JPH04318869A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a copying device which can transmit control data so as to, execute the tabulation processing, etc., of the control data transmitted received from plural copying devices by using common softwear in a control section, etc. CONSTITUTION:The copying device has a copying control means 800, a communication control means 900 executing exchange with an external device, a control data storage means 803 storing the control data on the copying control means, transfer means 805 and 907 performing a data transfer between the copying control means and the communication control means, and transmits the control data storage in a data storage means to the external device, as a characteristic. The transmitted control data is classified to common control data and characteristic control data peculiar to the concerned copying device, regardless of the type of the copying device, and a function for showing a relative address from the head address of the transmitted data with respect to the transmitted common control data, is provided.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine having a function of communicating with an external device via a communication line.

0002

[Background Art] There is a strong desire to add various functions to copying machines and make them more sophisticated.The structures and functions of copying machines are becoming more and more complex, and the number of copying machines installed within a single company is also increasing. In addition, in order to properly and promptly handle maintenance and troubleshooting, data on usage conditions and copying devices is collected and centrally managed by management departments within companies or specialized companies.

[0003] For this reason, the copying apparatus is equipped with a storage means for storing operating conditions, control data, etc., and is also equipped with a communication control means, so that it can communicate with a specific external device at regular intervals or when the operating condition becomes abnormal. 2. Description of the Related Art Copying machines are known that can transmit data such as the abnormal state of the copying machine and the functions of the copying machine via a line.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, with the above-mentioned conventional technology, the number of types of copying machines increases year by year, and the data stored in the copying machines includes data that is common to each copying machine, and data that is unique to that copying machine. It was supposed to be stored in a mixed format and sent to an external device as is.

[0005] On the external device side that manages multiple copying machines, the order of data sent from each copying machine differs depending on the type of copying machine, so common software is used to process the data. When trying to
There is a problem in that the type of copying device must be detected and common data must be rearranged according to a common format, which places a heavy burden on the management department and results in a delay in response.

[0006] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and involves aggregation processing of control data transmitted and received from a plurality of copying machines using common software in a management department or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus that transmits control data so that the following operations can be performed.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Therefore, a copying apparatus according to the present invention includes a copying control means for controlling copying operations;
a communication control means for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device via a communication line; a control data storage means provided in the copy control means for storing control data related to the copy control means; and a communication control means between the zero copy control means and the communication control means. A copying apparatus comprising a transfer means for transferring data, and transmits control data stored in the data storage means to an external device by means of a communication control means, wherein the control data sent to the external device includes: Common control data that is common regardless of the type of copying device and unique control data that is unique to the copying device are stored in the control data storage means, and the start address of the transmission data is stored for the common control data to be transmitted. With a configuration characterized by having a function of indicating a relative address from
This aims to achieve the above objectives.

[0008]

[Operation] With the above configuration, the copying apparatus performs a copying operation under the control of the copying control means, and the communication control means connects a communication line to an external device installed in a management office, etc. to exchange data, etc. can be sent and received.

The control data storage means provided in the copy control means divides the control data related to the copy control means into common control data that is common regardless of the type of copying device and unique control data specific to the copying device. and memorize it. Note that for the common control data to be transmitted, a relative address from the start address of the transmitted data is shown.

The control data stored in the control data storage means is transferred from the copy control means to the communication control means by the transfer means, and is transmitted to an external device by the communication control means.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A copying apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a main body of the copying apparatus, 800 a control means for controlling the copying operation, and 900 a communication control means (modem board) for transmitting and receiving data with an external communication line.
, 908 is a public line which is an external communication line, 99
Reference numeral 9 denotes a post computer system which is an external device placed in a management office or the like for managing the copying apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows the communication control device (modem board) 9
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of 00. 901 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) for controlling communication, and 903 is a memory (R) for temporarily storing communication data.
AM), 905 transfers digital communication data to public line 908.
906 is a network control unit (NCU).

The copying operation, data storage, and communication with an external device via the external communication line 908 of the copying apparatus 100 are carried out under the control of the copying control means 800 and the communication control means 900 having the above configuration.

Next, the control devices 800 and 900 will be explained. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control devices 800 and 900 of this embodiment, in which 800 is a control device constituting the above-mentioned copying control means that controls the copying operation of the copying apparatus main body 100, and 900 is an external communication line. This is a communication control device constituting the above-mentioned communication control means that controls communication with.

Reference numeral 801 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls the entire copying apparatus, and 802 is a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) that stores control procedures (control programs) for the copying apparatus main body 100. and C
The PU 801 controls each component device connected via the path according to the control procedure stored in the ROM 802.

The CPU 801 also has a function of detecting when the copying machine is in a state/condition for transmitting data to an external device.

Reference numeral 803 denotes a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data and as a working storage area.

[0019]The RAM 803 is connected to an external device 999.
control data storage means for storing control data related to the copying control means as control data to be transmitted to the copying apparatus, divided into common control data that is common regardless of the type of copying apparatus and unique control data that is unique to the copying apparatus; It also consists of

Further, in the control data stored in the control data storage means RAM 803, a relative address from the first address of the common control data to be transmitted is displayed.

Reference numeral 804 denotes an input/output unit that outputs control signals from the CPU 801 for loads such as the main motor 113 and inputs signals from sensors of the fixing device and sends them to the CPU 801.

A communication line control device 900 that controls communication with an external communication line 908 controls communication using a CPU 901 . 902 is a storage device (ROM) that stores communication control, connection procedure programs, and the like. The control device 800 of the copying apparatus main body 100 is an R
They are connected by S-232C interfaces 805 and 907, and this RS-232C interface 9
When data is transferred from the control device 800 of the copying machine main body 100 through the communication control device 07, the transferred data is temporarily held in the RAM 903 provided in the communication control device 900, and the data is transferred from the control device 800 of the copying machine main body. C after the end
Network control unit (
It controls a unit 906 (hereinafter referred to as NCU), connects a communication line with an external device, and after connecting the line, transfers data to the outside through modem 905 and NCU unit 906.

Furthermore, when data is transferred from outside, the transferred data is temporarily held in the RAM 903, and the RS-2
Data is transferred to the control device 800 of the copying apparatus main body 100 via the 32C interfaces 805 and 907.

The data here refers to data and information stored in the control data storage means RAM 803 inside the copying apparatus. In addition, as for data transfer requests, there are cases in which a first-term request is generated when the copying device reaches a periodic reporting time, and a first-term request is generated when data is collected by an external management side.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of the copying apparatus, and the structure and operation will be explained with reference to the figure. Reference numeral 100 denotes a main body of the copying apparatus, 200 a circulating automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RDF) that automatically feeds originals, 300 a sorter or sorter, and 400 an automatic computer form feeder (hereinafter referred to as CFF). , RDF20 above
0, Sorter 300 and CFF 400 are copying machine main body 1
It can be used in any combination with 00.

The configuration of the copying apparatus main body 100 will be explained below. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 101 denotes a document table glass serving as a document placing table. Further, 102 is an optical system as a document reading means, and a document illumination lamp (exposure lamp) 10
3, a scanning mirror, a lens, a motor 104, etc., the document is scanned by the motor 104, illuminated by an exposure lamp 103, and the reflected light from the document is directed to a photoreceptor drum 105 by the scanning mirror and lens. irradiate.

Around the photosensitive drum 105, there are a high voltage unit 106, a blank exposure unit 107, a potential sensor 108, a developing device 109, a transfer charger 110, a separation charger 111, and a cleaning device 112. These photoreceptor drums 105 and the like constitute image recording means.

The photosensitive drum 105 is connected to the main motor 113
The optical system 10 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
When reflected light from the document is irradiated from 2, an electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device 109 and visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 114 or the lower cassette 115 into the main body 100 by the paper feed rollers 118 and 119 via the pickup rollers 116 and 117 is separated by the registration rollers 120 between the leading edge of the toner image and the transfer paper. After timing is taken so that the leading edge of the toner image coincides with the toner image, the toner image is fed to the photosensitive drum 105, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 110. After this transcription,
The transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 105 by a separation charger 111, guided to a fixing device 122 by a conveyor belt 121, where the toner image is fixed by pressure and heating, and then discharged from the main body 100 by a discharge roller 123. be done. Further, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 105 is cleaned by a cleaning device 112.

The copying apparatus main body 100 has, for example, 4000
A deck 124 capable of storing sheets of transfer paper is provided. The lifter 125 of the deck 124 is raised according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always comes into contact with the paper feed roller 126.

Reference numeral 127 denotes a paper discharge flapper, which switches the path between the double-sided recording side or multi-recording side and the discharge side (sorter 300). That is, the transfer paper sent out from the discharge roller 123 is switched to the double-sided recording side or the multiplex recording side by the paper discharge flapper 127. Also, 128
is a lower conveyance path, in which the transfer paper sent out from the ejection roller 123 is turned over via a reversing path 129 and guided to the paper re-feeding tray 130.

Reference numeral 131 denotes a multiple flapper for switching the path between double-sided recording and multiplex recording, and by tilting this to the left, the transfer paper is guided directly to the lower conveyance path 128 without passing through the reversing path 129. A paper feed roller 132 feeds the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 105 through a path 133. 13
A discharge roller 4 is disposed near the paper discharge flapper 127 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the paper discharge flapper 127 to the outside of the machine.

During double-sided recording (double-sided copying) or multiple recording (multiple overlapping copying), the paper ejection flapper 127 is raised upwards, and the copied transfer paper is re-inverted via the reversing path 129 and the lower conveying path 128. The paper is stored in the paper feed tray 130. At this time, the multiplex flapper 131 is tilted to the right during double-sided recording, and the multiplex flapper 131 is tilted to the left during multiplex recording. During the next back-side recording or multiplex recording, the transfer sheets stored in the re-feeding tray 130 are guided one by one from the bottom to the registration rollers 120 of the main body via the path 133 by the sheet feeding roller 132.

When reversing and ejecting the transfer paper from the copying apparatus main body 100, the paper ejection flapper 127 is raised upward, the flapper 131 is pushed down to the right, the copied transfer paper is conveyed to the conveyance path 129 side, and the transfer paper is transferred. After the trailing edge of the paper passes the first feed roller 140, it is transferred to the second feed roller 142 by the reversing roller 142.
It is conveyed to the feed roller side of the
Turn the transfer paper over and eject it out of the machine.

Next, the operation panel will be explained. Figure 5
2 is an external view showing an example of an operation panel 600 provided in the copying apparatus main body 100. FIG.

601 is an asterisk (*) key,
The operator (user) uses this when in the setting mode, such as setting the binding margin or the size of document frame eraser. 62
Reference numeral 7 indicates a cursor key, which is used to select setting items in the setting mode. 628 is an OK key, which is used to confirm the settings in the setting mode.

Reference numeral 606 is an all reset key, which is pressed to return to the standard mode. The auto-reset key 606 is also pressed when returning from the auto-shutoff state to the standard mode.

Reference numeral 605 is a copy start key, which is pressed to start copying. A clear/stop key 604 functions as a clear key during standby and as a stopper key during copy recording. This clear/stop key 604 is pressed to cancel the set number of copies or to interrupt continuous copying. After the copying at the time of pressing is completed, the copying operation is stopped.

Numeric keys 603 are pressed to set the number of copies. It is also used to set the asterisk (*) mode. A memory key 619 allows the user to register frequently used modes. Here, recording can be performed in four modes, M1 to M4.

Copy density keys 611 and 612 are pressed when manually adjusting the copy density. 613 is AE
This key is pressed to automatically adjust the copy density according to the density of the original, or to cancel AE (automatic density adjustment) and switch the density adjustment to manual.

A copy paper selection key 607 is pressed to select the upper paper lifter 119, the lower paper lifter 115, the paper deck 124, and the multi-manual feeder 150. Also, when a manuscript is placed on RDF300,
APS (automatic paper cassette selection) can be selected using this copy paper selection key 607. When APS is selected, a cassette of the same size as the original is automatically selected.

Reference numeral 610 is a same size key, which is pressed when making a same size (original size) copy. Reference numeral 616 is an auto-magnification key, which is pressed to automatically reduce or enlarge the original image according to the specified transfer paper size.

A double-sided key 626 is pressed to make a double-sided copy from a single-sided original, a double-sided copy from a double-sided original, or a single-sided copy from a double-sided original. 625 is a binding margin key,
You can create a binding margin of a specified length on the left side of the transfer paper. 624 is a photo key, which is pressed when copying a photo original. 623 is a multiple key, which is pressed when creating (combining) an image from two originals on the same side of transfer paper.

Reference numeral 620 denotes a document frame erase key, which the user presses when erasing the frame of a standard size document. At this time, the size of the document is set using the asterisk key 601. 62
1 is a sheet frame erase key, which is pressed to erase the frame of the original according to the copy paper size.

Reference numeral 629 is a cover mode setting key, which is used to create a front cover and a back cover, and to insert a slip sheet. Reference numeral 630 is a page continuous copying key, which is used to successively copy the left and right sides of a two-page spread book.

Reference numeral 614 is a paper discharge method selection key for selecting the paper discharge method for staple sort, sort, and group, and when the staple sorter 300 is connected, it selects the staple sort mode, sort mode, and group mode for recording paper. You can make a selection or cancel the selection mode.

631 is a reservation key, and the reservation tray 21
It is used when starting the copy mode setting for the reserved original placed on the 0, and when canceling the reservation setting. 632 is a reservation setting key, which is used as a confirmation key when setting a reservation mode. 633 is a guide key, and the message display 7 provides explanations of the functions corresponding to the various keys.
Used when displaying 01.

Reference numeral 701 is an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display for displaying information regarding copying and communication, and displays characters and figures in 96×129 dots. For example, the number of copies set using the numeric keypad 603, the fixed magnification keys 608, 609, the same magnification key 610, and the zoom key 61.
Copy magnification set in 7,618, copy paper selection key 6
A message indicating the paper size selected in step 07, the status of the copying machine main body 100, a guide message indicating the operating procedure,
Displays other various mode settings.

704 is an AE display, and the AE key 61
Lights up when AE (automatic density adjustment) is selected by 3. Reference numeral 709 is a preheating indicator, which lights up in the preheating state.

When using the RDF200 in the standard mode, the settings are 1 copy, density AE mode, automatic paper selection, same size, and 1-sided copying from a 1-sided original. RDF2
In the standard mode when 00 is not used, the number of copies is 1, density manual mode, same size, and single-sided copying from a single-sided original. The difference between using and not using RDF200 is R
This depends on whether or not an original is set in the DF200.

Next, the copying machine, which is a feature of the present invention, automatically transmits data to an external device installed in a management office, etc. during predetermined periodic communication or when a specific situation or condition occurs. The control to send will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a control data transmission control flowchart of the first embodiment, which shows a control flow of a copying machine that transmits control data, and a control flow of an external device installed in a management office or the like that receives control data. are listed in parallel. FIG. 7 is an address map showing an example of addresses from the beginning of data to be transmitted in the first embodiment.

[0053] In step S61, an abnormality occurs in the copying machine.
When a request to send control data to an external device occurs due to a periodic report, paper jam, etc., the control data is divided into common control data and unique control data specific to the copier in the control data storage means RAM 803, as shown in FIG. The transfer means 8 transfers all the control data related to the copy control means held by the transfer means 8.
05,907 to the communication control means 900. At this time, for the common control data, set the relative address from the beginning of the transmitted data to 0100H regardless of the type of copying device.
It is fixed at Further, the order in which the common data is arranged is also fixed, and is transmitted to the external device 999 via the communication line 908 under the control of the communication control means 900 in step S62.

When the external device 999 receives the control data from the copying machine in step S63, the external device 999 executes the process in step S6.
Proceeding to step 4, the management department can collect and aggregate common control data from a plurality of copying machines using common software regardless of the model.

In this first embodiment, from 0000H to 00
The address up to FFH is fixed as the communication header part,
0100H to 04FFH is the common control data area, 05
The area starting from 00H is a unique control data area specific to each copying apparatus. Note that the communication header section is an area for data used during communication, such as the total size of the transmitted data and the ID number of the copying machine, and the common control data includes the number of times each paper feed cassette feeds, the number of copies made in double-sided multiplex mode, etc. This is an area for control data in most copying devices, and unique control data is
This is data that only the copying machine has, such as paper jam counters in each part of the copying machine, contents of I/O ports, etc.

FIG. 8 is a control data transmission flowchart of the second embodiment, in which the control of both the copying machine that transmits the control data and the external device that receives it are shown in parallel. Figure 9 shows
It is an address map from the beginning of transmission data in the second embodiment.

In step S81, when a request is made from the copying machine to transmit data to an external device due to an abnormality, periodic report, paper jam, etc., the common control data is stored in the control data storage means RAM 803 as shown in FIG. All the control data related to the copy control means, which are held separately and held separately, such as control data specific to the copying apparatus, are transferred to the communication control means, and transmitted to the external device in step S82.

[0058] At this time, by adding relative addresses from the beginning of the transmitted data of the common control data and unique control data to the communication data header section, the receiving management department can use common software to transmit the common control data. Management tasks such as data collection and aggregation can be performed.

In this second embodiment, from 0000H to 00FF based on the common control data in the transmission data header section and the relative address information from the beginning of the transmission data of the common control data.
The address up to H is the communication header part, and from 0100H to 0
4FFH is a common control data area, and the area from 0500H onward is unique control data specific to each copying apparatus. In addition,
The communication header section includes the total size of the transmitted data and the I/O of the copying device.
Common control data is an area for data used during communication such as D numbers, and common control data is an area for control data found in most copying machines, such as the number of paper feeds for each paper cassette and the number of copies in duplex mode. The data is data that only the copying machine has, such as paper jam counters in each part of the copying machine, contents of I/O ports, and the like.

[0060]

As explained above, according to the present invention, the copying apparatus performs copying operations under the control of the copying control means, and communicates with external devices installed in the administrative office etc. using the communication control means. It is possible to connect a communication line and send and receive data.

The control data storage means provided in the copy control means divides the control data related to the copy control means into common control data that is common regardless of the type of copying device and unique control data specific to each copying device. and memorize it. Note that for the common control data to be transmitted, a relative address from the start address of the data to be transmitted is shown.

The control data stored in the control data storage means is transferred from the copy control means to the communication control means by the transfer means, and is transmitted to an external device by the communication control means. A management department, etc. that receives the above control data from multiple copying machines uses common software to process the control data sent and received from multiple copying machines, without using different software depending on the type of copying machine. Management tasks such as collection and aggregation processing can be easily and quickly performed, and data such as the usage status and functional status of multiple copying devices and their history can be efficiently collected and understood.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of communication means.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control device.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the copying device.

FIG. 5 is an external view of the operation panel.

FIG. 6 is a control data transmission flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an address map from the beginning of transmission data in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a control data transmission flowchart of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an address map from the beginning of transmission data in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Copying apparatus main body 800 Copying apparatus main body control device (copying control means) 9
00 Communication control device (communication control means) 801 Central processing unit (CPU) 901 Central processing unit (
CPU) 802, 902 Read-only memory (ROM)
) 803 Control data storage means (random access memory RAM) 805, 907 Interface (transfer means) 90
3 Random access memory (RAM) 906 Network control unit (NCU) 908
Communication line 999 external device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A copy control means for controlling a copy operation, a communication control means for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device via a communication line, and a control data storage provided in the copy control means for storing control data related to the copy control means. and a transfer means for transferring data between the copy control means and the communication control means, and the communication control means transmits the control data stored in the data storage means to an external device. The apparatus stores control data to be transmitted to the external apparatus in a control data storage means, dividing the control data into common control data that is common regardless of the type of copying apparatus and unique control data specific to the copying apparatus. What is claimed is: 1. A copying apparatus characterized in that the copying apparatus has a function of indicating a relative address from the head address of the transmitted data for common control data to be transmitted. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relative address area from the first address of the common control data to be transmitted is fixed regardless of the type of copying apparatus. 3. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control data is transmitted to the external device with an indication of a relative address from the head address of the common control data to be transmitted added.