JPH11177750A - Device and method for managing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correct data from an equipment to be managed and to improve the availability of an attached equipment by appropriately determining whether it is data communication with the equipment to managed or connection with the attached equipment. SOLUTION: This device 1 is provided with a modem part 2 for receiving a control signal transmitted toward the equipment to be controlled via a line from a computer, a switching part SW for connecting an attached communication equipment to the line, a modem controller 3 for switching connection of the line to one of the part 2 and the part SW, and a pick-up transformer PT for monitoring the presence/absence of a DTMF(dual tone multi frequency) signal sent via the line, while the line is connected to the attached equipment by the controller 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a device management apparatus and a device management method for collecting and managing data from a plurality of managed devices via a line such as a public line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various management data such as operation histories and billing information in office equipment such as copiers and facsimile machines, or power equipment and vending machines have been collected, and the management center of the management center has been collected via a public line. Many device management devices for transmitting data to a host computer have been applied.

In office equipment such as a copying machine and a facsimile, an attached terminal (telephone, facsimile, etc.) can be attached to the equipment management device so that the other can be used while one is not operating. It has become.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-56367 discloses a device management terminal to which such a device can be connected.
The device management terminal and the attached facsimile are connected to a public telephone line together, and a DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) included in an incoming call signal of a transmission request transmitted from the computer installed at the center via the public telephone line. )
A technique is disclosed in which, when a signal is detected, an attached facsimile is disconnected from a public telephone line, and only a device management terminal is connected to the public telephone line.

[0005]

However, the following problem arises when one line is used by switching between a co-located device and a device management terminal. That is, if the device management terminal detects the incoming call and responds to the incoming call from the line before the device management terminal detects the incoming call, the incoming call disconnects the connection with the device management terminal. If the request is made, communication with the device management terminal becomes impossible.

For this reason, it is conceivable to give priority to the response from the device management terminal to the incoming call from the line.
In this case, after the line connection with the device management terminal is once performed, for example, when the DTMF signal is not detected, switching to the line connection with the attached device is performed. Can not do. For example, if the co-located device is a telephone, the calling telephone will be connected to the line, but a silent state will continue during the previous switching, and a conversation will not be possible immediately.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a device management apparatus and a device management method for solving such a problem. That is, the device management apparatus of the present invention establishes a line connection between a control signal receiving unit that receives a control signal transmitted from a computer to a managed device via a line and a communication device that is provided along with the line. Additional equipment connection means for performing connection, line control means for switching connection to the line to one of the control signal receiving means and the additional equipment connection means, and a line while the line is connected to the additional equipment connection means by the line control means. Control signal monitoring means for monitoring the presence / absence of a control signal sent via the control signal.

In such a device management apparatus, the line connection is made to the attached device connection means by switching the line control means, so that the connection with the attached device can be quickly established. Also, since the control signal monitoring means monitors the presence or absence of a control signal sent via the line, the control signal monitoring means detects the control signal even when the line is connected to the attached device, even if the control signal monitoring means detects the control signal. It is possible to switch to the line connection with the receiving means.

Further, the device management method of the present invention manages a device to be managed by a control signal transmitted from a computer of a management center via a line, and includes a plurality of devices connected to one line in advance. A step of associating each of the management devices with a unique control signal, and transmitting a unique control signal via a line from a computer of the management center to manage the device associated with the unique control signal The method includes a step of connecting a line to the device, and a step of transmitting a control signal from the computer of the management center to the device management device via the line after the line connection, and collecting predetermined data from the managed device.

In this device management method, each of a plurality of device management devices connected to one line is previously associated with a unique control signal. By transmitting a unique control signal associated with a desired device management device, a line connection with the device management device can be performed, and predetermined data collection can be performed. That is, data can be collected from a plurality of device management devices using one line.

Also, the device management method of the present invention
A step of associating each of the plurality of device management devices connected to the line with a unique control signal, and periodically transmitting the unique control signal from the computer of the management center via the line periodically In, the line connection with a plurality of device management devices associated with the unique control signal is sequentially performed,
And collecting predetermined data from the managed device.

In such a device management method, each of a plurality of device management devices connected to one line is previously associated with a unique control signal, and a computer of the management center periodically transmits the control signal via the line. Since the unique control signal is sequentially transmitted to the plurality of device management devices associated with the unique control signal, line connection is sequentially performed at a fixed interval, and data is automatically transmitted from all the managed devices. Will be able to collect.

[0013]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a device management apparatus and a device management method according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a device management apparatus according to this embodiment. That is, the device management apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a modem unit 2 connected to a telephone line connection unit L1 for receiving a predetermined control signal via a public line, for example, and a switching unit for connecting the line to an attached device. SW
A modem controller 3 for controlling connection of a line to one of the modem unit 2 and the switching unit SW; and a pickup transformer PT for monitoring the presence or absence of a control signal transmitted via the line.

The device management apparatus 1 has a DTMF receiving unit 4 for receiving a DTMF signal detected by the pickup transformer PT, and a DTMF receiving unit 4 for receiving a DTMF signal.
An active filter AF that performs filtering so that signals other than the MF signal do not enter is provided.

For example, a telephone or a facsimile machine is connected to the attached device connection unit L2. Also, the modem unit 2
When the control unit 5 receives the control signal, the control unit 5 controls the managed device (not shown) based on the control signal and performs predetermined data collection.

In such a device management apparatus 1, for example, when a telephone is connected to the attached device connection unit L2,
Unless data transmission / reception using the modem unit 2 is performed, such as receiving a control signal transmitted from the line or transmitting collected data of the managed device, use a telephone connected to the attached device connection unit L2, for example. Conversation can be held.

In the device management apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the switching unit SW is set to the side of the connected device connection unit L2 in the initial state, and the telephone and the line are connected. This allows
When there is a call from another telephone via the line, a conversation can be immediately performed using the telephone connected to the attached device connection unit L2.

Further, while the line is connected to the side equipment connection unit L2 by the switching unit SW, the pickup transformer PT monitors the DTMF signal sent via the line. For example, when a DTMF signal is sent from a computer (not shown) of the management center via a line, the DTMF signal is picked up by a pickup transformer P.
Detected at T and sent to DTMF receiving unit 4.

When the DTMF receiving section 4 receives the DTMF signal, the modem controller 3 switches the switching section SW from the side equipment connection section L2 side to the opposite modem section 2 side.

Thus, when a DTMF signal is sent in a state where the line is connected to the side equipment connection unit L2, the modem unit 2 immediately receives the DTMF signal, and the control unit 5 receives the DTMF signal. Control of the management device can be performed.

When a telephone is connected to the attached device connection unit L2, the following line connection control may be performed. That is, the switching unit SW is connected to the modem unit 2 in advance, and when a connection request is made via a line,
First, the modem controller 3 receives it.

Next, the modem controller 3 sends a signal to the speech synthesis generator 6 to transmit a predetermined synthesized speech to the line. From the speech synthesis generator 6,
Send a message such as "Please wait for the phone."

During transmission of this message, for example, if a DTMF signal is sent from the line, the DTMF signal is detected by the pickup transformer PT, and the DTMF signal is received by the modem unit 2 by the modem controller 3. . This allows the control unit 5 to control the managed device.

On the other hand, when the DTMF signal is not detected by the pickup transformer PT for a predetermined time while the message is being transmitted, the switching unit SW is controlled from the modem controller 3 to connect the line to the side of the equipment connection unit L2. Connect to. Also, with this connection switch,
The bell of the telephone connected to the attached device connection unit L2 is caused to ring.

Thus, even when a call is made from another telephone via the line, it is possible to grasp that the line is switched by the transmitted message, and then the telephone connected to the attached device connection unit L2 is connected. It can be used for conversation.

Further, even when a facsimile device is connected to the attached device connection unit L2, the same connection control as described above can be applied, whereby control of the managed device by the DTMF signal and facsimile by the facsimile device can be performed. Transmission and reception can be performed.

When a facsimile device is connected to the attached device connection section L2, a response signal (CED signal) is transmitted when the facsimile device responds. This response signal is sent to the other party's facsimile machine via the line, but in the device management apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the signal may be detected by the pickup transformer PT.

The response signal is supplied to a pickup transformer PT.
If the DTMF is detected by the DTMF receiving unit 4 and the DTMF receiving unit 4 receives the DTMF, a malfunction of the modem unit 2 may occur. Therefore, the active filter AF provided between the output of the pickup transformer PT and the input of the DTMF receiving unit 4 causes the DT
Filtering is performed to attenuate signals other than the MF signal.

As a result, even if a facsimile apparatus is connected to the attached equipment connection unit L2, it is possible to prevent a response signal of the facsimile apparatus from being sent from the pickup transformer PT to the DTMF receiver 4, and the modem unit 2 Malfunction can be eliminated.

Next, a case will be described in which a facsimile apparatus is connected to the attached device connection unit L2 and a call is made from the facsimile communication network. In a facsimile communication network, a signal of 1300 Hz is usually used for the call. On the other hand, a public telephone line normally uses a signal of 16 Hz for the call.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether a facsimile communication network or a public telephone line is based on the frequency of the call signal. That is, when a signal of 1300 Hz is detected in the modem unit 2, it is determined that a call has been made from the facsimile communication network, and the switching unit SW is switched by the modem controller 3 without the DTMF reception to the side of the equipment connection unit L2. Control to connect to.

On the other hand, if the modem unit 2 detects a signal of 16 Hz, it is determined that a call has been made from the public telephone line, and the modem controller 3 connects the switching unit SW to the side equipment connection unit L2. Control and
The DTMF signal is also monitored by the pickup transformer PT.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the switching control based on the judgment between the facsimile communication network and the public telephone line. Reference numerals not shown in FIG. 2 refer to FIG.

First, when there is a call from the line, the modem unit 2 determines whether or not the call signal is 1300 Hz (step S101). If the signal is a 1300 Hz signal, an incoming call is received from the facsimile communication network (step S102), and the switching unit SW is connected to the attached device connection unit L2 without detecting the DTMF signal (step S103). This makes it possible to perform facsimile communication via a facsimile communication network.

On the other hand, if the 1300 Hz signal is not detected by the modem unit 2, the 16 Hz signal is detected (step S104). Then, modem controller 3
Then, control is performed to connect the switching unit SW to the side device connection unit L2 (step S105).

Next, the DTMF signal sent via the line by the pickup transformer PT is monitored, and the DTMF signal is monitored.
When the MF signal is detected, the modem controller 3 controls the switching unit SW to be disconnected from the attached device connection unit L2 and connected to the modem unit 2 (step S10).
7). Then, data communication is performed via the modem unit 2 (step S108).

Further, the DTM is used for the pickup transformer PT.
If the F signal is not detected, an incoming call is made by a facsimile apparatus or telephone connected to the attached device connection unit L2 (step S109), and facsimile reception or telephone call is performed (step S110).

In the facsimile communication via such a facsimile communication network, the switching unit SW is connected in advance to the attached device connection unit L2, so that even if there is a call from the facsimile communication network, it is immediately performed. A response can be made, and a quick and accurate facsimile communication can be performed.

Next, an embodiment of the device management method of the present invention using the device management apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram in device management using the device management device. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of device management devices (for example, A to L) are connected to one line L1, and data collection from a managed device (not shown) is performed using each device management device. Management.

In the present embodiment, in order to use a plurality of device management devices A to L using one line L1, a DTMF signal (number) unique to each device management device A to L is assigned in advance. I am trying to attach it.

For example, the device management apparatus A has a DTMF
(0), DTMF (1) for device management device B, DTMF (2) for device management device C, and DTM for device management device D
DTMF (#) is associated with F (3) and the device management apparatus E.

The telephone numbers of the management centers, individual DTMF signals, individual ID numbers, and individual periodic notification times are registered in each of the device management apparatuses A to L. Registration of these pieces of information is performed using a personal computer PC.

One of the device management apparatuses A to L (for example, the device management apparatus A) has an ID base number assigned by the management center at the time of registration with the management center,
The regular notification base time and the DTMF registration status are held.

[0045] The personal computer PC, based on the ID base number assigned to the device management device A from the management center, the regular notification base time, and the unique DTMF number of the device management device A-L, respectively. , An individual ID number and an individual periodic report time are generated and registered in each of the device management apparatuses A to L.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining generation of an individual ID number and an individual periodic report time by a personal computer. That is, as shown in FIG.
The number is generated by subtracting the individual DTMF number from the ID base number assigned by the management center. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, the individual periodic report time is generated by adding an offset time (second) to the regular report base time allocated from the management center.

FIG. 4C shows the offset time (second) corresponding to the individual DTMF number. The offset time is a time difference in which data communication is performed by each device management device by regular notification, and a time difference at which data communication can be performed by at least one device management device is set at least. In this example, the offset time is set assuming that the data communication time in each device management device is 120 seconds.

The personal computer obtains the offset time of the device management apparatus from the individual DTMF number shown in FIG. 4C, generates an individual periodic report time by applying the offset time to the equation shown in FIG. Register with the device management device.

For example, when the individual DTMF number is “0”, the offset time is 0 second, so that the individual regular reporting time is equal to the regular reporting base time. Further, for example, when the individual DTMF is “3”, the offset time is 360 seconds, and thus the individual regular reporting time is a time obtained by adding 360 seconds to the regular reporting base time.

As described above, if an individual ID number and an individual periodic report time are registered in each device management device using a personal computer, the management center can send an ID base number and a periodic notification to one device management device. It is only necessary to assign the notification base time and the burden on the management center can be greatly reduced.

Each of the device management apparatuses A to L shown in FIG. 3 tries to establish a line connection with the management center based on the registered individual periodic notification time. Thereby, the device management devices A to L are sequentially
And the management center are connected via a line, and each device management device A ~
It is possible to obtain the operating status and the like of the managed device (not shown) connected corresponding to L at the management center.

Each of the device management devices A to
While the L and the line are sequentially connected, each of the device management devices A to L
Then, the carrier flowing through the line is detected by the pickup transformer PT (see FIG. 1). While this carrier is being detected, it is determined that another device management apparatus is using the line for connection with the management center, and the line connection with the management center is not performed until the carrier is exhausted. .

As a result, one device management device is always connected to one line, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of communication failure due to mixing of unnecessary signals during data communication.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the management of the periodic report performed by the management center. In this example, it is assumed that a maximum of 12 device management devices (12 types of DTMF signals) can be connected to one line, and one device management device requires 120 seconds of data communication time. I do.

In this case, data communication by regular notification can be performed if 24 minutes per line, but a time zone of 30 minutes per line is secured with some allowance. As a result, there are 48 lines that can be periodically reported in one day.
In other words, the management center manages regular notifications of a total of 576 device management devices.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the management center manages an ID base number, a regular report base time, and a next link corresponding to a line number (No.). For example, the line No. 1, the ID base number is “010000”, and as described above,
The individual ID can be generated by subtracting the individual DTMF number from the base number.

In addition, the line No. In 1, the base time of the periodic report is “0:00”, and based on this, the individual periodic report time of each device management device connected to this line is generated.

The management center keeps track of the registration status of the line. That is, it manages the total number of registered lines, the last ID base link, and the empty link. In the example shown in FIG. After the connection with the line No. 1 is completed, the connection to the line No. 2 is connected. That is, the next link has the next connection line No. Is registered.

Thus, when the regular notification base time comes, the registered lines are sequentially connected. When a new line is registered, the line No. indicated by the empty link is used. (In this example, line No. 4).

On the other hand, when removing a line already registered, the line No. "99" is registered in the next link corresponding to. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 is removed, the line No. “99” is registered in the next link corresponding to “2”.

Further, the part where "2" is registered in the next link (in this example, the next link of the circuit No. 1)
Link) to the line No. Original next link "3" for 2
Register Thereby, the line No. After the end of the periodic report for line No. 1, Skip line number 2 3 will be reported.

By performing such periodic report management at the management center, even if many device management devices are connected to the line, the management center only needs to perform management on a line basis. In addition, since each device management device manages an individual ID number and an individual regular notification time corresponding to a line, all device management devices and the management center are connected sequentially with the line as a whole, and the efficiency is improved. It is possible to accurately collect data of the managed device and control the managed device.

In each of the above embodiments, a public telephone line or a facsimile communication network has been described as an example of the line, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other lines (such as wireless lines) may be used. The same is true for

[0064]

As described above, according to the device management apparatus and the device management method of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. In other words, even when an attached device is connected to the device management apparatus, it is possible to accurately determine whether the connection is a line connection to the attached device or a line connection for device management, and perform switching. As a result, it is possible to accurately manage the managed device and improve the usability of the attached terminal.

Even if a plurality of device management devices are connected to one line, the line connection between each device management device and the management center is performed by a unique control signal associated with each device management device. Therefore, data can be accurately collected from many managed devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a device management apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating switching control based on determination between a facsimile communication network and a public telephone line.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram in device management using the device management device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating generation of an individual ID number and an individual periodic report time by a personal computer.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating management of a periodic report performed by a management center.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device management apparatus, 2 ... Modem part, 3 ... Modem controller, 4 ... DTMF receiving part, 5 ... Control part, 6 ... Voice synthesis generator, AF ... Active filter, PT ... Pickup transformer, SW ... Switching part

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A control signal receiving means for receiving a control signal transmitted from a computer to a managed device via a line, and a connection device for making a line connection with a communication device provided along with the line. Means, line control means for switching the connection to the line to one of the control signal receiving means and the attached device connection means, and while the line is connected to the attached device connection means by the line control means. And a control signal monitoring means for monitoring the presence or absence of the control signal sent via the line. 2. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control signal monitoring means includes a pickup transformer. 3. A filter according to claim 1, further comprising a filter for preventing a signal transmitted from said communication device from being sent to said control signal receiving means. Equipment management equipment. 4. When the signal transmitted from the line is a signal from a facsimile communication network, the line control means connects the line to the attached device connection means immediately after detecting the signal. The device management device according to claim 1, wherein 5. The device management device according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is a DTMF signal. 6. A device management method for managing a device to be managed by a control signal sent from a computer of a management center via a line, comprising: And transmitting a unique control signal from the computer of the management center via the line, whereby the line with the device management device associated with the unique control signal is transmitted. Performing a connection, and after the line connection, transmitting a control signal from the computer of the management center to the device management apparatus via the line, and collecting predetermined data for the managed device. A device management method. 7. While a line connection is being made between a computer of the management center and one of the device management devices, the presence or absence of a carrier signal transmitted between the device management device and the computer is detected. 7. The device management method according to claim 6, further comprising controlling a line connection between another device management apparatus and the computer. 8. A device management method for managing a device to be managed by a control signal transmitted from a computer of a management center via a line, wherein the device management method includes a method for uniquely identifying each of a plurality of device management devices connected to one line in advance. And a step of sequentially transmitting the unique control signal from the computer of the management center via the line periodically, whereby a plurality of the control signals are associated with the unique control signal. Sequentially connecting the line with the device management device and collecting predetermined data from the managed device.