JP2969838B2 - Image forming device management device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a copier management device connected to a copier and to a management center via a communication line.

[Prior art]

(1) A method has been proposed in which management data for a plurality of copying machines is transmitted to a single central processing unit and the central processing unit performs batch processing (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-54032). (2) A system for centrally managing each copying machine by transmitting usage data of a plurality of copying machines to a single central control device via a terminal device of each copying machine and processing the data has been proposed ( JP-A-54-44522). (3) A system equivalent to the above, which connects to a central control device via a communication line such as a public telephone line, has been proposed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In a system in which the copier management device collects various data of the copier and transmits it to the central management device of the management center via a communication line, the central management device of the management center directly manages not the copier, It is a copier management device. That is, the copier is indirectly managed via the copier management device connected to the copier. For this reason, the management center cannot directly confirm whether or not the management target is the correct copying machine, that is, whether or not the transmitted data is the data of the management target copying machine. Therefore, when the copier management device is connected to another copier that is not managed by mistake when the copier management device is connected to the copier, the other copier that is not managed is managed. It is possible to confirm whether or not the management target is the correct copier management device by, for example, confirming the ID of the copier management device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to ensure that a copier management device can be reliably connected to a correct copier.

[Means for solving the problems]

The first invention is an image forming apparatus management apparatus that collects data of a connected image forming apparatus and performs data communication for image forming apparatus management with a centralized management apparatus. Means for storing the identification data of the apparatus, means for receiving the identification data of the image forming apparatus at the time of connection with the image forming apparatus, and comparing it with the identification data of the image forming apparatus to be connected; And a means for giving a warning when the numbers are different. Further, the present invention is a copier management device in which the image forming apparatus is a copier. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus management terminal apparatus including the image forming apparatus management apparatus and the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus stores identification data of the image forming apparatus. The management device stores the identification data of the image forming device to be connected, reads out the two identification data at the time of connection between the image forming device and the image forming device management device, compares them, and warns if they are different. . Also, the present invention is a copier management terminal device in which the image forming apparatus is a copier. In the above, the identification data of the image forming apparatus to be connected can be obtained, for example, by connecting the image forming apparatus management apparatus to the central management apparatus of the management center at the stage before shipment of the image forming apparatus management apparatus. It can be stored by writing from a centralized management device. At the same time, the identification data of the image forming apparatus can be stored by a predetermined data writing unit before the image forming apparatus is shipped. The identification data includes, for example, a model code and a serial number of the image forming apparatus. [Operation] When the image forming apparatus management apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus,
The identification data stored in the image forming apparatus and the identification data of the image forming apparatus to be connected stored in the image forming apparatus management apparatus are read and compared. As a result, when the two are different, a predetermined warning output is performed. This prevents an error of connecting the image forming apparatus management apparatus to another image forming apparatus that is not managed by the image forming apparatus management apparatus.

【Example】

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. [1] Overall Configuration of System First, a schematic configuration of the present system will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this system comprises a number of user devices (one set of user devices is shown in the figure), a center device as an administrator, and a communication line connecting these devices. And a net. Here, on the user side, a copying machine 4, a DT (data terminal) 1, and a modem also having a function as a communication terminal device
52 and a telephone 53 as a communication device are provided.
The data terminal 1 is a device that receives various types of information from the copying machine 4, performs predetermined processing, and transmits the processed information to a computer on the center side. On the other hand, a modem 72 also having a function as a communication terminal device, a computer (a main body 90, a display 92, a keyboard 93, a printer 94) and a telephone 73 as a communication device are installed on the center side. Based on data received via a network (for example, a telephone line network), data for copier management is created, and necessary measures are taken. Next, each device will be described. <Copier 4> This is an apparatus that forms a copy image on paper by scanning a document image. In the copying machine 4, various types of element data that affect the image forming process (paper transport time, surface potential of the photosensitive drum, toner concentration in the developer, exposure amount of the photosensitive drum,
The developing bias voltage, the amount of toner adhering to the photosensitive drum, the grid voltage of the charging charger, etc.) are detected by various sensor groups (not shown), taken into the CPU 41, processed, and then transmitted through the serial I / F 43 and the serial I / F 13. To the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1. Note that the various element data will be referred to as element data x _i (i = 1 to the number of items of element data) in the description of control described later.
They are collectively described in an abstract manner. In the copying machine 4, a counter (a total counter indicating the number of paper discharges, a counter according to a paper size indicating the number of uses for each paper size) serving as a basis for the amount charged by the administrator, and a counter (a counter for maintenance) The JAM counter for each location, which indicates the number of JAMs for each location, the trouble counter for each location, which indicates the number of troubles for each location, and the PM counter for each portion, which indicates the number of times each component has been used, are counted. The data is transmitted to the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 via the serial I / F 12. Note that the PM counter is a counter that counts the number of times of use for each component, and the count value is used as a guide for the component replacement time. Further, the copying machine 4 instructs various key switches (a print (PR) key 46 for instructing the start of a copying operation, a numeric keypad group 47 for inputting numerical values, and clearing of input data) on the operation panel (FIG. 4). A predetermined operation or mode setting is performed in response to signals from a group of switches other than the operation panel (for example, a trouble reset switch 49 for instructing a trouble reset). And, if necessary, the corresponding signal
Data terminal 1 via I / F42 and serial I / F12
Send to CPU11. The control CPU 41 of the copying machine 4 is connected to an S-RAM 44 backed up by a battery. A model name and a serial number are written in the S-RAM 44 at the time of shipment, and as described later in detail, when the data terminal is connected, the data is transmitted in response to a request from the data terminal. Is transmitted (FIG. 6, S43, FIG. 9, S1).
<Data terminal 1><Data terminal 1> The data of the copying machine 4 is taken in and processed, and a predetermined transmission condition (a condition in which the transmission flag is set to "1"; for details, refer to the description of control described later) is satisfied. And activates the modem 52 to connect the communication line with the center, and manages copier management data (element data, count data, etc.)
Is transmitted to the center side. Initial settings (described later) are performed on the data terminal 1 before shipment. That is, the dip switch DIPSW1 of the operation unit (FIG. 3) is turned on, and the data terminal is turned on.
The CPU 11 is connected to the center CPU 91 via the communication interface (RS232CI / F) 18 on the CPU11 side and the communication interface (RS232CI / F) 98 on the CPU91 side, and receives data from the CPU91 side for copying. Initial information such as machine identification information is set (see S105 in FIG. 8). The third
In the figure, an LED 1 is a display LED element that blinks and warns when the copying machine connected to the data terminal after shipment is different from the expected copying machine. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 11 includes a ROM 14 storing a control program, a non-volatile memory 16 for storing selection number data (described later) and the like, a work system RAM 15 backed up by a battery, and a battery It is connected to the backed up clock IC17. Further, the CPU 11 is connected to the copying machine 4 after shipment, takes in data transmitted from the control CPU 41 of the copying machine 4 from the serial I / F 12 or the serial I / F 13 and executes processing described later. For example, at the time of connection, as will be described in detail later, a model name and a serial number of the copying machine are received. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure of a paper ejection code, a JAM code, and a trouble code which are data input via the serial I / F 12. That is, the paper discharge code is represented as a falling edge of the bit b _0, JAM code is represented as bit _{b 7 = 1, b 6 =} 0. The trouble code is represented as bits b ₇ = 1 and b ₆ = 1. After shipment, the CPU 11 is also connected to a terminal device of a communication line. That is, the communication interface (RS2
32CI / F) 18 ・ Modem 52 communication interface (RS23)
2CI / F) 51, it is connected to a modem 52 which is a communication terminal device. Further, by transmitting an off-hook signal and a center selection number signal from the modem 52 to the communication line via these devices and connecting the communication line with the center-side modem 72, communication with the center-side computer is realized. You. The content of the data (management data for the copying machine) transmitted from the data terminal 1 to the center is determined by the type of the transmission flag set to "1", as will be described in detail later. <Center-side device> This is a computer device configured to be connected to a large number of data terminals via a communication network. This apparatus manages the copiers connected to each data terminal. That is, data transmitted from the data terminal 1 to the modem 72 via the communication line network is transmitted via the communication interface (RS232CI / F) 71 of the modem 72 and the communication interface (RS232CI / F) 98 of the computer. , Sequentially, C
Input to PU91. The CPU 91 processes the data (the element data, the count data, etc.) and creates management data for the copying machine 4 connected to the data terminal 1. Further, a bill is printed out on the basis of the management data, or an instruction as to whether or not to dispatch a serviceman is made, and further, parts to be prepared at the time of dispatch are selected. When a data terminal before shipment (a data terminal not connected to the copying machine) is connected to the CPU 91 on the center side, for example, when a predetermined operation input is performed from the keyboard 93, the data terminal CPU 11 Predetermined initial data corresponding to the operation input is transmitted, and the data terminal performs an initial setting process (see S105 in FIG. 8). [2] System Control Next, the control of the present system will be described with reference to FIGS. <Process on Copying Machine> First, the process in the control CPU 41 of the copying machine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The CPU 41 starts processing, for example, when the power is turned on, and performs initial settings such as clearing a memory and setting a standard mode (S41). Thereafter, the processing of steps S43 to S49 is executed. In step S43, a key switch group (numerical key group 47 for inputting numerical values, a print (PR) key 46 for a copy start command, a clear key 48 for a clear command of a set number) on the operation panel 40
), A switch group such as the trouble reset switch 49, data from a sensor group (not shown) arranged in the copying machine,
And a process for receiving data received from the data terminal 1 side. Also, for example, the data terminal CPU1
This is a process of transmitting data such as the model name and serial number of the copying machine in response to a request from 1 (see S153 in FIG. 9). Step S47 is a step collectively showing processing required at the time of the copying operation. For example, the control includes paper feed control, scanning control, photosensitive drum control, developing device control, and the like. Step S51 and subsequent steps are the processing when a trouble occurs.
That is, when JAM or other trouble occurs (S4
9; YES), a signal corresponding to the trouble that has occurred is transmitted to the control CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 (S51).
Also, trouble reset switch by operator etc.
When 49 is operated (S53; YES), a trouble reset signal is transmitted to the control CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 in the same manner as described above (S55). <Process on data terminal side> Next, the process in the control CPU 11 of the data terminal
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. (A) Main Routine First, an outline of the processing will be described in accordance with the main routine shown in FIG. The control CPU 11 starts processing when, for example, power is turned on. If the dip switch DIPSW1 is turned on when the power is turned on (S11; YES), an initial setting process (S12) is performed. If the dip switch DIPSW1 is turned off when the power is turned on (S11; NO), an operation determination process (S13) is executed. If the operation flag is set to 1 (S14; YE
S), a copy permission signal is transmitted to the control CPU 41 of the copying machine (S15). Thereafter, the process proceeds to a repetitive loop process of steps S17 to S31. In each subroutine step, the following processing is roughly performed. * Initial setting: S12 As will be described later, various data such as the model name of the copier to be connected is received from the CPU 91 on the center side via the RS232CI / F98 / RS232CI / F18. * Operation determination: S13 As will be described later, model data of the connected copying machine is received, and it is determined whether or not the copying machine is a copying machine to be connected. * Reception of count data: S17 Performs reception processing of various count data transmitted from the control CPU 41 of the copying machine. Data contents are emission code, JAM / trouble code, JAM
• Trouble counter, paper size counter, PM counter. The control CPU 11 of the data terminal updates these data to the latest values and holds them. * Element data reception / data processing: S19 As described later, data corresponding to the average value and the standard deviation of each element data is sequentially calculated and updated to the latest value. * Trouble transmission determination: S21 As described later, it is determined whether or not trouble data and trouble recovery data should be transmitted to the center side. * Scheduled transmission determination: S23 At a predetermined scheduled transmission time, the scheduled transmission flag is set to 1, and various count data and various element data are transmitted to the center. After the transmission by the regular transmission is completed, the next regular transmission time data, the current time data, and the closing date data of the bill are returned from the center side. * Warning transmission determination: S25 As described later, the element data, the count value of the JAM counter, and the count value of the PM counter are each compared with a predetermined threshold. Further, based on the result, it is determined whether or not the warning data and the warning recovery data should be transmitted to the center side. * Manual transmission determination: S27 When the push switch 21 is turned on in a mode other than the initial setting mode, the manual transmission flag is set to 1. Thereby, various count data and various element data are transmitted to the center. * PM transmission judgment: S29 As described later, the count value is set to “0” by replacing parts.
The count value of the PM counter cleared before
Send to the center. * Call processing: S31 As described later, when any of the transmission flags is set to "1", the communication terminal device on the center side is called. (B) Subroutine Next, details of each subroutine step will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described in order with reference to FIG. * Initial setting (Fig. 8)
This is executed when the DIP SW1 is turned on (S11; YES). In this processing, the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 and the CPU 91 of the computer 90 on the center side
CPU11 communication interface (RS232CI / F) 18 and CPU9
This is executed in a state where the connection is established via the 1-side communication interface (RS232CI / F) 98. First, the memory is initialized (S101). Next, it waits for the ready state of the center CPU 91 connected via the RS232CI / F98 and RS232CI / F18 (S103). When the center CPU 91 becomes ready (S103; YES), the model name of the copier to be connected, the serial number, the telephone number of the center, the ID of the center, the ID of the data terminal, the regular transmission time data, the various element data and count data Is received (S105). When the reception of all the initial data has been completed (S107; YES), it is determined whether or not the reception has been completed normally.
S), the LED 1 of the operation section flashes (S111), and the operator is notified of that. If the processing has not been completed normally (S109; NO), the center CPU 91 is requested to retransmit data (S12).
1). * Operation judgment (Fig. 9) This process is performed when the power is turned on.
This is executed when the DIP SW1 is turned off (S11; NO). As described above, since the initial setting of the data terminal is performed in the center, the dip switch DIP / SW1 is always off when the data terminal is connected to the copying machine. First, the CPU 41 of the connected copier waits for ready (S151). When the CPU 41 becomes ready (S151; YES), it requests and receives the model name and serial number data of the copying machine (S153). Thereafter, when the communication with the CPU 41 ends normally (S155; YE
S), the data received in step S153 is
(Figure 8) and compare with the data received. As a result, if they match (S157; YES), the connected copier is correct (in the case of a planned copier), and the LED 1 is blinked to notify the operator of that fact (S161). ), And sets the operation flag to “1” (S15)
9). As a result, the copying operation processing by the copying machine is enabled (S15, see FIG. 7). On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S157,
Since the connected copier is incorrect, the operation flag is set to "0" to prohibit the copying operation (S1
63) The LED1 is turned on (S169), and the operator is warned to that effect. If it is determined in step S155 that the communication with the CPU 41 of the copying machine has not been completed normally (S155; NO),
It requests the PU 41 to retransmit data (S171). The operation determination process is performed as described above, and when the data terminal is connected to the correct copying machine (scheduled copying machine), the copying operation in the copying machine is permitted. * Reception of element data, etc. (FIG. 10) In this subroutine step, a threshold (warning transmission determination;
Data for comparison with (see Fig. 12) is calculated. First, the element data group x _{i, j} transmitted from the copying machine every time the copy paper is discharged is fetched from the serial I / F 13 (S2
01). Here, the subscript i represents the item number of the element data, and the subscript j represents the order in each item. Next, after substituting the initial value 1 for the item number i (S203),
For each item, the maximum value x _iMAX , the minimum value x _iMIN , and the sum
x _ik is sequentially updated (S205 to S217). Thereafter, the subscript j is incremented (S219), and if j is 4 or less, the process returns to the main routine. When the processes of steps S201 to S217 are performed four times for each item (S221; YES), the subscript j is reset to 1 (S223), and the initial value 1 is substituted for the item number i (S225). , The difference between the maximum and minimum values for each item
R _ik and the average value X _ik of the four data are calculated (S227 to S233). Step S229 is a step of providing initial values of the maximum value x _iMAX and the minimum value x _iMIN in preparation for the next processing in steps S205 to _S211 . After the processing of S227 to S233, steps S237 to S245,
Alternatively, the processing of steps S247 to S263 is executed. Step S237~S245 are cumulative process of S227~S233 is a process in the case where not reached 33 times, for each item, the difference R _ik sum R _isum between the maximum value and the minimum value and,
In this step, the sum X _iSUM of the average value X _ik of the four data is calculated for 32 data. On the other hand, steps S247 to S263 are processing when the total of the processing of S227 to S233 is 33 or more, and for each item, the sum R _{iSUM of} the difference R _{ik and} the sum of the average value X _ik X
_This is a step of calculating _iSUM for the latest 32 data and calculating respective average values ▼ and ▼. As described above, for each item of element data, the average value of the latest 128 (= 4 × 32) data
▼ and average value of deviation (value equivalent to standard deviation) ▲
Get ▼. * Trouble transmission determination (FIG. 11) This process is a subroutine for managing trouble transmission and trouble recovery transmission. That is, in the state of “trouble flag = 0” (S301; YES),
When a trouble code from the copier is detected (S303; YE
S), set the trouble flag and trouble transmission flag to “1”
Are set respectively (S305). In the state of “trouble flag = 1” (S301; NO),
When the paper ejection code from the copier is detected (S307; YE
S), the trouble flag is reset to "0", and the trouble recovery transmission flag is set to "1" (S309). This is because paper discharge in the copying machine is an operation performed after recovery from a trouble. The call processing (FIG. 14) is executed by setting the trouble transmission flag and the trouble recovery transmission flag, and trouble data and trouble recovery data are transmitted to the center. * Warning transmission determination (FIG. 12) This processing is a subroutine for managing warning transmission and warning recovery transmission. Steps S401 to S427 are processes for executing a warning transmission when the value of the element data is out of the permissible range specific to the element data, and a warning recovery transmission when returning to within the permissible range. is there. First, an initial value “1” is set to the item number i indicating the type of element data (S401). Next, in step S411, a warning flag for the target element data (first time, the first element data) is determined. As a result, when the warning flag for the element data is “0” (S411; YES), it is determined whether the element data value is within the allowable range specific to the element data, in other words, the upper limit. Threshold _iU or less and lower threshold
It is determined whether it is within the range of _iL or more, and if it is out of the allowable range (S413; YES or S415; YES), the warning flag F _i and the warning utterance flag for the element data are set. Are set to "1" (S417). As a result, the call processing (FIG. 14) is executed, and
Warning data is sent. On the other hand, in step S411, if the warning flag of the target element data is “1” (S411; NO), it is determined whether or not the value of the element data has returned to within the allowable range. the (S421; YES, and, S423; YES), a warning flag F _i for the element data is reset to "0", also set to "1" warning recovery transmission flag. As a result, the call processing (FIG. 14) is executed, and the alarm recovery data is transmitted to the center. After performing this processing until i reaches the number of items of the element data, in other words, after performing all the element data, the process proceeds to step S431 and thereafter. Steps S431 to S445 are to issue a warning when the count value (frequency) of the JAM counter and the PM counter exceeds a specific threshold, and to issue a warning recovery transmission when the count value returns below the threshold.
This is a process to be executed. First, an initial value “i (the value of the last number of the element data + 1)” is set to the item number m indicating the type of the JAM counter and the PM counter (S431). Next, in step S433, the target JAM counter or P
Determine the warning flag for the M counter. As a result, when the warning flag for the JAM counter or the PM counter is “0” (S433; YES), whether the value of the counter is within the allowable range specific to the counter, that is, the threshold _m It is determined whether the counter has exceeded the threshold. If the counter has exceeded (S435; YES), the warning flag _Fm and the warning transmission flag for the counter are set to “1”, respectively (S43).
7). Thereby, the call processing (FIG. 14) is executed, and the warning data is transmitted to the center. On the other hand, in S433, if the warning flag for the target JAM counter or PM counter is “1” (S4
33; NO), the value of the respective counter determines whether the returned below the threshold, if the return (S441; YES), a warning flag F _m for the counter is reset to "0", Also, the warning recovery transmission flag is set to “1”. As a result, the call processing (FIG. 14) is executed, and the alarm recovery data is transmitted to the center. After performing this processing until m reaches the total number of items of the counter and the element data, in other words, after performing all the counters, the process returns to the main routine. As described above, the warning transmission and the warning recovery transmission are managed. * PM transmission determination (Fig. 13) In this process, PM transmission is managed. First, an initial value “1” is set to the item number i indicating the type of the PM counter (S501), and after executing the processes of steps S503 to S511, the value of i is incremented, that is, the type of the PM counter is changed. Alternately, repeat the above process. Here, when the PM counter is cleared (S505; YES, and S507; YES), the processing of S503 to S511 stores the count value immediately before the PM counter is cleared (S509),
This is the process of setting the transmission flag to "1" (S511). Note that clearing of the PM counter is performed by a serviceman when converting a component corresponding to the PM counter. When the “PM transmission flag = 1” is set, the call processing (the
14) is executed, and PM data (converted component type, count value immediately before replacement) is transmitted to the center. * Call processing (FIGS. 14 and 15) In this processing, the center is called in response to "any transmission flag = 1", and data corresponding to the transmission flag is transmitted. That is, if any of the transmission flags is set to "1"(S601; YES), it is determined that the redial is not in standby (S603; N).
O), if the communication line with the center-side modem 72 is not connected (S605; NO) and the off-hook signal and the selection signal are not transmitted to the communication line (S607; NO), Command to send the off-hook signal and the selection signal to the communication line (S609). By the process in step S609, the determination in the next step S607 is “YES”. In this case, if the telephone 53 of the user is "busy (in use of the communication line)" and the modem 52 cannot send the off-hook signal and the selection signal to the communication line (S611; YES), A time after a certain time is set as a redial time (S613). S6
By the process at 13, the determination in step S603 is "YES" until the redial time comes, and the center modem 72
Is not executed. When the redial time comes, the command to send the off-hook signal and the selection signal to the communication line is again issued to the modem 52 through S603; NO → S605; NO → S607; NO → S609. Also, as a result of the off-hook signal and the selection signal being transmitted from the modem 52 to the communication line by the processing in step S609, the modem 72 on the center side is "busy (the communication line on the center side is occupied)". If it turns out (S6
15; YES), redial time processing (FIG. 15; described later) is executed (S617). As a result, the determination in step S603 is “YES” until the time set in the redial time process, and the calling process of the center-side modem 72 is not executed. At the time set in this process, the center modem 72 is called again. On the other hand, by the processing in step S609, the off-hook signal and the selection signal are transmitted from the modem 52 to the communication line, and as a result, when the communication line with the center-side modem 72 is connected (S605; YES), It waits for a transmission enabled state due to data transmission permission, and when it becomes a transmission enabled state (S62
1; YES), the data is transmitted to the center side (S625).
The data transmitted in step S625 is data defined by the transmission flag set to "1". Thus, when all data is transmitted (S623; YE
S), resets the transmission flag to “0” (S627), and
A line disconnection signal is sent to the communication line to disconnect the communication line with the center-side modem 72 (S629). Next, redial time processing (S617, FIG. 15) will be described. The redial time process is a process of setting a retransmission (redial = recall) time when a connection with the center-side CPU 91 cannot be established (S615; YES). First, a counter (redial counter) for counting the number of redials is counted up (S651). The counter is cleared after connection of the communication line with the center. Next, it is determined whether or not the current call is a call in an emergency mode (for example, trouble transmission). As a result, if the mode is the emergency mode (S653; YES), the condition is that the redial counter value is less than a times (= about 10 to 20 times) (S63).
55; YES), the time one minute after the present time is set as the next call (redial) time (S657). That is, in the emergency mode, the center is called every minute until the number of redials reaches a. If the number of redials in the emergency mode reaches a (S655; NO), a predetermined time on the next day is set as the redial time (S659). If a connection cannot be made to the center even after a call has been made (it is assumed that the line is abnormally congested or the center CPU 91 stops operating, etc.), the communication line on the user side is occupied and the telephone 53 or the like is used. This is so as not to disturb. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S653 that the mode is not the emergency mode (S653; NO), any even minute time within 20 minutes from the present time is provided on condition that the redial counter value is less than b (S661; YES). Is set as the next call (redial) time using a random number (S663). As a result, even when the center is called from a large number of data terminals, the redial time of each data terminal is scattered and the possibility of connection to the center is increased. If the number of redials in the non-emergency mode is b or more (S661; NO), a predetermined time on the next day is set as the next redial time (S665). If the center cannot be connected despite the number of times the center is called (abnormal congestion of the communication line, operation stop of the center side CPU 91, etc.), the communication line on the user side is occupied and the telephone 53 or the like is occupied. This is so as not to hinder use. The call processing is performed as described above, data is transmitted to the center, and data from the center is received as necessary. <Process at the center> Next, the CPU 9 installed in the computer at the center
The processing in step 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. (A) F1 to F7 key processing (FIGS. 16 and 19) The CPU 91 starts processing by connecting a power supply, and first executes environment setting of a modem, a printer, and the like (S6).
1). After that, according to the input operation of each key switch F1 ~ F7 on the keyboard 93, the following mode is set, or
Perform the following processing. -F1 key operation (S63; YES) The reception mode of model registration is set (S65). That is, new registration of the model name, the number of items of element data, the name of each element data, the standard threshold value of each element data, the standard threshold value of each counter, etc. is received. -F2 key operation (S67; YES) The registration acceptance mode of the user master is set (S69).
That is, new registration such as a user name, an address, a telephone number, a model name, a machine number, and a regular transmission date and time is accepted. Also, the DTID is set automatically. -F3 key operation (S71; YES) Trouble status is displayed (S73). That is, the user information (user name, address, telephone number, model name) of the copying machine that has caused the trouble, the date and time of occurrence, and the like are displayed on the display 92 together with the trouble content. The number of troubles is always displayed in the corner of the display 92 irrespective of the operation of the F3 key. -F4 key operation (S75; YES) A warning status is displayed (S77). That is, the user information of the copying machine that has issued the warning is displayed on the display 92 together with the contents of the warning. The number of warnings is always displayed in the corner of the display 92 regardless of the operation of the F4 key. -F5 key operation (S79; YES) The non-reception status is displayed (S81). That is, the user information of the copying machine that does not perform the scheduled transmission even after the predetermined scheduled transmission time has passed is displayed on the display 92. The number of unreceived messages is always displayed in the corner of the display 92 regardless of the operation of the F4 key. -F6 key operation (S83; YES) The display mode of the user data is set (S85). That is, when the user is selected, the display 92 displays the user information. When the submenu is selected, the count values of various counters (total counters, paper size counters, JAM counters, trouble counters, PM counters) and the element data of the user copying machine are displayed monthly.
Or, it is displayed for each item. -F7 key operation (S87; YES) The bill is printed out (S89). For example, the charge amount is calculated based on the count value of the total counter and a predetermined formula, and the printer 94 is activated to print out. -F8 key operation (S91; YES) Initial setting of the data terminal 1 is executed (S93).
That is, a subroutine process shown in FIG. 19 is performed. If the communication interface (RS232CI / F) 98 is connected to the communication interface (RS232CI / F) 18 and the dip switch DIP / SW1 is turned on, it is determined that the data terminal 1 is ready (S931; YES). Then, the model name and serial number of the copying machine to be connected, the ID of the center, the ID of the data terminal, the regular transmission time data, various element data, and the threshold values of the count data are transmitted (S933). When transmission of all initial data ends (S935; Y
ES), if there is no request for retransmission due to a reception error from the data terminal 1 (S937; NO), this processing ends. On the other hand, if there is a request for retransmission (S937; YES), the process returns to step S933, and transmits all the initial data again. (B) Interruption processing (FIGS. 17 and 18) The CPU 91 receives data transmitted from the data terminal by interruption processing, and performs predetermined processing on the received data (S95). First, when an interrupt from the data terminal occurs,
The DTID and the transmission data are received (S901). If a communication error occurs (S903; YES),
On condition that the number of occurrences of the error is equal to or less than a predetermined number (S913; YES), the data terminal is requested to retransmit the DTID and the transmission data (S905). If the number of occurrences of the error exceeds a predetermined number (S913; NO), the communication line with the data terminal is disconnected (S909). On the other hand, when the communication with the data terminal is completed normally (S907; YES), the communication line with the data terminal is disconnected (S909), and the data for each item and each month are counted, and the data for screen display by the operator selection is displayed. Create (S911). As described above, the processing is performed by the CPU 41 of the copying machine, the CPU 11 of the data terminal, and the CPU 91 of the center, and the present system that connects each user to the center, which is the administrator, via the communication line is controlled.

【The invention's effect】

As described above, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management apparatus that outputs a predetermined warning when an image forming apparatus is connected to another image forming apparatus that is not a management target when the image forming apparatus management apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus by mistake. An image forming apparatus management terminal device. According to the present invention, a situation in which an image forming apparatus management apparatus is erroneously connected to another image forming apparatus which is not a management target is reliably prevented. Therefore, the data collected by the management center
It is guaranteed that the data is data of the image forming apparatus to be managed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a system in which the apparatus of the embodiment is used, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the system, FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel of a copying machine to which the embodiment device is connected, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of data transmitted from the copying machine to the embodiment device, and FIG. 6 is a control CPU of the copying machine. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of FIG. 7 to 15 are flowcharts showing processing in the control CPU of the embodiment device,
7 is a main routine, FIG. 8 is an initial setting processing subroutine, FIG. 9 is an operation determination processing subroutine, FIG. 10 is an element data reception / data processing subroutine, and FIG.
The figure shows a trouble transmission determination subroutine, FIG. 12 shows a warning transmission determination subroutine, FIG. 13 shows a PM transmission determination subroutine,
FIG. 14 shows a call processing subroutine, and FIG. 15 shows a redial time processing subroutine. 16 to 19 are flowcharts showing processing in the control CPU of the computer of the center connected to the apparatus of the embodiment via the communication line network,
Fig. 16 shows the main part of the main routine, Fig. 17 shows the interrupt processing,
FIG. 18 shows details of the interrupt processing. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S93 in FIG. 1 Data terminal (DT), 4 Copy machine, 90 Computer at center, 11 CPU of DT, 41 CPU of copy machine, 91 CP at center
U, DIP / SW1… Dip switch, 52… DT side modem, 72 …… Center side modem, 53 …… DT side phone, 73 …… Center side phone,

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-54-44522 (JP, A) JP-A-60-263163 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-520 G03G 21/02-21/04 G03G 21/14 G07C 1/00-15/00 H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04M 11/00-11/10

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An image forming apparatus management apparatus which collects data of connected image forming apparatuses, calls a central management apparatus of a management center via a communication line, and performs data communication for image forming apparatus management. Storage means for storing identification data of an image forming apparatus to be connected; receiving identification data of the image forming apparatus at the time of connection with the image forming apparatus; An image forming apparatus management apparatus comprising: a comparing unit; and a unit that warns when the identification data of the connected image forming apparatus is different from the identification data of the image forming apparatus to be connected. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming apparatus is a copying machine. 3. An image forming apparatus management apparatus having a data collection function of the image forming apparatus and a connection function with a central management apparatus,
In an image forming apparatus management terminal device including an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus has a unit for storing identification data of the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus management apparatus includes Means for storing identification data of the apparatus, means for reading and comparing the two pieces of identification data when the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus management apparatus are connected, and for warning when different, Device management terminal device. 4. The image forming apparatus management terminal according to claim 3, wherein said image forming apparatus is a copying machine.