JP3158723B2 - Multiple device management system and management device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multiple device management system and a management device , and more particularly to a multiple device management system and a management device for managing the opening and closing of the power of other devices by opening and closing the power of a specific device. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, devices used in offices, such as copying machines and personal computers, are usually turned on at the start of work in the morning and turned off at the end of work in the evening. However, even when a plurality of devices are installed, the power switch is opened and closed for each device.

[0003]

In an office where a small number of employees use a small number of devices, there is no particular problem in opening and closing the power switch for each device.
In offices where many staff members use many devices, or where offices are distributed in multiple buildings and multiple rooms, each using a large number of devices, opening and closing of the power switch is not always sufficient. In particular, it is easy to forget to turn off the power switch at the end of the business in the evening. As a countermeasure, a dedicated wiring for supplying power to the devices to be used is provided, and the power switch is opened and closed by a main switch provided on the power supply side of the dedicated wiring, so that opening and closing of the power supply of all devices can be managed. .

However, in this method, it is desired that a specific device, for example, a personal computer be kept powered on at night and a copier or the like be powered off.
It is not possible to respond to the demand for detailed control of the opening and closing of the power supply of a plurality of devices.
An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the invention of claim 1 comprises a first device and a second device connected via communication means and a plurality of these devices. In a multiple device management system including a management device for managing, the first device and the second device each transmit, via a communication unit , a power switch and an open / close signal output in response to the open / close operation of the power switch. Sent to the management device
(1) transmitting means, and transmitting from the management device via communication means;
Receiving means for receiving the opening / closing command signal
Open / close the power switch of the device based on the close command signal.
Controlling means for controlling, wherein the management device
And receiving the open / close signal from one of the second devices.
In response, the open / close command is sent to the other device in response to the reception.
A multiple device management system comprising a second transmission unit for transmitting a signal .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multiple device according to the first aspect.
Managed by the management device in the device management system
A third device is provided, and the management device transmits and receives a switching signal from one device.
Signal is received, an open / close command signal is sent to multiple other devices.
Setting means for setting whether or not to transmit
This is a characteristic multiple device management system.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a connection is established via communication means.
Device management system for managing the first and second devices
A management device in the system, wherein the first device and the second device are
Open / close operation of the power switch from one of the two devices
Receiving means for receiving the opening / closing signal output in response to the operation
And power to the other device in response to receiving the signal.
Sends an open / close command signal to control switch open / close.
And a transmission unit .

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, connection is established via communication means.
Power switch of one of the first and second devices
The opening / closing signal output in response to the opening / closing of the switch
Sent to the management device via the stage. The management device is
And an open / close signal from any of the second devices
Power supply of the device to the other device in response to the reception .
An open / close command signal for opening / closing the switch is transmitted. Open / close command signal
The control means of the device that has received the signal
The power switch of the device is controlled to open and close based on.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the management device is provided with another plurality of management devices.
Set whether to send an open / close command signal to other devices
Is provided with an open / close signal from one device.
When the power switch is opened or closed
Prohibit the interlocking of opening and closing the power switch for undesired devices
can do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the management device is a communication device.
Any of the first and second devices connected via a stage
Opening / closing output from the device in response to opening / closing of the power switch
When a signal is received, the other device responds to the reception.
Sends an open / close command signal to open / close the power switch of the device.
I believe.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a copier management system will be described below.

[Copier Management System] First, the configuration of the copier management system will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the configuration of the copier management system. In the figure, reference numerals 100a, 100b, and 100c denote user-side devices, each of which comprises a copying machine 4, a data terminal 1, a modem 52 having a function as a communication terminal device, and a telephone 53. Reference numeral 200 denotes a management device installed in the service station, and a modem 72, a telephone 73, and a CPU having a function as a communication terminal device.
91, display 92, keyboard 93, printer 9
4 comprises a computer 90. Here, three devices 100a, 100b, and 100c are shown as devices on the user side, but the number may be any plural number and each is connected to the management device 200 installed in the service station via the communication line 300. You.

The data terminal 1 receives various signals indicating the operation state and trouble state of the connected copier 4 and performs predetermined processing to organize management data.
00 to the management device 200 installed in the service station. Normally, the data terminal 1 is supplied with power from the main power supply, but is configured to be supplied with power from the secondary battery when the main power supply is cut off.

The computer 90 of the management device 200
Manages the copying machine 4 based on the management data transmitted from the data terminal 1.

[Copier] Since the copier 4 is a known electrophotographic copier, a description of the configuration of the image forming mechanism is omitted here, but the copier is provided with various mechanisms related to image formation. Each mechanism is provided with a sensor to detect the operation state. This includes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum, the toner concentration in the developer, the exposure amount of the photosensitive drum, the developing bias voltage,
It includes a sensor for detecting the amount of toner adhering on the photosensitive drum, the grid voltage of the charged charger, and the like. Each mechanism is provided with an abnormality detection sensor for detecting an abnormal state of various mechanisms related to image formation. Disconnection of the exposure lamp, disconnection of the fixing heater,
The sensor includes a sensor for detecting an abnormal discharge of the charge wire, a sensor for detecting occurrence of a copy paper jam on the conveyance path, and a sensor for detecting whether or not the jammed copy paper has been removed.

FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing a control circuit of the copying machine 4 and a circuit of the data terminal 1. Signals indicating the operating state and abnormal state of each mechanism detected by the various sensors SE in the copying machine 4 are processed by the CPU 41 of the copying machine, converted into serial signals, and converted into serial signals via the serial interfaces 43 and 13. Output to terminal 1.
Also, various key switches arranged on the operation panel 40 shown in FIG. 4, for example, a print key 46 for instructing the start of a copying operation, a numeric keypad 47 for inputting a numerical value, and a clearing device for clearing the input numerical value and stopping the copying operation. Signals from a / stop key 48, a trouble reset key 49 provided on a panel other than the operation panel, and numerical data displayed on the display unit 45 are also processed by the CPU 41 in the copying machine, and then passed through the serial interfaces 42 and 12. Output to data terminal 1.

[Data Terminal] The data terminal 1 shown in FIG. 2 receives and processes various signals indicating the state of the copying machine output from the control CPU 41 of the connected copying machine, and edits management data. When a predetermined transmission condition described later is satisfied, the modem 5
2 (see FIG. 3) is connected to the service station management apparatus 200 via a communication line, and transmits edited management data of the copying machine 4 to the CPU 91 of the management apparatus 200.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 has a ROM 14 storing a control program, a non-volatile memory 16 storing selection number data, which will be described later, and a work backed up by a battery. RAM15, clock IC1 backed up by battery
7 are connected. The CPU 11 includes serial interfaces 12 and 42 and a serial interface 1.
3 and 43, the CPU 41 is also connected to the CPU 41.
1 and processed. This processing will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, a push switch 20 and date switches 21 to 24 are connected to the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1. Push switch 20
Is a switch for instructing initial setting transmission or manual transmission. The date switch 21 is for inputting a selection number (telephone number) of the service station, and the date switch 22 is for inputting the identification number (DTID) of the data terminal 1. The date switch 23 is a switch for setting an input mode of a service station identification number (STID), and the date switch 24 is a switch for setting an initial setting mode. These switches 20 to 24 are connected to the data terminal 1
At an appropriate position. FIG. 5 shows switches 20 to 24.
It is an example of the panel in which is arranged.

The CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 outputs a copy permission signal CPA from its output port PO1 to the CPU 41 of the copying machine, and the power-on detection signal PON from the CPU 41 of the copying machine is input to its input port PI1.

As shown in FIG. 2, a switch SR of a power supply circuit for supplying power to the CPU 11 is operated by a relay RL, and is normally switched to a contact A side.
Power is supplied from the main power supply PS. On the other hand, if the power supply from the main power supply PS is interrupted for any reason, the relay RL is turned off.
FF, and is switched to the contact B side so that the CPU 11 or I
Power is supplied to C from the secondary battery E. Note that the secondary battery E is always charged by the charging circuit CH connected to the main power supply PS. Whether power is being supplied from the main power supply PS or from the secondary battery E is determined by the main power supply PS input to an input port of the CPU 11 (not shown).
Is determined by a signal indicating the state of

The management data transmitted from the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 to the CPU 91 of the management device 200 is as follows:
It is determined by the type of the transmission flag set to "1".
For example, when the power-off transmission flag is set to “1”, management data relating to power switching (switching from the main power source to the secondary battery) is transmitted. In addition, when the copier is installed, identification data (DTID) such as the model name and serial number of the copier are provided as initial setting values, and data transmitted at regular intervals includes management data indicating the status of the copier, and trouble occurrence. Sometimes there is trouble data indicating the type of trouble.

FIG. 3 shows a connection circuit between the data terminal 1 and the service station management device 200. The data terminal 1 is connected via a built-in communication interface (RS232C) 18 (see FIG. 2) to the user side. Communication interface (RS232) of the communication terminal device 50 of FIG.
C) It is connected to a modem 52 as a communication terminal device via 51 and to a modem 72 of a service station management device 200 via a public communication line 300.

[Management Apparatus] The management apparatus 200 for the service station is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, in a computer system mainly including a CPU 91, a modem 72 having a function as a communication terminal device is provided with a communication interface (RS2).
32C) 71, a communication interface (RS
232C) 98. A plurality of copiers of many customers are connected to the service station management device 200 via a data terminal.
A copy machine management file is organized in the RAM 97 connected to the.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a power supply circuit for a driving load such as a CPU 41 of a copying machine and a motor of each section of the copying machine. Power is supplied from the power supply 201 to the CPU 41. In addition, a detection circuit 202 is provided to detect the ON state of the main switch S210 of the copying machine.
The ON detection signal of the main switch S210, which is a one-shot switch detected at 02, is input to the input port POs of the CPU 41. When the ON detection signal of the main switch S210 is input, the CPU 41
To close the contact S211 and supply power to a driving load such as a motor of each part of the copying machine.

[Processing by CPU 41 of Copying Machine 4] Processing executed by CPU 41 of copying machine 4 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of the processing executed by the CPU 41. First, the program is started by turning on the power, and initial settings such as clearing the memory and setting the standard mode are performed (step S11). Next, an internal timer that defines the length of one routine is set, and time measurement is started (step S12).

Key switches on the operation panel 40, various switches arranged inside the copier, input signals from sensors, input processing such as taking in data from the data terminal, and transmission to the data terminal, a copier not shown Output processing such as output of a signal to an internal drive mechanism is executed (step S13).

Next, power supply opening / closing processing of the copying machine is executed (step S14). This will be described in detail later.

It is determined whether or not the print switch is ON (step S15). If the print switch is ON, various operation units such as paper feed control, scanning control, photosensitive drum control, developing device control, etc., necessary for the copying operation are performed. Execute group control (Step S
16). Then, the process waits for the internal timer to finish counting (step S17), and returns to step S12.

Next, the details of the power supply opening / closing process of the copying machine shown in step S14 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, it is determined on-edge that the main switch (S210) has been closed (step S2).
1). If it is on-edge, that is, if the main switch is closed, it is determined whether the relay 211 is currently ON, that is, whether it is energized (step S22).
Is ON, the relay 211 is used to turn off the power.
Is turned off, an off command is transmitted to the data terminal 1 (steps S23 and S24), and the process returns to the main routine. If it is determined in step S22 that the relay 211 is not ON, the process proceeds to step S26, where the relay 211 is turned ON to turn on the power, an ON command is transmitted to the data terminal 1 (steps S26 and S27), and the initial mode (step S26). (The same as the mode set in step S11 of the main routine) is set (step S28), and the process returns to the main routine.

If it is determined in step S21 that the main switch is not on-edge, the flow advances to step S25 to determine whether or not an ON command for turning on the main switch has been output from the data terminal 1. If the ON command has been output, step S26. Move on to On the other hand, if no ON command is output in step S25, step S29 is executed.
And turn on the main switch from the data terminal 1.
It is determined whether or not an off command to output F has been output. If the off command has been output, the process proceeds to step S23.
If no off command has been output, the process returns to the main routine.

[Processing by CPU 11 of Data Terminal 1] Processing executed by CPU 11 of data terminal 1
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the initial mode is set. If not, the initial mode is set (step S41,
S42). Next, data transmitted from the CPU 41 of the copying machine and the CPU 91 of the service station are received (step S43), and an ON command and an OFF command are transmitted to the CPU 41 of the copying machine (step S44). Output of jams and other maintenance data, service station CPU
The transmission / reception processing of the instruction data and the like transmitted from 91 is executed (step S45), and the process returns to step S43.

[CP of service station management device]
Processing in U91] Processing executed by the CPU 91 of the service station management device will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 91 starts operating when the power is turned on. First, the connection status of the peripheral devices such as the modem 72, the keyboard 93, the printer 94 and the like is checked, and the environment information of the CPU 91 for the peripheral devices is set (step S51).

Next, a mode described below is set or a process described below is executed in accordance with an input operation of each of the key switches of the function keys F1 to F7 on the keyboard 93.

If it is determined that the function key F1 has been selected (step S52), a model registration acceptance mode is set (step S53). 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.

If it is determined that the function key F2 has been selected (step S54), the user master registration acceptance mode is set (step S55). That is, new registration of a user name, an address, a telephone number, a model name, a machine number, a scheduled transmission date and time, etc. is accepted. In the user master, information indicating whether or not the power switch of each copying machine is to be linked with the power switch of a specific copying machine is set. That is, in FIG. 1, a setting is made such that the user's device 100b links the power switch with the specific device 100a, but does not link the device 100c. This setting is input from the keyboard 93, and the information is set by setting a flag in the RAM in the CPU 91 based on the input information.

Step S56 is a process in the case where it is determined that the other function keys F3 to F7 have been selected, but the description is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention.

Next, information reception / transmission processing at the service station (step S57) is performed, and step S5 is performed.
Return to 2. For example, in FIG. 1, the power switch of the copier 4 of the user's specific apparatus 100a is turned on / off in the process of receiving and transmitting information at the service station in step S57.
When turned off, the information is received by the CPU 91 of the management device via the data terminal 1. In this case, the reception of information is processed by the following interrupt processing.

Then, the received power switch is turned on / off.
Based on the OFF information and a flag indicating whether the power switch of each copying machine input from the keyboard 93 is linked with the power switch of the specific copying machine or not, the flag is set so as to be linked with the apparatus 100a. A command to turn on / off the power switch is transmitted to the copying machine 4 of the user's apparatus 100b. In this case, if the copying machine 4 of the user's device 100b is performing a copying operation, a command to turn off the power switch is issued after the completion of the operation.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 shows an interrupt process executed by the CPU 91 of the service station, and a step S61 shows that data transmitted from the data terminal 1 is received and a predetermined process is performed. ing.

When turning on the power of two or more copiers at the same time, a large inrush current may momentarily flow to open the power supply protection breaker. This can be avoided by slightly shifting the timing of the operation one by one.

In this embodiment, the user devices 100a to 100a
The copier 100c is connected to the computer of the service station via a communication line, and a command for turning on / off the power switch is transmitted / received via the computer of the service station. And a command for turning on / off the power switch may be processed by the CPU of the specific copying machine.

The relay may be opened and closed simultaneously by turning on / off the power switch of a specific copying machine, and the power switches of other copying machines may be turned on / off by the relay. In this case, the setting of the copier to be linked may be performed on the specific copier side, or may be performed on the copier side to be linked.

The device management system is not limited to a copying machine, but can be applied to devices such as a facsimile, a printer, and a personal computer.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, the power switch of one device can be opened and closed by opening and closing the power switch of one device. Even if the devices are distributed,
Power supply open / close management can be performed reliably.

For a device that does not require simultaneous opening and closing of the power switch in conjunction with one device, setting means for setting whether or not to execute the opening and closing control of the power switch is provided, so that a specific device can be controlled. It is possible not to be linked with the opening and closing of the power supply, and it is possible to execute the opening and closing management of the power supply finely.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a copier management system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit and data terminals of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a connection circuit between a data terminal and a management device.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an operation panel of the copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of switches on a data terminal.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a power supply circuit for a driving load of the copying machine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by a CPU of the copying machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a power supply opening / closing process executed by the CPU of the copying machine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing executed by a data terminal CPU.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing executed by a CPU of the management apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process executed by the CPU of the management device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Data Terminal 4 Copier 52, 72 Modem 53, 73 Telephone 11, 41, 91 CPU 100a, 100b, 100c User-side Device 200 Management Device 300 Communication Line

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 11/00-11/10 H04Q 9/00-9/16 G03G 15/00 G03G 21/00 G06F 1 / 00 H02J 13/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second communication means are connected via communication means .
A first device and a second device, respectively, which respond to a power switch and an opening / closing operation of the power switch. A first transmission for transmitting an open / close signal to be output to the management device via the communication means.
Communication means, transmitted from the management device via communication means.
Receiving means for receiving the opening / closing command signal, and the received opening / closing finger
Controls the opening and closing of the power switch of the device based on the command signal
And a control unit for performing the operation, wherein the management device is one of the first and second devices.
Upon receiving the opening / closing signal from the device, responding to the reception,
Transmitting means for transmitting an opening / closing command signal to the other device
Multiple device management system comprising the. 2. A system for managing multiple devices according to claim 1.
And a third device managed by the management device.
For example, the management device has received an opening / closing signal from one device.
Send an open / close command signal to multiple other devices
A plurality of setting means for setting whether or not
Equipment management system. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
Management in a multiple device management system that manages two devices
A power switch from one of the first and second devices.
Receiving open / close signal output in response to switch open / close operation
And a power switch for the other device in response to the reception of the signal.
To send an open / close command signal to control the opening / closing of the switch.
A management device comprising communication means .