JPH0422258A - Network system for picture forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the utilization efficiency of a picture forming device by receiving reservation information from an external terminal equipment with a control means of a picture forming device such as a copying machine, storing the information and releasing the storage of the reservation information with the information of reservation release. CONSTITUTION:A copying machine 1 is connected to a telephone set 3 with a terminal equipment function for a copying machine via a communication line 2 to form a network. A CPU of a telephone set 3 discriminates a key depressed as to whether or not the key is a reservation key 3j to the copying machine 1. When the key is the reservation key 3j, reservation request processing is applied to the copying machine 1. When the copying machine 1 is used by the other party at the reservation and the use is inhibited till its end. When the processing is finished, the copying machine 1 sets an operation enable signal and sends it to the telephone set 3 and it is displayed on an LCD display device 3a of the telephone set 3. When a release key 3k is depressed, the reservation release processing is implemented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a network system for an image forming apparatus having an external terminal device 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. 21
, the sixth mirror 22 , and the dustproof glass 23 to reach the photosensitive drum 24 , and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 24 charged by the charging charger 25 . This latent image is illuminated by an eraser 26 to erase the charge in unnecessary parts.
This prevents toner from adhering to the photosensitive drum 24 in the non-image area. At the timing of development, the development motor is driven, the development roller 27 rotates, and the latent image on the photoreceptor drum 24 is developed with the toner on the development roller 27. The developed image is transferred to the transfer paper fed synchronously from the registration roller 13 at the transfer section, but before that, the adhesion force (charge) between the photoreceptor drum 24 and the toner is reduced, and the transfer paper is transferred to the photoreceptor drum 24. When the toner is separated from 24, pre-transfer static elimination is performed using a pre-transfer static elimination lamp in order to prevent the toner from being re-transferred. The transfer paper sent out from the registration rollers 13 is brought into close contact with the photoreceptor drum 24 by a guide mylar, and the toner on the photoreceptor drum 24 is transferred to the transfer paper by the transfer charger 28. 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 photoreceptor drum 24 is sent to a fixing section by a belt of a transport unit 30. On the other hand, the photoreceptor tram 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 from the cleaning plate. 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 the progeramgi, 44 is the program display, 45 is the enter key, 46 is the numeric keypad, 47 is the guidance key 4
8 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 Double-sided display, 57 is sort display, 58 is stack display, 59 is sorter key, 60 is duplex key, 61 is page continuous copy display, 62 is page continuous copy key, 63 is erase display, 64 is erase key 65 is paper specified magnification Display, 66 is paper specification variable magnification kilo, 7 is zoom magnification key, 6
8 is the reduction key, 69 is the enlargement key, 70 is the same size 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), 77 is an interrupt key, 78 is a preheat display, 79 80 is a mode clear/preheat key, and 80 is a guidance display section.

Recent copiers have become more multifunctional 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, explanations will be omitted. do.

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 toner 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
indicates zoom magnification, 98 indicates 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, the optical control section 114, the AC control section 115, the operation control section 11
6 and the like are connected to the main control unit 110 via a bus. The optical control unit 114 controls a lens motor 117, a scanner motor 118, etc., and also controls APS (automatic paper selection).
sensor fi1119. (Accepts signals from 2N 20, etc.)
4. Controls the transport motor 125, paper feed motor 126, etc. The operation control unit 116 also includes a key switch 127,
It is connected to a display LCD-LED 128, a pressure plate detection switch 129, and the like.

In addition, an interface (R52
32C) 130, and the signal from the main control unit 110 is
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 a TT
The L level signal is converted to and inversely converted to an R5232C level signal.

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 users, you will not be able to see how it is being used unless you go near it. For example, you will have to travel 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 that allows input of copying conditions from a remote location, it is conceivable to make a reservation for use as one of the copying conditions. If the person making the reservation forgets that he or she has reserved the image forming apparatus and leaves the image forming apparatus unattended, a problem arises in that no one other than the person making the reservation is able to use the image forming apparatus.

Further, there is a drawback that time is lost if the user has to go to the image forming apparatus in order to cancel the reservation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and improve the usage efficiency of an image forming apparatus in a network system for image forming apparatuses that allows use of the image forming apparatus to be reserved from a remote location.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above object is to provide an image forming apparatus having a signal transmitting/receiving means, a control means for the signal transmitting/receiving means, and a storage means, an external terminal device having a signal transmitting/receiving means, an operation input means, a control determination means for these means, and a storage means. In a network system of image forming apparatuses in which operation information can be transmitted and received between the image forming apparatuses, the control means of the image forming apparatus receives operation information for reserving use of the image forming apparatus from the external terminal device and transmits the operation information to the memory. This is accomplished by storing the information in the means and, after reserving the image forming apparatus, receiving cancellation information from the external terminal device for canceling the storage of the operation information for reserving the use, and performing control to cancel the storage of the information. be done.

[Effect]

The control means of the image forming apparatus receives operation information for reserving use of the image forming apparatus from an external terminal device and stores it in the storage means. After reserving the image forming apparatus, when canceling information for canceling the storage of the operation information for reserving the use is received from an external terminal device, control is performed to cancel the information.

〔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. An arbitrary number of telephones 3 are installed at desired locations as needed, and upon receiving image forming operation information from the copying machine main body 1 through the communication line 2, the message display section 3a displays the information using LEDs, LCDs, etc. display or sound an alarm using a built-in bell.

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

This telephone 3 includes a message display section 3a, a handset 3b for sending and receiving calls, and a handset 3b for sending and receiving calls. l: There are a numeric keypad 3c for inputting telephone numbers and numerical values, a telephone hook key 3d, a redial key 3e, a speaker key 3f, a hold key 3g, and eight one-touch dial keys 3h. Further, there is 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 cancellation key 3 for canceling the reservation. Also, 31
is an LED display that lights up or flashes when the telephone is ringing. 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.

Figure 7 shows a telephone 3 that can operate the copier main body 1 from a remote location.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a controller built into the. 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 interface 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). The on/off signal of the hook key 3d is sent to the CPU 142 via the I10 interface 141.
The switch drive circuit 148 is controlled by the hook signal from CI) U 142 to turn on and off the line. The telephone line is connected to a handset 3b for voice input and output, and the handset 3b performs the main function of a telephone. Regarding the dial oscillation operation for making a telephone 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 (RS232C) 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 the TTL level signal into an R3232C level signal and inversely converts it. Also, RAM153
stores data for one-touch dialing and sending/receiving.

8(al) and (b) show the format of communication between the telephone 3 and the copying machine main body 1. ADDRESS is for distinguishing each byte of data.

FIG. 9 (al, (bl) illustrates the communication method between the telephone 3 and the copying machine main body 17, and the copying machine and each telephone 3 are
The transmission and reception of signals are repeated alternately with each other.

When two transmissions and receptions with each telephone 3 are completed, transmission and reception with the next telephone 3 is started. Each phone 3. ! :repeat. The first of the two transmissions and receptions is for specifying the telephone 3, and the copying machine transmits the telephone number. When each telephone 3 receives the corresponding telephone number, it sends back the telephone number to notify that it has received it. 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 send, send A as dummy data.
It is assumed that data of DDRESS '000' is transmitted. This method allows transmission and reception with each telephone 3 at regular intervals.

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 telephone 3 will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the CPU 142 of the telephone 3 detects that a key has been pressed (step S1), it determines whether it is the reservation key 3j for making a reservation for use by the copier main body engineer (step S2). If it is the reservation key 3j, a reservation request process (step S3) is performed to request the copying machine main body 1 to make a reservation. If the copying machine main body 1 is being used by another user at the time of reservation, use of the copying machine main body 1 is prohibited until all processes currently being executed and processes already reserved by other users are completed. be done.

When all of the above processes are completed, the copying machine main body 1 sends a use permission signal (see FIG. 8) to the filling machine 3. Having received the signal (step 54), the CP [Jl 42] of the telephone ii informs the operator by, for example, ringing the bell of the telephone 3 or displaying guidance to that effect on the LCD display (message display section 3a). Notify that the key is available for use (step S5), or detect that the key has been pressed (step S1), and if it is not a reserved key (N in step S2),
It is determined whether it is the release key 3k that cancels the reservation for 3k (step S6), and if it is the release key 3, the reservation cancellation process is performed (step S7).

Next, the flow of a subroutine for requesting a reservation to the copying machine main body 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

Telephone 3 sets a reservation request signal (see Figure 8).
, is transmitted to the copying machine main body 1 (step 510). Immediately after that, send a code to prove the reservation holder (step 5l)
1) To set this code, for example, the number of the telephone 3, a number unique to the user, a code number unique to the telephone 3 used, etc. are stored in advance.

Then, the in-use signal from the copying machine main body 1 (see Figure 8)
(step 512), the operator is informed that the reservation has been accepted and can be used immediately (step 514) if the signal is not in use (step 513). If the machine is in use, the operator is informed that the reservation has been accepted and there is a waiting list (step 515). Examples of methods for notifying the user include printing out a message to that effect, displaying guidance to that effect on the message display section 3a, and outputting a voice to that effect.

Next, the flow of a subroutine of a reservation cancellation process for canceling a copy mode reserved for the copying machine main body 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

Enter the PIN number entered at the time of reservation using the numeric keypad 3C on the operation panel of the telephone 3 (step 515), and
The password and reservation cancellation number (see FIG. 8) that have been input are sent to (step 516).

Next, the reservation control operation flow of the copying machine main body 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the copying machine main unit 1 receives the signal from the telephone 3 (step 520), if it is a reservation request signal (see FIG. 8) (step 521), it processes the reservation reception process (step 521). Step 5: Once the reservation is processed,
If the reservation holder is currently waiting for the person to arrive at the copying machine main body 1 (Y in step S23), processing for waiting for arrival is performed (step 527), and if not, the usage status of the copying machine main body 1 Step 524) If it is determined that it is not in use, check the reservation status (Step 525)
If it is determined that there are still reservations, the use permission signal is set (see FIG. 8), the designated telephone 3 is determined from the stored code, and the transmission is sent there (step 826).

Applicable phone! In step 3, a waiting process is performed to wait for the reservation person who has learned that the service is available (step 527).
).

Further, if the signal received from the telephone 3 (step 520) is a reservation cancellation signal (see FIG. 8) (Y in step 328), the received password is deleted from the reservation registration (step 529).

Next, with reference to FIG. 14, the flow of a subroutine for reservation acceptance processing will be explained.

When a reservation request is received, a code certifying the reservation is received (step 530). The received codes are sequentially stored in the reservation memory (RAM 153) (step 331), and the usage status of the copying machine main body 1 is determined (step 532). If the copying machine body 1 is not in use, the in-use signal is reset and sent to the telephone 3 in step 53.
3) Setting the copying machine main body 1 to a mode in which a reservation person is waiting is set in order to prevent others from using it until the reservation person arrives (step 534); use of the copy machine is prohibited. This can be done, for example, by setting the copying machine main body 1 in a state where the print key of the copying machine cannot be pressed to prevent others from using it. Then, processing for waiting for the reservation person to arrive is performed (step 535).

Referring to FIG. 15, the flow of the subroutine for waiting for the reservation person to arrive will be explained.

In order to distinguish between the person making the reservation and the person other than the person making the reservation, the user is asked to enter a PIN code from the operation section 40 of the copying machine body 1 (step 5
40), to determine whether it is the same as the stored code (step 541), if it is the same, it is determined that you are the person who made the reservation; if it is not the same, it is determined that you are not the person who made the reservation, and the use of the copier body 1 is not allowed and the reservation is rejected. Wait until someone arrives (see Figure 13).

When it is confirmed that the person making the reservation has arrived, the waiting mode for the person making the reservation is reset (step 542), and the copying machine main body 1 is made ready for use (step 543).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to cancel a reservation for use of an image forming apparatus reserved by an external device by transmitting cancellation information from the external terminal device. This eliminates the hassle of traveling to the installation location of the equipment and eliminates time loss.

Further, by canceling the reservation, the image forming apparatus becomes available for use, and other people can use the image forming apparatus immediately.

[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. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the communication format between the telephone and the copying machine itself. Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the control contents of the network system of the invention. 2... Communication line, 3a... Message display section (notification means), 31... Confirmation key (operation input means), 110
... Main control section (control means), 112 ... Storage section (storage means), 142 ... Control judgment means, 153 ... R
AM (memory means). Figure Figure Figure 3 Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] Operation 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 determination means for these means, and a storage means. In a network system of image forming apparatuses capable of transmitting and receiving information to each other, the control means of the image forming apparatus receives operation information for reserving use of the image forming apparatus from the external terminal device and stores it in the storage means. , after reserving the image forming apparatus, receiving cancellation information for canceling the storage of the operation information for reserving the use from the external terminal device, and performing control for canceling the storage of the information; Device network method.