JP3801541B2 - Data collection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data collection device that communicates with a collection target device via a communication line and collects data from the collection target device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, a facsimile device installed under each user and a data collection device in the center are connected by a communication line including a public line, and information from the facsimile device is collected by the data collection device, Systems that provide various services to users have been developed. One of the services provided to the user in such a system is remote diagnosis in which diagnosis of each facsimile apparatus is performed at the center.
[0003]
When performing this remote diagnosis, generally, a call is made from the center side to a diagnosis target device such as a facsimile machine, and diagnostic data is collected from the diagnosis target device by polling to perform device diagnosis. In order to make a call from the center side, it is necessary to register in advance the telephone number of a device to be diagnosed such as a facsimile machine. Conversely, there is a system that transmits diagnostic data to a center by a call from a facsimile machine. Even in such a system, a diagnosis target device that receives diagnosis data is registered in advance, and diagnosis data is not acquired from an unregistered facsimile machine.
[0004]
As described above, when performing remote diagnosis, it is necessary to register a facsimile apparatus for diagnosis in advance. Information for registration is performed based on, for example, an installation report collected from a store when the facsimile apparatus is installed, and this becomes customer information. However, depending on the dealer, if the installation report is neglected, the user at the installation location moves and the destination is unknown, or the device to be diagnosed such as a facsimile machine is transferred to another user and the transfer destination is unknown, There was a problem that diagnosis could not be performed.
[0005]
Another service provided is consumable ordering. For example, when the paper or toner used in the facsimile apparatus runs out, a consumable is provided by sending an order form to the center. This service is provided by a call from each facsimile machine or the like, and an order for consumables can be received without registration of the facsimile machine at the center side. Of course, various other services are provided to users.
[0006]
Each of these services is performed individually. For example, a facsimile machine for which consumables have been ordered is often subject to device diagnosis. However, even if there is a request for other services such as ordering of consumables from a facsimile machine not registered as a device diagnosis target, it is not automatically reflected in the device diagnosis.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an external device that is leaked from a data collection target is registered as a data collection target using an incoming call from the external device, and the data collection target It is an object of the present invention to provide a data collection device capable of constructing a system for managing external devices as much as possible without leakage.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a data collection device that collects data from a collection target device, a communication unit that performs communication via a communication line, a management table in which the collection target device is registered, and a management table that includes a communication unit. When collecting data from the collection target device and receiving it from an external device, eliminate the unnecessary reception or narrow down the external devices to be registered according to the received contents, and the external device is not registered in the management table In some cases, the apparatus includes a control unit that performs control to register the external device as a diagnosis target device. After registration, for example, a call can be automatically made to the collection target device every predetermined time, and data can be collected by polling.
[0009]
Thus, when receiving from the external device, the external device is automatically registered as a diagnosis target device, so that the omission of registration of the diagnosis target device can be reduced and the burden of registration can be reduced. Further, it is possible to manage customer information with few omissions by the management table automatically registered in this way.
[0010]
In order to register an external device as a device to be diagnosed, destination information for making a call to the external device is required. This is, for example, transmitted during a facsimile transmission control procedure with the external device. It can be obtained by analyzing the terminal identification information. Alternatively, it can also be obtained by analyzing a caller ID notification when an incoming call is received from an external device.
[0011]
The reception from the external device may be, for example, reception of a consumable order sheet used in the external device, or reception of a notification when a trouble occurs in the external device. Of course, registration as a diagnosis target device can also be performed at the time of reception from other external devices.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a system including an embodiment of a data collection device of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a data collection device, 2 is a communication line, 3 is an external device, 11 is a communication unit, 12 is a control unit, and 13 is a customer management table. In the system shown in FIG. 1, an external device 3 is communicably connected to a data collection device 1 installed in a center or the like via a communication line 2 such as a public line or a dedicated line. The number of external devices 3 is not limited to one, and a plurality of external devices 3 may be able to communicate with the data collection device 1 via the communication line 2. Here, it is assumed that the external device 3 is a device capable of facsimile communication. Further, it is assumed that it has a function of returning various data in response to a request from the data collection device 1. Further, for example, it is assumed that a function is provided that can automatically or manually order consumables.
[0013]
The data collection device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a customer management table 13, and the like. The communication unit 11 communicates with the external device 3 through the communication line 2.
[0014]
The control unit 12 communicates with the collection target device registered in the customer management table 13 via the communication unit 11 and collects various data from the collection target device. This data collection can be performed, for example, every predetermined time. When collecting data, the communication unit 11 can call the collection target device and collect data by polling. Of course, data may be collected by a unique procedure, or data may be collected by a call from a collection target device. The collected data is output to, for example, a device diagnosis system (not shown).
[0015]
In addition, the control unit 12 receives a consumable item order form or the like from the external device 3 or the like via the communication unit 11, and passes the information on the consumable item order form that is printed out or received to a consumable item ordering system (not shown). At the same time, it is determined whether or not the external device that has transmitted the consumable item order form is registered in the customer management table 13. If not registered, the external device is registered in the customer management table 13 as a collection target device. sign up. Thereafter, the external device is a target of data collection based on the customer management table 13 as described above. In addition to this, the control unit 12 may be configured to provide various services, and may be configured to perform registration in the customer management table 13 upon reception. For example, when a trouble occurrence notification is transmitted to the center when trouble occurs in the external device, processing for the reception can be performed, and registration in the customer management table 13 can be performed with the reception as a trigger.
[0016]
In the customer management table 13, information related to the collection target device is registered. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the customer management table 13. In this example, at least the telephone number of the collection target device and the date and time when data was collected last time are registered in the customer management table 13. The previous data collection date and time is used to monitor the passage of the predetermined time when the control unit 12 collects data every predetermined time. Of course, the customer name, contact information, and other information can be registered.
[0017]
Next, an example of the operation of the data collection device will be mainly described with respect to the operation in the above-described system. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of reception from an external device in the embodiment of the data collection device of the present invention. Here, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that a consumable item order form is received from the external device 3. When a call is received from the external device 3 to the data collection device 1 via the communication line 2, the data collection device 1 sends a DIS (digital identification signal) to the external device 3 in S21 in accordance with a facsimile transmission control procedure. When receiving the DIS, the external device 3 sends a DCS (digital command signal) according to the receiving capability in the DIS and also sends a TSI (transmission terminal identification signal) including the telephone number of the own device.
[0018]
In S <b> 22, the data collection device 1 receives DCS, TSI, etc. sent from the external device 3, makes various settings during communication from the DCS, analyzes TSI, and acquires the telephone number of the external device 3. In S23, it is determined whether or not the telephone number of the external device 3 acquired from the TSI is registered in the customer management table 13. If not registered, the external device 3 is registered in the customer management table 13 as a data collection target device in S24. Also, as the previous data collection date, the current date is set in S25 for the time being. If the external device 3 is already registered in the customer management table 13, the process proceeds to S26 without performing the processes of S24 and S25.
[0019]
The facsimile transmission control procedure is advanced, and in S26, the consumable part order form is received from the external device 3, and when the reception is completed, the communication with the external device 3 is terminated. The received consumable order sheet is sent to, for example, a consumable ordering system, and the consumables are supplied to the user who uses the external device 3.
[0020]
In this way, when the consumable order sheet is received, the customer management table 13 is checked, and if the transmission source external device 3 is not registered, it is automatically registered as a data collection target. The external device 3 that orders consumables is often a target of data collection. For example, if there is no installation report from the dealer, it is not registered in the customer management table 13, or the installation location is unknown due to unknown destination, etc. The data can be automatically collected when triggered by reception from the device 3. Thereby, the customer management table 13 without omission can be created.
[0021]
In an example of this operation, when receiving from an external device, registration is performed as a registration target when it is not registered in the customer management table 13. However, there may be cases where reception is due to a wrong telephone number or unnecessary reception such as advertisements. In order to eliminate these, for example, an external device may be checked by a unique procedure (such as NSF and NSC), or measures may be taken such that the external device is registered after confirming the received content. Further, for example, the registration target may be narrowed down according to the received contents, for example, the external device is set as the registration target only when the consumable order sheet is received.
[0022]
In the example of the operation described above, the current date and time is set as the previous data collection date and time in S25. For example, a date and time that is a predetermined time before the current date and time is set, and the data collection that will be described immediately below is set. These processes may be performed. Alternatively, after receiving the consumable order sheet in S26, the facsimile transmission control procedure may be returned to phase B, and the data collection process may be continued.
[0023]
Furthermore, in the above-described example, acquisition of the destination information (telephone number) of the external device 3 is performed based on the TSI. However, for example, the destination information is acquired using a caller number notification function such as a number display. You may comprise.
[0024]
Of course, as described above, the same applies to reception other than the consumable item order form, and reception processing is performed in S26. Further, for example, depending on information to be received, information may be transmitted and received not by image data but by a unique procedure, binary mode, or the like.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of data collection in the embodiment of the data collection device of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the data collection device is in a standby state and collects data from a collection target device that has passed a predetermined time from the previous data collection date and time at a predetermined time.
[0026]
As one of the processes performed in the standby state, the process shown in FIG. 4 is activated, and the current date and time is acquired by calling the time measuring function built in S31. In S32, it is determined whether or not the current time has been designated in advance. If the designated time has not arrived, the process proceeds to another process.
[0027]
If it is the designated time, one record is read from the customer management table 13 in S33, and it is determined in S34 whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous data collection date. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S38 and proceeds to processing of the next record in the customer management table 13.
[0028]
If the collection target device of the record read from the customer management table 13 has passed a predetermined time from the previous data collection date and time, a call is made to the collection target device in S35, and the collection target in S36. Collect data from the device. Data collection can be performed, for example, using a polling function of a facsimile transmission control procedure, or by a unique procedure. When the data collection is completed, the communication with the collection target device is terminated in S37.
[0029]
When the processing is completed for one record in the customer management table 13 in this way, the next record in the customer management table 13 is read in S38. In S39, it is determined whether or not the process has been performed up to the last record. If an unprocessed record is read in S38, the process returns to S34 to process the read record. If the process has been completed for all records, the data collection process is terminated.
[0030]
Data collected from the collection target device in this way can be transferred to, for example, a device diagnosis system (not shown) to diagnose the collection target device. Alternatively, the collected data can be accumulated, transferred to an analysis system (not shown), and used for various purposes such as usage statistics, and various services can be provided to users.
[0031]
With such data collection processing, for example, even for an external device newly registered as a collection target device in the reception processing shown in FIG. 3, data collection is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since registration.
[0032]
In the example of the data collection process shown in FIG. 4, data collection is performed after waiting for the designated time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a predetermined time elapses from the previous data collection date and time, You may comprise so that the data collection from a collection object apparatus may be performed sequentially. Alternatively, for example, data can be collected from all registered collection target devices at a specified time. Moreover, the structure which collects data by the call from a collection object apparatus may be sufficient.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an external device that is omitted from the data collection target can be automatically registered as a data collection target using reception from the external device. . Therefore, it is possible to easily create a customer management table with less leakage and to collect data with less leakage.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a system including an embodiment of a data collection device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a customer management table 13;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing upon reception from an external device in the embodiment of the data collection device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of data collection in the embodiment of the data collection device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Data collection device, 2 ... Communication line, 3 ... External apparatus, 11 ... Communication part, 12 ... Control part, 13 ... Customer management table.

Claims (7)

  When a communication means for performing communication via a communication line, a management table in which a collection target device is registered, and data is collected from the collection target device in the management table and received from an external device via the communication means A data collection apparatus comprising: control means for performing control to register the external device as a diagnosis target device when the external device is not registered in the management table after unnecessary reception is excluded.   When a communication means for performing communication via a communication line, a management table in which a collection target device is registered, and data is collected from the collection target device in the management table and received from an external device via the communication means A data collection apparatus comprising: control means for performing control to narrow down external devices to be registered according to received contents and register the external device as a diagnosis target device when the external device is not registered in the management table.   The control means obtains destination information of the external device by analyzing transmission terminal identification information in a facsimile transmission control procedure performed with the external device, and uses the destination information to collect the destination device information. The data collection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data collection is performed from the external apparatus.   The control means obtains destination information of the external device by analyzing a caller ID notification at the time of an incoming call from the external device, and uses the destination information from the external device that has become a collection target device. The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein data collection is performed.   5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit automatically calls the collection target device registered in the management table every predetermined time and collects data by polling. The data collection device according to any one of the above.   When a communication means for performing communication via a communication line, a management table in which a collection target device is registered, and data is collected from the collection target device in the management table and received from an external device via the communication means When the external device is not registered in the management table, control means for performing control to register the external device as a diagnosis target device is received, and receiving from the external device is an order for consumables used in the external device. A data collection device characterized by receiving a vote.   When a communication means for communicating via a communication line, a management table in which a collection target device is registered, and data is collected from the collection target device in the management table via the communication means and received from an external device Control means for performing control to register the external device as a diagnosis target device when the external device is not registered in the management table, and receiving from the external device is a notification when a trouble occurs in the external device. A data collection device characterized by receiving data.

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