JPH02259663A - Information collecting system for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To collect various pieces of information under circumstances where an image forming device is used without going to an installation place and to easily control the image forming device by transmitting the various pieces of information under the circumstances where the image forming device is used to a collecting device attending with the occurrence of errors in the image forming device. CONSTITUTION:The system is constituted of the image forming device 1 forming image information on a material to be transferred, the collecting device 81 collecting various pieces of information under the circumstances where the image forming device 1 is used and a transmitting device transmitting the information under the circumstances where the device is used to the collecting device 81 attending with the occurrence of errors in the image forming device 1. Therefore, the various piecers of information, for example, error information, charging information, etc., under the circumstance where the image forming device 1 is used are automatically transferred to the collecting device 81 provided apart from the image forming device 1 attending with the occurrence of errors in the image forming device. Thereby, various pieces of information under the circumstances where the image forming device 1 is used can be collected without going to the installation place and the image forming device can be easily controlled from the remote 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,
For maintenance service purposes, 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 information. By checking the contents of the storage device, the state of the device under usage conditions can be ascertained, and based on this information, adjustments to predetermined parts or replacement of parts can be made. In addition, if a serious error occurs and it becomes impossible to continue operation, maintenance personnel are immediately called to request 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. Charges will be made accordingly. For this billing information, a person in charge 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 a bill.

However, in any of the above cases, it is necessary for a person to go directly to the location where the copying machine is installed, which is extremely inconvenient. In addition, when a serious error occurs and operation cannot continue, it is necessary to immediately go to the customer's site for repairs, but since it is not possible to accurately grasp the state of the failure, After the trip, special tools and replacement parts were needed, and Mitaka often had to do the work.

(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 know error information, billing information, etc. This was extremely inconvenient, as if special tools or replacement parts were needed, a new trip had to be made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can collect various information regarding the usage status of the image forming apparatus without going to the installation location, and that allows the image forming apparatus to be easily managed from a remote location. The purpose is to provide an information gathering system.

[Configuration of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problem) In order to achieve the above object, the 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 collection device that collects various information under the usage conditions of the image forming apparatus; and a transmission means that transmits various information under the usage conditions to the collection device when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus. It is composed of.

(Function) The present invention uses the above-described means to collect various information such as error information and billing information under the usage status of the image forming apparatus when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus.
The information is automatically transferred to a collection device installed at a location remote from the image forming 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 includes a copying device 3 and a copying device 3. The copying machine 3 receives the paper (transfer material) discharged from the discharge section of the copying device 3 as necessary, and performs multiple or double-sided copying on the paper.
It is comprised of a multiple double-sided copying unit 27 which leads the paper in the original state or in the reversed state to the paper feeding section of the copying device 3 again.

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 t28 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 feeder 281 on which a document is set, and a document feeder 28 provided with a reversing conveyance section that takes out the documents set on the document feeder 281 one by one and turns the document over. □, place the taken out original on the original platen 2.
A transport unit 283 serving as a document table cover that transports the document to the transport unit 28 . It is comprised of a document discharge tray 284, which is provided in the document tray 284, and from which the document after copying is discharged.

Inside the paper feed section 282, there are a take-out roller 28a for taking out the original set on the document feed table 281, and a pair of transport rollers 28b and 2 for transporting the taken out paper to the transport section 283.
8c, 28d, a reversing conveyance path 28e 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, and conveyance rollers 28f, 28g arranged along this reversing conveyance path 28e. 28h is provided.

Further, the conveyance section 283 is provided with a belt 281 that conveys the original supplied from the paper feed section 282 to a set position (exposure position) on the document table 2. This belt 28
i is the roller 28j.

It has been extended to 28k. The belt 28i discharges the copied original onto the original output tray 284, and when one side of the original has been copied,
Conveying the original to the reversing conveyance path 28e of the paper feed section 28□,
The reverse conveyance path 28e is configured to convey the reversed original to the set position on the document table 2 again.

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,
By moving an optical system consisting of 6.7 along the lower surface of the document table 2, exposure scanning is performed. 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. 911 92+ 93 and guided to the photoreceptor drum 10, and the original image is reflected on the photoreceptor drum 10.
The image is formed on the surface of the

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
The toner is rejuvenated by 2b and is made into a visible image. 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 fed from the upper paper feed cassette 130, the lower paper feed cassette 132, the large capacity paper feed cassette 133, or the manual paper feed section 13a provided in the upper paper feed cassette 131 selected by the operation panel, and is fed to the feed roller. 141
, 142, 143° 144 and roller pair 15. ．． 15
2,153, one sheet at a time, and the sheets are taken out one by one by each of the paper guide paths 16, . It passes through 162 and 163, is guided to a pair of registration rollers 17, and is supplied to a transfer section by this pair of registration rollers 17.

The paper sent to the transfer section comes into close contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 at the transfer charger 8, and the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 10 is transferred by the action of the charger 18. . The transferred paper is electrostatically peeled off from the photoreceptor drum 10 by the action of a peeling charger 19, and is conveyed by a conveyor belt 20 and sent to a fixing roller 21 as a fixing device provided at the end of the conveyor belt 20. It will be done. Then, by passing through this, the transferred image is fixed.

After this fixation, the paper 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 double-sided copying is performed, the sheets after transfer are sorted and guided to the multiple double-sided copying unit 27 by the gate 26.

This multiple duplex copying unit 27 is capable of making copies on both sides of - sheets of paper, or making multiple copies on the same side of - sheets of paper, and is capable of making copies on the same side of - sheets of paper.
33 is provided in this multiple double-sided 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,
27f is provided.

Further, the stacking section 27a is provided with a take-out roller 27g for taking out the sheets stored therein. This take-out roller 27g is movable in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure depending on the thickness (number of sheets) of the stored sheets. Furthermore, 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 in the m feeding direction), and a length guide 51 is provided to move the stored sheets along a width guide 52. A side holder that aligns the paper by pressing it against it.
Aligning rollers 53.53 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 multi-flfl copying, this control gate 27i is rotated in the direction of arrow M shown in the figure, and the paper is transferred to the pair of conveying rollers 27.
j and the registration roller pair 1 via the conveyance path 27k.
7 will be guided as is. Further, 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 the pair of transport rollers 2i. When the paper is stored in the reversing section 27m,
The control gate 27i is further rotated in the direction of the arrow T shown in the figure.
The paper conveyed by the pair of conveyance rollers 27R is guided to the pair of registration rollers 17 with its front and back sides reversed via the pair of conveyance rollers 27j and the conveyance path 27k.

In addition, 55. . . are passage detection switches that detect the passage of paper, and these passage detection switches 55, . . .
Detects paper jams. In addition, passage detection switches 55 are 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 3o includes a copy key 30a that generates an image forming signal to command the start of copying, a numeric keypad 30b that sets the number of copies, and a display section 30c1 that displays the operating status of each part and paper jams. A density setting section 30d for setting the density, a count command key 30e for displaying the total number of copies, etc., an interrupt key 30f, m for changing the credit rate, etc., which is operated when someone else is making another copy while the copy is being made. Same magnification key 30g% for setting the copy magnification to 10096 times (10096). Upper row of magnification setting keys 30h1 operated to set the copy magnification.

Middle paper feed cassette 13. ．． A cassette selection key 301 is operated to select the 132 or large-capacity paper feed cassette 133, a color selection key 30j1 is used to select the developing units 12a and 12b (development color), and various information can be stored in the memory (described later) or stored in the memory in advance. 1 to the mode memory key 30 to be operated when reading stored information If you want to obtain information corresponding to each mode, for example, when a paper jam occurs, operate it to display the paper jam on the display 30o (described later). An information key 301 that displays information for canceling the function, and a function check key 30 that displays what kind of function is set on the display 30o.
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 collection device installed at a remote location via a communication line or the like. It can be sent to an external device.

The display 300 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal dot matrix panel, and the display 30o displays the setting status of the copying machine in the form of characters. ,3
0i.

When 30j, 30, 30g, 30m, and 30n are operated, 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. Furthermore, operation keys 301 to 304 to 305 to 308 for selecting various functions displayed on the display 300 are provided on both sides of the display 30o. For example, in the illustrated state, the operation keys 307
When the key 308 is operated, the copying machine main body 1 is set to a multiple copying mode, and when the operation key 308 is operated, the copying machine main body 1 is set to a double-sided copying mode.

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 61, an input/output interface 6,
2, 63, timer 64, and pattern generator 6
5 etc. are connected.

The main control unit 60 is mainly composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, and is operated according to a program stored in the main unit 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 inside 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. . . . various detection switches 55, a drive control section 71 that controls the main motor 70 as a drive source for the photosensitive drum 10, etc., an exposure control section 72 that controls the exposure of the exposure lamp 4, and a counter that counts the number of copies. 73, the above-mentioned operation panel 30, a developed color detector 74 for detecting developed colors when making multicolor copies, 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 modem 66 is connected to the input/output interface 63
It modulates the management data and other information sent from the network into a data format suitable for transfer, and sends it out to the line 80 according to the transmission format, and also demodulates the data received from the line 80 and supplies it to the input/output interface 63. , and further sent to the main control section 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 corresponding image data, and sends it to the input/output interface 63.
This is what is output to. 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 collects and 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 and outputs it to the line 80.

The processing device 83 converts the data received from the modem 82 into
For example, it is stored in a storage device 83e such as a hard disk or floppy disk, displayed on a display device 83b such as a CRT display, or printed by a printing device 83c such as a printer. This processing device 83 also includes an input device 83 such as a keyboard.
d, so that the external device 81 can request the copying machine main body 1 to transfer, for example, management data. That is, by inputting predetermined data from the input device 83d, a request signal requesting transfer of management data is issued from the external device 81 side, and this signal is transferred to the copying machine main body 1. Furthermore, by inputting predetermined data from the input device 83d, the contents of the memory 61 in the copying machine main body 1, such as management data, can be rewritten. 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 2
This indicates that a paper jam occurred at 7 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 "
The data 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 management data transfer operation in the above configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. 5.

For example, if an error such as a paper jam occurs in the copying machine main unit 1, which is the sending side, this is the detection switch 5.
Detected by 5. Then, this detection switch 5
5 is supplied to the main control section 60 via the input/output interface 62. As a result, the main control unit 6
0 determines that the detection signal from the detection switches 55 indicates a request for transmission, and sends a "transmission start signal" onto the line 80 via the input/output interface 63 and the modem 66.

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 81 receives a "transmission start signal".
When the processor 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 modem 82.

The main control unit 60 receives the "receivable signal" through the modem 66 and the input/output interface 63, and reads the time (date data) from the timer 64 and the count value (number of sheets) from the counter 73. These are read out and stored in the log area of the memory 61 in correspondence with the content of the error (error record), and the management data and, for example, the model number of the copying machine main body 1 are transmitted to the human output interface 63 and the modem/demodulator. Vessel 6
6 to an external device 81.

The external device 81 that has received this management data prints the received data on recording paper using the printing device 83c.

In this way, when the transmission of the management data is completed, the main 1, υ leg 60 sends out a "completion signal J", and in response to this "completion signal", the external device 81 returns a "reception completion signal", and a series of The transfer operation is terminated.

Although the configuration is configured so that a transmission request is automatically generated when the occurrence of an error is detected, since the management data is stored in the log area of the memory 61, for example, when the data transfer key 30n is pressed or It is also possible to transfer a plurality of pieces of management data at once when the timer 64 measures a certain period of time or when the counter 73 counts a certain number of copies.

Further, when a transmission request is generated from the external device 81 side that is the receiving side, it is also possible to transfer a plurality of pieces of management data stored in the log area of the memory 61 all at once. The operation in that case will be explained with reference to FIG.

For example, when a transmission request is input from the input device 83d, the "request signal" is sent to the main control unit 60 via the modem 82, the line 80, the modem 66, and the input/output interface 63 in the same manner as described above. Reportedly.

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 transmission operation is possible, "
A transmission start signal is sent to the external device 81.

The external device 81 that has 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 81.
Send to.

On the other hand, the external device 81 prints the management data received from the copying machine main body 1 onto recording paper using the printing device 83c.

This completes the series of management data transfer operations.

In the above operation, if the external device 81 is a personal computer system, the management data sent and received over the line 80 is code data such as ASCII code, so the transfer efficiency is very high. has been done.

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, etc.
However, when an error occurs in the electronic copying machine, the information is automatically transferred to an external device installed at a location away from the electronic copying machine. As a result, whenever an error occurs in the copying machine, it becomes possible to know the usage status of the copying machine while being on the external device side. Therefore, since it becomes possible to grasp the condition of the copying machine to some extent at a location far from the copying machine, it becomes possible to accurately judge the timing and necessity of the next maintenance.

Further, if a location where an external device is installed is used as a center and a plurality of electronic copying machines are managed, 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 device as shown in FIG. 7 can also be used. In this case, the management data converted into image data and sent will be recorded on the recording paper 84.

Further, when the facsimile machine side requests transmission of management data, 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 modem 66 acts as a buffer, and the time that the main control section 60 is exclusively used for transmitting management data is shortened, so that the available copying time increases. A commercially available device can be used as the modulation/demodulation device 68, and the system can be configured at low cost, such as being easily applicable to existing copying machines.

Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to electronic copying machines but also to other 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 described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to collect various information on the usage status of the image forming apparatus without going to the installation location, and it is possible to collect 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 gathering system, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the information gathering system, and FIG. 3 is a log area of the memory. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of management data, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of another storage format of management data.
FIG. 5 is a diagram shown to explain the transfer operation based on a transmission request from the sending side, FIG. 6 is a diagram shown to explain the transfer operation based on a transmission request from the receiving side, and FIGS. This shows other embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an information collection system using a facsimile device as an external device, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a side sectional view schematically showing the structure of an electronic copying machine, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing one structure of an operation panel. 1... Copying machine body (image forming device) 30... Operation panel, 30n... Data transfer key 55... Detection switches, 60... Main control section, 61... Memory,
63... Input/output interface, 64... Timer, 66... Modulator/demodulator (transmission means), 73... Counter, 80... Communication line, 81... External device (collection device), 82 . . . modem, 83 . . . processing device. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An image forming apparatus that forms image information on a transfer material; a collecting apparatus that collects various information under usage conditions of the image forming apparatus; ,
1. An information collection system for an image forming apparatus, comprising a transmitting means for transmitting various information under usage conditions to the collection apparatus.