JP3328012B2 - Data processing device and information communication device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and to connect the host device via a communication line to the lower supply operating alone
The present invention relates to an information communication device .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, OA (Office Au
tomation) PPC (Plane Paper Copy) as one of the devices
And facsimile, etc., which are becoming more multifunctional and higher performance every day. And such PP
Manufacturers such as C, for example, need to compile component life due to their quality control needs.
Because of the need for regular maintenance, it is also necessary to manage the operating volume as needed.

Therefore, such a PPC is generally provided with a mechanical counter for counting the number of windings of the printing paper used in the apparatus main body as an operation amount detecting means. The label to be used is previously attached to the consumable part. Therefore, for such a PPC, for example, a service engineer periodically dispatched to the user side by the manufacturer controls the operation amount by reading the count value of the counter, or the user replaces a worn out part. Occasionally, the count value and the like are written on the label of the replaced part, and the service engineer periodically collects the replaced part so that the service life of the part is tabulated.

[0004] However, it is not preferable to request the general user to record such data or save the parts to be discarded. Various types of data entered by the general user are likely to be erroneously written, resulting in reduced reliability. Therefore, it is extremely complicated to collect and record the various data written on the labels.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a PPC or the like installed on the user side is connected as a lower device to a central control device which is a higher-level device installed in a service center of a manufacturer via a communication line, and the central control device is connected to the central control device. Equipment and PP
C communicates various data via a communication line,
There has been proposed a remote management system in which a central control device remotely manages data such as usage status of consumable parts and life confirmation of consumable parts.

For example, the remote management system proposed by the applicant of the present invention is a PPC which is a number of lower-level devices that execute various data processing, and receives various data from these many PPCs and executes various data processing. A single data communication device is installed on each of a number of user sides, and a higher-level device that receives various data from the data communication devices installed on each of such many user sides and executes various data processing. It has a structure in which a certain central control device is installed in a service center.

The P of such a remote management system
The PC can move, for example, an image scanner that reads and scans image data of an original sheet, a printer unit that prints out image data on a print sheet, and a mechanical number counter that accumulates the number of print sheets used in the printer unit. A ROM (Read Only Memory) which fixedly pre-stores various data such as an OS (Operating System) is provided as a mechanism.
y), RAM (Random Access Memory) which is a variable storage means for temporarily storing various data such as setting data
y), a keyboard for inputting various data such as setting data, and an I / F (Interfac) for communicating various data with the outside.
e) A CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes data processing such as a copying operation based on various data is provided as a circuit mechanism.

In the above-described PPC, the number of sheets of printing paper used in the printer section must be transmitted to a data communication device or a central control device via a communication line. Is formed by a CPU, a RAM, and the like. The circuit configuration of a data communication device and a central control device for communicating various data with the PPC is substantially the same as that of the above-described PPC except that a movable mechanism such as an image scanner or a printer unit is not provided.

Therefore, the PPC of the above-described remote management system executes a copying operation or the like by driving an image scanner or a printer unit based on data stored in a ROM or a RAM or input data from a keyboard. The number of print sheets used in the copying operation is integrated by mechanical and electronic counters. Then, the data communication device appropriately reads the number of sheets recorded by the electronic sheet counter of the PPC and transmits the read sheet number to the central control device. Quality control can be performed, and the amount of operation of the PPC can be managed as needed to perform highly efficient periodic maintenance.

[0010]

In the data processing device such as the remote management system described above, the upper-level device such as the central control device can remotely manage the data of a predetermined operation amount of the lower-level device such as the PPC. In addition, it is possible to contribute to the quality control of the PPC and the improvement of the efficiency of the periodic maintenance.

Here, in the use situation of the above-mentioned PPC or the like, the manufacturer generally performs a regular maintenance or the like by making a maintenance contract with a general user. In a processing device or the like, it is based on a count value such as PPC received by remote control. Therefore, if a general user such as a PPC can freely initialize or change the count value of the electronic number counter, it is undesirable to induce fraud.

[0012] In addition, since a general user also wants to check the count value of the PPC or the like for cost management or the like, it is necessary for a general user to be able to visually check the count value of the number counter freely. However, the count value that can be visually recognized by the general user is that of a mechanical type counter, whereas the count value based on the billing fee by the manufacturer is that of an electronic type counter. Since the general user cannot confirm that the count values of these sheet counters are the same, it is difficult for the manufacturer to provide the general user with a sense of security and reliability.

Means for solving such a problem include:
It is assumed that a mechanical counting unit capable of electrically reading the count value is employed as a PPC number counter. However, such a number counter has a complicated structure and reduces the productivity and size and weight of the PPC. It is not preferable because it will inhibit.

[0014]

A data processor according to claim 1, wherein:
The invention of a processing device includes an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus.
First and second variable storage means connected via a communication line
Communication device having a communication line
And a central control device connected through the
The image forming apparatus operates in response to a predetermined amount of operation and controls the amount of operation.
The corresponding quantity data is detected and temporarily stored in the variable storage means.
Processing and quantity data temporarily stored in the variable storage means
Reading without updating the information communication device,
Execute the process of sending and outputting the quantity data for
The information communication device is transmitted and output from the image forming device.
Received quantity data and stored in the first variable storage means
And storing the quantity data in the first variable storage means.
In the first variable storage means in a cycle longer than the cycle of storing
Store the stored quantity data in the second variable storage means
Processing and the second variable for the central controller.
Processing for transmitting and outputting the quantity data stored in the storage means
And the central control device is the information communication device
Execute the process to receive the quantity data sent and output from
You.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the data of the first aspect.
In over data processing apparatus, the image type forming apparatus, the variable
Temporarily stored in storage means and read without updating
Display the quantity data on the display.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the information communication device includes the first variable storage.
Execute the process of storing the quantity data in the means at the specified cycle.
You.

The invention according to claim 4 corresponds to the operation amount.
Image forming apparatus and central controller for sending and outputting quantity data
An information communication device interposed and connected between the
A second variable storage unit for transmitting the image data from the image forming apparatus;
Receiving the received quantity data and the first variable storage means
And storing the quantity data in the first variable storage device.
The first variable storage in a cycle longer than the cycle of storing in the stage
Means for storing the quantity data stored in the second variable storage means
And the second control to the central control device.
Sending quantity data stored in variable storage means
And run.

[0018]

According to the present invention , the image forming apparatus detects the quantity data corresponding to the operation amount in conjunction with the predetermined operation amount and performs variable storage.
Store it temporarily in the column. Image forming apparatus, the variable storage unit is put punctuation things to update the quantity data temporarily stored, for example
For example, the information is displayed on a display (Claim 2). Image shape
Since the user of the apparatus cannot initialize or change the quantity data of the variable storage means, it is possible to prevent the induction of fraud, and even such a user can freely read the quantity data of the variable storage means. You can check the contents
You. The information communication device is transmitted and output from the image forming device.
The quantity data is received and stored in the first variable storage means.
Longer than the cycle stored in the first variable storage means
The quantity data stored in the first variable storage means is
Stored in the variable storage means, and stored in the second variable storage means.
The obtained quantity data is transmitted and output to the central processing unit. this
At this time, the information communication device stores the quantity data in the first variable storage means.
May be executed in a prescribed cycle.
3). In this way, a manufacturer or the like that manages the central control device can accurately manage the image forming apparatus based on the quantity data transmitted and output from the information communication device .

[0019]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, as shown in FIG. 1, a remote management system 1 which is a data processing device illustrated in the present embodiment includes a central control device 2 which is a higher-level device installed in a service center (not shown) and a user. The data communication device 3 installed at a predetermined position on the side (not shown) is connected to the PSTN (Public).
Switched Telephone Network) such as a communication line connected at 4, PPC (Plane P previous SL installed in the data communication apparatus 3 and the scene various locations disposed in a predetermined position within said user-side
aper Copy) 5 with a multi-drop connection via a communication line 6 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the data communication device 3 of the remote management system 1 of the present embodiment includes a line control unit 7 connected to the central control device 2 via the communication line 4. It is connected to the auto dialer unit 8 and the communication control unit 9 that are also connected to each other, and the communication control unit 9 is connected to the PPC 5 by the communication line 6. A body telephone 10, a facsimile (not shown), and the like are connected.

Then, in the PPC 5 of the remote management system 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Various data such as a CPU 12 and an OS for executing data processing such as a copying operation based on various data are fixed to a PI (Personal Interface) 11 connected to the data communication device 3 and another PPC 5 via the communication line 6. NVRAM (NO) which is a variable storage means which is provided with a ROM 13 which is preliminarily stored, a RAM 14 which temporarily stores various data such as setting data in an updatable manner, and a backup storage (not shown) which temporarily stores various data in an updatable manner Volatilization Ran
A dom access memory 15, a communication control unit 16, an input / output port 17, and the like are connected by a system bus 18. Further, in the PPC 5, the communication control unit 16 and the input / output port 17 are provided with an operation panel 21 having a keyboard 19 and a display 20, an image scanner 22 for reading and scanning image data of an original sheet (not shown). And various units such as a printer unit 23 for printing out image data on a print sheet (not shown).

In the PPC 5, the CPU 12 and the like form operating amount detecting means for automatically integrating and outputting quantity data consisting of the number of printed sheets in conjunction with a copying operation indicating the operating amount of the printer unit 23. This CPU
The variable storage means for temporarily storing the quantity data consisting of the number of prints output from the printer 12 or the like automatically and renewably is provided by the NVRA.
M15. Furthermore, in this PPC5 ,
The quantity data before Symbol NVRAM15 is temporarily stored, freely reading data processing means without updating in accordance with a predetermined operation of the keyboard 19 of the operation panel 21 is the CP
U12.

In the PPC 5, as described above, the electronic number counter for accumulating and recording the number of print sheets used for the copying operation in the printer unit 23 is provided by the CPU.
12 and the NVRAM 15, but the same mechanical counter as the conventional one (not shown)
Are also integrated into the printer unit 23. Also,
In this PPC 5, the NVRAM 15 stores, in addition to the quantity data consisting of the number of sheets, a device code for identification of the PPC 5, the telephone number of the central control unit 2, the number and interval of re-calls for line failure, the transmission history of the quantity data, and the like. Is stored.

Further, the PI11 of the PPC 5 is
As illustrated in FIG. 4, a CPU 25 having a function of directly communicating with the CPU 12 and interrupting a communication control unit 24 connected to the data communication device 3 or another PPC 5 via the communication line 6. A dual port memory 26 connected to the system bus 18, a large number of registers 27 connected to the system bus 18, an input port 28 connected to the system bus 18, etc.
9 and a code setting switch 30 is connected to the input port 28.

Note that the PI 11 of the PPC 5 does not judge or process the contents of various types of data to be communicated, but executes only the processes related to a predetermined communication protocol. Is to be reduced. Here, the PPC of the PPC 5
The processing executed by I11 includes, for example, 1. Monitor polling messages and selecting messages Processing of positive response and negative response Parity check 4. Processing of retransmission request for text data received from data communication device 5. Processing of header data of text data It is set to check the validity of the received processing code.

The operation panel 21 of the PPC 5
As shown in FIG. 5, the keyboard 20 has a structure in which the display 20 for displaying and outputting various data is incorporated as a part of the keyboard 19 to which various data are input and operated. A volume 31 for adjusting the contrast of the display 20, a mode confirmation key 32 for designating an operation mode display on the display 20, a screen switching key 33 for switching the display mode of the display 20, a call key 34 for designating a user program call, A registration key 35 for designating registration of a user program, a guidance key 36 for designating guidance display on the display 20, a numeric keypad 37 for counting the number of copies, a clear key 38 for designating clearing of counts and stopping copying, and a like. Enter key 39 to specify the number setting, interrupt copy Interrupt key 40 for designating the start, preheat key 41 for designating the interruption preheating start, a start key 42 for designating the copy start is formed.

The operation panel 21 of the PPC 5
The display 20 is formed of, for example, a touch panel including a dot matrix type LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and can freely display various images in a preset format as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. It is displayed to detect an input operation.

In the remote management system 1, the central control unit 2, which communicates various data with the PPC 5 having the above structure, includes a movable mechanism for copying operation such as the image scanner 22 and the printer unit 23. Other than not having it, it is almost the same as the PPC5. Then, in the central control unit 2, selective and data management means for updating freely reads the quantity data consisting of the number of prints NVRAM15 before Symbol PPC5 is temporarily stored, and an update permission command and update prohibition command to the PPC5 And a command output means for transmitting the command to the CPU (not shown).

Therefore, the P of the remote management system 1
PC5 is usually the data processing means such as the CPU12 is a nonrenewable freely be read out quantity data of the NVRAM 15, in reality receives from the command output unit of the central control unit 2 updates C according to the permit command
An operation switching unit that sets a data processing unit such as the PU 12 to an updatable state and sets the data processing unit such as the CPU 12 to an unupdatable state according to an update prohibition command received from a command output unit of the central control device 2; Said C
It is formed by the PU 12 and the RAM 14 and the like.

More specifically, in this PPC 5, the above C
The binary update flag for setting the data processing means such as the PU 12 to an updatable state and an unupdatable state so as to be switchable is set to the R
It is set in a work area (not shown) of the AM 14, and the update flag of the RAM 14 is normally preferentially set to the off state, but this is selectively set by the operation switching means such as the CPU 12 to the on state. It can be changed to.

Further, the P of the remote management system 1
PC5 has the number of times of execution of the update processing in the updatable state operation switching unit of the CPU12 such prior Symbol PPC5 is set in the data processing unit, the number of times limitation means for limiting a preset predetermined number of times as a single here Are formed by the CPU 12, the RAM 14, and the like.

More specifically, in the PPC 5, as described above, the R is normally set to the off state preferentially.
After the update flag of the AM 14 is selectively turned on by the operation switching means such as the CPU 12, the keyboard 1
When the data processing means such as the CPU 12 updates the quantity data of the NVRAM 15 in accordance with the manual operation of No. 9, the count limiting means such as the CPU 12 which detects the completion automatically initializes the update flag of the RAM 14 to the off state. It has become.

Further, the PP of the remote management system 1
C5 is set switching means for setting pre-Symbol like the set updatable state to the data processing means immutable state switchable in the CPU12 is formed by the CPU12 and the keyboard 19 or the like. More specifically, in this PPC5,
As described above, even if the operation switching means such as the CPU 12 selectively changes the update flag of the RAM 14 which is normally preferentially set to the off state to the on state, the update flag is kept in accordance with the predetermined manual operation of the keyboard 19. The setting switching means such as the CPU 12 forcibly initializes the update flag of the RAM 14 to an off state.

In the remote management system 1, the command output means as described above is formed as an independent unit (not shown), and the command output means of this unit is the PPC5. data communication apparatus 3 of the higher level
It can be attached to and detached from the computer.

The PP of the remote management system 1
In C5, and the operation manipulation means for manually operating the predetermined operation in the operation mode of the normal is formed by ten keys 37 or the clear key 38 or the like of the keyboard 19, operable by the data processing means of the CPU12 in the updating state The mode setting means for setting the operation mode to be switched by the ten key 37, the clear key 38 and the like is formed by the CPU 12, the call key 34, the ten key 37 and the like.

The PP of the remote management system 1
In C5, advance the corresponding to the update state of the data processing means before Symbol CPU12 like and immutable state ROM13
Here, a state notifying means for displaying and outputting the notifying data set in the form of image data is formed by the CPU 12, the display 20, or the like.

In such a configuration, the PPC 5 of the remote management system 1 is, for example, a ROM 13 or a RAM 1
The image scanner 22 and the printer unit 23 are driven on the basis of the stored data of the printers 4 and 15 and the input data of the keyboard 19 to execute a copying operation and the like. The integration is performed by the number counter of the formula. And this PPC
5, the data communication device 3 appropriately reads out the quantity data of the number of sheets recorded by the NVRAM 15 serving as an electronic number counter and transmits the data to the central control device 2, so that the life of components of the PPC 5 can be simplified. Aggregate and high-efficiency quality control can be executed, and the operation amount of the PPC 5 can be managed at any time and high-efficiency periodic maintenance can be executed.

More specifically, the data communication device 3 of the remote management system 1 actually has first and second variable storage means (not shown) such as a RAM for each of the copy modes of the PPC 5. For example, the quantity data is read from the PPC 5 by a regular selection once a day and stored in the first variable storage means. When the data communication device 3 copies the quantity data temporarily stored in the first variable storage means to the second variable storage means by a regular operation once a month as described above, the predetermined data after the copy is obtained. At the timing, the central control unit 2 executes the selecting to read out the quantity data of the second variable storage means.

In other words, in the usage status of the PPC 5 and the like of the remote management system 1, the manufacturer generally performs a regular maintenance or the like by making a maintenance contract with a general user. The cost is based on the quantity data of the number of sheets of the PPC 5 received by the central control device 2 by remote control. Then, in the remote management system 1, usually the be read freely the quantity data data processing means of NVRAM15 the CPU12 such as has become impossible update quantity data of general users NVRAM15 such PPC5 as described above Cannot be initialized or changed, so that it is possible to prevent general users from being fraudulent.

The PPC 5 of the remote management system 1
In such usage conditions, general users also request that the number of sheets of the PPC 5 be checked for cost management and the like, but this PPC 5 can visually check the count value of the mechanical sheet number counter of the printer unit 23. Besides, a general user can freely read out the quantity data of the NVRAM 15 by a predetermined operation of the keyboard 19 and display and output the quantity data on the display 20.

In the remote management system 1, the quantity data in the NVRAM 15 as described above is management data for the manufacturer to use on the basis of the billing fee. Thus, it is possible to display on the display 20 and confirm that the count value is the same as the count value of the mechanical number counter, so that a sense of security and a sense of reliability can be provided to the general user.

[0042] In the remote management system 1, usually the PPC5 the data processing means CPU12 such NVRA
When M15 of has become even freely read the quantity data non updated, Chuo controller 2 selectively transmits the update permission command and update inhibiting command in command output means such as a CPU to PPC5, this PPC5 The operation switching means such as the CPU 12 of the CPU according to the received update permission command and update prohibition command
The data processing means such as U12 is selectively set to an updatable state and an unupdatable state.

In this manner, in the remote management system 1, for example, when a general user requests a manufacturer to change the quantity data of the NVRAM 15 by telephone communication or the like, this manufacturer The command output means transmits an update permission command to the CPU 12 of the PPC 5
Is changed from the non-updatable state to the updatable state, so that the general user can use the keyboard 19 of the PPC 5.
The quantity data in the NVRAM 15 can be freely read and changed by the predetermined operation.

As described above, when a general user updates the quantity data in the NVRAM 15 by the data processing means of the PPC 5 set by the manufacturer to be able to be updated by remote control of the central control device 2, the manufacturer is notified by the general user. By receiving notification of the end of the work and confirming that the specified time has been exceeded, the PPC 5 can be remotely operated by the central control device 2.
Will be returned to the non-updatable state.

However, the PPC of the remote management system 1
5, the number of executions of the update processing in the updatable state operation switching means CPU12 etc. PPC5 as above mentioned is set in the data processing means, be limited to once in the number limiting means such CPU12 and RAM14 You can also do it. By doing so, when the general user updates the quantity data in the NVRAM 15 of the PPC 5, the data processing means such as the CPU 12 automatically returns to the non-updatable state. Work load can be reduced.

The PPC 5 of the remote management system 1
It can also be set to update disabled state updatable state set in the data processing means by the setting switching means such CPU12 or keyboard 19 as above mentioned switching freely. By doing so, for example, a service engineer of a manufacturer or the like visits the user side and
In the case of updating the quantity data of the AM 15, the PPC 5 set to be in an updatable state by remote control of the central controller 2.
Can be easily and quickly returned to the non-updatable state, so that the work load on service engineers and manufacturers can be reduced.

Further, in this remote management system 1, the command output means formed as a single unit is detachably attached to the data communication device 3, and the data processing means of the PPC 5 is updated to an updatable state. It can also be selectively set to the disabled state. By doing so, for example, a service engineer who visits the user side sets a large number of PPCs 5 at once in an updatable state by command output means attached to the data communication device 3 and then individually sets the quantity data of the NVRAM 15. After completion of this setting, the data communication device 3
A large number of PPCs 5 can be returned to the non-updatable state at once by the command output means mounted on the PC, so that the work load on the service engineer and the manufacturer can be reduced.

The PPC 5 of the remote management system 1
Now, the CPU 1 set in the updatable state as described above.
When manually operating the data processing means 2 and the like has become a Re this to set freely switched in the normal operation mode setting means CPU12 such an operation mode that freely operate the operation means such as a keyboard 19. By doing so, C
Since there is no need to provide a dedicated mechanism for manually operating the data processing means such as the PU 12, it is possible to contribute to reducing the size and weight of the PPC 5 and improving productivity.

The PPC 5 of the remote management system 1
So in response to the update state and update disabled state is set in the data processing means, such as C PU12, displayed as the notification data the image data is state informing means such CPU12 and the display 20 is set in advance in ROM13 like Output.

That is, in the PPC 5, when the data processing means such as the CPU 12 is set in the updatable state, the general user can perform the NVRA by a predetermined operation of the keyboard 19.
When the quantity data of M15 is read out and displayed on the display 20, as shown in FIG. 7, guidance such as "Press the # key after inputting the number of sheets" as shown in FIG.
A display screen is formed by the currently stored number of sheets, the number of sheets to be set and input, and the “#” key for executing the setting.

Further, in the PPC 5, when the data processing means such as the CPU 12 is set in the non-updatable state,
When a general user performs a predetermined operation on the keyboard 19, the NVRAM 1
When the quantity data of No. 5 is read out and displayed on the display 20, as shown in FIG. 8, the guidance data such as “the number of sheets cannot be input”, the currently stored number of sheets, and the number of sheets to be set and input are displayed. And a display screen is formed.

In this manner, in the PPC 5, the data processing means such as the CPU 12 notifies the operator of the updatable state or the non-updatable state on the display screen of the display 20 to prevent occurrence of an erroneous operation. It is also possible to notify the operator of the operation procedure on this display screen, thereby contributing to an improvement in work efficiency.

In this remote management system 1, the central control unit 2, the data communication device 3, and the PPC 5 communicate various data as needed. As illustrated in FIG. 9, text data communicated with the SYS (Synchronous Idl
e), SOH (Start of Heading), serial number, S
TX (Start of Character) and the like are added at the beginning, and ETB (End of Transmission Block) / ETX (End
of Text) and LRC (Longitudinal Redundancy Check)
Etc. are added at the end. Such text data has a structure in which an ID code, an identification code, and the like are set at the head, and a large number of data records are continuously provided, and a boundary between these data records and each code is “;”. Is inserted.

Here, the serial number added to the head of the text data is a transmission block number in one polling or selecting, which is "01, 02 to 99, 00".
It is set as such. The ID code at the head of the text data is individually set in advance in each of the data communication devices 3 and is used for identification of a target of polling or selecting. A large number of data records of text data having the above-described structure are each formed of a data code, the number of digits of a data part, and a data part, as illustrated in FIG. The contents are set as the contents exemplified in Table 1 below.

[0055]

[Table 1]

Further, in the remote management system 1, the text data communicated between the communication control unit 9 of the data communication device 3 and the PI 11 of the PPC 5 includes the central control device 2 and the data communication device 3 as illustrated in FIG. Has substantially the same structure as the text data to be communicated. Here, this PP
A processing code and a device code are set at the head of the text data that the C5 communicates with the data communication device 3. The device code is set by the code setting switch 3.
0 is set individually for each of the PPCs 5 and used for identification of polling and selecting targets. The processing code at the head is a two-digit code indicating the purpose of communication, as exemplified in Table 2 below. It is set as content.

[0057]

[Table 2]

The remote management system 1 uses the PPC 5
The text data transmitted from the PI 11 to the CPU 12 has substantially the same structure as the text data received from the data communication device 3 as illustrated in FIG. 11, and the header data, the device code, and the parity data are obtained from the text data. Are deleted.

In the remote management system 1, the central control device 2, the data communication device 3, and the PPC 5 communicate in various forms as necessary using the various data described above. The data communication device 3 sequentially communicates with the plurality of PPCs 5 until receiving a communication request from the central control device 2.

That is, this data communication device 3
As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of PPCs 5 are polled, and the PPC 5 that has detected its own device code in response to the polling is set in advance according to the presence or absence of a transmission request, as shown in FIG. The specified code is returned to the data communication device 3. Therefore, the data communication device 3 receiving the acknowledgment from the PPC 5 as described above,
As illustrated in FIG. 12, since the selecting is performed on the PPC 5, the PPC 5 receiving the
As shown in the example, it is determined whether or not the response can be made, and a specific code set in advance is returned to the data communication device 3. Then, the data communication device 3 that has received the acknowledgment for the selecting from the PPC 5 starts communication processing of various data with the PPC 5 as illustrated in FIG. 12, and polls the next PPC after completion of the communication. To start.

In this remote management system 1, the PP
C5 returns a negative acknowledgment to the data communication device 3 as illustrated in FIG. 13 when it has no transmission data at the time of receiving polling or when it cannot respond at the time of receiving selecting. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the PPC is performed by the polling and the selecting described above.
The data communication device 3 that cannot receive an acknowledgment from the device 5 interrupts the processing operation until it receives a negative acknowledgment or times out, and then starts polling the next PPC 5.

In the remote management system 1, the PPC 5 with which the data communication device 3 communicates sequentially as described above.
In the case where a failure has occurred in the central control unit 2, the data communication device 3 that has detected the failure
To notify the occurrence of a failure of the PPC 5. At this time, the data communication device 3 detects that a fatal failure has occurred in the
When it is detected that a maker call has been operated on the keyboard 19 of the No. 5 or the like, these occurrences are immediately spontaneously called to the central control device 2. When the data communication device 3 detects that the number of times of use and the use time of the parts of the PPC 5 have approached the number of times of replacement or the exchange time, or that the detection value of the error sensor of the PPC 5 has approached the allowable value, These occurrences are automatically called to the central control unit 2 at a specific time.

[0063]

The present invention is constructed as described above.
The user of the image forming apparatus or the like cannot execute initialization or change on the quantity data of the variable storage means, thereby preventing improper induction. Even such a user can freely read the quantity data of the variable storage means. The contents can be confirmed by the manufacturer of the central control unit.
Is transmitted and output from the information communication device to the information communication device.
This has the effect that the image forming apparatus can be accurately managed based on the quantity data transmitted and output .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall structure of a remote management system as an embodiment of a data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit structure of the data communication device;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit structure of a PPC as a lower device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit structure of a PI of the PPC;

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the appearance of an operation panel of the PPC.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a display screen of a display of an operation panel.

FIG. 7 is a front view exemplifying a display screen of a display when a general user reads out quantity data of NVRAM as variable storage means.

FIG. 8 is a front view exemplifying a display screen of a display when a general user reads out quantity data of NVRAM as variable storage means.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating text data communicated between a central control device and a data communication device, which are higher-level devices.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating text data communicated between a data communication device and a PPC.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating text data internally communicated by a PPC.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a central control device communicating with a PPC.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a PPC communicating with a central control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 data processing device 2 central control device 3 information communication device 4 , 6 communication line 5 image forming device 15 variable storage means 20 display

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-3-64245 (JP, A) JP-A-3-248168 (JP, A) JP-A-4-86832 (JP, A) JP-A-3-256062 (JP) , A) JP-A-3-1611764 (JP, A) JP-A-1-103950 (JP, U) JP-A-4-85446 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB Name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 G03G 15/00 303 G03G 15/36 G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 21/02-21/04 G03G 21/14 H04M 11/00-11/10

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An image forming apparatus and a communication therethrough.
Connected via a communication line to provide first and second variable storage
Information communication device having a communication line to the information communication device
And a central control device connected via the control unit, wherein the image forming apparatus operates in conjunction with a predetermined operation amount.
Detects quantity data corresponding to quantity and temporarily stores it in variable storage means
Processing to remember and the quantity temporarily stored in the variable storage means
A process of reading data without updating the information communication;
Execute the process of sending and outputting the quantity data to the device
The information communication apparatus transmits and outputs the image data from the image forming apparatus.
Received the stored quantity data and stored in the first variable storage means.
And storing the quantity data in the first variable storage means.
The first variable storage means in a cycle longer than the cycle of storing
Is stored in the second variable storage means.
Processing to the central controller and the second
Processing for transmitting and outputting the quantity data stored in the variable storage means
And the central control device transmits and outputs the information from the information communication device.
A data processing device for executing a process of receiving the received quantity data . 2. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
Quantity data temporarily stored in the memory and read out without updating
Displaying the data on a display.
Item 2. The data processing device according to Item 1. 3. The information communication device according to claim 1 , wherein
Executes the process of storing the quantity data in the storage unit at the specified cycle
The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 4. Transmission output of quantity data corresponding to the operation quantity
Connected between the image forming apparatus and the central controller
Information communication device, comprising first and second variable storage means , receiving the quantity data transmitted from the image forming apparatus
A process of storing in said first variable storage hand stage, the period for storing the quantity data in the first variable storage means
Number stored in the first variable storage means at a longer cycle
Storing the quantity data in the second variable storage means, and storing the quantity data in the second variable storage means with respect to the central control device.
Transmitting the stored quantity data .