JPH11231731A - Image forming device managing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device managing system by which the unmatching of timing between an image forming device and a central control unit(CCU) is prevented from being caused and the factor of alarm is reported to the CCU when that factor of alarm is generated inside the image forming device. SOLUTION: This system is constituted by connecting a lot of image forming devices 100 through data communication equipment 200 and a communication line 250 to a CCU 260. In the case of performing automatic warning to the CCU 260 when any factor of alarm is generated inside the image forming device 100, the factors of alarm are divided into groups and for each factor of alarm divided into groups, it can be respectively independently set whether warning is permitted or not. Whether warning is permitted or not can be set only from the CCU 260 through the communication line 250 and the data communication equipment 200 and the image forming device 100 enables the storage and confirmation of a setting state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management system for remotely managing an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There have been proposed various image forming apparatus network systems in which a large number of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network and an image is output to a remote image forming apparatus.
By the way, recent image forming apparatuses are not supported by the central controller at the time of their development, but have been developed including new functions that can be supported in the near future, and have started to operate in the market (image forming apparatuses). Unless the new functions are included in the system, when the operation system on the central control unit side is prepared, the operation will be replaced by the next model, and the models that operate the new functions will be limited.)

[0003]

An image forming apparatus installed at an unspecified number of customers and a central control apparatus installed at a sales or service base are connected via a data communication apparatus and a communication line. 1) communication from the central control device to the image forming device, 2) communication from the image forming device to the central control device or the data communication device, and 3) control unique to the data communication device. It is desired that service be promptly dealt with, and the operation of the central control unit will be upgraded as needed to support new functions, depending on the image forming apparatus equipped with new functions. Timings do not always match.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an image forming apparatus management system which solves the inconvenience caused by the mismatch between the timings of the image forming apparatus and the central control unit, and notifies the central control unit of the report cause when a report cause occurs in the image forming apparatus. The purpose is to do.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a central control apparatus for remote diagnosis are connected to a data communication apparatus and a communication line. An image forming apparatus management system that performs automatic notification to a central control device via a data communication device and a communication line by generating a notification factor in the image forming device, wherein the notification factors are grouped, The present invention is characterized in that permission / non-permission of a report can be set independently for each of the report factors grouped.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a second aspect.
According to the invention described in claim 1, in the invention according to claim 1, setting of permission / non-permission of a report can be performed only from a central control device via a communication line and a data communication device. It is characterized in that confirmation is possible.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect is provided.
According to the invention described in claim 1, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the grouping unit of the report factor that the image forming apparatus reports to the central control device via the data communication device and the communication line is a user of the image forming device. Repair request report, consumable supply request report from the image forming apparatus user, maintenance work start / maintenance work report from the image forming apparatus maintainer, automatic report due to occurrence of failure that disables image forming operation, integrated image formation number At least one of automatic notification when the predetermined number of images reaches a predetermined number of times, automatic notification when the number of accumulated image formations reaches a predetermined period of time, and automatic notification due to occurrence of an event that requires preventive maintenance is possible. It is characterized by including one.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus management system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses (101 to 105, which will be represented by reference numeral 100 in the following description) and a central control device 260, which are premised on remote diagnosis, and a data communication device 200 Communication line 2
The image forming apparatus 100 is connected via a central control unit 260 so that the image forming apparatus 100 can be centrally and remotely managed.

The data communication device 200 includes a central control device 2
A command signal from the image forming apparatus 100 is selectively transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100, and various messages from the image forming apparatus 100 are transmitted to the central control apparatus 260 via the communication line 250. The data communication device 200 is energized for 24 hours, and normally enables communication with the central control device 260 even at night when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is off. The data communication device 200 and the image forming device 1
00 is the serial communication interface RS-485.
The communication with the image forming apparatus 100 is performed by selecting and polling from the data communication apparatus 200 described later with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the data communication device 200 of FIG. The data communication device 200 includes a control unit 201, an auto dialer unit 202, a line control unit 20
Consists of three. The control unit 201 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10.
0 and controls the reception of a command signal from the central control unit 260 via the communication line 250. The auto dialer unit 202 makes a self-originated call to the central control unit 260 in response to various reports from the image forming apparatus 100. The line control unit 203 controls connection with the communication line 250 and switching control with the general telephone 204.

Although not shown, the control unit 201 is a general control unit (for example, an image forming apparatus 100 described later with reference to FIG. 5).
ROM that stores a control program, a CPU that executes various controls by the control program, a RAM that temporarily stores data, a nonvolatile RAM that is backed up by a battery, a serial communication control unit, and an input / output port. , And a real-time clock circuit for knowing the current time.

The non-volatile RAM includes data transmitted from one of the central control unit 260 and the image forming apparatus 100 to the other, and respective device codes (one for specifying one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100). 7), an ID code (described in FIG. 10), and the central control device 2.
The telephone number 60, the number of recalls when the line connection is not successful, the recall interval, and the like are stored.

Next, a schematic function of the image forming apparatus management system will be described. The functions of the image forming apparatus management system are roughly divided into the following three (1) to (3).
There are different types of functions. (1) Communication control from the central control device 260 to the image forming apparatus 100. (2) Communication control from the image forming apparatus 100 to the central control device 260 or the data communication device 200. (3) Unique control of the data communication device 200.

Next, selection will be described.
The communication control from the central control device 260 to the image forming apparatus 100 in (1) includes, for example, the following (a) to (c).

(A) The total number of images formed by a specific image forming apparatus 100, the number of images formed for each paper feed tray (paper feed tray), the number of images formed for each transfer size, the number of misfeeds, and the number of errors for each transfer paper size Read and reset the number of feeds, the number of misfeeds for each transfer paper transport position, etc. (B) Setting and reading of adjustment values such as control voltage, current, resistance, and timing of each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 100. (C) From the image forming apparatus 100 of (2) to the central control device 2
Return result for communication control to 60.

These controls are performed by receiving a command from central control device 260 and selecting data communication device 200 to image forming device 100. The term “selecting” refers to a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses 100.
Shows the function of selecting a specific one from among the above and communicating.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the selecting operation in the data communication device 200. Each image forming apparatus 100 has a unique (specific)
A data communication device 200 having a device code
Sends, on the serial communication interface RS-485, a specific code (or a combination of codes) indicating a predetermined selecting function and a device code of the image forming apparatus 100 to be selected.

Each of the image forming apparatuses 100 compares the next device code with its own device code by using a specific code (or a combination of codes) indicating the selecting function. Know that you have been selected. Here, if there is data to be transmitted, the selected image forming apparatus 100 outputs a busy (BUSY) response (step S301) using a predetermined specific code (or a combination of codes). Data communication device 20
When 0 receives this busy response, it stops the selecting operation and shifts to the polling operation described in FIG.

The selected image forming apparatus 100
If there is no data to be transmitted, it determines whether or not it is possible to support the selecting, and if it is, outputs an acknowledgment (step S302) using a predetermined specific code (or a combination of codes). To communicate with the data communication device 200 (steps S305 and S30).
6) Yes. If the communication is not possible, a negative response (step S303) using a predetermined specific code (or a combination of codes) is output, and the communication with the data communication device 200 ends.

If the image forming apparatus 100 corresponding to the device code output from the data communication device 200 cannot output an affirmative response or a negative response due to power-off or the like, the data communication device 200 is determined in advance. After a lapse of a predetermined time (step S304), the selecting operation ends.

Next, the polling will be described. The communication control from the image forming apparatus 100 to the central control device 260 or the data communication device 200 in (2) includes, for example, the following (a) to (e).

(A) The image forming apparatus 100 immediately notifies the central controller 260 via the data communication device 200 and the communication line 250 when an abnormality (failure) that makes image forming operation impossible is generated. Report to (emergency call).

(B) The image forming apparatus 100 makes a request (repair request or supply replenishment request) required by a different user from the image forming mode by a key operation on the operation display unit by the user (customer). The mode shifts to a user request input mode for inputting, and a user request input screen is displayed on a character display 802 of the operation display unit 801 to be described later with reference to FIG. 12, and the user is required by pressing a predetermined key on the screen. When a request is input, the request is immediately reported to the central control device 260 via the data communication device 200 and the communication line 250 (emergency notification).

(C) When the total number of image formations reaches a preset fixed number (report level value), the image forming apparatus 100 sets the corresponding information (for example, the total number of image formations or the order of the transfer paper). Information, etc.) to the central controller 260 via the data communication device 200 and the communication line 250 immediately (emergency notification).

(D) The image forming apparatus 100 informs the data communication apparatus 200 of the corresponding information when the total number of image formations reaches a preset fixed period, respectively.
The data communication device 200 operates at the designated time of the day (this is set by the central
(Stored at 0), the reports received so far are put together and reported to the central controller 260 via the communication line 250 (non-emergency report). This communication control includes a control for transmitting to the central control device 260 without waiting for the designated time when the number of reports received so far reaches a predetermined number before the designated time is reached. Is also included.

(E) The image forming apparatus 100 can start an image forming operation.
Approaching the specified time, reaching the sensor's standard level, etc.
When an event requiring preventive maintenance has occurred, the information to that effect is reported to the data communication device 200, and the data communication device 200 transmits the information at the designated time of the day (this is the central control device 26).
0 and stored in the data communication device 200), and collectively report the reports received so far to the central control device 260 via the communication line 250 (non-emergency report). In this communication control, if the number of reports received so far reaches a predetermined number before reaching the designated time, the central control unit 26 does not wait for the designated time.
Control for transmitting to 0 is also included.

These controls are performed at the time of polling from the data communication device 200. Polling refers to a function of sequentially designating a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses 100 and confirming the presence or absence of a communication request from the specified image forming apparatuses 100.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the polling operation in the data communication device 200. The data communication device 200 sends out a specific code (or a combination of codes) indicating a predetermined polling function and a device code of the image forming apparatus 100 to be selected to the serial communication interface RS-485. Each image forming apparatus 100 compares the next device code with its own device code by using a specific code (or a combination of codes) indicating the polling function, and determines that it has been polled when both codes match. know.

Next, the polled image forming apparatus 100
Starts communication with the data communication device 200 when there is a communication request to the central control device 260 or the data communication device 200 (step S402). When there is no communication request or when the started communication ends, An end response (step S401) using the determined specific code (or a combination of codes) is output to end the communication with the data communication device 200. The data communication device 200
Upon receiving the end response, the process proceeds to polling of the next image forming apparatus 100.

If the image forming apparatus 100 corresponding to the device code output from the data communication apparatus 200 cannot start communication or cannot output an end response due to power off or the like, the data communication apparatus 200 will After a lapse of the predetermined time (step S403), the polling operation ends. This polling is performed in the connected image forming apparatus 1 unless selecting occurs.
00 is sequentially repeated.

Next, reading of the total counter (maintenance contract management data) of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
The control unique to the data communication device 200 of (3) includes, for example, the following (a) and (b). (A) Reading the total counter value. (B) From the image forming apparatus 100 of (2) to the central control device 2
Return result for communication control to 60.

The control of reading the total counter value is as follows.
Present once a day from the data communication device 200 to the image forming device 100 (00:00, but at this time, the image forming device 1
When the power supply of the power supply 00 is turned off, the selection is performed when the power supply is turned on for the first time after this time.

The data communication apparatus 200 is provided with two memories for a total counter (tentatively, these are A and B, respectively) for each connected image forming apparatus.
The total counter value read by the regular once-per-day selection is written into the memory A. Therefore, the data of the previous day is rewritten every day in the memory A (however, this is not the case, for example, when the power supply of the image forming apparatus 100 is not turned on all day, such as a holiday). Also, once a month, a predetermined date and time (this is set by the central control device 260, and the data communication device 2
The total counter value stored in the memory A is stored in the memory B (stored in the non-volatile RAM in the memory 00).

From the data communication device 200 to the central control device 2
The contents of the memory B are sent to 60, and there are two transfer methods shown in (a) and (b) below. (A) The central controller 260 reads the total counter value stored in the memory B of the data communication device 200 after the predetermined date and time (date and time when the contents of the memory A are copied to the memory B). . (B) The data communication device 200 makes a self-call after the date and time, and sends out the total counter value stored in the memory B to the central control device 260 via the communication line 250. The date and time at which the self-originating call is made is also set by the central control device 260 and is stored in the nonvolatile RAM in the data communication device 200.

Note that the data communication apparatus 200 has a plurality of memories prepared by combining memories A and B for each connected image forming apparatus. This is because, for example, various total counter values for black-and-white copying, application copying, color copying, and the like can be considered.

Next, control of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The control units of the image forming apparatus 100 are a CPU 500 and a real-time clock circuit 51, respectively.
0, ROM 502, RAM 503, nonvolatile RAM 50
4, input / output port 505, serial communication control unit 5
The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus controller 06 to 508, a personal interface (abbreviated as PI in the following description) 509, and a system bus 501.

The CPU 500 is a central control device that controls the entire control by a control program stored in the ROM 502. Real-time clock circuit 510
Generates time information, and the CPU 500 can know the current time by reading the time information.

The ROM 502 is a read-only memory that stores various fixed data including a control program used by the CPU 500. The RAM 503 is a CPU 5
Reference numeral 00 denotes a random access memory used as a work memory or the like used when performing data processing. The nonvolatile RAM 504 is a memory that stores, for example, the contents of a mode instruction from an operation display unit and the like described later with reference to FIG. 12, and is backed up by a battery.

The input / output port 505 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10.
Output load of motor, solenoid, clutch, etc. within 0,
Input signals for sensors and switches are connected. The serial communication control unit 506 exchanges signals with a control unit of an operation display unit (not shown). The serial communication control unit 507 exchanges signals with a control unit of a document feed unit (not shown). The serial communication control unit 508 exchanges signals with a control unit (not shown) of a transfer paper post-processing unit.

A PI 509 is an interface circuit that controls communication with the data communication device 200.
It is provided in order to reduce the load for communication processing with the data communication device 200. Of course, CPU 500
If the processing capacity of PI 509 is sufficient,
It can be taken into PU500.

The main functions of the PI 509 are as follows:
This is as shown in (4). (1) Monitoring of polling and selecting from the data communication device 200. (2) Processing for acknowledgment and negative acknowledgment to the data communication device 200. (3) Validity check, parity check of data transmitted / received to / from the data communication device 200, and retransmission request processing when an error occurs. (4) Header processing of data transmitted and received with the data communication device 200.

The system bus 501 is a bus line including an address bus, a control bus, and a data bus.
ROM 502, RAM 503, nonvolatile RAM 504, input / output port 505, serial communication control unit 506 to
508 and PI 509 are interconnected.

Next, the PI 509 will be described. FIG. 6 shows FIG.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a PI 509. FIG. This P
I509 is a CPU 600, a dual port memory 60
2, a register 603 to 606, an input port 607, a serial communication control unit 609, a local bus 601, and a device code setting switch 608.

The CPU 600 includes a central processing unit, a ROM,
This is a one-chip microcomputer including a RAM and the like, and controls the entire PI 509 as a whole. The dual port memory 602 is readable and writable by both the CPU 600 of the PI 509 and the CPU 500 of FIG.
509 and PPC controller (CPU 500, ROM5
02, RAM 503,... Real-time clock 51
0) is a data memory used for sending and receiving text data to and from 0). The registers 603 to 606 are used for control at the time of transmitting and receiving the text data, but the details are omitted.

The device code setting switch 608 is
This is for setting a unique device code for each of the image forming apparatuses 101 to 105.
It is used for device code identification at the time of polling from 0 and selecting. The serial communication control unit 609 is connected to the PI 509 of the data communication device 200 and / or another image forming device 100.

Next, the data structure will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of text data exchanged between the central control device 260 and the data communication device 200. In FIG. 7, the serial number is a transmission block number in one transmission, the first block starts with “01”, and is incremented by one thereafter, and is set to “00” after “99”.

The ID code has a purpose of specifying one image forming apparatus, for example, the image forming apparatus 101, from the data communication apparatus 200 and the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 connected to the data communication apparatus 200. The identification code is a code (processing code) indicating the type of the communication purpose added with the source and the receiver of the text data. The processing code is determined as shown in FIG. The information record includes an information code, the number of digits of the data part, and the data part, and is determined as shown in FIG. A semicolon (;) separator is inserted between the ID code and the identification code, between the identification code and the information record, and between the information records.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of text data exchanged between the data communication device 200 and the PI 509 of the image forming device 100. As described above, the device code is uniquely set for each of the image forming apparatuses 101 to 105 by the device code setting switch 608, and the association with the ID code in FIG. At the time of the connected installation, the data is read from the image forming apparatus 100 and stored in the nonvolatile RAM in the data communication apparatus 200.
It is appropriately converted according to the text sending direction.

The processing code is a code indicating the type of communication purpose as described above, and is obtained by deleting the source and the receiver of the text from the identification code of FIG. This is also appropriately added or deleted by the data communication device 200 depending on the text transmission direction.

FIG. 11 shows the PI 50 of the image forming apparatus 100.
9 and the PPC controller of FIG. 6 (CPU 500 or less)
11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of text data transmitted and received between the data communication device 200 and the PI 50 shown in FIG.
9 is obtained by removing the header, the device code, and the parity part from the text data exchanged with the N.9.

Next, the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 12 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus 100. Like the general control unit (for example, the control unit in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5), the operation display unit includes a ROM that stores a control program, a CPU that executes various controls by the control program, , A nonvolatile RAM backed up by a battery, a serial communication control unit, an input / output port, and the like, and exchanges data with the serial communication control unit 506 in FIG. 5. Omitted.

The operation display unit includes, in addition to the control unit described above, a numeric keypad 810, a number clear / stop key 81, and the like.
1, print key 809, enter key 812, interrupt key 813, preheat / mode clear key 814, mode confirmation key 804, screen switching key 805, call key 806, registration key 807, guidance key 808, display contrast volume 803, and Character display 8
02.

A numeric keypad 810 is a key for inputting numerical values such as the number of images formed (the number of copies) and the magnification. The number clear / stop key 811 is a key for clearing the number (the number of images to be formed) or for stopping the copy operation. A print key 809 is a key for starting execution of an image forming (copying) operation.

An enter key 812 is a key for confirming the designation of numerical values such as zoom magnification and the number of binding margin dimensions. The interrupt key 813 is a key used to interrupt during copying and to copy another original. The preheat / mode clear key 814 is a key for canceling the contents of all the set image forming modes and for setting the preheat to set the power saving state.

The mode confirmation key 804 is
A key for confirming each image forming mode selectively displayed in 2 in a list display. Screen switching key 805
Are keys for switching the display mode of the character display 802 in accordance with the skill level. A call key 806 is a key for calling a user program.

A registration key 807 is a key for registering a user program. The guidance key 808 is a key for displaying a guidance message or the like on the character display 802. Display contrast volume 803
Is for adjusting the contrast of the character display 802.

The character display 802 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of the character display 802 of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The character display 802 uses a full-dot display element such as a liquid crystal display or a fluorescent display tube, and has a large number of touch sensors built therein (for example, a substantially transparent sheet-shaped matrix touch panel). The switches are overlapped, and details are omitted, but the paper feed tray, automatic paper (the paper feed tray containing the optimal paper is automatically selected according to the original size and set magnification), image density, automatic density (The image density is automatically selected according to the density of the original.), Scaling (same magnification, reduction, enlargement, paper magnification, zoom magnification, dimensional magnification), double-sided image, binding margin, sorter, etc. Each image forming mode related to the image forming operation can be selected and displayed by pressing (touching) a key on the screen. Also, the status of the image forming apparatus (for example, copying is possible, copying is in progress, no paper is present, etc.) and the number of image formations can be displayed.

Next, the specific control contents of the present invention will be described. First, control contents corresponding to the first aspect of the present invention will be described. When a report cause to the central control device 260 occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, it is determined which group the report cause belongs to, and the setting of permission / non-permission of the report of the corresponding group stored in the nonvolatile RAM 504 is referred to. And execute the corresponding operation.

FIG. 14 shows "automatic failure notification" when an SC (Serviceman Call) occurs in the image forming apparatus 100.
It is an example of a flowchart for controlling the operation. When the SC occurs, it is determined whether or not the report is permitted. If the report is permitted, a screen during the report is displayed (1301 in FIG. 15 is an example), and as described with reference to FIG. Waiting for polling from the data communication device 200,
The automatic notification is made to the central control device 260 via the data communication device 200 and the communication line 250. The data transmitted and received in this automatic notification is as shown in FIGS. 7, 10, and 11.

When the automatic notification reaches the central control device 260 normally, the data communication device 200 returns “notification successful” to the image forming apparatus 100 as a notification result, and the image forming apparatus 100 Screen display (13 in FIG. 15)
02 is an example) to notify the user.

If the automatic notification does not reach the central control device 260 normally because the central control device is busy or the like while the line is busy, the data communication device 200 notifies the image forming device 100 of "report failure" as the notification result. The image forming apparatus 100 notifies the user by displaying a message failure screen (1303 in FIG. 15 is an example). On the other hand, if the notification is not permitted, the error notification screen is displayed without executing the above-described notification operation (1304 in FIG. 15 is an example).
Then, the present control is terminated.

Although a flowchart is omitted, FIG. 16 shows a display example of the image forming apparatus 100 in a repair request notification.

When the repair request report operation is executed, it is determined whether or not the report is permitted. If the report is permitted, a report screen display 1401 is performed, and when a report key on the screen is pressed, a report screen is displayed. Display 1402 is performed and FIG.
As described above, after being polled from the data communication device 200, the data communication device 200 and the central control device 260 are automatically notified via the communication line 250.
The data transmitted and received in this automatic notification is as shown in FIGS. 7, 10, and 11.

When the repair request report has normally arrived at central control unit 260, data communication apparatus 200 returns "report success" to image forming apparatus 100 as a report result. Success screen display 1403
To inform the user.

When the repair request report does not reach the central control unit 260 normally due to a busy line, a busy state of the central control unit, or the like, the data communication apparatus 200 reports "report failure" as the report result. 100, and the image forming apparatus 100 notifies the user by performing a message failure screen display 1404. On the other hand, when the report is not permitted, the above-described report operation is not performed, and the normal operation screen display 1405 is kept.

Next, control contents corresponding to the second aspect of the present invention will be described. At the start of the usage contract for the image forming apparatus 100,
The setting of permission / non-permission of the report transmitted from the central control device 260 via the communication line 250 and the data communication device 200 is performed by selecting from the data communication device 200, which is described in FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

FIG. 17 shows the above-mentioned "setting of report permission / non-permission".
11 is an example of text data (general theory is described with reference to FIG. 11) that the image forming apparatus 100 receives from the PI 509.

The first processing code 1501 stores “04” indicating data writing, and the information record 1502
The information code 1503 that constitutes (1) is defined as “setting of report permission / non-permission of a repair request report”, and a unique code is defined for each data write factor.

The data section 1504 stores “1” when the notification is permitted and “0” when the notification is not permitted. Information records 1502 (2) to 1502 (N)
, Other notification factors are similarly assigned, but the details are omitted. In connection with this, text data from the data communication device 200 to the PI 509, the central controller 260
The text data from to the data communication device 200 is omitted from the illustration, but follows the description of FIG.
A similar change may be made to FIG. The “report permission / non-permission setting” received by the CPU 500 is written and stored in the nonvolatile RAM 504.

FIG. 18 shows the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
13 is a display example of “report permission / non-permission” in the user program mode on the character display 802 of the operation display unit of No. 00. The user program mode is a mode in which the customer can perform special settings that are not used in the normal image forming operation and that are not frequently used. The method for switching from the normal image forming operation mode to the user prom mode is a predetermined recall number. Is a numeric keypad 810 for inputting the number of copies, etc.
Number clear / stop key 811, enter key 81
2. It may be performed by inputting with the preheating / mode clear key 814 or the like, or not shown, but a dedicated “report permission / non-permission display key” is displayed on the operation display unit (FIG. 12).
May be provided, or a key may be provided on the character display 802 in the same manner. This enables the customer to confirm how the permission / non-permission of the report is set for each report factor, and the setting is performed by the central controller 26 as described above.
0 through the communication line 250 and the data communication device 200.

Next, control contents corresponding to the third aspect of the present invention will be described. In this case, the image forming apparatus reports to the central control unit via the data communication device and the communication line in units of grouping of the report factors. The image forming device user's repair request notification, the image forming device user's supply of consumables. Request notification, maintenance start / maintenance work notification of maintenance
Automatic notification due to occurrence of failure that disables image forming operation,
Automatic notification when the cumulative number of image formations reaches a predetermined fixed number, automatic notification when the cumulative number of image formations reaches a predetermined fixed period, and image formation operation are possible, but automatic notification when an event requiring preventive maintenance is required , At least one of the following.

Although a diagram for explanation is not particularly prepared, FIG.
What is necessary is just to provide a flowchart equivalent to the flowchart of "automatic notification at the time of failure" shown in 4 for each group of the above-mentioned report factors. It is preferable that the grouping be performed more finely because setting can be made in accordance with customer requirements. It goes without saying that the settings are reflected in the display of the setting status to the customer shown in FIG. 18 in accordance with the grouping.

[0073]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, only the report factors for which the operation system of the central control device is in place are permitted to be reported, and the other components are not permitted to be reported. Consistency with the operation of the central control device can be achieved, the degree of freedom in the development of new image forming devices and the timing of version upgrades on the central control device can be increased, and the image forming device According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image forming management system capable of matching the operation of the central control device individually with the image forming apparatus in accordance with the use conditions.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned effect can be obtained without bothering the user of the image forming apparatus, and the setting of the permission / non-permission of the notification from the image forming apparatus can be achieved. The difference from the management data of the control device can be prevented. Further, by enabling the image forming apparatus to store and confirm the status of permission / non-permission of the notification, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus management system which is easy for the user of the image forming apparatus and the maintenance person of the image forming apparatus to use. Can be.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a user-friendly image forming apparatus management system can be realized for an image forming apparatus user and an image forming apparatus maintenance person.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the data communication device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a selecting operation in the data communication device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a polling operation in the data communication device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a PI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of text data exchanged between a central control device and a data communication device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of a processing code.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of an information record.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of text data exchanged between a data communication device and a PI of an image forming apparatus.

11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of text data exchanged between a PI of the image forming apparatus and the controller in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation display unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of a character display of an operation display unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for controlling “automatic failure notification” when a serviceman call occurs in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a screen display example when a serviceman call occurs during image formation.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example in a repair request notification.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of text data received from the PI by the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a display example of “report permission / non-permission” in the user program mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Image forming device 200 Data communication device 250 Communication line 260 Central control device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04M 11/00 301 H04M 11/00 301 H04N 1/00 106 H04N 1/00 106C

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of image forming apparatuses premised on remote diagnosis and a central control device are connected via a data communication device and a communication line.
An image forming apparatus management system for automatically issuing a notification to a central control device via a data communication device and a communication line, wherein the notification factors are grouped, and each of the grouped notification factors is independently enabled / disabled for notification. An image forming apparatus management system, wherein permission can be set. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the setting of permission / non-permission of the notification is possible only from the central control device via the communication line and the data communication device, and the image forming apparatus can store and confirm the setting state. An image forming apparatus management system, characterized in that it is possible. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus reports to the central control device via a data communication device or a communication line a grouping unit of a report factor, the repair being performed by a user of the image forming device. Request notification, Consumables supply request notification from the image forming apparatus user, Maintenance start / maintenance work notification from the image forming apparatus maintainer, Automatic notification due to failure that disables image forming operation, Total number of image formation At least one of the following: automatic notification when the specified number of images has been reached, automatic notification when the total number of image formations has reached a predetermined period, and automatic notification when an event that requires preventive maintenance is possible. An image forming apparatus management system, comprising: