JP2785330B2 - Copy data management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a copy data management system for centrally managing a plurality of copying machines.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in order to centrally manage a large number of copiers located in various places in a large-scale office or the like, the number of copies in each copier or copy data of a user or the like is used by using an extension. For example, a copy data management system in which a monitor counts the number of copies for each department is put to practical use.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the copy data management system of the polling method as described above, the central management device cannot be called from the terminal device. For example, the failure of the copier or the arrival of the maintenance time is input from the copier side. It was impossible to do.

According to the present invention, the central control device can be called from a terminal device provided in each copying machine. Therefore, information on the number of copies and information other than the user, such as occurrence of a failure requiring repair, arrival of maintenance time, etc. , And copy data.) Is provided.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, data of the number of copies in a copying machine and information on maintenance information in the copying machine are transmitted to a centralized management device that collects data on a plurality of the copying machines via a communication line. In a copy data management system having a terminal device, the terminal device includes a clock unit for clocking a current date and time, a storage unit for storing a preset transmission date and time, and a current date and time clocked by the clock unit. Prohibition means for prohibiting a copy operation in the copying machine when the transmission date and time stored by the storage means has been reached and the communication line is free; and when the copy operation is prohibited by the prohibition means, the data is centrally managed. Transmitting means for transmitting to the device.

In the above invention, the terminal device may be a magnetic card that permits the terminal device to perform a copy operation when the current date and time measured by the timing device reaches the transmission date and time stored by the storage device and the communication circuit is free. And a discharging unit for discharging the magnetic card when the is inserted.

[Operation] With the above-described configuration, the prohibition unit of the terminal device is configured to perform the operation when the current date and time measured by the clock unit reaches the transmission date and time stored by the storage unit and the communication line is free. The copying operation in the copying machine is prohibited, and then the transmitting means transmits the data to the central management device when the copying operation is prohibited by the prohibiting means.

In addition, the discharge unit of the terminal device may be a magnetic device that permits the terminal device to perform a copy operation when the current date and time measured by the clock unit reaches the transmission date and time stored by the storage unit and the communication line is free. If a card is inserted, eject the magnetic card.

Therefore, it is not the centralized management device that determines that the data is transmitted from the terminal device to the centralized management device, but the terminal device itself. When the copying operation of the copying machine is prohibited, the data is transferred to the centralized management device. Since it is sent to the management device,
Unnecessarily occupying the communication line can be prevented.

[Embodiment] A copy data management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of copy data management system (2) Communication procedure in copy data management system (3) Format of communication data in copy data management system (4) Online controller processing (5) Copy data controller processing (6) Center Processing of Control Device (1) Configuration of Copy Data Management System FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copy data management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, this copy data monitoring system
Copiers 10a to 10d (hereinafter collectively referred to as 10.)
A terminal system 1 for calculating copy data such as the number of copies, a jam generation circuit, and a trouble generation circuit in
It consists of a center system 2 that compiles copy data about each copier 10 calculated by the terminal system 1, and each system 1, 2 is connected by telephone lines 4a, 4b, 4c via an exchange 3 installed by a telecommunications carrier. The copy data is transmitted and received.

The terminal system 1 includes a copying machine 10 and copy data controllers 20a to 20d (hereinafter, collectively referred to as 20).
And online controllers 30a and 30b (hereinafter collectively referred to as 30) and telephones 40a and 40b (hereinafter referred to as generically referred to as 40).

The copy data controller 20 has a one-to-one
Calculating the copy data of the connected copier 10 and detecting the operation state of the copier 10 such as turning on / off the power of the copier 10 and whether or not copying is in progress; According to the type of the magnetic card inserted into the controller 20 and the control processing state described later, the copying machine 10 is controlled to permit or prohibit the copying operation. Each copy data controller 20 has a unique serial number.

The online controller 30 is connected to one or more copy data controllers 20 and one telephone 40a, 40b (hereinafter, collectively referred to as 40), and connects the telephone 40 to the telephone lines 4a, 4b in the telephone mode. Exchange 3 via
On the other hand, in the communication mode, the copy data controller 20 and the center control device 50 are connected to control communication between the devices 20 and 50. The online controller 40 has a maximum of 10 copy data controllers.
20 are connected, and the names of ten channels for connecting the respective controllers 20 are hereinafter referred to as channels 1 to 10.

The center system 2 includes a center control device 50, a personal computer 60, and a CRT display device 70.

The center control device 50 controls the exchange 3 via the telephone line 4c.
After receiving the copy data transmitted from the terminal system 1 and storing the copy data, the copy data is totalized at a preset deadline time. The personal computer 60 includes the center control device 50
And controls the operation of the center control device 50, and displays the totalized copy data output from the device 50 on the CRT display device 70.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the copy data controller 20.

In FIG. 2, a copy data controller 20 is a microcomputer for controlling the operation of the controller 20.
21 is provided. The microcomputer 21 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU) 101 for controlling the operation of the microcomputer 21, and a read-only memory for storing a control program of the CPU 101 and data necessary for executing the control program. (Hereinafter referred to as ROM) 102,
A random access memory (hereinafter, referred to as RAM) 103 which stores a flag for controlling the CPU 101 and the copy data and is used as a working area of the CPU 101, and a parallel / serial converter and a serial / parallel converter for performing data communication with an external device. It has serial input / output port circuits 104 and 105 for performing processing such as conversion, and each device 101 to 103 and each circuit 1
04 and 105 are connected via the internal bus B1.

The serial input / output port circuit 104 is connected to the copying machine 10 for performing the transmission and reception of the copy data and controlling the operation of the copying machine 10, and the display buffer memory 24 for displaying predetermined data described later. The LED display 25 is connected via the. Also, the serial input / output port circuit 10
Reference numeral 4 denotes an insertion sensor (not shown) for detecting that a magnetic card has been inserted, and a magnetic head (not shown) for reading data stored in the magnetic card and writing data to the magnetic card. Is connected, and a transport motor 23 for inserting and ejecting the magnetic card into and from the device 22 is connected. Further, an online controller 30 is connected to the serial input / output port circuit 105 via the interface circuit 26 in order to transmit and receive data.

Copy data controller 20 configured as above
Has the following three operation modes.

(A) Setting mode: a mode for setting the current time, setting the transmission time, setting the telephone number for scheduled transmission, and setting the telephone number for alarm transmission.

(B) Communication mode: a mode for transmitting and receiving data to and from the center control device 50 via the online controller 30.

(C) Processing mode: an operation mode other than the setting mode and the communication mode, and a mode for performing internal processing of the copy data controller 20.

The following two types of magnetic cards are provided.

(A) Aggregation card: a card for displaying the copy data stored in the copy data controller 20.

(B) Department card: Since the number of copies is counted for each department of the user's organization, a different code (hereinafter, referred to as a different code) for each department.
It is called department code. ) Is stored in the department card, and when the department card is inserted into the card data input / output device 22, the copying operation of the copying machine 10 is permitted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the online controller 30.

In FIG. 3, an online controller 30 is a microcomputer 31 for controlling the operation of the controller 30.
Is provided. The microcomputer 31 includes a CPU 201 that controls the operation of the microcomputer 31, a ROM 202 that stores a control program of the CPU 201 and data necessary to execute the control program, a flag for controlling the CPU 201, and a preset value. Data such as the transmission time
A RAM 203 used as a working area of the CPU 201,
A real-time clock 204 for measuring the current time; a serial input / output port circuit 205 for performing processes such as parallel / serial conversion and serial / parallel conversion for performing data communication with an external device; and maintenance for performing various settings during maintenance Switch 206, and a monitor LED 207 for displaying a line connection state with the center control device 50 and a setting state at the time of the maintenance described above, and each device and circuits 201 to 207 are connected via an internal bus B2.

Each copy data controller 20 is connected to the serial input / output port circuit 205 via the interface circuit 34 and the multiplexer 35 in order to transmit and receive data to and from each copy data controller 20. When the number of the copy data controllers 20 connected to the online controller 30 is one, the multiplexer 35 is not provided, and
The interface circuit 34 is directly connected to the copy data controller 20. Also, the serial input / output port circuit
The modem 205 includes a network control unit (hereinafter, referred to as NCU) having a line connection function such as a dialer for performing data communication with the center control device 50. 33 is connected.

A telephone 40 is connected to the modem 33,
The exchange 3 is connected via a telephone line. Modem 33
In response to a control command from the microcomputer 31, the telephone 40 is normally connected to a telephone line so that a telephone call can be made by the telephone 40, while the communication from the center control device 50 is in a communication mode for performing data communication with the center control device 50. At the time of an incoming call or at the time of a call from the online controller 30, a line connection process is performed, data input from the microcomputer 31 is modulated by a predetermined modulation method, and transmitted to the center control device 50 via the telephone line and the exchange 3. At the same time, data received from the center control device 50 is demodulated and output to the microcomputer 31. At the end of this communication mode, the line connection with the telephone line is released and the telephone
Connect the telephone line to 40.

Online controller 30 configured as above
Has three operation modes, a setting mode, a call mode, and a processing mode, like the copy data controller 20. In the communication mode, the online controller 30 has the following two transmission modes.

(A) Scheduled transmission mode: Data is transferred to the center controller 50
When phone 40 is in use when trying to send to
After waiting for 5 minutes, the use state of the telephone 40 is checked, and if the telephone 40 is not in use at this time, the data is transferred to the center control device.
This is the mode to send to 50.

(B) Alarm transmission mode: a mode in which data is transmitted to the center control device 50 as soon as the telephone 40 is in use when the telephone 40 is in use when transmitting data to the center control device 50. is there.

FIG. 4A is a front view of the maintenance switch 206 and the monitor LED 207 in the online controller 30.

As shown in FIG. 4 (A), 10
Monitor LEDs L1 to L10 are arranged, while two monitor LEDs L11 and L12 and two switches ADJ and SEL are arranged on the left side of the panel. The monitor LEDs L1 to L10 display the line connection status with the center control device 50 and indicate the item and digit selected in the setting mode. The monitor LEDs L11 and L12 display the mode status in the setting mode, and
Displays the error status during self test of 31. The setting switch ADJ is a switch for setting items and numerical values selected by the selection switch SEL and for starting execution of the self-test. Selection switch SE
L is a switch for selecting a value from "0" to "9" and six types of self-tests from "A" to "F".

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the operation method of the maintenance switch 206 and the display of the monitor LED 207.

As shown in FIG. 4 (B), by setting the selection switch SEL to an arbitrary value and pressing the setting switch ADJ,
The decade of the date or the first digit of the telephone number can be set, and then the selection switch SEL is set to an arbitrary value and the setting switch ADJ is pressed, and the year of the date or the telephone is set. The second digit of the number can be set, and so on. In the column of the operation method in FIG.
An example of inputting 14:28 on March 14, 1989 was shown.

 FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the center control device 50.

In FIG. 5, the center control device 50 includes a microcomputer 51 for controlling the operation of the device 50. The microcomputer 51 stores a CPU 301 for controlling the operation of the microcomputer 51, a ROM 302 for storing a control program of the CPU 301 and data necessary for executing the control program, and a flag and data for controlling the CPU 301. RA used as a working area for CPU 301
M303 and real-time clock 304 that measures the current time
A serial input / output port circuit 305 for performing processing such as parallel / serial conversion and serial / parallel conversion for performing data communication with an external device; and a bubble memory for storing the copy data received from the copy data controller 20. And an interface circuit 306 for connecting to the file device 61 composed of
And the circuits 305 and 306 are connected via the internal bus B3.

To the serial input / output port circuit 305, a modem 52 having a built-in NCU is connected to perform data communication with the online controller 30. The modem 52 performs line connection processing when calling from the online controller 30, and
Similarly to 33, data output from the microcomputer 51 of the center control device 50 is modulated by a predetermined modulation method, and the data is output to the online controller via the telephone line and the exchange 3.
At the same time as transmitting to the microcomputer 30, the data received from the online controller 30 is demodulated and output to the microcomputer 51, and the line connection with the telephone line is released at the end of the communication. The serial input / output port circuit 305 has an RS-2 to communicate data with the personal computer 60.
A personal computer 60 is connected via the 32C interface circuit 53.

(2) Communication Procedure in Copy Data Management System An example of a communication procedure during normal processing in the copy data management system configured as described above will be described with reference to the communication sequence diagrams in FIGS. 6 (A) to 6 (C). This will be described below.
Here, it is assumed that ten copy data controllers 20 are connected to the online controller 30.

In step S1 of FIG. 6A, the online controller 30
20. The connection confirmation processing is periodically performed. That is,
First, the online controller 20 transmits a processing mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 of channel 1. In response, the copy data controller 20 of channel 1 sends a processing mode answer signal indicating that the processing mode request signal has been received to the online controller.
Send to 30. Next, the online controller 30
Similarly, by transmitting a processing mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 of channel 2, the controller 20
Receives the processing mode answer signal from the. Further, the online controller 30 transmits a processing mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 of the channel 3. At this time, if the processing mode answer signal is not received within three seconds after the transmission of the request signal, the processing mode request signal is transmitted again and the answer signal is waited. The same applies in the following for a total of 3
If the answer signal is not received within 3 seconds after transmitting the processing mode request signal twice, it is determined that connection to the copy data controller 20 of channel 3 is impossible, and the cancel signal is sent to channel 3. The data is transmitted to the copy data controller 20. Similarly, the copy data controller 20 for the channels 4 to 10
Perform connection confirmation processing.

In step S2 of FIG. 6 (B), at a predetermined transmission start time, the online controller 30 causes the modem 33 to perform a process of line connection with the center control device 50.
Next, in step S3, the center controller 50 transmits a time request signal to the online controller 30, and in response, the online controller 30 transmits time data to the center controller 50.

Next, in step S4, the center control device 50
Transmits a mode confirmation signal to the online controller 30 to switch the operation mode of the copy data controller 20 of channel 1 to the communication mode. In response, the online controller 30 transmits a communication mode request signal to the copy data controller 20, and in response, the copy data controller 20 sets its own operation mode to the communication mode, An answer signal is transmitted to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30.

Next, in step S5, the center control device 50
Is transmitted to the copy data controller 20 via the online controller 30 and transmits a serial number request signal requesting that the serial number of the copy data controller 20 be notified.
Transmits the serial number data to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30. Next, between the center control device 50 and the copy data controller 20,
The transmission and reception of the copy data are performed. Here, the center control device 50 transmits a predetermined data request signal, which will be described in detail later, to the copy data controller 20, and in response, the copy data controller 20 transmits the copy data corresponding to the received data request signal to the center. Control device 50
It is done in the form of sending to.

After all copy data has been transmitted and received, in step S6, the center control device 50 sends a count clear request signal to clear all the contents of the counter that counts copy data in the copy data controller 20. The copy data controller 20 transmits the clear answer signal to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 after clearing all the contents of the counter. Send to Then
The center control device 50 transmits a line switching request signal to the online controller 30 to switch the channel to the copy data controller 20 of the next channel, that is, the copy data controller 20 of channel 2. In response, the online controller 30
In response to this, the copy data controller 20 of channel 1 transmits a processing mode answer signal to the center controller 50 via the online controller 30. At this time, the online controller 30 controls the multiplexer 35 to switch to the copy data controller 20 for channel 2.

Next, in step S7, the above-described processing for transmitting and receiving the copy data is performed with respect to the copy data controllers 20 of channels 2 to 10 (excluding those for which the connection could not be confirmed) in the same manner as described above.
Further, the center control device 50 transmits a mode confirmation signal to the online controller 30, receives a communication mode answer signal, transmits a serial number request signal,
And receiving the serial number data in order. Here, if the serial number of the copy data controller 20 whose copy data transmission / reception has already been received is received, it is determined that all copy data transmission / reception has been completed. In step S8, a line release request signal is transmitted to the online controller 30 to switch the operation mode of the copy data controller 20 (in this case, channel 1) to the processing mode. In response, the online controller 30 transmits a processing mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 of channel 1, and in response, the copy data controller 20 transmits the processing mode answer signal to the center via the online controller 30. Control device
Send to 50. With the above operation, a series of transmission / reception processing of the copy data is completed, and the center control device 50
To release the line connection.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are communication sequence diagrams showing an example of a communication procedure at the time of abnormal processing in the copy data management system.

As shown in FIG. 7, when a communication mode request signal is transmitted from the online controller 30 to the copy data controller 20 of channel 1, the communication mode answer signal is not received within three seconds after the transmission of the request signal. In this case, the communication mode request signal is transmitted again, and the system waits for the answer signal. After transmitting the communication mode request signal a total of three times in the same manner, if the answer signal is not received within three seconds, it is determined that connection to the copy data controller 20 of channel 1 is impossible, and A cancel signal is sent to the copy data controller 20 of channel 1 and a negative acknowledgment signal is sent to the center controller 50.
Send to Next, the center control device 50 transmits a line switching request signal to the online controller 30 to switch to the copy data controller 20 of the next channel.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when connection with all the copy data controllers 20 from channel 1 to channel 10 is impossible, a line release request signal is transmitted to the online controller 30, and in response to this, The online controller 30 transmits a line release answer signal to the center control device 50. In response to receiving the line release answer signal, center control device 50 causes modem 52 to disconnect the line.

(3) Format of Communication Data in Copy Data Management System FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a format of communication data in the copy data management system. In FIG. 9, (a) to (d) show the copy data controller 20. From the center controller via the online controller 30
(E) is data transmitted from the online controller 30 to the center control device 50. At the head of each data, a reception command indicating the content of each data is arranged.

FIG. 9A shows the format of the total number of copies data, which comprises a received command, the serial number of the copy data controller 20, and data of the total number of copies.

FIG. 9 (b) shows the format of data of the number of occurrences of jams for each location (in a predetermined range preset in a plurality of locations in the copying machine 10). It is composed of a plurality of blocks each consisting of a code and the number of occurrences of a jam at that location.

FIG. 9 (c) shows the format of location-specific trouble occurrence frequency data, which is composed of a received code and a plurality of blocks each of which includes a location code and the frequency of occurrence of a trouble at that location.

FIG. 9 (d) shows the format of the copy number data by section size, which is composed of a received command, a section code, and four copy numbers each of five types of sizes of the section. Consists of blocks.

FIG. 9 (e) shows the format of the time data. The data includes a received command and two-digit “year”, “month”, “day”, “hour”, “minute”, “Seconds”
Is composed of each data.

(4) Processing of Online Controller 30 FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B) are flowcharts showing a main routine of the online controller 30.

In FIG. 10 (A), when the power of the online controller 30 is turned on and the program starts,
First, in step S100, the online controller
After the initial setting of each circuit in 30 is performed, it is determined in step S101 whether the setting mode is selected.
Here, the setting mode is, as described above, the setting of the time of the real-time clock 204, the setting of the transmission time to the center control position 50, the time-based transmission mode when transmitting to the center control device 50, and the telephone in the alarm transmission mode. In the mode for performing the number, when the adjustment switch ADJ or the setting switch SET of the maintenance switch 206 is pressed at the time of the initial setting, the setting mode is selected,
Proceed to step S102.

In step S102, the copy data controller 20
After transmitting the setting mode request signal to
At 03, check the setting mode flag. This setting mode flag becomes “1” when a setting mode answer signal is received from the copy data controller 20 in a communication interrupt process described later. If the setting mode flag is “0”, a time-over check is performed in step S109. Here, if the setting mode answer signal is not received within a specified time (3 seconds in this embodiment) from the copy data controller 20 after transmitting the setting mode request signal, the time is over and the process returns to step S102. Transmits a setting mode request signal to the copy data controller 20. Until the time is over, the program flow loops from step S103 to step S109, and the copy data controller 20
Wait for the answer signal from When the setting mode flag becomes “1” (Yes in step S103), step S104
After resetting the setting mode flag in Steps S105 to S108, respectively, the current time setting processing, the transmission time setting processing, the telephone number setting processing for scheduled transmission,
Then, the respective processes of the alarm transmission telephone number setting process are performed, and the process proceeds to step S110. Steps 105 to S108
Each subroutine will be described later in detail. The same applies to the following subroutines.

When the processing of the setting mode is completed or in step S1
If the setting mode was not selected in 01,
In steps S110 to S112, a copy data controller connection confirmation process, a modem connection confirmation process, and a time confirmation process are performed, and the process proceeds to step S113.

In steps S113 and S115, the on-time transmission flag and the alarm transmission flag are checked. Here, the on-time transmission flag becomes “1” when the current time coincides with the transmission time in the time confirmation processing in step S112, while the alarm transmission flag is transmitted from the copy data controller 20 by the communication interruption processing described later. Becomes "1" when receiving. When both the scheduled transmission flag and the alarm transmission flag are “0”, the process returns to step S110. On the other hand, when one of the on-time transmission flag and the alarm transmission flag is “1”, after resetting the flag in step S114 or S116, the process proceeds to step S117 to perform line connection with the center control device 50. Call processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S118.

In step S118, a call flag is checked. This call flag indicates whether or not the line has been connected to the center control device 50 in the call processing. If the flag is “0”, the line could not be connected.
Return to 10. On the other hand, when the call flag is “1”, since the line is connected to the center control device 50, step S119
After resetting the call flag in step, the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S120, the count value n of the channel counter is set to "1", and the process proceeds to step S121. This channel counter is a counter for performing data communication with the center control device 50 by sequentially switching the plurality of copy data controllers 20, and the count value n of the counter indicates the channel number of the copy data controller 20.

Next, in steps S121, S124, and S127, a mode request flag, a switching request flag, and a release request flag are checked, respectively. These flags become “1” when a mode confirmation signal, a line switching request signal, and a line release request signal are received from the center control device 50 in the communication interruption process, respectively. Here, when the mode request flag is “1”, the mode request flag is reset in step S122, and after performing the copy data controller connection process in step S123,
Return to S121. If the switching request flag is "1", the switching request flag is reset in step S125, and after performing the copy data controller disconnection process in step S126, the process returns to step S121. Further, when the release request flag is "1", the release request flag is reset in step S128, the copy data controller is disconnected in step S129, and the line is released to the center control device 50 in step S130. An answer signal is transmitted, the line connected in step S131 is disconnected, and the process returns to step S110.

If all the flags are “0” in steps S121, S124, and S127, the process directly proceeds to step S121.
Return to

The above is the processing of the main routine of the online controller 30, and the processing of each subroutine in the main routine will be described below.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a copy data controller connection confirmation process (step S110 in FIG. 10 (A)).

In step S150 of FIG. 11, first, it is checked whether or not the multiplexer 35 in the online controller 30 is connected.
Yes), after setting the count value n of the channel counter to “1” in step S151, the process proceeds to step S152. Steps
In S152, switching is performed to connect the copy data controller 20 of channel n, and in step S153, a processing mode request signal is transmitted to the selected copy data controller 20.

Next, in step S154, a processing mode answer signal is received from the copy data controller 20, and it is checked whether or not the processing mode flag is "1". The processing mode flag is set to “1” when the answer signal is received in the communication interrupt processing, similarly to the above-described flag. While the processing mode flag is "0", the program flow loops from step S157 to step S154. If the time is over in step S157 after the transmission of the processing mode request signal for at least three seconds, the program flow proceeds to step S158. It is checked whether or not the processing mode request signal has been retransmitted (two times in the present embodiment) (hereinafter referred to as retry). This is based on the assumption that the copy data controller 20 cannot normally receive the transmitted processing mode request signal for some reason and cannot transmit the processing mode answer signal. If the number of retries has not reached the predetermined number, the process returns to step S153, and the process from the transmission of the processing mode request signal is repeated again. On the other hand, if the processing mode answer signal cannot be received from the copy data controller 20 even after performing the predetermined number of retries, it is determined that the copy data controller 20 is not connected,
After transmitting the cancel signal to the copy data controller 20 in step S159, the connection flag of channel n indicating the connection state of the copy data controller 20 of channel n is reset in S160, and the process proceeds to step S161. On the other hand, if the processing mode flag is “1” in step S160, the processing mode flag is reset in step S155, and the connection flag of channel n is set to “1” in step S156.
Proceed to S161.

Next, in step S161, 1 is added to the count value n of the channel counter. If the count value n is "11" in step S162, the confirmation of connection is completed for the copy data controllers 20 of all channels. And returns to the main routine. On the other hand, when the count value n is equal to or less than "10", the copy data controller 20 of the next channel is sent to the copy data controller 20 in step S1.
The processing from 52 is repeated in the same manner.

If the multiplexer 35 is not connected in step S150, in steps S163 to S170, the same connection confirmation processing as that in steps S153 to S160 is performed on one copy data controller 20. Then, the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the modem connection confirmation processing (step S111 in FIG. 10 (A)).

In step S180 of FIG. 12, first, it is checked whether or not the modem 33 is connected in the online controller 30, and if not, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if the modem 33 is connected, it is checked in step S181 whether or not the modem 33 has been initialized.If not, the process of initializing the modem 33 is performed in step S182. After performing, the process returns to the main routine. If the initialization of the modem 33 has been completed in step S181, the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 13 shows a time confirmation process (step S11 in FIG. 10 (A)).
It is a flowchart which shows 2).

In step S200 in FIG. 13, first, the current time is read from the real-time clock 204, and then the process proceeds to step S20.
In step 1, it is checked whether one minute has elapsed from the previously read time, that is, whether the "minute" data has changed. This is a process for confirming the transmission time only once a minute. In step S201, if one minute has not elapsed since the previous reading time, the process returns to the main routine as it is. On the other hand, if one minute has elapsed, the transmission time is confirmed in step S202 and thereafter.

First, in step S202, a preset transmission time is read using the maintenance switch 206,
The read out time and the current time read out in step S200 are compared. Data to compare are "day", "day of the week",
“Hour” and “minute”, which correspond to steps S203, S205,
It is checked whether or not each of the data set in steps S207 and S209 is “Don't Care”. When the set data is “undefined”, it is determined that the transmission condition is satisfied regardless of the corresponding data at the current time to be compared. For example,
If a predetermined value is set for the “day” data and the “day of the week” data is set to “undefined”, the transmission condition is satisfied only once a month, and the “day” data is set to “undefined”. If a predetermined value is set for the data of "day of the week", the transmission condition is satisfied only once a week. When each of the preset data is not “undefined”, the processing is performed in steps S204, S206, and S20, respectively.
At 8 and S210, it is checked whether or not the data matches the data corresponding to the current time. If not, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, when the preset time coincides with the current time, the routine returns to the main routine after setting the periodic transmission flag to "1" in order to set the periodic transmission mode in step S211.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a call processing (step S117 in FIG. 10 (A)) for making a line connection with the center control device 50.

In step S220 in FIG. 14, first, it is checked whether or not the modem 33 has been initialized. If not, the process returns to the main routine as it is. On the other hand, when the modem 33 has been initialized, step S221
Check whether the copy data controller 20 is connected. That is, the connection flag is checked. When the multiplexer 35 is not connected, the connection flag of one copy data controller 20 is “0”. When the multiplexer 35 is connected, the connection flags of the copy data controllers 20 of all channels are set. When it is "0", it is determined that the copy data controller 20 is not connected, and the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, when at least one copy data controller 20 is connected, it is checked in step S221 whether the telephone 40 connected to the modem 33 is in use. Here, the telephone 40
The check as to whether or not is in use is determined by a predetermined signal transmitted from the modem 33.

If the telephone 40 is in use, it is determined in step S225 whether the alarm transmission flag is "1" to determine whether the transmission mode is the alarm transmission mode or the scheduled transmission mode. Here, when in the alarm transmission mode, a step is performed in order to immediately transmit predetermined data when the telephone 40 is in an unused state.
The process returns to S222 and waits for the telephone 40 to become unused.
On the other hand, in the case of the scheduled transmission mode, it is checked in step S226 whether or not the telephone 40 has been rechecked a predetermined number of times (10 times in the present embodiment). If the recheck has been performed a predetermined number of times or more, the process returns to the main routine. Meanwhile, step
If the number of rechecks has not reached the predetermined number in S226, the process waits for 5 minutes in step S227, and then returns to step S222 again. Thus, in the alarm transmission mode in which data communication needs to be performed urgently while the telephone 40 is in use, the process proceeds to step S223 as soon as the telephone 40 becomes unused and the telephone line becomes free, and the center control device is operated. In step S223, if the telephone 40 is in an unused state after waiting for 5 minutes in the on-time transmission mode, the process proceeds to step S223 to perform the calling process.

After the calling process in step S223, in step S224, it is checked whether a call flag indicating whether or not the line is connected to the center control device 50 is "1",
When it is “1”, return to the main routine.
When the flag is “0”, the process proceeds to step S226. This call flag becomes “1” when the line is normally connected to the center control device 50 in a calling process described later.

In step S240 of FIG. 15, first, it is checked whether the transmission mode is the scheduled transmission mode or the alarm transmission mode by checking the alarm transmission flag.If the transmission mode is the scheduled transmission mode, the modem 33 is determined in step S241. After dialing the telephone number for on-time transmission to the dialer in, the process proceeds to step S243. on the other hand,
If the mode is the alarm transmission mode in step S240, the dialer in the modem 33 is caused to dial the alarm transmission telephone number in step S242, and then the process proceeds to step S243.

In step S243, after the dial, the center control device 50 receives a predetermined response signal from the center control device 50,
The modem 33 is checked whether or not the line is normally connected to 50. Here, the program flow loops from step S245 to step S234 until the line is normally connected to the center control device 50, that is, until the call is made. (Ye in step S245)
s) After the line is disconnected in step S246, the call flag is reset in step S247, and the process returns to the main routine. on the other hand,
If the line is normally connected to the center control device 50 in step S243 (Yes in step S243), the call flag is set to "1" in step S244, and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the copy data controller connection processing (step S123 in FIG. 10 (B)).

In FIG. 16, first, in step S260, it is checked whether or not the multiplexer 35 is connected, and if it is, the process proceeds to step S261. In step S261, it is checked whether or not the connection flag of the copy data controller 20 for channel n is "1". If the connection flag is "0", the flow proceeds to step S270. On the other hand, if the connection flag is “1” in step S261, the multiplexer 35 is switched to connect the copy data controller 20 of the channel n in step S262, and then the copy data controller 20 is switched in step S263. Then, the communication mode request signal is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S264.

In step S264, the copy data controller 20
Check whether the communication mode flag indicating whether or not the communication mode answer signal is received from is "1",
When the value is “1”, the answer signal has been received, so that the communication mode flag is reset in step S265, and the communication mode indicating that the copy data controller 20 is connected to the center control device 50 in step S266. Transmit the answer signal and return to the main routine.

On the other hand, in step S264, the communication mode flag is “0”.
Since the answer signal has not been received when
Proceeding to step S267, it is checked whether a predetermined time (3 seconds in the present embodiment) has elapsed after the transmission of the communication mode request signal, that is, whether the time is over. If the time is not over, the process proceeds to step S264, and the program flow loops from step S264 to step S267 until the communication mode flag becomes “1” or the time is over.

If the time is over in step S267, it is checked in step S268 whether or not the number of retransmissions of the communication mode request signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (in the present embodiment, two). If the number does not exceed the number of times, the process proceeds to step S263, and the communication mode request signal is transmitted again. On the other hand, if the number has exceeded the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S269, and after transmitting a cancel signal to the copy data controller 20, the process proceeds to step S270.

After adding 1 to the count value n of the channel counter in step S270, the count value n is added in step S271.
Is checked to see if it is "11" and the count n is "10".
When it is below, it returns to step S261. On the other hand, the count value n
Is "11", the connection processing has been performed for all the copy data controllers 20, and the count value n is set to "1" in step S272, and the process returns to step S261.

On the other hand, when the multiplexer 35 is not connected in step S260, in the processing from step S273 to step S279, one copy data controller 20
Then, after performing the same processing as the above-described steps S263 to S269, the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the copy data controller disconnection process (steps S126 and S129 in FIG. 10 (B)).

In step S300 of FIG. 17, first, it is checked whether or not the multiplexer 35 is connected, and if it is, the process proceeds to step S301. In step S301, after transmitting the processing mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 of the channel n, in step S302,
It is checked whether or not the processing mode flag indicating whether or not the processing mode answer signal has been received is “1”. If the processing mode flag is “1” in step S302, the process proceeds to step S303, and after resetting the processing mode flag, a line switching answer signal is transmitted to the center control device 50 in step S304, and step S307 is performed.
Proceed to.

On the other hand, when the processing mode flag is “0” in step S302, it is determined whether or not the time is over in step S305, that is, a predetermined time after the transmission of the processing mode request signal (in this embodiment, 3 seconds). Is determined to have elapsed, and if the time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S302, and the program flow loops from step S302 to step S305 until the processing mode flag becomes “1” or the time is over. I do.

If the time is over in step S305, it is determined in step S306 whether or not the processing mode request signal has been retransmitted a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, two times). If not, the process proceeds to step S301 for retrying to retransmit the processing mode request signal. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S306 that the processing mode request signal has been retransmitted a predetermined number of times or more, 1 is added to the count value n of the channel counter in step S307, and the count value n is set to “11” in step S308. "Is determined.

If the count value n is not "11" in step S308, the process returns to the main routine, while if the count value n is "11", "1" is set to the count value n in step S309. Then, the process returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S300 that the multiplexer 35 is not connected, the process proceeds from step S301 to step S3 for one copy data controller 20.
After performing the processing from step S310 to step S315, which is the same processing as 06, the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 18 shows the current time setting process (steps in FIG. 10 (A)).
It is a flowchart which shows S105).

In step S320 of FIG. 18, first, when data of the current time is input one digit at a time, the count value POS of the position counter indicating the digit is set to “1”. Next, in step S321, the process waits for the setting switch ADJ to be pressed. When the setting switch ADJ is pressed, the data of one digit of the current time is input in step S322, and the set value of the selection switch SEL is input. Data that was
Set to the digit corresponding to the count value POS of the position counter in the current time data stored in M230,
Real-time clock based on the input data
The data of the corresponding digit in 204 is rewritten. Next, in order to display the data at the set time on the display 25 of the data controller 20 in the switch S324, the input data is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S325.
After adding 1 to the count value POS of the position counter in step S326, it is determined whether or not the count value POS is "11" in step S326. When the count value POS is "11", the process directly returns.
On the other hand, when it is equal to or less than "10", the process returns to step S321.

FIG. 19 to FIG. 21 show the transmission time setting processing (FIG.
10 (A), step S106 in FIG. 10 (A), on-time transmission telephone number setting processing (step S107 in FIG. 10 (A)), and alarm transmission telephone number setting processing (step S108 in FIG. 10 (A)).
In each of these processes, a transmission time, a telephone number for scheduled transmission, and a telephone number for alarm transmission are set in the same manner as the current time setting process of FIG. In step S366 in FIG. 20 and step S386 in FIG. 21, it is determined whether or not the count value POS of the position counter is “17”.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a communication interruption process in the online controller 30. This process is started when data is received from the copy data controller 20 or the center control device 50 and the online controller 30 is interrupted.

In step S400 in FIG. 22, first, after temporarily saving data stored in a register or the like used in the interrupt processing, in step S401, for example, a parity error or reception of unset data is performed. It is checked whether or not a communication error has occurred. If the communication error has occurred, predetermined error processing is performed on the communication error that has occurred in step S402, and the process proceeds to step S409. On the other hand, when a communication error has not occurred in step S401, after analyzing the received data in step S403, the process proceeds to step S404 and step S406.
In, whether the received data is through data that is transmitted and received between the copy data controller 20 and the center control device 50 and does not involve the online controller 30,
It is determined whether the data is transmitted from the copy data controller 20 or the data transmitted from the center control device 50.

If the received data is the through data (Yes in step S404), the received data is transmitted to a device different from the source (the data transmitted from the copy data controller 20 to the center control device 50, while the center control After the data transmitted from the device 50 is transferred to the copy data controller 20), the
Go to 09. Further, when the received data is not the through data but the data transmitted from the center control device 50 (Yes in step S406), the process for the received data in step S407 (hereinafter, referred to as data process A). After that, the process proceeds to step S409. Further, when the received data is not the through data but the data transmitted from the copy data controller 20 (No in step S406), the process for the received data in step S408 (hereinafter referred to as data process B). ), The process proceeds to step S409.

Next, after performing each of the above-described processes, the data of the register saved in step S409 is restored, and the process returns to the step of the routine before the interrupt.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing data processing A (step S407 in FIG. 22). This processing is processing for data transmitted from the center control device 50 as described above, and includes a time data request signal, a line switching request signal, a mode confirmation signal, and a line release request signal.

Step S420, step S422, step S42 in FIG.
In step 4 and in step S426, it is determined whether or not the received data is a time data request signal, a line switching request signal, a mode confirmation signal, and a line release request signal. If the received data is a time data request signal (Yes in step S420), the current time is read from the real-time clock 204 in step S421, the data at the current time is transmitted to the center control device 50, and then the process returns. If the received data is a line switching request signal (Yes in step S422),
After setting the switching request flag to "1" at 423, the process returns. Further, when the received data is a mode confirmation signal (Yes in step S424),
After setting the mode confirmation flag to “1” in 425,
To return. If the received data is a line release request signal (Yes in step 426), the process returns after setting a release request flag to "1" in step S427. On the other hand, when the received data is not any of the time data request signal, the line switching request signal, the mode confirmation signal, and the line release request signal (steps S420, S4
(No in 22, S424, and S426), and return as it is.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing data processing B (step S408 in FIG. 22). This process is a process for the data transmitted from the copy data controller 20 as described above, and includes the processing mode answer signal, the communication mode answer signal, the setting mode answer signal, and the alarm transmission request signal.

Step S440, Step S442, Step S44 in FIG. 24
In step 4 and in step S446, it is determined whether the received data is a processing mode answer signal, a communication mode answer signal, a setting mode answer signal, and an alarm transmission request signal. If the received data is a processing mode answer signal (Ye in step S440)
s) After setting the processing mode flag to “1” in step S441, the process returns. If the received data is a communication mode answer signal (Yes in step S442), the process returns after setting the communication mode flag to "1" in step S443. Further, when the received data is the setting mode answer signal (Yes in step S444), the process returns after setting the setting mode flag to “1” in step S445. If the received data is an alarm transmission request signal (Yes in step S446), the process returns after setting the alarm transmission flag to “1” in step S447. On the other hand, if the received data is neither the answer signal nor the alarm transmission request signal (No in steps S440, S442, S444, and S446), the process returns.

(5) Processing of Copy Data Controller 30 FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the copy data controller 30.

In FIG. 25, first, the copy data controller 30
When the power of the copy data controller 30 is turned on, the processing of the copy data controller 30 is started, and in step S500, the initialization of each circuit in the copy data controller 30 is performed. As described above, the power of the copier 10 is turned on / off, during copying,
This indicates that a jam or trouble has occurred in the copying machine 10, that the copied paper has been discharged, and that the copying operation has been completed. ) Is input from the copier 10, and data related to the signal is stored in the RAM 103. Next, step S502
In steps S505 to S505, display processing, card read / write processing, counting processing, and communication processing, which will be described in detail later, are performed, and the process returns to step S501.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the display processing (step S502 in FIG. 25).

Steps S510, S512, S514, S516, S518, S5 in FIG. 26
At 20, the power of the copier 10 is turned off, the communication mode is set, the setting mode is set, and the counting card is inserted into the card data input / output device 22. It is determined whether or not a department card has been inserted into the card data input / output device 22, and whether or not a magnetic card has been inserted into the card data input / output device 22.

When the power of the copier 10 is off (step S5
In step S511, the display of the LED display 25 is turned off, and the process returns to the main routine.
When the communication mode is set (Yes in step S512), the data of “ON LINE” is output to the display buffer memory 24 in step S513, the data is displayed on the LED display 25, and then the main routine is executed. To return. When the setting mode is set (Yes in step S514), the data stored in the display buffer memory 24 is displayed on the LED display 25 in step S515, and the process returns to the main routine. When the counting card is inserted into the card data input / output device 22 (Yes in step S516), the copy data stored in the RAM 103 in the copy data controller 20 is sequentially displayed on the LED display 25 in step S517. Then, the process returns to the main routine. When the department card is inserted into the card data input / output device 22 (Yes in step S518), the department code and the number of copies of the department are displayed on the LED display 25 in step S519, and then the process returns to the main routine. . When the magnetic card is not inserted in the card data input / output device 22 (step S5
(Yes in 20), the data of "CARD" is displayed on the LED display 25 in step S521, and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the card read / write processing (step S503 in FIG. 25).

In steps S530, S532, S534, and S537 in FIG. 27, an insertion sensor (not shown) for detecting whether a magnetic card is inserted into the card data input / output device 22 is on. Or whether reading of data stored in the magnetic card has been completed, whether an eject switch (not shown) for instructing ejection of the magnetic card has been turned on, and whether the eject flag has been set to “1”. Check if it is ".

When the insertion sensor is ON (Yes in step S530), the card insertion process described in detail later is performed in step S531, and the process returns to the main routine. When the reading of the data stored in the magnetic card has been completed (Yes in step S532), a read completion process, which will be described in detail later, is performed in step S533, and the process returns to the main routine. When the eject switch is ON (Yes in step S534), the ejection process described later in detail is performed in step S536, and the process returns to the main routine. When the eject flag is “1” (Yes in step S537), after resetting the eject flag in step S535,
In step S536, an ejection process is performed, and the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, when the eject flag is “0” (No in step S537),
In S538, it is checked whether or not the ejection of the magnetic card has been completed by checking whether the insertion sensor has been turned off or whether the eject timer has counted a predetermined time. If not (No in step S538), the process directly returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if the ejection of the magnetic card has been completed (Yes in step S538), the ejection completion processing described in detail later is performed in step S539. And return to the main routine.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a card insertion process (step S531 in FIG. 27).

In step S550 in FIG. 28, first, the transport motor 23
Is rotated in the magnetic card insertion direction (CW rotation direction). In step S551, the magnetic head in the card data input / output device 22 is set to the read mode to read data stored in the magnetic card. The data is stored in the RAM 103, and in step S552, a read timer for measuring the read time of data stored in the magnetic card is started, and the process returns.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the read completion processing (step S533 in FIG. 27).

After the transport motor 23 is turned off in step S560 of FIG. 29, the data read from the magnetic card is analyzed in step S561. Next, in step S562, it is checked whether or not the read data has an error. If there is an error (No in step S562), the ejection processing is performed in step S566, and the process returns. On the other hand, if there is no error in the read data (Yes in step S562), it is checked in step S563 whether the magnetic card is a department card. If the magnetic card is a department card (Yes in step S563),
After permitting the copying machine 10 to perform the copying operation in step S564, the process returns. On the other hand, if the magnetic card is not a department card (No in step S563), the copying machine 10 prohibits the copying operation in step S565 and returns.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the ejection process (step S536 in FIG. 27 and step S566 in FIG. 29).

In step S570 in FIG. 30, first, the copying operation is prohibited for the copying machine 10, and in step S571, the transport motor 23 is rotated in the magnetic card discharge direction (CCW rotation direction). Start the time of the eject timer that measures the discharge time of
To return.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the discharge completion processing (step S539 in FIG. 27).

In step S580 of FIG. 31, the transport motor 23 is turned off, and in step S581, the RAM 1 is read from the magnetic card.
After clearing the data stored in 03, return.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the counting process (step S504 in FIG. 25).

In steps S590, S592, and S594 in FIG. 32, whether or not one copy operation has been completed in the copying machine 10, whether or not a jam has occurred in the copying machine 10, and whether or not a trouble has occurred in the copying machine 10, respectively. Check if it has occurred. If none of the steps corresponds to any of the steps, the process directly returns to the main routine.

When one copy operation is completed in the copying machine 10 (Yes in step S590), in step S591, a copy corresponding to the department of the department card currently inserted and corresponding to the size of the copy paper on which the copy operation was performed. After incrementing the counter, the process returns to the main routine. If a jam has occurred in the copying machine 10 (Yes in step S592), the jam counter corresponding to the occurrence location is incremented in step S593, and the process returns to the main routine. In addition, copiers
If a trouble has occurred in step 10, the trouble counter corresponding to the place of occurrence is incremented in step S595, an alarm transmission request signal is transmitted to the online controller 30 in step S596, and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing communication processing (step S505 in FIG. 25) in the copy data controller 20.

In step S600 of FIG. 33, it is first checked whether or not there is received data. If there is no received data (No in step S600), the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if there is received data (step
(Yes in S600), it is checked in step S601 whether there is an error in the received data. If there is an error (No in step S601), necessary error processing for the error is performed in step S603. rear,
Return to the main routine. On the other hand, if there is no error in the received data (Yes in step S601), a command analysis process, which will be described in detail later, is performed in step S602, and the process returns to the main routine.

FIGS. 34 (A) and (B) are flowcharts showing the command analysis processing (step S602 in FIG. 33).

Steps S610, S612, S61 in FIGS. 34 (A) and (B)
4, S615, S621, S624, S626, S628, S630, S632, and S
In 635, the received data is a mode confirmation signal, a cancel signal, a processing mode request signal, a communication mode request signal, a setting mode request signal, a serial number request signal, a jam count request signal, a trouble count request signal, and a division count. It is checked whether it is a request signal, a count clear request signal, or a display data signal. Here, if none of the signals in each step,
Return as it is.

When the mode confirmation signal is received (Yes in step S610), the current mode in the copy data controller 20 is checked in step S611, and if the mode is the processing mode, the processing mode answer signal is transmitted via the online controller 30 in step S613. Return to the center controller 50 after transmitting to the center controller 50, and when the communication mode is set, return after transmitting the communication mode answer signal to the center controller 50 via the online controller 30 in step S620. If the mode is set, the setting mode answer signal is transmitted to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 in step S623, and the process returns.

When the cancel signal or the processing mode request signal is received (Yes in step S612 or S614), the processing returns to step S613 after transmitting the processing mode answer signal to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30.

When the communication mode request signal is received (step S6
In step S616, it is checked whether or not the copying machine 10 is copying. If copying is in progress (Yes in step S616), the processing mode answer signal is sent to the center via the online controller 30 in step S613. Returning after transmitting to the control device 50, if the copying is not being performed (No in step S616), it is determined in steps S617 and S618 whether the magnetic card is inserted into the card data input / output device 22, respectively. Then, it is checked whether the copying operation is permitted in the copying machine 10. Here, when the magnetic card is inserted and the copy operation is permitted (step
(Yes in S617 and S618), the eject flag is set to "1" in step S619 to eject the magnetic card, and then the process proceeds to step S620, where the communication mode answer signal is transmitted to the center controller 50 via the online controller 30. Return after sending. On the other hand, when the magnetic card is not inserted (step S617)
If the copy operation is not permitted even if the magnetic card is inserted (Yes in step S617 and No in step S618), the process directly proceeds to step S620, and the communication mode answer signal is transmitted via the online controller 30. After transmitting to the center control device 50, the process returns.

When the setting mode request signal is received (step S6
21), it is checked in step S622 whether or not a department card is not inserted or a jam or trouble occurs in the copying machine 10, and the copying operation is prohibited by the copying machine 10, and the copying operation is prohibited. If not (No in step S622), the process proceeds to step S613, in which the process mode answer signal is transmitted to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30, and then the process returns. On the other hand, if the copy operation is prohibited (Yes in step S622), the process returns to step S623 after transmitting the setting mode answer signal to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30.

When the serial number request signal is received (step
(Yes in S624), and in step S625, transmit the serial number of the copy data controller 20 and the data of the total number of copies to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 in the format shown in FIG. I do.

When the jam count request signal is received (Yes in step S626), in step S627, the data of the number of occurrences of the jam for each location is transmitted to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 in the format of FIG. Return after sending.

When the trouble count request signal is received (Yes in step S628), in step S629, the data of the number of trouble occurrences for each location is sent to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 in the format of FIG. Return after sending.

If the count request signal for each section is received (Yes in step S630), in step S631, the data of the number of copies for each section and for each size is controlled by the online controller 30 in the format of FIG. After transmitting to the device 50, the process returns.

When the count clear request signal is received (Yes in step S632), after clearing the data of the number of copies for each department and size stored in the RAM 103 in step S633, the clear answer signal is transmitted via the online controller 30. After returning to the center control device 50, the process returns.

When the display data signal has been received (Yes in step S635), the display data received in step S636 is stored in the display buffer memory 24, and then the process returns.

(6) Processing of the center control device 50 FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the center control device 50.

In step S700 of FIG. 35, first, initialization of each circuit in the center control device 50 is performed, and then step S701
It is checked whether or not the modem 52 is connected in the center control device 50. If the modem 52 is not connected (No in step S701), the process proceeds to step S704, while the modem 52 is connected. At this time (Yes in step S701), it is checked in step S702 whether the modem 52 has been initialized. If the modem 52 has been initialized (step S702)
In step S704, the process proceeds to step S704. On the other hand, when the initialization has not been performed (No in step S702), the process proceeds to step S704.
After initializing the modem 52 in S703, step S7
Go to 04.

In step S704, the current time is read from the real-time clock 304, and in step S705, it is checked whether the current time is a deadline time set in advance by using the personal computer 60 for counting the copy data. If the deadline is not reached (step
(No in S705) Proceed to step S707, while if it is the deadline time (Yes in step S705), step S70
After performing the deadline process described in detail later in step 6,
Proceed to 707.

In step S707, it is checked whether there is an incoming call from the online controller 30 and the line is connected to the online controller 30. If the line is connected (Yes in step S707), data is received in step S708. After performing the processing, step S701
If the line is not connected (step S7
(No in 07) Return to step S701 as it is.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the deadline process (step S706 in FIG. 35). The center control device 50 manages the copy data stored in the file device 61 by dividing it into the following three types of data for each copying machine 10.

(A) Deadline data: This is the total data of the copy data sent from the copy data controller 20 after the center control device 50 has performed the deadline processing.

(B) Deadline data: This is the total data of each copy data sent from the copy data controller 20 from the deadline time to the next deadline time.

(C) Cumulative data: The cumulative data of the past copy data, and the latest deadline data is added to the accumulated data in the deadline processing to be updated.

In step S720 of FIG. 36, the previous deadline data is added to the accumulated data, and after the deadline data is transferred to the deadline data in step S721, finally, the post-deadline data is cleared in step S722, and the main routine is executed. Return to

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the data reception process (step S708 in FIG. 35).

In step S730 of FIG. 37, first, when a time request signal is transmitted to the online controller 30 and time data is received from the online controller 30, the process proceeds to step S731 and a mode confirmation signal is transmitted to the online controller 30. Thereafter, a communication mode answer signal is received from the online controller 30. Next, in step S732, a serial number request signal is transmitted to the copy data controller 20 via the online controller 30, and when the data of the serial number is received, in step S733, the received serial number is received first. By checking whether it is a serial number or not, it is checked whether or not the copy data has been received from all the copy data controllers 20 connected to the online controller 30.

When the copy data has been received from all the copy data controllers 20 connected to the online controller 30 (Yes in step S733), the process proceeds to step S739, while the copy data is received from all the copy data controllers 20. If not received (No in step S733), the flow proceeds to step S734.

In steps S734, S735, and S736, a jam count request signal, a trouble count request signal, and a departmental count request signal
After receiving the data corresponding to each request signal by transmitting to the copy data controller 20 via the, the clear request signal is transmitted to the copy data controller 20 via the online controller 30 in step S737, Clear all the copy data stored in the RAM 103. Next, in step S738, a line switching request signal is transmitted to the online controller 30, and the online controller 30 is switched to the copy data controller 20 of the next channel, and then returns to step S731.

After transmitting the line release request signal to the online controller 30 in step S739, the process causes the modem 52 to disconnect the line with the online controller 30 in step S740. Then, in addition to the data after the deadline of the copy data received in step S741,
After updating the post-deadline data, the process returns to the main routine.

In the above embodiment, the exchange 3 installed by the telecommunications carrier is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an exchange such as a private branch exchange set by a user may be used.

In the above embodiment, the telephone lines 4a, 4b, and 4c are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a communication line for other processing such as a digital line other than the telephone line may be used.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 34 (A), when the magnetic card is inserted and the copying operation is permitted (Yes in steps S617 and S618), in order to eject the magnetic card, in step S619, After setting the eject flag to “1”, proceed to step S620,
Returning after transmitting the communication mode answer signal to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 returns.However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the magnetic card is not ejected, the process may proceed to step S620. Good.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the number of copies in a copying machine and the data of maintenance information in the copying machine are collected via a communication line to collect data on a plurality of the copying machines. In a copy data management system including a terminal device for transmitting data to a management device, the terminal device may be configured such that when the current date and time measured by the timer device reaches the transmission date and time stored by the storage device and the communication line is free. A prohibiting means for prohibiting a copying operation in the copying machine; and a transmitting means for transmitting the data to the centralized management device when the copying operation is prohibited by the prohibiting means. It is not the centralized management device, but the terminal device itself that determines whether to transmit to the device. When is prohibited, the data is transmitted to the central management device. Accordingly, there is an advantage that unnecessary occupation of the communication line can be prevented.

Also, when the terminal device has a current date and time measured by the timing device reaching the transmission date and time stored by the storage device and the communication line is free, a magnetic card for permitting the terminal device to perform a copy operation is inserted. In the case where the magnetic card has been set, there is further provided an ejecting means for ejecting the magnetic card, so that there is an advantage that the magnetic card can be ejected and the data can be transmitted to the central management device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copy data management system according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a copy data controller of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an online controller of FIG. FIG. 4 (A) is a front view of the maintenance switch and the monitor LED of FIG. 3, FIG. 4 (B) is a diagram showing an operation method of the maintenance switch of FIG. 4 (A) and a display of the switch, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the center control device of FIG. 1, FIGS. 6A to 6C are communication sequence diagrams showing communication procedures at the time of normal processing in the copy data management system of FIG. 7 and 8 are communication sequence diagrams showing a communication procedure at the time of abnormality processing in the copy data management system in FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a communication data format in the copy data management system in FIG. FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B) are flowcharts showing a main routine of the online controller of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 11 to 24 are subroutines of the online controller of FIG. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the copy data controller of FIG. 1. FIGS. 26 to 33, and FIGS. 34 (A) and 34 (B) show copy data of FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the controller, FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the center control device of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 36 and 37 are flowcharts showing a subroutine of the center control device of FIG. 1 ... Terminal system, 2 ... Center system, 3 ...
Exchanges, 4a, 4b, 4c: telephone line, 10, 10a to 10d: copying machine, 20, 20a to 20d: copy data controller, 2
1,31 microcomputer, 22 card data input / output device, 23 transport motor, 30, 30a, 30b online controller, 33, 52 modem (modem), 40,
40a, 40b …… Telephone, 50 …… Center control device, 60 ……
Personal computer, 70 CRT display device, 203 RAM, 204 Real-time clock.

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hideo Ito 2-3-3 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-59-81656 (JP, A) 1988-6102 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-540 B41J 29/38 G06F 3/12

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. Copy data provided with a terminal device for transmitting data on the number of copies in a copying machine and information on maintenance in the copying machine to a centralized management device for collecting data on a plurality of copying machines via a communication line. In the management system, the terminal device includes a clock unit that measures a current date and time, a storage unit that stores a preset transmission date and time, and a transmission date and time that the current date and time measured by the clock unit are stored by the storage unit. And a transmission unit for transmitting the data to the centralized management device when the copy operation is prohibited by the prohibition unit. A copy data management system, comprising: 2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the current date and time measured by the clock unit reaches a transmission date and time stored by the storage unit, and the terminal unit permits a copy operation when the communication line is free. 2. The copy data management system according to claim 1, further comprising an ejection unit that ejects the magnetic card when a card is inserted.