JP2007307748A - Equipment operation detecting apparatus and equipment operation detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect that operation monitoring objective equipment executes a predetermined operation, and to inform it. <P>SOLUTION: An equipment operation detecting apparatus is equipped with an electric current measuring means for measuring the electric current in an electric wire of the operation monitoring objective equipment, a judging means for judging whether the value of the electric current exceeds a threshold value, and an informing means for informing the operation of the equipment based on the result of the judgement. The informing means consists of either one of a sound emitting means for emitting a sound and a light emitting means for emitting a light, or both of them, and a threshold value setting means for changing the threshold value for performing an operation judgement, is also provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a device operation detection device and a device operation detection method for detecting and notifying that an operation monitoring target device such as a printer has been operated.

Conventionally, printing is performed by sharing one printer with a plurality of host computers via a computer network. In such a configuration, since the printer is installed at a position away from the host computer, when an operator performs a printing operation, whether or not the printing operation has actually been performed is determined by a paper discharge. It was not possible to confirm that the printing operation was executed until it was visually confirmed whether or not the printing paper was discharged to the tray.

In order to manage the sold-out status of multiple stockers with a simple device, it is determined that the product was sold out if it is not a specified change from the change in the current value flowing through the power line, and the sold-out status for the corresponding product Is sold out, and a sold-out detection device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-020141

By the way, in an apparatus configuration in which a single printer is shared by a plurality of host computers via a computer network, a printed matter such as a work request form is created on a personal computer or the like, and a work request destination is sent from the work request source department. When a work request is made by printing a printed matter such as the created work request form for a printer installed in the department of the company, when the work request destination worker is doing other work, There is a problem that it is impossible to immediately know that the work request form has been printed from the printer.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. By detecting and notifying that an operation monitoring target device such as a printer has been operated, it is possible to know that the target device has operated even at a remote location. An object of the present invention is to provide a device motion detection device and a device motion detection method.

The present invention relates to a current measuring unit that measures a current of an electric wire of an operation monitoring target device, a determination unit that determines whether or not a value of the current exceeds a threshold value, and the device based on the determination result. And an informing means for informing the operation.

According to this configuration, it is possible to notify that the operation monitoring target device has performed a predetermined operation. In addition, since the current value is measured from the electric wire of the operation monitoring target device, the operation monitoring can be performed without modifying the operation monitoring target device.

The present invention is characterized in that the notifying means comprises one or both of a sound generating means for generating sound and a light emitting means for emitting light.

According to this configuration, since the sound or light is emitted when the operation monitoring target device performs a predetermined operation, it is possible to know that the predetermined operation has been executed even at a position away from the operation monitoring target device. it can.

The present invention is further characterized by further comprising threshold setting means for changing the threshold.

According to this configuration, it is possible to arbitrarily set a threshold value for determining whether or not a predetermined operation has been executed. Therefore, it is possible to easily monitor the operation even if the operation monitoring target device changes. It becomes.

The present invention further includes waveform pattern storage means for storing in advance a waveform pattern composed of values of time variation of current, and the determination means is a current value after the measured current value exceeds a threshold value. When the time change of the current coincides with the value of the time change of the current stored in the waveform pattern storage means, the operation status of the device is determined according to the matched waveform pattern.

According to this configuration, since the operation status of the device can be determined according to the matched waveform pattern, it is confirmed that the operation to be notified has been executed among the plurality of operations of the operation monitoring target device. It becomes possible to notify.

  The present invention is characterized in that the operation monitoring target device is a printer.

According to this configuration, since it is possible to monitor the printing operation, a printed matter such as a work request form is created on a personal computer or the like, and the printer installed in the work request destination department from the work request source department. Thus, it becomes possible to print the printed matter such as the created work request form, and the work request destination department can quickly know that the work request has arrived.

The present invention is based on the current measurement step of measuring the current of the electric wire of the operation monitoring target device, the determination step of determining whether the value of the current exceeds a threshold value, and the determination result,
And a notifying step for notifying the operation of the device.

Hereinafter, an apparatus operation detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a device operation detection device that monitors the operation of the operation monitoring target device and notifies that a predetermined operation has been executed.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a printer for printing a printed matter. Here, the printer 2 will be described as being an operation monitoring target device. Reference numerals 31 and 32 are personal computers that issue a print instruction for a predetermined printed matter to the printer 2. The printer 2, the personal computer 31, and the personal computer 32 are
Connected by a computer network 4.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU that controls the processing operation of the device operation detection device 1 in an integrated manner. The determination unit 11 determines whether the operation monitoring target device has performed a predetermined operation based on the detected current value.
a. Reference numeral 12 denotes an input unit that includes a keyboard or the like and performs setting input such as detection operation of the device operation detection device 1. Reference numeral 13 is a display unit that is configured by a display device or the like and displays a message of an input instruction, a current set value, and the like at the time of setting input. Reference numeral 14 denotes a storage unit in which data for determining whether or not the operation monitoring target device has performed a predetermined operation is stored. Reference numeral 15 indicates that when the operation monitoring target device performs a predetermined operation,
This is a notification unit that drives the light source 16 that emits light and the sound source 17 that emits sound in order to notify the surroundings that a predetermined operation has been performed. The light source 16 is, for example, a rotating lamp, and the sound source 17 is, for example, a buzzer. Only one of the light source 16 and the sound source 17 may be provided. Further, the light source 16 and the sound source 17 do not necessarily have to be integrated with the device operation detection device 1. Reference numeral 18 denotes a current detection unit that sandwiches an electric wire 21 for supplying AC power to the printer 2 by a clamp 19 and detects a current value flowing through the electric wire 21. Reference numeral 22 denotes an AC plug for connection to an AC power source.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation | movement detection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 demonstrates operation | movement which alert | reports to the circumference | surroundings that the operation | movement monitoring object apparatus performed predetermined | prescribed operation | movement based on a detected electric current value. To do.

First, when the device operation detection device 1 is activated, the determination unit 11a reads the current threshold value stored in the storage unit 14 and holds it inside. On the other hand, the current detector 18 includes a clamp 19.
The operation of detecting the current flowing through the electric wire 21 sandwiched between the two at a certain time (for example, every second) and sending the detected current value to the CPU 11 is repeated. Here, the operator creates a work request form in the personal computer 31 and operates to instruct the printer 2 to print the created work request form. In response to this, the personal computer 31 generates print data of the work request form and transmits it to the printer 2.

In response to this, when the printer 2 starts the printing operation, the current flowing through the electric wire 21 increases. The determination unit 11a reads the detected current value sent from the current detection unit 18 (step S1).
Then, it is compared with the current threshold value held inside (step S2). And the determination part 11a
Determines whether the relationship of “detected current value> current threshold value” is satisfied (step S
3). This current threshold value is set to a value by which the value of the current flowing through the electric wire 21 when the printer 2 performs a printing operation can be detected. As a result of this determination, if the relationship of “detected current value> current threshold value” is not satisfied, the process returns to step S1 and the process is repeated.

On the other hand, when the relationship of “detected current value> current threshold value” is satisfied, the determination unit 11 a issues a notification operation instruction to the notification unit 15. In response to this, the notification unit 15 drives the light source 16 to notify by emitting light indicating that a predetermined operation has been performed in the printer 2, and drives the sound source 17 to generate a predetermined value in the printer 2. This is notified by emitting a sound indicating that the above operation has been performed (step S4). The worker who has received this notification can know that the work request form has been printed by the printer 2 by viewing or listening to this notification.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the device operation detection device 1 shown in FIG. 1 identifies the operation performed by the operation monitoring target device based on the time change of the detected current value and notifies the surroundings of the operation. The operation will be described.

First, when the device operation detection device 1 is activated, the determination unit 11a reads the current threshold value stored in the storage unit 14 and holds it inside. On the other hand, the current detector 18 includes a clamp 19.
The operation of detecting the current flowing through the electric wire 21 sandwiched between the two at a certain time (for example, every second) and sending the detected current value to the CPU 11 is repeated. Here, the operator creates a work request form in the personal computer 31 and operates to instruct the printer 2 to print the created work request form. In response to this, the personal computer 31 generates print data of the work request form and transmits it to the printer 2.

In response to this, when the printer 2 starts the printing operation, the current flowing through the electric wire 21 increases. The determination unit 11a reads the detected current value sent from the current detection unit 18 (step S11).
), And compared with the current threshold value held inside (step S12). And the determination part 1
1a determines whether or not the relationship of “detected current value> current threshold value” is satisfied (step S13). This current threshold value is set to a value by which the value of the current flowing through the electric wire 21 when the printer 2 performs a printing operation can be detected. As a result of this determination, “detection current value>
If the relationship of “current threshold value” is not satisfied, the process returns to step S11 and is repeated.

On the other hand, when the relationship of “detected current value> current threshold value” is satisfied, the determination unit 11a holds the time change of the read current value inside, and stores the time change data of the held current value. The waveform pattern data stored in the unit 14 (current value time change data measured and stored in advance) is compared (step S14). And the determination part 11a is
It is determined whether or not the detected time change data of the current value matches the waveform pattern data stored in the storage unit 14 (step S15). If the result of this determination is that they do not match, the process returns to step S11 and is repeated.

On the other hand, when the detected time change data of the current value matches the waveform pattern data stored in the storage unit 14, the determination unit 11 a issues a notification operation instruction to the notification unit 15. In response to this, the notification unit 15 drives the light source 16 to notify by emitting light indicating that a predetermined operation has been performed in the printer 2, and drives the sound source 17 to generate a predetermined value in the printer 2. Is notified by emitting a sound indicating that the operation has been performed (step S).
16). The worker who has received this notification can know that the work request form has been printed by the printer 2 by viewing or listening to this notification.

In addition, a plurality of waveform pattern data and identification information for identifying the waveform pattern are stored in advance in the storage unit 14 in association with each other, and the waveform pattern that matches the time change data of the detected current value is identified and matched. You may make it notify the alerting | reporting part 15 of the identification information of a waveform pattern. By notifying the notification unit 15 of the identification information of the matched waveform pattern in this way, the notification according to the matched waveform pattern in the notification unit 15 can be performed. For example, the waveform pattern during the printing operation and the waveform pattern during the flushing operation are stored in the storage unit 14, and the notification operation can be performed only when the waveform pattern matches the waveform pattern during the printing operation. Further, in order to perform notification in a state where the printing operation and the flushing operation can be distinguished, if the light source having a different color of emitted light and the sound source having a different melody are provided, the operation performed by the printer 2 can be performed. Accordingly, the operator can identify the action performed in the printer 2 by the color of the emitted light and the sounding melody. It becomes possible.

The current threshold value and waveform pattern data stored in the storage unit 14 are stored in the input unit 1.
The value may be changed to an arbitrary value or data value input from 2. Thereby, even when the operation monitoring target device is not a printer, it is possible to perform the operation determination based on the threshold value or waveform pattern data corresponding to the target device.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the modification of the apparatus operation | movement detection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated. In the device operation detection device shown in FIG. 2, an AC plug 22 connected to an electric wire 21 for supplying AC power to the printer 2 is inserted into an AC plug connection portion 22a included in the device operation detection device 1, and the device operation detection device 1 is connected. This is an example in which the AC plug 19a included in is connected to an AC power source. The apparatus operation detection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 determines the difference between the current transformer 18a that performs current detection and the current change detected by the current transformer 18a by the determination unit 11b, and based on the determination result of the determination unit 11b, the light source By driving the sound source 16 and the sound source 17, the printer 2
Is to notify that a predetermined operation has been performed. With such a configuration, it is possible to monitor the operation of the operation monitoring target device with a simple configuration.

As described above, the current flowing through the wire for supplying AC power to the operation monitoring target device is detected, and based on this detected current value, it is detected that the operation monitoring target device has performed a predetermined operation. It is possible to monitor the operation of the target device by retrofitting without modifying the installed and operating device. In addition, since it is possible to monitor printing operations, printed materials such as work request forms are created on a personal computer, etc., and are created from the work request source department to the printer installed in the work request destination department. A printed matter such as a work request form can be printed, and the work request destination department can quickly know that the work request has arrived.

In addition, since a sound or light is emitted when the operation monitoring target device performs a predetermined operation, it is possible to know that the predetermined operation has been executed even at a position away from the operation monitoring target device. In addition, since a threshold value for determining whether or not a predetermined operation has been executed can be arbitrarily set, it is possible to easily perform operation monitoring even if the operation monitoring target device changes. Furthermore, since the operation status of the device can be determined according to the matched waveform pattern, it is possible to notify that the operation to be notified of a plurality of operations of the operation monitoring target device has been executed. It becomes possible.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the apparatus operation | movement detection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the apparatus operation | movement detection apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device operation | movement detection apparatus, 11 ... CPU, 11a ... Determination part, 11b ... Determination part, 12 ... Input part, 13 ... Display part, 14 ... Memory | storage part, 15 ... notification part, 1
6 ... Light source, 17 ... Sound source, 18 ... Current detector, 18a ... Current transformer, 1
9 ... Clamp, 19a ... AC plug, 2 ... Printer, 21 ... Electric wire, 22
... AC plug, 22a ... AC plug connection part, 31, 32 ... PC, ...
·network

Claims (6)

Current measuring means for measuring the current of the wire of the operation monitoring target device;
Determination means for determining whether the value of the current exceeds a threshold value;
An apparatus operation detection device comprising: an informing means for informing the operation of the apparatus based on the determination result. 2. The device operation detecting means according to claim 1, wherein the notifying means comprises one or both of a sound generating means for generating sound and a light emitting means for emitting light. The apparatus operation detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a threshold setting unit that changes the threshold. Waveform pattern storage means for storing in advance a waveform pattern composed of the value of time change of current;
The determination means has a matched waveform when the time change of the current value after the measured current value exceeds a threshold value matches the time change value of the current stored in the waveform pattern storage means. 4. The operation status of the device is determined according to a pattern.
The apparatus operation | movement detection apparatus in any one of. The apparatus operation detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation monitoring target apparatus is a printer. A current measurement step for measuring the current of the wire of the operation monitoring target device;
A determination step of determining whether the value of the current exceeds a threshold value;
And a notification step of notifying the operation of the device based on the determination result.

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