JPH0421864A - Network system for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the utilizing efficiency of an image forming device by judging the utilizing state of the image forming device and transmitting utilizing information which informs to a user that the image forming device is in course of being used when it is in course of being used. CONSTITUTION:Telephone sets 3 as many as optional number are installed to a desired place as necessary and they receive the operating information of image formation from a copying machine main body 1 through a communication line 2. Then, the information is displayed on a message display part 3a by an LED, an LCD or the like or an alarm is issued by an incorporated bell. On the other hand, when the image forming device (the copying machine 1) receives reservation information, it stores the reservation information and judges the utilizing state of the image forming device (copying machine 1) at the time when the time comes. Then, the image forming device is in course of being used, the utilizing information informing it is transmitted to an external terminal apparatus (telephone set 3). Thus, the user can immediately confirm the utilizing state even when he/she does not go to the installing place of the image forming device at a reserved time. Besides, when the image forming device is in course of being used, the user can effectively use a waiting time and efficiently utilize the image forming device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a network system for an image forming apparatus including external terminal equipment such as a telephone, which is equipped with a microcomputer.

[Conventional technology]

An example of an image forming apparatus is a copying machine, and in large-scale offices, a single copying machine is often used by a large number of people.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventionally known large-sized copying machine. The configuration and operation will be explained below. In the figure, when the start key is pressed, the paper feed clutch is turned on and the calling roller 10 is pressed.
Send the transfer paper to. And this transfer paper is paper feed roller 1
1 and the reversing rollers 12 prevent double feeding, and are sent to the registration rollers 13. On the other hand, when the original on the contact glass 14'' is exposed by the exposure lamp 15, the reflected light hitting the original is reflected from the first mirror 16, the second mirror 17, the third mirror 18, the lens 19, the fourth mirror 20, and the fifth mirror. mirror 2
1, the sixth mirror 22, and the dust-proof glass 23 to reach the photoreceptor drum 24, and form a latent image on the photoreceptor drum 24 charged by the charger 25. This latent image is irradiated with light by an eraser 26 to erase charges in unnecessary portions, thereby preventing toner from adhering to the photoreceptor drum 24 in non-image areas. When the timing for development comes, the development motor is driven and the development roller 27 rotates.
The latent image on the photosensitive drum 24 is developed by the toner on the developing roller 27 . The developed image is placed on the registration roller 13
The toner is transferred from the toner to the transfer paper fed synchronously at the transfer section, but before that, the adhesion force (charge) between the toner and the photoreceptor drum 24 is reduced, and when the transfer paper is separated from the photoreceptor drum 24, the toner is In order to suppress retransfer, pre-transfer static elimination is performed using a pre-transfer static elimination lamp. The transfer paper sent out from the registration roller 13 is transferred to the photoreceptor drum 2 by a guide mylar.
4, and the transfer charger 28 transfers the photosensitive drum 2
The toner on 4 is transferred to the transfer paper. If the transfer paper cannot be separated from the photosensitive drum 24 after the transfer, it is forcibly separated by the separation claw of the cleaning unit 29. The transfer paper separated from the photosensitive drum 24 is sent to the fixing section by the heald of the transport unit l-30. On the other hand, the photoreceptor drum 24 that has been separated is neutralized before cleaning, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 24 is scraped off by the fur brush of the cleaning unit 29, and the toner not removed by the fur brush is removed by the cleaning blade. scraped off by

The transfer paper sent to the fixing section 31 by the transport unit 30 is thermally fixed there, and is sent to the ejection roller 33 and ejected by the switching claw 32 except when copying the first side in the duplex mode. When copying of the first side in the double-sided mode is completed, the transfer paper is sent to the reversing section 34 by the switching claw 32, and the transfer paper is reversed and sent to the intermediate tray 35.

As is well known, the transfer paper is sent out again from this intermediate tray 35 toward the photosensitive drum 24.

Note that 36 is an optional paper feeding device.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the operation section 40 of the copying machine.

In the figure, 41 is a timer key, 42 is a timer display, 4
3 is a program key, 44 is a program display, 45 is an enter key, 46 is a numeric keypad, 47 is a guidance key,
48 is a guidance key display, 49 is a display panel, 50 is a dimension scaling key, 51 is a dimension scaling display, 52 is a centering key, 53 is a centering display, 54 is a binding margin adjustment key, 55 is a binding margin display, 56 is a 2-sided display, 57 is sort display, 58 is stack display, 59 is sorter key, 60 is double-sided key, 61 is page continuous copy display, 62 is page continuous copy key, 63 is erase display, 64 is erase key 65 is paper specification change Magnification display, 66 is the paper specification magnification key, 67 is the zoom magnification key, 68 is the reduction key, 69 is the enlargement key, 70 is the same magnification key,
71 is a paper selection key, 72 is an automatic paper selection key, 73 is a density adjustment key, 74 is an automatic density key, 75 is a clear/stop key, 76 is a print key (start key), 7
7 is interrupt key, 78 is preheating display, 79 is mode clear/
The preheating key 80 is a guidance display section.

Recent copiers have become more multi-functional and can be set to various modes, so as mentioned above, the keys and their displays are diverse, but since the individual contents are already well known, we will omit the explanation. .

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the display panel 49 of the copying machine.

In the figure, 81 is a call service person display, 82 is a manual feed display, 83 is a running display, 84 is a copy ready display, 85 is a standby display, 86 is a paper supply display, 87 is a misfeed display, 88 is a toner supply display, and 89 is a paper supply display. indicates the remaining amount of paper, 90 indicates the paper direction, 91 indicates the paper size, 92
is paper selection display, 93 is automatic paper selection display, 94 is paper specified magnification display, 95 is magnification display, 96 is same magnification display, 97
shows zoom magnification, 9th shows misfeed position, 99
1 is a density adjustment display, 100 is an automatic density display, 101 is a copy number counter, and 102 is a set number counter.

As with the operation section 40, the description of its contents will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the copying machine.

There is a main control section 110 that controls the entire system, and a storage section 111 for storing data, a motor 112, and a sensor 113 are connected to this main control section 110. Also, optical control section 114, AC control 6I! 11.5, the operation control section 116 and the like are connected to the main control section 110 by a lotus. The optical control unit 114 controls the lens motor 117, scanner motor 118, etc., and also receives signals from APS (automatic paper selection) sensors (11119, 2N20, etc.).The AC control unit 115 controls the exposure lamp 12.
1. The fixing heater 122, the main motor 123, the developing motor 124.1, the general feed mode 125, the paper feed mode 126, etc. are controlled. The operation control unit 116 is also connected to a key switch 127, a display LCD-LED 128, a pressure plate detection switch 1'29, and the like.

In addition, an interface (R32
32C) 130, and the signal from the main control unit]10,
The P/S converter 131 converts the parallel signal into a serial signal and outputs it.

Signals from the outside are converted from serial signals to parallel signals and input. The interface 130 is T
Converts and inversely converts T L level signals to R5232C level signals.

Although such a copying machine is multi-functional and suitable for large-volume and repetitive processing, there are some inefficiencies in its use when a single copying machine is used by a large number of people. For example, if multiple people try to use a copying machine at the same time, there may be a waiting list, or if the copying machine is installed far away from the user, you will have to go near the copying machine to see how it is being used. I don't understand it and have to go back and forth frequently.

On the other hand, in large offices, extension telephones are often installed, but recently telephones with built-in microcomputers are being used.

Against this background, a copy control device that inputs copy conditions from a remote location using an external input device has already been proposed (
(Patent Publication No. 158454/1983) [Problem to be Solved by the Invention] In an image forming apparatus in which copying conditions can be input from a remote location, usage reservation is made as one of the copying conditions, and the usage time is It is possible to make a reservation.

However, when a usage time is reserved, the person making the reservation will be given priority to use the image forming apparatus at the specified time, which will interrupt the processing of the person using the image forming apparatus at that time. This will reduce usage efficiency.

The present invention has been made based on such a background, and is intended to improve the usage efficiency of image forming apparatuses in a network system for image forming apparatuses in which reservations for use of image forming apparatuses can be made from a remote location by specifying a time. The purpose is to improve.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above-mentioned object is to communicate between an image forming apparatus having a signal transmitting/receiving means, a control means for the signal transmitting/receiving means, and a storage means, and an external terminal device having a signal transmitting/receiving means, an operation input means, a control means for these means, and a storage means. In a network system for image forming apparatuses that can send and receive operation information to each other,
From the external terminal device to the image forming device, reservation information for using the image forming device and reserving the desired time of use is sent from the image forming device to the external terminal device, when the reserved time arrives, the usage status of the image forming device This is achieved by determining whether the device is in use and, if the device is in use, transmitting usage information that notifies the user.

[Effect]

Reservation information specifying the use of the image forming apparatus and its time is sent from the external terminal device to the image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus receives the reservation information, it stores it and starts forming the image at that time. The usage status of the device is determined, and if the device is in use, usage information notifying that fact is sent to the external terminal device.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network system connecting a copying machine and a telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention, and 1 indicates a copying machine (
2 is a communication line, and 3 is a telephone (external terminal device) with a copying machine terminal function. Any number of telephones 3 are installed at desired locations as needed, and receive image forming operation information from the copying machine main body I through the communication line 2, and display the information on the message display section 3a using LEDs, LCDs, etc. or issue an alarm using the built-in alarm.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the telephone 3.

This telephone 3 includes, in addition to the message display section 3a, a handset 3b for sending and receiving calls, a numeric keypad for inputting telephone numbers and numerical values, a telephone hook key 3d, a redial key 3e, a speaker key 31, hold key 3g,
There are 8 one-touch dial keys 3h. Further, there are a confirmation key 31 for knowing the usage status of the copying machine, a reservation key 3j for making a reservation for use of the copying machine, and a release key 3 for canceling the reservation. In addition, 3β is an LE that lights up or flashes when the phone rings, etc.
It is a D display. The message display section 3a is an LCD display in this embodiment, and is used to inform the user of the telephone number dialed when using the telephone, operational guidance and status when used as a copying machine terminal. Display guidance, etc. The built-in bell is designed to alert you when the copying operation is complete.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a controller built into the telephone 3 that allows the copying machine main body 1 to be operated from a remote location. This device utilizes the functions of a microcomputer for controlling the telephone set 3 and has added input/output for telephone calls and a communication function for a separate line.

The operation signal from the key 140 is sent to the I10 interface 1.
41 to the CPU 142.

The key manual information includes operation key information from the numeric keypad 3c, each mode key, and the like. Also, the display information is
10 Ink face 141, display section 144 (message display section 3a and LED display 3N) via driver 143
will be displayed.

To explain the telephone function, first, the presence or absence of a call is detected by a bell detection circuit 146 for detecting a ringing signal from the telephone line connected to the supplier's exchange 145, and the bell signal is output to the CPU 142. . C.P.
When U142 detects a bell signal, it outputs a signal to the oscillator to ring bell 147. This bell 147 can be sounded regardless of bell detection, and the range of sound can be changed by changing the signal output to the oscillator (for example, changing the frequency of the signal). Hook key 3d on/off i
The language is sent to the CPU 14 via the I10 interface 141.
2, the switch drive circuit 148 is controlled by the hook signal from the CPU 142, and the line is turned on and off. The telephone line is a handset 3b that serves as voice input and output.
The main function of a telephone is performed by the handset 3b. Regarding the dial oscillation operation for making a call, when a telephone number is input using the numeric keypad 3C, the number is output to the dial signal generation circuit 149, where it is converted into a dial signal and output to the telephone line. Data communication methods include a method of outputting data to a telephone line via a modem 150 and a method of outputting data using an interface (R3232C) 151.

The communication signal is converted from a parallel signal to a serial signal by the P/S converter 152 and outputted, and conversely, the serial signal is converted into a parallel signal and inputted. The interface 151 converts a TTL level signal into an R3232C level signal and inversely converts it. Also, RAM153
stores data for one-touch dialing and sending/receiving.

FIG. 8 fal, (bl shows the format of communication between the telephone 3 and the copying machine main body 1. ADDRESS is for distinguishing the data of each hide.

Further, when transmitting and receiving operation mode and time data, the format shown in FIG. 10 is used.

When it is desired to send the operation mode and time data, the operation mode transmission start signal and the time data transmission start signal are transmitted in the normal format shown in FIG. 8, thereby mutually transmitting and receiving data using a dedicated format. When the data transmission is finished, the transmitting side transmits an operation mode transmission end signal and a time data transmission end signal, and the normal transmission format is restored. In this way, operating mode and time data can be transmitted.

FIG. 9 (b) illustrates the communication method between the telephone 3 and the copying machine main body 1, in which the copying machine and each telephone [3 are
The transmission and reception of signals are repeated alternately with each other.

When the transmission/reception between each telephone 3 and the 2ri 87 is completed, transmission/reception with the next telephone 3 is started. This operation is repeated for each telephone 3. The I-th of the two transmissions and receptions is for specifying telephone 3, and the copying machine transmits the telephone number. Each phone 3
When the corresponding telephone number is sent, it will send back the telephone number to notify that it has been received. When the copying machine receives the signal, it enters the second transmission/reception and transmits the data. The telephone 3 selected in the first transmission receives this data, and the telephone 3 transmits the information data. The copying machine receives the data and completes transmission and reception with the telephone 3. When there is no data to transmit, data of ADDRESS '000' is transmitted as dummy data. This method allows transmission and reception with each telephone 3 at regular intervals. The data received from each terminal shall be recorded in a designated memory in the copying machine.

Next, a specific example of communication between the copying machine main body 1 and the telephone 3 will be explained.

First, the copying machine reservation operation flow of the charger 3 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13. This telephone 3 has a memory conforming to the communication format shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.

In the flow shown in FIG. 11, the CPUI/1.2 of the telephone 3 determines whether or not the reservation key 3j for making a reservation for the copying machine body 1 has been pressed (step SL), and if it has been pressed, the reservation is accepted. A reservation process is performed (step S2). If not, determine whether the way 1 signal is on or off from the copying machine body 1 (Step S3) If it is on, the message display section 3a will display a guidance message to notify you that someone else is using the machine when the reserved time arrives. Display (Step 3
4).

Next, the flow of the subroutine for reservation processing will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, transmit reservation mode signal ON (step 55)
(See Figure 8). Then, an instruction is displayed on the LCD display (message display section 3a) of the telephone 3 to prompt for the password code (step S6). Machine body 1
is a code that can be recognized. When the password code is input (step S7), it is transmitted to the copying machine main body 1 (step 58) (see FIG. 8).

Then, in order to let the user decide whether or not to input the desired time, guidance to that effect is displayed on the message display section 3a (step S9). If YES is input, 1 is input, and NO is input O, if ■ is input, In other words, when inputting the time (step S1.O), a time input process is performed to prompt the user to input the time and send the reserved time to the copying machine main body 1 (step 31) (details of the time input process will be described later). ).

Also, if 0 is input, that is, if no time is input, a signal is received to determine the usage status of the copying machine main body 1 (
Step 512), if it is in use (Y in step 313), a guidance display informs you that the reservation has been accepted but cannot be used immediately (step 514), and if it is not in use (step S 13 (N), a guidance display informs you that it can be used immediately (step 515).

Next, the flow of the subroutine for time input processing will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, in order to make it aware that time data is transmitted according to the time data communication format (see Figure 10),
A time data transmission start signal ON is transmitted (step 520). Then, the memory of the telephone 3 according to the time data transmission format 1 is initialized (step 521). In this case, each data of hours, minutes, and seconds are set to "0". Thereafter, a guidance display prompting the user to input "hour" is displayed on the display unit, and also indicates the input range, etc. (step 522). When it is detected that the input has been completed (step 523), when the key "#" is input after the number indicating the time is input, that data is stored in the already initialized memory for "hour" data ( step 524).

In the same way, inputting ``6 minutes'' (steps 325 to 527) and inputting ``seconds'' (steps 828 to 530) are processed. When the data input is completed, the data is transmitted according to the time data transmission format (Step 531), and the time data transmission star 1 signal OFF and the time data transmission end signal ON are transmitted (Step 5).
32). This is to notify the copying machine main body 1 that the transmission of time data has ended.

After that, if the copying machine main body 1 transmits a signal indicating that reservations cannot be accepted (Y in step S33), the reservation cannot be accepted because the time specified by the operator has already been reserved by another person. A guidance message indicating that there is no such information is displayed (step 534). Further, if the reservation number notation is not allowed signal ON is not transmitted, a guidance message indicating that the reservation has been accepted at the time specified by the operator is displayed (step 535).

Next, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 1
The flow of the control operation of the copying machine main body 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 19.

The copying machine main body 1 has three internal clocks that do not determine the current time.

In FIG. 14 showing the main routine, the copying machine main body 1 receives a reservation mode signal (see FIG. 8),
If it is on (step 34.0), wait for the PIN code to be sent (step 541) = Once the PIN code input is confirmed, it will be registered in the reservation person's memory in order (step 542), and the reservation will be accepted. Attach.

Next, in order to determine whether the mode is to reserve the time you want to use, check the time data transmission start signal (step 543). If it is on, time registration processing is performed (step 544) (details will be described later). For example, a timeless process for accepting and making regular reservations is performed (step 45) (details will be described later).

Thereafter, a time check process (step 546) is performed to determine whether the reserved time has arrived (details will be described later).
Waiting for the reservation person to arrive (step 5)
47) (details will be described later).

Further, if the reservation mode signal is off in step S40,
Although the reserved time has arrived, it is determined whether the reservation is currently being used by another person and the reservation is made to wait (step 848), and if so, the waiting process (step 549) is performed ( (Details will be described later).

The above is an outline of the operation of the copying machine main body 1.

Next, the flow of the subroutine of the time registration process will be explained with reference to FIG.

If it is determined that the mote also reserves the time used, it waits until the time data transmission end signal turns on (step 5).
50). Here, waiting until the time data transmission end signal is turned on means that while the time data transmission end signal is off, the telephone 3 is processing the input of the reservation time by the operator, so the data input is finished. It means waiting until After the process is completed and the time data is sent to the copying machine main body 1, a time data transmission end signal ON is sent, and it is then determined whether the time data is before the current time (step 551). If so, it is determined that the reservation cannot be accepted, and a signal indicating that the reservation cannot be accepted is transmitted (step 555), and the registration of the pin code for the reservation is deleted (step 856).
). Also, if the time is determined to be after the current time,
This time, it is determined whether there is an identical time among the already registered reservation times (step 552), and if it is found that there is an identical time, it is determined that the reservation cannot be accepted, as described above, Reservations cannot be accepted. Sends a signal ON (step 555), and deletes the registration of the pin code for the reservation (step 856). Also, if it is determined that the reservation is after the current time and there is no same time, The time reservation is acknowledged, and the transmitted data is stored in the time data reservation memory using some means that allows it to be determined that the time data is for the already registered password code (step 553). Then, the registered times are rearranged in ascending order of time to make it easier to judge (step 554). At this time, make sure that it can be matched with the PIN number for that time.

Next, step S of the flow of the main routine in FIG.
The flow of the subroutine of the timeless process in which no time is reserved in the process 43 will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, in order to distinguish it from the time reservation mote, the timeless mote flag is set to determine the usage status of the camera (station 560) and the copying machine itself (step 561), and if it is in use, the in-use signal is sent to step 562. ) (see FIG. 8), if it is not in use, transmit a busy signal off (step 563), and set the waiting for reservation person flag (step 563).
step 564). Then, the copying machine main body 1 is made unusable (step 565), and waits for the reservation person to arrive. Next, the reservation person's UA ID code is read from the memory and set in the memory for judgment (step 866).

Next, the flow of a subroutine for time check processing for monitoring reservation times will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, the current time is compared with the first reservation time in the time reservation memory, that is, the earliest reservation time, and when the reservation time reaches that reservation time (step 570), the current usage status of the copying machine main body 1 is determined (step S7). ]), if it is not in use, the copying machine main body 1 is made unusable until the reservation person arrives (step 572), and the waiting mode flag for the reservation person is set (step 873). Then, the personal identification code of the time reservation person is read from the memory and set in the memory for judgment (step 574). Then, that time, that is, the first reserved time, is deleted from the time reservation memory, and the remaining reserved times are rearranged in ascending order of time and stored in memory (step 575).

If another person is using the copying machine main body 1 at the time reserved in the process of step S71, the reservation will be accepted only after the process is completed. To do this, we need to send way 1 to signal on (see Figure 8) to telephone 3 in step 5.
76), set the wait flag to 1- (step 57)
7).

Next, the flow of the subroutine of reservation wait processing will be explained with reference to FIG.

If it is waiting for the reservation person to arrive (step 580), the operation section 4 of the copying machine main body I is pressed to distinguish between the reservation person and the other person.
0, the user inputs the PIN code using the numeric keypad 46 (step 581), and it is determined whether the input code is the same as the PIN code set in the memory Q for judgment (step 582), and if it is the same, the PIN code is input. It is confirmed that the person making the reservation is the person making the reservation, the mode flag for waiting for the reservation person is reset (step 583), and the copying machine is made usable (step 584).

Here, the time the copying machine main body 1 waits for the reservation person to arrive while it is in an unusable state is the next reservation time in the time reservation memory (actually, the time when the serial number is written at the beginning of the time reservation memory).
The reservation will become invalid after that time. In order to determine this, the PIN code is not entered even if the reservation person is waiting for the reservation person to arrive. (N in step S81), or if the entered PIN code does not match the stored one (N in step S82), and in the time reservation mode (step 585), the next reserved time Step 390), if so, the use of the reservation person who has been waiting until now is canceled, the password code of the next reservation person is read from the memory, and it is set in the memory for half-111 prayer (step 390). Step S91.), sorting the reserved time memory (step 592).

If it is determined in step S85 that the mode is normal reservation mode without time reservation, the usage status of the copying machine body 1 is determined (step 886), and if it is dropped during use, the mode is set to receive 1=J in the mode without time reservation. Allows the next reserved person to use the copying machine main body 1, sets the waiting person arrival mode flag (step 587), sets the copying machine main body 1 in an unusable state (step 388), Read the reservation person's pin code from memory, 'II:! The memory for disconnection is set (step 589). Then, in step S71 of the flowchart in FIG. 17 where the reservation person arrives, if another person is using the copying machine body 1 at the reserved time, the reservation is not accepted until the process is completed. The subsequent processing flow of the copying machine main body 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, check the usage status of the copier main unit.Step 51
00), if the reservation is currently in use, the reservation will not be accepted again and priority will be given to the process currently being executed. If it is not in use, the person making the reservation is allowed to use the copying machine main body 1, and the mode flag for waiting for the person making the reservation is set in step S1.
01), sets the copying machine main body 1 to an unusable state (step s102), resets the wait flag (step 5LO3), and waits for the reservation person to arrive.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, when the use of an image forming apparatus is reserved by specifying a time, the usage status of the image forming apparatus is notified to the reservation person using an external terminal device at that time. This allows you to immediately check the usage status of the image forming device without having to go to the location where the image forming device is installed at the reserved time. can.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional copying machine, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an operation section, and Fig. 4 shows the contents of a display panel. 5 is a control block diagram of the copying machine, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the telephone according to the embodiment, FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the controller of the telephone, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the terminal equipment and the main body of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the communication format between the telephone and the copying machine body. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation mode data and time data transmission format 1 to 1. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are explanatory diagrams of the communication format. , FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19 are flowcharts showing the control contents of the network system of the present invention. 2... Communication line, 3a... Message display section (notification means), 31... Confirmation key (operation input means), 110
. . . Main control section (control means), 111 . . . Storage section (storage means). Agent: Patent Attorney Takeshi Kenjibe (1 other person)

Claims (1)

[Claims] Operation information is exchanged between an image forming apparatus having a signal transmitting/receiving means, a control means for the signal transmitting/receiving means, and a storage means, and an external terminal device having a signal transmitting/receiving means, an operation input means, a control means for these means, and a storage means. In a network system for image forming apparatuses that enables transmission and reception, reservation information for using the image forming apparatus and reserving the desired time is transmitted from an external terminal device to the image forming apparatus, and on the other hand, from the image forming apparatus to the external terminal device at the reserved time. A network system for image forming apparatuses, characterized in that when the image forming apparatuses are used, the usage status of the image forming apparatuses can be determined, and if the image forming apparatuses are in use, usage information can be sent to notify the user of the situation.