EP0617804B1 - Office machine control system, in particular for photocopiers or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A control system for office machines, in particular copiers or the like, includes a replacement component which must be exchanged after a specific level of use, the system includes at least one detector of level-of-service and a display unit for the level of use associated with the detector to display the level of use and/or any crossing of an upper limit of level of use. The control system further includes a read/write unit for a coded data carrier, in particular a magnetic or chip card, associated with each replacement component to be integrated. Upon introduction of a coded data carrier, the control system shall reset the level-of-use detector. Such a control system lowers the danger of qualitatively inadequate replacement components being installed.

Description

The invention relates to a control system for office machines, in particular copying machines or the like, with at least one consumable part to be replaced according to a specific scope of use and with at least one scope of use detection device and a display unit connected thereto for the scope of use or / and for exceeding a scope of use limit.

In office machines of the type mentioned with the consumable part to be replaced according to a certain scope of use, the problem arises that in some cases the newly installed consumable part does not meet the manufacturer's specifications which are essential for proper operation. This is the case, for example, with the modern copying machines which work according to the electrophotographic process and in which the photoconductor drum, the fixing rollers and the wipers have to be changed after a predetermined number of copies in order to ensure a minimum quality of the copies and not to permanently adhere to the copying process affect. The user of the copier, which is operated by a display unit, e.g. B. in the form of a copy counter, which has received information that the number of copies made since the last consumable change exceeds the predetermined maximum number, is currently exempted whether the replacement of the consumable by the service or not. A significant exceedance of the operating times over the intended service life of consumable parts away can result in consequential damage to other consumables or permanent damage to the device. In addition, under the current conditions, it is extremely difficult for the manufacturers of consumable parts to obtain statistical information on the quality behavior and the actual lifespan of consumable parts. The copier user has not been protected against the installation of non-original consumables or consumables not approved by the manufacturer. Also in other office machines with consumables, such as. B. Printers or plotters with a print head or drawing head as a consumable, installation of insufficient quality spare parts or consumables subject to use for too long must be feared.

EP-A-0 395 320 shows the use of an EEPROM data carrier which is integrated with the consumable to be installed and which itself serves as a scope of use detection device. An electronic counter within this data carrier is counted down during operation, starting from a number corresponding to the maximum number of copies, until the value 0 is finally reached, whereupon the data carrier causes the corresponding consumable part to no longer be used. The data carrier is provided with an authorization code that is read and checked when the consumable is inserted.

EP-A-0 399 509, on the other hand, shows a control system in which a separate data carrier in the form of an IC card contains control information for the copier, e.g. B. magnification or "double-sided copy", saves with the possibility of quick adjustment of the copier by inserting and reading the IC card. The IC card can also be written with control information.

The object of the invention is a control system for office machines, in particular copiers or the like, of the type mentioned at the outset, which substantially reduces the risk of the installation of consumable parts of insufficient quality, which the user does not recognize.

The user of the office machine can easily check the reset of the scope of use detection device, namely by checking the display unit (e.g. copy counter or alarm display when a predetermined number of copies or period of use is exceeded). However, the reset requires, on the one hand, the presence of the key data carrier, which the office machine manufacturer only adds to his own spare parts or spare parts from other suppliers that have been released by the office machine manufacturer after quality testing. Key data carriers, in particular magnetic or chip cards, can be manufactured in a forgery-proof manner without too much effort. Resetting the usage detection device only after checking the authorization code beforehand with a positive result ensures that only key data carriers provided for this purpose by the manufacturer reset the usage detection device. The further measure that the control system deletes or overwrites this in a later step when a key data carrier is fed to the read / write unit after checking the correctness of the authorization code ensures that a key data carrier can only be used once for resetting .

The reset requires a read / write unit which, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, can be designed as a separate part which can optionally be connected to the office machine. The regulation can then be made that this separate read / write unit is only left to authorized service personnel. In the event that an intended maximum number of copies has been achieved with subsequent automatic shutdown of the copy mechanism (opening a main switch), the invention ensures that no further use with the previous consumable takes place. The office machine can only be started again after the corresponding detection device has been reset when the consumable part is replaced.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the read / write unit can also be permanently attached to the office machine, which can then preferably be designed for reading and / or writing to user data carriers. Such user data carriers can be counting cards (job memory cards) which store the number of copies to be assigned to a specific user or can also be device setting cards (editor cards) which store device settings or certain sequence programs.

In a further development of the invention, it is proposed that in the case of a plurality of interchangeable consumable parts of the office machine with different usage scope limits, each consumable item is assigned a separate usage scope detection device and that the control system prompts the reading of a consumable item code when a key data carrier is inserted and resets that usage scope detection device assigned to the consumable according to the consumable code. In this way, the different usage limits for the different consumables can be fully taken into account. Each consumable can then actually be used up to its permissible scope of use.

It is also proposed that the read / write unit be designed to read and / or write to user data carriers, in particular counting cards or device setting cards. This measure makes it easy feedback of information to the manufacturer to be carried out, since it can be set up without difficulty that the key data carriers are returned directly to the manufacturer or to an information collection point connected to the manufacturer after assembly of the respective consumable part. At least for larger consumables, such as. B. photoconductor drums, these parts are also returned for reprocessing or disposal to the manufacturer so that he can determine the total copy performance of the respective returned part using the key disk returned simultaneously. This information is of great importance for the continuous improvement and further development of the office machine, since it provides statistical information about the service life and reliability behavior of the consumable parts.

The key data carrier can also be designed to report further important information, in particular to report the current status of use of a recording device for the total scope of use (e.g. total number of copies) of the office machine or the current status of a recording device for irregular operating states, in particular paper jams or for regular operating conditions, such as B. the use of various paper cassettes or image scales. The latter information serves the user-oriented further development of the office machine.

Fig. 1

eine vereinfachte perspektivische Gesamtansicht eines mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Steuerungssystem ausgerüsteten Kopiergeräts;

Fig. 2

den prinzipiellen Aufbau des Steuerungssystems in vereinfachter Blockdarstellung; und

Fig. 3

ein Programm-Ablaufschema des Steuerungssystems.

The invention is explained below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing.
It shows:

Fig. 1

a simplified overall perspective view of a copier equipped with the control system according to the invention;

Fig. 2

the basic structure of the control system in a simplified block diagram; and

Fig. 3

a program flow chart of the control system.

The control system according to the invention is explained below in connection with a conventional copier, although the use of the control system in other office machines is also possible. However, the advantages according to the invention are in one Copier particularly striking, since relatively expensive, relatively expensive used parts have to be replaced there.

The copier is generally designated 10 in FIG. 1. The structure of the copying machine is only shown insofar as it concerns consumable parts and elements of the control system. A photoconductor drum 12, indicated by a broken line, is such a use part which, depending on the scope of use, must be replaced between 20,000 and 200,000 copies, depending on the type of construction. An upper fixing roller 14 and a lower fixing roller 16 are to be changed after approximately 100,000 copies. A cleaning wiper 18 for the photoconductor drum 12 and a cleaning wiper 20 for the upper fixing roller 14 must be replaced after approximately 80,000 copies. For a developer 21 too, there is a usage limit that differs from device type to device type. If the respective consumable is changed too late, the copy quality suffers; the copying process can also be permanently impaired. If the change is made too early, the user will incur unnecessary costs.

In order to be able to replace these consumable parts according to the period of use (or number of copies) that is relevant for the respective consumable part, each consumable part is assigned its own usage scope detection device (here in the form of a copy counter). The copy counter can be designed mechanically or electromechanically or electronically. To check the respective usage status, each detection device and thus each of the consumable parts mentioned is assigned a display unit for the number of copies. The display unit for the photoconductor drum 12 is designated 22, that for the upper fixing roller 14 with 24, for the fixing roller 16 with 26 and for the cleaning wipers 18 and 20 with 28 and 30 and that for the developer 21 with 31. In addition or alternatively, a display unit 32 be provided for exceeding a usage limit, in particular in the form of an alarm indicator, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2. A visual or / and acoustic alarm can be given if a maximum number of copies of a consumable is soon to be reached or has already been exceeded. The alarm display can give instructions to remedy the defect, as is shown in FIG. 2 with the display "replace part B!" is indicated. These displays 22 to 32 are controlled by a central processing unit 34 (CPU), which receives the copy counts, for example, from a copy operation trigger switch 36, which can be actuated by a key 38, which is indicated in FIG. 2 and is to be operated by the copier operator. The central unit 34 is, depending on the particular design of the copying machine 10, optionally also set up to open a main switch 40 of the copying machine and thus forcibly switch off the copying machine 10 if an absolute upper copy limit is exceeded for an operationally important consumable part, in particular the photoconductor drum 12 is.

In the case of the illustrated electronic implementation of the individual usage scope detection devices (hereinafter referred to simply as counters for the sake of simplicity), the individual consumable parts are each assigned memory areas A to F within an electronic memory 42 indicated in FIG. 2, which is controlled by the central unit 34. Furthermore, detection devices for other characteristic usage data can also be connected to the central unit 34, for example a detection device 44 for irregular operating conditions such as paper jams, and a detection device 46 for regular operating conditions such as for the use of different paper cassettes of image scales. Separate memory areas G and H are in turn assigned to these devices 44, 46.

A read / write unit 48 for magnetic cards 50 can be connected to the central unit 34. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this read / write unit 48 is a separate part which is handed over to authorized customer service employees and which can be electrically connected to the central unit 34 via a plug connection 52. A connecting cable 54 of the unit 48 can be seen in FIG. 1.

Instead of the magnetic card 50 shown with printed magnetic strip 56, other key data carriers can also be used, such as e.g. Cards with an integrated chip.

The magnetic card 50 is referred to in the flow chart of FIG. 3 SK (k K EY arte). The following information, inter alia, is stored in this memory area (magnetic stripe 56): authorization code BC of the office machine manufacturer and consumable part code VC, which indicates the consumable part to which the magnetic card 50 has been added by the parts manufacturer.

The function of the control system according to the invention is explained below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 3.

The user of the copying machine 10 is continuously informed about the respective scope of use of all consumable parts 12-21 via the display units 22-31. As soon as he notices that a predetermined copy number limit for one of the consumable parts is exceeded or the display unit 32, as shown in FIG. 2, requests the replacement of a certain consumable part (here part B), he will arrange for the responsible customer service department to issue the consumable concerned exchange. In the extreme case, it is due to the automatic Switching off the copier 10 via the main switch 40 is forced to call the customer service.

Customer service will insert the magnetic card 50 attached to each consumable authorized by the manufacturer into the read / write unit 48 after the parts have been replaced, in order to thereby reset the display unit 22 - 31 in question, which is obvious to the user, possibly the one displayed on the display unit 32 Clear alarm or achieve a closure of the main switch 40.

After the magnetic card 50 has been inserted into the read / write unit 48, the program steps according to FIG. 3 are carried out. A start block 60 is followed by a block 62 with the step: reading in the authorization code BC and the consumable part code VC. In the subsequent decision block 64, the authorization code BC is checked. If it is incorrect or does not exist at all, the program jumps to the end of the program before the end block 66. In this case, no display unit is reset, the alarm is not canceled and the main switch is not closed.

If, however, the authorization code BC is OK, the program continues in block 68, which causes the alarm to be canceled. In the subsequent block 70, a possibly activated lock (open main switch 40) is released. In the subsequent block 72, the copy counter reading assigned to the exchanged consumable part is read out from the electronic memory 42 according to FIG. 2 and written to the magnetic card 50 by the read / write unit 48. This counter reading is then set to zero in block 74, with the result that the associated display unit now also displays "zero copies". In the following block 76, further counter readings can be written to the magnetic card 50, in particular the absolute number of copies since the office machine 10 was started up for the first time. The regular and irregular operating states ascertained via the aforementioned detection devices 44 and 46 can also be called up here. It is conceivable that these counts also start from the first start-up. However, one can also record relative counts with zeroing of the assigned counters after each consumable part exchange. In this case, information about the time of the last counter zeroing must still be written on the magnetic card 50.

In the following block 78, the authorization code BC on the magnetic card 50 is deleted, so that the magnetic card 50 can only be used once in the manner described. Block 78 is followed by end block 66.

The magnetic card 50 can be provided with a labeling field 80, on which the customer service can note the serial number of the copying machine 10, the exchange date and his personal identification number.

The data on the status of the copying machine 10 and of the exchanged consumable part are therefore stored on the magnetic card 50. The magnetic card 50 is returned together with the replaced consumable to the manufacturer or a customer service center for reprocessing or disposal of the consumable and for the evaluation of the data stored on the magnetic card by the manufacturer. By statistical evaluation of this data, the latter can receive information about the average service life of the respective consumable parts and about the reliability of the copying machines. This information is used for the further development of the copiers and their consumables.

Claims (8)

1. A control system for office machines, in particular photocopiers (10) or the like, comprising at least one replacement component (12 to 21) which must be replaced after a specific period of use, and at least one extent-of-use detector and a display unit (22-32) connected thereto to show the extent of use and/or the overstepping of a limit to the extent of use, characterised in that
   a read/write unit is provided for a coded data carrier, in particular a magnetic or chip card (50), assigned to each inserted replacement component (12 - 21) and separated therefrom,
   on introducing a coded data carrier into the read/write unit (48)the control system initiates the reading of an enabling code (EC) which it checks for validity and only in the event of a valid enabling code (EC) resets the extent-of-use detector to zero (block 74), and
   having checked the validity of its enabling code, the control unit erases or overwrites said enabling code in a subsequent operation (block 78).
2. Control system according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the read/write unit (48) is designed as a separate component optionally connectable to the office machine.
3. Control system according to one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that
   the read/write unit (48) is designed to read and/or write onto user data carriers, in particular counting cards or apparatus-setting cards.
4. Control system according to one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that
   with several exchangeable office-machine replacement components (12 to 21) each having different extent-of-use limits, a separate extent-of-use detector is assigned to each replacement component (12 to 21), and when a coded data carrier is introduced the control system initiates the reading of a replacement-component code (RCC) and resets the respective extent-of-use detector which is assigned to the replacement component (12 to 21) according to the replacement-component code (RCC).
5. Control system according to one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that
   when a coded data carrier is introduced the control system detects the current extent-of-use status of a extent-of-use detector before actually resetting it and stores this on the coded data carrier (block 72).
6. Control system according to one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that
   when a coded data carrier is introduced into the read/write unit the control system detects the current extent-of-use status of a device for detecting the total extent-of-use of the office machine and stores this on the coded data carrier (block 76).
7. Control system according to one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that
   when a coded data carrier is introduced into the read/write unit the control system detects the current status of a device for detecting irregular operational conditions, in particular paper jams, and stores this on the coded data carrier (block 76).
8. Control system according to one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that
   when a coded carrier is introduced into the read/write unit the control system detects the current status of a device for detecting regular operational conditions, e.g. the use of different paper trays or different reproduction scales, and stores this on the coded data carrier (block 76).

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