JPH08195879A - Copying machine management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the preparation of a copy by using a copying machine unfairly moved by a robbery or the like and to prevent the forgery of paper money and securities, etc. CONSTITUTION: This copying machine management device is provided with a control part 11 for controlling respective parts including a paper feeding part 13. A user password is stored in a password memory 15, it is collated with a password inputted from a control panel 12 and radio communication is performed to a radio device through a transmission/reception part 16 when they match. On the side of the radio device, a utilization right memory provided with a utilization right flag is provided and utilization permission signals are transmitted to the control part 11 of the copying machine based on the state of the utilization right flag. The copying machine permits a copying operation only at the time of receiving the utilization right permission signals.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine management apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a copying machine, particularly a color copying machine, it is necessary to consider prevention of forgery of banknotes and securities. For example, there is a copying machine configured such that a copying machine that has made a copy can be specified by printing a model number, a serial number, or the like of the copying machine on a copy, and the user can be specified.

[0003]

In such a copying machine, it is possible to determine the copying machine used from the serial number printed on the counterfeit bills or securities. However, if the copying machine is improperly moved due to theft or the like, it is impossible to identify the criminal who forged.

It is an object of the present invention to prevent a copy from being made using a copying machine that has been improperly moved due to theft or the like.
To prevent the forgery of banknotes and securities.

[0005]

A copying machine management apparatus according to the present invention comprises a usage right memory, a usage right confirmation means, a wireless communication means, and a copying permission means. The usage right memory has a usage right flag in two states. The usage right confirmation means confirms the state of the usage right flag. The wireless communication means accesses the usage right confirmation means by wireless communication and requests a usage right for the copying operation. The copy permission means prohibits the copying operation if the usage right flag confirmed by the usage right confirmation means is in one state, and permits the copying operation if the usage right flag is in the other state.

Here, the usage right memory and the usage right confirmation means may be arranged in a wireless device connected via a line to a host computer that manages the copying machine. The wireless device may further include a usage right requesting unit that communicates with the host computer to make a usage right setting request when a usage right request is made by the wireless communication unit.

The wireless device may further include a usage right deleting means for performing wireless communication with the wireless communication means and setting the usage right flag to one state when communication is disabled. The host computer may further include a storage unit, a communication unit, and a usage right setting unit. In this case, the storage means stores the line number of the wireless device. The communication unit reads the line number of the wireless device from the storage unit based on the usage right setting request and performs communication. When the communication from the communication means is normally performed, the usage right setting means determines that the usage right setting request is a valid request, and transmits a usage right setting signal for setting the usage right flag to the other state. .

Further, the copying machine has a password memory,
It is possible to further include a password requesting unit, a password receiving unit, and a password collating unit. Here, the password memory stores the user password. The password requesting means requests the password input after turning on the power of the copying machine. The password receiving means receives a password input from the outside. The password collating means collates the password accepted by the password accepting means with the user password stored in the password memory.

Further, it is also possible that the wireless communication means accesses the usage right confirmation means when the comparison result by the password comparison means matches.

[0010]

In the copying machine management apparatus according to the present invention, when the copying operation is performed by the copying machine, the usage right confirmation means is accessed by the wireless communication means. The usage right confirmation means confirms the state of the usage right flag in the usage right memory and transmits the confirmed result to the wireless communication means. The copying permission means prohibits or permits the copying operation of the copying machine depending on the state of the usage right flag. Therefore, if the usage right flag of the usage right memory is in one state, the copying operation of the copying machine is prohibited, and if the usage right flag is in the other state, the copying operation is permitted.

When the usage right memory and the usage right confirmation means are arranged in the wireless device, the wireless communication means provided in the copying machine wirelessly communicates with the wireless device to use the usage right of the copying operation. Confirmation can be done.
Therefore, when the copying machine is moved to a position where wireless communication with the wireless device is not possible, the usage right of the copying operation cannot be confirmed, and the copying operation is prohibited.
Therefore, it becomes impossible to make an illegal copy using a copying machine moved for an illegal purpose.

When the wireless device further comprises a usage right requesting means for communicating with the host computer and making a usage right setting request, the usage right flag of the usage right memory provided in the wireless device is set. The state can be controlled by the host computer. Further, when the wireless device further comprises a usage right deleting means for setting the usage right flag to one state when communication with the wireless communication means of the copying machine is disabled, when the copying machine is connected to the wireless device. If it is moved to a range where communication is not possible, copy operation will be disabled, and even if it is moved to a range where wireless communication is possible again, copy operation of the copy machine is prohibited until the usage right is set by communication with the host computer. it can.

When the host computer further has a storage unit for storing the line number of the wireless device, a communication unit, and a usage right setting unit, when there is a usage right setting request from the wireless device. The communication means can communicate with the wireless device, and the usage right setting signal can be transmitted only when the communication is normally performed. Even when the copying machine and the wireless device are both moved, the memory is stored. The use right setting signal may not be received using a line different from the line number of the wireless device stored in the means.

When the copying machine is further provided with a password memory, a password requesting means, a password receiving means, and a password collating means, the user password and the password receiving means stored in the password memory are used. The received password may be compared with the received password, and if the passwords match, the wireless communication means accesses the usage right confirmation means to check the status of the usage right flag. Therefore, the password and the usage right flag can be used for double protection, and the security can be improved.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a copying machine management apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 1 is installed in a range where wireless communication with the wireless device 2 is possible. The wireless device 2 is connected to the host computer 4 via the public line 3. As shown in the figure, a host computer 4 may be connected to a plurality of wireless devices 2 and 2 via a public line 3 to manage a plurality of copying machines 1 and 1.

The copying machine 1 has an exposure unit for reading an original, an image forming unit for forming a toner image of the read original, a paper feeding unit for feeding paper to the image forming unit, and an image forming unit for printing on the paper. It has a fixing unit for heating and fixing the formed image. Further, the copying machine 1 is provided with a control unit 11 shown in FIG. The control unit 11 includes a CPU, RA
It is composed of a microcomputer system including M, ROM, various drivers and IO. The control unit 11 has
The operation panel 12 is connected. The operation panel 12 is
It is arranged on the upper surface of the main body of the copying machine and includes an input key section and a display section composed of a liquid crystal display element or an LED. The control unit 11 is further connected to a paper feeding unit 13 that feeds paper from an attached paper feeding cassette or a bypass table to the image forming unit. A password memory 15 composed of a RAM whose power is backed up is connected to the control unit 11. The password memory 15 stores the user password set by the user or the host computer. A transmission / reception unit 16 that further performs wireless communication is connected to the control unit 11.

The wireless device 2, as shown in FIG.
PU21, RAM22 and RO connected to CPU21
It includes an M23 and an input / output interface (not shown). The RAM 22 has an area for storing a usage right flag. The CPU 21 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 1 of the copying machine 1.
6, a transmitter / receiver 24 for wireless communication is connected. The CPU 21 is connected to a network control unit (hereinafter referred to as NCU) 25, and is connected to a public line via a modem 26 connected to the NCU 25.

As shown in FIG. 4, the host computer includes a CPU 31 and a RAM 3 connected to the CPU 31.
2, ROM 33 and input / output interface 34 are included. A display CRT 35, an input keyboard 36, a storage device 38, and the like are also connected to the CPU 31. The storage device 38 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive or the like, and is provided with an area for storing the line numbers of the wireless devices 2 and 2 connected via the public line. The input / output interface 34 is provided with input / output terminals such as RS232C and is connected to a public line via a communication modem 37.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. Copier The copier 1 operates as shown in FIG. When the main switch of the copying machine 1 is turned on, various parameters are initialized in step S1. Here, the variable k for counting the number of password inputs is reset to "0". At the same time, the mode is set to prohibit the copying operation of the copying machine 1. The copy operation prohibition mode can be set by, for example, prohibiting the output of the paper feed operation command from the control unit 11 to the paper feed unit 13. In step S2, a display prompting the user to enter a password is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 12.

In step S3, it is determined whether or not the password is input by the user. Here, the password input from the input key unit provided on the operation panel 12 is accepted. When the password from the user is accepted, the process proceeds to step S4. Step S4
Then, the variable k indicating the number of password inputs is incremented.

In step S5, the password entered in step S3 is compared with the user password stored in the password memory 15 to determine whether they match. When it is determined in step S5 that the passwords match, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, communication is performed with the transmitting / receiving unit 24 of the wireless device 2 via the transmitting / receiving unit 16. In step S7, it is determined whether the communication with the transmission / reception unit 24 of the wireless device 2 has succeeded. If communication fails, step S6
Then, the communication with the wireless device is performed again. Step S
If it is determined that the communication with the wireless device 2 is successful in 7, the process proceeds to step S8. Step S8
Then, a usage right confirmation signal is transmitted to the wireless device 2. In step S9, it is determined whether a usage permission signal from the wireless device 2 has been received. If the usage right permission signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S6. When the usage right permission signal is received, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, a copy operation preparation process such as controlling the fixing unit to a predetermined temperature is performed so that a normal copy operation can be performed. In step S11, it is determined whether or not the input key portion of the operation panel 12 has been operated to instruct the copy operation. When the copy operation is instructed, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, a copy operation is performed according to the operation accepted in step S11. In step S13, other processing is performed. In step S14, it is determined whether the main switch has been turned off. If the main switch of the copying machine 1 is not turned off, the process proceeds to step S11. When the main switch is turned off in step S14, the process ends, and the power supply to each unit is turned off.

If it is determined in step S5 that the passwords do not match, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the variable k indicating the number of password inputs is compared with a predetermined value n. The predetermined value n is a threshold value for invalidating the user password in the password memory 15 when the number of password inputs exceeds this value, and is set to "3", for example. If the variable k is less than the predetermined value n, the process proceeds to step S2. If it is determined in step S15 that the value of the variable k is equal to or larger than the predetermined value n, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the user password stored in the password memory 15 is erased. After that, the processing of the copying machine 1 ends.

Radio Device The radio device 2 operates as shown in FIG. In step S21, wireless communication is performed with the transmitting / receiving unit 16 of the copying machine 1 via the transmitting / receiving unit 24. In step S22, the copying machine 1
It is determined whether the communication with the transmitting / receiving unit 16 has been successful. If the communication with the copying machine 1 is successful, the process proceeds to step S24. When it is determined in step S22 that the wireless communication with the copying machine 1 has not succeeded, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the usage right flag stored in the RAM 22 is set to "0".

In step S24, it is determined whether or not a usage right confirmation signal has been received from the copying machine 1. If the usage right confirmation signal from the copying machine 1 has not been received, step S2
Move to 1. When it is determined in step S24 that the usage right confirmation signal from the copying machine 1 is received, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the content of the usage right flag stored in the RAM 22 is read. In step S26, it is determined whether the content of the usage right flag read in step S25 is "0" or "1". Here, if the value of the usage right flag is "0", the process proceeds to step S27, and if it is "1", the process proceeds to step S33.

In step S27, the host computer 4 communicates with the NCU 25 and the modem 26. In step S28, a usage right setting request signal is transmitted to the host computer 4. In step S29, communication with the host computer 4 ends. In step S30,
It is determined whether or not there is a call from the host computer 4 via the public line 3. If there is a call from the host computer 4, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the signal transmitted from the host computer 4 is received and processing is performed based on this signal. For example, when the usage right setting signal is received, R
“1” is set in the area in the AM 22 where the usage right flag is stored.

In step S32, the usage right flag in the RAM 22 is checked to determine whether or not there is a usage right now. If the user does not currently have the usage right, the process proceeds to step S30 and waits for an incoming call from the host computer 4. If it is determined in step S32 that the user currently has the usage right, step S33.
Move to In step S33, wireless communication is performed with the copying machine 1 via the transmission / reception unit 24, and a usage permission signal is transmitted. After this, the process proceeds to step S21.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of the host computer 4 when there is a usage right setting request from the host computer wireless device 2. Step S4
At 1, it is determined whether or not there is a usage right setting request from the wireless device 2. If there is no usage right setting request, the process proceeds to step S45. If it is determined in step S41 that there is a usage right setting request, the process proceeds to step S42.
In step S42, the line number of the corresponding wireless device 2 is read from the storage device 28, and a call is made to this line number via the modem 37. In step S43,
In step S42, it is determined whether or not the call can be normally made with the wireless device 2 having the read line number. If the call cannot be made normally, the process proceeds to step S45.
If it is determined in step S43 that the normal call has succeeded, the process proceeds to step S44. Step S4
In 4, the usage right setting signal is transmitted to the wireless device 2 that has succeeded in the call. In step S45, other processing is performed.

In the above-described embodiment, when the copying machine 1 is moved to a state where wireless communication with the wireless device 2 cannot be performed, it is confirmed whether or not the copying machine 1 has the usage right. Cannot be performed, and the state in which the copying operation is prohibited is maintained. Therefore, the copying machine 1 will not be used illegally. In addition, the line number of the wireless device 2 is managed by the host computer 4, and the wireless device 2 sets the usage right flag in the RAM 22 to “0” until the usage right setting signal is received by the call from the host computer 4. Has become. Therefore, even when both the copying machine 1 and the wireless device 2 are moved, if the line different from the wireless device line number stored in the host computer 4 is used, the copying machine 1 cannot be used. It becomes impossible.

[0030]

In the copying machine management apparatus according to the present invention, the copying operation is prohibited or permitted based on the state of the usage right flag in the usage right memory, and the copying machine performs wireless communication from the usage right confirmation means. When moved to an impossible position, the state of this usage right flag cannot be confirmed. Therefore, when the copying machine is illegally moved, the copying operation is prohibited, and it is possible to prevent the unauthorized manufacture of the copied material.

When the usage right memory and the usage right confirmation means are arranged in the wireless device and the wireless device is connected to the host computer via the line, the usage right flag in the usage right memory is set. It becomes possible to control from the host computer side via the line. If the wireless device communicates with the host computer to make a usage right setting request, and if the usage right flag is in one state when the usage right is confirmed from the copying machine, the usage right to the host computer It can be configured to make a configuration request.

If the wireless device is configured to set the usage right flag to one state when communication with the wireless communication means of the copying machine is disabled, the copying machine is illegally moved and the wireless device If the communication of the copying machine is disabled, the copying operation of the copying machine can be prohibited, and even if the copying machine is in the state of being able to communicate again, the communication with the host computer can be performed normally. prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an illegal copying operation.

In the case where the host computer is configured to have a storage means, a communication means, and a usage right setting means, for communication using a line other than the line number of the wireless device stored in the storage means, Then, the usage right setting signal cannot be transmitted, and it is possible to prevent the copying machine from being illegally used even when both the copying machine and the wireless device are moved.

When the copying machine further comprises a password memory, a password requesting means, a password accepting means, and a password collating means, the user password stored in the password memory is the password accepted from the password accepting means. It is possible to prevent the use of the copying machine by a third party. Therefore, the password and the usage right flag can be double-checked, and an unauthorized copy can be prevented from being created.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine management apparatus adopting an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the copying machine.

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

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a host computer.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of a wireless device.

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart of the host computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Copier 2 Wireless Device 3 Public Line 4 Host Computer 11 Control Unit 12 Control Panel 13 Paper Feeding Unit 15 Password Memory 16 Transmitter / Receiver 21 CPU 22 RAM 23 ROM 24 Transmitter / Receiver 25 NCU 26 Modem 31 CPU 32 RAM 33 ROM 34 Input / Output Interface 35 CRT 36 Keyboard 37 Modem 38 Storage

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A usage right memory having a usage right flag in two states, a usage right confirming unit for checking the status of the usage right flag, and a wireless communication to access the usage right checking unit for copying operation. Wireless communication means for making a usage right request, and copy permission means for prohibiting the copying operation if the usage right flag confirmed by the usage right confirmation means is in one state and permitting the copying operation in the other state , A copier management device comprising: 2. The usage right memory and the usage right confirmation means,
The wireless device is arranged in a wireless device connected through a line to a host computer that manages the copying machine.
Copier management device described in. 3. The wireless device according to claim 2, further comprising a usage right requesting means for communicating with the host computer to make a usage right setting request when a usage right request is made by the wireless communication means. Copier management device. 4. The wireless device further comprises usage right deleting means for performing wireless communication with the wireless communication means and setting the usage right flag to one state when communication is disabled. The copier management device described in 3. 5. The host computer stores the line number of the wireless device, and a communication unit that reads the line number of the wireless device from the storage unit based on the usage right setting request and performs communication. When the communication from the communication unit is normally performed, it is determined that the usage right setting request is a normal request, and a usage right setting signal for setting the usage right flag to the other state is transmitted. The copying machine management apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a right setting unit. 6. The copying machine, a password memory for storing a user password, a password requesting means for requesting a password input after turning on the power of the copying machine, a password receiving means for receiving a password input from the outside, and the password. 6. The copying machine management apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a password collating unit that collates the password accepted by the accepting unit with the user password stored in the password memory. 7. The copying machine management apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said wireless communication means accesses said usage right confirmation means when the verification result by said password verification means matches.