JPH04352172A - Office equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain logging data periodically without the intervention of a user, a service man, etc. CONSTITUTION:The logging data such as a copying operation execution frequency, a transfer paper misfeeding occurrence frequency, a document misfeeding occurrence frequency, etc., are counted and outputted by a visualizing means 16 such as a printer. The equipment is equipped with a counting means 41 which counts the logging data, item by item, a timer means 27 which clocks the time, and a storage means 44 stored with time data to be outputted which is set previously by a setting means 43, and is further provided with an output control means 46 which outputs the logging data counted by the counting means 41 to the visualizing means 16 at the time set and stored in the storage means 44; and such periodic output that, for example, what day and what time data are outputted are scheduled is enabled.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to office equipment including copying machines, facsimile machines, printers, and the like.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, for maintenance and management of equipment such as copying machines, logging data such as the number of times copying operations have been executed may be required. For this reason, conventionally,
Some systems allow logging data to be printed out using an attached printer or the like in response to a multi-mode instruction or the like.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, such logging data is obtained manually and through specific operations by users or service personnel, and in order to obtain logging data periodically, It's a hassle.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problem] In the invention as set forth in claim 1, logging data such as the number of times copying operations are executed, the number of times transfer paper misfeeds occur, the number of times document misfeeds occur, etc. is counted and outputted by a visualization means such as a printer. In the office equipment such as a copying machine, a counting means counts the logging data for each item, a clock means measures the time, and a storage means stores the time data to be output set in advance by the setting means. and an output control means for outputting logging data counted by the counting means to the visualization means when the measured time reaches the set and stored time.

[0005] Here, in the invention according to claim 2, the time data preset by the setting means is time interval data for outputting logging data to the visualization means,
Time data was used for daily data, day of the week data and time data were used for weekly data, and date data and time data were used for monthly data.

[0006] Furthermore, in the invention as set forth in claim 3, a clear mode in which the logging data is cleared each time the visualization means outputs the logging data, and an accumulation mode in which the logging data is cumulatively counted are freely set. An input means for selecting and specifying the mode and the accumulation mode is provided.

Furthermore, in the invention set forth in claim 4, the time data can be set individually for each item.

[0008]

[Operation] According to the invention as set forth in claim 1, the logging data is automatically output and presented by the visualization means every time a preset time is reached, so that the logging data can be displayed periodically without any manual intervention by the user or service personnel. Logging data can be obtained automatically, making it convenient for maintenance and management of office equipment.

In this case, according to the invention as claimed in claim 2, it is possible to specify time intervals such as daily, weekly, or monthly as the time data, which makes it easier to use and allows logging data to be obtained as desired. become. Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the invention, the clear mode and the count accumulation mode can be arbitrarily selected as post-processing of the logging data, so that the logging data can be obtained per unit time interval or the cumulative data can be obtained depending on the purpose. You can also get . Further, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the frequency of obtaining logging data can be arbitrary depending on the purpose, such as daily for the number of copies performed, weekly for the number of transfer paper misfeeds, monthly for the number of serviceman calls, etc. You can choose from.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings. This embodiment is applied to a copying machine as shown in FIG. 2, for example. First, a document image conveyed by an ADF (automatic document feeder) 1 is exposed by a flash optical system 2 and projected onto a belt-shaped photoreceptor 3 . Here,
The photoreceptor 3 is uniformly charged by a charger 4, and a latent image is formed by image projection, which is developed by a developing device 5 to become a visible image. Such a visible image is, for example, 3
Paper feed trays 6, 7, 8 and large capacity paper feed tray (LCT)
) 9 (or the double-sided tray 10), and is ejected to the main body ejection tray 12 via the fixing device 11. Alternatively, the sheet is selectively sent to a finisher 14 equipped with a stapler 13, subjected to post-processing, and then discharged. Furthermore, a small printer 16 serving as a visualization means is mounted on the top of the copying machine main body 15.

The basic control system of such a copying machine is shown in FIG.
It is configured as shown in . First, a micro CPU 21 that executes a control program is provided, and this micro CPU 21 has an address/data & control bus 2.
2 through ROM23, RAM24, non-volatile RAM2
5. A real-time clock 2 to which the input/output port 26 is connected and which serves as a timekeeping means and always keeps track of the current time.
7 and a serial communication control unit 28 are connected. The input/output port 26 is connected to output loads such as a motor, solenoid, and clutch in the copying machine, and input means such as various sensors. Actually, a plurality of serial communication control units 28 are prepared, and the ADF 1, the operation/display section, the printer 16, etc. are connected, and signals can be exchanged with the main body side.

[0012] Furthermore, the serial communication control unit 28
The operation/display section 29 connected to the micro CPU 21 via the micro CPU 21 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, for example. This is a display section using a full-dot display element such as a liquid crystal or a fluorescent display tube formed on a part of the operation panel, and a matrix touch switch in the form of a transparent sheet is overlaid on the surface. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer is configured to be able to select and display each mode related to the copying operation, such as paper feed cassette, image density, variable magnification, double-sided/single-sided copying, etc.

The operation/display section 29 can be switched to a screen 30 for setting the output time as shown in FIG. It will be done. That is, a predetermined operation message 31 is displayed, and the "number of copies" and "
Each item switch (including display) 32 such as "number of original sheets",
Time output unit switches (including display) 33 such as "Monthly", "Weekly", "Daily", "23", "Fri", "15:00"
A time data column 34 containing the date, day of the week, and time is displayed, and an up/down switch 35 for changing the time data is also provided. Furthermore, a clear mode setting key 36 and a cumulative counting mode setting key 37 are provided.
is provided as an input means.

An example of output time setting using such a screen 30 will be explained. For example, when you press and select the item for which you want to set the time from among the item switches 32, for example, the "number of copies" part, the pressed part is highlighted in reverse display and the currently set part is highlighted as shown in FIG. 5(b). The time conditions for that item are displayed. The illustrated example is
The time output unit is "Weekly" and the content is "Friday"
This indicates that the event occurs every "17:00". In such a weekly unit, the day data column is unnecessary in the time data column 34 and is deleted. Similarly, in the case of daily data, the day data field and day of the week data field are deleted from the time data field 34, leaving only the necessary time data field. If it is a monthly unit, the day of the week data field is deleted from the time data field 34, and the day data field and time data field are created. Further, as for processing after printing out, the clear mode setting key 36 is highlighted to indicate that the "clear mode" is set. According to such settings, the number of copies counted every Friday at 17:00 will be printed out by the printer 16 as logging data, and the counted value of the number of copies up to that point will be cleared. As a result, the number of copies for one week is regularly presented.

[0015] Furthermore, in such a screen 30 display,
For example, if you want to change the output unit time, you can press and select the desired one from the time output unit switches 33. Furthermore, if it is desired to change the output time data, it is sufficient to press and select the target data column part in the time data column 34 and increase or decrease the contents using the up/down keys 35. Furthermore, if you want to change the mode, press keys 36 and 37.
Just operate it.

[0016] Furthermore, as shown in the illustrated example, the "number of copies"
The output time can be set not only for the following items, but also for other items such as ``Number of original sheets'', ``Number of copy misfeed sheets'', ``Number of original misfeed sheets'', and ``Number of service personnel calls'' in the same way and under individual conditions. .

FIG. 6 shows an example of 38 outputs of logging data, which is the number of copies, printed out by the printer 16. In this example, the results of counting the number of copies for each transfer paper size are printed out for each paper feed tray 9, 6, 7, and 8, but it is not possible to simply print out the results for each paper feed tray or simply for each transfer paper size. Of course, other print formats may also be used. If we look at the example shown in FIG. 6 in more detail, we can see that before printing the number of copies, the time when the data was initialized ('90/01/26 17:00), and the time when the current printout was executed ('90/ 02/02
17:00) and the copy machine number (1250110) are printed out. Regarding output 38, it is rare to refer to it immediately after printing out, and the printout execution time and data reference time are usually different and are often seen in different places, so such initialization time This is because it would be convenient if these documents were printed out together.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining the gist of the present invention for printing out logging data in this manner. First, a well-known counting means 41 is provided in the copying machine body 15 and counts logging data such as the number of copies for each item, and is configured to be stored in a counting data storage section 42. The operation/display control section 43 also controls the setting screen 3 in the operation/display section 29.
It corresponds to 0 and functions as a setting means, and the set time data (item, output time unit, time data) is stored in the time data storage section 44 which is a storage means. These storage units 42 and 44 are secured in a part of the nonvolatile RAM 25. Timing means (real-time clock) 27
The current time data constantly clocked by the ROM 23 is compared with the set time data stored in the time data storage section 44 in a time comparison section 45 provided in the ROM 23, and when the set time reaches the set time, the current time data is A control program of a printout control section 46 provided in the computer and serving as an output control means is activated, and the logging data up to that point stored in the counting data storage section 42 is output to the printer 16 and printed out. . At this time, if the clear mode is set, the count data storage unit 42 is instructed to clear the count data up to that point after printing out.

[0019] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the logging data is printed out while waiting for a copy operation, and the actual printout time will be a little later than the set time. . However,
It is also possible to print out the logging data while the copying operation is being executed, and in that case, the count data storage section 42 can be configured in two stages, and the copy number data that is being printed out can be stored in the other one. Just do it like this.

[0020]

Effects of the Invention Since the present invention is constructed as described above, according to the invention set forth in claim 1, the logging data can be automatically output and presented by the visualization means every time a preset time is reached. Logging data can be obtained periodically without manual intervention by users or service personnel, and can be used for convenient maintenance and management of office equipment.

In this case, according to the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to specify time intervals such as daily, weekly, or monthly as the time data, which is easier to use and allows logging data to be obtained as desired. becomes. Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the invention, the clear mode and the count accumulation mode can be arbitrarily selected as post-processing of the logging data, so that the logging data can be obtained per unit time interval or the cumulative data can be obtained depending on the purpose. You can also get . Further, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the frequency of obtaining logging data can be arbitrary depending on the purpose, such as daily for the number of copies performed, weekly for the number of transfer paper misfeeds, monthly for the number of serviceman calls, etc. You can choose from.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire copying system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the basic control system configuration.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the standard state of the operation/display section.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of an output time setting screen.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of printout.

[Explanation of symbols]

16 Visualization means 27 Timekeeping means 36, 37 Input means 41 Counting means 43 Setting means 44 Memory means 46 Output control means

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claim 1: In office equipment such as a copying machine, in which logging data such as the number of times copying operations are executed, the number of times transfer paper misfeeds occur, the number of times document misfeeds occur, etc. is counted and outputted by visualization means such as a printer. A counting means for counting the logging data for each item, a clocking means for counting the time, and a storage means for storing time data to be output set in advance by the setting means are provided, and the clocked time is set and stored. 1. An office equipment comprising: an output control means for causing the visualization means to output the logging data counted by the counting means when a certain time has been reached. 2. The time data preset by the setting means is time interval data for outputting logging data to the visualization means, and includes time data for daily, day of the week data and time data for weekly, and date for monthly. 2. The office equipment according to claim 1, wherein the office equipment is data and time data. [Claim 3] A clear mode in which the logging data is cleared every time the visualization means outputs the logging data, and an accumulation mode in which the logging data is cumulatively counted are freely set, and the clear mode and the accumulation mode are selectively specified. 3. The office equipment according to claim 1, further comprising an input means for inputting information. 4. The office equipment according to claim 1, wherein the time data can be set individually for each item.