JPH0364244A - Copy data control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a telephone and a transmission means to share a single telephone circuit and to effectively use the telephone circuit by providing a switching means to a terminal equipment to selectively connect the telephone and the copy data transmission means to the telephone circuit. CONSTITUTION:A copy data control system is provided with a terminal equipment containing a means which sends the information on the maintenance of a copying machine to an integrated controller which controls the copying machine via a telephone circuit. An on-line controller 30 is connected to one or plural copy data controllers 20 and a telephone 40a or 40b. These telephones 40 are connected to a switchboard 3 via the telephone circuits 4a and 4b in a telephone mode. Simultaneously, the controllers 20 are connected to a center controller 50 in a transmission mode. Thus the communication is controlled between the controllers 20 and 50. In such a constitution, the economical properties can be improved since the telephone circuit of an existing telephone can be used to the copy data control system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a copy data management system for centrally managing a plurality of copying machines.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in order to centrally manage a large number of copying machines located in various locations in large-scale offices, etc., extension lines have been used to record copy data such as the number of copies made by each copying machine and the number of users. A copy data management system in which a monitor is used to tally the number of copies by department, for example, is in practical use.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention 1] In the polling type copy data management system as described above, it is not possible to call the central management device from the terminal device. However, it is impossible for the copying machine to notify the arrival of the maintenance period, which is determined based on usage conditions, etc. Further, the terminal device and the central management device are connected via a telephone line such as an extension line, and only the terminal device uses the telephone line.

It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to share the telephone line to which the terminal device is connected with a telephone, and to call the central control device from the terminal device provided in each copying machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copy data management system capable of transmitting not only information about users, etc., but also information such as the occurrence of a failure requiring repair or the arrival of maintenance time (hereinafter referred to as copy data).

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first invention of the present application provides a terminal including a transmitting means for transmitting information regarding maintenance in a copying machine to a central control device for managing the copying machine via a telephone line. In the copy data management system equipped with a copy data management system, the terminal device includes a telephone and a switching means for selectively connecting either the telephone or the transmitting means to the telephone line. do.

A second invention of the present application is a copy data management system comprising a terminal device that transmits information regarding maintenance in a copying machine to a central management device for managing the copying machine via a telephone line, wherein the terminal device includes a transmitting means for transmitting the above information to the central management device, a calling means for performing a calling process, and a calling unit that performs the calling process when a predetermined condition for data transmission is satisfied, The apparatus is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the calling means and the transmitting means so as to transmit the information after communication with the apparatus becomes possible.

[Function] By configuring as in the first invention, the switching means selectively switches either the telephone set or the transmitting means to be connected to the telephone line. As a result, one telephone line can be shared by the telephone and the transmitting means, and the transmitting means of the terminal device can transmit the copy data to the central management device.

By configuring as in the second invention, the control means performs the call processing when a predetermined condition for data transmission is satisfied, and can communicate with the central management device. The calling means and the transmitting means are controlled so as to transmit the information later.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, a copy data management system which is an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in the following sections with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of the copy data management system (2) Communication procedures in the copy data management system (3) Format of communication data in the copy data management system (4) Processing of the online controller (5) Processing of the copy data controller (6) Center Processing of Control Device (1) Configuration of Copy Data Management System FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copy data management system that is an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, this copy data management system is a terminal system that counts copy data such as the number of copies, the number of jams, and the number of troubles in copying machines 10a to 10d (hereinafter collectively referred to as 10). 1.1, and a center system 2 that aggregates the copy data regarding each copying machine 10 counted by the terminal system 1.Each system 1.2 is connected to telephone lines 4a, 4b, 4c, and transmits and receives the copy data.

The terminal system l includes a copying machine 10, copy data controllers 20a to 20d (hereinafter collectively referred to as 20), and online controllers 30a and 30b.
(hereinafter collectively referred to as 30), and a telephone 40.
a, 40b (hereinafter collectively referred to as 40).

The copy data controller 20 is connected one-to-one to each copying machine IO, and counts the copy data of the connected copying machine IO, turns on/off the power of the copying machine IO, and determines whether copying is in progress or not. Detects the operating state of the copying machine 10, etc., and controls the copying machine 10 to permit or prohibit copying depending on the type of magnetic card inserted into the controller 20 and the control processing state described later. .

Note that each copy data controller 20 has a unique serial number.

The online controller 30 includes one or more copy data controllers 20 and one telephone 40a, 4
0b (hereinafter collectively referred to as 40), and when in telephone mode, the telephone 40 is connected to telephone lines 4a, 4.
The copy data controller 20 and the center control device 50 are connected to each other in the communication mode to control communication between the devices 20 and 50. Note that the online controller 40 has a maximum of 1
0 copy data controllers 20 are connected, and the names of the 10 channels for connecting each controller 20 are hereinafter channel 1 to channel 10.

The center system 2 includes a center control H150, a personal computer 60, and a CRT display device 7.
0.

The center control device 50 is connected to the exchange 3 via the telephone line 4c, and after receiving the copy data transmitted from the terminal system 1 and storing the copy data, the center control device 50 stores the copy data at a preset deadline time. Perform aggregation. The personal computer 60 is connected to the center control device 50 and controls the operation of the center control device 50, and displays the aggregated copy data output from the device 50 on the CRT display device 70.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the copy data controller 20.

In FIG. 2, the copy data controller 20 includes a microcomputer 21 that controls the operation of the controller 20. As shown in FIG. The microcomputer 21 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 101 that controls the operation of the microcomputer 21, and a CPUl0I.
A read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as
It's called ROM. ) 102, a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 103 which stores seven lags for controlling the CPUl0I and the above copy data and is used as a working area of the CPUl0I, and a parallel/serial memory for data communication with external devices. It is provided with serial input/output port circuits 104 and 105 that perform processing such as conversion and serial/parallel conversion, and each device 101 to 103 and each circuit 104 to 105 are connected via an internal bus B1.

A copying machine IO is connected to the serial input/output boat circuit 104 in order to send and receive the copy data and control the operation of the copying machine IO, and a display buffer memory 24 is also connected to the serial input/output boat circuit 104 to display predetermined data to be described later. via L
An ED display 25 is connected. The serial input/output boat circuit 104 also includes an insertion sensor (not shown) for detecting insertion of a magnetic card, and an insertion sensor (not shown) for reading data stored in the magnetic card and for writing data to the magnetic card. A card data input/output device 22 equipped with a magnetic head (not shown) is connected, and a transport motor 23 for inserting and ejecting the magnetic card into the device 22 is also connected.

Further, an online controller 30 is connected to the serial input/output boat circuit 105 via an interface circuit 26 in order to transmit and receive data.

Copy data controller 20 configured as above
has the following three modes of operation:

(a) Setting mode: Setting the current time, setting the call time,
This is a mode for setting a telephone number for scheduled calls and a telephone number for alarm calls.

(b) Communication mode: This is a mode in which data is transmitted and received with the center control device 50 via the online controller 30.

(c) Processing mode: This is an operation mode other than the above-mentioned setting mode and communication mode, and is a mode for performing internal processing of the copy data controller 20.

Furthermore, the following two types of magnetic cards are provided.

(a) Total card: This is a card for displaying the copy data stored in the copy data controller 20.

(b) Department card: In order to tally the number of copies for each department in the user's organization, a different code for each department (hereinafter referred to as department code) is stored in the department card, and the department card is used as the card data input. When inserted into the output device 22, the copying operation of the copier 10 is permitted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the online controller 30.

3, the online controller 30 includes a microcomputer 31 that controls the operation of the controller 30. As shown in FIG. The microcomputer 31 includes a CPU 201 that controls the operation of the microcomputer 31, and a ROM 202 that stores a control program for the CPU 201 and data necessary to execute the control program.
, a RAM 203 that stores data such as flags for controlling the CPU 201 and preset transmission times, and is used as a working area for the CPU 201; a real-time clock 204 that measures the current time; and a RAM 203 for data communication with external devices. The line connection state between the serial input/output boat circuit 205 that performs processing such as parallel/serial conversion and serial/parallel conversion, the maintenance switch 206 that performs various settings during maintenance, and the center control device 50 and the above maintenance. Each device and circuit 201 to 207 are connected via an internal bus B2.

Each copy data controller 20 is connected to the serial input/output boat circuit 205 via an interface circuit 34 and a multiplexer 35 in order to transmit and receive data to and from each copy data controller 20. In addition,
When only one copy data controller 20 is connected to the online controller 30, the multiplexer 35 is not provided and the interface circuit 34 is directly connected to the copy data controller 20. The serial input/output boat circuit 205 also includes a center control device 50.
In order to communicate data with
Hereinafter referred to as NCU. ) built-in modem (hereinafter referred to as
) 33 called a modem is connected.

A telephone 40 is connected to this modem 33, and the exchange 3 is also connected via a telephone line. modem 33
Normally, the telephone 40 is connected to a telephone line so that telephone calls can be made using the telephone 40, in accordance with control commands from the microcomputer 31. On the other hand, when the telephone 40 is in a communication mode for data communication with the center control device 50, the center control device 50 When a call is received from the online controller 30 or when a call is made from the online controller 30, the line connection is processed and the microcomputer 31
It modulates data input from the center using a predetermined modulation method and transmits the modulated data to the center control device 50 via the telephone line and exchange 3, and demodulates data received from the center control device 50 and outputs the demodulated data to the microcomputer 31. .

Note that when this communication mode ends, the line connection with the telephone line is canceled and the telephone line is connected to the telephone set 40.

Like the copy data controller 20, the online controller 30 configured as described above has three operating modes: a setting mode, a communication mode, and a processing mode. Note that in the communication mode, the online controller 30 has the following two transmission modes.

(a) Scheduled transmission mode: data is sent to the center control device 50
If the telephone 40 is in use when attempting to send a message to the telephone, after waiting for 5 minutes, check the usage status of the telephone 40,
This is a mode in which data is transmitted to the center control device 50 when the telephone 40 is not in use.

(b) Alarm transmission mode: When the telephone 40 is in use when attempting to transmit data to the center control device 50, a mode in which the data is transmitted to the center control device 50 as soon as the telephone 40 becomes unused. be.

FIG. 4(A) is a front view of the maintenance switch 206 and monitor LED 207 in the online controller 30.

As shown in FIG. 4(A), on the right side of the panel, 10
monitors LEDL 1 to LIO are arranged, while
On the left side of the panel, there are two monitor LEDs LI and L.
12 and two switches ADJ and SEL are arranged.

Monitor LEDLL to LIO are the center control device 50
In addition to displaying the line connection status, it also indicates the item and digit selected in the setting mode. Also, monitor LE
DLll and L12 display the mode state in the setting mode, and also display the error state during the self-test of the microcomputer 3. Setting switch ADJ
is a switch for setting the items and numerical values selected by the selection switch SEL, and for starting execution of the self-test. Selection switch SEL
is a switch for selecting values from 0'' to ``9'' and six types of self-tests from ``A'' to ``F''.

FIG. 4(B) is a diagram showing how to operate the maintenance switch 206 and the display on the monitor LED 207.

As shown in Fig. 4 (B), by setting the selection switch SEL to an arbitrary value and pressing the setting switch ADJ, the 10th digit of the date or the first digit of the telephone number can be set. Then, by setting the selection switch SEL to an arbitrary value and pressing the setting switch ADJ, the 1 noon digit of the date or the second digit of the telephone number can be set, and the same applies hereafter. In addition, in the column of the operation method in FIG. 4(B), an example is shown in which 14:28 on March 14, 1989 is input.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the center control device 50.

In FIG. 5, the center control device 50 is the device 50.
A microcomputer 51 is provided to control the operation of the microcomputer 51.

The microcomputer 51 includes a CPU 301j and a CPU 301 that control the operation of the microcomputer 51.
A ROM 302 that stores a control program and data necessary to execute the control program, and a CPU 30
CPU 30 stores flags and data for control of
A RAM 303 used as a working area of 1, a real-time clock 304 that measures the current time,
A serial input/output port circuit 305 performs processing such as parallel/serial conversion and serial/parallel conversion for data communication with an external device, and a bubble memory for storing the copy data received from the copy data controller 20. Each device 3 includes an interface circuit 306 for connecting to the file device ff161
01 to 304 and circuits 305 and 306 are connected via internal path B3.

A modem 52 with a built-in NCU is connected to the serial input/output port circuit 305 in order to communicate data with the online controller 30. The modem 52 performs line connection processing when the online controller 30 makes a call, and similarly to the modem 33, modulates the data output from the microcomputer 51 of the center control device 50 using a predetermined modulation method to transmit the telephone call. The data is transmitted to the online controller 30 via the line and the exchange 3, and the data received from the online controller 30 is demodulated and output to the microcomputer 51, and the line connection with the telephone line is released at the end of communication. Further, a personal computer 60 is connected to the serial input/output port circuit 305 via an R5-232C interface circuit 53 in order to communicate data with the personal convenience taro 0.

(2) Communication procedure in the copy data management system An example of the communication procedure during normal processing in the copy data management system configured above is shown in FIGS.
This will be explained below with reference to the communication sequence diagram of C). Here, it is assumed that ten copy data controllers 20 are connected to the online controller 30.

In step S1 of FIG. 6(A), the online controller 30 periodically performs connection confirmation processing for each copy data controller 20 connected. That is, first, the online controller 30
A processing mode request signal is transmitted to the copy data controller 20 of the copy data controller 20 .

In response, the copy data controller 20 of channel 1 sends a processing mode answer signal to the online controller 3 indicating that it has received the processing mode request signal.
Send to 0. Then, the online controller 30 similarly controls the copy data controller 20 of channel 2.
A processing mode request signal is transmitted to the controller 20, and a processing mode answer signal is received from the controller 20. Further, the online controller 30 transmits a processing mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 of channel 3. At this time, if the processing mode answer signal is not received within 3 seconds after transmitting the request signal, the processing mode request signal is transmitted again and the processing mode request signal is waited for. If the above answer signal is not received within 3 seconds after transmitting the processing mode request signal three times in the same manner, it is determined that connection with the copy data controller 20 of channel 3 is impossible. , sends a cancel signal to the copy data controller 20 of channel 3.

Thereafter, in the same manner, the connection confirmation process with the copy data controller 20 from channel 4 to channel 10 is performed.

In step S2 of FIG. 6(B), at a predetermined transmission start time, the online controller 30 causes the modem 33 to perform a line connection process with the center control device t50. Next, in step S3, the center control device 50 sends a time request signal to the online controller 30.
and in response, the online controller 30
transmits time data to the center control device 50.

Next, in step S4, the center control device 50
transmits a mode confirmation signal to the online controller 30 in order to switch the operation mode of the copy data controller 20 of channel 1 to the communication mode. In response, the online controller 30 transmits a communication mode request signal to the copy data controller 20, and in response, the online controller 30 transmits a communication mode request signal to the copy data controller 20.
After setting its own operation mode to the communication mode, it transmits a communication mode answer signal to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30.

Next, in step S5, the center control device 50
sends a serial number request signal to the copy data controller 20 via the online controller 30, requesting to notify the serial number of the copy data controller 20, and in response, the copy data controller 20 sends the serial number data online. It is transmitted to the center control device 50 via the controller 30. Next, the copy data is transmitted and received between the center control device 50 and the copy data controller 20.

Here, the center control device 50 transmits a predetermined data request signal, which will be described in detail later, to the copy data controller 20, and in response, the center control device
The copy data corresponding to the data request signal for which 0 is received is transmitted to the center control device 50.

After all the copy data has been transmitted and received, in step S6, the center control device 50 sends a count clear request signal in order to clear all the contents of the counter that counts the copy data in the copy data controller 20. , to the copy data controller 20 via the online controller 30, and in response, the copy data controller 20 clears all the contents of the counter, and then sends a clear answer signal to the center control device via the online controller 30. Send to 50. Next, the center control device 50 transmits a line switching request signal to the online controller 30 in order to perform channel switching to the copy data controller 20 of the next channel, that is, the copy data controller 20 of channel 2. In response, the online controller 30 transmits a processing mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 of channel 1, and in response, the copy data controller 20 of channel 1 transmits a processing mode answer signal to the online controller 30. The data is transmitted to the center control device 50 via. At this time, the online controller 30 controls the multiplexer 35 to switch to the copy data controller 20 of channel 2.

Next, in step S7, the copy data controller 2 for channels 2 to 10 (excluding those for which the connection could not be confirmed) is processed in the same manner as above.
The process for transmitting and receiving the above copy data is performed for 0. Furthermore, the center control device 50 transmits a mode confirmation signal to the online controller 30, and similarly to the above, receives a communication mode answer signal, transmits a serial number request signal, and receives serial number data in order. If the serial number of the copy data controller 20 that has finished transmitting and receiving the copy data is received first, it is determined that the transmitting and receiving of all the copy data has been completed, and in step S8, the serial number of the copy data controller 20 (this In this case, a line release request signal is sent to the online controller 30 in order to switch the operation mode of channel l) to the processing mode. In response, the online controller 30 transmits a processing mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 of channel l, and in response, the copy data controller 20
Processing mode answer signal to online controller 30
The data is transmitted to the center control device 50 via. With the above operations, a series of copy data transmission/reception processing is completed, and the center control device 50 causes the modem 52 to cancel the line connection.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are communication sequence diagrams showing an example of communication procedures during abnormality processing in the copy data management system.

As shown in FIG. 7, when a communication mode request signal is sent from the online controller 30 to the copy data controller 20 of channel 1, a communication mode answer signal is received within 3 seconds after sending the request signal. If not, it transmits the communication mode request signal again and waits for the answer signal. If the above answer signal is not received within 3 seconds after transmitting the communication mode request signal a total of three times in the same manner, it is determined that connection with the copy data controller 20 of channel I is impossible. , sends a cancellation signal to the copy data controller 20 of channel l, and sends a negative response signal to the center control device 50.

Next, the center control device 50 transmits a line switching request signal to the online controller 30 in order to switch to the copy data controller 20 of the next channel.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, all the copy data controllers 20 from channel 1 to channel 1O
If connection is not possible, a line release request signal is sent to the online controller 30, and in response, the online controller 30 sends a line release answer signal to the center control device 50. In response to receiving the line release answer signal, the center control device 50 sends the modem 52
to disconnect the line.

(3) Seven formats of communication data in the copy data management system Figure 9 is a diagram showing the format of communication data in the copy data management system. 20 to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30, and (e) is data sent from the online controller 30 to the center control device 50. Note that a reception command indicating the content of each data is placed at the beginning of each data.

(a, ) in FIG. 9 shows the format of the total number of copies data, which is composed of a received command, the serial number of the copy data controller 20, and data on the total number of copies.

FIG. 9(b) shows 7 formats of data on the number of jam occurrences by location (within a predetermined range set in advance in multiple locations in the copier 10), and the data "" corresponds to the received command. , is composed of a plurality of blocks each consisting of a location code and the number of jam occurrences at that location.

(C) in FIG. 9 shows the format of the data on the number of trouble occurrences by location, and the data consists of the reception code,
It is composed of multiple blocks, each consisting of a location code and the number of trouble occurrences at that location.

FIG. 9(d) shows the format of the data on the number of copies by department and size, and the data consists of a received command, a department code, and the number of copies for each of the five sizes of the department. Consists of blocks.

(e) in FIG. 9 shows the 7 format time data, which includes the received command, 2 digits each,
It consists of the following data: year 0, month, day, hour, minute, and second.

(4) Processing of the online controller 30 Fig. 1O (A
ll and FIG. 10(B) show the online controller 3
1 is a flowchart showing the main routine of No. 0.

In FIG. 1O (A), the online controller 30
When the power is turned on and the program starts, first, in step 5100, initial settings of each circuit in the online controller 30 are performed, and then, in step 5lot, it is determined whether the setting mode is selected. .

Here, the setting mode refers to setting the time of the real-time clock 204, setting the call time to the center control device 50, and telephone calls in the scheduled call mode and alarm call mode when making a call to the center control device 50, as described above. This is a mode for setting the number, and at the time of initial setting, the adjustment switch A of the maintenance switch 206 is
When the DJ or setting switch SET is pressed, the setting mode is selected and the process advances to step 3102.

After transmitting a setting mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 in step 3102, the setting mode flag is checked in step 5103.

This setting mode flag becomes n1'' when a setting mode answer signal is received from the copy data controller 20 in the communication interrupt processing to be described later.If the setting mode flag is "O", a timeout check is performed in step 3109. Here, if a setting mode answer signal is not received from the copy data controller 20 within a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 3 seconds) after transmitting the setting mode request signal, a timeout occurs. , sends a setting mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 again in step 5102.The program flow loops between steps 5103 and 5109 until the time is over, and the answer signal from the copy data controller 20 is not received. Wait. When the setting mode flag becomes l11# (Yes in step 3103), step 510
After resetting the setting mode flag in step 4, steps 3105 to 3108 perform the current time setting process, call time setting process, fixed call phone number setting process, and alarm call phone number setting process, respectively. , proceed to step 5ilo. In addition, step 1
Each subroutine from 05 to 5108 will be described in detail later. The same applies to the following subroutines.

When the process of the above setting mode is completed or step 5I
If the setting mode is not selected in OI, copy data controller connection confirmation processing, modem connection confirmation processing, and time confirmation processing are performed in steps 5ilo to 5l12, respectively, and the process advances to step 5l13.

In steps 5113 and 5115, the scheduled transmission flag and alarm transmission flag are checked. here,
On-time transmission 7 lag becomes #ln when the current time matches the transmission time in the time confirmation process of step 5l12,
On the other hand, the alarm transmission flag becomes l'' when an alarm transmission request signal is received from the copy data controller 20 in the communication interrupt processing described later. When the scheduled transmission 7 lag and the alarm transmission flag are both sO'', step 7'S is set.
Return to 110. On the other hand, when either the scheduled call flag or the alarm call flag is HIn, after resetting the 7 lags in step 5114 or 5116, the process proceeds to step Sll.7, where the center control device 5
Perform the incoming call processing to establish a line connection with 0, and proceed to step 5.
Proceed to l18.

In step 5118, the incoming call 7 lag is checked. This incoming call 7 lag indicates whether or not a line connection was made to the center control device 50 in the above incoming call process. If the flag is "o", it means that the line connection was not possible, and the process returns to step 5ito.

On the other hand, when the incoming call flag is "l", the line is connected to the center control device t50, so the incoming call flag is reset in step 5119, and then step 5120 is performed.
Proceed to.

In step 5120, the count value n of the channel counter is set to n l'', and the process proceeds to step 5121. This channel counter is a counter for sequentially switching a plurality of copy data controllers 20 to perform data communication with the center control device 50. The count value n of the counter indicates the channel number of the copy data controller 20.

Next, in steps 5121, 5124, and 5127, the mode request flag, switching request 7 lag,
and check the release request flag. These flags are set by the center control device 50 in communication interrupt processing, respectively.
When a mode confirmation signal, a line switching request signal, and a line release request signal are received, the corresponding flag becomes l''.Here, if the mode request flag is ln, the mode request flag is reset in step 5122. After performing copy data controller connection processing in step 5123, the process returns to step 5121.Furthermore, when the switching request flag is "nl", the switching request flag is reset in step 5125, and the process returns to step 5126.
After performing copy data controller disconnection processing in step 3121, the process returns to step 3121. Further, when the release request flag is l'', the release request flag is reset in step 5128, the copy data controller disconnection process is performed in step 5129, and then a line release answer is sent to the center control device 50 in step 5130. - send a signal and connect in step 5131; disconnect the line and return to step 5ilo;

Note that in steps 5121, 5124, and 5127, if any flag is on, the process directly returns to step 5121.

The above is the main routine processing of the online controller 30, and the processing of each subroutine within the main routine will be explained below.

Figure 11 shows the copy data controller connection confirmation process (
It is a flowchart which shows step 5IIO) of FIG. 1O(A).

In step 5150 of FIG. 11, first, it is checked whether or not the multiplexer 35 is connected in the online controller 30, and if it is connected (Yes in step 5150), the count value of the channel counter is determined in step 5151. After setting n to “l”, the process proceeds to step 5152. In step 5152, the copy data controller 20 of channel n is connected (this switch is made), and in step 5153, a processing mode request signal is transmitted to the selected copy data controller 20.

Next, in step 5154, a processing mode answer signal is received from the copy data controller 20, and it is checked whether the processing mode flag is set to 11111 or not. The processing mode flag is similar to the above flag,
"l" when receiving the answer signal in communication interrupt processing
”.While the processing mode flag is “0”, the program flow loops from steps 5157 to 5154, and if 3 seconds or more have elapsed since the processing mode request signal was sent and a timeout occurs in step 5157, the program flow loops from step 5157 to 5154. At 5158, it is checked whether the processing mode request signal has been retransmitted (hereinafter referred to as retry) a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, twice).
It is assumed that the transmitted processing mode request signal cannot be received normally by the copy data controller 20 for some reason, and the processing mode answer signal cannot be transmitted.

If the retry has not reached the predetermined number of times, the process returns to step 5153 and repeats the process of transmitting the process mode request signal again. On the other hand, if the processing mode answer signal cannot be received from the copy data controller 20 even after the predetermined number of attempts, it is determined that the copy data controller 20 is not connected, and step 5
After transmitting a cancel signal to the copy data controller 20 in step 159, in step 5160 the connection flag of channel n indicating the connection state of the copy data controller 20 of channel n is reset, and the process proceeds to step 5161. On the other hand, when the processing mode flag is ``1'' in step 5160, the processing mode flag is reset in step 3155, and the connection flag of channel n is set to ``1'' in step 5156, and then step 5161 Proceed to.

Next, in step 5161, 1 is added to the count value n of the channel counter, and if the count value n is "11" in step 5162, the connection confirmation for the copy data controller 20 of all channels is finished. , so return to the main routine. On the other hand, when the count value n is less than "lO",
The process from step 5152 is similarly repeated for the copy data controller 20 of the next channel.

When the multiplexer 35 is not connected in step 5152, in steps 5163 to 5170, connection confirmation processing similar to the processing in steps 5153 to 5160 described above is performed for one copy data controller 20. After that, return to the main routine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the modem connection confirmation process (step 5lll in FIG. 10(A)).

At step 5180 in FIG. 12, it is first checked whether the modem 33 is connected to the online controller 30, and if it is not connected, the process directly returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if the modem 33 is connected, it is checked in step 5181 whether or not the modem 33 has been initialized. If it has not been initialized, the modem 33 is initialized in step 5182. After doing so, return to the main routine. Also, in step 5181, the modem 3
When the initialization processing in step 3 has been completed, the process returns to the main routine.

Figure 13 shows the time confirmation process (step 5 in Figure 1O (A)).
112).

In step 5200 of FIG. 13, first, the current time is read from the real-time clock 204, and then in step 5201, it is read t; whether one minute has passed since the time, that is, whether the minute data has changed or not. This is a process to check the transmission time only once per minute.In step 5201, if one minute has not elapsed since the previous output time, the process directly returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if one minute has elapsed, the transmission time is confirmed in step 5202 and thereafter.

First, in step 5202, a preset call time is read using the maintenance switch 206, and the read call time is compared with the current time read in step 5200. The data to be compared is ``day''''
The day of the week is ``hour'', and step S203, step 5205, step 5207, and step 520
In step 9, each data set above is changed to 'undefined (Don
If the set data is "undefined", it is determined that the transmission condition is satisfied no matter what the corresponding data at the current time being compared is. For example, if you set a predetermined value to the data for ``2nd'' and set the data for ``day of the week'' to ``''undefined,
If the call condition is met only once a month, and if the data for the 7th day is set to "indeterminate" and the data for the "day of the week" is set to a predetermined value, the call condition is met only once a week. do.

When each preset data is not indefinite, steps 5204, 5206, 5208 and 521 are performed, respectively.
At 0, it is checked whether the data matches the corresponding data at the current time, and if they do not match, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if the preset time coincides with the current time, in step 5211, the call table and call flag are set to '1' to set the scheduled call mode, and then the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 14 shows a power incoming process for establishing a line connection with the center control device 50 (step S117 in FIG. 10(A)).
It is a flowchart which shows.

In step 5220 of FIG. 14, first, modem 3
3 is initialized, and if it is not initialized, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, when the modem 33 has been initialized, it is checked in step 5221 whether the copy data controller 20 is connected. That is, the connection flag is checked. When the multiplexer 35 is not connected, the connection flag of one copy data controller 20 is 0, and when the multiplexer 35 is connected, the connection flags of the copy data controllers 20 of all channels are 0. ”, it is determined that the copy data controller 20 is not connected, and the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if at least one copy data controller 20 is connected, it is checked in step 5221 whether the telephone 40 connected to the modem 33 is in use. Here, whether or not the telephone set 40 is in use is determined by a predetermined signal transmitted from the modem 33.

(Left below) When the telephone 40 is in use, it is determined whether the call mode is alarm call mode or scheduled call mode by checking whether the alarm call flag is 1'' in step 5225. Here, when in the alarm transmission mode, in order to transmit predetermined data immediately when the telephone 40 becomes unused, the process returns to step 5222 and waits until the telephone 40 becomes unused. On the other hand, in the case of scheduled call mode, in step 8226, whether or not the telephone set 40 is in use is checked again a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, it is 10 times).
It is checked whether the above rechecks have been performed or not, and if the rechecks have been performed a predetermined number of times or more, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, in step 5226, if the recheck has not reached the predetermined number of times, step 5227
After waiting for 5 minutes, repeat step 5.
Return to 222. As a result, if the telephone 40 is in use and is in the alarm transmission mode that requires urgent data communication, the process proceeds to step 5223 as soon as the telephone 40 is unused and the telephone line is free. On the other hand, in the scheduled call mode, if the telephone 40 is not in use after waiting for 5 minutes, the process proceeds to step 5223 and performs the call processing.

After the call processing in step 5223, step 52
24, it is checked whether the incoming call flag indicating whether the line is connected to the center control device 50 is "1", and if it is 1n, the process returns to the main routine; '', the process proceeds to step 5226 described above.The incoming call 7 lag becomes ``l'' when the line is normally connected to the center control device 50 in the call origination process to be described later.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the call processing (step 5223 in FIG. 14).

In step 5240 of FIG. 15, first, it is checked whether the transmission mode is the scheduled transmission mode or the alarm transmission mode by checking the alarm transmission 7 lag, and if it is the scheduled transmission mode, step 5
After having the dialer in the modem 33 dial the telephone number for scheduled outgoing calls in step 5241, the process proceeds to step 5243.
Proceed to.

On the other hand, if it is the alarm transmission mode in step 5240, then in step 5242 the dialer in the modem 33 dials the telephone number for alarm transmission, and then the process proceeds to step 5243.

In step 5243, after the above-mentioned dialing, a predetermined response signal is received from the center control device 50, and the modem 33 is caused to check whether or not the line connection with the center control device 50 has been normally established. Here, the center control device 50
The program flow loops from step 5245 to step 5234 until the line is connected normally, that is, until the call arrives, and when a predetermined time has elapsed after the above dialing, that is, when the time is over (Yes in step 5245) After performing line disconnection processing on the telephone line in step 5246, the incoming call flag is reset in step 5247, and the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, when the line is normally connected to the center control device 50 in step 5243 (Yes in step 5243), step 5
After setting the incoming call flag to '1' in step 244, the process returns to the main routine.

Figure 16 shows the copy data controller connection process (10th
12 is a flowchart showing step 5123) in FIG.

In FIG. 16, first, in step 5260,
It is checked whether multiplexer 35 is connected, and if it is connected, the process advances to step 5261. In step S261, it is checked whether the connection flag of the copy data controller 20 of channel n is #ln, and if the connection flag is "0", the process advances to step 5270. On the other hand, if the connection flag is 1'' in step S261, the multiplexer 35 is switched to connect the copy data controller 20 of channel n in step S262, and then the copy data controller 20 of channel n is switched in step S263. Send a communication mode request signal to
Proceed to step 5264.

In step 5264, it is checked whether the communication mode flag indicating whether or not the communication mode answer signal has been received from the copy data controller 20 is 'l', and if it is 'l', the answer signal is is received, the communication mode flag is reset in step 5265; then, in step 8266, a communication mode answer signal indicating that the copy data controller 20 is connected is transmitted to the center control device 50, and the main -Return to Chin.

On the other hand, in step 5264, the communication mode flag is set to "
0'', the answer signal has not been received, and the process proceeds to step 5267, where a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 3 seconds) has elapsed after the transmission of the communication mode request signal. If the time has not exceeded, the program flow proceeds from step 8264 to step 526 until the communication mode flag becomes IH or the time has expired.
Loops between 7.

When the time has expired in step 5267, it is checked in step 5268 whether or not the number of retransmissions of the communication mode request signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, it is two times). If the number of times has not been exceeded, the process advances to step 5263 and the communication mode request signal is transmitted again. On the other hand, if the predetermined number of times has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step 5269, where a cancel signal is sent to the copy data controller 20, and then the process proceeds to step 5270.

After adding 1 to the count value n of the channel counter in step 5270, it is checked in step 5271 whether or not the count value n is "11", and when the count value n is less than lO'', step 3261 On the other hand, when the count value n is "11", connection processing is performed for all copy data controllers 20;
Therefore, after setting the count value n to In in step 5272, the process returns to step S261.

On the other hand, when the multiplexer 35 is not connected in step 5260, in the processing from step 5273 to step 5279, the same processing as from step 8263 to step 5269 described above is performed for one copy data controller 20. After that, return to the main routine.

Figure 17 shows the copy data controller disconnection process (10th
12 is a flowchart showing steps 5126 and 5129) in FIG.

At step 5300 in FIG. 17, it is first checked whether the multiplexer 35 is connected, and if it is connected, the process advances to step 5301. step 530
1, after transmitting a processing mode request signal to the copy data controller 20 of channel n, in step 5302, it is determined whether the processing mode flag indicating whether a processing mode answer signal has been received is "l". Check. If the processing mode flag is "1" in step 5302, the process advances to step 5303, and after resetting the processing mode 7 lag, a line switching answer signal is sent to the center control device 50 in step 5304. , proceed to step 3307.

On the other hand, when the processing mode 7 lag is "no" in step 5302, it is determined whether or not the time has elapsed in step 5305, that is, the predetermined period of time (in this embodiment, 3 seconds) after the transmission of the processing mode request signal is determined. ) has elapsed, and if the time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step 5302, and the program 70- loops steps 5302 to 5305 until the processing mode flag becomes HIM or the time elapses. .

If the time has expired in step 5305, it is determined in step 5306 whether or not the processing mode request signal has been retransmitted a predetermined number of times (in this example, two times). If not, the process advances to step 5301 to retransmit the processing mode request signal or try again. On the other hand, step 5306
If it is determined in step 5307 that the processing mode request signal has been retransmitted a predetermined number of times or more, 1 is added to the count value n of the channel counter in step 5307, and then in step 5308 it is determined whether the count value n is "11" or not. Decide whether or not.

If the count value n is not '11' in step 5308, the process returns to the main routine, and on the other hand,
When the count value n is 11'', the count value n is set to 1'' in step 5309, and then the process returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 5300 that the multiplexer 35 is not connected, step 5310, which is the same process as steps S301 to 5306, is performed for one copy data controller 20.
After performing the processing from to step 5315, the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the current time setting process (step 5t05 in FIG. 10(A)).

In step 5320 of FIG. 18, first, when data of the current time is inputted one digit at a time, the count value PO3 of the position counter indicating the digit is set in IH. Next, in step 5321, wait for the setting switch ADJ to be pressed, and when it is pressed, step 5322
Select switch SE to select one digit of current time data.
After inputting the set value of L, in step 5323, the input data is set to a digit corresponding to the count value POS of the position counter in the current time data stored in the RAM 230, and the input data is Based on this, the data of the corresponding digit in the real-time clock 204 is rewritten. Next, in order to display the data at the set time on the display 25 of the data controller 20, the switch 5324 transmits the input data, and in step 5325, after adding 1 to the count value POS of the position counter, In step 5326, it is determined whether or not the counted value PO5 is 11'', and if it is ``11'', the process returns as is; on the other hand, if it is less than ``lO'', step 532
Return to 1.

FIGS. 19 to 21 respectively show the outgoing time setting process (
Step SI O6) in Figure 1O (A), telephone number setting process for scheduled call (Step 5107 in Figure 1O (A)
), and alarm dialing telephone number setting process (Figure 1O (
This is a flowchart showing step 3108) of A), and in each of these processes, a calling time, a telephone number for scheduled calling, and a telephone number for alarm calling are set in the same way as the current time setting process of FIG. 18. Note that in step 5366 of FIG. 20 and step 5386 of FIG. 21, the count value PO3 of the position counter is "
17” or not.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing communication interrupt processing in the online controller 30, and this processing is started when data is received from the copy data controller 20 or the center control device 50 and the online controller 30 is interrupted.

In step 5400 of FIG. 22, first, data stored in a register etc. used in the interrupt processing is temporarily saved, and then in step 5401, for example, if a parity error or unset data is received, etc. It is checked whether or not a communication error has occurred, and if there is a communication error, predetermined error processing is performed for the communication error that has occurred in step 5402, and then the process proceeds to step 5409. On the other hand, if no communication error has occurred in step 5401, step 540
After analyzing the received data in step 3, in step 5404 and step 5406, the received data is through data that is transmitted and received between the copy data controller 20 and the center control device 50 and the online controller 30 is not involved. , the data transmitted from the copy data controller 20 , or the data transmitted from the center control device 50 .

When the received data is the above-mentioned through data (Yes in step 3404), the received data is sent to a device different from the source (for data sent from the copy data controller 20, to the center control device 50,
On the other hand, the data transmitted from the center control device 50 is transferred to the copy data controller 20), and then the process proceeds to step 5409. Furthermore, if the received data is not the through data but the data sent from the center control device 50 (Yes in step 5406), the received data is processed in step 5407 (hereinafter referred to as data processing A). After performing this, the process advances to step 5409. Furthermore, if the received data is not the through data but the data transmitted from the copy data controller 20 (step 54
06), the received data is processed in step 3408 (hereinafter referred to as data processing day), and then the process proceeds to step 5409.

Next, after performing each of the above processes, the data in the register that was saved is restored in step 5409, and then the routine returns to the step before the interrupt.

FIG. 23 shows data processing A (step 5407 in FIG. 22).
) is a flowchart showing the process. This processing is for data transmitted from the center control device 50 as described above, and the data includes a time data request signal, a line switching request signal, a mode confirmation signal, and a line release request signal.

In steps 5420, 5422, 5424, and 5426 of FIG. 23, it is determined whether the received data is a time data request signal, a line switching request signal, a mode confirmation signal, and a line release request signal, respectively. . If the received data is a time data request signal (Yes in step 5420), the current time is read from the real-time clock 204 in step S421, the current time data is transmitted to the center control device 50, and then the process returns.

Further, if the received data is a line switching request signal (Yes in step 5422), step 542
After setting the switching request flag to n1'' in Step 3, the process returns.Furthermore, if the received data is a mode confirmation signal (Yes in Step 5424), the process returns.
), the mode confirmation flag is set to "1" in step -8425, and then the process returns. Further, if the received data is a line release request signal (Yes in step 5426), the release request flag is set to 1' in step 5427, and then the process returns. On the other hand, if the received data is neither a time data request signal, a line switching request signal, a mode confirmation signal, nor a line release request signal (steps 5420, 5422.
5424 and 5426), return as is.

Figure 24 shows the date of data processing (Step S 40 in Figure 22).
8) is a 70-chart showing. This process is a process for data transmitted from the copy data controller 20 as described above, and includes a processing mode answer signal, a communication mode answer signal, a setting mode answer signal, and an alarm transmission request signal. There is.

The data received at steps 5440, 5442, 5444, and 5446 in FIG. 24 are a processing mode answer signal, a communication mode answer signal, a setting mode answer signal, and an alarm transmission request signal, respectively. Determine whether or not. If the received data is a processing mode answer signal (step 5)
(Yes in step 440), the processing mode flag is set to "l" in step 5441, and then the process returns. If the received data is a communication mode answer signal (Yes in step 5442), the communication mode flag is set to "l" in step 5443, and then the process returns.

Further, if the received data is a setting mode answer signal (Yes in step 5444), the setting mode 7 lag is set to ``1'' in step 5445, and then the process returns. Furthermore, if the received data is an alarm transmission request signal (step 54
(Yes in step 46), the alarm transmission flag is set to '1' in step 5447, and then the process returns. On the other hand, if the received data is neither the answer signal nor the alarm request signal (step 54
40% 5442.5444, and S 446 i: No), return as is.

(5) Processing of the copy data controller 30 FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the copy data controller 30.

In FIG. 25, first, the copy data controller 3
When the power of the copy data controller 30 is turned on, the processing of the copy data controller 30 is started, and step 5500! 2, after performing initial settings for each circuit in the copy data controller 30, in step 5501, the state of the copying machine IO (as described above, power on/off of the copying machine IO, copying in progress, copying Occurrence of jam in machine IO,
For example, a trouble has occurred, the copied paper has been ejected, and the copying operation has been completed. ) is input from the copying machine 10, and data related to the signal is stored in the RAM 103. Next, in steps 5502 to 5505, display processing, card read/write processing, count processing, and communication processing, which will be described in detail later, are performed, respectively, and then the process returns to step S501.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the display process (step 5502 in FIG. 25).

Steps 5510.5512.5514.5 in FIG.
516, 5518, and 5520, respectively, whether the copier IO is turned off, whether it is set to communication mode, whether it is set to setting mode, and whether the tally card is a card data input/output device. 22, whether a department card is inserted into the card data input/output device 22, and whether a magnetic card is inserted into the card data input/output device 22.

When the copier IO is powered off (step 5)
Yes at step 510), L at step 5511
After turning off the display on the ED display 25, the process returns to the main routine. When the communication mode is set (Yes in step 5512), in step 5513 the 'ONL I NE' data is output to the display buffer memory 24 and the data is displayed on the LED display 25, and then the main routine is executed. Return to. When the setting mode is set (Yes in step 5514), the data stored in the display buffer memory 24 is displayed on the LED display 25 in step 5515, and then the process returns to the main routine. When the tally card is inserted into the card data input/output device 22 (Yes in step 5516), step 55
At 17, the RAM in the copy data controller 20
The above copy data stored in 103 is sequentially displayed on the LED.
After displaying on the display 25, the process returns to the main routine. If the department card is inserted into the card data input/output device 22 (Yes in step 5518)
), the department code and the number of copies for the department are displayed on the LED display 25 in step 5519, and then the process returns to the main routine. If the magnetic card is not inserted into the card data input/output device 1122 (Yes in step 5520), the data "CARD" is displayed on the LED display 25 in step 5521, and then the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing card read/write processing (step 5503 in FIG. 25).

In steps 5530, 5532, 5534 and 5537 in FIG. 27, whether or not an insertion sensor (not shown) is turned on, which detects whether a magnetic card is inserted into the card data input/output device 22. mosquito,
Whether reading of the data stored in the magnetic card is completed, whether an eject switch (not shown) that commands ejection of the magnetic card is turned on, and
Check whether the eject flag is 1".

When the insertion sensor is on (Yes in step 5530), card insertion processing, which will be described in detail later, is performed in step 5531, and then the process returns to the main routine. When reading of data stored in the magnetic card is completed (Yes in step 5532)
), in step 5533, a read completion process, which will be described in detail later, is carried out; after that, the process returns to the main routine. When the eject switch is on (Yes in step 5534), eject processing, which will be described in detail later, is performed in step 8536, and then the process returns to the main routine. When the eject flag is "1" (Yes in step 5537), the eject flag is reset in step 5535, and then the eject process is performed in step 3536,
Return to main routine. On the other hand, when the eject flag is 11011 (No in step S5371), the magnetic card is If ejection of the magnetic card is not completed, check whether ejection of the magnetic card is completed (step 55).
If the ejection of the magnetic card has been completed (No in step 5538), the process returns to the main routine directly (No in step 5538).
After performing the ejection completion process described in detail later in 539,
Return to main routine.

Figure 28 shows the card insertion process (step 553 in Figure 27).
It is a 70-chart showing 1).

In step 5550 of FIG. 28, first, the transport motor 23 is rotated in the magnetic card insertion direction (CW rotation direction), and in step 3551, the magnetic head in the card data input/output device 22 is set to read mode. After reading out the data stored in the magnetic card, the data is stored in RAMIO3, and in step 5552, a read timer is started to measure the reading time of the data stored in the magnetic card, and the process returns.

FIG. 29 shows the read completion process (step 553 in FIG. 27).
It is a 70-chart showing 3).

At step 5560 of the 29th VgJ, the transport motor 2
3 is turned off, the data read from the magnetic card is analyzed in step 5561.

Next, in step 5562, it is checked whether or not there is an error in the read data, and if there is an error (No in step 5562), step 5566 is performed.
Returns after performing eject processing. On the other hand, if there is no error in the read data (step 55
Step 5563 checks whether the magnetic card is a department card, and if it is a department card, Yes in step 5563.
s) After permitting the copying machine IO to perform a copying operation in step 5564, the process returns.

On the other hand, if the magnetic card is not a department card (No in step 5563), the process prohibits the copying machine 10 from copying in step 5565, and then returns.

FIG. 30 shows the eject process (step 553 in FIG. 27).
6 and step 5566 of FIG. 29).

In step 5570 of FIG. 30, first, the copying machine l
Prohibit copy operation for O, step 5571i:
the transport motor 23 in the magnetic card ejection direction (CCW).
Then, in step 5572, an eject timer that measures the ejection time of the magnetic card is started, and the process returns.

Figure 31 shows the discharge completion process (step s53 in Figure 27).
9) is a flowchart showing the process.

In step 5580 of FIG.
is turned off, and after clearing the data read from the magnetic card and stored in RAMIO3 in step 8581,
Return.

Figure 32 shows the counting process (step 5504 in Figure 25).
) is a flowchart showing the process.

Steps 5590, 5592, and 5594 in FIG.
In each step, it is checked whether one copy operation has been completed in the copying machine 10, whether a jam has occurred in the copying machine IO, and whether a trouble has occurred in the copying machine 10. If none of the conditions apply in each step, the process directly returns to the main routine.

When the copying operation for one sheet is completed in the copying machine 10 (Yes in step 5590), step 559
After incrementing the copy counter corresponding to the department of the currently inserted department card and the size of the copy paper on which the copying operation was performed in step 1, the process returns to the main routine. Also, when a jam occurs in the copying machine 10 (Yes in step 5592)
In step 5593, the jam counter corresponding to the location where the jam occurred is incremented, and then the process returns to the main routine. Furthermore, when a trouble occurs in the copying machine 10, the trouble counter corresponding to the trouble point is incremented in step 5595, and an alarm transmission request signal is sent to the online controller 30 in step 5596, after which the process returns to the main routine. .

! FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing communication processing in the copy data controller 20 (step 5505 in FIG. 25).

At step 5600 in FIG. 33, it is first checked whether or not there is received data, and if there is no received data (No at step 5600), the process directly returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if there is received data (Yes in step 5600), it is checked in step 5601 whether or not there is an error in the received data, and if there is an error (No in step 5601), the error is checked in step 5603. After performing necessary predetermined error handling, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if there is no error in the received data (Yes in step 5601), command analysis processing, which will be described in detail later, is performed in step 5602, and then the process returns to the main routine.

Figure 34 (A> and (B)) shows the command analysis process (33
12 is a flowchart showing step 5602) in the figure.

Steps 5610.561 in Figures 34(A) and (B)
2.5614.5615.5621,5624.562
6.5628.5630SS632 and 5635, respectively, the received data is a mode confirmation signal,
Is it a cancel signal, processing mode request signal, communication mode request signal, setting mode request signal, serial number request signal, jam count request signal, trouble count request signal, departmental count request signal, count clear request signal, display data signal? Check whether or not. Here, if there is no signal in each step, the process returns directly.

When a mode confirmation signal is received (step 5610
(Yes), the current mode in the copy data controller 20 is checked in step 5611, and if it is in the processing mode, a processing mode answer signal is sent to the online controller 30 in step 5613.
The process returns after sending the data to the center control device 50 via
In step 5623, the communication mode answer signal is sent to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30, and then the process returns.If the mode is set, the setting mode answer signal is sent to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 in step 5623. After transmitting to the device 50, the process returns.

When a cancel signal or a processing mode request signal is received (Yes in step 5612 or 5614)
In step 5613, a processing mode answer signal is sent to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30, and then the process returns.

When the communication mode request signal is received (step 56
15), it is checked in step 5616 whether or not the copying machine IO is copying, and if it is copying (Yes in step 5616), a processing mode answer signal is sent via the online controller 30 in step 5613. Returns after sending the data to the center control device 50. On the other hand, if copying is not in progress (No in step 5616), step 56
At steps 17 and 5618, it is checked whether a magnetic card is inserted into the card data input/output device 22 and whether a copy operation is permitted in the copying machine 10, respectively. Here, if a magnetic card is inserted and copy operation is permitted, step 5617
and Yes in 5618), in order to eject the magnetic card, the eject flag is set to 11111 in step 5619, and then the process proceeds to step 5620, where a communication mode answer signal is sent to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30. Return after sending. On the other hand, if the magnetic card is not inserted (No in step 5617) or if the copy operation is not permitted even if a magnetic card is inserted (Yes in step 5617 and step 5
If No at 618), the process directly proceeds to step 5620, transmits a communication mode answer signal to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30, and then returns.

When the setting mode request signal is received (step 56
21), in step 5622, it is checked whether the copying machine 10 is prohibited from copying because, for example, the department card has not been inserted or a jam or trouble has occurred in the copying machine IO, and the copying operation is performed. If it is not prohibited (No in step 5622), the process proceeds to step 5613, and returns after transmitting a processing mode answer signal to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30. On the other hand, if the copy operation is prohibited (Yes in step 5622), a setting mode answer signal is sent to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 in step 5623, and then the process returns.

When the serial number request signal is received Step 5
624), and in step 5625, the serial number and total number of copies of the copy data controller 20 are input as shown in FIG. 9 (1') (a).
(F) Return after transmitting to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 in 7-order format.

When the jam count request signal is received (Yes in step 5626), in step 5627 the data on the number of jam occurrences for each sunny place is stored as shown in FIG. 9(b).
After transmitting the data to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 in the format shown in FIG.

When the trouble count request signal is received (Yes in step 5628), in step 5629 the data on the number of trouble occurrences for each location is stored in (C) of FIG.
) format to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30, and then returns.

When the departmental count request signal is received (Yes in step 5630), in step 5631 the data on the number of copies by department and size is converted to the data shown in FIG.
After transmitting to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30 in the format of d), the process returns.

When the count clear request signal is received (Yes in step 5632), the data of the number of copies by department and size stored in the RAM 103 is cleared in step 5633, and then a clear answer is sent.
After transmitting the signal to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30, the process returns.

When the display data signal is received (step 5635
(Yes), the process returns after storing the received display data in the display buffer memory 24 in step 5636.

(6) Processing of the center control device 50 FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the center control device 50.

In step 5700 of FIG. 35, first, initial settings are made for each circuit in the center control device 50, and then in step S701, it is checked whether or not the modem 52 is connected to the center control device 50, and the modem 52 is connected to the center control device 50. 5
If the modem 2 is not connected (No in step 5701), the process proceeds to step 5704; on the other hand, if the modem 52 is connected (No in step 5701), the process proceeds to step 5704.
s) In step 5702, it is checked whether the modem 52 has been initialized. Here, modem 5
2 has been initialized (Yes in step 5702), proceed to step S704; on the other hand, if it has not been initialized (No in step 5702).
), after initializing the modem 52 in step 5703, the process proceeds to step 5704.

In step 5704, the real-time clock 304
The current time is read from , and in step 5705 it is checked whether the current time is the deadline time for totaling the copy data set in advance using the personal computer 60. If it is not the deadline time (No in step 5705), the process proceeds to step 5707, and if it is the deadline time (Yes in step 5705), a deadline process to be described in detail later is performed in step 5706, and then the process proceeds to step 5707.

In step 5707, online controller 3
There is an incoming call from 0, and it is checked whether the line is connected to the online controller 30. If the line is connected (Yes in step 5707), data reception processing, which will be described in detail later, is performed in step 5708. After that, the process returns to step 5701. On the other hand, if the line is not connected (No in step 5707), the process directly returns to step 5701.

FIG. 36 is a 70-chart showing the deadline processing (step 5706 in FIG. 35). The center control device 50 is
The copy data stored in the file device 61 is managed for each copying machine 10 by dividing it into the following three types of data.

(a) Data after n-cut: This is the total data of the above-mentioned copy data sent from the copy data controller 20 after the center control device 50 has performed the deadline processing.

(b) Deadline data: This is the total data of the above-mentioned copy data sent from the copy data controller 20 from the deadline time to the next deadline time.

(c) Cumulative data: Cumulative data of the past copy data, which is updated by adding the previous deadline data to the current v4 cumulative data in the deadline process.

In step 5720 of FIG. 36, the previous deadline data is added to the cumulative data, and then, in step 5721, the post-deadline data is transferred to the deadline data, and finally, in step 5722, the post-deadline data is cleared,
Return to main routine.

FIG. 37 shows data reception processing (step 370 in FIG. 35).
8) is a flowchart showing step 8).

In step 5730 of FIG. 37, first, a time request signal is sent to the online controller 30, and when time data is received from the online controller 30, the process proceeds to step 5731, and a mode confirmation signal is sent to the online controller 30. After that, a communication mode answer signal is received from the online controller 30. Next, in step 5732, a serial number request signal is transmitted to the copy data controller 20 via the online controller 30, and when the data of the serial number is received, in step 5733, the received serial number is sent to the copy data controller 20 via the online controller 30. By checking whether it is a serial number, it is checked whether the copy data has been received from all the copy data controllers 20 connected to the online controller 30.

When the copy data is received from all the copy data controllers 20 connected to the online controller 30 (Y in step 5733),
es) Proceed to step 5739; on the other hand, if the copy data has not been received from all the copy data controllers 20 (No in step 5733), proceed to step 5734.

In steps 5734, 5735, and 5736, a jam count request signal, a trouble count request signal, and a departmental count request signal are sent to the copy data controller 20 via the online controller 30, and data corresponding to each request signal is received. After that, in step 5737, a clear request signal is sent to the copy data controller 20 via the online controller 0.
RAM1 in the copy data controller 20
Clear all the above copy data stored in 03. Next, in step 5738, a line switching request signal is sent to the online controller 30,
After switching the online controller 30 to the copy data controller 20 of the next channel, the process returns to step 5731.

After transmitting the line release request signal to the online controller 30 in step 5739, step 37
At step 40, the modem 52 is caused to perform a line disconnection process with the online controller 30. Next, in step 3741, the received copy data is added to the post-deadline data to update the post-deadline data, and then the process returns to the main routine.

In the above embodiment, the exchange 3 installed by a telecommunications carrier is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an exchange such as a private branch exchange installed by a user may also be used.

In the above embodiments, the telephone lines 4a, 4b.

4c is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of communication lines such as digital lines other than telephone lines may be used.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 34(A), when a magnetic card is inserted and the copy operation is permitted (Yes in steps 5617 and 5618
), step 5 to eject the magnetic card.
After setting the eject flag to 1'' in step 619, the process proceeds to step 5620, transmits a communication mode answer signal to the center control device 50 via the online controller 30, and then returns; however, the present invention is not limited to this. Step 56 without ejecting the magnetic card.
It may be configured to proceed to step 20.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the first invention of the present application, in the copy data management system, either the telephone or the transmission means for transmitting the copy data is selectively connected to the telephone line. Since the terminal device is equipped with a switching means for switching to connect to the terminal, one telephone line can be shared by the telephone and the transmitting means, and the transmitting means can transmit the copy data to the central control device. be able to. As a result, the telephone line of the existing telephone can be used for the copy data management system.
It is economical as there is no need to install a new telephone line.

According to the second invention of the present application, the copy data management system performs call processing when a predetermined condition for data transmission is met, and after communication with the central management device becomes possible, information is transmitted. Since the terminal device is equipped with a control means for controlling the calling means and the transmitting means so as to perform the transmission, there is an advantage that the telephone line can be used more effectively.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a block diagram of a copy data management system that is an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a copy data controller in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an online controller in FIG. 1; Figure 4 (A) is a front view of the maintenance switch and monitor LED in Figure 3, Figure 4 (B) is a diagram showing how to operate the maintenance switch in Figure 4 (A) and the display of the switch; 5 is a block diagram of the center control device of FIG. 1; FIGS. 6(A) to 6(C) are communication sequence diagrams showing communication procedures during normal processing in the copy data management system of FIG. 1; 7 and 8 are communication sequence diagrams showing the communication procedure at the time of abnormality processing in the copy data management system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the format of communication data in the copy data management system of FIG. 10(8) and 1O(B) are flowcharts showing the main routine of the online controller in FIG. 1, FIGS. 11 to 24 are flowcharts showing the subroutines of the online controller in FIG. 1, and FIG. 70-chart showing the main routine of the copy data controller in FIG. 1, FIGS. 26 to 33, and FIG.
4(A) and 34(B) are flowcharts showing the subroutine of the copy data controller in FIG. 1, FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the center control device in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 36 and 37. The figure is a 70-chart showing a subroutine of the center control device of FIG. l...terminal system, 2...center system, 3
...Exchange, 4a, 4b, 4c...Telephone line, 10
, loa to 10 d - Copy machine, 20.20a to 20cl... Copy data controller, 21.3
1... - Microcomputer, 22... Card data input/output device, 23... Conveyance motor, 30. 30a, 30b... Online controller 33
．． 52...Modulator/demodulator (modem), 0.40a, 40
b-telephone, 0... center control device, 0... personal computer, O... CRT display device, 03... RAM. 04...Real time clock.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a copy data management system comprising a terminal device including a transmitting means for transmitting information regarding maintenance in a copying machine to a central control device for managing the copying machine via a telephone line, the terminal device comprises: A copy data management system comprising: a telephone; and switching means for selectively connecting either the telephone or the transmitting means to the telephone line. (2) In a copy data management system comprising a terminal device that transmits information regarding maintenance in a copying machine to a central control device for managing the copying machine via a telephone line, the terminal device transmits the information. A transmitting means for transmitting data to the central control device; a calling means for performing a call process; and a calling device for performing the call process when a predetermined condition for data transmission is met, and is capable of communicating with the central control device. A copy data management system comprising: a control means for controlling the calling means and the transmitting means so as to transmit the information after the information is transmitted.