JPH07271727A - Information processing system and method and device for information processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the information processing system which enables a user to recognize the operation states of plural information processors altogether at a time. CONSTITUTION:Discrimination information and operation state information on plural facsimile equipments 5a-5c and copying machines 6a-6c are inputted on their console panels, the inputted discrimination information and operation state information are sent by their CPU s to a centralized storage device 2 and gathered and stored, and the stored discrimination information and operation state information are displayed on the display unit of a personal computer 3 or a word processor 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a facsimile,
Information processing system and information processing method for processing information in a state in which a plurality of information processing devices such as a copying machine, a word processor (hereinafter referred to as a word processor), a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) are connected to each other via a network And equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional information processing system, a plurality of information processing devices individually operate independently.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional information processing system, since the user cannot collectively recognize the operation status of each of the plurality of information processing devices, the following problem occurs. There was a problem. (1) It takes a lot of time and effort for a user to search for a vacant information processing device. (2) Even if the information processing device is out of order, it is left untouched because it is unknown. (3) I do not know whether or not the information processing device is powered on.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the above-mentioned conventional technique, and an object of the present invention is to allow a user to collectively set the operation statuses of a plurality of information processing devices. The present invention aims to provide an information processing system and an information processing method and apparatus that can be recognized.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system according to the present invention includes a plurality of information processing devices, a network connecting the plurality of information processing devices to each other, and the information processing device. Input means for inputting the identification information and operation status information thereof, transmission means for transmitting the identification information and operation status information input to the information processing apparatus and input by the input means, and transmission by the transmission means A storage unit that centrally stores the identification information and the operation status information of each of the plurality of information processing devices, and the identification information and the operation status information that are provided in the information processing device and stored in the storage unit. It has a display means for displaying.

Further, in order to achieve the same purpose, it is preferable that the storage means is single and is connected to the plurality of information processing apparatuses via the network.

In order to achieve the same purpose, it is desirable that the storage means is provided in each of the plurality of information processing devices.

Further, in order to achieve the same purpose, the identification information is preferably a device name or an installation place of the information processing device.

Further, in order to achieve the same purpose, it is desirable that the plurality of information processing apparatuses are facsimiles, copying machines, word processors, personal computers, etc., or a combination thereof.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing method of the present invention is characterized in that the operating conditions of a plurality of information processing devices are collectively grasped and managed.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing method of the present invention is such that the input means inputs the identification information and the operation status information, and the transmission means transmits the identification information and the operation status information input by the input means. Characterized in that the identification information and the operation status information transmitted by the transmission means are stored in a storage means, and the identification information and the operation status information stored in the storage means are displayed by a display means. Is.

Further, in order to achieve the same object, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising management means for centrally grasping and managing the operation statuses of the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

Further, in order to achieve the same object, the information processing apparatus of the present invention has an input means for inputting identification information and operation status information, and a transmission for transmitting the identification information and operation status information input by the input means. Means, storage means for storing the identification information and operation status information transmitted by the transmission means, and display means for displaying the identification information and operation status information stored in the storage means. It is a thing.

[0014]

The identification information and the operation status information of the copying machine or the facsimile are input by the input means, and the input identification information and the operation status information are transmitted to the storage means by the transmission means and stored centrally. Then, the stored identification information and operation status information are displayed on the display means of an information processing device such as a personal computer or a word processor. As a result, the user can collectively recognize the operation status of each of the devices by looking at the display section of the display means.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an information processing system, which is a plurality of information processing devices and one centralized unit. It has a storage device (storage means) 2. In the present embodiment as an information processing device, one personal computer 3, one word processor 4, 3
Facsimiles 5a, 5b, 5c and three copying machines 6
a, 6b, 6c are provided. The personal computer 3 can independently perform input / output of personal information and calculation processing. Word processor 4
Can independently input and output documents. Each facsimile 5
The a to 5c can input / output images and can transmit / receive images using a telephone line. Each of the copying machines 6a to 6c can copy a document. The central storage device 2 includes a personal computer 3, a word processor 4, facsimiles 5a to 5c, and a copying machine 6.
The identification information of each of a to 6c and the operation status information are centrally stored.

The central storage device 2, the personal computer 3, the word processor 4, the facsimiles 5a to 5c, and the copying machines 6a to 6c are connected to each other via a network 7. This network 7 is a LAN (Local Ar
ea Network; in-company / regional information communication network) and the like, and plays a role of a signal line for transmitting and receiving information to and from the respective devices. The central storage device 2 is
It is possible to write / read information from each device through the network 7.

PC 3, word processor 4, facsimile 5
a to 5c and copying machines 6a to 6c, as shown in FIG.
It is installed in a predetermined installation place such as a fixed desk. FIG. 2 shows a personal computer 3, a word processor 4, and a facsimile 5.
It is a figure which shows an example of the map (MAP) which respectively shows the installation place of a-5c and the copying machines 6a-6c. In the figure, A, B, C, D, E, and F indicate column positions, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 indicate row positions, respectively. Also, (A1) is a coordinate value indicating the installation location of the first copying machine 6a, (A3) is a coordinate value indicating the installation location of the personal computer 3, and (A6) is a coordinate indicating the installation location of the first facsimile 5a. Value, (C1) is a coordinate value indicating the installation location of the second facsimile 5b, (C6) is a coordinate value indicating the installation location of the second copying machine 6b, and (E1) is the installation location of the third copying machine 6c. Is the coordinate value (E6) indicating the third facsimile 5c.
Is a coordinate value indicating the installation place of (F4) is a coordinate value indicating the installation place of the word processor 4. 1 and 2, the personal computer 3 is a PC, the word processor 4 is a WP, the first facsimile 5a is a FAX, and the second facsimile 5b is an F.
AX, third facsimile 5c is FAX, first copying machine 6a is COPY, second copying machine 6b is COPY, third
The copy machine 6c is displayed as COPY.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the personal computer 3 or the word processor 4. In FIG.
A PU (Central Processing Unit) 9 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), which stores a control program for controlling the entire personal computer 3 or word processor 4 and information necessary for control such as character patterns, and the CPU 8 is a ROM 9 Input / output of information, arithmetic processing, etc. are executed in accordance with the instructions of the control program stored in 10 is a RAM (readable / writable memory)
Then, it is used as a work area in the arithmetic processing and the like. A modulator / demodulator 11 performs a modulation process to send the transmission information on the network 7 and a demodulation process to receive the information on the network 7. 12
Is a display, CRT (Cathod Ray Tub)
e; cathode ray tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal)
It is composed of an al display (liquid crystal display), etc., and is displayed for the user to recognize various kinds of information. Reference numeral 13 denotes a keyboard as an input means, which is used by the user to instruct the control of the personal computer 3 or the word processor 4 and input information, and is provided with a large number of keys (not shown).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the facsimiles 5a to 5c or the copying machines 6a to 6c. In FIG. 4, 14 is a CPU (central processing unit) and 15 is an R.
A control program for controlling the entire facsimile or copying machine is stored in an OM (read-only memory), and the CPU 14 executes input / output of information, arithmetic processing, etc. according to the instruction of the control program stored in the ROM 15. .

Reference numeral 16 is a RAM (readable / writable memory),
It is used as a work area in the arithmetic processing and the like. 1
A modulator / demodulator 7 performs a modulation process to send the transmission information on the network 7 and a demodulation process to receive the information on the network 7. Reference numeral 18 denotes a display panel, which is a CRT (Cathod Ray Tube;
Cathode ray tube or LCD (Liquid Crystal)
Display (liquid crystal display) or the like, and is used to display various kinds of information for the user to recognize. 1
Reference numeral 9 denotes an operation panel as an input means, which is a key for the user to instruct the operation of the mechanical unit 20 described later, and an identification for indicating the device name of the facsimiles 5a to 5c itself or the copying machines 6a to 6c itself and the installation place. ID, which is information
The RAM 16 is provided with a key (both not shown) for storing an identification (identification) in the ID storage area 16a in the RAM 16. Here, the ID means, for example, FIG.
The device name is “COPY” and the like, and the coordinate value indicating the installation place is “A1” and the like. 20 is a mechanical part,
The facsimiles 5a to 5c include an image input unit, an image output unit, a telephone line connection unit, and the like, and copy machines 6a to 6c.
In the case of c, it includes a document reading unit and a copying unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the centralized storage device 2. In FIG. 5, 21 is a CPU (central processing unit), 22 is a ROM (read only memory),
A control program for controlling the centralized storage device 2 as a whole is stored, and the CPU 21 executes information input / output, arithmetic processing, and the like in accordance with instructions of the control program stored in the ROM 22.

Reference numeral 23 is a RAM (readable / writable memory),
It is used as a work area in the arithmetic processing and the like. Two
A modulator / demodulator 4 performs a modulation process to send the transmission information to the network 7 and a demodulation process to receive the information on the network 7. A storage unit 25 is a network 7 for inputting and outputting through the modulation / demodulation unit 24.
The above information is read and written under the control of the CPU 21.

Next, the operation of the facsimiles 5a to 5c or the copying machines 6a to 6c will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing routine is executed under the control of the CPU 14.

First, when the power is turned on, step S6
Initialization processing is executed at 01. Then step S602
Then, the process proceeds to and it is determined whether or not the network 7 is connected. If not connected, step S6
08, the facsimile 5a-5c or the copying machine 6a
~ 6c operates in stand-alone mode, which operates independently. If the network 7 is connected in step S602, the process proceeds to step S603 and R
ID stored in the ID storage area 16a of AM16
Then, a status signal indicating that the power is turned on is transmitted to the centralized storage device 2.

Next, in step S604, it is determined whether or not the power switch is on. If it is not on, step S604 is performed.
After proceeding to 609 and transmitting the ID and the status signal indicating that the power is off to the centralized storage device 2, the power is turned off at step S610. If the power switch is turned on in step S604, the process proceeds to step S605 to determine whether or not there is an operation input from the operation panel 19, and if there is no operation input, the process returns to step S604. If there is an operation input, the process proceeds to step S606 to determine whether or not the content of the operation input is a network setting instruction. If it is a network setting instruction, the process proceeds to step S607 to instruct the user. The ID is set by, and in the next step S608, the I
After D is stored in the ID storage area 16a of the RAM 16, the process returns to step S604.

On the other hand, if it is other than the network setting instruction in step S606, the process proceeds to step S612, the ID and the status signal according to the operation input content are transmitted to the centralized storage device 2, and in the next step S613, The process according to the operation input content is executed. Next, in step S614, the ID and a status signal indicating that the operation has been completed are transmitted to the centralized storage device 2, and then the process returns to step S604. Therefore, the central storage device 2 includes facsimiles 5a to 5c or copying machines 6a to 6c.
The information indicating the on / off state of the power source of 6c and the information indicating the operation status are stored in real time.

Next, the operation of the personal computer 3 or word processor 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing routine is executed under the control of the CPU 8.

First, when the power is turned on, step S7
Initialization processing is executed at 01. Then step S702
In step S703, it is determined whether or not there is a command input from the keyboard 13 until a command is input. If there is a command input, the process proceeds to step S703 to determine the content of the input command.

Then, the command content is the facsimile 5
a-5c or a command for setting the map (MAP) of the copying machines 6a-6c, the process proceeds to step S704.
The map setting process is executed. Further, the contents of the command are facsimiles 5a to 5c or copying machines 6a to 6c.
If it is a command for looking at the operation status of the step S7
Then, the process proceeds to 05 to execute a process for checking the operation status. Furthermore, if the command content is a command for executing other processing, the process proceeds to step S706 to execute other processing. Steps S704 to S7
After executing 05, the process returns to step S702.

FIG. 8 shows step S704 of FIG. 7 described above.
6 is a flowchart showing details of a control operation of the map setting process executed in FIG. First, when a map setting command is input, it is determined in step S801 whether or not the network 7 is connected. If not, the process proceeds to step S804, error processing is executed, and then this processing operation is ended. To do. If the network 7 is connected in step S801, the flow advances to step S802 to create a map as shown in FIG. 2 according to the user's instruction. When this map creation processing ends, the flow advances to the next step S803 to store the created map in the centralized storage device 2 through the network 7, and then this processing operation ends.

FIG. 9 shows step S705 of FIG. 7 described above.
Facsimile 5a-5c or copier 6a executed in
It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the control operation of the process for seeing the operation condition of 6c. First, the facsimile 5a-
5c or a command for viewing the operating status of the copiers 6a to 6c is input, it is determined in step S901 whether the network 7 is connected. If not, the process proceeds to step S906 to perform error processing. After the execution, this processing operation ends. In addition, step S90
If the network 7 is connected in step 1, the process proceeds to step S902, and the process of reading the map stored in the centralized storage device 2 is executed. Next, step S903.
And proceed to Facsimile 5a-5c or Copier 6a-
The process of reading the operation status of 6c is executed.

Next, in step S904, a display process for displaying on the display 12 the map and operation status read in steps S902 and S903, respectively, is executed. Next, proceeding to step S905, it is determined whether or not the user has input the end key. If not input, the process returns to step S903, and if so, this processing operation ends.

By repeating the processing of steps S903 and S904 until the user inputs the end key in this manner, as shown in FIG. 10, the operating conditions and power supplies of the facsimiles 5a to 5c or the copying machines 6a to 6c are shown. On / off status etc. in real time screen 1 of display 12
2a. Therefore, the user can
By looking at the facsimiles 5a-5c on the desk
Alternatively, it is possible to easily confirm the operating status of the copying machines 6a to 6c, the power-on / off status, and the like. Note that FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit 12, in which COPY (first copying machine 6a) is turned off,
AX (second facsimile 5b) and COPY (second facsimile)
This shows that the copying machine 6b) is in use.

Next, the operation of the centralized storage device 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing routine is executed under the control of the CPU 21.

First, when the power is turned on, step S1
At 101, initialization processing is executed. Then step S11
In step 02, it is determined whether or not it is connected to the network 7, and if it is not connected, step S1109 is entered and error processing is executed. In addition, the step S
If it is connected to the network 7 at 1102, the process proceeds to step S1103, and it is determined whether or not there is a command input from the network 7 until a command is input. If there is a command input, the process proceeds to step S1104.
The content of the input command is determined.

If the command content is a command for performing ID registration processing, the flow advances to step S1105 to execute the ID registration processing. Further, the contents of the command are facsimile 5a-5c or copier 6a-
If it is a command for reading and writing the operating condition of 6c, the process advances to step S1106 to execute the reading and writing process of the operating condition. If the command content is a command for reading and writing the map, step S110.
In step 7, the map read / write processing is executed. Furthermore, if the command content is a command for executing other processing, the process advances to step S1108 to execute other processing. Steps S1105 to S11
After executing 08, the process returns to step S1103.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals. .

In the above-described first embodiment, the personal computer 3, the word processor 4, the facsimiles 5a to 5c and the copying machines 6a to 6 are used.
There is an advantage that the map and ID can be easily changed from any of c. However, on the other hand, since the map and ID can be easily changed, when the number of users increases, it becomes difficult to manage and operate the user.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the centralized storage device 2 is connected to the network 7 via the host computer (HC) 27, and the centralized storage device 2 is controlled by the host computer 27, and the map and ID All registrations and the like are managed centrally by the host computer 27. Such a configuration is suitable when the network 7 becomes large in scale.

(Other Embodiments) In the first and second embodiments described above, a plurality of facsimiles 5a-5c are provided.
Also, the identification information and the operation status information of each of the copying machines 6a to 6c are stored in the central storage device 2, and the identification information and the operation status information are displayed on the display 12 of the personal computer 3 or the word processor 4. The invention is not limited to this, and a personal computer, a word processor, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine are provided with storage means for centrally storing identification information and operation status information of each of these devices, and the identification means is provided on the display means of each device. Information and operating status information may be displayed.

As the plurality of information processing devices, personal computers, word processors, such as those in the first and second embodiments described above,
The present invention is not limited to the combination of the facsimile and the copying machine, and may be only the personal computer, only the word processor, only the facsimile, only the copying machine, or any combination thereof.

Further, the information processing apparatus is not limited to the personal computer, the word processor, the facsimile and the copying machine as in the first and second embodiments described above, but may be other equipment.

[0044]

As described in detail above, according to the information processing system, the information processing method, and the apparatus of the present invention, the user can collectively recognize the operation status of each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses. Thus, it is possible to quickly determine which information processing device should be used.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a map showing installation locations of a personal computer, a word processor, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine in FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the personal computer or word processor in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the facsimile or copying machine in FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the centralized storage device in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the facsimile machine or copying machine in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the personal computer or word processor in FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing the details of the control operation of the map setting process executed in step S704 of FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing the details of the control operation of the processing for checking the operation status of the facsimile or copying machine executed in step S705 of FIG.

10 is a diagram showing a display example of a display device of a personal computer or a word processor in FIG.

11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the centralized storage device in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Information Processing System 2 Centralized Storage Device (Storage Unit) 3 Personal Computer (Information Processing Device) 4 Word Processor (Information Processing Device) 5a to 5c Facsimile (Information Processing Device) 6a to 6c Copier (Information Processing Device) 7 Network 8 CPU ( Transmitting means 10 RAM (storage means) 12 Display (display means) 13 Keyboard (input means) 14 CPU (transmitting means) 16 RAM (storage means) 18 Display panel (display means) 19 Operation panel (input means) 23 RAM (Memory means)

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of information processing devices, a network for connecting the plurality of information processing devices to each other, input means provided in the information processing devices and for inputting identification information and operation status information thereof, the information processing Transmitting means for transmitting the identification information and operation status information provided in the device and inputted by the input means, and identification information and operation status information of each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses transmitted by the transmitting means are concentrated. An information processing system comprising: a storage unit that temporarily stores the information; and a display unit that is provided in the information processing apparatus and displays the identification information and the operation status information stored in the storage unit. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a single unit and is connected to the plurality of information processing units via the network. 3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is provided in each of the plurality of information processing devices. 4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is a device name of the information processing device. 5. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is an installation location of the information processing device. 6. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is a device name and an installation place of the information processing apparatus. 7. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of information processing devices are facsimiles. 8. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of information processing apparatuses are copying machines. 9. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of information processing devices are word processors. 10. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of information processing devices are personal computers. 11. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of information processing devices are facsimiles, copying machines, word processors, personal computers, and the like. 12. An information processing method, characterized in that the operating conditions of a plurality of devices are collectively grasped and managed. 13. The identification information and the operation status information are input by an input means, the identification information and the operation status information input by the input means are transmitted by a transmission means, and the identification information and the operation information transmitted by the transmission means are transmitted. An information processing method characterized in that operation status information is stored in a storage means, and the identification information and the operation status information stored in the storage means are displayed by a display means. 14. An information processing apparatus comprising a management means for centrally grasping and managing the operation statuses of a plurality of devices. 15. The management means includes input means for inputting identification information and operation status information, transmission means for transmitting the identification information and operation status information input by the input means, and transmission means for transmission. 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising: storage means for storing the identification information and the operation status information, and display means for displaying the identification information and the operation status information stored in the storage means. 16. Input means for inputting identification information and operation status information, transmission means for transmitting the identification information and operation status information input by the input means, and identification information and operation transmitted by the transmission means. An information processing apparatus comprising: storage means for storing status information; and display means for displaying the identification information and operation status information stored in the storage means.