and a host computer are capable of mutually transmitting and receiving various data via a communication means, wherein the image forming apparatus is a unique telephone number. A communication unit having built-in data; an input unit for inputting a telephone number of the host computer and an initialization start signal; and reading initialization data from a memory based on an initialization start input signal from the input unit, And a control means for transmitting the initialization data to the host computer by the communication means, wherein the control means reads out the telephone number data of the communication means and registers it in the memory when the power is turned on for the first time after installation. When the initialization data is transmitted to the host computer, the telephone number data is read from the memory and the initialization data is read. In addition, it is configured to send the initialization data and the telephone number data to the host computer, the host computer, when receiving the initialization data and the telephone number data transmitted from the image forming apparatus, An ID corresponding to the image forming apparatus is generated, and this I
A management system for an image forming apparatus, wherein the telephone number data is associated with D and registered in a storage unit.