JPH05324971A - Image forming device system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the integrated control of a high degree for each department (ID) and furthermore to attain a copying operation in an emergency by connecting plural image forming devices together via a communication means using a telephone circuit. CONSTITUTION:This image forming device system includes the image forming devices 2 having the counting functions of the ID counters and a host computer 1 which totalizes the count value with a communication means 3. When the totalized result of the count value reaches a limit value registered in the computer 1, the computer 1 sends the copy inhibiting command to the copy with the corresponding ID number to each device 2. Meanwhile, the device 2 has a function to cancel the copy inhibiting command.

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 system including an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine and a host computer connected by communication means, and in particular, a section counter is provided to manage the number of copies. The invention relates to an image forming apparatus system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines have come into widespread use, and their performance and functions have also advanced remarkably. Unlike a simple copying machine used for personal use, such a high-performance copying machine is often managed by each department in a company. In this case, it is appropriate to share the management cost according to the number of copies used. For this reason, a plurality of memory cards (portable storage means) that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the device and have the department or individual code registered are distributed to each workplace and copied. By carrying out the procedure by mounting it on the main body of the device, it has become possible to manage the number of copies for each workplace. There are lots of proposals for copying machines that can be equipped with memory cards. For example, JP-A-60-165664
JP-A-61-277976, JP-A-62-96958, JP-A-62-
The specification of 96966 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 105964/1990 discloses the technology related thereto.

As a result, in the copying apparatus, the number of copies for each registered department is totaled and displayed as needed. However, the memory card is not intended for one image forming device (hereinafter also referred to as a copier), but is mounted in a plurality of copiers for copying. It is not possible to obtain the total sum for a certain registered department even if the number of copies of the above is aggregated.

As means for dealing with this, one host computer and a plurality of copying machines are connected by a communication means such as a telephone line to form an image forming apparatus system.
The host computer has contacted each copier to request the total number of copies for each registration department.

[0005]

However, in budget management, it is not enough to count the number of copies for each department and grasp the current situation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus system capable of performing centralized management so as not to exceed a preset frame (limit value) by issuing a command from a host computer. I am trying. However, on the other hand, in an image forming apparatus system in which centralized control is performed, the degree of freedom of operation in a copying machine, which is a terminal device, is lost. It is accompanied by the inconvenience of not being able to do so. It is an object of the present invention to provide an extremely effective image forming apparatus system in which centralized management is performed while relaxing such restrictions.

[0007]

In the image forming apparatus system including an image forming apparatus having a counter function for each ID counter and a host computer for totalizing the counter value by a communication means, When the limit value registered in advance in the host computer is reached, the host computer has a function of sending a copy prohibition command with a corresponding ID number to each image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is also prohibited from copying. This is achieved by an image forming apparatus system characterized by having a registration means capable of ignoring commands.

Here, as an embodiment of the present invention, there is an image forming apparatus system characterized in that when the image forming apparatus releases the copy prohibition command, the image forming apparatus communicates with the host computer.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A shows a configuration of an image forming apparatus system according to the present invention. A host computer 1 as a control unit is connected to a plurality of copying machines 2 by a communication unit 3 using a telephone line, respectively, and a host Between the computer 1 and the copying machine 2, the number of copies is counted and a copy operation prohibition command is exchanged via the communication means 3. The copying machine 2 used here is a copying machine in which a memory card (ID card) storing a removable ID number can be loaded. In the embodiment described below, the copier counts the number of copies by ID such as department by mounting a pre-registered ID card, but the invention is not limited to this and a means for writing a password is provided. It is also possible to use a copying machine in which a password is used instead of the ID card.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing a control configuration in the host computer 1 and the image forming apparatus 2. Both the host computer 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 determine means 11, 21.
The communication means 12 of the host computer 1 and the communication means 22 of the image forming apparatus 2 are connected by the communication means 3 of the telephone line. In the host computer 1, a storage unit 13 for storing data such as a preset limit value of the number of copies for each department, a copy count for each department read from the image forming apparatus 2, a read copy count for each department, etc. In addition to the aggregation means 14 that aggregates the data of
Display means 16 is provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 2 determines whether or not it is a registered ID card, and an ID No. designating means 25 for designating an ID No. and a copy button provided on the operation panel to push a copy condition. Input means 27 for inputting and counting means 24 for counting the number of copies
Further, there are provided a storage means 23 for storing a pre-registered ID card number, a counted number of copies, etc., an ID number prohibiting means 26 and a display means 28 for receiving a prohibition instruction from the communication means 22. Further, the image forming apparatus 2 of the present invention is provided with the prohibition canceling means 29, and has the registering means for making the copy possible by ignoring the copy prohibiting instruction by the operation of the operator.

The counting of the number of copies and the prohibition command via the communication means 3 according to the present invention are issued to the idling group in the copying process, so that it is a flow chart from the power-on of the image forming apparatus 2 to the start of copying. The present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the CPU of the image forming apparatus 1 is initialized in step C1, the peripheral I / O is initialized in step C2, and the RAM is cleared in step C3. Then, the dip switch is read in step C4, and the process proceeds to step C5. In step C5, initialization is performed, and the process proceeds to step C6. Step C6
Then, it is determined whether or not it is the test mode. If it is the test mode, the process proceeds to the test mode, and if it is not the test mode, the process proceeds to steps C7 and C8. This test mode is a mode that is set only when a service technician or the like makes initial settings or adjustments of the image forming apparatus or changes of the memory items of the ID card. The test mode is set by pressing.

In steps C7 and C8, it is checked whether or not the temperature of the fixing means is a predetermined fixing temperature. If the temperature is lower than the fixing temperature, the image forming mode is initialized in step C9. If the temperature is higher than the fixing temperature, the image is formed in step C10. Restore mode,
Both proceed to step C11. In step C11, the fixing heater, which is the heat source of the fixing means, is turned on and the process proceeds to the next idling group.

Entering the idling group, step D
In 1 the warm-up of the fixing means is checked, in step D2 the jam on the transfer material conveying path is checked, in step D3 the loading of the paper feed cassette and the transfer material in the paper feed cassette are checked, and the routine proceeds to step D4. In step D4, it is judged whether or not the jam flag is set,
If it is not set, the process proceeds to step D5, and if it is set, jam display is performed by the display means in step D6, and the fixing heater is turned off in step D7 and the process returns to step D1.

At step D5, it is judged whether or not the display means provided on the operation panel displays a card-less state by the display means 28. If not displayed, the process proceeds to step D8, and if it is displayed. Go to step D9.
In step D9, it is determined whether or not the card-in signal is ON. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step D10, and if it is not ON, the process returns to step D1. In step D10, it is determined whether or not the card invalid signal is ON. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step D8. If it is not ON, the display of no card is cleared in step D11 and the card ID No. is received in step D12.
Proceed to step D13. In step D13, it is determined whether or not the job is being interrupted, and if the job is being interrupted, the process returns to step D1. If not, the process returns to step C9.

In step D8, it is judged whether or not the card-in signal is ON, and if it is ON, the process proceeds to step D14. That is, when the detection means detects that the card is mounted, the determination is made based on the card-in signal input to the determination means 21 via the card-in transmission means. On the contrary, if the card-in signal is not turned on, the display of no card is made in step D15 and the process returns to step D1. That is,
If the card is not attached by the detection means, the card-in signal is not turned on and the signal is not sent to the card-in transmission means. Therefore, the determination unit 21 determines that there is no such signal, and the display means 28 displays on the operation panel. On the display section of, for example, "Set card" is displayed.

In step D14, it is judged whether or not the card invalid signal is ON. If it is not ON, the process proceeds to step D16, and if it is ON, the card invalid display is set in step D17 and the process proceeds to step D1. The card invalid signal is the judgment means 21.
Is a signal input to the determination means 21 from the card invalidation transmission means. Note that the above-mentioned card invalid display is displayed on the above-mentioned display unit by the display means 28,
For example, “Konocard Hatsuka Emma Sen” is displayed.

At step D16, various operation buttons on an operation panel (not shown) are checked and processed according to respective subroutines. Upon completion of checking the various operation buttons, the process proceeds to step D18. Step D18 to Step D26
3 is a flowchart for exchanging information and commands with the host computer 1 according to the present invention through the communication means 3.

In step D18, it is checked whether or not the carrier detect signal (CD signal) is ON, and if it is ON, line communication in step D19 is performed. In the image forming apparatus system of the present invention, the host computer 1 and the copying machine 2 are connected by the telephone line which is the communication means 3,
It provides the following functions.

(1) Function for the host to read various data of the copying machine (2) Function for the host to prohibit copying by department of the copying machine The function for the host to read various data of the copying machine. The various data that can be read from the copier are as follows.

(1) Serial No. (2) Total copy count (3) Copy count by transfer paper size (8 types) (4) Copy count by department (15 types) It is done by means of.

(1) The host calls the copier.

(2) When the line is connected, the copying machine requests the password from the host.

(3) The host returns the password to the copying machine.

(4) The copying machine replies the password OK to the host.

(5) The host sends a data transmission request command to the copying machine.

(6) The copying machine sends the above various data to the host.

(7) (5) to (6) are repeated until the transmission of all data is completed.

(8) The host disconnects the line.

(9) The copying machine disconnects the line.

Regarding the function of the host for prohibiting copy by department of the copying machine, the prohibition instruction is given by the following means.

(1) The host calls the copier.

(2) When the line is connected, the copying machine requests the password from the host.

(3) The host returns the password to the copying machine.

(4) The copying machine replies the password OK to the host.

(5) The host sends a data reception request command to the copying machine.

(6) The copying machine replies the reception request OK to the host.

(7) The host sends departmental copy prohibition data to the copying machine.

(8) The copying machine replies the received data OK to the host.

(9) The host disconnects the line.

(10) The copying machine disconnects the line.

Transmission / reception of data between the copying machine and the host on the communication line is performed by a start-stop synchronization serial communication via a modem. While the copying machine 2 is communicating with the host 1, the display means 28 displays, for example, a message "Oh, it's not good.

On the copying machine side, an incoming call from the host is recognized by receiving the result code of the line connection from the modem. The disconnection of the communication line from the host is recognized by recognizing the line connection (incoming) and then detecting that the CD signal continues to be off for the time set by the value of the specific byte of the memory switch data. It The communication line from the copying machine is disconnected by turning off the ER signal that is on for the time set by the value of the specific byte of the memory switch data.

Table 1 shows the flow of the transmission control with the host in the copying machine, and shows the transmission control of the line communication shown in step D19. It consists of 7 states from P1 (waiting for incoming call) to P7 (waiting for timeout). Incoming status code of P1 (waiting for incoming call)
When receiving CONNECT, timer T1 is started and status P
2 (communication standby).

Line disconnection CD signal from host in P2 state
When it turns off, it returns to the P1 state. When the line disconnection CD signal from the host is not turned off, a password request is transmitted at the time-out and the timer T2 is started to shift to P3 (password reception waiting). Then P4
(Waiting for data request reception) When the data transmission request is received, the collected data is transmitted. When the data reception request is received, the reception request OK is transmitted and the timer T3 is started and P5 is set.
Move on to (waiting for data reception). The data is taken in in the state of P5, the data error is transmitted at the time-out, the timer T4 is started, and the state of P6 (waiting for line disconnection) is entered. When the status P6 times out, the ER signal is turned off and the timer T5 is started to enter the status P7 (waiting for a time-out). It returns to P1 due to timeout in the state of P7.

During step D19, data such as copy count by department of the copying machine is transmitted to the host, and the host collects the data of a plurality of copying machines by the totaling means 14 and stores it in the storing means 13 in advance. In contrast to the limit value, when the limit value (or the second limit value lower than the limit value) is reached, the determination means 11 issues a prohibition instruction to the copying machine, but the prohibition instruction is preset. Alternatively, it is based on any of the following prohibition command modes input by the input means 15.

(A) Copying with the corresponding ID card is prohibited in all copying machines.

(B) Copying is permitted in a specific copying machine, and copying is prohibited in other copying machines.

(C) When the second limit value, which is less than the limit value, is reached, copying is permitted in a specific copying machine, and copying is prohibited in other copying machines.

On the other hand, the copying machine side has the following two copy prohibition modes in the ID No. prohibition means 26.

(A) When a department-specific copy prohibition warning instruction is received, a warning is given for 3 seconds, but copying is possible. If a prohibition instruction is received when inserting a card in card mode, a warning is given for 3 seconds, but copying is possible. (Copy prohibition warning mode) (b) If a department-specific copy prohibition instruction is received, a warning is given and the copy is not accepted. If a prohibition instruction is received when a card is inserted in card mode, a warning is given and a copy is not accepted. (Copy Prohibition Mode) The warning message in the above (a) and (b) is issued by displaying, for example, "Boumon limit over overshooting" on the display means 28. Therefore, in the case of (1) the prohibition command mode (A), the instruction of the copy prohibition mode of (b) is issued.

(2) In the case of the prohibition command mode (B), the instruction of the copy prohibition warning mode (a) is given to a specific copying machine,
The other copy machines are instructed in the copy prohibition mode (b).

(3) In the case of the prohibition command mode (C), the instruction of the copy prohibition warning mode (a) is given to the specific copying machine,
The other copy machines are instructed in the copy prohibition mode (b). The warning message at this time may be displayed on the display means 28, for example, "Bumon Limit Nichikazuki Mashita".

In the copying machine, it is determined whether or not there is a prohibition command during the line communication from the host in step D19 and the IDN in step D20.
o. Check by prohibition command check. If there is no prohibition command in step D21, it is checked in step D22 whether the prohibition is being displayed. If there is no ID No. prohibition display, step D27
Move to. If the ID number prohibition is being displayed, the ID number prohibition display is cleared in step D26, and the process proceeds to step D27.

If there is an ID number prohibition command in step D21, an ID number prohibition cancellation check is performed in step D23. The copying machine 2 of the present invention has the prohibition canceling means 29 so that the operator can cancel the prohibition of copying, which will be described below.

When the ID card is inserted into the copying material and the limit value of the department concerned is exceeded, "Boumon limit over limit" is displayed and copying is prohibited. If an operator wants to make an urgent copy even in such a state, the operator switches to the operator mode by pressing the function button or the dedicated button, and the display means 28 displays "Set master key code Is displayed. The master key code is, for example, an 8-digit code number known only to the operator. When the operator inputs the 8-digit code number using the ten-key pad of the input means 27, the prohibition of copying in the particular department is released. The display means 28 is changed to the display of "copy dex." In addition, the ID No. prohibition release notification and the number of copies in this state are temporarily stored in the storage means 23.
It is stored in and the host is contacted. The ID No. prohibition release check in step D23 is a check as to whether or not the above-described operation has been performed.
If the ID No. prohibition is released in, the process proceeds to step D22. If the ID No. prohibition release in step D24 is not released, it is checked in step D25A whether the prohibition command is a prohibition warning command. If the prohibition warning command is issued, the ID No. prohibition warning display is displayed in step D25B. Perform for 2 seconds, move to step D27, and if a prohibition command, ID in step D25C
Set the No. prohibition display and return to step D1 at the head of the idling group.

In step D27, it is judged whether or not the warm-up of the fixing means is completed, and if it is completed, the process proceeds to step D28, and if it is not completed, the above-mentioned step D is executed.
Return to 1. In step D28, it is judged whether or not the transfer material P is present in the paper feed cassette, and if yes, the process proceeds to step D29,
If not, the process returns to step D1. In step D29,
It is judged whether or not the image formation start command is ON, and if it is ON, a copy start routine is entered, and if it is not ON, the process returns to step D1. This image formation start command is issued via the input means 27 if the copy button provided on the operation panel is pressed.
It is turned on (input).

[0058]

In the image forming apparatus system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses of the present invention are connected to the host computer, not only the total number of copies for each registered department is obtained, but also when the preset limit value is reached. Since a prohibition command is issued, centralized management is performed in an extremely positive manner, and even an image forming apparatus in a copy prohibited state can cancel the copy in an emergency and perform copying, which is convenient for practical use. An imager system has been provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are block diagrams showing a control configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram after the power of the system of the present invention is turned on.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram of an idling group following FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram including detection of an ID card IN signal following FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram including line communication and a prohibition instruction following FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram up to copy start following FIG.

1 is a table showing a flow of transmission control with a host computer in a copying machine.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 ... Host computer (control means) 2 ... Image forming apparatus (copying machine) 3 ... Communication means

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 21, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Brief explanation of the drawing

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are block diagrams showing a control configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram after the power of the system of the present invention is turned on.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram of an idling group following FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram including detection of an ID card IN signal following FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram including line communication and a prohibition instruction following FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram up to copy start following FIG.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 Host computer (control means) 2 Image forming device (copying machine) 3 Communication means

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 5]

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus system including an image forming apparatus having a counter function for each ID counter, and a host computer for totalizing the counter values by communication means, and the totalized result is registered in advance in the host computer. When the set limit value is reached, the host computer has a function of sending a copy prohibition command with a corresponding ID number to each image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus has a registration means capable of ignoring the copy prohibition command. An image forming apparatus system characterized by having it. 2. The image forming apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the host computer is contacted when the image forming apparatus releases the copy prohibition command.