JPH06119286A - Terminal management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate processing by providing a decision means deciding the priority degree of the terminal equipment based on the using condition and specification information and selecting the optimal terminal equipment. CONSTITUTION:A copy mode is inputted from a control section 203 of an MMI device 7. When a data request to a copying machine is directed, a data request signal is outputted from the device 7 to the copying machine. The request signal is received by a server 6 and sent to the corresponding copying machine through the device 6. When various data are sent as response signals from the copying machine which receives the data request signal, these data are received the device 6. The device 7 receives the copying machine data transmitted through the device 6 and the information to perform various arithmetic operations. A user controls the key of the control section 203 to select the optimal copying machine when the copy machine data and the various arithmetic operation results are displayed on the display section 202. Thus, after the copying machine to be used is determined, a copy mode is sent to the selected copying machine.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal management system capable of connecting a plurality of terminal devices to select an optimum terminal device or grasp the usage status of each terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a plurality of host computers and a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as printers are connected, it is determined as follows which printer is used by each computer. To be done. That is, the printer device having the highest printing speed is selected from the available printer devices. Alternatively, if the print data uses a special mode, if a printer device capable of printing using that mode is connected,
If the printer device is selected and such a printer device is not connected, it is determined that printing based on the print data is impossible.

Further, even printer devices of the same model have their characteristics changed depending on their usage conditions and changes over time. With respect to such a change in the characteristics of the apparatus, for example, it is determined that the number of sheets to be printed or the number of years has passed and the life has expired, and it is determined that the apparatus can be used perfectly until then. That is, according to a certain predetermined condition, if the condition is satisfied, it is possible to use it, and if not, it is always possible to make a binary decision.

Information about the usage status of the printer device is stored in a disk of the management device.
The stored information is displayed on a display unit or the like provided in the printer device. In such a management device, one management device is connected to one printer device.

[0005]

Therefore, for example, although all the conditions required by the print data to be printed are satisfied, a printer device that takes an extremely long time is selected, or conversely, the condition is seen from the print data. Although some printers do not meet all of the above requirements, they can be printed without any problems if they are used, and there is no problem in using them even if they are actually used. There was a problem that it was not selected because it did not satisfy.

Information regarding the specifications of the printer device, such as the number of prints and the elapsed time for determining the life of the printer device, the print time for determining the print speed, etc., does not matter until what time, and after which time. If so, it may be difficult to uniquely determine such a value as to which value is used to determine whether the life is problematic or whether the printing speed is fast or slow.

Further, in such a conventional device, in order to confirm the usage status of the printer device, the printer device is installed, the printer device is activated, and the status is displayed on the display unit. Had to be displayed. In addition, when multiple printer devices are used,
When trying to manage each of these printer devices individually, the management devices for that number were needed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal management system capable of selecting and processing an optimum terminal device based on the usage conditions of each terminal device and their specifications. And

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal management system capable of easily grasping the usage status of a plurality of terminal devices.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the terminal management system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in a terminal management system for connecting and managing a plurality of terminal devices, an input means for inputting usage conditions of the terminal device, a means for inputting specification information of the plurality of terminal devices, and the usage conditions And a determining unit that determines the priority of the terminal device based on the specification information.

In order to achieve the above object, the terminal management system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a terminal management system that manages the terminal devices by inputting the usage statuses of the plurality of terminal devices, and selecting means for selecting a desired terminal device from the plurality of terminal devices, and selecting by the selecting means. And a display unit for visually displaying the usage status of the terminal device based on the information transmitted by the transmission unit.

[0012]

In the above structure, the usage conditions of the terminal device are input and the specification information of the plurality of terminal devices is also input. Then, it operates to determine the priority of the terminal device based on these usage conditions and specification information.

According to another aspect of the invention, a desired terminal device is selected from a plurality of terminal devices, and the information indicating the usage status is transmitted from the selected terminal device. Based on the information thus transmitted, the usage status of the terminal device is visually displayed.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, PPC1 to PPC5
Is a copying machine which is an example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and such an image forming apparatus may be, for example, a display, a printer device, a facsimile device or the like.

In FIG. 1, copying machines PPC1 to PPC5
Each is connected to the server 7 by a wired or wireless communication means or the like. Then, these copying machines provide the server 6 with copying machine data such as the usage history up to now and the current usage status at any time, at fixed intervals, or in response to a data request signal from the server 6. Have been sent to. The server 6 also transmits a data request signal, a copy mode setting signal, etc. to each copying machine. Then, each copying machine sets various copy modes according to the copy mode setting signal and performs the copy operation.

Further, the server 6 and the MMI (man machine
The interface device 7 is connected by a wired or wireless communication means. The MMI device 7 inputs the type of copying machine that the user wants to copy and its copy mode, and sends it to the server 6. In addition, the server 6 is an MMI
The copying machine data of each copying machine and various calculation results are returned to the device 7.

The system of the first embodiment basically has the above-mentioned configuration, but can be roughly classified into three configurations depending on where the server 6 is installed.

First, the server 6 is mounted on the MMI device 7, and in this case, the MMI device 7 can manage all the copying machines. In this case, it is necessary to provide the minimum communication function and the like necessary for communication with each copying machine so as to correspond to each copying machine, and the MMI device 7 may be large-scaled.

In the second configuration, the server 6 is installed in one of the copying machines, and the server copying machine in which the server is installed manages the server. In order to become this server copying machine, a computer function that can be equipped with a server function or a dedicated copying machine that serves as a server copying machine is required, but it can be said that this is the system system that is most easily provided.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 1, in a system provided with an independent device having a server function, such a server can be realized by installing the server function in a general-purpose computer. It can be said that this is a system that is very easy to construct because existing general-purpose computers and the like can be used.

In any of the above configurations, M
The MI device 7 is connected to the outside by wireless or wired communication means. Of these, the MMI device 7 of the present embodiment connected by wireless communication means is called, for example, a contactless card, and can be normally carried and used by a user. In the present embodiment, the server will be described as an independent server device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of each of the MMI device 7, the server device 6 and the copying machines PPC1 to PPC5.

FIG. 2A shows a schematic structure of the MMI device 7, which is a display unit 202 for displaying data according to an instruction from the main control unit 201, and various data input to the main control unit 201 by being operated by a user. Operation unit 203, a transmission unit 204 for transmitting data to the server device 6, and the server device 6
And a receiving unit 205 that receives data from the. The main control unit 201 inputs, stores, calculates, and outputs various data, and also gives instructions to each unit.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the configuration of the server device 6. Reference numeral 211 denotes a receiver, which is a transmitter 20 of the MMI device 7.
The data transmitted from 4 is received. Reference numeral 212 denotes a transmission unit that transmits data to the reception unit 205 of the MMI device 7.
Reference numeral 213 denotes a copying machine-side transmitting unit that transmits data to the copying machine. Reference numeral 214 denotes a copier-side receiving unit that receives data from the copier. 210 is for inputting, storing, calculating various data,
It is a main control unit that outputs and gives instructions to each unit.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram showing the configuration of the copying machine, and 221 is a receiving section which receives data from the copying machine side transmitting section 213 of the server device 6. A transmission unit 222 transmits data to the copy machine side reception unit 214 of the server 6. A copy mode storage unit 223 stores a copy mode (the number of copies, the number of originals, a color mode, etc.), and the copy machine data storage unit 224 stores the copy machine data (what mode is, default mode). Stores information such as which mode, which mode is currently available, how the copier is currently used, and whether or not it is used. 220 is a main control unit for inputting various data,
It stores, calculates, outputs, and gives instructions to each part.

The operation based on the above configuration will be described. Now, the user inputs the image forming mode from the operation unit 203 of the MMI device 7 and operates the data request key (soft key in this embodiment). As a result, a signal from the operation unit 203 is input to the main control unit 201, and a copying machine data request signal is transmitted to the server device 6 via the transmission unit 204.

As a result, the server device 6 has the receiving unit 211.
This data request signal is received via, and this request signal is input to the main control unit 210. Accordingly, the main control unit 210 transmits the copy machine data request signal to all the copy machines managed by the server device 6 via the copy machine side transmission section 213.

In the copying machine which receives the request signal, the copying machine data storage section 224 is under the control of the main control section 220.
The mode data of the copying machine, which is stored in, is read and transmitted to the server device 6 via the transmission unit 222.

When the server device 6 receives the mode data from this copying machine by the copying machine side receiving section 214,
The main control unit 210 performs a predetermined calculation, and copies the copying machine data from each copying machine and the calculation result via the transmitting unit 21.
It is transmitted to the MI device 7.

In the MMI device 7, when the receiving unit 205 receives the copying machine data and the calculation result, the main control unit 201 displays these various data on the display unit 202.
When the copy mode and the copy machine selection signal are input from the operation unit 203 in the MMI device 7, the signal is sent to and received by the selected copy machine through the server device 6 as described above. The main control unit 220 stores the received copy mode in the copy mode storage unit 223.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the display unit 202 and the operation unit 203 of the MMI device 7. In the case of this embodiment, the display unit 202 and the operation unit 203 are hinge-connected, and when not in use, the display unit 202 can be accommodated in a folded state on the operation unit 203. In addition, the display unit 202
Is a multi-vision screen that controls all displays. It mainly supports the display of all setting modes and the input of image formation mode using the soft key method.

The main keys of the operation unit 203 will be described.
Reference numeral 10 is a ten-key portion for inputting a numeral, 311 is a clear key for returning the numeral to the previous state, and 312 is a reset key for returning all the states in the window to the states before the setting. Three
Reference numeral 13 is a transmission key for instructing the copying machine to transmit the decided mode. Reference numeral 314 is a cursor key for moving the cursor on the screen of the display unit 202, and reference numeral 315 is a return key. The execution key 316 restores the state before execution. 31
An execution key 6 instructs to execute the function designated by the cursor. A power key 317 turns on / off the power of the apparatus.

The contents displayed on the multi-vision display unit 202 shown in FIG. 3 represent the most standardly displayed contents, and this screen is called a standard screen. The cursor is moved to a desired item among these items by operating the cursor key, and the operation unit 20
By pressing the execution key 316 of No. 3, the input screen corresponding to each item is displayed, and the input can be performed.

Next, the display on the display unit 202 and the operation unit 2
An example of the operation procedure in 03 will be described.

When the power key 317 of the operation unit 203 is pressed while the power is off, the power of the apparatus is turned on, and after a while, the default value in the predetermined copy mode (or the most general copy mode) is displayed. It is displayed on the screen of the section 202. Here, the mode indicated by the display contents shown in FIG. 3 is a predetermined general mode.

In this state, the cursor movement key 314 is used to move the cursor to the item in which the number of copies is displayed, as shown in FIG. Here, by pressing the execution key 316, the display on the display unit 202 becomes as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, the cursor is positioned at a position for designating the number of copies, and in this state, the ten-key pad 310 is used.
You can set the required number of copies using. When the ↓ key is pressed among the keys of the cursor movement key unit 314,
The display screen is as shown in FIG.

When the execute key 316 is pressed in this state, the number of copies is set to "10" as set on the screen of FIG. 5, and the screen returns to the standard screen. However, if the cursor is moved to "Cancel" and the execute key 316 is pressed using the ← key or → key, the number of copies becomes one copy (FIG. 4) which is the number before the setting. When the cursor is moved to the "free" position and the execute key 316 is pressed, the number of copies is not set.

As shown in FIG. 4, if the ↑ key is operated while the cursor is positioned at the number of copies item,
When the cursor moves to the position of "copy number setting present: 1 copy" at the top of the screen and the execute key 316 is pressed here, the cursor is moved to the "cancel" item and the execute key 316 is pressed. Treated the same. Here, it is assumed that the number of copies is set to 10 and the execution key 316 is pressed.

Here, the display of the display unit 202 returns to the standard screen and the items as shown in FIG. 6 are displayed. Compared to the display screen of FIG. 3, the number of copies has been changed to 10 copies. It can be seen that the number of copies is also changed to 100 by automatically multiplying the number of originals by the number of copies.

When the setting of the desired copy mode is completed in this way, the cursor is moved to the item "copy machine data request" in FIG. 6 and the execute key 316 is pressed.
As a result, the copy machine data request signal is transmitted from the MMI device 7 to the server 6. This request signal is transmitted to each copying machine via the server 6, and the copying machine data from each copying machine is transmitted to the server device 6 as a response. The server device 6 transmits these copy machine data to the MMI device 7, and calculates the executability of the copy operation according to the copy machine data and the copy mode. When this calculation is completed, the server device 6 transmits the calculation result to the MMI device 7.

When the MMI device 7 receives the copy machine data and the calculation result, it is controlled by the main controller 201.
Data as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 202. Here, (priority) order, priority, (device) number, model,
Estimated required time and remarks are displayed. Here, the copying machine estimated to be the easiest to copy has a higher priority and its priority is also higher. Further, a copying machine which has sufficient performance but is incapable of copying due to a temporal factor such as a failure at present is a copying machine with a device number "47" in FIG. 7, for example. And the priority is 0
%, And the priority is set to the lowest.

When this window is first opened,
The cursor 70 is positioned at the position of the copying machine having the priority of "1", and the cursor 71 is positioned at the item "copy machine determined". In this state, the position of the cursor 70 can be moved up and down by the ↑ key or ↓ key of the cursor movement keys 314. By operating the ← key or → key, the cursor 71 is displayed between “copy machine confirmation” or “information (individual)” and “copy machine information (entire)” (cancel).
Can be moved. In FIG. 7, the required time indicates the time required to copy the specified number of originals and the number of copies using this copying machine.

When the execution key 316 is pressed in the state where this window is first opened (the state shown in FIG. 7), the priority 1
(In this case, the device number 22), "copy machine confirmation" is executed and the copying machine with the device number "22" (model NP6060)
Is selected. Then, the display of the display unit 202 returns to the original standard screen and is displayed as shown in FIG. Here, by pressing the transmission key 313 of the operation unit 203,
The copy mode of the copying machine (NP6060) whose device number is "22" is set to the copy mode as shown in FIG.

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 7, the cursor 71 is moved to the item of "information (individual)" and the execution key 31
When 6 is pressed, the display on the display unit 202 becomes as shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, detailed data of the copying machine with the device number “22” indicated by the cursor 70 in FIG. 7 is displayed. The user can open this window to
It is possible to know what state the copier is currently in. In this state, when the data display screen covers a plurality of pages, the display can be switched by operating the ↑ key or ↓ key of the operation unit 203 to page forward or backward.

Next, the operation of the system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when a copy mode is input from the operation unit 203 of the MMI device 7 in step S1, step S2
When the request for data to the copying machine is instructed, the MM
A data request signal is output from the I device 7 to the copying machine. The data request signal is received by the server device 6 and sent to the corresponding copying machine via the server device 6. When various data is sent as a response signal from the copying machine which receives the data request signal, the data is sent to the server device 6.
Received by. The MMI device 7 is the server device 6
The copier data transmitted via the server and information for performing various calculations are received (step S3). When the copy machine data and various calculation results are displayed on the display unit 202, the user operates the keys of the operation unit 203 in step S4 to select a more suitable copy machine. After the copy machine to be used is determined in this way, by pressing the copy mode transmission key 313 of the operation unit 203, the copy mode is transmitted to the selected copy machine through the server device 6 (step S5).

Next, a method of calculating the priority and priority of the copying machine shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

Here, the priority is an index indicating whether or not it is appropriate for a certain copying machine to perform its work.
As shown in FIG. 11, the value that determines this priority is
An arbitrary real number from “0” to “1” is set, and a fuzzy rule is provided between each element determining these and the priority.
Then, an operation based on each rule is performed to calculate the membership function indicating the final priority. Such a calculation is performed for each copying machine to calculate a membership function indicating the priority, and the priority order and the priority for each copying machine are calculated based on the membership function.

First, the membership function in priority will be described. Consider the following five fuzzy expressions and membership functions. First, Z that is not suitable for use
R (Zero), PS (Positive Small) that can be used a little, PM (Positive Medium) that can be used to some extent, PB (Positive Big) that can be used considerably, PV (Positive Ver) that is optimal
y big) is set. FIG. 11 shows these with a membership function.

Next, the elements related to the priority and the fuzzy rules of the elements and the priority will be described.

Elements related to the priority AV (Absolute Value) are considered as follows: 1: copy volume (CV) 2: copy time 3: scheduled end time (when empty, it is regarded as 0). Figure 1 shows an example of each membership function
2 (A) to (C).

For example, in the case of the copy volume (CV) of FIG. 12 (A), it is determined as follows.

IF CV = ZR, then AV = PV IF CV = PS, then AV = PB IF CV = PM, then AV = PM IF CV = PB, then AV = PS IF CV = PV, then AV = ZR FIG. The fuzzy rules shown in can be applied to almost any copying machine, but how much CV corresponds to which fuzzy expression depends on the copying machine. In this embodiment, by changing the membership function on the CV side, the same rule can be used to create a fuzzy rule suitable for each copying machine.

The copy time shown in FIG. 12B and the copy time shown in FIG.
The estimated time for the person who is performing the copying process of (C) to finish the copying process is also an important factor when selecting a copying machine. The fuzzy rules themselves are the same as in the case of the copy volume (CV) of FIG. 12 (A), and therefore their explanation is omitted.

Using the fuzzy rules described above, Ma
The priority membership function of each copying machine is calculated by Mdani's inference method (cutting off method). From the membership function, it is possible to add a priority corresponding to each copying machine by calculating as a concrete index using the above-described center of gravity method. It is also possible to calculate the degree of conformity of various colloquial expressions with the membership function and display the expression with the highest degree of conformity on the display unit 202.

In the first embodiment described above, the absolute priority,
That is, the priority is obtained by calculating an index indicating whether or not it is appropriate for a certain copying machine to do its work. Even if this alone is used, a considerable effect can be obtained. However, if the absolute conformity is close to "0" in all the copying machines, or conversely, it is close to "1", then which copying machine will be used. The criteria for choosing should be ambiguous. For example, in the case of copying only one sheet, the absolute priority is close to "1" in most of the copying machines, and when the number of copies is "1000" or more, most copying machines except the high speed copying machine have a high priority. The absolute priority is close to "0".

However, when a person actually selects one copying machine from a plurality of copying machines, for example, if the number of copies is "1", copying closer to the distant high-speed copying machine is performed. It is usual to choose the machine. Furthermore, when the number of copies becomes enormous, it may be possible to use a high-speed copying machine for copying even if a nearby medium-speed copying machine is available depending on the situation. Further, as described in the present embodiment, offices having low speed machines to high speed machines are rare. In addition, the environment of equipment and facilities in an office is various, such that the fastest copying machine in an office corresponds to a medium-speed machine rather than a high-speed machine in terms of equipment performance.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, from the above viewpoints, apart from the absolute priority, as a factor for selecting a copying machine to be used, which copying machine out of several copying machines is the most important. A means for calculating an index called relative priority, which indicates whether or not it is suitable for work, is added to the above-described first embodiment. This makes it possible to select a more suitable copying machine,
Alternatively, assistance can be provided to select a copier.

In the second embodiment, the case of calculating the above-mentioned relative priority will be described taking a copy volume (CV) as an example.

FIG. 13A shows the operation unit 2 of the MMI device 7.
This shows the membership function for each model when the black and white copy is instructed from 03. The number in parentheses after each model number indicates the device number in this embodiment. The relationship between this membership function and the model changes depending on the system configuration and the status of the copying machines that make up this system. For example, a copying machine that cannot operate due to a paper jam or a failure is excluded from the target of this inference. In FIG. 13 also, the GP 55 (47) (see FIG. 7) that is out of order is excluded from the selection targets.

In addition, FIGS. 13B to 13E show membership functions representing the priorities of the respective models. The fuzzy rule in these cases is "if the CV is suitable for a certain model, then that model."
Then, FIG. 13A shows a membership function representing the antecedent part,
13B to 13E show the membership function (priority) representing the consequent part. A relative priority can be obtained by the membership function obtained by such a fuzzy rule.

Although the above is one example, the same can be obtained in consideration of the scheduled end time and the like. In addition, the handling of inoperable copying machines can also be performed using fuzzy rules.

As described above, in addition to the priorities of the individual copying machines shown in the first embodiment, the priorities based on the fuzzy rules in which the relative elements are added are calculated, so that the copying can be performed more accurately. It is possible to assist in selecting a copying machine or a copying machine.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Matching between the copy mode and the data of the copying machine is one of important factors for setting the priority of the copying machine and the setting of the priority.

Specifically, when making a black and white copy,
Select a black and white copier instead of a full color copier. When no other black-and-white copier is available, either perform a black-and-white copy with a full-color copier or wait until the black-and-white copier is available.

Further, in the case of a job such as a full-color copying machine or a two-color copying machine which requires a rich editing function of the copying machine, the priority of the corresponding copying machine is raised.

Further, there may be a case where no copying machine having a function corresponding to the designated copy mode exists in the office, or there is no copying machine in the world capable of efficiently executing the function. For example, the CV is huge,
In addition, a mode in which full-color copying is performed can be considered. In such a case, even if the copy is not full color, it may be possible to make a copy in two colors or a copy in one black color. However, the display asking whether it is possible is displayed.

From the above point of view, in the third embodiment, fuzzy inference for calculating the priority based on the degree of matching between the copy mode and the copy machine data is performed to assist the selection of the copy machine or the selection of the copy machine. Is.

FIGS. 14A to 14D are views showing a CV and a membership function indicating the compatibility of each copying machine in the case of color copying. The concept of fuzzy inference in this case is as described above. Is the same as the second embodiment.

If the element of CV excess is set as a membership function, and if the conformity of CV to "CV excess" becomes large, the priority of model CLC-500 is raised and the degree of "CV excess" is also increased. increase. Furthermore,
When the degree of CV excess exceeds a certain level, for example, “C
"V is too much, are you sure?"
02 is displayed.

Although only one example has been described above, when a copying machine is selected, various elements are reflected in the priority using fuzzy inference, and the priority of each model is determined based on this priority. FIG. 15 is a view best showing the features of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The management device 401 displays on the display 411 and the display 411 the information concerning the usage status of the printer device 402 of the owner.
A button for displaying information (hereinafter referred to as “usage information”) relating to the usage status of the device and a display mode switching button 412, and a signal received from the printer device 402 (for example, a management device activation signal 417, a size signal 419, etc.) The storage unit 415 stores the usage information processed by the unit 413 and the conversion / processing unit 414. Further, the printer device 402 receives a management device activation signal 417, an identification signal 418, and a size signal 9 from the printer device 402.
A transmission unit 416 for transmitting to 01 is provided.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode displayed on the display 411. The usage information displayed here is information relating to the copy volume, and the number of printer devices 402 in use is three (model A, model A, The description will be given assuming that they are model B and model C). Then, the printer device 40
A description will be given of a case where two display modes, that is, a monthly usage status display mode indicating a monthly usage status and a size usage status display mode indicating a recording size usage status are set for each model.

In FIG. 16, reference numeral 501 denotes a display mode at the time of start-up, in which the total number of prints (usage status) by size in the printer device of model A is displayed. 502 displays the monthly usage status of the printer device of model A. Similarly, 503 is a size-based usage status of model B, 504 is a monthly usage status of model B, 505 is a size-based usage status of model C, and 506 is a monthly usage status display screen of model C.

17 to 20 are flowcharts showing the processing operation of the fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, with reference to this flowchart, the input of information on the usage status of the printer device 402 and the operation of displaying the information will be described. <Input of Usage Status Information> When the management apparatus 401 is brought close to the printer apparatus 402, the transmission unit 41 of the printer apparatus 402.
6 is received by the receiving unit 413 of the management apparatus 401. When the signal is input in this way, steps S11 to S1 in FIG.
2, the process proceeds to step S13 when the activation signal 417 is received.
Proceed to. This process is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
In step S21, the transmission unit 416 of the printer device 402
Identification signal 41 of printer device 401 transmitted more constantly
8 is received by the receiving unit 413 of the management device 401, and the model of the printer device 402 is selected. In step S22, the display mode of the use status by size corresponding to the selected printer device 402 is set, and in step S23, the use information corresponding to the display mode is displayed on the display 411 of the management device 401. Next, the process proceeds to step S24, and a signal giving the usage information transmitted from the transmission unit 416 of the printer device 402 (for example, the size signal 419).
Will be input waiting information. When the printer device 402 is used in this state, the printer device 402 operates and the size signal 419 is transmitted from the transmission unit 416. As a result, the size signal 419 is received by the receiving unit 413, the process proceeds to step S25, the conversion / processing unit 414 processes each size, and the total and monthly usage status are calculated in step S26. The result thus calculated is the step S
At 27, the usage information after the processing corresponding to the display mode is displayed on the display 411.

Then, the use of the printer device 402 is terminated,
When the management device 401 is moved away from the printer device 402,
The activation signal 417 is no longer received. As a result, the process proceeds from step S28 to step S29, the usage information of the printer device 402 at that time is stored in the storage device 415, and the display on the display 411 disappears in step S30.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the operation of the printer device 402. In step S41, the management device activation signal 41 is constantly sent from the transmission unit 416 of the printer device 402.
7 is transmitted, and then the printer device 40 is transmitted in step S42.
The identification signal 418 of 1 is transmitted. Next in step S43
Proceed to step S when the printer device 402 is used.
Proceeding to 44, the printer device 402 operates. Then, the process proceeds to step S45, and the transmission unit 41 of the printer device 402.
6, the size signal 419 is transmitted. Thus, as long as the printer device 402 is used, steps S44 and S
45 is executed and the size signal 419 is transmitted from the transmission unit 416.
Will be sent. <Display Operation of Usage Information> Next, the display operation on the display 411 when the switch button 412 of the management apparatus 401 is pressed (step S14 in FIG. 17) will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, in step S31, the display 41
Display mode at the time of startup: Use information for each size of model A is displayed. Then, in step S31, step S38
Clear the time counter for passing a predetermined time with
In step S33, the setting mode data is displayed. Next, each time the switching button 412 is pressed in step S34, the process proceeds to steps S35 and S36, and the display mode is as shown in FIG. 16, model A / monthly usage status display mode (502).
→ Model B / Size-based usage status display mode (503) → Model B / Monthly usage status display mode (504) → Model C / Size-based usage status display mode (505) → Model C / Monthly usage status display mode (506) → Change to model A / size-specific usage status display mode (501) in order, and display 4
The display information of 11 is also changed to the display corresponding to each display mode.

On the other hand, in step S34, the switching button 412
If there is no input, go to step S37, step S3
In S38 and S38, it is checked whether the state continues for a certain time or longer. If it continues, the process proceeds to step S39, the time counter is cleared, and the display of the display 411 is erased in step S40.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The parts common to those in FIG. 15 described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

The printer device 422 stores the usage information in the storage device 433, starts transmission of the usage information and clears the storage device 433, stores the usage information from the main body in the storage device 433, and outputs the identification signal. 419, a control unit 432 for transmitting the activation signal 417 to the management device 401 via the transmission unit 416 is provided.

22 and 23 are flow charts showing the processing operation of the fifth embodiment. The display process of the usage information of the printer device 422 shown in the flow chart of FIG. 22 is the same as the flow chart of FIG. 18 of the above-mentioned fourth embodiment, so here, the input operation shown in the flow chart of FIG. Only explained.

When the printer device 422 is used in step S71, the printer device 422 operates in step S72. Next, in step S73, the usage information is stored in the storage device 433. When the use of the printer device 422 is completed in step S74 and the end button 431 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S75, the management device activation signal 417 is transmitted, and the identification signal 419 is transmitted in step S76.
In step 7, the usage information is transmitted to the management device 401. After that, the process proceeds to step S78, and the contents of the storage device 433 are cleared.

On the other hand, on the management device 401 side, the start signal 4
In step S13, a printer is selected (step S51), and a mode for displaying the size-based usage status of the printer 422 for the identification signal 419 is set (step S52). Further step S5
In 3 to S55, the usage status is added or updated and stored in the storage device 415. Then, the usage information corresponding to the set display mode is displayed (step S56). After that, after displaying for a predetermined time in steps S57 and S58, the display on the display 411 is erased.

As described above, according to the fourth or fifth embodiment, it is not necessary to go to the place where the printer device is set in order to obtain information (usage information) regarding the usage condition of the printer device. Further, the work for displaying the operation mode and the like on the display of the printer device can be omitted, and the use status of a plurality of printer devices can be easily confirmed by one management device.

In this embodiment, the case of the printer device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus having a communication function such as a display device, a copying machine or a facsimile device.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

[0092]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that an optimum terminal device can be selected and processed based on the usage conditions of each terminal device and their specifications.

Further, according to another invention, there is an effect that the usage statuses of a plurality of terminal devices can be easily grasped.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an MMI in the system of the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows each schematic structure of an apparatus, a server apparatus, and a copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display content example of a display unit and a key arrangement of an operation unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example when a copy number is designated in the state of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a copy number setting screen in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a standard screen after the number of copies is changed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying priority, priority, device number, expected model required time, etc. of each copying machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a standard screen showing a state in which a copying machine to be used has been decided.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of individual information of the copying machine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation in the MMI device of the system of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a membership function for determining a priority in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a copy volume (C
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a membership function of V), copy time, and scheduled end time.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a membership function for each type of copying machine when a monochrome copy is instructed in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a CV and a membership function indicating the compatibility of each copying machine when performing color copying in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example corresponding to the display mode in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing of the management apparatus in the fourth embodiment.

18 is a flowchart showing the input / storage processing of step S13 of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing of the printer device according to the fourth embodiment.

20 is a flowchart showing the display processing of step S14 of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an input / storing process in the management apparatus of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the processing of the printer device according to the fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 server device 7 MMI (Man Machine Interface) device 201, 210, 220 main control unit 202 display unit 203 operation unit 204, 212, 222 transmission unit 205, 211, 221 reception unit 213 copier side transmission unit 214 copier Side reception unit 223 Copy mode storage unit 224 Copy machine data storage unit 310 Numeric keypad unit 317 Power key 315 Return key 316 Execution key 401 Management device 402, 422 Printer device 411 Display 412 Display mode switching button 413 Reception unit 415 Storage device 416 Transmission unit 417 Management device activation signal 418 Identification signal 419 Size signal

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A terminal management system for connecting and managing a plurality of terminal devices, comprising: input means for inputting usage conditions of the terminal device; means for inputting specification information of the plurality of terminal devices; A terminal management system comprising: a determining unit that determines the priority of the terminal device based on the usage conditions and the specification information. 2. The determining means stores a membership function expressing a priority for the use condition or the specification information, and determines the priority according to the membership function. 1. The terminal management system according to 1. 3. Inputting the usage status of a plurality of terminal devices,
A terminal management system for managing the terminal device, comprising: selecting means for selecting a desired terminal device from a plurality of terminal devices; and transmission for transmitting information indicating a usage status from the terminal device selected by the selecting means. A terminal management system, comprising: a means for displaying the usage status of the terminal device based on the information transmitted by the transmission means.