JP3372943B2 - Central control device for copier - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a central control device for a copying machine that centrally manages a copying machine such as a plain paper facsimile and a copying plate making machine as well as a general plain paper copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, companies, departments, groups,
If copiers are shared by departments such as individuals,
Copying costs are managed by totaling the number of copies for each department. As this management method, for example, a keyed counter for making the copier operable can be distributed to each department, and when the keyed counter is set in the copier and copying is performed, the keyed counter counts the number of copies. The keyed counters of each department are collected, for example, on a monthly basis, the number of copies for each department is totaled, and the copy cost is calculated.

However, in such a method, it is troublesome to collect the keyed counters from all departments, and an error may occur when copying the number of copies of the keyed counters at the time of aggregation, or a certain department. If the keyed counter is lost, not only can the aggregation work not be performed, but the copier will be unavailable in that department. It is possible to distribute multiple keyed counters to one department in consideration of loss, but in this case, the total amount is large and the total work becomes complicated, and the problem of loss is completely eliminated. Can not be resolved to.

Therefore, in recent years, in order to easily perform centralized management, when an ID card (department card) for each department is attached to a copy management apparatus called a key card, the copying machine is set to be usable. Also, a centralized management device has been proposed in which the totalization management device totalizes the number of copies for each department from this copy management device. In this device, a department card storing a key code and a department code having a key function that enables the copier to operate is distributed to each department, and
The copying machine reads the information on this department card and counts and stores the number of copies for each copy for each paper size and each copy type, and the totaling management device totals the number of copies for each department and prints it. It is configured to go out. In addition, the copy type is double-sided copy,
It is used when the unit price for copying is different, such as copying on recycled paper, color copying, or copying on plain paper facsimile.

[0005]

In the conventional centralized control apparatus, the copying machine is set to the usable state with the department card attached, so that the department card is accidentally removed before the copying operation is completed. If it is taken out, the copying machine becomes unusable, and a jam may occur depending on the timing. In order to solve this problem,
A method of completely storing the department card in the device during copying is conceivable. In this case, however, an automatic device removing / attaching device for the department card is required, so that the reading mechanism becomes large and expensive.

Further, if the user forgets to remove the department card after the copying is completed, there is a possibility that another person may use the department card. Therefore, there is a problem that the correct number of copies cannot be counted. If this department card is also used as an employee ID card, it will adversely affect the work of the user,
Further, in an environment where one department uses one copying machine, the department card may be always attached and used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a centralized control device for a copying machine which can prevent a jam when a department card is accidentally removed before the copying operation is completed.

[0008]

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The first means is to use a copying machine used by one or a plurality of departments and a department code stored in advance in a department card assigned to each department. In the central control device of the copying machine, which is set to, and which includes a copy management device that stores the number of copies for each department, and a totalization management device that totals the number of copies of the copying machine from the copy management device for each department,
When a department card is not inserted in the copy management device, a copy prohibition signal is transmitted to the copying machine, and when the copying machine receives the copy prohibition signal during copying, the copying operation is stopped at the timing when no jam occurs. It is characterized by being set as follows.

The second means stops the copying operation at a timing when a jam does not occur when the copying machine receives the copy prohibition signal during copying in the first means, and sets the number of copies to the copy management apparatus. The copy management device is set to add the number of copies to the department in which the department card was previously set when the number of copies is received from the copying machine without the department card being inserted. It is characterized by being

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

In the first means, the copy prohibition signal is transmitted to the copying machine when the department card is not inserted in the copy management device, and the jam occurs when the copying machine receives the copy prohibition signal during copying. Since the copying operation is stopped at a timing not performed, it is possible to prevent a jam when the department card is accidentally removed before the copying operation is completed.

In the second means, when the number of copies is received from the copying machine without the department card being inserted, the number of copies is added to the department in which the department card was previously set. It is possible to prevent an error from the number of sheets.

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a centralized management apparatus for a copying machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the copying machine in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the copy management apparatus in FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a usage state of the department card, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the copy management device of FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a main counter of the copy management device, and FIG. 7 is a copy management device. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the main operation of the copy management apparatus, FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining another count routine shown in FIG. 8 in detail, and FIG. 10 is FIG.
11 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the clear routine shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the data transmission routine shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 12 is for explaining in detail another count release routine shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the use prohibition and prohibition release processing of the copy management apparatus.

First, in FIG. 1, four copiers 1 (there are a plurality of copiers, generally represented by reference numeral 1) are managed by this centralized control device, and even if they are of the same model,
In addition to a general plain paper copying machine, a different type such as a color copying machine, a digital copying machine, or a plain paper facsimile may be used. This copying machine 1 is arranged for each department such as company, department, group, individual, etc., and a copy management device 8 called a key card is installed in each. In addition,
One copying machine 1 may be used by one department or may be used by a plurality of departments.

Each copying machine 1 and the copy management device 8 are connected via an interface cable 6a (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and the copy management device 8 of each copying machine 1 is connected via a connection cable 6b. It is connected to the totalization management device 5. The connection cable 6b is generally a private line, but when the distance between the copying machine 1 and the totalization management device 5 is long, it is connected to a modem via a public line.

As shown in FIG. 2, each copying machine 1 is a well-known electrophotographic image forming mechanism 1a for making a copy, a start-up required for making a copy, setting of the number of copies, and setting of a copying method. , Various operation keys for adjusting copy density, etc., and an operation panel 10 for displaying a copy-enabled display, an input / output interface 11, and a copy management device 8 are used to transfer data via an interface cable 6a. The interface device 7 for transmitting is provided.

A CPU (central processing unit) 12 controls the sequence of the copying machine 1 and determines whether or not the copying machine 1 is malfunctioning. At the same time, a signal for counting up the number of copies for each copying process and the operation of the copying machine 1 are activated. A signal indicating that the copy paper is being processed, the size signal of the copy sheet, and the above-described copy type signal are output to the copy management device 8, and when the copy enable signal is input from the copy management device 8, the copy management device 8 is set to the copy enabled state. . The program of the CPU 12 is stored in the ROM (read only memory) 13 in advance, and the RAM (random access memory) 14 has a work area of the CPU 12. These input / output interface 11 and CPU 12
The ROM 13 and the RAM 13 are connected via the internal bus 15.

The copy management device 8 is shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
As shown in FIG. 2, a department card 9 distributed in advance for each department of the copying machine 1 can be mounted, and a key code and a department code (for example, each Binary codes of three-digit numbers "001", "002", "003" and the like assigned to each department are recorded by punching or magnetic recording.

When this department card 9 is set in the card reader 8A of the copy management device 8, the key code and department code are read by the card reader 8A. The card reader 8A is miniaturized so that the department card 9 is not manually inserted and removed and the department card 9 is not completely stored.

The program of the CPU 29 of the copy management device 8 is stored in the ROM 30 in advance, and the RAM 31 is stored in the CPU 2
It has 9 work areas. In particular, the RAM 31 is configured to be non-volatile by being backed up by a battery, and in addition to the ID code for each copy management device 8, the key code, and the department code, the number of copies for each department, size, and copy type It has an area for storing and an area (buffer) for storing subsequent data when the data transmission request is received from the totalization management device 5 while the copying machine 1 is copying. In addition, this RAM3
The area 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

When the key code of the department card 9 read by the card reader 8A and the key code previously stored in the RAM 31 match, the CPU 29 sends a copy enable signal to the interface section 8 mounted on the CPU board 8.
Copying machine 1 through C and interface cable 6a
Send to. When the copy machine 1 receives the copy enable signal, the copy enable state is displayed on the operation plate 10.

The key code preset in the RAM 31 is a privileged key code (for example, "" when the use is permitted only to a specific user such as a copying machine to which a filing system is connected. 99
9 ") is set, and the use is permitted to all users, the privilege key code and the general key code (for example," 998 ") are set. The department card 9 (card A) in which the general key code is stored is distributed to the general user, and the department card 9 (card B) in which the privilege key code is stored is distributed to the specific user. Will be distributed. Therefore, a general user who owns the card A can use only a general copying machine but is prohibited from using a specific copying machine, and a privileged user who owns the card B can copy all copying machines including a specific copying machine. Can be used, so that only some users can set a specific copying machine to be usable. Further, the user who owns the card B does not need to own two department cards 9.

Further, the display section 8B of the copy management device 8 shows the department code of the department card 9, the number of copies after the department card 9 is inserted, the cumulative number of copies of the department or the remaining number of copies that can be made. Is displayed. The cumulative number of copies or the remaining number of copies that can be made for that department is RA.
The remaining number of copies that can be stored in the M31 is stored in the RAM 3 when the copy limit number of the department is preset.
1 is read and displayed.

Next, when the copy start key in the operating section 10 of the copying machine 1 is operated to start copying, the CPU 12 of the copying machine 1 gives a signal for counting up the number of copies for each copying process. A signal indicating that it is operating, a copy paper size signal, and a copy type signal are output to the copy management device 8, and a failure signal is output to the copy management device 8 when a failure occurs.

The CPU 29 of the copy management device 8 accumulates the number of copies for each department, size, and copy type, stores them in the normal area of the RAM 31, and displays this new data on the display unit 8B. Then, when copying is completed on the copying machine 1 side, a signal indicating that the copying machine 1 is operating is not sent to the copy management device 8 and the department card 9 is removed from the copy management device 8. The display of the display unit 8B disappears, and the copy management device 8 sends a copy prohibition signal to the copying machine 1. On the copying machine side, the copy prohibition is displayed on the operation panel 10 to prohibit copying.

Here, the card reader 8A is the department card 9
Is manually attached and detached so that the department card 9 is not completely stored, there is a possibility that the department card 9 may be accidentally removed before the copying operation is completed. In the present embodiment, when the copy management device 8 sends a copy prohibition signal to the copying machine, the CPU 12 of the copying machine 1 causes the image forming apparatus 1 to operate.
The copying operation of a is continued and the copying operation is terminated at the timing when no jam occurs, and a count-up signal of the number of copies, a size signal and a copy type signal are sent to the copy management device 8. The copy management device 8 accumulates the number of copies for each department according to size and copy type, stores them in the RAM 31, and ends the processing.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent a jam when the department card 9 is erroneously extracted before the copying operation is completed, and the number of copies for the extracted department card 9 is small. Since they are accumulated, it is possible to prevent an error from the actual number of copies.

Since the card reader 8A is constructed so that the department card 9 can be manually attached / detached, the user may forget to remove the department card 9 after completion of copying.
In the present embodiment, a warning is issued if the department card 9 cannot be removed within a predetermined time after copying is completed. Also, in an environment where one copy machine 1 is used by one department ,. When the department card 9 is not removed within a predetermined time after completion of copying, whether or not to issue a warning can be set in advance. Therefore, it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the department card 9, and it is possible to set whether or not to issue a warning. Therefore, one department continuously uses the one copying machine to mount the department card 9. It is possible to prevent a troublesome warning in the case.

Next, the case where the totaling management device 5 totals data from the copy management device 8 will be described. In this case, the totaling management device 5 designates the copy management device 8 I
The D code and the data request signal are transmitted to the copy management device 8 via the connection cable 6b. The data request signal is, for example, a request signal for the cumulative number of copies, the number of copies for each department, the number of copies for each size, and the number of copies for each copy type.

When the copy management device 8 receives this signal, if the copying machine 1 is in the process of copying, the subsequent data is read.
The data is stored in another area (buffer) of the AM 31 and the requested data is transmitted to the totalization management device 5. When the aggregation management device 5 completes the reception of this data, it transmits a data clear signal to the copy management device 8, and when the copy management device 8 receives this data clear signal, it clears the transmitted data in the RAM 31, and After storing the data stored in the buffer in the original area, the data stored in the buffer is cleared.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to prevent an error from the actual number of copies, and collect the data from the copy management device 8 of the copying machine 1 being used by the totalization management device 5. be able to.

The aggregation management device 5 also controls the operation of the copy management device 8 by transmitting the following commands to the copy management device 8 in addition to the above data transmission request. First, the aggregation management device 5 causes the copy prohibition command (and the prohibition cancellation command) of all departments or some specified departments.
13, the copy management device 8 does not issue a copy enable signal to the copying machine 1 and prohibits copying even if a card of a prohibited department is inserted, as shown in detail in FIG.

Further, in response to a status request command from the copying machine 1 or the copy management device 8, the copy management device 8 sends information such as whether copying is in progress or whether the department card 9 is being inserted.
Further, since the copying machine 1 and the totalization management device 5 are generally installed separately from each other, the totalization management device 5 transmits test data and the copy management device 8 sends back the same data to test the connection cable 6b. The aggregation management device 5 also displays and prints the aggregated data according to an operator's instruction, and further sets, for example, a copy unit price according to the size and type of the copy in advance to calculate the copy cost for each department, and the copy machine 1. Display and print out a graph to predict the efficient installation location of the copying machine based on the number of copies for each copy.

Next, the copy number counting area and operation of the copy management device 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12. The RAM 31 of the copy management device 8 is provided with a main count area 50 as shown in FIG. 6 and a sub count area 60 as shown in FIG. 7 as the above-mentioned buffer. The total counter 51 of the main count area 50 stores the total value of the department total counter 52, and the department total counter 52 stores the total value of the size counters 53 of the department. For example, when the department “20” makes 10 copies of A3 size and 50 copies of A4 size, “60” is displayed in the total counter 52 of the department “20”, and “60” is displayed in the size-specific counters 53 of A3 and A4, respectively. "10" and "50" are stored. Although the number of department-specific total counters 52 and the number of size-specific counters 53 can be changed, they are preset such that the number of departments is 500 and the number of size-specific counters is 5, for example. Further, in addition to the counter 50, a daily counter, a departmental upper limit counter, and the like are provided, but a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The sub-counter 60 shown in FIG. 7 is provided with a department-specific total counter 62 similar to the main counter 50 and a size-specific counter 63 of the department.
Since the capacity of M31 is limited, the number of departments is three (A to C in the figure) in this embodiment.

Next, the counting method of the copy management apparatus 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the transmission request of the value of the monthly counter or the counter for each size is not received from the aggregation management device 5, steps S1 to S2.
When the transmission request is received, the process proceeds from step S1 to step S3 and thereafter.

In step S3 and thereafter, first, the count data requested to be transmitted is transmitted (step S3), and then the timer is started (step S4). Then, when the count signal from the copying machine 1 is input, another count routine as shown in detail in FIG. 9 is executed (steps S5 and S6), and the number of copies from the reception of the transmission request to the reception of the clear request is determined. The data is stored in the main counter 50 and the sub counter 60 (steps S21 to S23).

In this case, when a transmission request is received (steps S7 → S9 → S10), as shown in detail in FIG. 11, when a monthly counter is requested (total department counter 52) − (total sub counter 62). Is transmitted (steps S41, S42), and when the size counter is requested, the value of (size counter 53)-(size sub counter 63) is transmitted (steps S43, S42).
44).

When a clear signal is received from the totalization management device 5, a clear routine shown in detail in FIG. 10 is executed (steps S7 → S8). In FIG. 10, when the clear request for all departments is received (step S31), the main total counter 51, department total counter 52, and size counter 53 are cleared, and sub department total counters 62 and size counter 63 The respective values are moved to the main department-specific total counter 52 and size-specific counter 53, respectively, and the sub-counter 60 is cleared (step S32). Then, the total of the main department-specific total counters 52 is stored in the total counter 51 (step S33), and this routine is finished and the normal count is returned as shown in FIG.

Further, when the clear request for the designated department is received, the process proceeds from step S31 to step S35 through step S35, and the values of the sub department total counter 62 and size counter 63 of the designated department N are respectively set to the main values. The total counter 52 of the department N and the size-specific counter 53 are moved to clear the sub-counters 62 and 63 (steps S35 and S36), and the total of the main department-specific total counter 52 is stored in the total counter 51 (step S33). .

Here, there may be a case where the clear signal cannot be received due to a line failure or an operation error of the operator on the side of the aggregation management device 5, and since the sub-counter area is prepared for only three departments, copying is performed by four departments or more. If it is performed, the number of copies cannot be counted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, step S11 shown in FIG.
After 10 minutes have elapsed, another count release routine as shown in detail in FIG. 12 is executed (step S12), the sub-counter 60 is cleared (step S51), and the normal main count is restored.

More specifically, when the main counter 50 and the sub counter 60 are all cleared,
The card of department "1" is inserted into the copy management device 8 and A
When 2 copies of 3 sizes and 15 copies of A4 size are copied, "17" is displayed on the main total counter 51 and "1" is displayed on the department.
The total counter 52 for each department is “17”, the A3 size counter and the A4 size counter 53 for the department “1”
“2” and “15” are stored in each. Further, when 10 A4 sheets are copied by the department "2", the total total counter 51 is "27", the department total counter 52 of the department "2" is "10", the department "2". “10” is stored in the A4 size counter 53.

When the transmission request of the monthly counter is received in this state, the copy management device 8 receives the departments "1": "17".
And the department "2": the value "10" is sent, and A4
Upon receiving the transmission request from the size counter 53, the copy management apparatus 8 receives the divisions “1”: “17” and the divisions “2”: “10”.
Value is transmitted (step S3 shown in FIG. 8).

When three pieces of A4 size are copied by the department "1" before receiving the clear signal, the main total counter 51, the department total counter 52 of the department "1" and the A4 size counter 53 are displayed. "30", "20", and "18" are stored respectively, and one of the three department sub-counters 62 is set for the department "1", and the sub department totals for this department "1" are set. "3" is stored in both the counter 62 and the A4 size counter 63 (step S6 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9).

When the transmission request of the monthly counter is received again in this state (step S9 shown in FIG. 8), the department "1" is "17" (= 20-3) and the department "2" is "10". Send the value (step S1 shown in FIG. 8)
0 and FIG. 11).

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, there are two operations in the case of receiving the clear signal. When the clear request for all departments is received, the main total counter 51
, Department total counter 52 and size counter 5
All 3 are cleared, and then the value of the sub-counter 60, that is, the value of the total sub-counter 62 of the department "1" is "3".
And the value “3” of the A4 size sub counter 63 is moved to the main counter 50, and the sub counter 60 is cleared. Then, the process returns to the main count in which the sub counter 60 is not used.

On the other hand, when the request for clearing the designated department is received, the main total department counter 52 and size counter 53 of the designated department are cleared first. For example, when the department “1” is designated, the department total counter 52 and the size counter 53 of the main department “1” are cleared, and the sub department total counter 62 and the A4 size counter of the department “1” are cleared. Each value "3" of 63 is moved to the main counter 50, and the sub counter 60 is cleared.
In this case, the total value "13" (= 3 + 13) of the main department-specific total counter 52 is stored in the total counter 51.

Next, referring to FIG. 13, the totalization management device 5
The operation of the copy management apparatus 8 when the use prohibition command and the prohibition release command of the copying machine 1 are received from FIG. First, when the use prohibition command for all departments is received, the process proceeds from step S61 through step S62 to step S6.
Go to 3 or less. In step S63, it is determined whether or not the operation signal of the copying machine 1 is off, and if it is off, use of all departments is prohibited (step S64). If the operation signal of the copying machine 1 is turned on in step S63, it waits until it is turned off, and if it is turned off, use of all departments is prohibited (step S63).
64). When the use prohibition cancellation command for all departments is received, the process branches from step S62 to step S65, and the use prohibition for all departments is canceled.

When the use prohibition command of the designated department is received, the process proceeds from step S61 through steps S66 and S67 to step S68 and thereafter. In step S68, it is determined whether or not the operation signal of the copying machine 1 is off, and if it is off, use of the designated department is prohibited (step S69). When the operation signal of the copying machine 1 is turned on in step S68, it waits until it is turned off, and when it is turned off, use of the designated department is prohibited (step S69). When the use prohibition cancellation command for the designated department is received, the process branches from step S67 to step S70, and the use prohibition for the designated department is released.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, when the operation signal of the copying machine 1 is on, the use of all departments or the designated department is not prohibited, and when it is off, the use is prohibited. Can be prevented from stopping during operation, and jam can be prevented.

[0059]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the aggregation management device transmits a copy prohibition signal to the copying machine when the department card is not inserted, and the copying machine receives the copy prohibition signal during copying. In this case, since the copying operation is stopped at the timing when the jam does not occur, it is possible to prevent the jam when the department card is accidentally pulled out before the copying operation is completed.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the copying machine receives a copy disable signal during copying, the copying operation is stopped at the timing when no jam occurs, and the number of copies is transmitted to the totalizing management device for totaling. When the number of copies is received from the copier with the department card not inserted, the management device adds the number of copies to the department in which the department card was previously set, thus preventing an error from the actual number of copies. can do.

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[0064]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a centralized management apparatus for a copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the copying machine of FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing the copy management device of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage state of a department card.

5 is an exploded perspective view showing the copy management device of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a main counter of the copy management device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a sub-counter of the copy management device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining main operations of the copy management apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining in detail another count routine shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the clear routine shown in FIG. 8 in detail.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the data transmission routine shown in FIG. 8 in detail.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the separate count release routine shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining a use prohibition and prohibition release process of the copy management apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Copier 5 Total management device 8 Copy management device 9 department cards

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A copying machine used by one or a plurality of departments, and a department code stored in advance in a department card assigned to each department is set to enable the copying machine, and the number of copies is made for each department. In a central management device for a copying machine, which includes a copy management device stored in a storage device and a totalization management device for totalizing the number of copies of the copying machine from the copy management device for each department, the totalization management device has a department card inserted therein. If not, it sends a copy disable signal to the copying machine, and the copying machine
A central control device for a copying machine, characterized in that the copying operation is set to stop at a timing at which a jam does not occur when the copy disable signal is received during copying. 2. The copying machine stops the copying operation at a timing when a jam does not occur when the copy prohibition signal is received during copying, and transmits the number of copies to the copy management apparatus, and the copy management apparatus When the department card is not inserted and the number of copies is received from the copying machine, the number of copies is set to be added to the department in which the department card was previously set. Central control device for the copying machine described in 1.