JP2003204413A - Image forming apparatus managing system and its image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely down load information relating to formation of an image from a managing system when an image forming apparatus is in an information rewritable state. <P>SOLUTION: A copier (image forming apparatus) 1 comprises a means for deciding a self-state. A managing unit 141 transmits information relating to the formation of the image to the copier (image forming apparatus) via a communication control unit 144, an exchange 143, and a telephone channel 142 in response to a decided result of the deciding means; and stores the information in a storage means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention connects an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a management apparatus via a communication line or a communication control apparatus, and centralizes a plurality of image forming apparatuses by the management apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management system that can be managed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As such an image forming apparatus management system, for example, JP-A-2-257155, JP-A-2-259666, or JP-A-3-1960.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 53, etc., there is known an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine which can be connected to a management apparatus installed in a service center or the like by using a communication line such as a public line.

Such an image forming apparatus management system is
By centrally managing a plurality of image forming devices installed at remote locations by a management device (host machine) installed at one location, the usage status of each image forming device is aggregated and the management information is displayed as an image. It is also used for maintenance of forming equipment. The content of the usage status includes the number of copies, and the content of the maintenance includes automatic call to the management apparatus by self-diagnosis of the image forming apparatus and adjustment of each part of the image forming apparatus by access from the management apparatus side.

It is also possible to transmit these pieces of information as image information to a service center or the like by utilizing a facsimile function. Further, in the case of adding a program or upgrading the version, each image forming apparatus receives the program from the management apparatus (host machine) and writes the program, or the host side performs a work procedure for the image forming apparatus during maintenance work. In some cases, the guide information indicating the is transmitted according to its operating state.

By the way, in such an image forming apparatus management system, it is possible to switch between a communication mode and another mode between the communication line and the management apparatus, as seen in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-64770. It has been proposed to provide a transmission device so that the transmission device sets the communication mode only when the copying device is not performing a copying operation when a data transmission request is sent from the management device to the copying machine.

Further, when the copying machine sends an abnormality or the like to the management device, the line is put on hold when the line is busy, and the line is monitored and data is transmitted when the line becomes idle. Furthermore, in the event of an emergency, the call is forcibly terminated by the relay circuit and the emergency is transmitted to the management device side, or the copier is checked and data is transmitted to the host at different times. There is also a system in which data transmission to the terminal is performed during a time period when the frequency of use of the line is low.

[0007]

By the way, in the recent copying machines, different image forming data are precisely adjusted for each printer at the time of factory shipment, and the user can obtain a good image from the initial stage based on this data. It is also known to obtain. In such a copying machine, the failure judgment at the time of machine abnormality, readjustment at the time of image abnormality, or when the memory contents of the copying machine is destroyed, even when the developer or the photoconductor is replaced, Since the data is stored, it is easy to readjust it with reference to the data, and it is possible to reduce the burden on the service person and shorten the time required for recovery.

In addition, when the developer or the photoconductor is replaced, it may be better to return each data of the copying machine to the initial state rather than readjusting the data of the copying machine one by one. Therefore, it has a memory clear function. Copiers are also known.

However, in the conventional management system, the service person contacts the center on the side of the management apparatus to read out the data of the copying machine from the side of the management apparatus, so-called download, or operates the operation panel of the copying machine. Since the data on the copying machine side is transferred to the management device in a loose manner, the burden on the service person is not sufficiently reduced, and human maintenance is required for data maintenance. Failure to do so may result in management problems.

In recent years, multifunctional copying machines have become more multifunctional, and it is known that the initial mode when the power is turned on can be selectively set according to the preference of the user. In that case, for example, in the standard specification, when the power is turned on, the first of a plurality of paper feed cassettes
Although the tier is selected, it can be set so that the second tier is selected via the operation panel. Further, in the standard specification, the buzzer sounds by operating the operation panel, but it can be set so that this sound does not occur according to the preference of the user.

However, in the conventional management system,
There is also a problem that the serviceman has to perform this setting operation via the operation panel at the time of delivery, and the load on the serviceman increases as the number of functions increases.

Further, in the above-mentioned copying machine having the memory clear function, since the initial value of the data is common to all copying machines, the service person must readjust the necessary data, and the time required for the adjustment must be adjusted. It was hanging. In addition,
In this case, if the service person contacts the center to inquire about the initial data at the time of delivery or reads it from the management device by operating the copier operation panel, the adjustment time can be shortened, but the service person's burden will be burdened. The reduction is not enough,
Since data maintenance also requires human operation, management errors may occur due to operation mistakes.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a data download for transmitting information related to image formation from the management device to the image forming device and a management device for the image forming device in the above-mentioned management system for image forming device. The first is to reduce the burden on service personnel when uploading data to transfer information to and to prevent operational mistakes.
The purpose of.

Further, as described above, the image forming apparatus management is set so that the communication mode is set only when the image forming apparatus is not in the image forming operation even when the management apparatus requests the copying machine to transmit data. Also in the system, an operation of automatically adjusting image forming conditions such as a VL automatic correction determination operation (an automatic adjustment operation of a lamp voltage for the purpose of reducing background stains) without an image forming operation (internal image forming condition adjustment data) Access is performed), the communication interruption with the management device is permitted, so that the image forming condition adjustment data may be damaged.

Further, if communication is performed in parallel with automatic adjustment of image forming conditions, the internal central processing unit (CPU) will be overused, resulting in a reduction in processing speed. Therefore, in order to solve the problem, it is necessary to complicate the control method, but this causes a problem that the software is changed and the cost is increased.

Further, when a communication request is issued from the management device during automatic adjustment of image forming conditions and the automatic adjustment is interrupted to prioritize communication, the interrupted adjustment must be performed from the beginning after the communication is completed. Will not happen. In that case, the user has to wait a few more minutes until the automatic adjustment is completed, which causes a significant disadvantage to work efficiency.
Furthermore, when the user intends to use the image forming apparatus from now on and the communication with the management apparatus starts in the image forming apparatus, the user has to wait until the communication ends.

In the image forming apparatus, if communication is performed with the management apparatus during setting input of the special mode in which the user can arbitrarily register, if the data is rewritten in the communication processing, the mode being set is input. May become invalid. For example, if data rewriting communication is performed to cancel the automatic paper selection mode while inputting the settings of the program mode (special mode) including the automatic paper selection mode, the communication contents and registered contents may be inconsistent and the setting input The inner mode becomes invalid, and the mode setting must be restarted from the beginning after the communication is completed, and the image forming apparatus cannot be used immediately.

A second object of the present invention is to solve these problems and shorten the waiting time when the user uses the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus management system as described above.

Further, the image forming apparatus such as a large number of copying machines on the user side can be connected to a management apparatus installed in a service center or the like through a communication control apparatus called a data terminal and a communication line such as a public line. In the machine management system, a communication control device, which is generally installed on the image forming apparatus side, controls communication with the management device.

When a change in the communicable state between the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus occurs, for example, when the connection state changes to the disconnection state, the image forming apparatus detects an abnormality and calls a serviceman call. To stop the operation. Even if there is a change from the disconnection state to the connection state during the stop state, it cannot be in the usable state unless the serviceman takes action.

Therefore, in such a conventional image forming apparatus management system, it was not possible to cope with a change in the connection (communication availability) state between the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus, so that the work efficiency was lowered. There was a problem of doing. A third object of the present invention is to solve such a problem so that the system can be efficiently operated in accordance with a change in the communication availability state between the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus. .

[0022]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises an image forming apparatus management system as described in each claim of the claims. The inventions of claims 1 to 42 relate to an image forming apparatus management system in which one or more image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus are connected via a communication line, and are configured as follows.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus has a first communication means for communicating with the management apparatus, a storage means for storing information about image formation, and a part or all of the operating state of the apparatus. Alternatively, there is provided clock means for setting the non-operating state by time. Then, the status of the second communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus and the state of the clock means is read out to the management apparatus, and when a part or all of the image forming apparatus is in the inoperative state, the information of the storage means is read. And a rewriting means for rewriting

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, the rewriting means becomes the operating state from the state of the clock means even if a part or all of the image forming apparatus is in the inoperative state. When it is determined that the time until is within a predetermined time, the above-mentioned information is not rewritten.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the first or second aspect, the clock means is
When the operating time comes during the rewriting by the rewriting means, there is provided means for not setting a part or all of the image forming apparatus to the operating state until the rewriting is completed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus has a first communication means for communicating with the management apparatus, a storage means for storing information about image formation, and a standby state when the apparatus is inoperable. And a standby means for setting. Then, the management device is provided with a second communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus, and a rewriting means for reading the state of the image forming apparatus and rewriting the information in the storage means in the standby state. is there.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, when the rewriting means determines that the time from the standby state to the operating state of the image forming apparatus is within a predetermined time. It has means for not rewriting the above information.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the standby means is
When the operating time comes during the rewriting by the rewriting means, there is provided means for not setting the image forming apparatus to the operating state until the rewriting is completed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in each of the image forming apparatus management systems, the communication means of the managing apparatus is a communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the rewriting means includes the plurality of image forming apparatuses. It is a means for identifying and rewriting the above information according to its unique state.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in each of the image forming apparatus management systems, the storage means of the image forming apparatus has a plurality of storage means, and the rewriting means selectively operates on the plurality of storage means. It is a means for rewriting information.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the fourth aspect, the image forming apparatus is provided with a clock means for setting an operating state or a non-operating state of part or all of the apparatus in time. The rewriting means is a means for rewriting the information in the storage means when the timepiece means is in the non-operating state and when the standby means sets the standby state even when the means is in the operating state. Is.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the rewriting means has means for rewriting the information in the storage means according to the contents of the rewriting information.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the fourth aspect, the management apparatus is provided with a determining means for determining whether the image forming apparatus is in a conductive state or a non-conductive state, and the rewriting means is When the determination result of the determination means is the non-energized state, the standby means waits for the standby state to be set and rewrites the information in the storage means.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, a communication control apparatus for temporarily storing information regarding image formation when the image forming apparatus is in a non-energized state is provided between the image forming apparatus and the managing apparatus. It was installed in.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, the communication control apparatus waits for a standby state when the image forming apparatus is in a non-energized state and temporarily stores the image formation information. Is provided.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with a first communication means for communicating with the management apparatus, a first storage means for storing information about image formation, and a state of the image forming apparatus. And a determining means for determining. Then, in the management apparatus, a second communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus, a second storage unit that stores information about image formation, and the second storage unit according to the determination result by the determination unit. And transmitting means for transmitting the information about the image formation stored in the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus via the second communication means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, the determining means determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is in the inoperative state, and when the image forming apparatus is in the inactive state. In addition, the above-mentioned transmitting means is operated.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, the image forming apparatus is provided with a clock means for setting an operating state or a non-operating state of a part or all of the apparatus by time, The means is means for reading out the state of the clock means and determining whether or not the image forming apparatus is in the inoperative state.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the fourteenth aspect, the determining means determines whether or not the image forming condition automatic adjusting operation is being performed, and the image forming condition automatic adjusting operation is performed. When it is in the middle, it is a means for prohibiting the operation of the transmitting means.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the fourteenth aspect, the determining means determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the image forming apparatus has completed the image forming operation, and the image forming is performed. The device serves as a means for prohibiting the operation of the transmitting means when a predetermined time has not passed after the image forming operation of the apparatus.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the fourteenth aspect, the image forming apparatus is provided with an image forming mode setting means, and when the discriminating means detects the operation of the image forming mode setting means. A means for prohibiting the operation of the transmitting means is provided.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the fourteenth aspect, the management device has one of the image forming information stored in the second storage means in accordance with the result of the determination by the determining means. A means for selecting information to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the second communication means is provided.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus operates the first communication means for communicating with the management apparatus, the first storing means for storing information about image formation, and the image forming apparatus. And an object detecting means for detecting an object existing on the side. Then, the management apparatus is provided with the second communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus, the second storage means for storing information about image formation, and the information for image formation stored in the second storage means. (2) Transmission means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus via the communication means, and means for inhibiting the operation of the transmission means when an object is detected by the object detection means.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with the first communication means for communicating with the management apparatus and the first storage means for storing the information on the image formation. Then, the second management device communicates with the image forming device.
The communication unit, the second storage unit that stores information about image formation of the image forming apparatus, and the information about image formation from the first storage unit of the image forming apparatus are read to determine whether it is the initial delivery time or not. In this case, the control means for storing the information about the image formation read from the first storage means in the second storage means is provided.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with first communication means for communicating with the management apparatus, first storage means for storing information about image formation, and information for image formation according to the first aspect. 1) means for reading from the storage means to determine whether or not it is the initial delivery time, and transmitting the initial delivery time arrival signal to the management device in the case of the initial delivery time. Then, the management device, and second communication means for communicating with the image forming device,
Second storage means for storing information about image formation of the image forming apparatus, and information about image formation when the initial delivery signal is received from the first storage means of the image forming apparatus and stored in the second storage means. A control means for storing is provided.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the twenty-second aspect or the twenty-third aspect, the management apparatus is provided with a means for changing information regarding image formation stored in the second storage means. .

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with a first communication means for communicating with the management apparatus, a first storage means for storing information about image formation, and information for image formation according to the first aspect. (1) It is provided with a means for reading from the storage means to determine whether or not it is the initial delivery time, and in the case of the initial delivery, an initial delivery time signal and a means for transmitting the information regarding the image formation read from the first storage means to the management device.

Then, the management apparatus receives the first communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus, the second storage means for storing information on image formation of the image forming apparatus, and the initial delivery time signal. In this case, a control means for storing information on image formation from the image forming apparatus in the second storage means is provided.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the above-described image forming apparatus management system, the image forming apparatus is provided with means for transmitting the identification information to the management apparatus when the communication is started by itself.

In the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with the first communication means for communicating with the management apparatus and the first storage means for storing information on image formation. The first management device communicates with the image forming device.
The communication unit, the second storage unit that stores information about image formation of the image forming apparatus, and the information about image formation from the first storage unit of the image forming apparatus are read to determine whether it is the initial delivery time or not. In this case, there is provided means for reading out information relating to image formation from the second storage means and rewriting information in the first storage means of the image forming apparatus.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with first communication means for communicating with the management apparatus, first storage means for storing information relating to image formation, and information for the first storage means. And means for transmitting the clear information to the management device. Then, the management apparatus includes a first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus, a second storage unit that stores information about image formation of the image forming apparatus, and a second storage unit when the clear information is received. Means is provided for reading information related to image formation from the storage means and storing it in the first storage means of the image forming apparatus.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth aspect, the image forming apparatus is provided with means for changing the contents stored in the first storage means.

According to the thirtieth aspect of the present invention, whether the image forming apparatus is in the image forming operation when the image forming apparatus automatically adjusts the image forming condition and the management apparatus requests the communication. Alternatively, a means for prohibiting communication with the management device is provided during the adjustment operation by the image forming condition automatic adjustment means.

According to the thirty-first aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with a human body detecting means for detecting the approach of a human body, and a means for inhibiting communication with the management device when the human body detecting means detects the approach of the human body. It is provided.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, the image forming apparatus interrupts communication when the human body detecting means detects the approach of a human body during communication with the managing apparatus. Means are provided.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, the communication interrupting means may detect the approach of a human body by the human body detecting means while the image forming apparatus communicates with the managing apparatus. When the communication is a rewriting communication of the image forming condition adjustment data, it has means for continuing the communication.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the thirty-first aspect, when the image forming apparatus detects the approach of the human body by the human body detecting means during communication with the management apparatus, the user is informed. It is provided with a means for displaying to inform that communication is in progress.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, mode selecting means for selecting an image forming mode, mode registering means for registering the image forming mode selected by the means, and image forming by the mode registering means. A means for prohibiting communication with the management device is provided during mode registration.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, when the image forming apparatus requests a registration of the image forming mode by the mode registration means during communication with the managing apparatus, the communication is interrupted. Means are provided.

The inventions of claims 37 to 50 relate to an image forming apparatus management system in which one or more image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus are connected to a communication control apparatus via a communication line. It is characterized by having the above configuration. That is, the invention of claim 37 is
The image forming apparatus is provided with a communication availability state detection unit for detecting whether or not the communication with the communication control apparatus is possible.

According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, whether or not the communication availability state detecting means is in a state capable of communicating with the communication control apparatus when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on. Is a means for checking.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the thirty-seventh aspect, the image forming apparatus is detected by the communication availability state detecting means that the communication with the communication control apparatus is not possible. In this case, means for prohibiting communication with the communication control device is provided.

According to a 40th aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the 37th aspect, the image forming apparatus is detected by the communication availability state detecting means to be in a state capable of communicating with the communication control apparatus. In this case, a means for permitting communication with the communication control device is provided.

According to a forty-first aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the thirty-seventh aspect, the image forming apparatus is detected by the communication availability state detecting means to be in a state in which communication with the communication control apparatus is possible. When done,
A means for constantly enabling the communication availability state detection means is provided.

According to a forty-second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the thirty-seventh aspect, the image forming apparatus is detected by the communication availability status detecting means that the communication with the communication control apparatus is not possible. Then,
A means is provided for activating the communication availability status detection means at predetermined intervals.

According to a 43rd aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with a communication permission switch for permitting communication with the communication control apparatus.

According to a forty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, the image forming apparatus is provided with a communication availability state detecting means for detecting whether or not communication with the communication control apparatus is possible. It is a thing.

According to a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system, when the image forming apparatus detects that the communication enable / disable state detecting means is in a state in which communication with the communication control apparatus is not possible. There is provided means for invalidating the communication permission with the communication control device by the communication permission switch and always enabling the communication availability state detecting means.

According to a forty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the forty-fourth aspect, it is detected by the image forming apparatus that the communication availability state detecting means is in a state in which communication with the communication control apparatus is not possible. In addition, when communication with the communication control device is not permitted by the communication permission switch, means for prohibiting communication with the communication control device and for constantly disabling the communication availability state detection means is provided. Is.

According to a forty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the forty-fourth aspect, it is detected by the image forming apparatus that the communication availability state detecting means can communicate with the communication control apparatus. If the communication with the communication control device is permitted by the communication permission switch, a means for validating the communication with the communication control device and the communication enable / disable state detecting means is always provided. It is a thing.

According to a forty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the forty-fourth aspect, it is detected by the image forming apparatus that the communication availability state detecting means can communicate with the communication control apparatus. Was done,
When the communication with the communication control device is not permitted by the communication permission switch, the communication with the communication control device is invalidated or made valid and busy, and the communication availability state detection means is always invalidated. Means are provided.

According to a forty-ninth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the forty-third aspect, a state in which the image forming apparatus prohibits communication from the state in which the communication permission switch permits communication during communication with the communication control apparatus. When the communication is switched to, the means for invalidating the communication with the communication control device after detecting the end of communication is provided.

According to a fiftieth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is capable of detecting whether or not communication with the communication control apparatus is possible, and communication for permitting communication with the communication control apparatus. A permission switch, a means for controlling the validity and invalidity of the communication between the image forming apparatus and the communication control device, based on the communication permission / prohibition information from the communication permission / prohibition state detection means and the communication permission / non-permission information from the communication permission switch. , Whether or not to detect the communication availability with the communication control device by the communication availability status detecting means from the communication availability information from the communication availability status detecting means and the communication enable / disable information from the communication enable switch. And means for controlling.

[0074]

Among the above inventions, claims 1 to 21 and 2
The image forming apparatus management system of Nos. 8 and 29 can automatically and unattendedly perform data download mainly for transmitting information related to image formation from the management apparatus to each image forming apparatus, and the download is not interrupted on the way. And enable reliable information transmission.

Further, the image forming apparatus management system according to claims 22 to 27 can automatically perform data upload for transmitting information related to image formation from each image forming apparatus to the management apparatus. The burden on the operator can be reduced and operation mistakes can be prevented.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus management system according to the thirtieth to thirty-sixth aspects can shorten the waiting time mainly when the user uses the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus management system according to the thirty-seventh to fiftyth aspects can efficiently operate the system mainly depending on the communication availability state between the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus. Since the operation of each invention of each claim is the same as the effect, it will be collectively described as the effect of the invention.

[0077]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. First, as an example of an image forming apparatus that constitutes an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention, a schematic configuration of a copying machine used in the following embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.

This copying machine 1 is an electrophotographic plain paper copying machine (PPC), and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as "ADF") 3 is placed on top of the copying machine main body 2 to A manual feed tray 4 and a large amount of paper feed 5 are mounted on the side surface, and a paper discharge tray 6 is mounted on the other side surface. A document tray 7 for the ADF 3 is equipped with a document set sensor 8. The copying machine main body 2 includes a scanner unit 10, an image forming unit 11, a paper feeding unit 12, a fixing / paper discharging unit 13, a reversing unit 14, a duplex unit 15, and the like.

In the scanner section 10, the first scanner 24 including the contact glass 21, the exposure lamp 22, and the first mirror 23, the second scanner 27 including the second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26, Third scanner 3 including fourth mirror 28 and fifth mirror 29
0, a sixth mirror 31, and a lens 32 are provided.

In the image forming section 11, a quenching lamp 36 and a charging charger 3 are provided around the photosensitive drum 35.
7, an eraser 38, a potential sensor 39, a developing unit 40 in which a toner cartridge 41 is mounted, a pre-transfer charger 42, a transfer charger 43, a separation charger 44, a P sensor 45, and a cleaning unit 46 are arranged. A registration roller pair 47 is provided in front of the transfer position on the transfer sheet transport path, and a transport belt 48 is provided behind the transfer position.

The paper feed unit 12 is detachably provided with a first tray 51, a second tray 52, a third tray 53, and a fourth tray 54 as trays for stocking and feeding transfer sheets. Then, a first sheet feeding unit 55, a second sheet feeding unit 56, a third sheet feeding unit 57, and a fourth sheet feeding unit 58 are provided as sheet feeding units for feeding the transfer sheets stocked in them. The manual feed tray 4 or the large-volume feed tray (LC
A manual / large-volume paper feeding unit 59 for feeding the transfer paper from T) 60 is also provided.

Further, in order to convey the transfer paper fed by each of the paper feeding units 55 to 59 and the double-sided unit 15 toward the pair of registration rollers 46, the right conveying portion 61,
A left transport unit 62 and a horizontal transport unit 63 are provided.
A fixing unit 65 and a discharge roller group 66 are provided in the fixing / paper discharge section 13, and a reverse roller group 6 is provided in the reverse section 14.
7 are provided respectively.

Next, the operation of the copying machine 1 having such a configuration will be briefly described. The photoconductor drum 35 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft (not shown), and rotates in the direction of arrow A according to a copy command or the like. Then, the original fed on the contact glass 21 by the ADF 3 is scanned and exposed by the first scanner 24. The reflected light image is a first mirror 23, a second mirror 25, a third mirror 26,
An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 35 via the lens 32, the fourth mirror 28, the fifth mirror 29, and the sixth mirror 31.

The photosensitive drum 35 is the charging charger 3
The surface is charged by 7, and when the charged surface is exposed by the reflected light image, an electrostatic latent image is formed. After that, the eraser 38 illuminates unnecessary portions to correct the latent image suitable for the transfer paper or the projected image. At this time, the photosensitive drum 35 and the first scanner 24 are driven at the same speed in order to obtain an image of the same size. Then, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 35 is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 40. At that time, a dark or light image can be obtained by applying a potential (developing bias voltage) to the developing unit 40.

On the other hand, the transfer paper stocked in any one of the first tray 51, the second tray 52, the third tray 53, the fourth tray 54, the index tray 4, the large-volume feed tray 60, and the duplex unit 15 is used. , Paper feeding units 55-59
Is selected by any one of the following, and is fed at a predetermined feeding timing.
It is conveyed to the registration roller pair 47 which has been stopped in advance through the horizontal conveying section 63 and the like. Then, the photosensitive drum 35
The registration roller pair 47 is driven at the timing when the leading edge of the upper toner image and the leading edge of the transfer paper are aligned.

As a result, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 35 is transferred to the transfer paper by the action of the pre-transfer charger and the transfer charger 43. At this time, the photosensitive drum 35
The surface of is very smooth, and the adhesion of the transfer paper is great on that surface. Therefore, the action of the separation charger 44 lowers the electric potential of the transfer paper and lowers the adhesion.

After that, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 35 by a separating claw (not shown), and the separated transfer paper is sent to the fixing unit 65 by the conveyor belt 48. The transfer paper sent to the fixing unit 37 is subjected to heat and pressure on the toner here, so that the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed to the transfer paper, and then the transfer paper group 66 for discharge is used to discharge the transfer paper outside the machine. It is ejected onto the paper tray. When performing a double-sided copy or the like, the sheet is once fed to the reversing unit 14, the conveyance direction is reversed, and then fed to the double-sided unit 15, and is re-fed to the image forming unit 11 when copying the image of the next original surface.

Since the toner that could not be completely transferred adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 after the transfer, the surface is cleaned by the brush and the cleaning blade of the cleaning unit 46, and then it is nonuniform by the quenching lamp 36. Keep the surface potential constant.

These control timings are controlled by a control circuit, which will be described later, mainly based on a pulse generated in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 35 or a reference pulse for driving the photosensitive drum 35.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the contact glass 21 and its periphery of the copying machine 1. 121 is an optical table, 122 is a P sensor pattern, 123 is an ADS reference pattern, 124 is a VL pattern, and 125 is a VD. It is a pattern. The P sensor pattern 122, ADS reference pattern 123, VL pattern 124, VD pattern 12
The four patterns 5 are provided on the back surface of the optical table 121.

Next, the toner density control operation of the copying machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the first scanner 24
Is moved below the P sensor pattern 122, the reflected light image is formed on the photosensitive drum 35 charged by the charging charger 37, and a toner image is formed by the developing unit 40. Then, the P sensor toner image is read by the P sensor 45.

At this time, the output voltage of the P sensor 45 (P sensor output voltage) is Vsp, and the P sensor output voltage of the background portion of the photosensitive drum 35 is Vsg.
The comparison value of g is 1 / 13Vsg and the reference voltage is Vs.
The proper concentration is defined when p is the reference voltage. This reference voltage and V
The toner density is controlled by comparing sp. When Vsp is higher than 1/13 Vsg, it is determined that the toner concentration is low and toner is replenished. In FIG.
The relationship between sp and Vsg is shown.

FIG. 6 shows the exposure lamp 22 of the first scanner 24.
FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram showing a light amount control system thereof, and 130 is a dimming sensor, 131 is a main control plate, and 132 is a ballast. In order to always maintain a stable state in forming an electrostatic latent image (image) on the photosensitive drum 35, the exposure lamp 22
It is necessary to always maintain the proper light intensity. Therefore, the light amount of the exposure lamp 22 during lighting is detected by the dimming sensor 130, and the main control plate 131 changes the lamp output signal to the ballast 132 according to the detected light amount, and the light amount of the exposure lamp 22 is changed. Have control.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the details of the first scanner 24, and the automatic density adjustment (ADS) control operation will be described based on it. Reference numeral 133 denotes an ADS sensor, which reflects the reflected light emitted from the exposure lamp 22 onto the document.
33 is read continuously according to the scanning of the first scanner 24, the maximum value (VDE) of the voltage is compared with a reference value described later, and the developing bias voltage is changed according to the high (bright) or low (dark) of VDE, I try to keep a certain image. The reference value of the ADS is the ADS sensor 1 when the ADS reference pattern 123 shown in FIG. 3 is exposed with a constant light amount.
33 output value.

Next, the process control in the copying machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
The process control is an electrostatic latent image due to a decrease in the light amount of the exposure lamp 22 with time, dirt on the optical system (mirror, lens, etc.), output fluctuations of the charger 37, fluctuations in the sensitivity and residual potential of the photosensitive drum 35, and the like. The system is a system for always obtaining a stable image by detecting the potential fluctuation of the potential sensor 39 by the potential sensor 39 and feeding it back to each process of charging, exposure and development. Further, since the electrostatic latent image is stabilized, the toner density control by the P sensor 45 is also stabilized.

Here, each potential will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The surface of the photosensitive drum 35 is covered with a quenching lamp 36.
The potential immediately after being charged by the charging charger 37 after being irradiated with is referred to as a post-charge potential VO. VL pattern 1 shown in FIG.
The exposed potential of 24 is called a white portion potential VL, and the exposed potential of the VD pattern 125 is called a black portion potential VD. The potential after irradiation of the photoconductor drum 35 with the eraser 38 is the residual potential V
Call it R.

Next, the process control operation will be described with reference to FIG. In order to obtain a proper image, it is necessary to keep the potential difference between the black portion potential VD and the white portion potential VL constant at all times. However, the residual potential VR cannot be set to 0 even if the exposure output is increased, so that the black portion potential VD and the white portion potential VL
It is possible to make the potential difference constant by adding VR to the target value of. Further, the surface potential is uniformly increased by the residual potential VR by adding the residual potential VR, but the increase can be corrected by adding the residual potential VR by the developing bias.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the operating section of this copying machine. A guidance display section 71 and a pattern display section 72 using a liquid crystal display panel are provided in the center of the operation section 70, and a large number of keys are provided on the left and right sides and the front side thereof. On the right side, start key 73, interrupt key 74, preheat key 75, mode clear / preheat key 76,
A numeric keypad 77, a clear / stop key 78, a timer key 79, a program key 80, an enter key 81, and a guidance key 82 are provided.

On the left side, a remote notification key 83, a sorter key 84, a double-sided key 85, a page continuous shooting key 86, and an erase key 8
7, paper designation scaling key 88, zoom key 89, binding margin adjustment key 90, centering key 91, dimension scaling key 92
Is provided. A reduction key 93, an enlargement key 94, a normal magnification key 95, a paper selection key 96, an automatic paper selection key 97, a density adjustment key 98, and an automatic density key 99 are provided on the front side of the central portion. In addition, remote report key 8
LE of remote notification display 83a during remote notification by turning on 3
D lights up.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the pattern display section 72. Here, the set number display D1 and the copy number display D are shown.
2, running display D3, density adjustment display D4, misfeed position display D5, paper supply display D6, misfeed display D7, remote communication error display D8, toner supply display D9,
Paper remaining amount display D10, paper selection / size / direction display D1
1, pattern display of magnification display D12 and the like, respectively.

The guidance display section 71 shown in FIG. 10 displays messages for operation and warning. Further, the operation unit 70 is characterized in that a remote notification key 83 for making a notification when the user requests a service and a remote communication abnormality display D8 displayed when an abnormality occurs in the notification are provided. However, instead of providing the dedicated remote notification key 83 as in this example, the function corresponding to the remote notification key may be realized by the pressing order of other keys, the pressing time or the combination of the pressing keys. .

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention. In this image forming apparatus management system, the management apparatus 1 installed at the service base
41 and an image forming apparatus such as a plurality of copying machines (denoted as “PPC” in the figure) 1 installed under each user are connected via a telephone line 142 which is a communication line and an exchange 143.

A communication control unit 144 for controlling communication with the management apparatus 141 is installed on the user side, and each copying machine 1 of the user source is connected to this communication control unit 144. A telephone 145 or a facsimile device (not shown) can be connected to the communication control unit 144, and the communication control unit 144 can be installed by being inserted into an existing line of the user.

Data transmission / reception in this image forming apparatus management system will be described below. First, in the case of download for transmitting data from the management device 141 to the copying machine 1, the following is performed. That is, the management device 141
Transmits a copier identification code, a control code, and control data from the communication control unit 144 to the communication control unit 144. The communication control unit 144 operates based on the received data if the received control code is for its own machine, and if it is for the copying machine 1, the control code and control for the copying machine corresponding to the copying machine identification code. Send data. The copying machine 1 operates based on the control code and control data received.

Next, in the case of upload for transmitting data from the copying machine 1 to the management device 141, the following is performed. That is, the copying machine 1 transmits the copying machine identification code, the occurrence event code, and the occurrence data to the communication control unit 144. Communication control unit 1
After the line is established, the 44 transmits the collected data to the management device 141.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. The control of the copying machine main body 2 is performed based on the control program and data stored in the ROM 101 centering on the CPU 100. Further, the RAM 102 is used to store the intermediate result of the processing.

The communication interface unit 103 includes
The communication control unit 144 is a unit that communicates with the communication control unit 144. Since the data of the copying machine 1 is sent to the communication control unit 144, the communication control unit 1
It is used to receive the control code from 44 and data.

The A / D converter 104 includes the exposure lamp 2
2 supply voltage, P sensor 45 light emission voltage and light reception voltage,
Output of potential sensor 39, output of ADS sensor 133, output of dimming sensor 130, output of drum current sensor for detecting current flowing in photoconductor drum 35, fixing unit 65
It is used to input the thermistor voltage inside.

The IN port 105 includes the keys of the operation unit 70 shown in FIG. 10, the memory clear dip switch (D
IPSW), remote communication enabled / disabled DIP switch (DI
PSW) and signals from the human body detection sensor 114, which is a type of object detection sensor. Human body detection sensor 11
Reference numeral 4 is arranged on the front surface (for example, the front cover) of the copying machine 1 to detect the approach of a human body or an object, and is a pyroelectric infrared sensor using ceramics or a thermocouple infrared using thermoelectromotive force. Use a sensor, etc. The remote communication enable / disable dip switch is for setting permission / prohibition of communication with the communication control unit 144 shown in FIG.

The OUT port 106 is shown in FIGS.
The display control data is output to each display unit of the operation unit 70 shown in FIG. The optical system control unit 107 controls the scanner unit 10 shown in FIG. High-voltage power supply unit 10
Reference numeral 8 supplies a high voltage applied to the charging charger 37, the separation charger 44, the transfer charger 43, the pre-transfer charger (PTC) 42, and a developing bias voltage applied to the developing roller in the developing unit 40.

The motor control unit 109 controls the main motor for driving the photosensitive drum 35, each paper feeding unit and the rollers of the conveying section. The heater control unit 110 controls energization to the fixing heater that heats the fixing roller of the fixing unit 65 to keep the surface temperature of the fixing roller within a predetermined range. Printer control unit 111
Is used to output the management data of the copying machine 1 to the printer.

The sensor sensitivity control unit 112 controls the light receiving gain of the light control sensor 130, the light receiving gain of the ADS sensor 133, the light receiving gain of the P sensor 45, and the LE of the P sensor 45.
It is used to change the light emission voltage of D, etc. Timer 11
3 indicates the time, which is the AC power supply O for the weekly timer.
Used for N / OFF control.

When the memory clear / DIP switch is turned on when the power is turned on, the contents of the RAM (or nonvolatile memory) 102 backed up by the battery BT are set to preset values. In addition, remote communication control is performed only when the remote communication enable / disable dip switch is ON when the power is turned on.
If it is FF, remote communication control is not performed. Furthermore, the surface temperature of the fixing roller can be detected by the thermistor voltage in the fixing unit 65, but if this temperature is below a predetermined temperature, copying is prohibited.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the communication control unit 144 of FIG. The control of the communication control unit 144 is performed based on the control program and data stored in the ROM 182 centering on the CPU 181. Further, the RAM 183 is used to store the intermediate result of the processing.

Then, this communication control unit 1
The CPU 181 of 44 performs the following operations (1) to (5). (1) Data of the copying machine 1 is collected via the interface circuit 184 and sent from the modem 185 to the management apparatus 141 via the exchange 143 and the telephone line 142 shown in FIG.

(2) The control code and data sent from the management device 141 are received by the modem 185 via the telephone line 142 and the exchange 143, and are sent from the interface circuit 184 to the copying machine 1. (3) A control signal is sent from the interface circuit 184 to an AC power supply control unit 186 that supplies AC power to the copying machine 1 to control ON / OFF of power supply.

(4) Since a plurality of copying machines can be connected to the communication control unit 144, the copying machines are identified and remote communication is arbitrated. (5) The modem 185 switches between communication with the management device 141 and normal telephone call with the telephone 145. The communication between the communication control unit 144 and the copying machine 1 is performed via the communication interface. At that time, serial communication or parallel communication is used for communication.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management device 141 shown in FIG. This management device 141
Is a host computer 161 that executes various processes,
A memory 162 for storing management data and the like, a display 163 such as a CRT for displaying various screens described later, a keyboard 164 as an operating means, a printer 165 for outputting management data, and a telephone 166. ,
It is composed of a copying machine at the source of each user and a modem 167 for communicating via the telephone line 142 or the like.

Here, the copying machine (PPC) 1 shown in FIG.
The contents of the RAM 102 cannot be constantly rewritten, and if rewriting is performed during operation, a problem occurs, but this can be classified into the following states "1" to "6".

State "1": Stopped state of photosensitive drum 35 ... Process related data can be rewritten state "2": Heater of fixing unit 65 is off ... Fixing temperature can be set "3": Standby state ... Rewritable state other than operation mode "4": Jam state ... Part of process relation and operation mode is rewritable state "5": Failure detection state ... Part of program is rewritable state "6": Inactive state ... All can be rewritten except the program code of the communication interface 103

Here, in the non-operating state "6", the minimum power supply for starting communication is on, and the AC power supply shown in FIGS. 1 and 13 is controlled by the communication control unit 144 at the start of communication. Control unit 18
In 6, the necessary power is turned on, and most of the contents of RAM 102 can be rewritten. As a typical example of the non-operating state “6”, for example, the weekly timer is off.

Next, the rewriting process of the RAM 102 will be described. The management device 141 shown in FIG. 1 operates via the telephone line 142, the communication control unit 141, and the communication interface 187, and the operation state flags of the above states “1” to “6” stored in the RAM 102 as shown in FIG. Read F1.

When the read data F1 is in the state "6", that is, when the weekly timer is off, the management device 141 delivers the copy machine 1 held in its own memory 162 shown in FIG. The data or the modified data is downloaded to a predetermined address in the RAM 102. In this case, all or part of the data in the RAM 102 is rewritten as needed.

Here, the rewriting condition may not be satisfied only by reading the operation state flag F1 of the above states "1" to "6". The reason is that it usually takes several seconds to several tens of minutes to download the data via the communication line, and thus the weekly timer may be turned on. If the weekly timer is turned on, for example, it shifts to the standby state "3" and the copying machine 1 starts operating, so that the download is interrupted and a trouble occurs.

In order to prevent this problem in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the power supply is turned on for each past day of the week or each day.
The / OFF time data D1 and the current time of the timer 113 are read, and the download is started only when the weekly timer determines that the download can be completed before the power is turned on. The reason why the timer 113 of the copying machine 1 is used as the judgment criterion is that the weekly timer operates based on the timer 113.

Further, as another method for preventing the interruption of the download, there is a method in which the management device 141 controls so that the weekly timer is not turned on, and the following three methods can be given.

Method "1": The current time of the timer 113 is read, the timer 113 is stopped at the same time, the time required for returning to the saved time after the download is corrected, and it is as if the timer 113 was operating. Write the current time and restart.

Method "2": The next on-time data of the weekly timer is read and saved, and at the same time, the time data delayed by the time required for the download is written to the weekly timer, and the saved on-time data is saved after the download is completed. Return to.

Method "3": RAM1 as shown in FIG.
02, a communication flag F2 is provided in advance, and the management device 141
Sets the in-communication flag F2 after the start of download and resets it after the end of download. C of copy machine 1
The PU 100 checks this communication flag F2 when the weekly timer is turned on, and if it is set, it is prohibited from shifting to the next state.

Therefore, by any of the above methods "1" to "3", the interruption of the download can be prevented even if the weekly timer reaches the ON time during the download.

FIG. 17 shows another structure of the memory, ROM
101, a non-volatile RAM 102a and a D-RAM 10
2b. ROM101 is a communication interface program and download bootstrap
A basic program such as a program is stored in the RAM 102
A is backed up by the battery BT and stores process control setting data, operation mode setting data, and the like.

The basic program is the ROM 101 and R
It may be stored separately in the AM 102a. And D-R
The AM 102b stores a program for temporarily performing different types of operations such as a failure diagnosis program, and is also used as a temporary work area for data processing.

In the memory 162 of the management device 141 shown in FIG. 14, the model of the copying machine 1 and the ID code are stored in advance so that different models of the copying machines 1 and different solids can be distinguished. Data corresponding to the difference in the setting data peculiar to the model of the copying machine 1 and the difference in the program are selectively downloaded to the RAM 102a and the D-RAM 102b.

Next, the operation of the standby state "3" will be described. The management device 141, as shown in FIG.
When the operation state flag F1 of the states "1" to "6" stored in 02 is read and the standby state is "3", the copying machine 1 held in its own memory 162 is read.
Of the data at the time of delivery or the data at the time of change, predetermined data other than the operation mode is downloaded to a predetermined address of the RAM 102.

When the heater 652 in the fixing roller 651 shown in FIG. 18 of the fixing unit 65 is turned on, predetermined data other than the set temperature is downloaded. In addition,
The range of the downloaded data differs depending on not only the operation state flag but also other states such as presence / absence of peripheral devices and installation environment, and also varies depending on the model. Similarly, in the case of the standby state “3”, the download may be interrupted. This standby state "3" is usually
Since it is released when the fixing roller 651 rises to a predetermined temperature, if the start key 73 (FIG. 10) is pressed at this time, the following problems occur.

That is, if the start key 73 is pressed and the download is interrupted while the management device 141 is sending the data relating to image formation and writing the data in the RAM 102,
Since the image formation is performed before all the image formation data is transferred, an abnormal copy occurs. For example, if the potential of the photosensitive drum 35 under the image forming condition and the developing bias value are not combined and transferred, the potential potential becomes improper and an abnormal copy occurs.

Further, if the start key 73 is pressed and the download is interrupted while the management device 141 is sending the set value of the control mode of the copying machine 1, the copying machine 1 may perform an operation which is not desired by the user or service person. Will be done.

In order to prevent this problem in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the management apparatus 141 sets the reloading time D3 of the copying machine 1 in communication, for example, the fixing roller 65.
The temperature D2 of 1 is measured via the thermistor 653, and the remaining time from reaching the temperature rise rate to the set temperature is predicted. Then, when it is determined that the download can be completed within the remaining time, the download is started.

Further, as another method for preventing the interruption of the download in the case of the standby state "3", the management device 141 controls so as not to shift to the next state even if the standby state "3" is released. You may In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, a downloading flag F3 is provided in advance in the RAM 102, and the management device 141 sets the downloading flag F3 after the download is started.
Reset after downloading. CPU of copier 1
When the standby state "3" is released, the 100 checks the download flag F3 and prohibits the transition to the next state when it is set.

Here, if the copying machine 1 has a weekly timer but the time is not set, the copying machine 1 does not permanently shift to the inoperative state "6", but in this embodiment, it can be downloaded by the following method. it can.

Method "1": When the copier 1 is installed, the service person sets the installation data of the copier 1 in the management device 141 and uploads it to the copier 1. This installation time data includes the time data of the weekly timer, and the management device 1
On the side of 41, it can be judged that the time of the weekly timer is not set before the communication. In this case, the time is set by switching to the download in the standby state.

Method "2": Since there are restrictions on the rewriting data in the download in the standby state, the copying machine 1 is instructed to set the non-operating state "6" or the time data is rewritten to disable the non-operating state "6". Set to "" and download. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the download is performed according to the standby state "3" and the non-operation state "6" in which the restriction of the download data is different, so that the interruption can be prevented and the burden on the service person is reduced. Can be reduced.

In the case of a low-priced copying machine, for example,
The AC power supply control unit 186 controlled by the weekly timer or the communication control unit 144 may not be provided. Therefore, the download in this case will be described.

The management device 141 is the telephone line 14 shown in FIG.
2 through the communication control unit 144 and the copying machine 1
When calling, the power of the copying machine 1 is turned on / off based on whether there is a response or whether there is a carrier signal.
The state can be discriminated, and by the discrimination, the following types "1" to "3" can be downloaded.

Type "1": When it is on, the copying machine 1 is downloaded according to the standby state "3" and the non-operation state "6", and when it is off, the power is continuously monitored and turned on. Will be downloaded.

Type "2": In the type "1", the communication charge is high because the power supply is continuously monitored when the power is off, but the power is intermittently monitored and when the power is on, the download is performed.

Type "3": In the type "2" as well, since the power supply is intermittently monitored, the communication charge becomes high, and
Although the burden on the management device 141 increases, a memory for temporarily storing download data and a communication control function for emulating the download are provided in the communication control unit 144.

The communication control function can be realized by using the RAM 183 shown in FIG. 13 as a memory and setting the download program in the ROM 182 in advance. Then, the management device 141 once downloads to the communication control unit 144, and the communication control unit 144 monitors the power supply of the copying machine 1 and downloads when it is turned on.

Next, communication between the management apparatus 141, the communication control unit 144 and the copying machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 19 to 46.
First, as described above, the copying machine identification code, the control code, and the data are transmitted from the management apparatus 141, and the control code and the data are transmitted from the copying machine 1.

The operation of the communication control unit 144 during that time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 19. As shown in steps S1 to S3, the unit 144 does not receive from either the copying machine 1 or the management apparatus 141. In the standby state, the status information of the copying machine 1, history information such as jams, the number of copies, operating time, and abnormality, data such as function information and departmental information are preset in the internal timer of the communication control unit 144. It is read at a predetermined time and stored in the RAM 183 (FIG. 13).
Therefore, the management apparatus 141 can upload these data even when the power of the copying machine 1 is off.

On the other hand, if it is received from either the copying machine 1 or the management apparatus 141 in step S1, it is determined in step S4 whether or not it is received from the management apparatus 141, and NO is determined.
In the case of, the process proceeds to step S5, it is determined that it is received from the copying machine 1, and the received interface circuit 184 (see FIG.
A copy machine identification code is generated and added from 3), the received data is transmitted to the management device 141 in step S6, and the process proceeds to step S12.

If it is determined in step 4 that the data has been received from the management device 141, in step S7 the copy machine identification code is determined to determine the copy machine 1 to be communicated, and in step S8 the received data is internally stored. It is determined whether or not the data stored in the RAM 183 is read, and if the internal data is read, the process proceeds to step S9 and the data is returned to the management device 141 on behalf of the copying machine 1.

If the internal data is not read, the process proceeds to step S10, and only the interface circuit 184 corresponding to the copying machine 1 to be communicated is operated, and step S
11, the received data is transferred to the interface circuit 184.
Send to. Then, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the reception is completed. If the reception is completed, in step S13, reception completion processing such as closing of the line or the interface circuit 184 is performed.

Next, communication between the management apparatus 141 and the copying machine 1 will be described. Since the copying machine identification code is processed by the communication control unit 144,
No particular explanation. First, the control code and data are shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), it is composed of an 11-byte information code, a 2-byte data number, data for this number of data bytes, and a 1-byte end code. At the time of communication, an ASCII code is used. The information code indicates the content of the data,
It is set in advance according to a predetermined rule as shown in FIG. 21 to FIG. 22, and is the same when transmitting from the copying machine 1 to the management apparatus 141 and when transmitting from the management apparatus 141 to the copying machine 1.

21 (a) shows the format of the information code, and FIG. 21 (b) shows the numerical contents of the first and second levels, and FIG. 22 (a), (b), (c), (D) is the third level, the fourth level, the fifth level, and the sixth level, respectively.
Indicates the numerical contents of the level.

Some specific examples will be described with reference to FIG. 20. When reading the operating time of the copying machine 1, the management device 141 informs the copying machine 1 of the information code “1407001.
0101 ”and the data number“ 0 ”are transmitted, and the copying machine 1 receives the same data code“ 0 ”as soon as the data number“ 0 ”is received, and the data number“ 4 ”and 4-byte operating time data. To reply.

When the operation buzzer sound of the copying machine 1 is to be erased, the management device 141 uses the information code "510500".
80101 ”and the data number“ 1 ”are transmitted, the copying machine 1 waits until the data amount“ 1 ”is received, and when all the data (1 byte in this case) is read, the information code The memory MDBZ in which the operation buzzer sound mode corresponding to is stored is rewritten to the received data, and the same information code and the data number “0” are returned to the management device 400. As a result, the copying machine 1 does not ring the buzzer by referring to the memory MDBZ when a key input for ringing the buzzer is made.

Furthermore, a wild card "*" is usable as the information code. That is, since the information code is set in advance so as to be expressed by continuous numerical values when the contents are similar, for example, when all the data regarding the weekly timer is read, the management device 1
When 41 transmits the information code “51053302 ***” and the number of data, the copying machine 1 expands this information code and outputs “51053020000” to “510530299”.
The data corresponding to the information code up to 99 "is combined and sent back.

However, the information code is expanded and the information code which does not exist is not returned. For example, in FIG. 20, since "51053001000" does not exist,
"51053020101", "5105302020
1 ”,“ 51053020301 ”,“ 5105304
Only "0101" and "5103020501" are returned. Further, the wild card “*” is possible only at the time of reading, and the number of data is “0”.

When all set value data in the copying machine 1 is called from the management device 141, the information code "51 *
"********" is used. As shown in (b) of FIG. 21, the numerical value “5” of the first level of the information code indicates that the setting value and the like can be written and read, and the first level is “5”, If the 2nd level is set to "1" and the following are all wildcards "*", the copying machine 1 expands this information code to "5100000000".
The memory data corresponding to the information code from "0" to "5199999999999" is read, and all the existing information codes that have been developed and the number of codes are combined and returned.

Further, the information code of which the numerical value of the first level is "7" and the numerical value of the second level is "1" is that the management apparatus 141 causes the copying machine 1 to execute something. A single load or a plurality of loads such as a charger and a main motor may be operated for testing, and a series of operations such as a running-in operation of a fixing unit and an operation of optimizing image forming conditions may be executed.

Further, since the number of data is 2 bytes for one set of information codes, only 99 pieces of data can be transmitted at the maximum. Therefore, for example, when 99 or more pieces of data are continuously transmitted as in the case of uploading or downloading a program, as shown in (b) of FIG. Although "9" and the second level are "1", the third level and below are exceptionally set to indicate the blocks of the sending program.

For example, in the case where one block has 64 bytes, the information code "91000000000000" and the number of data "64" can be transmitted first, and then 64 bytes from the 64th byte of the program can be transmitted. As the information code for performing similar data transfer, the first level is “5” and the second level.
The level can be increased to "2" or "3".

Next, the operation at the time of reception will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 23 and 24. The operations of the management device 141 and the copying machine 1 at the time of reception are the same. It should be noted that the transmission operation only transmits the information code of the read data and the data number “0” when reading, and only transmits the information code of the write data, the number of data and the data when writing, so the drawing is omitted. To do.

In FIG. 23, first, steps S21 to S29.
In, input information code, number of data and data. In the data number input shown in steps S23 to S26,
When the 2-byte data is read, both the transmission buffer counter CNTTX and the reception buffer counter CNTRX are reset to "0". Here, for example, the start address of the reception buffer is "RXBF0", and when setting the input data in the buffer, "RXDF0 + CNTR" is set.
X "(step S28), and after setting, the reception buffer counter CNTRX is incremented (step S29).

When the input of the information code, the number of data and the data is completed, the process proceeds to step S30, and it is checked whether the received data is a reply when writing something by itself, and if YES, In step S31, it is checked whether or not the returned information code, the number of data, and the data are correct, and this receiving process is ended. This is shown in Figure 2.
According to 1 (b), writing and reading of all data, writing and reading of the optical control program, and writing and reading of the program.

If the received data is not self-written in step S30, the process proceeds to step S32 to check whether it is continuous transfer. If it is not continuous transfer, the process proceeds to step S40 in FIG. The start address T of the information code table is set in the pointer PTJCD.
Set the BJCD. As shown in FIG. 46, the information code table is composed of an information code, the number of pieces of data, and an address where the data is stored. If the number of data is plural, the head address where the data is stored is stored. There is.

Then, in step S41, it is checked whether or not the information code and the contents of the pointer (PTJCD to PTJCD + 10) match, and if they do not match, "15" is added to the pointer PTJCD in step S42,
In step S41 again, the information code and its pointer (PT
It is checked whether or not the contents of JCD to PTJCD + 10) match.

If this process is repeated and a match is found, step S
Proceed to step 43 to send the information code, data buffer TXBF
0 to TXBF10, and then in step S44, the number of data PTJCD + 11 in the information code table is set in the transmission data buffers TXBF11 and TXBF12, respectively.
Set the contents of PTJCD + 12.

Then, in step S45, the number of data is converted into a decimal class and set in the C register.
In step 46, "0" is set in the B register, and step S47
The contents of the data number PTJCD + 13 are set in the H register and the contents of the data number PTJCD + 14 are set in the L register.

Then, in step S48, the C register is decremented, and in steps S49 to S56, data is read until a borrow comes out (steps S51 and S5).
2), writing (steps S53 and S54), incrementing the transmission buffer counter CNTTX and B register (steps S55 and S56), and the like.

Data reading is performed when the number of data received in step S50 is "0". That is, the contents of the address indicated by the contents of (HL + B) are set in the A register in step S51, and the value of the A register is set in the transmission data buffer TXBF13 + B in step S52. Data writing is performed when the number of data received in step S50 is "1". That is, in step 53, the contents of the reception buffer RXBF0 + B are changed to (HL +
Write to the address indicated by the contents of B), step S54
The same is written in the transmission buffer TXBF13 + B.

When the C register borrows in step S49, the flow advances to step S57 to set the B register to "0".
Is set, and the reception buffer counter C is set in step S58.
The NTRX is decremented and the contents of the transmission buffer TXBF0 + B are transmitted until a borrow comes out (step S59,
In step S60, when the reception buffer counter CNTRX is borrowed, this process ends.

Next, returning to FIG. 23, the processing in the case of continuous transfer in step S32 will be described. First, in step S33, it is determined whether or not the block is "0", and only when the block "0" is received, the reception block counter CNT is received in step S34.
Set BLK to "0" and proceed to step S35,
Start address “TBxxx” + C of data to be continuously transferred
Set NTBLK * 64 in the HL register. In addition,
The start address “TBxxx” is the start address of the RAM 1003 or the like or the start address of the program address.

Then, in step S36, the information code is set in the transmission data buffers TXBF0 to TXBF10, and in step S37 the transmission data buffer TXBF1.
1, set the ASCII data "36 (H)" and "34 (H)" of the data number "64" to the TXBF12,
In step S38, “64” is set in the C register, and in step 3
At "9", "0" is set in the B register. After that, the process proceeds to step S48 and thereafter shown in FIG. 24, and data reading, writing, and transmission processing is performed. In the case of continuous transfer, in this embodiment, the data is directly transferred without being converted into ASCII code.

Here, since the data in the copying machine 1 exchanged with the management device 141 is ASCII data, for example, when the operating time of the copying machine 1 is 4321 hours, the data in the data area DONTM1 is 34H ", DONT
"33H" for M2, "32H" for DONTM3, DON
“31H” is stored in TM4.

Therefore, when the operating time of the copying machine 1 is counted, another data area DO
NTM is incremented, the data in this area DONTM is converted to ASCII data again, and the area DONTM is converted.
1 to DONTM4. Note that similar processing is performed using other data.

As described above, in the communication between the management device 141 and the copying machine 1, the information code of the data and the data number "0" are transmitted at the time of reading, and the information code and the data number of the data at the time of writing. Data is transmitted, but is not specifically mentioned in the following description for simplicity.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 25 and FIG.
The normal operation of the management apparatus 141 will be described with reference to FIGS. In step S61 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 25, the menu screen as shown in FIG. 26 is displayed on the display 163 (FIG. 14), and the input of the menu number can be accepted.

The menu number "1" is a menu for registering users managed by the management device 141, and the model and manufacturing number of the copying machine 1 are registered before the copying machine 1 is delivered to the user. For example, the registered file name is USR.
If the name is such as MEM, and the menu number "1" is selectively input in step S62, the process proceeds from step S63 to step S64 and USR. The MEM file is opened, and the contents of the file are displayed in step S65 as shown in FIG.

Next, items relating to user registration can be entered in the order of registration number in step 66, user name in step S67, telephone number in step S68, model number in step S69, and serial number in step S70. The screen is displayed as shown in FIGS. 28 to 32.

Then, in step S71, the input data is converted to USR. It is stored in the MEM file, and a screen for inquiring whether or not to finish the registration (Y / N) is displayed as shown in FIG. 33 in step S72. When "Y" is input, the process proceeds from step S73 to step S74, the file is closed to complete the registration, and step 6 is performed again.
Return to the input control of the menu number of 2. When "N" is input, the process returns to step S66, the screen shown in FIG. 28 is displayed again, and a new user can be registered.

Here, USR. As an example of the MEM file, when the model code of the copying machine 1 is “FT4060” and the serial number is “12344567”, the characters are:
As shown in FIG. 27, "00001; A copy service;
37771234; FT4060; 123456 ". The first "00001" is the registration number and the next "A".
“Copy service” is the user name, followed by “377712
34 "is a telephone number, and the character";"
Is used.

Management data registration processing for menu number "2" (steps S75 to S81) and initial mode registration for menu number "3" shown in FIG. 25 (steps S82 to S89).
Will be described later.

Next, the delivery control of the copying machine 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. At the time of delivery, initial data transmitted data indicating whether or not all data of the copying machine 1 has been stored in the management device 141 is stored in a predetermined address DCSSDF of the nonvolatile RAM 102. If the content of the address DCSSDF is “0”, it indicates that all data is not yet stored in the management device 141.
A value of "1" indicates that all data has been stored.

Specifically, when the copying machine 1 is connected via the telephone line 142 and the communication control unit 144 as shown in FIG. 1 at the time of delivery and the management apparatus 141 is powered on, The CPU 100 of the copying machine 1 checks the contents of the address DCSSDF (step S91),
When it is "0", the alarm at delivery and the serial number are managed by the management device 1
41 (step S92). Here, the alarm is a signal for starting warning transmission from the copying machine 1 side. If the content of the address DCSSDF is "1", this process is finished as it is.

Next, the delivery control of the management apparatus 141 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the alarm is received at the time of delivery, the process proceeds from step S101 to step S102 to read the initial data transmitted data. Then, in step S103, this data is checked, and if it is "1", this process is ended as it is, and "0" is set.
In this case, the process proceeds to step S104 and the subsequent steps.

That is, first, the above-mentioned USR. The MEM file is opened, and it is checked whether a user who matches the received model code and serial number is registered (step S104), and if not registered, that fact is displayed (step S105). In this case, in FIG.
5 may be configured to shift to the user registration control as shown in steps S63 to S74 (step S10).
6, S107).

On the other hand, if registered in step S104, USR. A file name is automatically determined from the user name stored in the MEM file, and a file with that name is created and opened (step S10).
8). For example, in the case of the A copy service, a file name such as "A copy service.DTF" is created. It should be noted that DTF is an extension of the file name and indicates that it is a data file at the time of delivery.

Next, write the current date in the file,
All the data relating to the set values in the copying machine 141 are read (step S109). Then, the received information code and data are stored in a file (step S11).
0), when storage of all data is completed (step S11)
1) Close the file (step S112), display the file name and an end message such as "stored data at delivery" (step S113), and write "1" as initial data transmitted data (step) S114).

Here, the created "A copy service. D
When the contents of "TF" are shown by characters, for example, "1992"
0314; 51050080101/01/00; 51
0101030101/01/00; ... ". Note that the first "19920314" is the date and "5
“1050080101” is an information code, next “01” is the number of data, and next “00” is data. Further, the information code, the number of data, and the data are separated by “/”, the others are separated by “;”, and the others are listed by the information code, the number of data, and the data.

In the data upload at the time of initial delivery, when the management device 141 receives a delivery alarm from the copying machine 1, the data in the copying machine 1 is read out. All the data may be sent to the management device 141 following the hour alarm.

That is, after the delivery alarm, a model code, a manufacturing number, and a memory data group are added and transmitted. When the management device 141 receives the delivery alarm, the USR. MEM
A matching user is searched in the file, a file such as "A copy service.DTF" is automatically created and opened, and similar control is performed. Further, the management data may be registered in the management device 141.

Next, returning to FIG. 25, the menu number "2"
The management data registration process will be described with reference to FIGS. 34 and 35. When this management data registration is selected, the process proceeds from step S75 to step S76, and the management data registration contents are opened. This file name is predetermined such as "management D registration.DAT", and the operator is inquired about the information code on the screen as shown in FIG.

Then, when an information code is input in step S77, this information code is stored in a file in step S78, and whether or not to end the registration on the screen as shown in FIG. 35 in step S79 (Y / N). To inquire. When "Y" is input, the process proceeds from step S80 to step S81 to end the management data registration process to close the file, and when "N" is input, step S76.
The screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. 34 again.

This file "Management D registration.DA
When managing only the data stored in “T”, send the stored information code in the file “Management D registration.DAT” to the end of the file instead of calling all the set value data at the time of delivery described above. Good. Also,
The memory of the management device 141 may be used to determine whether or not all data of the copying machine 1 has been stored in the management device 141 at the time of delivery. Note that this memory is preferably non-volatile,
For example, a flexible disk or a hard disk is used.

Next, the operation of the management apparatus 141 in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in steps S121 to S123, the management device 400 monitors the states of all the users registered in the file "USR.MEM" at night on the delivery date, etc., so that initial delivery with the names of all registered users is performed. Check if the hour data file exists.

For example, in step S123, the "A copy service.DFT", which is the data file at the time of delivery of the "A copy service" registered in the file "USR.MEM", is searched. In 131, a normal monitoring process (a copy number counter and checking whether a condition close to an abnormality has occurred on that day) is performed. On the other hand, if the file does not exist, it is determined that the file is initially delivered, the process proceeds to step S124 to create the file, all the data of the copying machine 1 is read in step S125, and "A copy service.DFT" is read in step S126. Remember.

After that, when it is judged that the process is finished in step S127, the file is closed in step S128, and the file name created in step S129 and a finish message such as "stored delivery data" are displayed. Then, in step S130, the above process is performed for the next registered user, and the process returns to step S122. When this process is completed for all registered users, this control ends.

Also in the case of this control as well, it is possible to upload only the data stored in "management D registration.DAT". The reason why the management device 141 manages the copying machine 1 at night is that the frequency of use by users is low. Although this processing is automatically performed by the clock function of the management device 141, the copying machine 1
If the clock has a clock, the copying machine 1 may send an alarm on a predetermined day.

Further, instead of the copying machine 1 sending the model code and the manufacturing number as data when transmitting an alarm, a copying machine identification code added by the communication control unit 144 may be used. In addition, since the management device 141 includes the printer 406, the file contents can be stored in the printer 16
5 (FIG. 14) makes it easier to see the data than maintenance management on the screen, and if this file is loaded by the spreadsheet program, an easy-to-see table is printed as shown in FIG. 45. be able to.

Referring back to FIG. 25, the control for automatically determining the initial delivery time and downloading the initial mode data from the management device 141 to the copying machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 36 to 37. As described above, the management device 141 normally displays the management menu as shown in FIG. 26, and when the menu number “3” is selected, the process proceeds from step S82 to step S83, and the screen as shown in FIG. 36 is displayed. Inquires for the user name registered in the initial mode.

When the user name is input, step S84
Then, the file "user name.DFT" is searched for from this user name and opened, and the information code is inquired on the screen as shown in FIG. Note that this file has a name such as “A copy service.DFM”, and the extension indicates that it is a registered file in which the initial mode is stored. If this file does not exist, it is newly created and opened.

Next, when the information code of the initial mode data, the number of data and the data are input in steps S85 and S86, the end of the initial mode is inquired on the screen as shown in FIG. 38 in step S87. Then, when "Y" is input, the registration of the initial mode is completed and the file is closed (steps S88, S89), and when "N" is input, the process returns to step S84 and the screen as shown in FIG. 37 is displayed again. become.

Here, in the initial mode registration file, the information code, the number of data, and the data corresponding to the mode selection data are sequentially stored, and the information code, the number of data, and the data are separated by "/", Others are separated by ";". Further, in the file “A copy service.DFM”, for example, when an initial mode of turning off the operation buzzer sound or reducing the copy number display one by one is registered according to the user's request, for example, “51050080101” in character representation. / 01/0
1; 51010130101/01/01; ... "
Indicated by.

Next, the initial mode setting operation upon delivery will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. First, after performing the above-described data upload at the time of delivery, the management apparatus 141 searches for the file "A copy service.DFM" in step S141, and if any, opens it in step S142. If this initial mode setting file does not exist, the process proceeds to step S143 to display a message and wait.

When this file is opened, the contents are read one after another, the "/" delimiter is deleted, and the file is sent to the copying machine 1 as it is (step S145). When the delimiter ";" is read, the data is not sent and the process waits until the same code as the sent information code is returned (step S146). If the same information code is not received, an error occurs at step S147. The display is performed and this setting operation is completed.

The management apparatus 141 carries out this processing until the end of the file "A copy service / DFM", and when the end of the file is reached, the steps S144 to S1.
Proceed to 48 to close the file, step S149
The end message is displayed with and the setting operation ends.

When the copying machine 1 receives this data, it rewrites the corresponding initial mode data. For example, the mode data "1" in which the operation buzzer sound is off is stored in the area DMBZOF, and the subtraction mode data "1" of the copy counter. Are stored in the area DMCPCT. As a result, the copying machine 1 refers to the area DMBZOF when the power is on, does not sound the operation buzzer sound when the power is “1”, and
At the start of copying, the area DMCPCT is checked, and if it is "1", the set number of copies is displayed on the copy number display, and the number of copies is subtracted and displayed.

Next, referring to the flow charts of FIGS. 43A and 43B, the operation of downloading from the data management device 141 to the copying machine 1 when the memory of the copying machine 1 is cleared will be described. Here, the clearing of the memory does not mean that the contents of the memory are set to "0" but is set to an initial value common to all copying machines 1.

The copying machine 1 turns on the main switch while pressing the mode clear / preheat key 189 (step S151) and the program key 153 as in the flow of service mode check S150 shown in FIG. 43 (a). By step S152), the service mode is entered. When shifting to this service mode, step S15
When the service mode number is input through the ten keys 156 in step 3 and the enter key 155 is pressed, step S15 is performed.
The process proceeds from step 4 to step S155, and the service mode process corresponding to each service mode number is executed.

As an example of this service mode processing, when the memory clear processing number "100" is set in advance, the number "100" and the enter key 155 are used to input
Memory clear setting mode S160 shown in FIG. 43 (b)
Move to the flow of.

Here, the memory clear processing is performed by inputting the numerical value "1" and the enter key 155, and the service number input state is returned again by inputting the numerical value "0" and the enter key 155 (steps S161 to S163). In the memory clear process, the memory contents of the copying machine 1 are rewritten according to the default data table. Default·
The data table is stored in the RAM 102 as shown in FIG. 44, and the address of the rewrite data and the initial value are arranged. The address is 1 byte and the data is 1 byte.

Referring to FIG. 43B, first, the head address TBTFDT of the default data table is set in the memory clear pointer PTMCR (step S164). Note that in the example shown in FIG. 44, the address indicated by the contents of the memory clear pointer PTMCR is the bias data address DBBIAS. Step S165
Then, the bias data “80H” is written to the address indicated by the content of the memory clear pointer PTMCR (content of PTMCR + 2), and then in step S166, the content of the memory clear pointer PTMCR is added with “3” to reset the data. .

The memory clear pointer PTMCR
The memory clear process is completed by repeating until the content of the address becomes equal to the address TBDFED (step S
167), when the memory clear processing is completed, the copying machine 1 sends a memory clear alarm, a model code and a serial number to the management apparatus 141.

When the management device 141 receives this memory clear alarm, it opens the user registration data file "USR.MEM" based on the model code and serial number to search for the user, and the delivery data file for that user,
For example, search for “A copy service.DFT”. If this file does not exist, "A Copy Service.DFT
Message is displayed, and the buzzer sounds several times and waits.

On the other hand, if this file exists, it is opened, the contents of the file are sequentially read, and sent to the copying machine 1. This processing is performed in the same manner as when the initial mode is set from the management device 141 when the main switch is on as described above.

According to this embodiment, when the memory of the copying machine 1 is cleared, the data is downloaded from the management device 141 to the copying machine 1, so that the following effects can be obtained. That is, in recent copying machines 1, it is known that the power of the RAM 102 is switched from the main power source to a lithium battery or the like when the power is turned off so that the stored contents of the RAM 103 are not erased. When a control board breaks down in such a copying machine, the control board is replaced in units of units in order to simplify repairs and reduce component management costs.

However, the RA mounted on the control board
Unless the contents stored in M102 are transferred to a new substrate, complicated operations such as resetting the mode of the copying machine and readjusting the image quality are required. In this embodiment, when the control board is replaced, the image forming data and the memory clear for setting the initial mode to the default value are cleared in the service mode, so that the data when the copying machine is delivered is automatically downloaded. Therefore, operations such as mode resetting and image quality readjustment can be simplified.

By uploading and monitoring the data of the copying machine 1 every day at night, the latest data can be set as the data downloaded at the time of board replacement. Note that the control in this case may be performed by setting the data file of the copying machine 1 at the time of initial delivery, which is downloaded from the management device 141 when the memory is cleared, to the latest data, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The management device 141 may be a personal computer, a workstation, a super computer, or the like, or a device especially developed for managing the copying machine 1. Therefore, the copying machine 1
By itself, it is possible to perform heavy processing.

FIG. 47 shows another example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention. The parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, for example, image forming condition data is uploaded from the copying machine 1 to the management device 141, is calculated by neuro-fuzzy and AI (artificial brain) control, and is downloaded to the copying machine 1 or the copying machine 1 It is possible to carry out failure diagnosis.

Further, if the copying machine 1 is a digital copying machine which photoelectrically converts an original image and processes it with a digital signal, the image data is uploaded and downloaded to perform image editing processing, translation processing, image providing service and the like. It can be carried out.

Further, not only the copying machine 1 but also the facsimile 146, the printer 147, the key card 148, the coin rack 149, the personal computer 150, etc. may be connected to the communication control unit 144. Further, if a part or all of the programs included in the management device 141 is loaded into the personal computer 150, the service person can carry out the personal computer and manage it on the user side.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the management device 14
Data is sent and received between the copy machine 1 and the copying machine 1 via the communication control unit 144 and the exchange 143.
These functions may be provided in the management device 141 and the copying machine 1. Alternatively, instead of connecting the management device 141 and the copying machine 1 via the telephone line 142, a direct connection may be made with a cable, or wireless or optical communication may be performed.

Next, other functions relating to the present invention by the image forming apparatus management system described above with reference to FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. CPU 100 of copying machine 1 shown in FIGS.
Controls after the power switch is turned on according to the main flow of FIG. That is, after performing the initialization process, the process in the normal mode is repeated. In addition to this flow, communication interrupt processing is performed to communicate with the management device 141 each time a communication request or an auto call request is generated (the flow is not shown).

In the normal mode, various automatic adjustments including the image forming operation are performed according to conditions, and the operation will be described by taking the VL automatic adjustment as an example. The VL automatic adjustment is an automatic adjustment of the lamp voltage for the purpose of reducing the time-dependent sensitivity of the photoconductor, the sensitivity change at low temperature, optical system contamination, and the background stain caused by the decrease in light amount due to lamp deterioration.

In actuality, when the power is turned on, the VL automatic adjustment processing as shown in FIG. 50, for example, is performed by calling from the main routine. That is, when the correction is performed by the residual potential VR at low temperature,
When the temperature of 5 is 25 ° C. or higher, or when the number of copies reaches the specified number, the potential sensor 39 shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 detects the residual potential VR on the photosensitive drum 35, and the copy is completed. The process shifts to the judgment as to whether or not it is.

If the copying is completed, the VL detection is started and the first scanner 24 is set to the VL shown in FIG.
After the pattern is moved to below the pattern 124, the reflected light image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 charged by the charging charger 37 to form a VL pattern, and then the surface potential (white part potential VL) is set to the potential. The supply voltage to the exposure lamp 22 is corrected by the ratio with the lamp voltage read and set by the sensor 39.

FIG. 49 is a flow chart showing the processing relating to communication with the management apparatus 141 in the processing in the normal mode of FIG. 48. When a communication request is issued from the management apparatus 141, the above-mentioned VL automatic adjustment is performed. It is determined whether or not the automatic adjustment is included, and if the automatic adjustment is being performed, the adjustment is continuously performed without communication with the management apparatus 141 (prohibition of communication). It communicates with and returns. Even when the image forming operation is in progress when the communication request is issued from the management apparatus 141, the image forming operation is continued without communicating with the management apparatus 141.

Next, still another function of the present invention will be described. Since the hardware configuration is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the illustration and description thereof will be omitted. Here, it is desirable that the communication with the management apparatus 141 is performed during a time period when the telephone line 142 is rarely used, but as a determination means thereof, a human body detection sensor 114 (FIG.
The detection result of 2) is used. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The CPU 100 of the copying machine 1 first judges whether or not the human body detection sensor 114 is in the ON state, and if it is not in the ON state, resets the human body detection flag to "0" and returns. The human body detection counter ON_COUNT (not shown) is incremented (+1).

Next, the human body detection counter ON_COUNT
The count value of T is a predetermined value (“10” in the figure).
0 ") is exceeded, and if it is not exceeded, the process directly returns, and if it is exceeded, the human body detection flag is set to" 1 ", and then the human body detection counter ON_
Clear COUNT to "0" and return. After that,
If the human body detection is determined by referring to the flag, it is not necessary to erroneously detect a person passing in front of the copying machine.

FIG. 52 is a flow chart showing the processing relating to the communication with the management apparatus 141 by the CPU 100 of the copying machine 1 in this embodiment. When the communication request is issued from the management apparatus 141, the human body detection flag is "1". It is judged whether or not it is "1" and if it is not "1", communication is performed with the management device 14 and returns. If it is "1", it is judged that there is a person who is going to use the copying machine and returns as it is. However, communication with the management apparatus 141 is not performed (communication is prohibited).

FIG. 53 is a flow chart showing another processing relating to communication with the management apparatus 141 by the CPU 100 of the copying machine 1 in this embodiment. When the communication with the management apparatus 141 is in progress, the human body detection flag is " It is judged whether it is "1", and if it is not "1", it returns as it is and "1"
If so, the communication with the management device 141 is interrupted and the process returns.

FIG. 54 is a flow chart showing still another processing relating to communication with the management apparatus 141 by the CPU 100 of the copying machine 1 in this embodiment.
When communicating with 41, it is determined whether the human body detection flag is "1", and if it is not "1", the process directly returns.
If "1", it is determined whether or not the communication content is rewriting of the image forming condition adjustment data.

If the image forming condition adjustment data is not rewritten, the communication with the management apparatus 141 is interrupted and the process returns. However, if the image forming condition adjustment data is rewritten, the internal data is damaged due to the communication interruption. Therefore, the process returns as it is, waits for the end of communication, and then the normal image forming mode is set. If the human body detection sensor 114 is turned on during communication with the management apparatus 141 and the human body detection flag becomes “1”, the operation unit 7
A message indicating that communication is currently in progress is displayed at 0 so that the user is notified that communication is in progress.

For example, as shown in the flow of FIG. 55, the magnification display section (D1 of the pattern display section 72 shown in FIG.
Please display "CSS" in 2) and "please wait"
Turn on the standby display of. Then, when the communication with the management apparatus 141 ends, these communication displays are turned off.
The human body detection sensor 114 in this embodiment may be an object detection sensor that can detect the approach of an object other than the human body by infrared rays or the like.

Next, still another function of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 56
3 is a flowchart showing a process relating to communication with the management device 141 by the CPU 100 of the copying machine 1. When a communication request is issued from the management device 141, it is determined whether or not the program mode is being registered.

Here, the program mode is a mode in which the user can selectively combine and register arbitrary image forming modes (enlargement, reduction, double-sided printing, etc.) with the program key 80 of the operation unit 70 shown in FIG. Say.

If the program mode is not registered, communication with the management device 141 is performed and the process returns.
If the program mode is being registered, the mode registration is continued and the process returns. That is, when a communication request is issued from the management device 141 during the registration of the program mode, the mode registration is preferentially performed and the communication with the management device 141 is not performed.

FIG. 57 is a flow chart showing another processing relating to the communication with the management apparatus 141 by the CPU 100 of the copying machine 1. Whether or not a program mode registration request is generated during the communication with the management apparatus 141. Judge
If the registration request does not occur, the process directly returns. If the registration request occurs, the communication with the management device 141 is interrupted and the process returns.

Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 58 shows another configuration example of the image forming apparatus management system to which the present invention is applied. Also in this embodiment, the management device 16 installed at the service base and the copying machine installed under each user (indicated as "PPC" in the figure) 1
Image forming apparatuses such as the above are connected via a public line network 17 which is a communication line.

A communication control device 18 for controlling communication with the management device 16 is installed on the user side, and each copying machine 1 of the user source is connected to the communication control device 18. This communication control device 18
A telephone 19 and a facsimile device 20 can be connected to the device, and the device can be installed by inserting it into an existing line of the user.

A plurality of copying machines 1 can be connected to the communication control device, but of course, there may be a single copy machine. These copying machines 1 do not have to be of the same type, may be different models, and may be an image forming apparatus such as a printer other than the copying machine. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a maximum of five copying machines 1 can be connected to one communication control device 18. The communication control device 18 and the plurality of copying machines 1 are multi-drop connected according to the RS-485 standard.

Communication control between the communication control device 18 and each copying machine 1 is performed by the basic type data transmission control procedure. By establishing a data link by the polling / selecting method of centralized control using the communication control device 18 as a control station, communication with an arbitrary copying machine is possible. A unique value can be set for each copying machine by an address setting switch, and the polling address and selecting address of each copying machine are determined by this.

FIG. 59 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the communication control device 18 of FIG. This corresponds to the communication control unit 144 in the image forming apparatus management system shown in FIG.

In the communication control device 18, the signal from the public line network 17 is first input to the switching unit 280. Here, if the communication from the public line side is addressed to the telephone 19 (or the facsimile device 20 of FIG. 58) connected to the communication control device 18, the public line side is the telephone 19 (or the facsimile device of FIG. 58). 20), and if the communication is from the management device 16,
The modem 281 on the public line side is connected.

Further, communication with the copying machine 1 side is performed by the communication interface 283 using the transceiver for RS-485. These controls / processes are performed mainly by the CPU 284 according to the control program in the ROM 285. The RAM 286 is used not only for storing intermediate results of processing, but also for temporarily storing communication text. Also, from the management device 16 side, the communication control device 1
Various parameters necessary for the operation of No. 8 are also written in the RAM 286.

Normally, this communication control device 18 is
Although the power is continuously supplied for 4 hours and the communication with the management device 16 is possible at all times, the battery 28 is used to prevent the contents of these parameters from being lost due to an unexpected power failure or the like.
7 backs up the RAM 286. Further, a clock 288 and a total counter value automatic call permission switch 289 (the use of which will be described later) are also provided.

FIG. 60 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management device 16 shown in FIG. This management device 16
A host computer 1 having substantially the same configuration as the management apparatus 141 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 14 and executing various processes.
61 and an external storage device (corresponding to the memory in FIG. 14) such as a magnetic disk for storing management data and the like 16
2, a display 163 for displaying, a keyboard 164 as operating means, and a printer 1 for outputting management data.
65 and a modem 167 for connecting to the public line network 17
It is composed by.

FIG. 61 is a block diagram showing the structure of the control system of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. In addition, this copier 1
2 is similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 2 and the like, and its control system is also substantially the same as that described with reference to FIG. 12, so parts corresponding to those in FIG. Is omitted.

The communication interface unit 103 in this control system is a unit for communicating with the communication control device 18. An address unique to the copying machine can be set within the range of 1 to 5 by the address setting switch 115. Further, the communication permission switch 116 can set permission / prohibition of communication with the communication control device 18.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 62 and thereafter. First, FIG. 62 and FIG.
The remote notification function will be described with reference to FIG.

In the case of remote notification by the remote notification key, when the remote notification key 83 (FIG. 10) provided in the operation unit 70 of the copying machine 1 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 62 (a),
Remote copying data is transmitted from the copying machine 1 to the communication control device 18 by the remote notification key. Upon receiving this, the communication control device 18 makes a call to the telephone number of the management device 16 set in advance and transmits the remote notification data by the remote notification key.

The management device 16 is usually installed at a service base or the like. At this time, the data transmitted from the communication control device 18 to the management device 16 is only the data of the type previously set in the communication control device 18 from among the plurality of types of data received by the communication control device 18 from the copying machine 1. And This setting can be set in the communication control device 18 from the management device 16 through the public line network 17.

When the communication control device 18 finishes transmitting the predetermined data to the management device 16, the communication control device 18 communicates with the copying machine 1 which is the transmission source of the communication between the communication control device 18 and the management device 16. A report result report indicating the result is transmitted. As a result, the copy machine 1 of the transmission source
Can know whether the communication ended normally or could not be made due to some abnormality.

Further, the copying machine is usually equipped with a self-diagnosis function, so that the copying machine is in a dangerous state or cannot be used, for example, when an abnormality in the fixing temperature is detected, or when the electronic volume adjustment at each adjustment position is impossible. If it becomes
It is common practice to notify the user or service person in the form of "error" or "service person call".

Even when an abnormality is detected by the self-diagnosis function of such a copying machine, as shown in FIG. 62 (b), the copying machine 1 notifies the communication control device 18 of a remote notification due to the self-diagnosis abnormality. Send data. The communication control device 18, which has received the remote notification data, transmits the remote notification data due to the self-diagnosis abnormality to the management device 16, and at the end of the communication, sends the notification result report to the copying machine which is the transmission source.

Further, even when the copier determines that it is preferable to perform maintenance, such as when the self-diagnosis function diagnoses that the abnormal condition is not reached but is very close to the abnormal condition, the copying machine (c) of FIG. ), The remote notification data of the advance warning is transmitted to the communication control device 18. In the case of remote notification due to this self-diagnosis abnormality, the copier is inevitably in a disabled state, but in the case of remote notification due to advance warning, the copier remains in an enabled state and the original is copied even during communication. If is set and the start key is pressed, the copying operation is performed.

At this time, the communication is interrupted when the load of the controller of the copying machine 1 is heavy due to the copying process, or when the contents included in the transmission data may be changed by the copying operation to cause inconsistency. You may. Since the remote notification data of the advance warning is less urgent, the communication control device 18 that receives this data immediately receives the management device 1
6 at a time convenient for communication such as a time period in which the telephone 19 or the facsimile device 20 connected to the communication control device 18 is not frequently used, or a time period in which the traffic of the public network 17 is low. It is better to send it.

This time can be set from the management device 16 to the communication control device 18, as shown in FIG.
The transmission time can be determined by the coincidence with the current time by the clock 288 shown in FIG. In the case of this remote notification of advance warning, unlike the case of other remote notifications, the report result report is sent to the copy machine 1
Do not send to.

Next, referring to FIG. 63, a case where the management apparatus accesses the copying machine will be described. There are three types of access from the management device 16 to the copying machine 1, roughly classified according to purposes: a read request, a write request, and an execute request. The read request is a process of reading logging data, various set values, output values of various sensors, etc. in the copying machine 1, and the write request is a process of sending various set values and the like from the management device 16 and rewriting them. is there. The execute request is a process that causes the copying machine 1 to perform a test operation or the like.

The procedures of the communication processing among the management device 16, the communication control device 18, and the copying machine 1 at the time of each request are shown in FIGS. 63 (a), (b) and (c), but in any case The management device 16 dials the communication control device 18 to which the target copying machine 1 is connected, and transmits each request data. The communication control device 18 receives these request data from the management device 16. The communication control device 18, which has received the request data, transmits the request data to the target copying machine 1.

Upon receiving the request, the copying machine 1 processes the content of the request and then sends a response to the request to the communication control unit 1
Send to 8. The communication control device 18 transmits this to the management device 16 and ends one processing unit.

Referring to FIG. 64, the case of accessing the communication control device from the management device side will be described. The access from the management device 16 to the communication control device 18 is also roughly classified according to the purpose, and a read request, a write request, and an execute command are executed.
There are three types of requests. The procedure of each process at this time is shown in FIG.
It is shown in (a), (b) and (c).

The read request means the communication control device 1
The process of reading the setting parameters and status in 8
For example, when the communication control device 18 previously reads out the information inside the copying machine 1 and stores it in the communication control device 18, this process is performed.

The write request means the communication control device 1
8 is a process of sending data from the management device 16 and setting the parameters. The execute request is a process for causing the communication control device 18 to perform a test operation such as a function check.

With reference to FIG. 65, a process for accessing the copying machine from the communication control device without using the management device will be described. In order to access the copying machine 1 from the communication control device 18, the communication control device 18 reads out the information inside the copying machine 1 and holds the data in the communication control device 18, and the management device 16 later.
This is a reading process for enabling reading from.

Generally, counter values such as the total number of copies are used for maintenance contracts and maintenance of copying machines. By using this system, the counter value of the total number of copies is periodically transmitted from the copying machine 1 to the communication control device 18, and when the power of the copying machine 1 is cut off, the copying machine 1 is in the communication disabled state. Even in this case, the management device 16 side can know the value of this counter.

For this, as described above, the function of the communication control device 18 reading out the information inside the copying machine 1 and holding the data inside the communication control device 18 is used. The clock 288 in the communication control device 18 (see FIG.
9) as a reference, when the total counter value collection time in the parameters set in the communication control device 18 is reached, the communication control device 18 sequentially performs total copy to all connected copying machines. Request the number of sheets information every day.

Then, the new total copy number information of the copying machine which responded is updated with the value read on the previous day and the backup RA in the communication control unit 18 is updated.
It is stored in M286 (FIG. 59). Also, when communication is not possible, such as when the power of the copying machine that requested the total copy number information is turned off, the response reception of the data from that copying machine is postponed, and the next copying machine is notified. Process.

At the time of making the request to all the copying machines, the request is made again only to the copying machines which cannot be received. Normally, the total counter value collection time is set at night when the power of the copier is considered to be cut off, and the power of the copier is turned on with the passage of time. This communication should be performed while adjusting each part.

RAM 28 in communication control device 18
In order to transfer the information on the total number of copies stored / held in 6 to the management device 16, a method of periodically reading out by access from the management device 16 on the closing day of each month, and a method set in the communication control device 18 are set. There are two methods of automatically transmitting to the management device by the communication control device when the total counter value automatic call date and time is reached.

The selection of this method is set by a total counter value automatic call admission switch 289 (FIG. 59) provided in the communication control device 18. When the switch 289 is ON, the communication control device 18
When the date and time indicated by the parameter set therein is reached, the call destination telephone number indicated by the parameter set within the communication control device 18 is called and the counter value of the total number of copies is set by the management device 16. Send to. When the switch 289 is OFF, the automatic call is not made and the access from the management device 16 is waited for.

In this example, the data for periodic communication is the counter value of the total number of copies, but other data or other data may be added for communication.

FIG. 66 is a list of parameters set in the communication control device 18. A model number and a serial number of the copying machine are registered for each copying machine at each address. When the copying machine 1 makes a report, the model number and the serial number are added and transmitted to the management apparatus 16, or when the management apparatus 16 makes an access. It is used to determine the address of the copying machine 1 to be selected.

Also, the telephone number of the report destination, the number and interval of redials, and the type of data to be transmitted to the management device 16 are set for each remote report reason. In the remote notification of the advance warning, the notification time to the management device 16 is also set. A checksum is added to each block of the parameter, and this can be detected when the parameter value is rewritten or lost due to malfunction of the communication control device 18, consumption of the backup battery 187, or the like. .

These parameters are written from the management device 16 side through the public line network 17, and a portable device for parameter setting is directly connected to the communication control device for writing, or an operation means is provided on the communication control device 18. It may be configured to be set.

FIG. 67 shows an example of the format of communication data at the time of remote notification. (A) is a data format from the copying machine to the communication control device. The first field is a report reason code, and indicates the type of remote report by the remote report key, remote report by self-diagnosis abnormality, or remote report of advance warning. This is followed by information inside the copier. Copier status means toner, oil,
Information about the status of consumables such as copy paper, output values of various sensors, setting values of various adjustment points, and connection status of units.

(B) is a data format from the communication control device 18 to the management device 16. In addition to the data from the copying machine 1, a model number field and a serial number field are added at the beginning to identify the copying machine that is the information source. Also, a communication control device 18 is provided at the rear.
The time when the reporting factor occurred is added by the internal clock 288. In the data part, the type of data to be transmitted to the management device 16 changes depending on the parameter set in the communication control device 18. In this example, only the self-diagnosis abnormality occurrence frequency and the copying machine status are transmitted to the management device 16. This is the case when the parameter is set in the communication control device 18.

(C) shows the data format of the notification result report transmitted to the copying machine when the notification from the communication control device to the management device is completed.

FIG. 68 shows a data format at the time of read processing during access from the management apparatus 16 to the copying machine 1. From the management device 16 to the communication control device 18, the model number and serial number of the target copying machine 1 are transmitted, followed by the request code indicating the read process and the code of the item to be read.

The model number and serial number fields are removed from the communication control device 18 to the copying machine 1, and only the read request code and item code are sent. Upon receiving this, the copying machine 1 transmits the requested data to the communication control device 18, following the read response code and the received item code. The communication control device 18 again adds the model number and the serial number, and sends it to the management device 16.

FIG. 69 shows a data format at the time of write processing. In this case, in the communication to the copying machine 1, the data to be written following the item code is added as compared with the case of the read processing. In the communication to the management device 16, the data actually written in the copying machine 1 is sent following the item code field. Normally, the written data received by the copier matches the written data sent by the copier, but if the received data is outside the valid range, it may be rounded to the boundary value and written. In such cases, they do not match.

FIG. 70 also shows Execute.
This is the data format during processing. In this case, in communication to the copying machine 1, when the operation target cannot be specified only by the item code, a code for supplementing the operation content follows the item code. Copier 1 that performed the requested operation
Sends the operation result information to the management device 16 side.

FIG. 71 shows a data format when the management device 16 accesses the communication control device 18, where (a) is a read process, (b) is a write process,
(C) is a format at the time of execute processing.
These have almost the same data format as when accessing the copying machine 1, but instead of the model number and the serial number, they are codes indicating the communication control device 18.

FIG. 72 shows the data format when the communication control device 18 accesses the copying machine 1.
When the copying machine 1 is accessed from the management apparatus 16 shown in FIGS. 68 to 70, the data format between the communication control apparatus 18 and the copying machine 1 is the same. There is no need to distinguish the access of, and they can be handled in the same way.

FIG. 73 shows the CP of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG.
It is a flow chart which shows the main routine of information control by U100. When the communication permission switch 116 provided outside the operation unit 70 of the copying machine 1 is ON, the operation unit 70
When it is determined that either the remote notification key 83 (FIG. 10) of No. 1 is pressed, the occurrence of an abnormality is detected by the self-diagnosis function, or a state in which a prior warning is required is entered, Perform each remote notification process.

FIG. 74 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the remote notification subroutine by the remote notification key in FIG. First, the remote notification data is transmitted to the communication control device 18 by the remote notification key. When the communication cannot be performed normally due to no response from the communication control device 18, the remote communication error display D on the operation unit 70 is displayed.
8 (FIG. 11) is lit or blinked to notify the user of that fact.

When the data is normally transmitted to the communication control device 18, the timer for time-out determination is reset and the communication control device 18 waits for the report of the report result. In this example, the time-out time is set to 3 minutes, and if the report result report is not received within 3 minutes, the time-out is set, and the notification of the failure of the report is also displayed on the operation unit 7.
The remote communication error display D8 on 0 is displayed by lighting or blinking to notify the user.

When a report result report is received within the timeout time, it is judged from the result report whether or not the report was successful, and if it is reported normally, a message indicating that automatic report is completed is displayed ( If it is a failure, the remote communication error display D8 is also turned on or blinked to indicate that fact, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 73.

FIG. 75 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of a remote notification subroutine for self-diagnosis abnormality in FIG. 73. The processing of this subroutine is also the same as the remote notification by the remote notification key described with reference to FIG. 74, except that the data transmitted to the communication control device 18 is the data due to the self-diagnosis abnormality and the timeout time is 20 minutes. Therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 76 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the subroutine for remote notification by advance warning in FIG. 73. In this routine, remote notification data is transmitted to the communication controller device 18 by advance warning.

FIG. 77 is a flowchart of the main routine of the processing by the CPU 100 of the copying machine 1 when accessed by the communication control device 18. When the communication permission switch 116 shown in FIG. 61 is ON and there is received data in the communication interface unit 103, the received request is received and the processing requested by the first field is judged to determine whether the read request, the write request, Judge any of the execute requests and perform processing according to the judgment result. If the request is neither of the above, an error code is returned and the process ends.

FIG. 78 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the read processing subroutine of FIG. In this routine, if the item code received by the copying machine 1 is readable and correct, the requested data is returned, and if not, an error code is returned.

FIG. 79 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the write processing subroutine of FIG. In this routine, if the received item code is not writable and correct, an error code is returned, if it is correct, the value to be written is checked, and if it is within the valid range, the value of the received data is written as it is. If the item is outside the valid range and the item can be written with the data rounded to the boundary value of the valid range, the boundary value is written. Otherwise, it returns an error code and returns.

Whether or not the data can be rounded to the boundary value and written is determined for each item code. Even if it is within the effective range such as the setting of the fixing temperature, the influence of rewriting is large,
Rounding to the boundary value is prohibited for telephone numbers of service centers that do not make sense of the numerical value, and items such as the auto reset time that do not affect the image quality are rounded to the boundary value for convenience. to approve. For example, when it is desired to set the auto reset time as long as possible, if the written value is set to the maximum value with the full number of digits, the maximum value is automatically selected on the copier side.

FIG. 80 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the execute processing subroutine shown in FIG.
In this routine, if the received item code is not the correct executable code, an error code is returned. If the item is correct, it is determined whether or not the item requires the action content supplement, and if not, the specified action is executed and the action result information is returned. If the operation content supplement is an item that requires supplementation, the operation according to the supplemented information is executed, but if the operation content supplement is data outside the valid range, an error code is transmitted and the process returns.

Next, the procedure of communication between the communication control device 18 and the copying machine 1 will be described. FIG. 81 shows a communication sequence in an idle state when five copying machines are connected to the communication control device 18.

The communication control device 18 executes a polling cycle for sequentially transmitting a polling sequence using the polling address of each copying machine 1. The copying machine 1 polled by the polling address of its own machine gives a negative response to the communication control device 18 if there is no transmission text.
Send to. The communication control device 18 repeats this polling cycle in a normal state where there is no other communication processing.

FIG. 82 shows an example of a communication sequence in the case where the copying machine having the address 2 has a transmission text for remote notification. RS-48 after being polled with own address
Send the transmitted text on the 5th line.

FIG. 83 shows an example of the communication sequence when the text of the notification result report is transmitted from the communication control device 18 to the copying machine at the address 5. After the current polling is completed, the selecting sequence is transmitted using the selecting address of the target copying machine, and the text is transmitted to the copying machine. After sending the text, it returns to the original polling cycle.

Next, the processing directly related to the present invention according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 84 shows the CPU of the copying machine 1.
A communication mode determination process by 100, that is, a process for determining a more optimal communication mode according to the connection (communication availability) state of the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 and the on / off state of the communication permission switch 116 is shown. It is a flowchart. 85 is a flowchart showing the subroutine of the connection state detecting process of FIG. 84, and FIG. 86 is a flowchart of the subroutine of the communication permission switch disconnection process during communication of FIG. 84.

First, the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 1
The process for detecting the connection state with 8 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the connection state is not limited to the disconnection state / connection state as the mere connection state, but whether communication control is established or not, an abnormality on the communication control device side even if connection is established (power disconnection, failure, etc.) It also includes whether or not there is.

Therefore, the connection (communication availability) status detecting means (CPU 100, ROM 10) for detecting the connection status.
First, the program etc. in 1) first detects whether or not the connection state is detected and confirms the connection state. Then, for example, whether or not the communication control is established by the presence or absence of a polling signal from the communication control device 18 is checked. to decide.

In the flow of FIG. 85, it is determined whether or not it is immediately after the power is turned off in step 20, that is, immediately after the power is turned on. If YES, the connection state is detected in step 21. While clearing the timer value t of the time interval timer for activating the means to "0",
The check flag flg-check for setting whether the connection state detecting means is valid or invalid is reset to "0".

Next, at step 22, the connection state detecting means is activated, and the connection state detecting means detects whether or not the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 are connected (communicable), and the connection is made. If it is detected that the communication is enabled in step 24, the communication enable flag flg-comm
Is set to "1", and when it is detected that no connection is made, the communication enable flag flg-comm is reset to "0" in step 25.

Here, when the power is turned on in step 20, the connection state detecting means is always activated in steps 22 to 25 to detect the connection state between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18. This is because it is possible to deal with the case where the connection state changes when the power supply of 1 is turned off, and to recognize the accurate and latest connection information.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 20 that the power has not changed from the power-off state to the on-state, the routine proceeds to step 26, where it is determined whether the check flag flg-check is "1" (set state). The setting / resetting of this flag will be described in the flow of FIG. 84 described later. And
If the check flag flg-check is "0", the process immediately returns, and if it is "1", the connection state detecting means is effective, and the processes from step 27 are executed.

In step 27, the communication enable flag flg-comm set / reset in steps 24 and 25 is "1".
It is determined whether or not the communication between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 is possible, and if it is "1", the connection state detecting means is activated in step 22, and the copying machine 1 and the copying machine 1 are connected in the same manner as described above. It is detected whether or not the communication control device 18 is connected.

As a result, the connection state detecting means is always enabled, and it becomes possible to constantly monitor the change in the connection state between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18, and change from the connection state (communication enabled state) to the non-connection state ( (Unable to communicate)
The change to can be detected in real time, and the response according to the connection status can be taken accurately and promptly.

On the other hand, in step 27, the communication enable flag flg-co
If it is determined that mm is not "1" (communication between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 is possible), step 2
It is not necessary to start the connection state detection means in 2, but
In step 28, it is judged whether or not the timer value t of the time interval timer for activating the connection state detecting means has reached the predetermined time tmax, and when it reaches, the timer value t of the time interval timer is set to " When it is not reached, the timer value t of the time interval timer is counted up (+1) and the process returns.

That is, each time this routine is entered, the timer value t of the time interval timer is incremented (+1), and when the timer value t reaches the predetermined time tmax, the timer value t is cleared to "0". Then, in step 22, the connection state detecting means is activated to detect whether or not the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 are connected.

As described above, even when the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 are in the non-connection state (communication disabled state), the communication control mode is not ignored at all, but the copying machine 1 is executed every predetermined period tmax. The connection state between the communication control device 18 and the communication control device 18 is detected. Therefore, when the communication control device 18 recovers from a failure and the connection state with the copying machine 1 (communication enabled state) is secured, the connection state is immediately detected. The communication status can be validated.

Next, the CPU 1 of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG.
The communication mode determination process by 00 will be described. First, the communication permission switch 116 shown in FIG. 61 will be described. The communication permission switch 116 is provided on the copy machine 1 side and is used to set permission / prohibition of communication with the communication control device 18. This communication permission switch 1
As 16, a hard switch such as a soft switch or a DIP switch displayed on a display unit (not shown) and detected by touch input may be used.

The communication mode in the copying machine 1 of this embodiment is the following (1) depending on the ON / OFF state of the communication permission switch 116 and the connection state with the communication control device 18.
~ It is divided into four modes shown in (4).

(1) When the communication permission switch 116 is OFF and the communication is possible (flg-comm = 1), the communication between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 is invalid or valid, and is in the busy (BUSY) state, and the connection state is established. Always disable the detection means (flg-check = 0).

As a result, even if the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 are in the connected state (communication possible state),
Communication can be enabled or disabled by the communication permission switch 116. Therefore, for example, when a serviceman goes to the user for repair by a serviceman call and a reproduction test such as a serviceman call is performed, it is not possible. It is possible to prevent unnecessary data (serviceman call signal, etc.) from being transmitted in preparation.

(2) When the communication permission switch 116 is OFF and the communication is not possible (flg-comm = 0), the communication between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 is not permitted, the communication mode process is prohibited, and the connection is established. The state detection means is also always disabled (flg-check = 0). As a result, when the communication mode function itself is not required, such as when the device itself having the communication function is not installed, the load on the CPU of the copying machine 1 side by executing the communication mode increases and the efficiency decreases. It can be prevented.

(3) When the communication permission switch 116 is ON and the communication is possible (flg-comm = 1), the communication between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 is enabled, the communication mode process is executed, and the connection state is detected. The method is always valid (flg-check = 1). As a result, a change in the connection (communication availability) state between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18, particularly, a change when the connection (communication possible) state is changed to the non-connection (communication impossible) state can be detected in real time.

(4) When the communication permission switch 116 is ON and the communication is not possible (flg-comm = 0), the communication between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 is not permitted, the communication mode process is prohibited, and the connection is established. Always enable the status detection means (flg-check = 1). However, other data may be used, or other data may be added for communication.

As a result, a change in the connection state between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18, especially a transition from the non-connection state after the power is turned on to the connection state (communication possible state due to connection, power-on, recovery from failure, etc.). It is possible to detect the change in the case of doing in real time. Further, since the communication between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 is prohibited, the communication mode is disabled so that the communication mode program on the copying machine 1 side is not separately executed, and the load on the CPU is reduced. The system can be operated efficiently.

If the above is not done, the following problems will occur. As shown in FIG. 62, the copying machine 1 has a remote notification function by a remote notification key and a remote notification function by a self-diagnosis abnormality. For the copying machine 1, the communication control device 18 and the management device 16
A report result report indicating the result of the report between and is transmitted.

As a result, the copying machine 1 as the transmission source can know whether the communication has been normally completed or the communication could not be performed due to some abnormality. However, if the communication mode processing is always enabled, the communication ends abnormally in the communication disabled state. In addition, the items of the remote diagnosis report can be displayed at all times, and they are displayed on the display screen in a careless mode not supported by the operator, which may cause confusion.

Therefore, the connection (communication availability) state between the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 and the communication permission switch 11
By selectively switching the execution / prohibition of the communication mode processing according to the ON / OFF state of 6, the program processing that was performing the communication mode processing is separated from the control of the copying machine 1 and the load on the CPU is reduced. . As a result, the control efficiency is improved and the remote diagnosis notification item is invalidated.
A measure such as prohibition of selection is taken, and the operability is improved without displaying on the display screen in a careless mode not supported by the operator.

The processing of step 2 in FIG. 84 corresponds to the case where the communication permitting switch 116 is switched from the communication permitting state to the communication not permitting state while the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 are communicating. is there. this is,
When executing / prohibiting the communication mode process only by switching the communication permission switch 116 without waiting for the end of communication,
As described above, the communication is not established due to the communication permission switch 116 being switched during communication, resulting in a communication error.

That is, if it is determined in step 1 of FIG. 84 that the communication permission switch 116 is in the off state, the process proceeds to step 2 of the communication permission switch disconnection process during communication. Then, as shown in FIG. 86, step 4
At 0, it is determined whether the communication permission switch 116 has changed from the on state to the off state (edge trigger), and if YES
If so, it means that the communication permission switch 116 has been switched from the on state to the off state, and it is determined in step 41 whether or not the copying machine 1 and the communication control device 18 are in communication.

Since communication mode processing should not be prohibited during communication, the communication mode processing of step 43 is performed until the communication end (for example, EOF signal) is detected in step 42, and the communication end is detected. Sometimes the communication mode process is terminated and the process returns.

[0330]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus management system described in each claim of the present invention,
The following effects are obtained respectively.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the first aspect, the image forming apparatus is provided with a clock means for setting the operating state or the non-operating state of a part or all of the apparatus in time, and the management apparatus is rewritten. The means reads out the state of the clock means and rewrites the information stored in the storage means of the image forming apparatus when a part or all of the image forming apparatus is in a non-operating state. By using the, the rewriting means reads out the time, so that the information regarding the image formation can be automatically downloaded from the management device when the image forming device is in the inoperative state. Therefore, the burden on the service person can be reduced, and the problem due to an operation error can be solved.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the second aspect, even if the image forming apparatus is in the inoperative state, the rewriting is not performed if the time until the operating state is within the predetermined time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the download from being interrupted midway.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of claim 3, even if the clock means reaches the operating time during the rewriting by the rewriting means, the operating state is not set until the rewriting is completed. It is possible to prevent being interrupted by.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of claim 4, the image forming apparatus is provided with standby means for setting the standby state when the image forming apparatus is inoperable, and when the state of the image forming apparatus is in the standby state, Since the information in the storage unit is rewritten, the information regarding the image formation can be automatically downloaded from the management apparatus when the image forming apparatus is in the standby state.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the fifth aspect, even if the image forming apparatus is in the standby state, the rewriting is not performed if the time until the operating state is within the predetermined time is reached. It is possible to prevent such an interruption.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the sixth aspect, when the standby time reaches the operating time during the rewriting by the rewriting means, the image forming apparatus is set in the operating state until the rewriting is completed. Since it does not, it is possible to prevent interruption during the download.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the seventh aspect, the communication means of the management apparatus can communicate with a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the rewriting means identifies the image forming apparatus and responds to its unique state. Since the information is rewritten, it is possible to automatically download the information regarding the image formation according to the model difference and the individual difference of the image forming apparatus from the management apparatus.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of claim 8, the storage means of the image forming apparatus has a plurality of storage means, and the rewriting means of the management apparatus selectively stores information in the plurality of storage means. Since rewriting is performed, it is possible to download to different storage areas used for different purposes and read the flag. For example, fine control can be performed by writing the program in the nonvolatile RAM to automatically perform the version upgrade, or by writing the diagnostic program in the DRAM to automatically perform the failure diagnosis.

According to another aspect of the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with a clock means for setting an operating state or a non-operating state of a part or all of the apparatus by time, and the rewriting means of the management apparatus. However, since the information in the storage means is rewritten when the image forming apparatus is in the inactive state or in the standby state even in the operating state, for example, even if the weekly timer as the clock means is not set, It can be downloaded automatically.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of claim 10, since the information in the storage means is rewritten according to the content of the rewriting information, the image forming apparatus can be downloaded by dividing the download state within the range of data, for example. The rate of waiting for the state to be reduced. Therefore, the dead time of the download can be shortened.

According to the eleventh aspect of the image forming apparatus management system, the management apparatus is provided with means for discriminating whether the image forming apparatus is in the energized state or the non-energized state, and the standby means is provided when the discrimination result is the non-energized state. Since the information in the storage unit is rewritten after the standby state is set, the download timing can be reliably obtained when the power of the image forming apparatus is on.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the twelfth aspect, a communication control apparatus for temporarily storing information related to image formation when the image forming apparatus is in a non-energized state is provided between the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus. Since it is provided, it can be downloaded with one access from the management device.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the thirteenth aspect, when the image forming apparatus is in the non-energized state, the communication control apparatus waits for the standby state and transmits the temporarily stored information to the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the above download can be automatically performed.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the fourteenth aspect, the image forming apparatus is provided with a discriminating means for discriminating the state of the image forming apparatus. Is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, it is possible to surely download the information when the image forming apparatus is in a rewritable state of information.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention, the determining means determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is in the inoperative state, and manages when the image forming apparatus is in the inactive state. Since it activates the transmission means of the device,
After all, when the image forming apparatus is in a state where information can be rewritten, it can be surely downloaded.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the image forming apparatus management system, the image forming apparatus is provided with a clock means for setting the operating state or the non-operating state of a part or all of the apparatus by time, and the determination is made. Since the means reads out the state of the clock means and determines whether the image forming apparatus is in the inoperative state or not, it is possible to surely download the information when the image forming apparatus is in a rewritable state.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the seventeenth aspect, the discriminating means of the image forming apparatus discriminates whether or not the image forming condition automatic adjusting operation is being performed, and manages when the image forming condition automatic adjusting operation is being performed. Since the operation of the transmission means of the apparatus is prohibited, during the image forming condition automatic adjustment operation on the image forming apparatus side,
There is no fear of information being downloaded from the management device.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the image forming apparatus management system, the determining means determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the image forming apparatus has completed the image forming operation, and the image forming apparatus has completed the image forming operation. When the predetermined time has not elapsed, the operation of the transmission means of the management device is prohibited, so that information may be downloaded from the management device at the time when the next image forming operation may be performed on the image forming device side. There is no fear.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of claim 19, the image forming apparatus is provided with the image forming mode setting means, and when the discriminating means detects the operation of the image forming mode setting means, the transmitting means of the managing apparatus. Is prohibited, there is no fear that information will be downloaded from the management device when there is a high possibility that the image forming device will perform an image forming operation.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the twentieth aspect, the management apparatus selects the image forming apparatus from the image forming information stored in its own storage section according to the determination result of the determination section of the image forming apparatus. Since the information to be transmitted is selected, the minimum required information can be downloaded according to the state of the image forming apparatus.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of claim 21, the image forming apparatus is provided with an object detecting means for detecting an object existing on the side operating the image forming apparatus.
The management device prohibits the operation of the transmission means when an object is detected by the object detection means, so when the operator or the like is near the image forming apparatus and there is a high possibility that it will be used. It is prevented that information is downloaded from the management device.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the twenty-second aspect, the management apparatus reads the information on the image formation from the storage means of the image forming apparatus to determine whether it is the initial delivery or not, and when it is the initial delivery, Since the information about the image formation is stored in the storage unit of the management device, the burden on the service person at the time of data upload for transmitting the information about the image formation from the image forming device to the management device is reduced, and the operation error is prevented. can do.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the twenty-third aspect, the image forming apparatus reads out the information regarding the image formation from its own storage means and determines whether or not it is the initial delivery time.
In the case of initial delivery, the initial delivery signal is transmitted to the management apparatus, and when the management apparatus receives the initial delivery signal, the information regarding image formation is read from the storage means of the image forming apparatus and stored in the management apparatus. Because it is stored in the means,
Again, it is possible to reduce the burden on the service person when uploading data for transmitting information related to image formation from the image forming apparatus to the management apparatus, and to prevent operation mistakes.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the twenty-fourth aspect, it is possible to change the information related to image formation at the time of upload for transmitting information from the image forming apparatus to the management apparatus.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the twenty-fifth aspect, the image forming apparatus reads the information on image formation from its own storage means to determine whether it is the initial delivery time or not. Since the time signal and the information regarding the image formation are transmitted to the management apparatus and the management apparatus stores the information regarding the image formation from the image forming apparatus in its own storage means when the initial delivery signal is received, the image forming apparatus is also required. It is possible to reduce the burden on the service person at the time of uploading the data for transmitting the information regarding the image formation from the management apparatus to the management apparatus, and to prevent the operation error.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the twenty-sixth aspect, since the image forming apparatus sends the identification information to the management apparatus when the image forming apparatus starts communication by itself, the management apparatus identifies each image forming apparatus for information. Can be memorized.

According to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the management device reads out the information regarding image formation from the storage means of the image forming device and determines whether or not it is the initial delivery time. Since the information in the storage means of the image forming apparatus is rewritten by reading from the storage means of its own, it is possible to reduce the burden on the service person at the time of data download for transmitting the information related to image formation from the management apparatus to the image forming apparatus.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the twenty-eighth aspect, the image forming apparatus clears the information of its own storage means for storing information related to image formation and transmits the clear information to the management apparatus. When the clearing information is received, the information regarding the image formation is read from its own storage means and stored in the storage means of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when the memory is cleared, the information regarding the image formation is automatically transmitted from the management apparatus to the image forming apparatus. Data can be downloaded to, and the burden on service personnel can be reduced.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the twenty-ninth aspect, since the contents to be stored in the storage means of the image forming apparatus can be changed, the image forming at the time of downloading transmitted from the managing apparatus to the image forming apparatus is concerned. You can change the information.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the thirtieth aspect, the communication with the management apparatus is prohibited during the automatic adjustment operation of the image forming conditions such as the voltage of the exposure lamp by the image forming apparatus. Since the adjustment operation that has been performed up to now is not redone, the waiting time when the user uses the image forming apparatus is shortened. Further, since the automatic adjustment operation need not be interrupted, the image forming condition adjustment data will not be damaged, and the image quality can be easily maintained. Furthermore, since the interrupt occupancy rate of the CPU can be suppressed to a low level, the control method does not have to be complicated.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the thirty-first aspect, by prohibiting communication with the management apparatus when the image forming apparatus detects the approach of a human body, a user who is going to use the image forming apparatus from now on communicates. There is no need to wait, so you can work immediately.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of claim 32, when the image forming apparatus further detects the approach of a human body during communication with the management apparatus, the communication is interrupted.
The interruption allows the image forming apparatus to be used immediately even during communication.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the thirty-third aspect, even when the image forming apparatus detects the approach of a human body during communication with the management apparatus, the communication is a rewriting communication of the image forming condition adjustment data. In this case, since the communication is continued, the image forming condition adjustment data is not damaged, so that the safety of the data communication is improved and the image quality can be guaranteed.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the thirty-fourth aspect, when the image forming apparatus detects an approach of a human body during communication with the management apparatus, a display for notifying the user that communication is in progress is provided. As a result, the user can know that the image forming apparatus is normal but is communicating.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the thirty-fifth aspect, communication with the management apparatus is prohibited while the image forming apparatus is registering the image forming mode. The waiting time when using the image forming apparatus is also shortened.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the thirty-sixth aspect, when the image forming apparatus requests the registration of the image forming mode during communication with the management apparatus, the communication is interrupted. Even if the user wants to register by selecting the image forming mode, there is no need to wait for communication.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the thirty-seventh to the forty-second aspects, the system can be efficiently operated in accordance with the change in the communication enable / disable state between the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the thirty-eighth aspect, when the power supply of the image forming apparatus is in the off state, it is possible to cope with a change in the communication enable / disable state between the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus, which is accurate and up-to-date. It is possible to recognize the communication availability information.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of claim 39, since it is unnecessary to execute the program related to the communication mode, it is possible to increase the multifunctionality of the image forming apparatus management system and the image forming processing speed. It is possible to suppress an increase in the load on the CPU that accompanies it.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the forty-first aspect, it is possible to constantly monitor the change in the communication availability state between the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus. It is possible to detect in real time that the state has changed from the communicable state to the non-communicable state, and it is possible to take appropriate and prompt action according to the communicable state.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of claim 42, when the communication control device recovers from a failure or the like and the communication enabled state is secured, the communication enabled state is immediately detected and the communication state is enabled. You can

According to the image forming apparatus management system of claims 43 to 50, when the communicability status of the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus is not communicable, or the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus are connected by a communication line. If not connected, the communication mode is disabled by the communication permission switch so that the communication mode program on the image forming apparatus side is not cut off and executed, and the load on the CPU can be reduced.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the forty-sixth aspect, when the communication mode function itself is not required, such as when the apparatus itself having the communication function is not installed,
CP on the image forming apparatus side by executing the communication mode
It is possible to prevent the load on U from increasing and the efficiency from decreasing.

According to the forty-seventh aspect of the image forming apparatus management system, the change in the communication enable / disable state between the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus, especially the change in the communication enable / disable state when the communication enable state is changed to the communication disable state. Can be detected in real time.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the forty-eighth aspect, when the serviceman calls out to the user for repair by a serviceman call and performs a reproduction test of the serviceman call, careless unnecessary data ( It is possible to prevent the transmission of a serviceman call signal, etc.).

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the forty-ninth aspect, even when the communication permission switch is switched during communication between the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus, the communication can be ended in a normal state.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a contact glass 21 of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing each pattern in the vicinity thereof.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a portion related to the toner density control operation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the P sensor pattern on the photosensitive drum 35 formed during the toner concentration control operation by the P sensor 45 and the read voltages of the background portion.

FIG. 6 is a principal part configuration diagram showing the exposure lamp 22 of the first scanner 24 and a light amount control system thereof.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the details of the first scanner 24 in the same manner.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing each potential generated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 in the same manner.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between each potential generated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 and the document density.

FIG. 10 is a layout diagram showing an example of the operation unit 70 in the same manner.

11 is an enlarged view showing the display contents of a pattern display unit 72 of the operation unit 70 shown in FIG.

12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the copying machine 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

FIG. 13 is a communication control unit 14 shown in FIG.
4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of No. 4 of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a management device 141 as well.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram for explaining a download operation in a non-operating state of the copying machine.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram for explaining a download interruption preventing operation in a non-operating state of the copying machine.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram for explaining a write destination of download data.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram for explaining a download interruption preventing operation in the standby state of the copying machine.

19 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the communication control unit of FIG.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing control codes and data.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the format of the information code of FIG. 20 and the contents of the first and second level numerical values thereof.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of third to sixth level numerical values.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the operations of the copying machine and the management apparatus at the time of reception.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the same continuation.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining a management program of the management device.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a copier management menu screen displayed on the display of the management device.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a registered user list screen of the same.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing a registration number input screen for user registration.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing a user name input screen for user registration.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing a telephone number input screen for user registration.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing a model number input screen of user registration in the same manner.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a manufacturing number input screen of user registration.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a registration end screen for user registration.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an information code input screen for registering management data.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing a registration end screen for management data registration.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing a user name input screen for initial mode registration.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing an information code input screen for initial mode registration.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing a registration end screen for initial mode registration.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the copying machine at the time of initial delivery.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the management device at the initial delivery of the copying machine.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart for explaining a modified example of the operation of the management device at the initial delivery of the copying machine.

FIG. 42 is a flow chart for explaining initial mode setting control of the management device.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart for explaining a memory clear operation of the copying machine.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing a default data table.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing setting value data.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing an information code table.

FIG. 47 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention.

48 is a flowchart showing a main routine by the CPU 100 of FIG.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a process relating to communication with a management device in the process of the normal mode of FIG. 48.

50 is a flowchart showing VL automatic adjustment processing in the processing of the normal mode in FIG. 48.

FIG. 51 is a CP of a copying machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart which shows the human body detection process by U.

FIG. 52 is a flow chart showing a process relating to communication with the management device.

FIG. 53 is a flow chart showing another processing relating to communication with the management apparatus.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing yet another processing relating to communication with the management apparatus.

FIG. 55 is a flow chart showing still another processing related to communication with the management apparatus.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing a process relating to communication with the management device by the CPU of the copying machine in still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 57 is a flow chart showing another processing relating to communication with the management apparatus.

FIG. 58 is a block diagram showing still another configuration example of the image formation management system to which the present invention is applied.

59 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the communication control device 18 shown in FIG.

FIG. 60 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management device 16 shown in FIG. 58.

61 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. 58.

FIG. 62 is a communication sequence diagram at the time of remote notification in the image forming apparatus management system of this embodiment.

FIG. 63 is a communication sequence diagram when the management apparatus side accesses the copying machine.

FIG. 64 is a communication sequence diagram when the management device side accesses the communication control device.

FIG. 65 is a communication sequence diagram when the communication control device accesses the copying machine without using the management device.

66 is a list of parameters set in the communication control device 18 shown in FIG. 59. FIG.

67 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a format of communication data at the time of remote notification. FIG.

68 is a diagram showing an example of a data format at the time of read processing during access from the management apparatus shown in FIG. 60 to the copying machine.

FIG. 69 is a diagram similarly showing an example of a data format at the time of write processing.

FIG. 70 is a diagram similarly showing an example of a data format at the time of execute processing.

FIG. 71 is a diagram showing an example of a data format when the management device accesses the communication control device.

FIG. 72 is a diagram showing an example of a data format when the communication control device accesses the copying machine.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart of a main routine of notification control by the CPU of the copying machine.

74 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a remote notification subroutine using the remote notification key shown in FIG. 73.

75 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a subroutine for remote notification due to a self-diagnosis abnormality in FIG. 73.

FIG. 76 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a subroutine for remote notification by advance warning in FIG. 73.

FIG. 77 is a flowchart of a main routine of processing by the CPU of the copying machine when accessed by the communication control device.

78 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a read processing subroutine in FIG. 77. FIG.

79 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a write processing subroutine in FIG. 77. FIG.

80 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a subroutine of the execute processing in FIG. 77.

FIG. 81 is a communication sequence diagram in an idle state when five copying machines are connected to the communication control device.

FIG. 82 is a communication sequence diagram in the case where the copying machine at the address 2 has a transmission text for remote notification.

83 is a communication sequence diagram when the text of the report result report is transmitted from the communication control device to the copying machine at the address 5. FIG.

84 is a flowchart showing communication mode determination processing by the CPU 100 of FIG. 61.

85 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of connection state detection processing of FIG. 84.

86 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of communication permission switch disconnection processing during communication in FIG. 84. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Copying machine 2: Copying machine main body 3: Automatic document feeder (ADF) 10: Scanner section 11: Image forming section 12: Paper feeding section 13: Fixing and discharging section 14: Reversing section 15:
Duplex unit 16: Management device 17: Public circuit
18: Communication control device 19: Telephone 2
0: Facsimile device 21: Contact glass
22: Exposure lamp 35: Photosensitive drum 39: Potential sensor 45: P sensor 70: Operation part 71: Guidance display part 72: Pattern display part 83: Remote notification key D8: Remote communication error display
100: CPU for control of copying machine 101: ROM
102: RAM 103: Communication interface unit 104 A / D converter 105 IN port 106 OUT port 10
7: Optical system control unit 108: High voltage power supply unit 109: Motor control unit 110: Heater control unit 111: Printer control unit 11
2: Sensor sensitivity control unit 113: Clock 11
4: Human body detection sensor (object detection sensor) 115: Address setting switch 116: Communication permission switch 121: Optical table 122: P sensor pattern 123: ADS reference pattern 124: VL pattern 125: VD pattern 1
30: Light control sensor 131: Main control plate 132: Ballast 133:
ADS sensor 141: management device 142: telephone line 143: exchange 144: communication control unit 145: telephone 181: CPU of communication control unit 182: ROM 183: R
AM 184: Interface circuit 185: Modem 186: AC power supply control unit 161: Host computer of management device 1
62: Memory 163: Display 164: Keyboard 165: Printer 166: Telephone
167: Modem 280: Switching unit 281: Modem 283: Communication interface 284: CPU of communication control device 285: R
OM 286: RAM 287: Battery 288: Clock 289 Total counter value automatic call permission switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 8, 2003 (2003.1.8)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Title of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Image forming apparatus management system and image thereof
Forming device

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention connects an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a management apparatus via a communication line so that the management apparatus can centrally manage a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Image forming apparatus management system and its image
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Delete

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0020

[Correction method] Delete

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0021

[Correction method] Delete

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0022

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0022]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises an image forming apparatus management system as described in each claim of the claims .

[Procedure Amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0023

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a first communication means for receiving information transmitted from the management apparatus, a first storage means for storing information on image formation, and the first storage means .
Transferring information received by one communication means to the first storage means
Control means for controlling writing to the first storage means
And an output unit that outputs a status signal of the image forming apparatus.
Get Then, to the management apparatus, a second storage means for storing information relating to the image forming apparatus, stored in the second storage means
Transfer means for transferring the transferred information and the transfer means for transferring the transferred information.
Second communication for receiving information to be received and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus.
And communication means. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus
The control means outputs a status signal output from the output means.
To control writing to the first storage means in accordance with
It is the one.

[Procedure Amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0024

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The invention of claim 2 is the upper Symbol control means, the
Controls prohibition or permission of writing information to the first storage means
And an image forming apparatus management system. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus has an image forming mode.
Comprising a chromatography de setting means, control written above means, the image forming mode
The first storage means when the operation of the mode setting means is detected.
It is designed to prohibit writing to. Claim
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus, the state of the image forming apparatus is
The control means is provided with a determination means for determining the state.
According to the determination result by another means, all of the image forming apparatus
Writing to the first storage means when the
It is the one that is supposed to be executed.

[Procedure Amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0025

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The invention of claim 5, in the upper Symbol management device
The second storage means stores information regarding plural types of image formation.
At the same time, the information is written in the first storage means.
In this case, the signal output from the output means and the first
From the information to be written in the storage means to the first storage means
It has a control means for controlling writing. Claim
The invention of Item 6 is the second storage means in the management device.
Stores information about multiple types of image formation.
In accordance with the status signal output from the output means,
The type of information to be written in the first storage means should be determined.
It was done.

[Procedure Amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0026

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The invention of claim 7 is management through a communication line.
Can be connected to a device and is managed by the management device
An image forming apparatus, the information transmitted from the management apparatus is
Stores information about image formation and communication means for receiving information
The storage means and the information received by the first communication means.
Transfer to the first storage means and control writing to the storage means.
Control means for controlling and outputting the status signal of the image forming apparatus
Output means, and the control means is
Writing to the storage means according to the output status signal
Is controlled.

[Procedure Amendment 12]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0027

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the control of the image forming apparatus is provided.
The control means prohibits writing of information to the storage means or
It controls the permission. Invention of Claim 9
Is equipped with image forming mode setting means in the image forming apparatus.
The control means operates the image forming mode setting means.
When a motion is detected, writing to the storage means is prohibited
It was done so. The invention of claim 10 is these
Image forming device, the status of the image forming device can be determined.
A discriminating means which is separate from the control means;
All of the image forming apparatuses are
In the active state, writing to the storage means is executed.
It is a scam.

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[0074]

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention ,
Data can be automatically downloaded mainly from the management device to each image forming device, and the data can be downloaded uninterrupted to ensure reliable information transmission. .

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The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is
Managed by the management device of the image forming device management system
It is suitable for being used.

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As described above, according to the present invention.
Image forming apparatus management system and image forming apparatus
For example, when the image forming device is inactive,
Information can be automatically downloaded from the management device.
it can. Therefore, the burden on the service person can be reduced,
In addition, problems due to operation mistakes can be resolved.

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Continued front page    (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 4-339147 (32) Priority date December 18, 1992 (December 18, 1992) (33) Priority claiming country Japan (JP) (72) Inventor Koichi Kanaya             1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stocks             Company Ricoh (72) Inventor Masato Terao             1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stocks             Company Ricoh (72) Inventor Toshiya Tagawa             1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stocks             Company Ricoh (72) Inventor Nobuaki Tomissho             1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stocks             Company Ricoh (72) Inventor Masahiro Kitayama             1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stocks             Company Ricoh F-term (reference) 2C061 AP04 AQ06 AR03 HH03 HK19                       HN05 HN21 HQ01                 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA29 AB38 AB42                       AC41 AC42 AC43 AC56 BA04

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus management system in which at least one image forming apparatus and a management apparatus are connected via a communication line, wherein the image forming apparatus communicates with the management apparatus. And a first storage unit that stores information about image formation, and a determination unit that determines the state of the image forming apparatus, wherein the management apparatus communicates with the image forming apparatus. And a second storage unit for storing information about image formation, and the image forming apparatus for storing the information about image formation stored in the second storage unit via the second communication unit according to the determination result by the determination unit. An image forming apparatus management system, comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is in an inoperative state, and when the image forming apparatus is in an inactive state. An image forming apparatus management system, which is means for operating the transmitting means. 3. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a clock unit for setting an operating state or a non-operating state of part or all of the apparatus by time, and the determination is made. An image forming apparatus management system, wherein the means is means for reading the state of the clock means and determining whether or not the image forming apparatus is in a non-operating state. 4. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines whether or not the image forming condition automatic adjusting operation is being performed, and the image forming condition automatic adjusting operation is performed when the image forming condition automatic adjusting operation is being performed. An image forming apparatus management system, which is a means for prohibiting the operation of a transmitting means. 5. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines whether or not a predetermined time has passed after the image forming apparatus has completed the image forming operation,
An image forming apparatus management system, wherein the image forming apparatus is means for prohibiting the operation of the transmitting means when a predetermined time has not elapsed after the image forming operation is completed. 6. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes an image forming mode setting unit, and the determination unit detects the operation of the image forming mode setting unit. An image forming apparatus management system having means for prohibiting the operation of the transmitting means. 7. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1, wherein the management apparatus selects the second communication unit from the image forming information stored in the second storage unit according to the determination result of the determination unit. An image forming apparatus management system comprising means for selecting information to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the.