JPH06169362A - Image forming device management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the management of data by using identical system codes as a request code and a response code between a communication controller and an image forming device. CONSTITUTION:A controller 16 installed at a service point and image forming devices (PPC) 1 installed at respective user places are connected through a public telephone network 17. Communication controllers 18 which control a communication with the controller 16 are installed on the user sides and connected to the PPCs 1. Communication control between the communication controller 18 and respective PPCs 1 is performed according to a basic data transmission control procedure. Then a data link is formed by a polling/selecting system under the centralized control of the communication controllers 18 as control stations to make possible the communication with the respective PPCs 1. Consequently, codes for managing data are decreased.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management system for connecting an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a management apparatus via a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As such an image forming apparatus management system, for example, JP-A-2-257155, JP-A-2-259666, or JP-A-3-1960.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 53, etc., it is known that an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine can be connected to a management apparatus installed in a service center or the like by using a communication line such as a public line.

Such an image forming apparatus management system is
By centrally managing a plurality of image forming devices installed at remote locations by a management device (host machine) installed at one location, the usage status of each image forming device is aggregated and the management information is displayed as an image. It is also used for maintenance of forming equipment. The contents of the usage status include the number of copies, and the contents of the maintenance include automatic call to the management device by self-diagnosis of the image forming device and adjustment of each part of the image forming device by access from the management device side.

In addition, the counter value (for example, the number of copies) for charging the fee for the maintenance contract of the image forming apparatus, which is conventionally confirmed by the visit of the service engineer or the telephone call to the customer, is remotely controlled by using this system. It is also read out by operation. By the way, when communication is performed in such an image forming apparatus management system, a code for each communication is provided in communication data to manage the data.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus management system, as the number of communicable items increases, the number of codes for managing data also increases in a random manner, and therefore the management is not performed. It's getting harder. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to simplify data management.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a purpose-specific code system for communication data in an image forming apparatus management system for connecting an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus via a communication line. It is the same as the code system for the serviceman mode.

Further, a communication control device for controlling communication between the image forming device and the management device is provided, and a request code from the management device to the communication control device or from the communication control device to the image forming device, and communication from the image forming device. An image forming apparatus management system is also provided in which the response code from the control apparatus or its communication control apparatus to the management apparatus has the same system code.

[0008]

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the first aspect of the invention, the purpose-specific code system of the communication data is the same as the service system mode code system, so that the code for managing the data can be reduced. The data management can be simplified.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus management system of the second invention, the request code from the management apparatus to the communication control apparatus or the communication control apparatus to the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus to the communication control apparatus or the communication thereof. Since the response code from the control device to the management device has the same system code, it is possible to reduce the number of codes for managing the data and simplify the management of the data.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of a copying machine used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 as an example of an image forming apparatus constituting an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention.

The copying machine 1 is an electrophotographic plain paper copying machine (PPC), and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as "ADF") 3 is placed on the upper part of the copying machine main body 2, A manual feed tray 4 and a large amount paper feed 5 are mounted on the side surface, and a paper discharge tray 6 is mounted on the other side surface. A document tray 7 for the ADF 3 is equipped with a document set sensor 8. The copying machine main body 2 includes a scanner unit 10, an image forming unit 11, a paper feeding unit 12, a fixing / paper discharging unit 13, a reversing unit 14, a duplex unit 15, and the like.

The scanner section 10 includes a contact glass 21, an exposure lamp 22, and a first scanner 24 including a first mirror 23, a second scanner 27 including a second mirror 25 and a third mirror 26. Third scanner 3 including fourth mirror 28 and fifth mirror 29
0, a sixth mirror 31, and a lens 32 are provided.

In the image forming section 11, a quenching lamp 36 and a charging charger 3 are provided around the photosensitive drum 35.
7, an eraser 38, a potential sensor 39, a developing unit 40 in which a toner cartridge 41 is mounted, a pre-transfer charger 42, a transfer charger 43, a separation charger 44, a P sensor 45, and a cleaning unit 46 are arranged. A registration roller pair 47 is provided in front of the transfer position on the transfer sheet transport path, and a transport belt 48 is provided behind the transfer position.

A first tray 51, a second tray 52, a third tray 53, and a fourth tray 54 are detachably provided in the paper feeding unit 12 as trays for stocking and feeding transfer sheets. Then, a first sheet feeding unit 55, a second sheet feeding unit 56, a third sheet feeding unit 57, and a fourth sheet feeding unit 58 are provided as sheet feeding units for feeding the transfer sheets stocked in them. The manual feed tray 4 or the large-volume feed tray (LC
A manual / large-volume paper feeding unit 59 for feeding the transfer paper from T) 60 is also provided.

Further, in order to convey the transfer paper fed by each of the paper feed units 55 to 59 and the double-sided unit 15 toward the registration roller pair 46, the right conveyance portion 61,
A left transport unit 62 and a horizontal transport unit 63 are provided.
A fixing unit 65 and a discharge roller group 66 are provided in the fixing / paper discharge section 13, and a reverse roller group 6 is provided in the reverse section 14.
7 are provided respectively.

Next, the operation of the copying machine 1 having such a configuration will be briefly described. The photoconductor drum 35 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft (not shown), and rotates in the direction of arrow A according to a copy command or the like. Then, the original fed on the contact glass 21 by the ADF 3 is scanned and exposed by the first scanner 24. The reflected light image is a first mirror 23, a second mirror 25, a third mirror 26,
An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 35 via the lens 32, the fourth mirror 28, the fifth mirror 29, and the sixth mirror 31.

The photosensitive drum 35 is the charging charger 3.
The surface is charged by 7, and when the charged surface is exposed by the reflected light image, an electrostatic latent image is formed. After that, the eraser 38 illuminates unnecessary portions to correct the latent image suitable for the transfer paper or the projected image. At this time, the photosensitive drum 35 and the first scanner 24 are driven at the same speed in order to obtain an image of the same size. Then, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 35 is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 40. At that time, a dark or light image can be obtained by applying a potential (developing bias voltage) to the developing unit 40.

On the other hand, the transfer paper stocked in any one of the first tray 51, the second tray 52, the third tray 53, the fourth tray 54, the index tray 4, the mass paper feed tray 60, and the duplex unit 15 is used. , Paper feeding units 55-59
Is selected by any one of the following, and is fed at a predetermined feeding timing.
It is conveyed to the registration roller pair 47 which has been stopped in advance through the horizontal conveying section 63 and the like. Then, the photosensitive drum 35
The registration roller pair 47 is driven at the timing when the leading edge of the upper toner image and the leading edge of the transfer paper are aligned.

As a result, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 35 is transferred to the transfer paper by the action of the pre-transfer charger and the transfer charger 43. At this time, the photosensitive drum 35
The surface of is very smooth, and the adhesion of the transfer paper is great on that surface. Therefore, the action of the separation charger 44 lowers the electric potential of the transfer paper and lowers the adhesion.

After that, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 35 by a separation claw (not shown), and the separated transfer paper is sent to the fixing unit 65 by the conveyor belt 48. The transfer paper sent to the fixing unit 37 is subjected to heat and pressure on the toner here, so that the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed to the transfer paper, and then the transfer paper group 66 for discharge is used to discharge the transfer paper outside the machine. It is ejected onto the paper tray. When performing a double-sided copy or the like, the sheet is once fed to the reversing unit 14, the conveyance direction is reversed, and then fed to the double-sided unit 15, and is re-fed to the image forming unit 11 when copying the image of the next original surface.

Since the toner that could not be transferred adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 after the transfer, the surface is cleaned by the brush and the cleaning blade of the cleaning unit 46, and then it is nonuniform by the quenching lamp 36. Keep the surface potential constant.

These control timings are controlled by a control circuit, which will be described later, mainly based on a pulse generated in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 35 or a reference pulse for driving the photosensitive drum 35.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the operating section of this copying machine. A guidance display section 71 and a pattern display section 72 using a liquid crystal display panel are provided in the center of the operation section 70, and a large number of keys are provided on the left and right sides and the front side thereof. On the right side, the start key 73, interrupt key 74, preheat key 75, mode clear / preheat key 76, numeric keypad 77, clear / stop key 78, timer key 7
9, a program key 80, an enter key 81, and a guidance key 82 are provided.

On the left side, a remote notification key 83, a sorter key 84, a double-sided key 85, a page continuous shooting key 86, an erase key 8
7, paper designation scaling key 88, zoom key 89, binding margin adjustment key 90, centering key 91, dimension scaling key 92
Is provided. A reduction key 93, an enlargement key 94, a normal magnification key 95, a paper selection key 96, an automatic paper selection key 97, a density adjustment key 98, and an automatic density key 99 are provided on the front side of the central portion. In addition, remote report key 8
LE of remote notification display 83a during remote notification by turning on 3
D lights up.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the pattern display section 72. Here, the set number display D1 and the copy number display D are shown.
2, running display D3, density adjustment display D4, misfeed position display D5, paper supply display D6, misfeed display D7, remote communication error display D8, toner supply display D9,
Paper remaining amount display D10, paper selection / size / direction display D1
1, pattern display of magnification display D12 and the like, respectively.

The guidance display section 71 shown in FIG. 3 displays messages for operation and warning. Further, the operation unit 70 is characterized in that a remote notification key 83 for making a notification when the user requests a service and a remote communication abnormality display D8 displayed when an abnormality occurs in the notification are provided. However, instead of providing a dedicated remote notification key as in this example, the function corresponding to the remote notification key may be realized by the pressing order of other keys, the pressing time, the combination of the pressing keys, or the like.

FIG. 5 shows a structural example of an image forming apparatus management system to which the present invention is applied. A management apparatus 16 installed at a service base and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine (denoted as "PPC" in the figure) 1 installed under each user are connected via a public line network 17 which is a communication line. is doing.

A communication control device 18 for controlling communication with the management device 16 is installed on the user side, and each copying machine 1 of the user is connected to this communication control device 18. This communication control device 18
A telephone 19 and a facsimile device 20 can be connected to the device, and the device can be installed by inserting it into an existing line of the user.

A plurality of copying machines 1 can be connected to the communication control device, but of course, there may be a single copying machine. These copying machines 1 do not have to be of the same type, may be different models, and may be an image forming apparatus such as a printer other than the copying machine. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a maximum of five copying machines 1 can be connected to one communication control device 18. The communication control device 18 and the plurality of copying machines 1 are multi-drop connected according to the RS-485 standard.

Communication control between the communication control device 18 and each copying machine 1 is performed by a basic type data transmission control procedure. By establishing a data link by the polling / selecting method of centralized control using the communication control device 18 as a control station, communication with an arbitrary copying machine is possible. Each copier can set a unique value with the address setting switch,
As a result, the polling address and selecting address of each copying machine are determined.

FIG. 6 shows the communication control device 18 of FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of FIG. A signal from the public line network 17 is first input to the switching unit 180. here,
If the communication from the public line side is addressed to the telephone 19 (or the facsimile device 20 in FIG. 5) connected to the communication control device 18, the public line side is used for the telephone 19.
(Or the facsimile device 20 of FIG. 5) and if the communication is from the management device 16, the public line modem 18
Connect to 1.

Further, communication with the copying machine 1 side is performed by the communication interface 183 using the transceiver for RS-485. These controls and processes are performed mainly by the CPU 184 according to the control program in the ROM 185. The RAM 186 is used not only for storing intermediate results of processing but also for temporarily storing communication text. Also, from the management device 16 side, the communication control device 1
Various parameters necessary for the operation of No. 8 are also written in the RAM 186.

Normally, this communication control device 18 has two
The power is continuously supplied for 4 hours so that communication with the management device 16 is always possible. However, in order to prevent the contents of these parameters from being lost due to accidental power failure, the battery 18
The RAM 186 is backed up by 7. Further, a clock 188 and a total counter value automatic call permission switch 189 (the use of which will be described later) are also provided.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management device 16 shown in FIG. The management device 16 includes a host computer 160 that executes various processes, an external storage device 161 such as a magnetic disk for storing management data, a display 162 for display, and a keyboard 163 as an operating unit. A management data output printer 164 and a modem 165 for connecting to the public line network 17.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. The control of the copying machine body 2 is
It is performed based on the control program and data stored in the ROM 101 centering on the CPU 100. Also,
The RAM 102 is used to store the intermediate result of the processing.

The A / D converter 103 includes the exposure lamp 22.
Supply voltage to the P sensor 45, light emitting voltage and light receiving voltage of the P sensor 45, output of the potential sensor 39, output of the document setting (ADS) sensor 8, output of a lamp light amount sensor for detecting the light amount of the exposure lamp 22, and photoconductor drum 35. It is used to input the output of a drum current sensor that detects a flowing current, the thermistor voltage in the fixing unit 65, and the like.

The optical system control unit 104 controls the scanner section 10 shown in FIG. High-voltage power supply unit 105
Supplies the high voltage applied to the charging charger 37, the separation charger 44, the transfer charger 43, the pre-transfer charger (PTC) 42, and the developing bias voltage applied to the developing roller in the developing unit 40.

The motor control unit 106 controls the main motor for driving the photosensitive drum 35, each paper feeding unit and the rollers of the transport section. The heater control unit 107 controls energization to the fixing heater of the fixing unit 65 that heats the fixing roller to keep the surface temperature of the fixing roller within a predetermined range. Sensor sensitivity control unit 10
8 is a light receiving gain of the lamp light amount sensor, and an ADS sensor 8
Light receiving gain of P sensor 45, P sensor 4
It is used to change the light emission voltage of LED No. 5 and the like.

The communication interface unit 109 includes
It is a unit that communicates with the communication control device 18. An address unique to the copying machine can be set within the range of 1 to 5 by the address setting switch 110. Further, the communication permission switch 111 can be used to set permission / prohibition of communication with the communication control device 18.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference mainly to FIG. First, the function of remote notification will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 5.

In the case of the remote notification by the remote notification key, when the remote notification key 83 provided on the operation unit 70 of the copying machine 1 is pressed, the copying machine 1 is operated as shown in FIG. 9 (a).
Transmits the remote notification data from the remote control key to the communication control device 18. The communication control device 18 that has received this receives the management device 1 that has been set inside beforehand.
The telephone number 6 is called, and the remote notification data is transmitted by the remote notification key.

The management device 16 is usually installed at a service base or the like. At this time, the data transmitted from the communication control device 18 to the management device 16 is only the data of the type previously set in the communication control device 18 from among the plurality of types of data received by the communication control device 18 from the copying machine 1. And This setting can be set in the communication control device 18 from the management device 16 through the public line network 17.

When the communication control device 18 finishes transmitting the predetermined data to the management device 16, the communication control device 18 communicates with the copying machine 1 which is the transmission source of the communication between the communication control device 18 and the management device 16. A report result report indicating the result is transmitted. As a result, the copy machine 1 of the transmission source
Can know whether the communication ended normally or could not be made due to some abnormality.

Further, the copying machine is usually equipped with a self-diagnosis function, so that the copying machine is in a dangerous state or cannot be used, for example, when an abnormality in the fixing temperature is detected or when the electronic volume adjustment at each adjustment position is impossible. If it becomes
It is common practice to notify the user or service person in the form of "error" or "service person call".

Even when an abnormality is detected by the self-diagnosis function of such a copying machine, as shown in FIG. 9B,
Data of the remote notification due to the self-diagnosis abnormality is transmitted from the copying machine 1 to the communication control device 18. The communication control device 18, which has received the remote notification data, transmits the remote notification data due to the self-diagnosis abnormality to the management device 16,
At the end of communication, the report result report is sent to the copy machine that is the sender.

Further, even when the copier determines that it is preferable to perform maintenance, for example, when the self-diagnosis function diagnoses that the abnormal state is not reached but is very close to the abnormal state, the copying machine determines that (c) in FIG. ), The remote notification data of the advance warning is transmitted to the communication control device 18. In the case of remote notification due to this self-diagnosis abnormality, the copier is inevitably disabled, but in the case of remote notification due to advance warning, the copier remains enabled.
Even during communication, if the original is set and the start key is pressed, the copying operation is performed.

At this time, the communication is interrupted when the load of the controller of the copying machine 1 is heavy due to the copying process, or when the contents included in the transmission data may be changed by the copying operation and become inconsistent. You may. Since the remote notification data of the advance warning is less urgent, the communication control device 18 that receives this data immediately receives the management device 1
6 at a time convenient for communication such as a time period in which the telephone 19 or the facsimile device 20 connected to the communication control device 18 is not frequently used, or a time period in which the traffic of the public network 17 is low. It is better to send it.

This time can be set from the management device 16 to the communication control device 18, and the transmission time can be determined by coincidence with the current time by the clock 188 shown in FIG. In the case of this remote notification of advance warning, unlike the other remote notifications, the report result report is not transmitted to the copying machine 1.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, a case where the management apparatus accesses the copying machine will be described. There are three types of access from the management device 16 to the copying machine 1, roughly classified according to purposes: a read request, a write request, and an execute request. The read request is a process of reading logging data, various set values, output values of various sensors, etc. in the copying machine 1, and the write request is a process of sending various set values and the like from the management device 16 and rewriting them. is there. The execute request is a process that causes the copying machine 1 to perform a test operation or the like.

The procedure of the communication process among the management device 16, the communication control device 18, and the copying machine 1 at the time of each request is shown in FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b) and 10 (c). The management device 16 dials the communication control device 18 to which the target copying machine 1 is connected, and transmits each request data. The communication control device 18 receives these request data from the management device 16. The communication control device 18, which has received the request data, transmits the request data to the target copying machine 1.

Upon receiving the request, the copying machine 1 processes the request content and then sends a response to the request to the communication control device 1
Send to 8. The communication control device 18 transmits this to the management device 16 and ends one processing unit.

Referring to FIG. 11, a case where the management device side accesses the communication control device will be described. The access from the management device 16 to the communication control device 18 is also roughly classified according to the purpose, and a read request, a write request, and an execute command are executed.
There are three types of requests. The procedure of each process at this time is shown in FIG.
It is shown in (a), (b) and (c).

The read request means the communication control device 1
The process of reading the setting parameters and status in 8
For example, when the communication control device 18 previously reads out the information inside the copying machine 1 and stores it in the communication control device 18, this process is performed. The write request is a process of sending data from the management device 16 and setting the parameters of the communication control device 18. The execute request is a process for causing the communication control device 18 to perform a test operation such as a function check.

With reference to FIG. 12, description will be given of processing when the communication control device accesses the copying machine without using the management device. In order to access the copying machine 1 from the communication control device 18, the communication control device 18 reads out the information inside the copying machine 1 and holds the data in the communication control device 18, and the management device 16 later.
This is a reading process for enabling reading from.

Generally, counter values such as the total number of copies are used for maintenance contracts and maintenance of copying machines. By using this system, the counter value of the total number of copies is periodically transmitted from the copying machine 1 to the communication control device 18, and when the power of the copying machine 1 is cut off, the copying machine 1 is in the communication disabled state. Even in this case, the management device 16 side can know the value of this counter.

For this, as described above, the function of the communication control device 18 reading out the information in the copying machine 1 and holding the data in the communication control device 18 is used. When the total counter value collection time in the parameters set in the communication control device 18 is reached with reference to the clock 188 (FIG. 6) in the communication control device 18, the communication control device 18 is connected. Requests the total copy number information to all copying machines every day.

Then, the new total copy number information of the copying machine which responded is updated with the value read on the previous day, and the RA which is backed up in the communication control device 18 is updated.
It is stored in M186 (FIG. 6). Also, when communication is not possible, such as when the power of the copying machine that requested the total copy number information is turned off, the response reception of the data from that copying machine is postponed, and the next copying machine is notified. Process.

At the time when the request is made to all the copying machines, the request is made again only to the copying machines which cannot be received. Normally, the total counter value collection time is set at night when the power of the copier is considered to be cut off, and the power of the copier is turned on with the passage of time. This communication should be performed while adjusting each part.

RAM 18 in communication control device 18
In order to transfer the information on the total number of copies stored / held in 6 to the management device 16, a method of periodically reading out by access from the management device 16 on the closing day of each month, and a method set in the communication control device 18 are set. There are two methods of automatically transmitting to the management device by the communication control device when the total counter value automatic call date and time is reached.

The selection of this method is set by the total counter value automatic call admission switch 189 (FIG. 6) provided in the communication control device 18. When this switch 189 is ON, when the date and time indicated by the parameter set in the communication control device 18 is reached, the call destination telephone number indicated by the parameter set in the communication control device 18 is called. It calls and transmits the counter value of the total number of copies to the management device 16. When the switch 189 is OFF, the automatic call is not made and the access from the management device 16 is waited for.

In this example, the data to be communicated periodically is the counter value of the total number of copies, but other data may be used, or other data may be added for communication.

FIG. 13 is a list of parameters set in the communication control device 18. A model number and a serial number of the copying machine are registered for each copying machine at each address. When the copying machine 1 makes a report, the model number and the serial number are added and transmitted to the management apparatus 16, or when the management apparatus 16 makes an access. It is used to determine the address of the copying machine 1 to be selected.

Further, a telephone number to be reported, the number and interval of redials, and the type of data to be transmitted to the management device 16 are set for each remote reporting reason. In the remote notification of the advance warning, the notification time to the management device 16 is also set. A checksum is added to each block of the parameter, and this can be detected when the parameter value is rewritten or lost due to malfunction of the communication control device 18, consumption of the backup battery 187, or the like. .

These parameters are written from the management device 16 side through the public network 17, and a portable device for parameter setting is directly connected to the communication control device for writing, or an operating means is provided on the communication control device 18. It may be configured to be set.

FIG. 14 is an example of the format of communication data at the time of remote notification. (A) is a data format from the copying machine to the communication control device. The first field is a report reason code, and indicates the type of remote report by the remote report key, remote report by self-diagnosis abnormality, or remote report of advance warning. This is followed by information inside the copier. Copier status means toner, oil,
Information about the status of consumables such as copy paper, output values of various sensors, setting values of various adjustment points, and connection status of units.

(B) is a data format from the communication control device 18 to the management device 16. In addition to the data from the copying machine 1, a model number field and a serial number field are added at the beginning to identify the copying machine that is the information source. Also, a communication control device 18 is provided at the rear.
The time 188 in which the reporting factor is generated is added. In the data part, the type of data to be transmitted to the management device 16 changes depending on the parameter set in the communication control device 18. In this example, only the self-diagnosis abnormality occurrence frequency and the copying machine status are transmitted to the management device 16. This is the case when the parameter is set in the communication control device 18.

(C) is a data format of a notification result report transmitted to the copying machine at the time when the notification from the communication control device to the management device is completed.

FIG. 15 shows a data format at the time of read processing during access from the management apparatus 16 to the copying machine 1. From the management device 16 to the communication control device 18, the model number and serial number of the target copying machine 1 are transmitted, followed by the request code indicating the read process and the code of the item to be read.

From the communication control device 18 to the copying machine 1, the model number and serial number fields are removed and only the read request code and item code are sent. Upon receiving this, the copying machine 1 transmits the requested data to the communication control device 18, following the read response code and the received item code. The communication control device 18 again adds the model number and the serial number, and sends it to the management device 16.

FIG. 16 also shows a data format at the time of write processing. In this case, in the communication to the copying machine 1, the data to be written following the item code is added as compared with the case of the read processing. In the communication to the management device 16, the data actually written in the copying machine 1 is sent following the item code field. Normally, the written data received by the copier matches the written data sent by the copier, but if the received data is outside the valid range, it may be rounded to the boundary value and written. In such cases, they do not match.

FIG. 17 also shows Execute.
This is the data format during processing. In this case, in communication to the copying machine 1, when the operation target cannot be specified only by the item code, a code for supplementing the operation content follows the item code. Copier 1 that performed the requested operation
Sends the operation result information to the management device 16 side.

FIG. 18 shows a data format when the management device 16 accesses the communication control device 18, where (a) is a read process, (b) is a write process,
(C) is a format at the time of execute processing.
These have almost the same data format as when accessing the copying machine 1, but instead of the model number and the serial number, they are codes indicating the communication control device 18.

FIG. 19 shows a data format when the communication control device 18 accesses the copying machine 1.
The data format between the communication control device 18 and the copying machine 1 is the same when the copying machine 1 is accessed from the management device 16 shown in FIGS. There is no need to distinguish the access of, and they can be handled in the same way.

The item code system (purpose-specific code system) in the above communication data format is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the code system is the same as the code system (service code system) of the mode for the service person who performs maintenance and the like of the copying machine 1. The service code is a code for managing the information necessary for the service person to perform maintenance, and is determined for each information content. The service code is also used when the service person inputs maintenance information of the copying machine 1 from the operation unit 70 of FIG. The request code and the response code described above are also the same system code as shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 shows the CPU of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of notification control by 100. When the communication permission switch 111 provided outside the operation unit 70 of the copying machine 1 is ON, the remote notification key 83 (FIG. 3) of the operation unit 80 is pressed or the occurrence of an abnormality is detected by the self-diagnosis function. Or when it is determined that either one of the states requires a pre-warning or the state has been reached, each remote notification process is performed.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the remote notification subroutine by the remote notification key in FIG. First, the remote notification data is transmitted to the communication control device 18 by the remote notification key. When the communication cannot be performed normally due to no response from the communication control device 18, the remote communication error display D on the operation unit 70 is displayed.
8 (FIG. 4) is lit or blinked to notify the user of that fact.

When the data is normally transmitted to the communication control device 18, the timer for time-out determination is reset and the communication result report from the communication control device 18 is awaited. In this example, the time-out time is set to 3 minutes, and if the report result report is not received within 3 minutes, the time-out is set, and the notification of the failure of the report is also displayed on the operation unit 7.
The remote communication error display D8 on 0 is displayed by lighting or blinking to notify the user.

When the report result report is received within the timeout time, it is judged from the result report whether or not the report is normal, and if it is reported normally, the automatic report is completed and displayed ( If it is a failure, the remote communication abnormality display D8 is also turned on or blinked to indicate that fact, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the remote notification subroutine of self-diagnosis abnormality in FIG. The processing of this subroutine is the same as the remote notification by the remote notification key described with reference to FIG. 21, except that the data to be transmitted to the communication control device 18 is the data due to the self-diagnosis abnormality and the timeout time is 20 minutes. Therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the remote notification subroutine by advance warning shown in FIG. In this routine, remote notification data is transmitted to the communication controller device 18 by advance warning.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of a main routine of processing by the CPU 100 of the copying machine 1 when accessed by the communication control device 18. When the communication permission switch 111 shown in FIG. 8 is ON and there is received data in the communication interface unit 109,
When this is received, the processing requested by the first field is determined, and any one of a read request, a write request, and an execute request is determined, and processing is performed according to the determination result. If the request is neither of the above, an error code is returned and the process ends.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the read processing subroutine of FIG. In this routine, if the item code received by the copying machine 1 is readable and correct, the requested data is returned, and if not, an error code is returned.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the write processing subroutine of FIG. In this routine, if the received item code is not writable and correct, an error code is returned, if it is correct, the value to be written is checked, and if it is within the valid range, the value of the received data is written as it is. If the item is outside the valid range and the item can be written with the data rounded to the boundary value of the valid range, the boundary value is written. Otherwise, it returns an error code and returns.

Whether or not the data can be rounded to the boundary value and written is determined for each item code. Even if it is within the effective range such as the setting of the fixing temperature, the influence of rewriting is large,
Rounding to the boundary value is prohibited for telephone numbers of service centers that do not make sense of the numerical value, and items such as the auto reset time that do not affect the image quality are rounded to the boundary value for convenience. to approve. For example, when it is desired to set the auto reset time as long as possible, if the written value is set to the maximum value with the full number of digits, the maximum value is automatically selected on the copier side.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the subroutine of the execute processing of FIG.
In this routine, if the received item code is not readable and correct, an error code is returned. If it is correct, determine whether or not the item requires supplementary action content, and if not, execute the specified action,
Returns the operation result information. If the operation content supplement is an item that requires supplementation, the operation according to the supplemented information is executed, but if the operation content supplement is data outside the valid range, an error code is transmitted and the process returns.

Next, the procedure of communication between the communication control device 18 and the copying machine 1 will be described. FIG. 28 is a communication sequence in an idle state when five copy machines are connected to the communication control device 18.

The communication control device 18 executes a polling cycle for sequentially transmitting a polling sequence using the polling address of each copying machine 1. The copying machine 1 polled by the polling address of its own machine gives a negative response to the communication control device 18 if there is no transmission text.
Send to. The communication control device 18 repeats this polling cycle in a normal state where there is no other communication processing.

FIG. 29 shows an example of a communication sequence in the case where the copying machine having the address 2 has a transmission text for remote notification. RS-48 after being polled with own address
Send the transmitted text on the 5th line.

FIG. 30 shows an example of a communication sequence when the text of the report result is transmitted from the communication control device 18 to the copying machine at the address 5. After the current polling is completed, the selecting sequence is transmitted using the selecting address of the target copying machine, and the text is transmitted to the copying machine. After sending the text, it returns to the original polling cycle.

FIG. 31 shows a communication sequence between the communication control device 16 and the copying machine 1 when the management device 16 or the communication control device 18 accesses the copying machine at the address 3.

In this case, the communication control device 18 selects the target copying machine, and sends one of the texts of read request, write request, and execute request. Immediately after that, the same copying machine is polled and a response to the request is received. Actually, this sequence is inserted during the polling cycle shown in FIG.

[0092]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention, the code for managing data can be reduced and the management of data can be simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a portion directly related to the present invention in the image forming apparatus management system of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram showing an example of an operation unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

4 is an enlarged view showing the display contents of a pattern display unit 72 of the operation unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system to which the present invention is applied.

6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control device 18 shown in FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a management device 16 shown in FIG.

8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the copying machine 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a communication sequence diagram at the time of remote notification in the image forming apparatus management system of this embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a communication sequence diagram when the copier is accessed from the management device side.

FIG. 11 is a communication sequence diagram when the management device side accesses the communication control device.

FIG. 12 is a communication sequence diagram when the communication control device accesses the copying machine without using the management device.

13 is a list of parameters set in the communication control device 18 shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a format of communication data at the time of remote notification.

15 is a diagram showing an example of a data format at the time of read processing during access from the management apparatus shown in FIG. 5 to the copying machine.

FIG. 16 is a diagram similarly showing an example of a data format at the time of write processing.

FIG. 17 is a diagram similarly showing an example of a data format at the time of execute processing.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a data format when a management device accesses a communication control device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a data format when a communication control device accesses a copying machine.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a main routine of notification control by the CPU of the copying machine.

21 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a remote notification subroutine using the remote notification key shown in FIG.

22 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a subroutine for remote notification due to self-diagnosis abnormality in FIG. 20. FIG.

23 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a subroutine for remote notification by advance warning in FIG.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a main routine of processing by the CPU of the copying machine when accessed by the communication control device.

25 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a read processing subroutine in FIG.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a write processing subroutine in FIG.

27 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a subroutine of the execute processing in FIG.

FIG. 28 is a communication sequence diagram in an idle state when five copiers are connected to the communication control device.

FIG. 29 is a communication sequence diagram in the case where the copying machine at address 2 has a transmission text for remote notification.

FIG. 30 is a communication sequence diagram when the text of the notification result report is transmitted from the communication control device to the copying machine at address 5.

FIG. 31 is a communication sequence diagram between the communication control device and the copying machine when the management device or the communication control device accesses the copying machine at address 3.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Copier 2 Copier Main Body 3 Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 10 Scanner Section 11 Image Forming Section 12
Paper feeding unit 13 Fixing / paper discharging unit 14 Reversing unit 15 Double-sided unit 16 Management device 17 Public line network 18 Communication control device 19 Telephone 20 Facsimile device 70
Operation unit 71 Guidance display unit 72 Pattern display unit 83 Remote notification key D8 Remote communication error display 180 Switching unit 181 Modem 183 Communication interface 184 Communication control unit CPU 185 ROM 186 RAM 187 Battery 188 Clock 189 Total counter value automatic call permission switch 160 Host computer of management device 161 External storage device 162 Display 1
63 keyboard 164 printer 165 modem 100 copier control CPU 101 ROM 102 RAM 103 A
/ D converter 104 Optical system control unit 105 High-voltage power supply unit 106 Motor control unit 107 Heater control unit 108 Sensor sensitivity control unit 109 Communication interface unit 110 Address setting switch 111 Communication enable switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical indication location H04N 1/23 Z 9186-5C (72) Inventor Osamu Kizaki 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 6 In Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Tomofumi Harada 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus management system for connecting an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus via a communication line, wherein the code system according to the purpose of communication data is the same as the code system for a serviceman mode. Image forming apparatus management system. 1. An image forming apparatus management system for connecting an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus via a communication line, comprising: a communication control apparatus for controlling communication between the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus. From the communication control device or from the communication control device to the image forming device and the response code from the image forming device to the communication control device or from the communication control device to the management device have the same system code. An image forming apparatus management system characterized by the above.