DE4340144C2 - Arrangement for recording and billing copies made by means of copying machines - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for detection and accounting for copies made by means of copying machines and for statistical recording of the scope of services of several Copying machines, each copying machine one electromechanical counter to record the from the Copier coming counting pulses and each copier On / off switch for detecting the switching state of the Copier is assigned and the counts and the Switching states of the on / off switches Evaluation device are supplied.

Copiers or simple copiers called included usually a continuous counter, so that each copies made by forming the difference of one Start number that the copier displays and end number Creation of copies can be determined on the counter of the copier is. This method turns out to be very confusing and time-consuming, for example, in shops Copying machines, especially if a plurality of Copy machines is present.

DE 25 48 343 A1 describes a counting device for counting the Copies made by a user of an automatic copier known, whereby the user receives an encoded key, with which he can switch on any copier. The counting pulses generated by the automatic copier are preferred wirelessly with a carrier frequency to a counting station transferred and registered there according to the key code and tariffed. This known counting device counts the  made copies assigned to the code key, but not is differentiated according to the copier and this is not without further are identifiable. The wireless transmission of the Counting pulses are very susceptible to interference by third-party radio operators.

DD 235 125 A1 is a circuit arrangement for Process coupling of a microcomputer using a Input / output module in the manner of a cascaded Output system (multiplex operation) known.

Löber, CH and Will, G. "Microcomputers in measurement technology", VEB- Verlag Technik, Berlin 1983, describe u. a. a Basic range of I / O circuits of four individual types for bit parallel, bit serial, counting and DMA operation for the Microcomputer, namely modules (8251) for the bidirectional / bit serial data exchange for example for Teleprinters, floppy disks, control consoles; Counter- Timer blocks (8256, CTCU 857) for real-time processing and control tasks; DMA modules (8257) for direct Memory access and I / O modules (8255) for bit-parallel inputs and issue.

The invention has for its object the detection of to simplify copies made and their accounting and at the same time the scope of services of the individual Copy machines to capture, in particular commercial copiers in stores Surveillance and billing secure and economical too shape.

According to the invention, an arrangement for detecting and Billing of copies made by means of copying machines and for statistical recording of the scope of services of several Copy machines according to the characteristics of the  Claim 1 proposed.

To implement the invention for recording and billing a counter box according to the invention is used with copies Switches used on the one hand to the copying machines is connected and the further with a Data processing system, in particular PC, is connected, wherein this data processing system with screen additionally a circuit that is equipped with a counter card and a commercially available input / output card with 48 inputs / outputs contains. According to the invention it is provided that both cards in the standard extension connections of a PC can be inserted (ISA slot). For the functional use of these two Maps is a program provided as an interface software referred to as. The interaction of meter box, PC with Circuit and software enables the capture of generated Copies to multiple copiers and their billing simplify and enable a statistical recording of the Scope of performance of one or more copying machines. The Switching is mainly in the area of slow counting processes can be used, the maximum limit of the count rate at approx. 10000 pulses per second. The efficiency However, the circuit developed according to the invention is not only limited to the field of use in copying machines. Other areas of application in which, starting from multiple plants, products to be counted are conceivable.

Further embodiments of the invention are the characteristic Features of the subclaims can be removed. Below is the Invention illustrated using an exemplary embodiment and explained. Here shows

Fig. 1 shows a system for capturing and accounting for copies made with 6 copiers in a schematic representation

Fig. 2 shows the schematic structure of the circuit within the PC

Fig. 3 shows the block diagram of the counter card.

First, the construction of the hardware for the plant as well as the Functions described.

The basic function and structure of the invention will be explained with reference to the example of a possible configuration shown in FIG. 1. In the example, 6 copying machines - copiers 1 to 6 - are connected to a counter box via the pulse lines. The counter box contains switches 1 to 6 , so that a switch is assigned to each copier. The counter box also contains electromechanical counters, with each copier also being assigned an electromechanical counter. The pulses coming from the copiers are recorded in the counter box on the electromechanical counters. The counting pulses are then fed from this counter box via a suitable cable - pulse lines - into the data processing system, here a PC with a screen, and specifically into the meter card connected to the PC. In addition to the counter card, the PC also contains the commercially available input / output card with 48 inputs / outputs. The switching states of the switches contained in the meter box are read in via the I / O card, which is also on the PC. The states of all switches are routed from the meter box to the I / O card in the PC via the so-called enable lines. Copiers 1 to 6 are also connected to the counter box switches via enable lines.

In FIG. 2, the structure of the PC is illustrated schematically with hardware and software. The PC contains the counter card, which is designed as a 24-channel counter card with 24 channels, and the I / O card. The two cards are linked via the interface software. This is addressed by the user via the user interface, for example the user enters the counter / copier number. The correct transfer to the PC and via the counter box to the copying machine takes place within the interface software.

For example, if the switch of copier No. 5 is in the "on" state, the copying machine is enabled and is thus able to produce copies. The I / O card in the PC also recognizes this state. The interface software mentioned in FIG. 2 is responsible for preventing the corresponding electronic counter from being read out on the 24-channel counter card as long as switch No. 5 is in the "on" switching state. Only when switch No. 5 changes its state from "on" to "off" can the associated electronic counter be evaluated. After the evaluation, the interface software will reset the electronic counter. However, the user of the circuit sees only the count result of these initialization and evaluation steps. On screen B of the PC, he sees the user interface created by the software, which, if necessary, provides the billing and associated functions. Various user interfaces can use the 24 channel counter system via the provided interface software.

As can be seen from the block diagram of the meter card according to FIG. 3, the meter card consists of 3 function groups. These are the optocoupler block, the counter block - and the interface to the PC electronics (decoding and data drivers).

The task of the optocoupler block is to enable galvanic isolation of the copiers and their electronics from the PC electronics. To achieve this, an optocoupler module, for example a PC849, is used. Here, the count pulses from up to four copiers per module are converted into light pulses (IR diode) in the infrared range and sent to a light-sensitive transistor (IR transistor). The transistor converts and amplifies the light signal into an electrical pulse. The electrical (galvanic) separation of PC and copier electronics is achieved by this transmission of the counting pulse over a light path. Another effect is the so-called level adjustment of the signals by the optocouplers. This means that the pulses of the copiers are fed, for example, with 24 volts into the counter card and thus into the optocouplers, but the output side of the optocouplers, which pass on counting pulses with a level of 5 volts to the counter modules. For this purpose, the resistors upstream of the optocoupler are provided, they are used for current adjustment and current limitation for the IR diode. The upstream resistance is calculated as follows:

Optimal current through IR diode I _opt = 10 mA (according to the manufacturer)
Pulse level of the copiers U _imp = 24 volts;
Voltage drop at IR diode U _{IR diode} = 5 volts;
Series resistor R _before = (24-5) /0.01 (V / A) = 1900 ohms.

The transistors are on the output side of the optocouplers via a pull-up resistor to a level of 5 volts brought. If one of the output transistors is replaced by a Counting pulse controlled on the input side and thus switched on, the voltage drops across the transistor (5 V) to a voltage of approx. 0.2-0.3 volts. This Voltage change in the connected meter means that it decrements its internal value by the value 1.

The optocoupler outputs are routed to the 24 clock inputs (CLK) of the counter modules.
Structure of the counter block:
There are 8 counter modules of the 82C54 type (from AMD, -CMOS Programmable Interval Timer) on the 24-channel counter card. It is a low-power CMOS device. Each of these 8 counter modules contains three 16-bit counters and a control register for these counters. The control register is used for programming and determining the type of access to the meters. The counters are triggered by external clock pulses which are fed to the clock inputs (CLK). Counting occurs when the input pulses at the clock input (CLK) drop from 5 volts to below 0.7 volts. This is called a negative edge of a signal. Since the counter modules are so-called TTL-compatible circuits, one can speak of a change in the input signal from logic "1" to logic "0". After receiving the negative edge, the counter decrements its current value by 1.

The counter reading must be known before and after the counting process. For this purpose, an appropriate counter is created by an addressing logic of the counter block activated. If a starting value of at Example counter No. 5 from the interface software according to the Reading saved, so after the end of Copying the final value can be read out and over Difference formation from start value minus end value the sum of received impulses and thus the number of copies made can be calculated. Care should be taken that the counter count down towards 0.

The counters are programmed by the interface software so that they work as 16-bit counters. This means that their maximum difference between the start and the end value of a count is 2 ¹⁶ - 1 = 65535. In order to be able to read out a 16-bit value, two read accesses to this counter must be made. This is due to the 8-bit architecture of the 82C54 block. Likewise, the interface software must program the module so that both 8-bit registers, which together generate a 16-bit counter, are read in the correct order during a read access. One of the two 8-bit counters represents the most significant byte (MSB) and the other 8-bit register represents the least significant byte (LSB) of the 16-bit counter. With read access to a 16-bit counter, the low-order 8-bit part (LSB) and then the higher-order part (MSB) are read out. The counter reading results from counter reading = 256. MSB + LSB. This calculation is done within the interface software.

However, the reading process is only possible if one The 82C54 block is correctly addressed.  

First the CE input of the block must be set to logic "0" (UC <= 0.7 volt). The internal registers of the Building block addressable. Read / write access to one of the three counters are introduced by address lines A0 and A1.

Only one of the 3 counters can be addressed. In the The table below shows the four possible states of the address lines connected to the meters, and the registers thereby addressed within the Counter module.

Table 1

However, since there are 8 counter modules on the counter card, must be in addition to that in the building blocks Addressing logic, which addresses one of 3 internal counters, external addressing and decoding logic can be installed, the addresses one of the 8 possible counter modules.

The counter module can recognize via control connections / RD and / WR whether it is a write or read access. In the inactive state, both lines are in the logic "1" state. If the access is write, the / WR line falls to logic "0". Accordingly, the line / RD falls to a logic "0" level during a read access. Activation by changing the level from logic "1" to logic "0" is called "Activ Low" addressing, since activation is initiated by the low voltage level (low level). After a write or read access has ended, both lines revert to the logic "1" state.
Structure of the decoding and driver logic with a DIP switch, an address logic module, a data driver module and a decoding module:
The addressing and driver logic perform two tasks. One is the separation of the internal PC data bus from the data on the 24-channel counter card, the other task is to address one of the eight counter modules.

The decoding works as follows. The DIP switches (DIP SW 1-8) can be used to set an address at which the 24-channel counter card can be addressed. This first stage of the comparison of the address created by the PC and the address determined by the DIP switches, hereinafter referred to as the base address, takes place in the address logic module 74LS688 (Texas Instruments). If the PC address and the specified address are identical, the output line of the 74LS688 (P = Q) falls to logic "0". If this state is reached, the data driver 74LS245 (Texas Instruments) (PIN 19) and the decoding module 74HCT138 (Texas Instruments) (PIN 4 + 5) are activated. This block is able to decode B outputs with 3 address lines (2 ³ = 8). The 8 outputs (Y0-Y7) of the 74HCT138 are routed to the CS inputs (Chip Select PIN 21) of the 82C54 counter modules. Only one of the eight outputs falls to logic "0" (1 out of 8 decoding).

In order to decode one of the 8 counter modules, the following conditions must be met:

• 1. The base address is on the 74LS688 address comparator two 8-bit inputs. (Output / P = Q of 74LS688 = logical "0")
• 2. The 74HCT138 block decodes one of the 8 outputs.

Example of setting the base address on the DIP switches:  

Table 2

The address lines A6-A12 must now be connected to the address comparator represent the same value as that through the DIP switches generated address. The order of the address lines is due to the construction, but it corresponds to that in Table 2 listed switches, d. H. SW1 corresponds in the comparator 74LS688 of the address line A6; the SW2 of the address line A7 etc.

Table 3

This results in the addressing of the 8 counter modules following table:

The address lines A3-A5 are on the 74HCT138.

Table 4

To decode a counter within a counter block, proceed as follows:

• 1. Determine the counter module in which the decoding counter is located.
• 2. Determine which of the three counters within the Counter module should be addressed.

example 1

Wanted: address of counter

7

counter

7

is the first counter in module No. 3 according to Table 4 and Table 1: Address = 336 + 0 = 336.

Example 2

Wanted: address of counter

21st

:
counter

21st

is the third counter in the counter module

7

. To Table 4 and Table 1 result: Address = 368 + 2 = 370.

The user only enters the counter / copier number (User interface). The address calculation takes place within the interface software, which then addresses the decoding logic.

The second task of the decoding and driver logic lies in the Separation of the data bus of the PC from the data lines of the Counter modules. This is done by the 74LS245 block. This is a bidirectional data driver. He is able to 8 Data lines either in the direction A → B or from B → A to float. The data direction is controlled by the control line / IOR (Input-Output Read) determined. If the computer requests data from the Counter card, the control line drops to logic "0" and the data driver switches in the direction of the PC data bus. Conversely, in the direction of Counter block data lines, the 74LS245 turns on when data are written into the counter blocks. However, to To be fully activated, the entrance must be at the same time / G (PIN1) fall to logic "0". This only happens if Base address is the same address as the switching states the DIP switch is generated.  

The I / O card is the second module within the 24-channel counter system (see Fig. 2). The I / O card is a commercially available parallel input / output card. This card is based on the 82C55 modules. With this module it is possible to use the 24 digital channels, each with three groups of 8, as inputs or outputs. Since there are two such modules on the card, it is possible to use a total of 48 channels. In the case of the 24-channel meter system, the task of the I / O card is to read out the switches on the meter box (see Fig. 1). To do this, the digital channels of the 82C55 I / O modules must be programmed as digital inputs. This in turn is implemented by the interface software. The states of the switches are then passed on to the interface software as logic "1" for the ON position and logic "0" for the OFF position. The switching on and off of the counting channels is then signaled via these states. This is necessary, among other things, to prevent the meter blocks from being read out prematurely.

The link between the hardware described above with counter box and PC as well as the user software is provided by the Interface software formed that has multiple functions Provides.

The interface software enables both Basic initialization of the meter card as well as the digital one Entry and exit card, i. w. Called I / O card, perform. Additional functions are used to query the individual meter readings and the switching states of the I / O card connected switch. Functions as well provided a simulation of the counter card and the Effect I / O card.

Routines for coding and Text decoding available. Not hardware related Procedures are mentioned at the end of the description and theirs How it works explained.  

In the routines described below, the Name of the program section specified. After that an explanation of the transfer parameters appears. Only this is how the routine works.

1. INITALL

Syntax: int INITALL (int P1) Transfer parameters: P1 = 0 basic initialization P1 <<0 reinitialization Return value: no meaning

Initial performs a basic initialization of the whole Counter system. This initialization spans the counter card and the I / O card. The user has the Possibility to choose between a reinitialization and a Choose standard initialization. If P1 is 0, then performed a standard initialization. It becomes one Record the last saved overall state of the Counting system restored. This is to prevent that an interrupted computer system also leads to a "crash" of the meter system. The reinitialization is always then performed if P1 with a different from 0 Integer value is passed. This is always necessary if the meter system / computer system was switched off electrically. After a reinitialization, all counters are set to 0.

2.INITONE 2

Syntax: int INITONE 2 (int P1, unsigned P2) Transfer parameters: P1 Copier number P2 Integer with initialization offset of the copies Return value: no meaning

Initone 2 carries out an initialization of the one designated P1 Counter. The start value of the counter can be set with P2 be set. If P1 is outside the range 0-23, the  Procedure ended immediately.

example

Initone 2 (4.0) sets the counter with serial number 4 to 0.
Initone 2 (6,248) sets counter number 6 to the start value 248.

3. COUNTERREAD

Syntax: unsigned COUNTERREAD (int P1, unsigned * P2) Transfer parameters: P1 copier number P2 pointer to unsigned integer (reference transfer) Return value: unsigned counter reading / -1 if reading is not possible

Counterread reads the counter labeled P1. Here the function writes the meter reading both in the through the Pointer P2 addressed variable, as well as on the stack, so that the Counterread procedure has the character of a function.

example

unsigned Var 1 , Var2; // both variables of type unsigned Var 1 = Counterread (3, & Var2).

After a successful call, Var 1 and Var 2 contain the counter reading of counter 3 . If a counter that is still in operation is queried, Counterread returns the value 1. When the simulation is running, a random value is returned as the counter value if the simulated counter is in the appropriate state. This value is between 2 and 502.

4. GET STATUS

Syntax: int GETSTATUS (int P1) Transfer parameters: P1 copier number Return value: int counter status

The current status of counter P1 can be determined using the Getstatus function. The following values can appear as return values:

Status start counting -1 Status readable 0 Status-Not-yet initialized 1 Status wrong counter number 2nd Status-in operation 3rd Status-Unknown 5

The status "status start counting" is reached when the Switch responsible for the counter from "Off" to "On" changed and this condition was recognized for the first time. Subsequent status queries keep the switch open "On" is the status "Status in operation" returned.

If the status is "status readable", the counter P1 can be used once be read out. Any further status query would change the status Return "Status-Still-Not-Initialized" if not Initone 2 is called for the counter designated P1.

5. READPIOBIT

Syntax: int READPIOBIT (int P1) Transfer parameters: P1 copier number Return value: int switch state (on = 1, off = 0)

The Readpiobit function determines the switch status of the Switch P1 belonging to the counter P1. This switch P1 is connected to the I / O card. The return value can be the Accept value 0 for "Off" and value 1 for "On".

The routines described below allow the hardware to be simulated. When a procedure is called, the switches and counters are simulated by simulation. When this has been done, the functions and procedures described in the hardware according to FIGS. 1 to 3 can be used without, however, having connected the corresponding counter and I / O card. The functions and procedures described there automatically recognize the simulation status.

SETSIMULFLAG

Syntax: int SETSIMULFLAG (int P1) Transfer parameters: P1 (0 = simulation off; << 0 simulation on) Return value: without meaning

Setsimulflag is given the task of turning the simulation on or off turn off. If P1 is 0, the simulation will be switched off, the simulation becomes accordingly at P1 << 0 switched on. This can be done at any time done, even if there is a corresponding counter and I / O hardware exists in the computer.

SETPIOBIT

Syntax: int SEPPIOBIT (int P1, int P2) Transfer parameters: P1 switch number P2 switch status (0 = off; << 0 switch = on) Return value: without meaning

Setpiobit enables the simulation of the max. 24 switches that connected to the I / O card. About the states of the Switches the simulated copiers on and off switched off. Becomes one described in the copier CFG file Copy copier P1 using the Setpiobit procedure and then on again switched off, you can activate Counterread after calling the function Value between 2 and 502 can be returned.

example

Set piobit (12, 1) // turn on copier 12 Set piobit (12, 0) // turn off copier 12 Counterread (12, & Var 1) // read meter reading (reference transfer of Var 1) Initone (12, 0) // set counter 12 to counter reading = 0

The interface software can contain other procedures, which, however, have no influence on the hardware or its Have simulation.

Claims (12)

1. Arrangement for recording and billing copies made by means of copying machines and for statistical recording of the scope of services of several copying machines, wherein

• a) each copying machine an electromechanical counter for detecting the counting pulses coming from the copying machine and
• b) each copying machine is assigned an on / off switch for setting the switching state of the copying machine and
• c) the counting pulses and the switching states of the on / off switches are fed to an evaluation device

characterized by

• a) that a personal computer (PC) with a screen, an input / output card (I / O card) with 2x inputs / outputs and a counter card with x channels is provided as the evaluation device,
  • 1. where x corresponds to the number of connectable quantities of copying machines and
  • 2. belong to the meter card
  • 3. d2.1) an optocoupler block for the electrical isolation of the copying machines and their electronics from the PC and its electronics,
  • 4. d2.2) containing a counter block (counters) with counter modules
  • 5. d2.21) a counter for each copying machine as well
  • 6. d2.22) a control register for these counters, which is used to program the definition of the type of access to the counters,
  • 7. d2.3) and an interface to the PC electronics in the form of a decoding and data driver logic,
  • 8. d2.31) which the function of the separation of the PC internal data bus from the data bus on the counter card and
  • 9. d2.32) has to address one of the counter modules,
• b) that the electromechanical counters and the on / off switches are contained in a counter box,
  • 1. which is connected on the one hand via first pulse lines for the counting pulses to the copying machines and
  • 2. on the other hand is connected to the PC via second pulse lines, in such a way that the counting pulses are fed from the counter box into the counter card of the PC
• c) and also the on / off switch of the counter box
  • 1. on the one hand via the first release lines to the copying machines and
  • 2. on the other hand, are connected to the I / O card of the PC via second enable lines, so that the switching states of the on / off switch of the meter box can be read into the I / O card of the PC via the respective second enable line
• d) and that the user interface and associated functions are provided on the screen of the PC.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the I / O card with digital Blocks containing channels is equipped, the digital channels of these blocks as digital inputs are programmed so that they are on the counter box are able to read existing switches and over these states switching the counting channels on and off Counter card can be signaled. 3. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the input side of the Optocoupler resistors for current adjustment and Current limitation are upstream. 4. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the outputs of the optocoupler to the x inputs of the counter modules on the counter card are led. 5. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that on the meter card existing counter modules power-saving CMOS modules are. 6. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the counters as 16 bit counters are programmed. 7. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that only one of the several counters of a counter module using one Addressing logic can be activated and one of each several counter modules of the counter card using one  external addressing and decoding logic can be addressed. 8. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the decoding and Data driver logic has DIP switches, by means of which a Address at which the meter card can be addressed, is adjustable and an address created by the PC and address specified by the DIP switch using a logic module functioning as an address comparator are comparable in such a way that address lines that form a base address with the switch positions of DIP switches can be compared. 9. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the decoding and Data driver logic contains a decoder that has a number of corresponding to the number of counter modules Has outputs, the outputs of the decoding module on the chip select inputs of the counter modules are routed, and includes a bidirectional data driver device that a number corresponding to the number of counter modules capable of driving bidirectionally from data lines is. 10. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the basic initialization of the Counter card and the digital I / O card using a Interface software is feasible. 11. The arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the query of each Counter readings and the switching states of the on the I / O card connected switch using the interface software is possible. 12. Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the simulation of the counter card and the I / O card using the interface software is.