JPH08339141A - Managing device for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable storing cumulative number of image formations classified for every user of a large number or every department which the user belongs to, in a memory of limited capacity. CONSTITUTION: In this managing device, on judgement of judging means B whether the identification code matches with any one of the identification code in the setting range or not, by the identification code reading means A, and only in the case of matching, the number of copies by a copying machine is cumulatively stored for respective identification code within a setting range in image forming numbers storage means D, after copying operations of the copying machine is approved by image forming operation permitting means C, by arbitrarily setting the range of the usable identification code among the identification code preliminary registered by code range setting means E, and reading the identification code showing the user or whose assigned department recorded in an information recording medium, when it is attached to the controlling device.

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 apparatus for managing the number of image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers for each user or division to which the user belongs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to make a running cost of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine borne by a user or a department to which the user belongs, for example, the number of copies of the copying machine is managed separately for each department. Therefore, the user of the copying machine records the division of the department to which he / she belongs after the use and the number of copies, and the administrator counts the number of copies for each department for each predetermined period. The work was time-consuming and complicated to manage.

Therefore, in order to eliminate such inconvenience, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-52748 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-4.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2668 or Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-16032, an identification code indicating a user or a department to which the user belongs is recorded in an information recording medium such as a magnetic card, and the information recording medium is a management device. When it is attached to the device, the identification code recorded there is read by the reading device, and it is judged whether or not the identification code matches any one of the identification codes registered in advance. A management apparatus has been proposed in which, after permitting a copying operation of a copying machine, the number of copies made by the copying machine is cumulatively stored for each registered identification code.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional management apparatus, as the number of identification codes increases, a memory for storing the cumulative number of image formations is required, and therefore, the memory is insufficient. There was a problem that the size increased and the cost increased. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable a memory having a limited capacity to store a large number of users or cumulative image formation numbers for each department.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, identifies the user or the department to which the user is recorded in the inserted information recording medium. An identification code reading means A for reading the identification code shown, a determination means B for determining whether the identification code read by the identification code matches any one of the identification codes registered in advance, and if the above identification code is matched by the identification code reading means A An image forming operation permission unit C that permits the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus only when it is determined, and an image forming number storage unit D that cumulatively stores the number of image formed by the image forming apparatus for each of the registered identification codes. The following means is provided in the image forming apparatus management apparatus including the following.

That is, a code range setting means E for arbitrarily setting the range of usable identification codes among the previously registered identification codes is provided. The code range setting means E may set the range of usable identification codes by registering the leading identification code or information corresponding to the code.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the range of usable identification codes among the identification codes registered in advance by the code range setting means E of FIG. When the image forming apparatus management apparatus is inserted into the image forming apparatus management apparatus, the image forming apparatus management apparatus uses the identification code recorded in the information recording medium as the identification code reading means A.
Then, the judgment means B judges whether or not it matches with either the identification code or the identification code within the range set by the code range setting means E.

Then, after the copying operation of the copying machine is permitted by the image forming operation permitting means C only when they coincide with each other,
The number of copies made by the copying machine is stored in the image forming number storage means D.
Is cumulatively stored for each identification code within the set range. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus management apparatus is installed for each image forming apparatus so that the number of image forming sheets of the plurality of image forming apparatuses can be cumulatively stored, the memory of each image forming apparatus management apparatus can be efficiently used.

That is, by setting the range of the identification code that can be used in each image forming apparatus management device so as to be different from each other, the image forming apparatus that can be used by each user is limited, but instead, each image forming apparatus described above is formed. In the memory of the device management device, the number of image formations for each user or department to which they belong is distributed and cumulatively stored. It is possible to cumulatively store the number of formed images. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size and cost of the memory.

If the code range setting means E sets the range of usable identification codes by registering the leading identification code or information corresponding to the code, the usable identification codes can be obtained. The work efficiency is better than the case of setting one by one, and the time required for the setting work can be significantly shortened.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system which is an embodiment of the present invention.

In this image forming apparatus management system,
A plurality of copying machines 1 are installed in the group A, a copy management device 2 is connected to each of the copying machines 1, and a common totalizing device 3 is connected to each copy management device 2. Further, a plurality of copying machines 4 are also installed in the group B, a copy management device 5 is connected to each copying machine 4, and a common totalizing device 3 is connected to each copy management device 5. .

Each of the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 reads an identification code (hereinafter referred to as "department code") indicating a department (or a user) to which the user belongs, which is recorded on the inserted information recording medium, It is judged whether or not the read department code matches any of the available department codes, and only when they match, the copying operation of the copying machines 1 and 4 is permitted, and then the copying by the copying machines 1 and 4 is performed. The number of sheets is cumulatively stored in the memory for each usable department code.

The counting device 3 counts the number of copies for each department code stored in the memories of all the copy management devices 2 and 5 every predetermined period. Note that each of the copy management devices 2 and 5 has a memory limit of 50.
It is assumed that only the number of copies of department 0 can be cumulatively stored.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show copy management devices 2 and 5, respectively.
3 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of FIG. This copy management device 2,
In FIG. 5, 11 is a display panel for displaying various information such as the department code, the cumulative number of copies for each department code, and the number of copies for each user (when the information recording medium is inserted).

Reference numeral 12 denotes a recall key (key switch for management), which is used for switching the contents displayed on the display panel 11, for example, the cumulative number of copies for each department code and the number of copies for each user, or a department registered in advance. It is used when setting the range of usable department codes among codes. A dip switch 13 is used to switch the operation mode of the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 to a special mode for setting the department code range.

Reference numeral 14 denotes an encoder connection port to which a connection cable with an encoder for encoding and inputting data can be detachably inserted. Reference numeral 15 denotes a printer connection port, to which a connection cable for connecting to the printer can be removably inserted. Reference numeral 16 denotes a card mounting slot, on which a magnetic card, which is an information recording medium in which a department code is recorded, can be mounted.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a power supply connection terminal, to which a connection cable for connecting to the power supply kit can be detachably inserted. 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes a totaling device connection port, to which a connecting cable to the totalizing device can be detachably inserted. Reference numeral 19 is a connection cable to the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the copy management devices 2 and 5, which is a central processing unit (hereinafter "CPU").
21), ROM22, RAM23, non-volatile RA
M24, communication interface (hereinafter "interface" is referred to as "I / F") 25, input / output I / F circuit 2
6, card reader 27, display panel 11, switches 2
9, a printer I / F 30, a copying machine I / F 31, and an encoder I / F 32.

The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that controls the entire apparatus according to a program stored in the ROM 22. R
The OM 22 is a read-only memory that stores (registers) various fixed data including a program for operating the CPU 21 and all department codes. RAM23
Is a random access memory used as a work memory or the like used when the CPU 21 processes data.

The non-volatile RAM 24 is a non-volatile memory for registering usable department codes of all department codes and the cumulative number of copies for each department code. The communication I / F 25 is an interface that communicates with the tallying device 3. The input / output I / F circuit 26 includes a card reader 27, a display panel 11, switches 29, a printer I / F 30, a copying machine I / F 31, and an encoder I.
An interface circuit for inputting / outputting data (signals) between the / F 32 and the CPU 21.

When the magnetic card 33 is inserted into the card mounting slot 16 shown in FIG. 3, the card reader 27 reads the department code recorded therein. The switches 29 include the recall key 12 and the DIP switch 13 shown in FIG. 3, and can input various information.

The printer I / F 30 is an interface such as RS232C for communicating with a general-purpose printer, and various types such as a department code recorded in the magnetic card 33 mounted in the card mounting slot 16 and the cumulative number of copies thereof. Information can be sent to a printer and printed on paper.

The copying machine I / F 31 is an interface for communicating with the copying machine, and can receive a count-up signal sent from the copying machine every copy cycle. The encoder I / F 32 is an interface that communicates with the encoder, and can receive an encoded signal sent from the encoder.

The CPU 21, the ROM 22 and the RAM 2
3, the nonvolatile RAM 24, the input / output I / F circuit 26, the card reader 27, the display panel 11, the switches 29, and the copying machine I / F 31 are used by the identification code reading unit A, the determination unit B, and the image forming operation permission of FIG. It can function as the means C, the image forming number storage means D, and the code range setting means E.

Next, the operation of this embodiment thus constructed will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.
It should be noted that the illustration and description of the process relating to the display of the number of copies of the user, which is not directly related to the present invention, are omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the main routine of the processing by the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5. This routine starts when the power is turned on, first performs an initial set, and then sequentially executes each processing such as code range setting processing, copy operation availability determination processing, cumulative copy number storage processing, and cumulative copy number display processing. .

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the code range setting process of FIG. 5. First, it is judged whether the DIP switch 13 of FIG. 3 is in the ON state, and if it is not in the ON state, the process immediately returns to the main routine. Then ON
If it is in the state, the special mode is set, and each time the recall key 12 is pressed, the display counter (not shown) is incremented (+1).

Further, each time the display counter is counted up, it is judged whether or not the count value is "6", and if it is not "6", it is kept as it is, and if it is "6", the display counter is "0".
After clearing to 1, processing is performed according to the count value of the display counter.

That is, if the count value of the display counter is "0", the department code "001" is displayed on the display panel 11.
If the count value of the display counter is “1”, the department code “101” is displayed on the display panel 11, and if the count value of the display counter is “2”, the department code “2” is displayed on the display panel 11.
01 ”, if the count value of the display counter is“ 3 ”, the department code“ 301 ”is displayed on the display panel 11, and if the count value of the display counter is“ 4 ”, the department code“ 401 ”is displayed on the display panel 11. If the count value of “5” is “5”, the department code “501” is displayed on the display panel 11.

After that, the number (other information or the department code itself) corresponding to the department code (the head department code) displayed on the display panel 11 is assigned to the nonvolatile RA.
By registering in the start address area of M24,
The range of usable department codes among the department codes registered in the ROM 22 is set, and the process returns to the main routine. The number registered in the start address area is called the start address number.

Table 1 shows the relationship between the department code (display department code) displayed on the display panel 11 and the range of usable department codes in the special mode according to the present invention.

[0033]

[Table 1]

As can be seen from this table, the display panel 1
When the department code “001” is displayed in 1, the number corresponding to the department code “001” (“1” in this example) is registered in the start address area of the non-volatile RAM 24 to enable use. The range of department code is "0
01-500 ".

Further, the section code "10" is displayed on the display panel 11.
When "1" is displayed, the number (in this example, "2") corresponding to the department code "101" is stored in the nonvolatile RAM.
By registering in the start address area of 24, the range of usable department codes can be set as "101 to 600".

Further, the department code "2" is displayed on the display panel 11.
When "01" is displayed, the number (in this example, "3") corresponding to the department code "201" is stored in the nonvolatile RA.
By registering in the start address area of M24,
The range of usable department codes can be set as "201 to 700".

Furthermore, when the department code "301" is displayed on the display panel 11, the department code "301" is displayed.
By registering the number (in this example, "4") corresponding to the number in the start address area of the nonvolatile RAM 24, the range of usable department codes is "301 to 800".
Can be set as

Further, the department code "40" is displayed on the display panel 11.
When "1" is displayed, the number (in this example, "5") corresponding to the department code "401" is stored in the nonvolatile RAM.
By registering in the start address area of 24, the range of usable department codes can be set as "401 to 900".

Further, the department code "5" is displayed on the display panel 11.
When "01" is displayed, the number (in this example, "6") corresponding to the department code "501" is stored in the nonvolatile RA.
By registering in the start address area of M24,
The range of usable department codes can be set as "501 to 1000".

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of the copy operation availability judgment processing of FIG. 5. First, a card detection sensor (not shown) indicates whether or not a magnetic card is inserted in the card insertion slot 16 of FIG. Judging from the signal, if it is not attached, the process immediately returns to the main routine, and if it is attached, it is determined whether or not the department code recorded on the magnetic card is read by the card reader 27.

If the section code has already been read, it is read as it is, and if it has not been read yet, it is read, the start address number is checked, and if the number is "1", it is read by the card reader 27. It determines whether the department code belongs to the usable department code range “001 to 500”, and if so, permits the copying operation to the copying machine connected to this copy management apparatus. For example, error processing is performed to display an error message such as "This card cannot be used" or "Card reading error" on the display panel 11.

If the start address number is "2", it is determined whether or not the department code read by the card reader 27 belongs to the usable department code range "101 to 600". The copying operation is permitted to the copying machine connected to the management apparatus, but if it does not belong, the same error processing as described above is performed on the display panel 11.

Further, if the start address number is "3", it is judged whether or not the department code read by the card reader 27 belongs to the usable department code range "201 to 700". Copy operation is permitted to the copying machine connected to the management device.
If it does not belong, error processing similar to the above is performed on the display panel 11.

If the start address number is "4", the department code range "301 to 80" in which the department code read by the card reader 27 can be used.
It determines whether or not it belongs to "0", and if it does, it permits the copying operation to the copying machine connected to this copy management device, but if it does not, it performs the same error processing on the display panel 11 as described above. .

If the start address number is "5", it is judged whether or not the department code read by the card reader 27 belongs to the usable department code range "401 to 900". The copying operation is permitted to the copying machine connected to the management apparatus, but if it does not belong, the same error processing as described above is performed on the display panel 11.

If the start address number is "6", it is judged whether or not the department code read by the card reader 27 belongs to the usable department code range "501 to 1000". Copy operation is permitted to the copying machine connected to the management device.
If it does not belong, error processing similar to the above is performed on the display panel 11.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of the cumulative copy number storage processing of FIG. 5. First, whether or not an up-count signal generated at each copy cycle is input to the copying machine connected to this copy management apparatus is inputted. If it is not input, the process returns to the main routine, and if it is input, the department code and the up-count signal read by the card reader 27 are temporarily stored in the RAM 23.

Next, the start address number is checked. If the number is "1", the cumulative number of copies registered in the address area of the department code of the non-volatile RAM 24 is set, and if it is "2", the non-volatile RAM 24 is set. If the cumulative number of copies registered in the address area obtained by subtracting “100” from the above department code is “3”, the non-volatile R
The cumulative number of copies registered in the address area obtained by subtracting "200" from the department code of AM24 is counted up (+1).

If the start address number is "4", the section code of the nonvolatile RAM 24 will be "30".
If the cumulative copy number registered in the address area obtained by subtracting “0” is “5”, the cumulative copy number registered in the address area obtained by subtracting “400” from the department code of the nonvolatile RAM 24 is set as “5”. 6 "is non-volatile RA
The cumulative copy number registered in the address area obtained by subtracting "500" from the department code of M24 is counted up (+1).

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of the cumulative copy number display processing of FIG. 5. First, it is judged whether or not the copying operation is permitted for the copying machine connected to this copy management apparatus. If it is not permitted, the process directly returns to the main routine, but if it is permitted, the start address number is checked and the corresponding processing is performed.

That is, the start address number is "1".
If so, the cumulative number of copies registered in the address area of the department code read ahead of the non-volatile RAM 24,
If "2", the cumulative number of copies registered in the address area obtained by subtracting "100" from the department code of the non-volatile RAM 24, and if "3", "200" from the department code of the non-volatile RAM 24. The cumulative number of copies registered in the drawn address area is read out and displayed on the display panel 11.

If the start address number is "4", the section code of the nonvolatile RAM 24 will be "30".
If the cumulative copy number registered in the address area obtained by subtracting “0” is “5”, the cumulative copy number registered in the address area obtained by subtracting “400” from the department code of the nonvolatile RAM 24 is set as “5”. 6 "is non-volatile RA
The cumulative copy number registered in the address area obtained by subtracting "500" from the department code of M24 is read out and displayed on the display panel 11.

Here, each of the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 corresponds to one of the following three types.

The department code range "001-500" recorded on the magnetic card owned by the user of the copying machine 1 of the type A group, recorded on the magnetic card owned by the user of the copying machine 4 of the group B. The range of department codes "501 to 1000" is set as the range of usable department codes, and the number of copies for each copying machine 1 and 4 is cumulatively stored for each department code.

The range of department codes "001-500" recorded on the magnetic card owned by the user of the copying machine 1 of the type A group, and the magnetic codes owned by the user of the copying machine 4 of the group B are recorded. The range “301 to 800” of the department code is set as the range of usable department codes, and the number of copies of each copying machine 1 and 4 is cumulatively stored for each department code.

The department code range "001-500" recorded on the magnetic card owned by the user of the copying machine 1 of the type A group, and the range of the department code recorded on the magnetic card owned by the user of the copying machine 4 of the group B. The range "001-500" of the department code is set as the range of usable department codes, and the number of copies of each copying machine 1 and 4 is cumulatively stored for each department code.

In the case of the type, each of the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 can cumulatively store the number of copies of 1000 departments including the A group and the B group. Further, in this case, the user who owns the magnetic card in which any of the department codes "001" to "500" is recorded can use the copying machine 1 of the group A, but cannot use the copying machine 4 of the group B. On the contrary, a user who owns the magnetic card in which any of the department codes “501” to “1000” is recorded can use the copying machine 4 of the B group, but cannot use the copying machine 1 of the A group.

In the case of the type, the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 can cumulatively store the number of copies in 800 departments including the A group and the B group. Further, in this case, the user who owns the magnetic card in which any of the department codes “001” to “300” is recorded can use only the copying machine 1 of the group A, and any of the department codes “301” to “500”. A user who owns a magnetic card on which a copy is recorded can use both the copying machines 1 and 4 of the group A and the group B, and the department code "501" ...
A user who owns a magnetic card on which any of "800" is recorded can use only the copying machine 4 in the B group.

In the case of the type, the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 are capable of accumulating and storing the number of copies in 500 departments including the A group and the B group. Further, in this case, the user who owns the magnetic card in which any of the department codes “001” to “500” is recorded is the copy machine 1 of both the group A and the group B.
4 can be used, but the number of departments to which a user who can use one of the copying machines belongs is limited to 500.

Therefore, for example, when the copying machine 1 of the group A is installed in the building of A and the copying machine 4 of the group B is installed in the building of B, if the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 are the types, A user working in the A building cannot go to the B building, and a user working in the B building cannot go to the A building to perform the copy work, but the copy management apparatus for the A group and the B group. It becomes possible to store the cumulative number of copies in 1000 departments in a distributed manner by using Nos. 2 and 5, and it is possible to prevent the memory from becoming large and the cost from increasing.

If the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 are of the type, the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 of the A group and the B group are used.
It is possible to store the cumulative number of copies in the 00 department in a distributed manner, and a part of the users who work in the building of A can
It is also possible for some of the users working in B building to go to A building to perform copying work.

Further, if the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 are types, only the cumulative number of copies of 500 departments can be stored by the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 of the A group and the B group, but they work in the building of A. All users are in B building, B
It is also possible for all users who work in the building of A to visit the building of A and carry out copy work.

Further, according to this embodiment, since the range of usable department codes is set by registering the start address number corresponding to the head department code, the usable department code is 1 The work efficiency is better than that of setting one by one, and the time required for the setting work can be significantly shortened.

In this embodiment, Table 1 shows the setting range of the department code usable in the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5.
As shown in "001-500""101-600"
"201-700""301-800""401-90"
0 "or" 501-1000 ",
If an encoder is connected to the encoder connection port 14 of the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5, it becomes possible to set the range of department codes that can be used there fairly finely.

The embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a copy management apparatus for managing a copying machine have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and laser printers, LED printers,
The present invention can be applied to a management device that manages various image forming devices such as a printer such as a liquid crystal shutter printer and a dot printer, and a facsimile device.

[0066]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus management apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to store a large number of users or the cumulative number of formed images for each department in a memory having a limited capacity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a basic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of appearance of copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a main routine of processing by the copy management apparatuses 2 and 5 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of code range setting processing of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of copy operation availability determination processing in the same manner.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of cumulative copy number storage processing.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of cumulative copy number display processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 4: Copier 2, 5: Copy management device 3: Collection device 11: Display panel 12: Recall key 13: Dip switch 14: Encoder connection port 15: Printer connection port 16: Card mounting port 18: Collection device connection port 19: Connection cable to copy machine 21: CPU 22: ROM 23: RAM 24: Non-volatile RAM 25: Communication I / F 26: Input / output I / F circuit 27: Card reader 29: Switches 30: Printer I / F 31: Copier I / F 32: Encoder I / F

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An identification code reading means for reading an identification code indicating a user or a department to which the user is recorded, which is recorded on an inserted information recording medium, and an identification code in which the identification code read by the means is registered in advance. A determination unit that determines whether or not the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus permit the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus only when the determination code determines that the identification code matches. In the image forming apparatus management apparatus, which comprises an image forming number storage means for accumulatively storing the number of image formed sheets for each registered identification code, a usable identification code of the identification codes registered in advance is used. An image forming apparatus management apparatus comprising a code range setting means for setting a range arbitrarily. 2. The code range setting means is means for setting the range of the usable identification code by registering the leading identification code or information corresponding to the code. 1. The image forming apparatus management apparatus described in 1.