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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A copying machine control system for controlling a plurality of copying
machines, comprising:
a plurality of data terminals respectively associated with each of the
plurality of copying machines for collecting data on the copying machines;
a PBX connected to said plurality of data terminals for allowing internal
communication to take place between said plurality of data terminals;
a centralized control unit connected to said PBX through an external
communication line;
abnormality detection means provided in at least one of said plurality of
data terminals for detecting an abnormality in another data terminal by
the internal communication through said PBX; and
abnormality transmission means provided in at least one of said plurality
of data terminals for executing an external communication with said
centralized control unit through said PBX when said abnormality detection
means detects an abnormality in another data terminal.
2. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 1, wherein
said abnormality detection means executes the internal communication
through said PBX at a prescribed time.
3. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 1, wherein
said abnormality transmission means transmits, to said centralized control
unit, an identification code of the data terminal whose abnormality is
detected.
4. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 1, wherein
a copying machine associated with the data terminal whose abnormality is
detected by said abnormality detection means is prohibited from operating.
5. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 4, further
comprising:
password transmission means provided in said centralized control unit for
transmitting a password to cancel the prohibition of the operation of the
copying machine associated with the data terminal whose abnormality is
detected;
password reception means provided in at least one of said plurality of data
terminals for receiving the password transmitted from said password
transmission means; and
display means for displaying the password which said password reception
means receives.
6. A copying machine control system for controlling first and second
copying machines, comprising:
a first data terminal associated with said first copying machine for
collecting data on said first copying machine;
a second data terminal associated with said second copying machine for
collecting data on said second copying machine;
a PBX connected to said first and second data terminals for allowing
internal communication between said first data terminal and said second
data terminal;
a centralized control unit connected to said PBX through an external
communication line;
first abnormality detection means provided in said first data terminal for
detecting an abnormality in said second data terminal by an internal
communication through said PBX;
first abnormality transmission means provided in said first data terminal
for calling said centralized control unit by an external communication
through said PBX, when said first abnormality detection means detects an
abnormality in said second data terminal;
second abnormality detection means provided in said second data terminal
for detecting an abnormality in said first data terminal by an internal
communication through said PBX; and
second abnormality transmission means provided in said second data terminal
for calling said centralized control unit by an external communication
through said PBX, when said second abnormality detection means detects an
abnormality in said first data terminal.
7. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 6, wherein
said first and second data terminals include first and second storage
means, respectively, for storing time for said first and second
abnormality detection means to operate.
8. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 6, wherein
said first abnormality transmission means transmits the identification code
of said second data terminal to said centralized control unit.
9. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 6, wherein
said first copying machine is prohibited from operating when said first
data terminal attains an abnormal state, and said second copying machine
is prohibited from operating when said second data terminal attains an
abnormal state.
10. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 9, further
comprising:
a password transmission means associated with said centralized control unit
for transmitting passwords for canceling the prohibition of the operation
of said first and second copying machine;
first and second password reception means provided in said first and second
data terminals, respectively, for receiving the passwords transmitted from
said password transmission means; and
display means for displaying the passwords which said password reception
means receives.
11. A copying machine control system for controlling at least three copying
machines, comprising:
a main data terminal associated with a particular one of said at least
three copying machines for collecting data on said particular copying
machine;
a plurality of sub data terminals each associated with each of the copying
machines other than said particular copying machine for collecting data on
each of the copying machines other than said particular copying machine;
a PBX connected to said main and sub data terminals for allowing an
internal communication to take place between said main data terminal and
each of said sub data terminals;
a centralized control unit connected to said PBX through an external
communication line;
abnormality detection means provided in said main data terminal for
detecting an abnormality in each of said sub data terminals by using an
internal communication through said PBX;
first storage means provided in said main data terminal for storing a
prescribed time to execute detection of an abnormality in each of said sub
data terminals by said abnormality detection means;
second storage means provided in said main data terminal for storing the
telephone number of said centralized control unit and the extension number
of each of said sub data terminals;
detection control means provided in said main data terminal for reading the
extension number of each of said sub data terminals stored in said second
storage means at the prescribed time stored in said first storage means to
operate said abnormality detection means; and
abnormality transmission means provided in said main data terminal for
reading the telephone number of said centralized control unit stored in
said second storage means to execute an external communication with said
centralized control unit through said PBX, when said abnormality detection
means detects at least one abnormality in a sub data terminal.
12. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 11, wherein
said abnormality transmission means transmits to said centralized control
unit, the identification code of the sub data terminal whose abnormality
is detected.
13. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 11, wherein
when one of said sub data terminals attains an abnormal state, the copying
machine associated with that sub data terminal is prohibited from
operating.
14. A copying machine control system as recited in claim 13, further
comprising:
password transmission means provided in said centralized control unit for
transmitting a password for canceling the prohibition of the operation of
the copying machine associated with the sub data terminal whose
abnormality is detected;
password reception means provided in said main data terminal for receiving
the password transmitted from said password transmission means; and
display means for displaying the password which said password reception
means receives. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to systems for controlling copying
machines, and more specifically, to a system for controlling at a control
center, copying machines each having a corresponding copying machine
control unit, in which a centralized control apparatus at the control
center is called by each copying machine control unit through a
communication line when prescribed conditions are satisfied and data
communication is established between the copying machine control unit and
the centralized control apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A system for controlling a plurality of copying machines is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,834. In the disclosed system, various kinds of
information on a copying machine such as the total number of sheets
copied, problems, the remaining amounts of copy sheets and toner are
transmitted to a computer. The computer processes the transmitted
information and feeds back instructions to the copying machine.
According to such a system, remote control of a plurality of copying
machines supplied to users can be made by connecting those plurality of
copying machines with a centralized control apparatus through a
communication network such as a telephone line. The centralized control
apparatus is provided at the site of an administrator, and the
administrator receives information transmitted from each copying machine
by the use of the centralized control apparatus. Various administrative
works are conducted such as issue of bills based on the number of copy
sheets, and dispatch of serviceman to cope with problems.
A general copying machine does not have a function of communicating with a
centralized control apparatus through a communication network, and,
therefore, a data terminal for communication is provided for the copying
machine when such a system is constructed. The data terminal collects
various kinds of information from the copying machine and communicates
with the centralized control apparatus based on the collected information.
From the viewpoint of the administrator of copying machines, when the data
terminal provided for a copying machine is in trouble, it is preferable to
prohibit the operation of the copying machine. More specifically, it is
desirable for the administrator to prohibit the use of a copying machine
which is not under the control of the system when the data terminal is in
trouble. From the viewpoint of users, however, it would be unreasonable if
the operation of a normal copying machine is prohibited because of the
problems in the data terminal. Accordingly, it would be desirable to
continue the operation of the copying machine regardless of the trouble in
the data terminal.
Meanwhile, it is simply enough to control the state of transmission from
the data terminal at the site of centralized control apparatus, in order
to detect a problems associated with the data terminal. In other words, a
data terminal which does not make a transmission can be determined to be
faulty. However, increasing the number of transmissions from a data
terminal to the centralized control unit thoughtlessly for the purpose of
detecting a problems taking place in the data terminal at an early stage
should be avoided, considering the cost involved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a system for controlling
copying machines which takes into consideration problems associated with
data terminals.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system for controlling
copying machines that allows the operation of a copying machine in
accordance with a prescribed procedure even when problem occurs in a data
terminal.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system for controlling
copying machines that allows early discovery of a problem in a data
terminal without increasing the number of transmissions from the data
terminal to a centralized control apparatus.
In order to achieve the above-stated objects, a system for controlling a
plurality of copying machines interconnected through a PBX in accordance
with the invention includes a plurality of data terminals provided at the
plurality of copying machines, each for collecting data on a copying
machine, a PBX connected to the plurality of data terminals for allowing
internal communication between the plurality of data terminals, a
centralized control apparatus connected to the PBX through an external
communication line, abnormality detection means provided in at least one
of the plurality of data terminals for detecting an abnormality in another
data terminal by an internal communication through the PBX, and
abnormality transmission means provided in at least one of the plurality
of data terminals for executing an external communication with the
centralized control apparatus through the PBX when the abnormality
detection means detects an abnormality taking place in another data
terminal.
In the copying machine control system thus structured, when the abnormality
detection means provided at one data terminal detects an abnormality in
another data terminal, an abnormality transmission is made to the
centralized control apparatus through the PBX. Accordingly, appropriate
control of the abnormality in each data terminal can be made.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing the construction of a system applied
in one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a part of a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of
the system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is the remaining part of the block diagram showing the circuit
configuration of the system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a view for use in illustration of a part of the operation panel
of a copying machine in the system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a part of a main routine in the processing
of a CPU41 in the copying machine shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the remaining part of the main routine in
the processing of the CPU41 in the copying machine shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the specific content of the processing
routine with passwords in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a part of a main routine in the processing
of the CPU 11 of a data terminal shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the remaining part of the main routine in
the processing of the CPU 11 in the data terminal shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a part of the specific content of a routine
of other DT confirmation processing in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing another part of the specific content of
other data terminal confirmation processing routine in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing another part of the specific content of
other DT confirmation processing routine;
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the remaining part of the specific content
of other DT confirmation processing routine;
FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the specific content of a CT addition
processing routine in FIG. 11 and 13;
FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the specific content of a trouble
transmission determination processing routine in FIG. 9;
FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a part of the specific content of a line
connection processing routine in FIG. 9;
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the remaining part of the specific content
of the line connection processing routine in FIG. 9;
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the specific content of a data
transmission/reception processing routine in FIG. 16;
FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an interruption processing by the CPU of a
data terminal in the system shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the specific content of a reception
processing routine in FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a processing in the CPU of the center in
the system shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an interruption processing in the CPU of
the center in the system shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the specific content of a data
transmission/reception processing in FIG. 2;
FIG. 24 is a representation for use in illustration of the content of data
in an RAM97 at the center in the system in FIG. 3;
FIG. 25 is a representation for use in illustration of storage data in the
data terminal in the system in FIG. 3;
FIG. 26 is a part of a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a
system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 27 is the remaining part of the block diagram showing the circuit
configuration of the system in accordance with that another embodiment in
FIG. 26.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now, embodiments of the invention will be illustrated.
[1] Structure of System
The structure of the present system consisting of "Copying Machine.Data
Terminal (DT).Private Branch Exchanger (PBX).Communication Network.Center"
will be illustrated.
FIG. 1 is a view for use in illustration of the structure of the present
system, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams each showing the circuit
configuration of the present system. The present system is formed of
apparatuses on the side of a number of users, an apparatus on the side of
the center which is an administrator, and a communication network for
connecting them. It is noted that only one user among the number of users
is illustrated in the figures. The user is provided with N sets of
"Copying Machines 4, Data Terminals (DT) 1, Modems 52, Attached Telephone
Sets 53", and M independent telephone sets 53', and a private branch
exchange (PBX) of analog Type 2. In the following description, a
particular one of the N sets of copying machines 4, the N data terminals
1, etc. is attached with a suffix, such as copying machine 4-1, data
terminal 1-1 or copying machine 4-j, and data terminal i-j.
In the present system, the administrator, the center side is provided with
a modem 72 which functions as a communication terminal apparatus, a
telephone set 73 which is a usual communication apparatus, and a computer
90, and they are connected with each other. A CPU91 is installed in the
computer 90, and a display 92, a keyboard 93, a printer 94, an RAM97, etc.
are connected to the CPU91.
The data terminal 1 stated above accepts various kinds of information on a
corresponding copying machine 4, subjects these kinds of information to
prescribed processings, and transmits the processed data concerning the
copying machine 4 to the computer 90 on the center side. It is possible to
transmit/receive data between the data terminals of the same user through
the PBX 2.
The computer 90 on the center side conducts a processing to a copying
machine 4 corresponding to each data terminal of each user based on data
transmitted from the data terminal 1.
Now, the respective devices will be illustrated.
[Copying Machine 4]
The copying machine 4 scans an original image and forms a copy image on
paper.
In the copying machine 4, various pieces of element data (such as time
required for paper feeding, the surface potential of a photoreceptor drum,
the concentration of toner in a developer, the amount of exposure of the
photoreceptor drum, developing bias voltage, the amount of toner sticking
to the photoreceptor drum, the grid voltage of a corona charger) having
effects on an image forming process are detected by various sensor groups
disposed in various positions in the copying machine 4, accepted by the
CPU41 for processing, and then transmitted to the CPU11 of the data
terminal 1 through a serial I/F 43 and a serial I/F 13.
In the CPU41 of the copying machine 4, values in counters based on which a
charge amount is calculated at the center (a total counter showing the
number of sheets discharged, a counter for separate sheet sizes showing
the numbers of sheets used for separate sizes), and values in counters
used as a criterion for maintenance (a JAM counter for separate portions
showing the number of JAMs for every portion, a trouble counter for
separate portions showing the number of troubles for every portion, a PM
counter for separate parts showing the number of use for every parts) are
calculated and transmitted to the CPU 11 of the data terminal through a
serial I/F42 and a serial I/F12. It is noted that the PM counter is for
calculating of use for every parts, which count value is used, for
example, as a criterion for time of parts exchange.
In the CPU41 of the copying machine 4, signals from various switch groups
disposed on the operation panel 40 (see FIG. 4) (a print key 40a for
instructing initiation of a copying operation, a ten key group 40b for
inputting values, a clear key 40c for instructing clearing of inputs, and
the like) and signals from various switch groups disposed other than on
the operation panel (a trouble reset switch 45 for instructing reset upon
trouble or the like) are input, and setting of a corresponding operation
mode is executed based on each of the input signals. The state of the
copying machine (for example, warming up in progress, a JAM taking place
in a paper feeding portion) is displayed on the display portion 40d, and
the number of copied sheets is displayed on a value display portion 40e.
Furthermore, the password of the copying machine (at the time of fixed
transmission), the password of a copying machine 1-j corresponding to a
data terminal 1-j in trouble (at the time of trouble transmission) are
input from the CPU 11 of the data terminal 1 to the CPU41.
Furthermore, the model name and serial number of the copying machine 4 are
stored in an SRAM44 connected to the CPU41 when transferred from the
factory, and the data is transmitted to the CPU11 side through the serial
I/F42 and the serial I/F12 in response to a transmission request from the
CPU11, when the data terminal 1 is installed.
[Data Terminal 1]
When a copying machine 4 accepts and processes data, thus satisfying
prescribed transmission conditions (condition in which any transmission
flag is set to "1", which will be later described in detail), a
corresponding data terminal 1 activates the modem 52 to have a
communication line connected with the center side through the PBX2, and
transmits data for management related to the copying machine 4 (element
data, count data, etc. as stated above) to the CPU91 of the center.
It is possible to transmit/receive data between the data terminals of the
same user through the PBX2, and as will be described later, problems
associated with a trouble in the data terminal can be addressed.
Accordingly, the CPU11 of the data terminal 1 is connected to the modem 52
which is a communication terminal apparatus through a communication I/F
(RS232CI/F)18 and the communication I/F (RS232CI/F) 51 of the modem 52,
and the modem 52 can be connected to a modem 72 on the center side through
an extension line, a PBX, and a public telephone line (external line).
Accordingly, the CPU 11 is connectable to another modem corresponding to a
data terminal for another copying machine of the same user through the
communication I/F (RS232CI/F) 18 of its own and the communication I/F
(RS232CI/F) 51.extension.PBX.extension of the modem 52 of its own, whereby
a communication with the data terminal of that another copying machine is
permitted.
The contents of data (data for controlling the copying machine 4)
transmitted to the CPU91 of the center from the CPU11 through the
telephone line is decided depending upon which transmission flag is set to
"1" (see FIG. 18). For example, if an initialization transmission flag is
set, the identification data of the copying machine 4 (model name.serial
number), the identification data of the data terminal 1 (DTID), etc. are
transmitted to the center.
Furthermore, an ROM14 in which a control program is stored, a non-volatile
memory 16 in which numerical data is stored, a RAM15 for battery-backed up
operations, a battery-backed up clock IC17, etc. are connected to the
CPU11. The CPU11 is also connected to the above-stated CPU41 through the
serial I/F12 and the serial I/F42, and the serial I/F13 and the serial
I/F43, so that incoming data transmitted from the CPU41 side is input into
the CPU11 for the following processing.
Stored in the non-volatile memory (NV-RAM) 16 are the extension numbers of
the communication terminal apparatus (modem 52) of other copying machines
controlled by the same PBX, the DTIDs of the data terminals of said other
copying machines, date and time data for trouble confirmation, the
telephone number of the communication terminal apparatus (modem 72) of the
center, and date and time data for fixed time transmission. At the date
and time for trouble confirmation, an other DT confirmation processing
(FIGS. 10-14) which will be described later is executed.
Stored in the non-volatile memory 16-1 of a data terminal 1-1 attached to a
copying machine 4-1 are the extension numbers BANGO-2-BANGO-N of
communication terminal apparatuses (modem 52-2-modem 52-N) attached to the
other copying machines 4-2-4-N of the same user in other words N-1 copying
machines, data on data terminals DTID-2-DTID-N attached to the N-1 copying
machines and date and time data for trouble confirmation.
In the non-volatile memory 16 of the data terminal 1-2 attached to the
copying machine 4-2, the extension number BANGO-1 of the communication
terminal apparatus (modem 52-1) of the copying machine 4-1, the DTID-1 of
the data terminal 1-1 attached to the copying machine 4-1, and data and
time data for trouble confirmation.
As described above, the extension numbers, etc. corresponding to the N-1
copying machines other than the copying machine 4-1, in other words the
copying machines 4-2-4-N are stored in the non-volatile memory 16-1 of the
copying machine 4-1, while only the extension number, etc. corresponding
to the copying machine 4-1 is stored in the non-volatile memory 16-1 of
the copying machine 4-2.
This is because troubles in the data terminals 1-2-1-N attached to the
copying machines 4-2-4-N, respectively can be found if the data terminal
1-1 attached to the copying machine 4-1 functions normally, and when the
data terminal 1-1 attached to the copying machine 4-1 is in trouble, the
trouble can be found by the data terminal 1-2 attached to the copying
machine 4-2.
The system can be constructed such that the data terminals 1-1-1-N attached
to the copying machines 4-1-4-N each check all the data terminals other
than itself.
[PBX]
PBX is a private branch exchanger of analog type in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Data terminals in N copying machines provided at the same user are all
connected to the same PBX2 through the modem 52, thus allowing
communication between the data terminals. A telephone set 53 is attached
to each modem 52, and usual extension telephone sets 53' group is
connected to the PBX2. Extension communication is possible between the
extension telephone sets 53' through the PBX2, and dialing "0" first as an
external line select number permits external telephone communication.
When a data terminal attached each of the copying machines calls the
communication terminal apparatus (modem 72) of the CPU91 on the center
side through the PBX, a processing such as adding "0" to the head of the
telephone number as the external select number is conducted as is the case
with the extension telephone set 53'. Furthermore, the data terminals each
have a function of extension communication through the PBX, and the
above-stated extension numbers BANGO-1-BANGO-N are transmitted as select
numbers for such extension communication. Thus, communication is
established with another data terminal through the PBX, and data
communication such as transmission of a confirmation mode code (see S237
in FIG. 12) and transmission of a normal code or an abnormal code
corresponding to a reception of the confirmation mode code (see S455, S457
in FIG. 20), etc is conducted.
[Center]
The center is formed of a computer apparatus with the CPU91 as a key
element, and the modem 72 which functions as a communication terminal
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