JP3186268B2 - Image forming device management system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as copiers and a management apparatus via a single communication control means and a communication line. The present invention relates to a function of a communication control device that controls communication between the communication device and the management device.

[0002]

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

[0003] Such an image forming apparatus management system includes:
By centrally managing a plurality of image forming apparatuses installed in remote locations by a management apparatus (host machine) provided in one place, the usage status of each image forming apparatus is totaled, and the management information is stored in an image. It is used for maintenance of forming equipment. The contents of the usage state include the number of copies, etc., and the contents of the maintenance include automatic calling to the management apparatus by self-diagnosis of the image forming apparatus, adjustment of each part of the image forming apparatus by access from the management apparatus side, and the like.

Further, a counter value (for example, the number of copies) for billing a maintenance contract for an image forming apparatus, which has conventionally been confirmed by a visit of a service engineer or a telephone call to a customer, is remotely monitored using this system. Reading by operation is also performed. Further, the communication control device of such an image forming apparatus management system receives various types of alarm data from the image forming apparatus, but since the alarm data has low urgency, the alarm data is immediately transmitted to the management apparatus. In some cases, settings are made to transmit at a time convenient for communication, such as a time zone where the frequency of use of the connected telephone or facsimile device is low or a traffic volume of the public line is low. .

[0005]

However, in such a communication control apparatus, the alarm data received from each image forming apparatus is periodically transmitted to the management apparatus as described above. When a large number of alarm data are transmitted from the device, a large amount of memory is required to store all of them, and the time required for transmission and reception is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances. Therefore, it is possible to optimally store and transmit and receive alarm data without increasing the memory capacity for storing alarm data. An object is to operate a device management system more efficiently.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus management system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus via a single communication control device and a communication line. , The following (1)-
An image forming apparatus management system as described in any one of (8) is provided.

(1) Alarm data storage means for receiving various alarm data transmitted from a plurality of image forming apparatuses and sequentially storing them in a communication control apparatus, and storing alarm data stored in the means in advance. Alarm data transmission means for calling and transmitting the management device at the time of the call origination, and the oldest alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means when the set number of alarm data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus. Means for deleting the latest alarm data and deleting the latest alarm data.

(2) Alarm data storage means and alarm data transmission means similar to (1) to the communication control apparatus, and when more than a set number of alarm data are transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the alarm data storage means Means for deleting the oldest alarm data of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the latest alarm data among the stored alarm data and storing the latest alarm data.

(3) Alarm data storage means and alarm data transmission means similar to (1) to the communication control apparatus, and when more than a set number of alarm data are transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the alarm data storage means If the stored alarm data has the same alarm data as the latest alarm data of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the latest alarm data, the data is deleted. If the same alarm data does not exist, the image is deleted. Means for deleting the oldest alarm data of the forming apparatus and storing the latest alarm data.

(4) In the communication control device, the same alarm data storage means and alarm data transmission means as in (1), means for storing the priority given to each image forming apparatus, and setting from the image forming apparatus Means for storing the latest alarm data by deleting the oldest alarm data of the image forming apparatus having a lower priority order from among the alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means when more than two alarm data are transmitted. An image forming apparatus management system comprising:

(5) In the communication control device, the same alarm data storage means and alarm data transmission means as in (1), means for storing the priority given to each image forming apparatus, and setting from the image forming apparatus When more than a certain number of alarm data have been transmitted, when there is the same alarm data as the latest alarm data of the image forming apparatus that transmitted the latest alarm data among the alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means Means for deleting the data, and when there is no identical alarm data, deleting the oldest data of the image forming apparatus having a lower priority and storing the latest alarm data.

(6) The same alarm data storage means and alarm data transmission means as in (1), and the alarm data transmission means when the set number of alarm data have been transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the communication control apparatus. Means for causing the management device to make a call without waiting for the set call time. Note that the communication control device may be provided with a unit that inhibits polling of each image forming apparatus while the alarm data transmitting unit is transmitting the alarm data to the management device.

(7) The same alarm data storage means and alarm data transmission means as in (1), and when the same number of alarm data have been transmitted from the same image forming apparatus to the communication control apparatus, the alarm data transmission. Means for calling the management apparatus without waiting for the set calling time.

(8) The communication control device is provided with the same alarm data storage means and alarm data transmission means as in (1), and means for setting the number of data that can be stored in the alarm data storage means for each image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus management system.

[0016]

According to the image forming apparatus management system of (1),
When the communication control device has transmitted more than the set number of alarm data from the image forming apparatus, the oldest alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means is deleted and the latest alarm data is stored. The latest alarm data can be reliably transmitted to the management device without increasing the memory capacity of the means.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of (2), when the communication control apparatus has transmitted more than a set number of alarm data from the image forming apparatus, the alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means is transmitted. Since the oldest alarm data of the image forming apparatus that transmitted the latest alarm data is deleted and the above-mentioned latest alarm data is stored, even if the memory capacity of the alarm data storage unit is not so large, The latest alarm data can be reliably transmitted to the management device.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of (3), when the communication control apparatus has transmitted more than a set number of alarm data from the image forming apparatus, the alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means is transmitted. If there is the same alarm data as the latest alarm data of the image forming apparatus that sent the latest alarm data, delete that data.If there is no same alarm data, delete the oldest alarm data of the image forming apparatus. Since the latest alarm data is deleted and stored, the latest alarm data for each image forming apparatus can be reliably transmitted to the management apparatus without increasing the memory capacity of the alarm data storage means as described above. In addition, the same alarm data is not repeatedly transmitted to the management device.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of (4), when the communication control apparatus has transmitted more than the set number of alarm data from the image forming apparatus, the alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means is transmitted. The oldest alarm data of the image forming apparatus having a low priority is deleted and the latest alarm data is stored. Therefore, even if the memory capacity of the alarm data storage means is not so large, the latest alarm data of the image forming apparatus having a high priority can be obtained. Alarm data can be reliably transmitted to the management device.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of (5), when the communication control apparatus has transmitted more than the set number of alarm data from the image forming apparatus, the alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means is transmitted. If there is the same alarm data as the latest alarm data of the image forming apparatus that transmitted the latest alarm data to the image forming apparatus, delete the data.If there is no same alarm data, delete the oldest alarm data of the lower priority image forming apparatus. Because the data is deleted and the latest alarm data is stored, (4)
The same effect as that of the image forming apparatus management system can be obtained, and the same alarm data is not repeatedly transmitted to the management apparatus.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of (6), the communication control apparatus waits for the calling time set in the alarm data transmitting means when the set number of alarm data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus. Without having to increase the memory capacity of the alarm data storage means, without reading out the old alarm data from the alarm data storage means and reading all the alarm data and sending it to the management apparatus. can do.

If the polling of each image forming apparatus is prohibited while the alarm data transmitting means is transmitting the alarm data to the management apparatus, no extra processing is required.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of (7), when the communication control apparatus transmits alarm data of a set number or more from the same image forming apparatus, the calling time set in the alarm data transmitting means is set. Is called without waiting, all the alarm data can be read out and transmitted to the management device without deleting the old alarm data from the alarm data storage means.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of (8), the number of data that can be stored in the alarm data storage means can be set for each image forming apparatus by the communication control apparatus. Determine the importance of management.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. First, as an example of an image forming apparatus constituting an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention, a schematic configuration of a copying machine used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

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

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

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

A first tray 51, a second tray 52, a third tray 53, and a fourth tray 54 are detachably provided in the sheet feeding section 12 as trays for stocking and supplying transfer sheets. A first paper supply unit 55, a second paper supply unit 56, a third paper supply unit 57, and a fourth paper supply unit 58 are provided as paper supply units for supplying the transfer papers stocked therein. And a large number of paper feed trays (LC
T) A manual / large-volume paper feed unit 59 for feeding the transfer paper from 60 is also provided.

Further, in order to convey the transfer paper fed by each of the paper feed units 55 to 59 and the duplex unit 15 toward the registration roller pair 46, the right transport unit 61,
A left transport section 62 and a horizontal transport section 63 are provided.
Further, the fixing / discharge unit 13 includes a fixing unit 65 and a discharge roller group 66, and the reversing unit 14 includes a reversing roller group 6.
7 are provided.

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

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

On the other hand, the transfer paper stocked in any of the first tray 51, the second tray 52, the third tray 53, the fourth tray 54, the manual tray 4, the large-volume paper feed tray 60, and the duplex unit 15 is used. , Paper feed units 55 to 59
And the paper is fed at a predetermined paper feed timing, and the transfer paper is fed to the right transport unit 61, the left transport unit 62,
The sheet is conveyed to the registration roller pair 47 stopped in advance through the horizontal conveying section 63 and the like. Then, the photosensitive drum 35
The registration roller pair 47 is driven at the timing when the leading edge of the upper toner image and the leading edge of the transfer paper match.

Thus, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 35 is transferred to the transfer paper by the action of the pre-transfer charger and the transfer charger 43. At this time, the photosensitive drum 35
The surface of the transfer paper is very smooth, and the adhesion of the transfer paper is large at the surface. Therefore, the action of the separation charger 44 lowers the potential of the transfer paper to lower the adhesion.

Thereafter, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 35 by a separation claw (not shown), and the separated transfer paper is sent to the fixing unit 65 by the transport belt 48. The transfer paper sent to the fixing unit 37 is applied with heat and pressure to the toner here, whereby the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed on the transfer paper. It is discharged onto a paper tray. When performing double-sided copying or the like, the sheet is once sent to the reversing unit 14, the conveyance direction is reversed, and the sheet is sent to the double-side unit 15.

Since the toner that has not been completely transferred adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 after the transfer, the surface is cleaned by the brush and the cleaning blade of the cleaning unit 46, and then uneven by the quenching lamp 36. Constant surface potential.

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

FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation unit of the copying machine. At the center of the operation unit 70, a guidance display unit 71 using a liquid crystal display panel and a pattern display unit 72 are provided, and a large number of keys are provided on the left, right and front sides thereof. On the right side, a start key 73, an interrupt key 74, a preheat key 75, a mode clear / preheat key 76, a ten key 77, a clear / stop key 78, a timer key 7
9, a program key 80, an enter key 81, and a guidance key 82 are provided.

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

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the pattern display section 72, in which a set number display D1 and a copy number display D are shown.
2, running display D3, density adjustment display D4, misfeed position display D5, paper supply display D6, misfeed display D7, remote communication abnormality display D8, toner supply display D9,
Paper remaining amount display D10, paper selection / size / direction display D1
1, a magnification display D12 and the like are respectively displayed in a pattern.

The guidance display section 71 shown in FIG. 3 displays messages for operation and warning. Further, the operation unit 70 is characterized in that a remote report key 83 for the user to report when a service is requested and a remote communication abnormality display D8 displayed when an abnormality occurs in the report. However, instead of providing a dedicated remote notification key as in this example, a function corresponding to the remote notification key may be realized by the pressing order, pressing time, or combination of pressed keys of other keys.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the operation unit of the copying machine. The operation unit 70 includes a touch panel display device 121 and an operation panel 122. The operation panel 122 has a start key 123, as shown in FIG.
Clear / stop key 124, numeric key 125, guidance key 126, program key 127, interrupt key 12
8 and a mode clear key 129.

The touch panel display device 121 is C
The screen of the RT display device has a touch panel, and can input various information by touching each key of the touch panel, and can display various information such as an operation state and a message.

This touch panel display device 121
Has a user program mode (UP mode), which is a mode that is set according to the conditions used individually by the user. For example, when the display shown in FIG. After the clear key 129 is pressed, the password “99911” is entered using the numeric keypad 125.
Is input, UP as shown in FIG.
The screen switches to the mode setting screen.

The screen is in the form of a hierarchical menu. In this example, by selecting "5 remote diagnosis reports",
The screen is switched to the notification screen shown in FIG. Here, a remote report can be made by touching the remote report key "#".

FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus management system to which the present invention is applied. A management apparatus 16 installed at a service base and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine (shown as “PPC”) 1 installed at each user are connected via a public line network 17 as a communication line. are doing.

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

A plurality of copiers 1 can be connected to this communication control device, but there may be a single copier. These copiers 1 need not be of the same type and may be of different models, and may be image forming apparatuses such as printers other than copiers. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a maximum of five copying machines 1 can be connected to one communication control device 18. The communication control device 18 and the plurality of copying machines 1 are connected in a multi-drop manner according to the RS-485 standard.

Communication control between the communication control device 18 and each copying machine 1 is performed by a basic data transmission control procedure. By establishing a data link by a polling / selecting method of centralized control using the communication control device 18 as a control station, communication with an arbitrary copying machine is enabled. Each copier has become to be able to set a unique value Tsu by the address setting switch,
Thus, the polling address and the selecting address of each copying machine are determined.

FIG. 9 shows the communication control device 18 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of FIG. A signal from the public network 17 is first input to the switching unit 180. here,
If the communication from the public line is addressed to the telephone 19 (or the facsimile machine 20 in FIG. 5) connected to the communication control device 18, the public line is
(Or the facsimile machine 20 in FIG. 5), and if the communication is from the management device 16, the modem 18 on the public line side
Connect to 1.

Further, communication with the copying machine 1 is performed by a communication interface 183 using a transceiver for RS-485. These controls and processes are performed mainly by the CPU 184 according to a control program in the ROM 185. The RAM 186 stores intermediate results of processing and the like, and is also used to temporarily store communication text. Also, the communication control device 1 is transmitted from the management device 16 side.
Various kinds of parameters necessary for the operation of Step 8 are also written in the RAM 186. These data are backed up by a battery 187 so as not to be lost due to a power failure of the communication control device 18 or the like. Further, the communication control device 18 includes a clock 188.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management device 16 shown in FIG. The management device 16 includes a host computer 160 that executes various processes, an external storage device 161 such as a magnetic disk for storing management data and the like, a display 162 for display, and a keyboard 163 as operation means. , A printer 164 for outputting management data, and a modem 165 for connecting to the public network 17.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of copying machine 1 shown in FIG. The control of the copying machine main body 2 is performed based on control programs and data stored in the ROM 101 with the CPU 100 as the center. The RAM 102 is used to store intermediate results of the processing.

The A / D converter 103 includes an exposure lamp 22
Supply voltage, the light emission voltage and light reception voltage of the P sensor 45, the output of the potential sensor 39, the output of the original set (ADS) sensor 8, the output of the lamp light amount sensor for detecting the light amount of the exposure lamp 22, and the photosensitive drum 35. It is used to input an output of a drum current sensor for detecting a flowing current, a thermistor voltage in the fixing unit 65, and the like.

The optical system control unit 104 controls the scanner section 10 shown in FIG. High voltage power supply unit 105
Supplies a high voltage applied to the charger 37, the separation charger 44, the transfer charger 43, and the pre-transfer charger (PTC) 42, respectively, and a developing bias voltage applied to the developing roller in the developing unit 40.

The motor control unit 106 controls the main motor that drives the photosensitive drum 35, the paper feed units, the rollers of the transport unit, and the like. The heater control unit 107 controls energization to a fixing heater that heats the fixing roller of the fixing unit 65, and maintains the surface temperature of the fixing roller within a predetermined range. Sensor sensitivity control unit 10
8 is a light receiving gain of the lamp light intensity sensor, and an ADS sensor 8
Light receiving gain of P sensor 45, P sensor 4
5 is used to change the light emission voltage and the like of the LED.

The communication interface unit 109
This unit communicates with the communication control device 18. An address unique to the copying machine can be set in the range of 1 to 5 by the address setting switch 110. The communication permission switch 111 can be used to set permission / prohibition of communication with the communication control device 18.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. First, FIGS. 12 and 8
The function of the remote notification will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the operation unit 70 shown in FIG. 3 is used.

In the case of the remote report by the remote report key, when the remote report key 83 of the copying machine 1 is pressed, the remote report is sent from the copy machine 1 to the communication control device 18 as shown in FIG. Transmit remote report data by key. Upon receiving this, the communication control device 18 makes a call to the telephone number of the management device 16 set in advance, and transmits remote report data by the remote report key.

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

When the communication control device 18 finishes transmitting predetermined data to the management device 16, the communication control device 18 instructs the source copying machine 1 to perform communication between the communication control device 18 and the management device 16. The report result report indicating the result is transmitted. Thereby, the copy machine 1 of the transmission source
Can determine whether communication has been completed normally or communication has failed due to some abnormality.

Further, the copying machine is usually provided with a self-diagnosis function so that the copying machine may be in a dangerous state or unusable, for example, when an abnormality in the fixing temperature is detected, or when it is impossible to adjust each adjustment point by the electronic volume. If the situation becomes
It is common practice to notify a user or serviceman in a form such as "error" or "serviceman call".

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

Further, when the copying machine determines that it is preferable to perform maintenance, for example, when the self-diagnosis function diagnoses that an abnormal state has not been reached but the state is very close to the abnormal state, FIG. As shown in ()), remote notification data (alarm data) of the advance warning is transmitted to the communication control device 18. In the case of a remote report due to this self-diagnosis error, the copier is inevitably disabled.However, in the case of a remote report by advance warning, the copy machine remains in the usable state. Is set and the start key is pressed, a copying operation is performed.

At this time, if the load on the controller of the copying machine 1 is heavy due to the copying process, or if there is a possibility that the contents included in the transmission data may be changed by the copying operation to make the data inconsistent, the communication is interrupted. May be. Since the remote alert data of the advance warning is of low urgency, the communication control device 18 that has received this data immediately sends the management device 1
6 and is transmitted at a time convenient for communication, such as a time zone in which the telephone 19 or the facsimile device 20 connected to the communication control device 18 is used less frequently or a time zone in which the traffic volume of the public network 17 is small. Send.

This time can be set from the management device 16 to the communication control device 18. In the case of this remote warning of the advance warning, a report of the report result is not transmitted to the copying machine 1 unlike other remote reports.

Next, a case where the management apparatus accesses the copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. The access from the management apparatus 16 to the copying machine 1 is roughly classified into three types, namely, a read request, a write request, and an execute request. A read request is a process of reading logging data, various set values, output values of various sensors, and the like in the copying machine 1, and a write request is a process of rewriting various set values and the like by sending data from the management device 16 and rewriting them. is there. The execute request is a process for causing the copying machine 1 to perform a test operation or the like.

FIGS. 13 (a), 13 (b) and 13 (c) show the procedure of communication processing between the management device 16, the communication control device 18 and the copying machine 1 at the time of each request. The management device 16 dials the communication control device 18 to which the target copying machine 1 is connected, and transmits each request data. The communication control device 18 receives these request data from the management device 16. The communication control device 18 that has received the request data transmits the request data to the target copier 1.

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

Referring to FIG. 14, a case where the management apparatus accesses the communication control apparatus will be described. The access from the management device 16 to the communication control device 18 is also roughly classified according to the purpose, and is categorized into a read (Read) request, a write (write) request, and an execute (Execute).
There are three types of requests. The procedure of each process at this time is shown in FIG.
(a), (b), and (c).

The read request is the communication control device 1
8 is a process of reading the setting parameters and the like.
The write request is a process of setting parameters of the communication control device 18 by sending data from the management device 16. The execute request is the communication control device 1
8 is a process for performing a test operation such as a function check.

FIG. 15 is a list of parameters set in the communication control device 18. A model number and a serial number of the copying machine are registered for each copying machine of each address, and are added to the information when the notification from the copying machine 1 is transmitted to the management device 16 or transmitted when the management device 16 accesses. This is used to determine the address of the copying machine 1 to be selected.

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

These parameters are written from the management device 16 through the public line network 17, and are written by directly connecting a portable device for setting parameters to the communication control device or by providing operating means on the communication control device 18. It may be configured to set.

FIG. 16 shows an example of the format of communication data at the time of remote notification. (A) is a data format from the copying machine to the communication control device. The first field is a report reason code, which indicates the type of remote report using a remote report key, remote report due to self-diagnosis abnormality, or remote report of prior warning. This is followed by information inside the copier. Copier status includes toner, oil,
Information such as the status of consumables such as copy paper, the output values of various sensors, the set values of various adjustment locations, and the connection status of units.

(B) is a data format from the communication control device 18 to the management device 16. In addition to the data from the copier 1, fields for a model number and a serial number are added at the top to specify the copier that has been the information source. A communication control device 18 is provided at the rear.
The time at which the notification factor occurred is added by the clock 188 inside. In the data portion, the type of data to be transmitted to the management device 16 changes depending on parameters set in the communication control device 18. In this example, only the number of times of self-diagnosis abnormality occurrence and the copying machine state are transmitted to the management device 16. Is set to the communication control device 18 in the first step.

(C) is a data format of a report report transmitted to the copier when the report from the communication control device to the management device is completed.

FIG. 17 shows a data format at the time of read processing during access from the management apparatus 16 to the copying machine 1. The management device 16 transmits to the communication control device 18 a request code indicating a read process and a code of an item to be read, following the model number and the serial number of the target copying machine 1.

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

FIG. 18 shows a data format at the time of write processing. In this case, in the communication toward the copying machine 1, data to be written is added following the item code as compared with the case of the read processing. In the communication toward the management device 16, the data actually written in the copying machine 1 is transmitted following the item code field. Normally, the data to be written received by the copier and the data to be transmitted transmitted by the copier match.However, when the received data is out of the valid range, the data may be rounded to a boundary value and the data may be written. In such a case, they do not match.

FIG. 19 is also the same as Execute.
This is the data format at the time of processing. In this case, in the communication toward the copying machine 1, when the operation target cannot be specified only by the item code, a code for supplementing the operation content follows the item code. Copier 1 that has performed the requested operation
Transmits the operation result information to the management device 16 side.

FIG. 20 shows a data format at the time of access from the management device 16 to the communication control device 18, wherein (a) shows a read process, (b) shows a write process,
(C) is a format at the time of execute processing.
These have almost the same data format as when the copy machine 1 is accessed, but have a code indicating the communication control device 18 instead of the model number and the serial number.

FIG. 21 shows the CP of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the main routine of the notification control by U100. When the communication permission switch 111 provided outside the operation unit 70 of the copying machine 1 is ON, the operation unit 70
When the remote notification key 83 (FIG. 3) is pressed, the occurrence of an abnormality is detected by the self-diagnosis function, or it is determined that an advance warning is required, Perform each remote notification process.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the remote notification subroutine using the remote notification key in FIG. First, remote report data is transmitted to the communication control device 18 using the remote report key. If the notification cannot be performed normally, such as no response from the communication control device 18, the remote communication abnormality display D on the operation unit 70
8 (FIG. 4) is lit or blinked to notify the user of this.

When the data has been normally transmitted to the communication control device 18, the timer for judging the timeout is reset and the report of the report result from the communication control device 18 is waited. In this example, the time-out period is set to 3 minutes, and when the report of the report is not received within 3 minutes, the time-out is set as the time-out.
It is displayed by lighting or flashing of the remote communication abnormality display D8 on 0 to notify the user.

When the report is received within the time-out period, it is determined whether the report is normally made based on the result report. If the report is made normally, the fact that the automatic report is completed is displayed as a diagram ( not illustrated), and displays to that effect also by lighting or flashing of a remote communication error display D8 If was unsuccessful, the process returns to FIG. 2 1 of the main routine.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the contents of the subroutine for remote notification due to the self-diagnosis abnormality in FIG. The processing of this subroutine is the same as the remote notification by the remote notification key described with reference to FIG. 22 except that the data to be transmitted to the communication control device 18 is data due to a self-diagnosis abnormality and the timeout time is 20 minutes. Therefore, the description is omitted.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the contents of the subroutine for remote notification by prior warning in FIG. In this routine, remote notification data is transmitted to the communication controller device 18 by a prior warning.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a main routine of processing by CPU 100 of copying machine 1 when accessed from communication control device 18. When the communication permission switch 111 shown in FIG. 11 is ON, if there is received data in the communication interface unit 109, the received data is received, the processing requested by the first field is determined, and a read request, a write request, One of the execute requests is determined, and a process is performed according to the result of the determination. If the request is neither of the above, an error code is returned, and the process ends.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the contents of the subroutine of the read process of FIG. In this routine, if the item code received by the copying machine 1 is correct and readable, the requested data is returned, and if not, an error code is returned.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of the write process of FIG. In this routine, if the received item code is not a writable correct one, an error code is returned. If it is correct, the value to be written is checked, and if it is within the valid range, the value of the received data is written as it is. If the item is out of the valid range, if the item can be written with data rounded to the boundary value of the valid range, the boundary value is written. Otherwise, return an error code and return.

Whether or not the data can be rounded to the boundary value and written may be determined for each item code. Even if the temperature is within the effective range like the setting of the fixing temperature,
For service center phone numbers that have no meaning in the numerical value, rounding to the boundary value is prohibited, and items that do not affect image quality, such as auto reset time, are rounded to the boundary value for convenience. To give permission. For example, if the auto reset time is to be as long as possible, the maximum value is automatically selected on the copying machine side by setting the value to be written to the maximum value that is full of digits.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the contents of a subroutine of the execute process in FIG.
In this routine, an error code is returned unless the received item code is correct and executable. If the item is correct, it is determined whether or not the item requires an operation content supplement. If not, the specified operation is executed and the operation result information is returned. If the operation content supplementation is required for the item, the operation according to the supplemented information is executed. If the operation content supplementation is out of the valid range, an error code is transmitted and the process returns.

Next, a communication procedure between the communication control device 18 and the copying machine 1 will be described. FIG. 29 shows an idle communication sequence when five copiers are connected to the communication control device 18. The communication control device 18 sequentially transmits a polling sequence using the polling address of each copying machine 1. The copier 1 polled by its own polling address sends a negative acknowledgment to the communication control device 1 if there is no transmission text.
8 The communication control device 18 sequentially polls each copying machine 1.

FIG. 30 shows an example of a communication sequence in the case where a text to be transmitted exists in the copying machine at address 2. After being polled by its own address, the transmission text is transmitted on the RS-485 line.

FIG. 31 shows an example of a communication sequence when a text is transmitted from the communication control device 18 to the copying machine at address 5. After the current polling is completed, a selecting sequence is transmitted using the selecting address of the target copying machine, and the text is transmitted to the copying machine. After sending the text, it returns to the original polling cycle.

Next, various types of alarm data processing by the CPU 184 of the communication control device 18 shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 1, 32 to 39. Here, the number of alarm data that can be stored in the RAM 186 of the communication control device 18 is 5
And set it as the set number.

The alarm data is information indicating a state in the copying machine before the serviceman call is reached. For example, when five or more jams occur at the same location, the number of jams is determined. Replenish toner when the toner is in the end-of-toner state (the remaining amount of toner is less than a predetermined amount), replenish the waste toner when the toner in the waste toner tank is just before the toner is full, and replenish the fixing oil when the fixing oil is less than the predetermined amount Are sent to the communication control device 16 as alarm data.

Each of the routines shown in FIGS. 1, 32 to 39 starts when alarm data is received from each copying machine 1. In the case of FIG. 1, first, the number of received alarm data is five.
It is determined whether or not the number has exceeded five, and if the number has not exceeded five, the latest alarm data is written to the RAM 186.
If the number exceeds five, the oldest first alarm data among the five alarm data stored in the RAM 186 is deleted and the latest alarm data is written.

That is, five alarm data have already been received, and then a new sixth alarm data is sent to the management device 16 before sending it to the management device 16 (calling the management device 16 at a preset calling time). Is transmitted from the copying machine, the oldest first alarm data transmitted in the RAM 186 is deleted, and the sixth alarm data is newly written.

According to the communication control device 18 which performs such processing, even if the memory capacity of the area for storing the alarm data in the RAM 186 is not so large,
The latest alarm data can be reliably transmitted to the management device 16.

When the flow of FIG. 32 starts,
First, it is determined whether or not the number of received alarm data has exceeded five. If the number does not exceed five, the latest alarm data is written to the RAM 186. If the number exceeds five, the latest alarm data is stored in the RAM 186. It is determined whether or not there is alarm data of the copying machine that has transmitted the data (the same), and if not, the oldest first alarm data among the five alarm data stored in the RAM 186 is deleted and the latest alarm data is deleted. Write data.

If the RAM 186 contains alarm data of the copying machine to which the latest alarm data has been transmitted, the oldest alarm data is deleted and the latest alarm data is written. According to the communication control device 18 which performs such processing, the latest alarm data for each copying machine 1 can be stored in the management device 1 without increasing the memory capacity of the area for storing the alarm data in the RAM 186.
6 can be transmitted reliably.

When the flow of FIG. 33 starts,
First, it is determined whether or not the number of received alarm data has exceeded five. If the number does not exceed five, the latest alarm data is written to the RAM 186. If the number exceeds five, the latest alarm data is stored in the RAM 186. It is determined whether or not there is alarm data of the copying machine that has transmitted the data (the same), and if not, the oldest first alarm data among the five alarm data stored in the RAM 186 is deleted and the latest alarm data is deleted. Write data.

If the RAM 186 contains the alarm data of the copying machine to which the latest alarm data has been transmitted, the process proceeds to the determination as to whether or not there is the same alarm data as the latest alarm data. If the alarm data is deleted, the oldest alarm data is deleted from the alarm data of the copying machine to which the latest alarm data has been transmitted, and the latest alarm data is written.

According to the communication control device 18 which performs such processing, even if the memory capacity of the area for storing the alarm data in the RAM 186 is not so large,
The latest alarm data for each copying machine 1 can be reliably transmitted to the management device 16, and the same alarm data is not repeatedly transmitted to the management device 16.

The flow of FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 will be described below. It is assumed that the communication control device 18 that performs these processes stores the priority given to each copying machine in the RAM 186. When the flow of FIG. 34 starts, it is first determined whether or not the number of received alarm data has exceeded 5, and if not, the latest alarm data is written to the RAM 186.

If the number exceeds five, the RAM 186
It is determined whether there is alarm data of a copying machine (low level) of low priority among the five alarm data stored in the above, and if not, the latest alarm data is not written. The oldest alarm data among the alarm data of the copying machine with the lowest priority is deleted and the latest alarm data is written.

According to the communication control device 18 which performs such processing, even if the memory capacity of the area for storing the alarm data in the RAM 186 is not so large,
The latest alarm data of the copying machine having a higher priority can be reliably transmitted to the management device 16.

When the flow of FIG. 35 starts,
First, it is determined whether or not the number of received alarm data has exceeded five. If the number does not exceed five, the latest alarm data is written to the RAM 186. If the number exceeds five, the latest alarm data is stored in the RAM 186. It is determined whether or not there is the same alarm data as the latest alarm data of the (same) copying machine that transmitted the data.

If the alarm data is present, the alarm data is deleted and the latest alarm data is written.
It is determined whether or not there is an alarm data of a copying machine having a low priority among the five alarm data stored in 186, and if not, the latest alarm data is not written. The oldest alarm data among the alarm data of the copying machines with lower ranks is deleted and the latest alarm data is written.

According to the communication control device 18 which performs such processing, even if the memory capacity of the area for storing the alarm data in the RAM 186 is not so large,
The latest alarm data of the copying machine having the higher priority can be reliably transmitted to the management device 16 and the management device 16
, The same alarm data is not transmitted redundantly.

When the flow of FIG. 36 starts,
First, it is determined whether or not the number of received alarm data has reached five. If the number does not exceed five, the latest alarm data is written into the RAM 186. If the number exceeds five, a preset issuance is issued. After waiting for a time, the management device 16 is called and the five alarm data stored in the RAM 186 are transmitted, and then the latest alarm data is written.

According to the communication control device 18 which performs such processing, even if the memory capacity of the area for storing the alarm data in the RAM 186 is not excessively increased,
All the alarm data can be read out and transmitted to the management device 16 without deleting the old alarm data from the RAM 186.

Next, the flow of FIG. 37 will be described. Here, it is assumed that “4”, which is one less than the number of alarm data “5” that can be stored in the RAM 186, is the set number. When the flow of FIG. 37 starts, it is first determined whether or not the number of received alarm data has reached four. If the number does not exceed four, the latest alarm data is written to the RAM 186. If the time exceeds the predetermined time, the management device 16 is called without waiting for a preset issuance time, and the four alarm data stored in the RAM 186 and the latest alarm data are transmitted.

According to the communication control device 18 for performing such processing, the old alarm data can be deleted from the RAM 186 without increasing the memory capacity of the area for storing the alarm data in the RAM 186 as described above. All the alarm data can be read out and transmitted to the management device 16. In addition, it is possible to prevent the storage area of the alarm data from becoming full.

When the flow of FIG. 38 starts,
First, it is determined whether or not the number of received alarm data has exceeded five. If the number does not exceed five, the latest alarm data is written to the RAM 186. If the number has exceeded five, transmission has been completed. If the transmission is not completed, the management device 16 is called to transmit the alarm data, and at the same time, the polling of each copying machine 1 is prohibited, and the process returns to the determination as to whether the transmission is completed.

That is, the five alarm data stored in the RAM 186 and the latest alarm data are sequentially transmitted to the management device 16, and polling of each copying machine 1 is prohibited during the transmission. According to the communication control device 18 that performs such processing, the RAM 18
6, the alarm data can be read out and transmitted to the management device 16 without deleting the old alarm data from the RAM 186, without increasing the memory capacity of the area for storing the alarm data. No processing is required.

Next, the flow of FIG. 39 will be described. Here, one certain copying machine (here, it is assumed to be the No. 1 copying machine)
It is assumed that “3” is set as the set number for “1” and “1” is set as the set number for the other copiers. When the flow of FIG. It is determined whether or not the number of alarm data (NO. 1 data) transmitted from one copier exceeds three.

If it does not exceed three, it is determined whether or not the number of alarm data received so far has exceeded five, and the same processing as any one of FIGS. 1, 32 to 35 is performed. , NO. If one data exceeds three, the process proceeds to the determination as to whether or not the transmission has been completed. If the transmission has not been completed, the management device 16 is called and the alarm data in the RAM 186 and the latest alarm data are compared. Send

According to the communication control device 18 for performing such processing, as described above, even if the memory capacity of the area for storing the alarm data in the RAM 186 is not so increased, all the alarm data for each copying machine can be obtained. Can be transmitted to the management device 16.

An operation switch such as a dip switch is provided in the communication control device 18, and the CPU 184 in the communication control device 18 can store the alarm data in the alarm data storage area for each copying machine by an operation signal from the operation switch. The number of alarm data that can be stored for each user can be set arbitrarily by setting the number of alarm data or setting the number of alarm data that can be stored in the alarm data storage area for each copying machine according to an instruction signal from each copying machine. Therefore, the importance of the management of the copying machine can be determined for each user.

[0123]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention, since the storage and transmission and reception of alarm data are performed optimally, the memory capacity for storing the alarm data can be made too large. Not
This image forming apparatus management system can be operated more efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a CP of a communication control device 18 shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows alarm data processing by U184.

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

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit of the copying machine illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing display contents of a pattern display section 72 of the operation section shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of the operation unit of the copying machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a layout diagram showing the operation panel 122 of FIG. 5 in an enlarged manner.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example for explaining a procedure for displaying a user program mode setting screen on the touch panel display device 121 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control device 18 shown in FIG.

10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a management device 16 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the copying machine 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8;

FIG. 12 is a communication sequence diagram at the time of remote notification in the image forming apparatus management system of this embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a communication sequence diagram when the management apparatus accesses the copying machine.

FIG. 14 is a communication sequence diagram when the management apparatus accesses the communication control apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a list of parameters set in a communication control device 18 shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a format of communication data at the time of remote notification.

17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format at the time of read processing during access from the management apparatus illustrated in FIG. 10 to the copier.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a data format at the time of write processing.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a data format at the time of execute processing.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a data format when the management device accesses the communication control device.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a main routine of notification control by the CPU of the copying machine.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a remote report subroutine using a remote report key in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the processing content of a subroutine for remote notification due to a self-diagnosis abnormality in FIG.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the processing content of a subroutine for remote notification by prior warning in FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a main routine of processing by the CPU of the copying machine when accessed from the communication control device.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of a read process in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of a write process in FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of execute processing in FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a communication sequence diagram in an idle state when five copiers are connected to the communication control device.

FIG. 30 is a communication sequence diagram in the case where a remote report transmission text is present in the copying machine at address 2;

FIG. 31 is a communication sequence diagram in a case where a text of a report result report is transmitted from the communication control device to the copying machine at address 5;

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a C of the communication control device 18 shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing alarm data processing different from FIG. 1 by a PU 184.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing alarm data processing different from those in FIGS. 1 and 32;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing alarm data processing different from those in FIGS. 1, 32 and 33;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing alarm data processing different from those in FIGS. 1, 32 to 34;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing alarm data processing different from those in FIGS. 1, 32 to 35;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing alarm data processing different from those in FIGS. 1, 32 to 36;

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing alarm data processing different from those in FIGS. 1, 32 to 37;

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing alarm data processing different from those in FIGS. 1, 32 to 38;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 2 Copier main body 3 Automatic document feeder (ADF) 10 Scanner unit 10 11 Image forming unit 1
2 Paper feed unit 13 Fixing / discharge unit 14 Reversing unit 15 Double-sided unit 16 Management device 17 Public line network 18 Communication control device 19 Telephone 20 Facsimile device 70
Operation unit 71 Guidance display unit 72 Pattern display unit 83 Remote notification key D8 Remote communication error display 121 Touch panel display device 122
Operation panel 180 TEL switching unit 181 Modem 183 Communication interface 184 CPU of communication control device 185 ROM 186 RAM 187 Battery 188 Clock 160 Host computer of management device 161 External storage device 162 Display 1
63 Keyboard 164 Printer 165 Modem 100 Copier control CPU 101 ROM 102 RAM 103 A
/ D converter 104 Optical system control unit 104 105 High voltage power supply unit 106 Motor control unit 107 Heater control unit 108 Sensor sensitivity control unit 109 Communication interface unit 110 Address setting switch 111 Communication permission switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Osamu Kizaki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company, Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasunari Hashimoto 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo (56) References JP-A-2-259666 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 15/36 H04M 11/00-11/10

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus management system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus via one communication control apparatus and a communication line, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the management apparatus are transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses to the communication control apparatus. Alarm data storage means for receiving and sequentially storing various types of received alarm data, and alarm data transmission for transmitting the alarm data stored in the means by calling the management device at a preset calling time. Means,
Means for deleting the oldest alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means and storing the latest alarm data when alarm data of a set number or more is transmitted from the image forming apparatus. Characteristic image forming apparatus management system. 2. An image forming apparatus management system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus via one communication control apparatus and a communication line, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses transmit to the communication control apparatus from the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Alarm data storage means for receiving and sequentially storing various types of received alarm data, and alarm data transmission for transmitting the alarm data stored in the means by calling the management device at a preset calling time. Means,
When the set number of alarm data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the oldest alarm data of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the latest alarm data among the alarm data stored in the alarm data storage unit is deleted. Means for storing the latest alarm data. 3. An image forming apparatus management system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus via one communication control apparatus and a communication line, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the management apparatus are transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses to the communication control apparatus. Alarm data storage means for receiving and sequentially storing various types of received alarm data, and alarm data transmission for transmitting the alarm data stored in the means by calling the management device at a preset calling time. Means,
When the set number or more of alarm data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the latest alarm data of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the latest alarm data among the alarm data stored in the alarm data storage unit is included. Means for deleting the same alarm data if there is the same alarm data, and deleting the oldest alarm data of the image forming apparatus if there is no same alarm data, and storing the latest alarm data. Characteristic image forming apparatus management system. 4. An image forming apparatus management system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus via one communication control apparatus and a communication line, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the management apparatus are transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses to the communication control apparatus. Alarm data storage means for receiving and sequentially storing various types of received alarm data, and alarm data transmission for transmitting the alarm data stored in the means by calling the management device at a preset calling time. Means,
Means for storing a priority assigned to each image forming apparatus; and, when alarm data of a set number or more is transmitted from the image forming apparatus, among alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means. An image forming apparatus management system, comprising: means for deleting the oldest alarm data of the image forming apparatus having the lower priority and storing the latest alarm data. 5. An image forming apparatus management system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus via one communication control apparatus and a communication line, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the management apparatus are transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses to the communication control apparatus. Alarm data storage means for receiving and sequentially storing various types of received alarm data, and alarm data transmission for transmitting the alarm data stored in the means by calling the management device at a preset calling time. Means,
Means for storing the priority given to each image forming apparatus; and, when alarm data of a set number or more is transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the alarm data stored in the alarm data storage means. If there is the same alarm data as the latest alarm data of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the latest alarm data, the data is deleted. Means for deleting data and storing the latest alarm data. 6. An image forming apparatus management system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus via one communication control apparatus and a communication line, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the management apparatus are transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses to the communication control apparatus. Alarm data storage means for receiving and sequentially storing various types of received alarm data, and alarm data transmission for transmitting the alarm data stored in the means by calling the management device at a preset calling time. Means,
Means for causing the alarm data transmitting means to make a call to the management apparatus without waiting for the set calling time when alarm data of a set number or more is transmitted from the image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus management system. 7. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 6, wherein the polling of each image forming apparatus is prohibited while the alarm data transmitting unit is transmitting alarm data to the management apparatus. An image forming apparatus management system, comprising: 8. An image forming apparatus management system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus via one communication control apparatus and a communication line, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the management apparatus are transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses to the communication control apparatus. Alarm data storage means for receiving and sequentially storing various types of received alarm data, and alarm data transmission for transmitting the alarm data stored in the means by calling the management device at a preset calling time. Means,
Means for causing the alarm data transmitting means to make a call to the management apparatus without waiting for the set calling time when alarm data of a set number or more is transmitted from the same image forming apparatus. Characteristic image forming apparatus management system. 9. An image forming apparatus management system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus via one communication control apparatus and a communication line, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses are transmitted to the communication control apparatus from the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Alarm data storage means for receiving and sequentially storing various types of received alarm data, and alarm data transmission for transmitting the alarm data stored in the means by calling the management device at a preset calling time. Means,
Means for setting the number of data that can be stored in the alarm data storage means for each image forming apparatus.