JP3378343B2 - Copier management system and host computer - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine management apparatus, and more particularly to a copying machine management apparatus which is connected to a plurality of copying machines and manages the number of copies in the copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a copying machine is used by a large number of people,
The number of sheets used and the number of sheets used for each department are managed. Especially in large offices where multiple copiers are installed, it is possible to manage the number of sheets used for each copier,
Copiers are often managed by department. For example, it is possible to construct a network by connecting each copying machine with a dedicated line. In this case, an external terminal device such as a personal computer is connected to the network, and the number of sheets used in each copying machine is managed by the external terminal.

When constructing such a copying machine management network, it is necessary to provide a dedicated line, which increases the cost at the time of introduction. There is a copying machine management system using a telephone line instead of a network system using a dedicated line. In this copying machine management system, the operation data of each copying machine is input to the host computer using the telephone line, and the necessity of maintenance management and the frequency of failure at each failure occurrence location are managed.

It is conceivable to perform department management using such a copying machine management system. For example, the maximum number of sheets that can be copied for each department is stored in the host computer, the number of sheets used by each copying machine is communicated in real time, and the total number of sheets used by each copying machine can be compared with the maximum number of sheets that can be used. A configuration is conceivable in which it is transmitted to each copying machine. However, in order to communicate the number of sheets used by each copying machine in real time, the number of times a line is connected is inevitably increased, resulting in a huge communication cost.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to realize a reduction in communication cost while managing the maximum number of copyable sheets for each department.

[0006]

A copying machine management apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus which is connected to a plurality of copying machines and manages the number of copies in the copying machines. This device comprises a distribution means, a discrimination means, a reporting means, and a redistribution means. The distribution means distributes the upper limit number of copies to each copying machine. The discriminating means discriminates whether or not the number of copies in each copying machine has reached the upper limit number of copies. The reporting means reports when the discriminating means discriminates that the number of copies has reached the upper limit number of copies in any of the copying machines. The redistribution means, when receiving the report from the reporting means, redistributes the remaining number of sheets of the other copying machines to each copying machine.

The discriminating means and the reporting means may be provided in each copying machine, and the distributing means and the redistributing means may be host computers. In this case, a communication line connecting each of the copying machines and the host computer is further provided. On the other hand, the distribution means and the redistribution means may be provided in one of the plurality of copying machines.

It is preferable that the distribution means distributes the remaining number of sheets obtained by subtracting the preliminary number from the total number of sheets that can be copied as the upper limit number of sheets that can be copied by each copying machine. Further, when the redistribution means receives the report from the reporting means, it is preferable to lend the reserve number to the corresponding copying machine. Furthermore, when the corresponding copy machine runs out of the loaned spare number, the redistribution means subtracts the reserve number from the remaining number of other copying machines and redistributes the remaining number to each copying machine. preferable.

[0009]

In the copying machine management apparatus according to the present invention, the distributing means distributes the upper limit number of copies to each copying machine. Further, the discriminating means discriminates in each copying machine whether or not the number of copies of the copying machine reaches the maximum number of copies. And the reporting means
A report is issued when the discriminating means discriminates that the number of copies reaches the upper limit of the number of copies in any of the copying machines. The redistribution means, when receiving the report from the reporting means, redistributes the remaining number of sheets of the other copying machines to each copying machine. As a result, the number of copies made by a plurality of copying machines is managed.

In this case, since the reporting means reports only when the number of sheets used in each copying machine reaches the maximum number of sheets that can be copied, the number of reports to manage the number of sheets to be copied can be minimized. As a result, it is possible to reduce the communication cost while managing the maximum number of copyable sheets for each department. When the discriminating means and the reporting means are provided in the individual copying machines and the distributing means and the re-distributing means are host computers, the above-mentioned effect becomes more remarkable. Further, even when the distributing means and the re-distributing means are provided in one of the plurality of copying machines,
The above action becomes more remarkable.

When the distribution means is configured to distribute the remaining number of sheets obtained by subtracting the reserve number from the total number of sheets that can be copied as the maximum number of sheets that can be copied by each copying machine,
Even when one copying machine is used in excess of the maximum number of sheets that can be copied, the copying operation can be continued by lending this spare number to the corresponding copying machine. Therefore, high work efficiency can be realized. Further, when the redistribution means is configured to lend the spare number to the corresponding copying machine when receiving the report from the reporting means, the work efficiency is further enhanced. Further, when the corresponding copy machine runs out of the loaned spare number, the redistribution means subtracts the reserve number from the remaining number of other copying machines and redistributes the remaining number to each copying machine. When configured, the work efficiency is further increased.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a system employing a copying machine management apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
And a plurality of copying machines 2 are connected via a public line 3. The host computer 1, as shown in FIG.
It includes a PU 4, a RAM 5, a ROM 6 connected to the CPU 4, and an input / output interface 7. A CRT 8 for display, an input keyboard 9, an external storage device 10 and the like are connected to the CPU 4. The input / output interface 7 is provided with input / output terminals such as RS232C, and the public line 3 is connected via a communication modem (not shown).
(Fig. 1).

The copying machine 2 is provided with a control unit 11 shown in FIG. The control unit 11 includes a CPU, RAM, RO
It is composed of a microcomputer system including M, various drivers, and various IOs. An input key unit 12 and a display unit 13 of an operation panel provided in the copying machine 2 are connected to the control unit 11. A storage unit 14 that stores various operation data is connected to the control unit 11. Further, an input / output unit 15 such as RS232C is connected to the control unit 11, and is connected to the public line 3 (FIG. 1) via a communication modem (not shown).

The host computer 1 has an upper limit number table as shown in FIG. When the total maximum number of sheets that can be copied is input to the host computer 1, the host computer 1 distributes the maximum number of sheets that can be copied to each copying machine 2. In this distribution, for example, the number of spare sheets common to each department is set first. Next, this preliminary number is subtracted from the total upper limit number, the obtained number is distributed according to a preset ratio for each copying machine 2, and it is set as the upper limit number of copying of each copying machine 2. . The upper limit number of copies that can be distributed to each copying machine 2 is stored in the upper limit number table of FIG. 4 and input to each copying machine 2 by communication, and the storage unit 1 of each copying machine 2 is stored.
Stored in 4.

Each copying machine 2 is capable of performing a copy operation up to the distributed maximum number of copies that can be distributed. When the maximum number of copies that can be copied is exhausted, the use of the reserve number remaining in the host computer is reserved, It is possible to use this spare number of sheets. R of host computer 1
An area for storing a reservation flag is provided in the AM 5 and in the storage unit 14 of each copying machine 2, and when the maximum number of copyable sheets distributed by each copying machine 2 is exhausted, each copying machine 2 operates as a host computer. No. 1 is communicated with to make a reservation to use the spare number, and the corresponding reservation flag in the storage unit 14 of each copying machine 2 and the RAM 5 of the host computer 1 is turned on.

The management of the maximum number of sheets that can be copied by each copying machine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When there is a copy operation instruction, the copying machine determines in step S1 whether or not the upper limit number of sheets that can be copied stored in the storage unit 14 is "1" or more. S
Move to 2. In step S2, the instructed copy operation is performed, and 1 is subtracted from the maximum number of sheets that can be copied. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the instructed copy operation is completed, and if it is completed, the operation proceeds to step S4, and if not completed, the operation returns to step S1 and the same copy operation is repeated.

If it is determined in step S1 that the maximum number of sheets that can be copied has been exhausted, the process proceeds to step S5 and the state of the reservation flag is checked. If the reservation flag is in the off state, the process proceeds to step S6 to communicate with the host computer 1 to make a reservation for use of the reserve number. In step S7, the corresponding reservation flag in the storage unit 14 of the copying machine 2 is turned on. Furthermore, in step S8,
The spare number of the host computer 1 is inquired and stored in the storage unit 14 as the upper limit number of copyable sheets. In this state, the process returns to step S1 to perform the instructed copy operation.

If the reservation flag is in the ON state in step S5, it means that the copying machine 2 is in a state of using the spare number of the host computer 1 and exhausting the upper limit number of copying. In S9, the copy operation is prohibited, and in S10.
Move to. In step S4, it is determined whether or not the reservation flag is on. If the reservation flag is ON in step S4, it is determined that the copying operation is completed while the copying machine 2 is using the spare number of the host computer 1, and the process proceeds to step S10. Step S1
At 0, the copying machine 2 communicates with the host computer 1, returns the remaining number of spare sheets to the host computer 1, and sends a reservation cancellation signal to the host computer 1.
Send to. In step S11, the reservation flag of the storage unit 14 is turned off, and the operation waits for input of a copy operation instruction.

FIG. 6 shows a case in which one of a plurality of copying machines 2
Host computer 1 when a request for reservation is made
3 is a flowchart showing the operation of FIG. When it is determined in step S12 that the reservation application from the copying machine 2 is accepted, the process proceeds to step S13, and it is determined whether the reservation flag in the RAM 5 is in the on state or the off state. If the reservation flag is off here, the reservation flag in the RAM 5 is turned on (step S14), and the reserve number in the upper limit number table is transmitted to the copying machine 2 currently in communication (step S15). If the reservation flag is already on in step S13, the process proceeds to step S16, and the fact that the reservation is impossible is transmitted to the copying machine 2.

In step S10 of FIG. 5, the copying machine 2
When the reservation cancel communication is made to the host computer 1, the host computer 1 moves from step S17 to step S18 and determines whether the reservation flag of the corresponding copying machine 2 is in the ON state or the OFF state. . If the reservation flag is on, the reservation flag is turned off and the upper limit number of sheets that can be copied transmitted from the copying machine 2 is stored again as a reserve number in the upper limit number table (step S19). In step S20, it is determined whether or not the updated spare number is "0",
If it is "1" or more, this process ends. Step S2
At 0, if the reserve number has reached "0", the process proceeds to step S22 and the redistribution processing subroutine is performed.
If the reservation flag is off in step S18, error processing is performed in step S21 and the process ends.

The redistribution processing in step S22 of FIG. 6 is performed when one of the copying machines has used up the pre-distributed upper limit number of copyable sheets and the spare number of the host computer 1 has been used up. That is the case. In FIG. 7 showing this redistribution processing, in step S23, the host computer 1 sequentially communicates with each copying machine 2 and inquires about the remaining number of the upper limit number of sheets that can be copied at present. And
In step S24, the total number of remaining sheets is calculated. In step S25, this total number is set as a total of the upper limit number of sheets that can be copied, the value of the upper limit number table is updated, and redistributed to each copying machine 2 according to the set ratio. Here again, the value of the reserve number is determined based on the set ratio and stored in the upper limit number table. In step S26, the maximum number of sheets that can be copied by each copying machine in the maximum number of sheets table is
It is transmitted to each copying machine 2 by sequential communication.

After that, when one of the copying machines 2 runs out of the redistributed upper limit number of copies and the reserve number of sheets in the host computer 1 also runs out, the redistribution processing similar to the above is performed. In this embodiment, each copying machine 2
Communicates with the host computer 1 only when the maximum number of copyable sheets is exhausted. Therefore, the department management of the number of copies can be easily performed without frequent communication between the host computer 1 and the copying machine 2. [Other Embodiments] Each copying machine 2 runs out of the distributed maximum number of copies that can be distributed in each copying machine 2 without setting the number of spare sheets in the upper limit number table as a common part of each department. It can also be configured to communicate with the host computer 1 and report it. In this case, when the host computer 1 receives a report from one of the copying machines 2 indicating that the maximum number of copyable sheets has run out, the host computer 1 collects the remaining maximum number of copyable sheets distributed to each copying machine 2. , And the total is redistributed to each copying machine 2 as a new upper limit number of sheets that can be copied.

[0023]

In the copying machine management apparatus according to the present invention, the reporting means reports only when the number of sheets used in each copying machine reaches the maximum number of sheets that can be copied. The number of times can be minimized. As a result, it is possible to reduce the communication cost while managing the maximum number of copyable sheets for each department.

When the discriminating means and the reporting means are provided in the individual copying machines and the distributing means and the re-distributing means are host computers, the above effect becomes more remarkable.
Further, even when the distribution unit and the redistribution unit are provided in one of the plurality of copying machines, the effect becomes more remarkable. When the distribution means is configured to distribute the remaining number of sheets obtained by subtracting the reserve number from the total number of sheets that can be copied as the maximum number of sheets that can be copied by each copying machine, the maximum number of sheets that can be copied by one copying machine. When the number of used sheets exceeds that, the copy operation can be continued by lending the spare number to the corresponding copying machine.
Therefore, high work efficiency can be realized. If the redistribution means is configured to lend the spare number to the corresponding copying machine when receiving the report from the reporting means, the work efficiency is further increased. Also, when the corresponding copy machine runs out of the loaned spare number, the redistribution means subtracts the reserve number from the remaining number of other copying machines and redistributes the remaining number to each copying machine. When configured, the work efficiency is further increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a host computer.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an upper limit number table.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of the host computer.

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart of the host computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Host computer 2 Copier 3 public line

Front page continuation (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/02-21/04 G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 15/00 303 H04M 11/00-11/10 G06F 13 / 00 351-357

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A copying machine management system for managing the number of copies in a plurality of copying machines, comprising: a distribution means for distributing a maximum number of copies to each of the copying machines, and the number of copies of the copying machine in each of the copying machines. And a determination means for determining whether the maximum number of copies has been reached, and a report for making a report when the determination means determines that the maximum number of copies has been reached in any one of the copying machines. And a redistribution means for redistributing the remaining number of sheets of other copying machines to each of the copying machines when receiving the report from the reporting means. 2. The discriminating means and the reporting means are provided in each copying machine, the distributing means and the re-distributing means are host computers, and a communication line connecting the copying machines and the host computer is further provided. The copying machine management system according to claim 1. 3. The copying according to claim 1, wherein the distributing means distributes the remaining number of sheets obtained by subtracting the preliminary number from the total number of sheets that can be copied as the upper limit number of sheets that can be copied by each copying machine. Machine management system. 4. When the redistribution means receives a report from the reporting means, it lends a spare number to a corresponding copying machine,
The copying machine management system according to claim 3. 5. The redistribution means, when the corresponding copy machine runs out of the loaned spare number, subtracts the reserve number from the remaining number of other copying machines, and redistributes the remaining number to each copying machine. The copying machine management system according to claim 4. 6. A host computer for managing the number of copies in a plurality of copying machines connected via a communication line, wherein the distribution means distributes the upper limit number of copies to each of the copying machines, and the upper limit number of copies is reproduced. And a redistribution unit for distributing, wherein the copying machine determines whether the number of copies reaches the upper limit number of copies, and the determining unit determines that the number of copies reaches the upper limit number of copies. And a re-distributing means for re-distributing the remaining number of sheets of another copying machine to each of the copying machines when receiving a report from the reporting means of the copying machine. , Host computer.