JPH02257153A - Information collecting system for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control an image forming device from a distant place by incorporating a modulator and demodulator in the image forming device, modulating control information to a sound signal in a data system and transmitting it to a line. CONSTITUTION:The modulator and demodulator 66 which transmits various information under use circumstances that is converted into the sound signal is provided in the image forming device 1 and an external device 81 which receives the information is provided at another place. Then, the information of the image forming device 1 such as error information and charging information, etc., is transmitted in sound to the device 81 through the modulator and demodulator 66 and the various information is obtained in the place distant from the image forming device 1. Thus, a person can obtain the error information and the charging information without going to the place where the image forming device is set and the image forming device is easily controlled from the distant place.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an information collection system for an image forming apparatus that collects error information of, for example, an electronic copying machine.

(Prior Art) In recent years, with the remarkable progress and spread of electronic devices, the question of how to efficiently manage them has become a problem.

For example, in image forming devices such as electronic copying machines,
In order to provide maintenance services, information such as paper jams and other errors that occur during operation is accumulated and stored in a storage device installed inside the device, and maintenance personnel periodically check the above 2. By inspecting the contents of the device, a technician understands the condition of the device under usage conditions, and based on this, makes adjustments to predetermined parts, replaces parts, etc. Additionally, if a serious error occurs and it becomes impossible to continue operation, maintenance personnel are immediately called for repairs.

On the other hand, in addition to error information, the storage device stores information such as the size of the paper used for copying and the number of copies, if the device is installed at a customer's site for rental or lease. You will be charged accordingly. This billing information is also 1! -! The person in question goes to the customer's location, reads out the contents of the storage device using, for example, an operation panel of a copying machine, performs predetermined calculations on the contents, and issues an invoice.

However, in either case, it was necessary for a person to go directly to the location where the copying machine was installed, which was extremely inconvenient. In addition, if a serious error occurs and operation cannot continue, it is necessary to immediately go to the customer's site for repairs, but it is not possible to accurately grasp the failure condition in advance. Special tools and replacement parts were required after visiting the site, which was often time-consuming.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, with conventional devices, it is necessary for a person to go directly to the location where the copying machine is installed in order to obtain error information and billing information, and special This was extremely inconvenient, as customers had to make a fresh trip if they needed new tools or replacement parts.

Therefore, the present invention provides information on an image forming apparatus that enables a person to obtain error information and billing information without going to the installation location of the image forming apparatus, and to easily manage the image forming apparatus from a remote location. The purpose is to provide a collection system.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, an information collection system for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that forms image information on a transfer material. , a transmitting means for converting various information under usage conditions of the image forming apparatus into audio signals and transmitting the same, and a receiving apparatus for receiving various information from the image forming apparatus transmitted by the transmitting means. It is composed of.

(Function) The present invention uses the above-described means to receive various information such as error information and billing information under the usage status of the image forming apparatus through one transmission stage (≦transmits voice to the apparatus, and performs image forming). The above-mentioned various information can be obtained at a location remote from the device.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 schematically shows an image forming apparatus, such as an electronic copying machine, to which the present invention is applied.

This electronic copying machine includes a copying machine main body 1 and a copying machine main body 1.
The document feeder 28 is provided on the top surface of the document feeder 28 so as to be openable and closable, and automatically supplies documents.

The copying machine main body 1 receives the paper (transfer material) discharged from the copying device 3 and the discharge section of the copying device 3 as needed, and leaves it as it is in order to perform multiple or double-sided copying on the paper. Alternatively, it is comprised of a multiple double-sided copying unit 27 that leads the sheet to the paper feed section of the copying device 3 again in a reversed state.

A document table (transparent glass) 2 for supporting a document is fixed to the upper surface of the copying device 3. And this manuscript table 2
The automatic document feeder 28 is provided so as to be openable and closable, and the document is automatically conveyed to the exposure position on the document table 2 by the automatic document feeder 28 .

The automatic document feeder 28 includes a document feed table 28□ on which a document is set, and a document feed section that takes out the documents set on the document feed table 281 one by one and has a reversing conveyance section that turns the documents over. 282, the taken out original is placed on the original platen 2.
A transport unit 283 serving as a document table cover that transports the document to the transport unit 28 . The manuscript that has been set up and copied is IJ1
A single document output tray 285. It is made up of.

Inside the paper feed section 282, there are a pair of transport rollers 28b and 2 for transporting the taken out paper to the transport section 283.
8c, 28d, and a reversing conveyance path 28e1 serving as a reversing conveyance section to which a document set on the document table 2 and having one side of the original copied is guided; conveyance rollers 28f, 28g, and 28h disposed along this reversing conveyance path 28e. is provided.

Further, the conveyance section 283 is provided with a belt 28 i that conveys the original supplied from the paper feed section 282 to a set position (exposure position) on the document table 2 . This hell t-
28i is a roller 28j.

It has been extended to 28k. This belt 28i transfers the copied original to the original output tray 28. .

When the original is ejected to
e, and the original is reversed by the reversing conveyance path 28e and is then conveyed again to the set position on the document table 2.

The document placed on the document table 2 by the automatic document feeder 28 or the operator is exposed to the exposure lamp 4, mirror 5,
Exposure scanning is performed by moving an optical system consisting of parts 6 and 7 along the lower surface of the document table 2. In this case, mirror 6.7 moves at half the speed of mirror 5 so as to keep the optical path length constant. The light reflected from the original by the scanning of the optical system, that is, the light reflected from the original by the light irradiation of the exposure lamp 4, is reflected by the mirrors 5 and 6. The original image is reflected by 91, 92, and 93 and guided to the photoreceptor drum 10, so that the original image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10.

The photosensitive drum 10 is rotated in the direction of arrow C in the figure, and the surface is first charged by the charging device 11, and then,
By exposing the original image to slit light, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. This electrostatic latent image is
2b, the toner is attached and visualized. The developing units 12a and 12b each develop the latent image using, for example, black toner or red toner, and are selected by an operation panel to be described later.

On the other hand, the paper is transferred to the upper paper feed capacity cellar l-13, lower paper feed cassette l-132, large capacity paper feed capacity cellar I-1, 33, or the upper paper feed cassette] 31 selected by the operation panel. From the provided manual paper feed section 13a, the feed rollers 14+, 142, ]43 are fed.

14.1 and roller pairs 151, 152, and 153, one by one, and the paper guide paths 16+, 1
62 and 163 to a pair of registration rollers 17, and is supplied to the transfer section by this pair of registration rollers 17.

The paper sent to the transfer section 2 comes into close contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 at the transfer charger 18, and the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 0 is transferred by the action of the charger 18. be done. This transferred paper is electrostatically peeled off from the photoreceptor drum 0 by the action of one peeling charger,
The image is conveyed by a conveyor belt 20 and sent to a fixing roller 21 as a fixing device provided at the end thereof. and,
By passing through this, the transferred image is fixed.

The paper after this set number is discharged to a tray 24 outside the main body 1 by a pair of delivery rollers 22 and 23.

After the transfer, residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is removed by a cleaner 25, and the photosensitive drum 10 returns to its initial state.

When double-sided copying or multiple duplex copying is performed, the sheets after transfer are guided to the multiple double-sided copying unit 27 by the gate 26.

This multiple double-sided copying unit 27 is capable of performing double-sided copying on -sheets of paper or multiple copying on the same side of -sheets of paper, and is compatible with the large-capacity paper feeding cassette] 33.
is provided in this multiple duplex copying unit 27.

The multiple double-sided copying unit 27 is provided with a conveyance path 27b that guides the sheets taken in by the gate 26 to the stacking section 27a, and this conveyance path 27b includes a plurality of conveyance rollers separated by a predetermined interval. vs. 27c, 27d, 27e, 2
7f is provided.

Further, the stacking section 27a is provided with a take-out roller 27g for taking out the sheets stored therein. The take-out roller 27g is capable of moving 6J in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure depending on the thickness (number of sheets) of the stored sheets. moreover,
A length guide 51 is provided in the stacking section 27a so as to be movable according to the length of the stored sheets (size with respect to the conveying direction), and also guides the stored sheets to a width guide 52. A side holder that aligns the paper by pressing it against it.
Aligning rollers 53, 5B are provided.

The sheets taken out from the stacking section 27a by the take-out roller 27g are guided to the control gate 27i via a separation roller pair 27h that separates the sheets one by one and sends them out.

When performing multiple copying, this control gate 271 is rotated in the direction of the arrow M shown in the figure, and guides the paper as it is to the pair of registration rollers 17 via the pair of conveying rollers 27j and the conveying path 27k. ing. When double-sided copying is to be performed, the state shown in the figure is first established, and the paper is guided to the reversing section 27m via a pair of transport rollers 27M. When the paper is stored in the reversing section 27m, the control game h27i is further rotated in the direction of the arrow T shown in the figure.
The sheet conveyed by the pair of conveyor rollers 27, & is guided to the pair of registration rollers 17 with its front and back sides reversed via the pair of conveyor rollers 27j and the conveyance path 27k.

1 ] In addition, 55. . . are passage detection switches that detect the passage of paper, and these passage detection switches 55, . . . detect a paper jam (paper jam). In addition, the above-mentioned passage detection switch 55 is provided at various locations. In addition, a limit switch for detecting the initial position of the optical system, a switch for detecting abnormal operation of the main motor (none of which are shown), etc. are provided.

FIG. 10 shows an operation panel provided on the main body 1 of the copying machine. The operation panel 30 includes a copy key 30a that generates an image forming signal for commanding the start of copying, a numeric keypad 30b that sets the number of copies, etc., a display section 30c that displays the operating status of each part, paper jams, etc. A density setting section 30d for setting the copying density, a count command key 30e for displaying the number of copies to be made, an interrupt key 30f to be operated when another person makes another copy on the copying bow, and a copying magnification. Equal magnification key 30g for setting the image to the same magnification (100%), Δ rate setting key 30h1, upper row, to be operated when setting the copy magnification]2.

A cassette selection key 3011 that is operated to select the middle paper feed cassette 131, 132 or the large capacity paper feed cassette 133, a color selection key 30j that selects the developer 12a, 12b (development color), and stores various information in the memory described later. If you want to obtain information corresponding to each mode, for example, when a paper jam occurs, press the mode memory key 30 to read out information previously stored in memory. An information key 30g that displays information for clearing paper jams on the display 30o, and a function check key 30 that displays on the display 30o what kind of function is set.
It is composed of m, etc. The operation panel 30 is also provided with a data transfer key 30n, which allows management data such as error information and billing information stored in the memory to be transferred to a receiving device installed at a remote location via a communication line or the like. It is sent to an external device.

The display device 30o is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal dot matrix panel, and the display device 300 displays the setting status of the copying machine in the form of characters.For example, the various keys 30e, 30f, 30g, 30kl, 3
0i.

30j, 30, 30g, 30 m, 30
When n, 1, and ■ are created, the corresponding characters are displayed. If, for example, a paper jam occurs during a copying operation, the display 30o displays the location of the paper jam using text and graphics. Further, on both sides of the display 300, there are operation keys 30 for selecting various functions displayed on the display 30o. ~304,305~
For example, in the illustrated state, when the operating key 30° is operated, the copying machine main body 1 is set to multiple copying mode, and when the operating key 308 is operated, the copying machine main body 1 is set to double-sided copying mode. It looks like this.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 schematically show the configuration of an information collection system of the present invention. The main control section 60 of the copying machine main body 1 controls the overall operation, and this main control section 60 includes a memory 6
1, input/output interfaces 62, 63, timer 64,
A pattern generator 65 and the like are connected.

The main control section 60 is mainly composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, and is operated according to a program stored in a memory 61.

The memory 61 includes a ROM (not shown) and a nonvolatile RA.
The ROM part stores programs for operating the microcomputer and constants necessary for various processes. Further, the RAM portion is provided with a work area for the microcomputer and a log area in which management data consisting of error information detected within the electronic copying machine and billing information such as the number of copies is stored.

The input/output interface 62 includes a passage detection switch 5.
5, etc., a drive control unit 71 that controls the main motor 70 as a drive source for the photosensitive drum 10, etc., an exposure control unit 72 that controls the exposure of the exposure lamp 4, and counts the number of copies. A counter 73, the above-mentioned operation panel 30, a developed color detector 74 for detecting developed colors in the case of multicolor copying, and the like are connected.

The input/output interface 63 operates as a communication I10, and a modem 66 built into the copying machine main body 1 is connected to this interface 63.

This modulator/demodulator 66 modulates the management data and other information sent from the human output interface 63 into an audio signal in a data format suitable for transmission, and further modulates the transmission format! The data received from the line 80 is demodulated and supplied to the input/output interface 63, and further sent to the main control unit 60.

The timer 64 measures the time necessary for various processes performed by the main control unit 60. For example, the timer 64 interrupts the processing of the main control unit 60 at regular intervals by counting a certain period of time.
The management data stored in the memory 61 is transferred to the copying machine main body 1.
It is used for processing when sending data to external equipment.

The pattern generator 65 receives code data from the main control unit 60, converts it into a character pattern that is a corresponding image pattern, and outputs it to the input/output interface 63. This makes it possible to handle cases where the destination of management data is a device that handles image data, such as a facsimile machine.

The external device 81 manages data from the copying machine main body 1. This external device 81 basically consists of a modem 82 and a processing device 83.

The modulator/demodulator 82 demodulates, for example, data received from the line 80 and outputs it to the processing device 83, and also modulates the data from the processing device 83 into an audio signal and outputs it to the four-wire 80.

The processing device 83 stores the pig received from the modem 82 in a storage device 83e such as a floppy disk, displays it on a display device 83b such as a CRT display, or prints it with a printing device 83C such as a printer. It is something to do. In addition, this processing device 83
is equipped with an input device 83d such as a keyboard, and allows the external device 81 to request the copying machine main body 1 to transfer, for example, management data. That is, by inputting predetermined data from the human-powered device 83d, a request signal requesting transmission of management data is issued from the external device 81 side, and this signal is transferred to the copying machine main body 1. In addition, the human power device 83
By inputting predetermined data from d, it is also possible to rewrite the contents of the memory 61 in the copying machine main body 1, such as management data. This makes it possible to set the contents of the memory 61 to the initial state, for example, to clear read management data.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the storage format of management data stored in the log area of the memory 61. in this case,
As management data, "error record", "sheet count", and "date data" are stored in association with each other. For example, 61a shown in the figure shows that when 205 copies were made on October 1, 1988, the reversing unit 27
This indicates that a paper jam has occurred at ``m''.

Such error information is sequentially accumulated and stored in the log area over time. Furthermore, when the log area becomes full, the data may be returned to the beginning of the log area and stored over the previously stored management data. In addition, management data includes "error records" and "
It may be stored in association with "sheet count" or "error record" and "date data".

FIG. 4 shows another example of the storage format in the memory 61. In this case, only the latest error information is shown at 61b in the diagram. In this way, the storage format of the management data stored in the memory 61 is not limited to the above example, and may be in any format.

Next, the operation of transmitting management data in the above configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. 5.

For example, if a request to send management data is generated in the copying machine main body 1 as the sending side, the data transfer key 30n of the operation panel 30 is pressed. Then, a signal from this data transfer key 30n is transmitted to the main control section 60 via the input/output interface 62. As a result, the main control unit 6
0 is an input/output interface 63 and a modem 66
A "transmission start signal" is sent out onto the line 80 via the line 80.

On the other hand, external device 81 sends data received from line 80 to processing device 83 via modem 82 . As a result, the processing device 83 of the external device 80 receives a "transmission start signal".
If the processing device 83 recognizes that it has received the data and is ready to receive data at that time, it sends a "receivable signal" back to the copying machine main body 1 via the modulator/demodulator 82.

The main controller 60 receives the "receivable signal" via the modulator/demodulator 66 and the input/output interface 63, reads management data from the log area of the memory 61, and stores the management data in the copying machine main body, for example. It is supplied to the input/output interface 63 and the modem 66 along with the model number. Thereby, the management data is converted into an audio signal and then sent to the external device 81 via the line 80.

The external device 81 that received this management data returns it:
:lIL, printed on recording paper by the printing device 83c.

In this way, when the transmission of the management data is completed, the main control unit 6
A "completion signal" is sent from 0, and in response to this "completion signal J," a "reception completion signal" is returned from the external device 81, and the series of transmission operations is completed.

Note that the configuration is such that a transmission request from the copying machine main body 1 is generated by pressing the data transfer key 30n.
It is also possible to configure the timer 64 to generate a transmission request when a certain period of time is counted, and to automatically transfer the management data at a certain period. Further, the configuration may be such that a transmission request is automatically generated when the occurrence of an error is detected during a copying operation. Furthermore, the transmission request may be generated when the number of copies in the copying machine main body 1 reaches a certain number.

Next, feed f from the external device 8] side, which is the receiver 1g side. The transmission operation when a request occurs will be explained with reference to FIG.

For example, if a one-word request is input from the input device &83d, the "Rifnis I signal" will be sent to the main unit via the modem 82, line 80, modem 66, and input/output interface 63 in the same manner as above. The information is transmitted to the control unit 60.

In response, the main control unit 6 that received the "request signal"
0 means that if the copying machine main body 1 is in a state where it can perform transmission,
A “transmission start signal” is sent to the external device 81.

The external device 81 that received the "transmission start signal" returns a "receivable signal" to the main control unit 60.

Upon receiving this, the main control unit 60 stores the management data in the memory 6.
1 from the log area, and send it to the external device 81 along with the model number in the same way as above. When the transmission of all management data is completed, a "completion signal" is sent to the external device 8.
Send to 1.

This completes the series of management data transmission operations.

In addition, in the operation described in item 1, since management data and the like are exchanged in the form of voice signals, a public line can be used as the line 80, so it is said to be highly versatile.

As mentioned above, various information (management data) regarding the usage status of the electronic copying machine, such as error information and number of copies information,
is transmitted as an audio signal to an external device installed at a location away from the electronic copying machine. This results in
It becomes possible to obtain the management data of the copying machine while being on the external device side. Therefore, it is possible to understand to some extent the usage status and failure status of the copying machine at a location far from the copying machine, thereby making it possible to reduce the effort required for maintenance and the like.

In addition, voice communication makes it possible to use public lines,
It can be made with good versatility.

Furthermore, if a plurality of electronic copying machines are managed using the location where the external device is installed as a center, even more efficient operation becomes possible.

In the above embodiment, a personal computer system is used as an example of the external device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a facsimile machine as shown in FIG. 7 may also be used. In this case, the image data (management data) that is converted into an audio signal and sent is demodulated and recorded on the recording paper 84. Also, when requesting the transmission of management data from the facsimile machine,
A request signal generated by dialing is transferred to the copying machine main body 1.

Further, although the modulator/demodulator 66 is provided inside the copying machine body 1, it may be provided outside the main body 1 as shown in FIG. In this case, a modem including a modem 66 and a memory 67 is installed outside as a modem 68.

As a result, the memory 67 between the main control section 60 and the modulator/demodulator 66 acts as a buffer, and the time that the main control section 60 is exclusively used for transferring management data is shortened, so that the available copying time increases. A commercially available modulator/demodulator 68 can be used, and the system can be constructed at low cost since it can be easily applied to existing copying machines.

Furthermore, it is applicable not only to electronic copying machines but also to various image forming apparatuses such as thermal printers and laser printers.

It goes without saying that various other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain error information and billing information without going to the installation location of the image forming apparatus, and it is possible to easily operate the image forming apparatus from a remote location. It is possible to provide an information collection system for image forming apparatuses that can be easily managed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an information collection system, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the components of the information collection system, and FIG. 3 is a log area of the memory. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of another storage format of management data, and FIG. 5 explains a transmission operation based on a transmission request from the sending side. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the transmission operation based on a transmission request from the receiving side, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing other embodiments of the present invention. 8 is a block diagram of the information gathering system illustrating the case where a facsimile machine is used as an external device; FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the information gathering system illustrating the case where the modem is installed externally The figure is a side sectional view schematically showing the structure of an electronic copying machine, and FIG. 10 shows one structure of the operation panel.
It is a mouth view. 1. Copying machine main body, 30.. Operation panel, 30n..
・Data transfer key 60... Main control unit, 61... Memory, 63... Input/output interface, 64...
Timer, 66...Modulator/demodulator, 73/Counter, 80/
...Communication line, 8]...External device (receiving device), 82
...Modulator/demodulator, 83...Processing device, 83c/Printing device. Figure 5 Figure Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An image forming device that forms image information on a transfer material, a transmitting device that converts various information under usage conditions of the image forming device into an audio signal and transmits the audio signal, and an audio signal that is transmitted by the transmitting device. An information collection system for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a receiving device that receives various information from the image forming apparatus.