JPH03256061A - Recorder control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform minute summing by setting a parameter for computing charge by means of a host computer, summing recording information classified by the type of recording in accordance with classification by each code number and summing the charge based on the recording information and the parameter for computing the charge. CONSTITUTION:Control devices 3-1 to 3-N store and control the recording information classified by the type of recording of recorders 4-1 to 4-N, and the host computer 1 sets the parameter for computing the charge, then the charge is summed based on the recording information classified by the type of recording which is summed in accordance with the classification by each code number and the parameter for computing the charge. Therefore, the parameter for computing the charge is freely set by the host computer 1 and some charge computing systems are set to be selected. Furthermore, the information of the devices 3-1 to 3-N and a relay device 2 is set from the host computer 1, so that the information is concentrically controlled by the host computer 1 in the case of replacing the recorder or changing the content of the summing. Thus, the minute summing is performed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a recording device management system that classifies users using a plurality of code numbers and manages copiers, printers, and other recording devices in aggregate for each user. It is.

[Conventional technology]

As corporate activities diversify, it is not uncommon for multiple companies or groups to share computer resources within the same building or in a certain area. Furthermore, within a company, it is common for each division to be self-supporting, for example, or for affiliated companies and subsidiaries to coexist and share facilities in separate accounting units. An example of an object to be shared in this manner is a copying machine.

As is well known, when a copying machine is shared, maintenance costs vary depending on the number of copies, color copies, and other usage details in addition to paper costs. Therefore, simply paying for the paper does not mean that the costs are borne fairly according to usage.

Therefore, a copying machine management apparatus has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-35343), which manages such copying machines in a manner that allows them to be classified and managed for each department using a recording medium containing department information. This includes means for reading a recording medium such as a magnetic card on which information including department information is recorded, a control means for granting permission to use the copying machine based on the reading operation of the recording medium, a receiving means for receiving data on the number of copies made by the copying machine, A storage means for storing accumulated copy number data for each department used, a selection means for selecting a storage area of the storage means corresponding to department information, a display means for displaying stored accumulated copy number data, and a storage means for storing received copy number data. Adding means for adding to the copy number data, signal generating means for generating an erase command signal for the accumulated copy number data, and writing either the accumulated copy number data after addition processing or zero data according to the erase command signal into the selected storage area. It has a writing means and the like. According to this device,
By distributing a recording medium on which each department information is recorded and making it possible to use the recording medium on the condition that the recording medium is read when using a copying machine, the accumulated number of copies data for each department can be stored in the storage means. , can manage copy machines.

By using such a device, it becomes possible to share the use of copying machines and to manage copying operations by local entities such as copy centers.

[Problem to be solved by the invention: However, in the conventional copying machine management device described above, data on the number of accumulated copies for each department is displayed on a display means using a recording medium for tally, and the data is transcribed into a tally sheet, for example. ,and,
Since the erasure command signal must be generated by the signal generating means, there is a problem that the totaling operation becomes complicated.

In addition, as mentioned above, if you try to aggregate the copy count data on a daily, monthly, or annual basis in order to manage the usage status of copying machines for each company, department, etc. If you do not accumulate air permeability information,
There is a problem that accurate information cannot be obtained.

Furthermore, when the number of users increases, one copy machine is not enough and it becomes necessary to install multiple copy machines. Then, the above-mentioned aggregation work becomes necessary for each copying machine, and it becomes necessary to aggregate them together.
As the number of copying machines and departments increases, the amount of work required for tabulation becomes enormous. Therefore, it becomes difficult to obtain sufficient statistical data.

Moreover, it is not possible to perform detailed aggregation for color copies, monochrome copies, options, etc., and to set the fees for each department by content of use and copy machine department.
This was unthinkable from the conventional aggregation work described above.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and provides a recording device management system that can set fees by size, copy mode, option, and even by recording device, and can perform detailed aggregation. The purpose is to

[Means to solve the problem]

For this purpose, the recording device management system of the present invention includes a plurality of management devices 3-1 to 3-N1 relay devices 2 as shown in FIG.
, and a host computer 1, and management devices 3-1 to 3-1.
3-N stores and manages the recorded information for each recording type of the recording devices 4-1 to 4-N, and the host computer 1 sets parameters for charge calculation and totals the recorded information for each recording type for each code number. The present invention is characterized in that the fee is totaled based on the recorded information collected and the fee calculation parameters. The management devices 3-1 to 3-N are the recording devices 4-1 to 4.
-N, reads the registration code recorded on a recording medium such as a card, collates the registration code, enables recording operations of the recording devices 4-1 to 4-N, and stores the management data for each registration code. The relay device 2 is connected to a plurality of management devices 3-1 to 3-N and collects management data from each management device 3-1 to 3-N based on a set time. The host computer l controls the management devices 3-1 to 3-N and the relay device 2,
Collection of management data held in the relay device 2, total calculation,
It performs fee calculation and other processing.

Furthermore, from the host computer 1 to the management devices 3-1 to 3-3,
-N and relay device 2 information is configured.

[Effect]

In the recording device management system of the present invention, the management devices 3-1 to
3-N stores and manages the recorded information for each recording type of the recording devices 4-1 to 4-N, and the host computer 1 sets parameters for charge calculation and totals the recorded information for each recording type for each code number. Since the host computer 1 is configured to calculate charges from the collected recorded information and charge calculation parameters, it is possible to freely set charge calculation parameters on the host computer 1, and it is also possible to set several charge calculation methods. It is also possible to make the selection possible. Furthermore, since the configuration is such that the information on the management devices 3-1 to 3-N and the relay device 2 is set from the host computer 1, even when replacing the recording device or changing the content of the tally, the information on those devices can be set. Information can be centrally managed by the host computer 1.

〔Example〕

Examples will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of a recording device management system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a data transfer method between a host computer, a relay device, and a management device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of management data, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the flow of transmission and reception processing between the host computer and the relay device.

In FIG. 1, recording devices 4-1 to 4-N are recording devices that copy/print out documents, images, photographs, etc. on paper such as copying machines and printers, and management devices 3-1 to 3-N. The recording device 4-1 reads the registered NIIL (code number) such as department information of the recording medium such as a card as described above.
~4-N can be used and its usage information (management data)
are classified and aggregated for each registered NCL and stored. Usage information includes, for example, if the recording device is a copying machine,
■Type of copy mode, such as monochrome, single color, full color, monochrome tracing haha, print, print single color, or blank color, ■paper size,
■There is data that counts the amount used for optional functions such as duplexing/duplexing, printing press plate making, reduced copying, enlarged copying, editing/combining copying, etc., as well as pilling meter values, toner replenishment times, and alarm occurrences. There are the number of jams, the number of jams, the start time of each day, the end time of each day, the number of operations, and the details of use for each job. Of course, these are selected depending on what kind of information is required depending on the management purpose, but they are also limited by the data storage capacity of the management devices 3-1 to 3-N.

The relay device 2 is equipped with a communication function, data collection, arithmetic function, and clock function, is connected to the host computer 1, and relays management data between a plurality of subordinate management devices 3-1 to 3-N. It is. This relay device 2 issues a polling signal or the like at a preset time or when instructed to connect a communication line, and sequentially connects each management device 3 to
Total data is collected from 1 to 3-N, held, and transferred to the host computer 1. Each of the management devices 3-1 to 3-N has a terminal Nα, and each of the management devices 3-N
-1 to 3-N, the aggregated data is stored for each registration number, so in the relay device 2, each terminal Nc
There are different registration numbers and different collected data. but,
The relay device 2 usually includes each management device 3-1 to 3-N.
The data for each terminal Nα is aggregated for each terminal Nα, and the registration N is aggregated for the same registered NCL data for each terminal Nα.
It is sufficient to hold data in units of α. That is, in this system, each management device 3-1 can be stored using one recording medium.
~3-N can be accessed, and each management device 3-1~
The data of 3-N is aggregated by the relay device 2 for each registration Nα.

The relay device 9 is similar to the relay device 2, has a plurality of management devices under its control, and is connected to the host computer 1 through a public line constituted by a modem 8, a PBX 5, and the like.

The host computer 1 directly imports aggregated data from a relay device 2 connected to the communication line, and also imports aggregated data from another relay device 9 connected to the public line through a modem 6, and further transmits the aggregated data to the public line through the modem 6. It is configured to communicate with other systems. This host computer 1 performs daily aggregation, monthly aggregation, etc., calculates charges for each department, issues invoices, and provides statistics for analyzing operating rates and other usage status for each department and each terminal. Create data, etc.

It also has a keyboard, FD (floppy disk), memory card, etc. reading means, and inputs data related to departments and terminals where online data collection is not possible as described above from FD, memory card, tape, keyboard, etc. The data is processed in the same way.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a data transfer method between a host computer, a relay device, and a management device.

Management data is first transferred between the relay device and the management device multiple times a day, and one day's worth of management data is accumulated in the relay device. Then, data transfer is performed between the host computer and the relay device every day. Basically, a data transfer request is issued sequentially from a higher-level device to a lower-level device, and in response, data is transferred from the lower-level device to the higher-level device. Then, for each stored data, the higher-level device issues a clear instruction after confirming the reception of the data, and upon receiving the clear instruction, the clearing process is executed. In this case, if special circumstances occur in the lower-level device, such as equipment abnormality or repair,
The lower device may issue an interrupt request to the upper device to perform urgent data transfer.

This will be explained in more detail using the example shown in FIG.

The relay device presets the data collection time, for example, six times a day, and issues a data transfer request to the management device at that time. Thereby, the management device transfers the management data stored in the storage means at that time to the relay device. The relay device adds the data transferred from the management device to the previous data and stores the added data, and issues a clear instruction to the management device. The management device clears the contents of the storage means to zero based on this clear instruction. This completes one data transfer. In this way, the storage means of the management device is cleared every time data is transferred, and the management data is sequentially added and accumulated in the storage means of the relay device.

In response, the host computer issues a data transfer request to the relay device at the end of each day. Thereby, the relay device transfers the management data stored in the storage means at that time to the host computer. Then, at the end of the month, when the host computer receives management data from the relay device,
Issue a clear instruction to the relay device for the first time. The relay device clears the contents of the storage means to zero in response to this clear instruction.

That is, management data for one month is accumulated in the storage means of the relay device, and is cleared every month.

Therefore, the host computer stores the previous management data received from the relay device, and the daily total value can be obtained by subtracting the previous management data from the management data received from the relay device. However, for the monthly total value, the management data received from the relay device at the end of the month can be used as is. Note that if the host computer does not collect data for one day due to some circumstances, the management data for that day becomes the previous management data, so the daily management data is set to zero.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the management data is accumulated for each paper size, mode, and option for the registration code department numbers 7001 to 999 and stored in the storage means of the management device. For example, if the management device reads the registration needs of department Nα "001" and grants operation permission to the recording device, and in response, the recording device sends usage information for 10 sheets of paper size A4, monochrome, and reduced, the management The device is
The number of sheets is added to the data in the storage area corresponding to department N (L r O01) to update the contents of the storage area. Then, when there is a data transfer request from the relay device, these contents are transferred and a clear instruction is issued. If there is, the clearing process is performed by writing zero to these areas.On the other hand, the relay device also clears the management data by department Na as shown in Figure 3(a) and as shown in Figure 3(a). It stores management data for each terminal Na. This management data for each terminal N[l is the number of sheets in the total column shown in FIG.

Next, the transmission and reception processing with the relay device (CC3) will be explained with reference to FIG.

■ First, a terminal connected in the CC5 information file whose line type in the terminal information file is online (=0) is set as a collecting terminal.

■ If the target relay device is connected to a modem, the line connection (
dialing>, enter the modem ID from the CC5 information file, and send it to the relay device.

■ Next, send a polling prohibition message to the relay device to prohibit polling with the terminal.

(2) Furthermore, input the connected terminal Nα from the CC5 information file and send the terminal number to the relay device.

■ Receive all text for one terminal from the relay device and -
Save it to a work file. The target for saving is C.
There are C3 communication status, CCS status, terminal number, terminal communication status, terminal status, card N[l, mode/option number, size Nα, number of cards, etc.

■Next, manually input the size number information for each department from the work file, add the total number and size number to the monthly summary file for each device, add the size number to the monthly summary file for each extended memory department, and add the size number to the total number area. (Copy/paper quality/
Add the number of size sheets to the binding/total total).

Repeat the processes from ■ to ■ above for all terminals.

■ If charge aggregation is required, run the charge aggregation module.

(2) Furthermore, if the CC5 connected terminal is designated to collect pilling data, it receives the pilling data and stores it in the pilling data file.

■ Similarly, if the CC5 connection terminal has raw data collection specified, it receives raw data and stores it in the raw data file.

[Phase] Next, polling prohibition cancellation is sent to the relay device, and if the relay device is connected by modem, the line 9 is disconnected.

The above process is repeated for all registered relay devices.

■ Then, the pilling meter value in the pilling data file is manually moved from the current month's meter in the terminal information file to the previous month's meter, and the pilling meter value received this time is set to the current month's meter in the terminal information file.

Next, the module configuration and aggregation process of the host computer of the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the module configuration of the host combination unit related to the recording device management system of the present invention. The figure is shown in the same figure et al.). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing examples of various screens, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of total data.

An overview of the functions of each module shown in FIG. 5 will be explained.

The screen processing module 11 processes a menu screen for activating each module, and when an option is selected on the menu screen, a module with a corresponding function is activated.

The port information processing module 13 registers the connection destination of the port of the host combinator, the baud rate, and whether or not a floppy disk drive device is used in the port information file.

The management size information processing module 14 registers information on standard sizes such as paper size, copy mode, options, etc. used by the user and extended sizes used on manual input terminals in a standard size information file and an extended size 1 report file. Yes, it consists of a standard size information processing module and an extended size information processing module. In the standard size information processing module, pattern-specific registration information is input from the standard size information file and displayed on the standard size information screen as shown in FIG. 6(a). And target pattern k
has already been selected by the operator, the sixth
A standard size registration screen for the designated pattern Nu as shown in FIG. 2(b) is displayed, and current registration information is also displayed. In the case of registration, manual password guidance is displayed, the password table is referred to, and if the input password matches the registered password, data entry is performed.

The initial installation processing module 15 is for deleting each registration file, total file, and raw data file.

The CC5 information processing module 16 is a CC3 (relay device)
It performs information display, registration, communication, etc., and displays the CC5 information screen by referring to the CC5 information index file and CC5 information file. For example, in the case of registration, the CC5 information registration screen as shown in Figure 6(C) is displayed, and the installation location, model number, serial N (L, installation date, attribute, board) Nα, polling Time, connected terminal N
(L, Modem presence/absence, modem N (L, Telephone number, etc.) Modification input and selection input are performed.

The terminal information processing module 17 displays, registers, and communicates terminal (management device) information, and displays a terminal information screen by referring to the contents of the terminal information index file and the terminal information file. For example, in the case of registration, a terminal information registration screen as shown in FIG. 6(d) is displayed, and the installation location, model name, serial number Nα, installation date, etc.
Contracts, attributes, phone numbers, raw data collection, pilling collection,
INPUT, ○UTPLIT, previous month's meter, current month's meter, C/L (management device) model number, line type, option, mode, counting method, ID code, pattern N [l
.

Performs correction input and selection input for data such as CC3N11.

In the communication processing of the CC5 information processing module 16 and the terminal information processing module 17, items such as department reassignment, pilling data collection, and raw data collection are added to the relay device, updated,
It also deletes items such as ID code, mode, count value, management size, etc. from the management device, updates them, and deletes them.

The user information processing module 18 stores the user's company name,
Business division names and department names are registered in each file in advance.

The setup information processing module 19 stores information necessary to start up the system, such as the password name to be input when executing each tally, the starting month and year of annual tally, the execution time of automatic tally, automatic tally, automatic printing, and limit on the number of sheets. (Warning, Copy Prohibition), charge calculation method, printing method, etc. are registered in the setup information file, and an example of the setup information screen is shown in FIG. 6(e).

The department information processing module 20 registers information regarding departments, such as the card Nα used in the system and information regarding the cards, in the department information file.

The unit price information processing module 21 includes a standard size single unit price,
It is used to register unit price information such as unit price by standard size and unit price by expanded size. An example of the unit price registration screen by standard size is shown in Figure 6 (0, showing an example of the unit price registration screen by expanded size). This is the same figure (marked).

The various aggregation modules 22 include a daily aggregation module, a monthly aggregation module, a period aggregation module, a monitor aggregation module, a fee aggregation module, an annual aggregation module, an offline human power module, and a data correction module, and collect data from each management device collected through a relay device. This system performs aggregation of data, aggregation of charges, input of offline data, and correction of data.

The automatic processing module 23 activates various aggregation modules 22 at times set by a clock.

The line status confirmation module 12 confirms the line connection status of the relay device and the management device, and the transmission/reception module 24 checks the connection status between the relay device (CC5), other systems, manual input terminal, and RAM memory, and performs various aggregation. module 2
It is used to send and receive data to and from 2.

Next, the monthly aggregation module will be explained.

The monthly aggregation module has operator activation and automatic activation, and includes normal monthly aggregation and additional monthly aggregation. In normal monthly aggregation, if this is the first monthly aggregation of the current month, each aggregation file is overwritten, and if aggregation has already been performed at least once, each aggregation file is added. In additional monthly aggregation, the aggregation results are added to each aggregation file unconditionally.

Specific processing includes table and file initialization processing, transmission/reception processing with relay devices, monthly summary file processing,
Processes collection tally files, reflects processing in daily tally files, etc. Receives the number of size sheets by department of the terminal from the relay device, and calculates the number of size sheets by terminal, total number of sheets on the terminal side, number of size sheets by department, and total number of sheets by department. and reflect it in the monthly summary file, daily summary file, and yearly summary file. Furthermore, raw data and pilling data are collected as necessary. Then, charges are totaled and reflected in the charge total file.

The following processing is performed in monthly summary file processing.

In the monthly aggregation index file, set the day following the previous month's aggregation mill (the day after the monthly aggregation date of the monthly aggregation index file) only during normal monthly aggregation as the aggregation start date, and set the current date and time as the monthly aggregation date. Add the contents of the total number area (copy/paper quality/binding/total) as the total number of sheets.

However, if it is the first time for this month to be counted, the contents of the total number area will be set as is.

In addition, the monthly total file includes the total number of size sheets as the total number of sheets, the number of sheets of that size as the number of size sheets, and the number of size sheets of each type as the number of type sheets, and the corrected number of sheets from the extended memory monthly total file. Set "o" to the same number of sheets as the number of types of sheets as the number of sheets after correction. In addition, in the case of aggregation for the first time in the current month, processing is performed after initializing the contents of the records read from the departmental monthly aggregation file.

The following processing is performed in the charge aggregation file processing.

In the charge summary file, from the extended memory monthly summary file, set the total of the charges by size as the charge, set the charge by size as the charge by size, set O as the correction amount, and set the same amount as the charge as the corrected amount. However, the total amount of copying/paper quality/binding/total is added to the fee aggregation index file as the total amount.

The following process is performed in the process of reflecting in the daily total file.

Enter the total number of sheets on the terminal side from the previous daily summary file by device and the total number of sheets on the terminal side from the monthly summary file by device, and set the difference to the total number of sheets on the terminal side of the daily summary file by device, and also input the total number of sheets on the terminal side from the daily total number by device last time. The current time is set to the registration date of the tally file, the monthly tally file for each terminal is set to the communication status, and 0 is set to the total number of sheets. Similarly, for each department, the total number of sheets for each department is similarly set in the daily totals file for each department, and 0 is set for the total number of sheets in the previous daily totals file for each department.

The charge aggregation module calculates charges based on execution requests from the monthly aggregation module and the offline aggregation module, and sets them in the charge aggregation file. Enter the number of copies/paper quality/!I11) and size,
For example, if the fee calculation method is a single unit price method, the single unit price information file of the compatible terminal (determined by pattern N11) is input. In addition, in the case of the size-based unit price method, the standard size-based unit price information file and extended size-based unit price information file of the compatible terminal are input. Then, the fee is calculated by multiplying the number of sheets by the unit price.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the structure of aggregated data for each recording type. As explained earlier, when a unit price is set for each item of recording type, the amount is calculated by calculating the total number of sheets for each item and multiplying it by the unit price as shown in Figure 7. . Furthermore, if a unit price is set for each terminal, first, the amount for each department is calculated for each terminal, and the charges for each terminal are totaled by the department. However, if such a detailed fee structure is not adopted, the aggregated data simply includes the total number of copies on the terminal side, which indicates the total number of copies per terminal, the total number of copies by department, which indicates the total number of copies per department, Number of size sheets by terminal indicating the number of copies by size per terminal, number of type sheets by department indicating the number of copies by type per department, number of size sheets by department indicating the number of copies by size per department, billing per terminal It is sufficient to simply obtain the number of pilled sheets for each terminal, which indicates the number of sheets.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, a host computer sets information for each management device and relay device, and also sets fees for each management device, individual size, copy mode, and option. Therefore, even if a plurality of recording devices having various functions are connected to the relay device, it is possible to perform integrated management according to the functions of each recording device. In addition, since it is possible to calculate charges corresponding to each model and the functions used, it is possible to set and bill reasonable charges.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of a recording device management system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a data transfer method between a host computer, a relay device, and a management device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of management data, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the module configuration of the host combicoater according to the recording device management system of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a module configuration, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of various screens, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of aggregated data. 1... host computer, 2 and 9... relay device,
3-1 to 3-N...management device, 4-1 to 4-N...
Recording device, 5...PBX, 6-8...Modem.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Multiple management devices that are attached to a recording device, collate code numbers to enable recording operations, and record and manage management data, including the number of sheets used by the recording device, by counting each code number; multiple management devices connected A relay device that collects, aggregates and retains management data from each management device based on a set time, controls the management device and relay device, collects and aggregates the management data retained in the relay device, and performs charge calculation and other statistics. It is equipped with a host computer that performs processing, a management device stores and manages recorded information for each recording type of the recording device, and the host computer sets parameters for fee calculation and aggregates recorded information for each recording type for each code number. 1. A recording device management system characterized in that the system is configured to calculate fees from the collected recorded information and fee calculation parameters. (2) The recording device management system according to claim 1, wherein information about the management device and the relay device is configured to be set from a host computer.