JPH03248167A - Period totalization system for recorder control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain control data which is totalized in a specified period by accumulating the control data of a month daily and totalizing the daily data in the specific period. CONSTITUTION:Controllers (3-1) - (3-N) clear the control data in response to an instruction from a repeater 2 every time they transfer the control data to the repeater 2 and in the case of collecting the control data from the controllers (3-1) - (3-N) the repeater adds them to control data collected so far and holds them, and also clears the control data in response to the instruction from a host computer 1. Then the host computer 1 accumulates the control data which are totalized daily and the control data which are totalized monthly by the controllers and registration codes, obtains the control data totalized in a specified period by specifying the period from the control data totalized daily, and calculates the charge with the control data totalized monthly. Consequently, the daily information is accumulated, its totalization process is automatized, and the totalization by period specification is available.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention provides a recording device management system that manages copying machines, printers, facsimile machines, and other recording devices for multiple users by classifying them for each user. Regarding the period aggregation method.

[Conventional technology]

As corporate activities diversify, it is not uncommon for multiple groups to share computer resources within the same building or in a certain area. Furthermore, within a company, it is common for each division to be self-supporting, for example, or for affiliated companies and subsidiaries to coexist and share facilities in separate accounting units. An example of an object to be shared in this manner is a copying machine.

As is well known, when a copying machine is shared, maintenance costs vary depending on the number of copies, color copies, and other usage details in addition to paper costs. On the other hand, if you simply pay for the paper, it does not mean that you have borne the costs fairly according to the usage.

Therefore, a copying machine management apparatus has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-35343), which manages such copying machines in a manner that allows them to be classified and managed according to the department in which they are used, using, for example, ε8 green media for department information. This includes means for reading a recording medium such as a magnetic card on which information including department information is recorded, a control means for granting permission to use the copying machine based on the reading operation of the recording medium, a receiving means for receiving data on the number of copies made by the copying machine, A storage means for storing accumulated copy number data for each department used, a selection means for selecting a storage area of the storage means corresponding to department information, a display means for displaying stored accumulated copy number data, and a storage means for storing received copy number data. Adding means for adding to the copy number data; signal generating means for generating an erase command signal for the accumulated copy number data; It has a writing means etc. for writing. According to this device, a recording medium recording the information of each department is distributed,
By allowing the copying machine to be used on the condition that the recording medium is read, the data on the number of accumulated copies for each department can be stored in the storage means and the copying machine can be managed.

By using such a device, it becomes possible to share the use of copying machines and to manage copying operations by local entities such as copy centers.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional copying machine management device, it is necessary to display the accumulated copy number data for each department on the display means and transfer it to, for example, a tally sheet, and then generate an erasure command signal by the Confucian code generation means. However, there is a problem that the tabulation work becomes complicated.

In addition, as mentioned above, if you try to aggregate copy count data on a daily or weekly basis in order to manage the usage status of copying machines for each company, department, etc. If this information is not accumulated, there is a problem that accurate information cannot be obtained.

Furthermore, when the number of users increases, one copy machine is simply not enough and it becomes necessary to install multiple copy machines. If you try to manage it, the above-mentioned aggregation work will be required for each copying machine, and it will also be necessary to aggregate them together. becomes enormous. Moreover, it becomes difficult to obtain sufficient statistical data.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and provides a period aggregation method for a recording device management system that accumulates daily information, automatically performs aggregation processing, and also enables aggregation by specified period. The purpose is to

[Means to solve the problem]

For this purpose, the period aggregation method of the recording device management system of the present invention is such that a plurality of management devices 3-1 to 3-3-
It is characterized by being equipped with an N1 relay device 2 and a host computer 1, and configured so that monthly management data is accumulated on a daily basis, and the host computer 1 performs aggregation for a specified period from the daily management data. It is. The management devices 3-1 to 3-N are attached to the recording devices 4-1 to 4-N, read the registration code recorded on a recording medium such as a card, check the registered hood, and send the registration code to the recording device 4-N. 1-4-
The relay device 2 enables a plurality of management devices 3-1 to 3-N to be connected and manages the management data by counting and storing the management data for each registration code. The host computer 1 collects and holds management data from each of the management devices 3-1 to 3-N based on the management devices 3-1 to 3-N and the relay device! 2, collection of management data held in the relay device 2, total calculation, fee calculation, and other processing.

The management devices 3-1 to 3-N are configured to clear the management data according to an instruction from the relay device 2 each time the management data is transferred to the relay device 2, and the relay device 2 clears the management data from the management device 3-1. ~3-When management data is collected from N, it is added to the management data collected up to the previous time and retained, and the management data is cleared according to instructions from the host computer 1. Also, the host computer 1 is configured to collect the data for each day. Management data and monthly aggregated management data are accumulated by management device and registration code, and by specifying a period from the daily aggregated management data, the management data aggregated for that period can be obtained, or the management data is In contrast, the system is characterized in that it has a parameter table for charge calculation, and is configured to perform charge calculation based on monthly aggregated management data.

[Effect]

In the period aggregation method of the recording device management system of the present invention, the host computer 1 collects the management data of the management device through the relay device 2 and totals it by management device and registration code. Code management data can be managed. In addition, since monthly management data is accumulated on a daily basis and aggregated for a specified period from the daily management data, it is possible to obtain management data aggregated on a daily, monthly, or specified period. You can also easily bill charges by user, such as by department.

〔Example〕

Examples will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of a period aggregation method of a recording device management system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a data transfer method between a host computer, a relay device, and a management device. , FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of management data.

In FIG. 1, recording devices 4-1 to 4-N are recording devices that copy/print out documents, images, photographs, etc. on paper such as copying machines and printers, and management devices 3-1 to 3-N. registers the department information etc. on the recording medium such as the card as described above and reads the (registration code) and records the information on the recording devices 4-1 to 4.
-N is made available, and its usage information is categorized and aggregated for each registration Nα and stored. For example, if the recording device is a copying machine, the usage information includes: ■ Copying, printing, tracing paper, whether it is monochrome, single color, full color, etc., the type of copy mode, ■ Paper size ,■There is data that counts the amount used for optional functions such as duplex/multiplex, printing press plate making, reduced copy, enlarged copy, editing/combining copy, etc.In addition, there is data on pilling meter values, toner replenishment times, and alarm occurrences. There are the number of jams, the number of jams, the start time of each day, the end time of each day, the number of operations, and the details of use for each job. Of course, these are selected depending on what kind of information is required depending on the management purpose, but the management devices 3-1 to 3-1
It is also limited by the data storage capacity of 3-N.

The relay device 2 is equipped with a communication function, data collection, arithmetic function, and clock function, is connected to the host computer 1, and relays management data between a plurality of subordinate management devices 3-1 to 3-N. It is. This relay device 2 issues a polling signal or the like at a preset time or when instructed to connect a common line, and sequentially connects each management device 3-
Total data is collected from 1 to 3-N, held, and transferred to the host computer 1. Management bags [3-1 to 3-N each have a terminal Nα, and each management device 3
-1 to 3-N As explained earlier, the relay device stores aggregated data for each registration number! 2, each terminal N
For each α, there is further collected data for each registration Nα. but,
The relay device 2 usually includes each management device 3-1 to 3-N.
The data for each terminal Nα is aggregated for each terminal Nα, and the registration Nα is aggregated for the data of each terminal NCL in the same registration.
All you need to do is hold the unit data. That is, in this system, each of the management devices 3-1 to 3-1 is stored using one recording medium.
3-N, and other data is aggregated by the relay device in the registration common to each of the management devices 3-1 to 3-N.

The relay device 9 is similar to the relay device 2, has a plurality of management devices under its control, and is connected to the host computer 1 through a public line constituted by a modem 8, a PBX 5, and the like.

The host computer 1 directly imports aggregated data from the relay device 2 connected to the communication line, and also imports aggregated data from another relay device 9 connected to the public line through the modem 6, and further transmits the aggregated data to the public line through the modem 6. It is configured to communicate with other systems. This host computer 1 performs daily aggregation, monthly aggregation, etc., calculates charges for each department, issues invoices, and provides statistics for analyzing operating rates and other usage status for each department and each terminal. Create data, etc.

It also has a keyboard, floppy disk (floppy disk), memory card, etc. reading means, and can input data related to departments and terminals where online data collection is not possible as described above from the FD, memory card, tape, keyboard, etc. The data is processed in the same way.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a data transfer method between a host computer, a relay device, and a management device.

As shown in FIG. 2, management data is first transferred between the relay device and the management device multiple times a day.
Management data for one day is accumulated in the relay device. and,
Data transfer is performed between the host computer and the relay device every day.

Basically, a data transfer request is issued sequentially from a higher-level device to a lower-level device, and in response, data is transferred from the lower-level device to the higher-level device. Then, for each stored data, the higher-level device issues a clear instruction after confirming the reception of the data, and upon receiving the clear instruction, the clearing process is executed. In this case, if a special situation occurs in the lower-level device, such as a device error or repair, the lower-level device issues an interrupt request to the higher-level device to perform an emergency data transfer. Bye.

This will be explained in more detail using the example shown in FIG.

The relay device presets the data collection time, for example, six times a day, and issues a data transfer request to the management device at that time. As a result, the management device transfers the management data stored in the 88 storage means at that time to the relay device. The relay device adds the data transferred from the management device to the previous data and stores the added data, and issues a clear instruction to the management device. The management device clears the contents of the storage means to zero based on this clear instruction. This completes one data transfer. In this way, the storage means of the management device is cleared every time data is transferred, and the management data is sequentially added and accumulated in the storage means of the relay device.

In response, the host computer issues a data transfer request to the relay device at a set time every day. Thereby, the relay device transfers the management data stored in the storage means at that time to the host computer. Then, when the host computer receives the management data from the relay device during the monthly aggregation, it issues a clear instruction to the relay device for the first time. The relay device clears the contents of the storage means to zero in response to this clear instruction. That is, management data for one month is accumulated in the storage means of the relay device, and is cleared every month. Therefore, the host computer stores the previous management data received from the relay device, and the daily total value can be obtained by subtracting the previous management data from the management data received from the relay device. However, for the monthly total value, the management data received from the relay device at the end of the month can be used as is. Note that if the host computer does not collect data for one day due to some circumstances, the management data for that day becomes the previous management data, so the daily management data is set to zero.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the management data is accumulated for each paper size, mode, and option for the registration code division &, for example, roooo to 6039J, and is stored in the storage means of the management device. For example, in the management device, department N1r001J
Read the registration code to give the recording device permission to operate,
On the other hand, from the recording device, paper size A4, monochrome,
When usage information for 10 sheets is sent due to reduction, the management device adds the number of sheets to the data in the storage area corresponding to department Nα "001" and updates the contents of the storage area. Then, when there is a data transfer request from the relay device, these contents are transferred, and when there is a clear instruction, clear processing is performed by writing zero in these areas. Similarly, the relay device also stores management data for each registered Na as shown in FIG. 3(a) and management data for each terminal Na as shown in FIG. 3(b). This management data for each terminal Na corresponds to the number of sheets in the total column shown in FIG. 4A in the management data of the management device.

Next, aggregation processing in the host computer will be explained.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the aggregation processing system.
1 is a communication area, 12 is a monthly data processing unit, 13 is a monthly summary file, 14 is a daily data processing unit, 15 is a daily summary file, 16 is a period summary processing unit, 17 is a period summary file, 18 is offline input 19 is a key human power section, 20 is a correction input processing section, 21 is a charge calculation table,
22 is a monthly data processing unit, 23 is a billing processing unit, 2
4 shows the annual summary file.

The communication area 11 is an area where management data collected through communication with the relay device is written.As explained earlier, the host computer writes the management data accumulated from the beginning of the month to the storage means of the relay device every day. The management data is written into the communication area 11. The monthly data processing section 12 performs a process of rewriting the monthly total file 13 with the management data written to the communication area 11, and the daily data processing section 14 performs processing to rewrite the previous management data from the management data written to the communication area 11. The daily total file 15 is obtained by calculation. Therefore, the monthly summary file 13 is updated with management data of the communication area 11 every day until the end of the month, and the daily summary file 15 stores data for each day from the 1st to the last day of each month, that is, for 31 days. . Then, when a period is specified, for example, one week from day File 17 is obtained. The monthly data processing unit 22 processes the month's data at the end of the month, calculates charges, and handles the annual total file 2.
The charge calculation table 21 stores parameters, etc. for charge calculation. Since the charge may vary depending on each item of the management data shown in FIG. 3 or depending on the terminal (copy machine), the unit price for each terminal and each item is set in the charge calculation table 21. Furthermore, if a proportionate rate or other rate coefficient is to be reflected depending on the department, that rate coefficient is set.

The offline input processing unit 18 inputs management data from a management device that is not connected online to this system, and for example, reads management data from the management device and manually processes the recorded FD, memory card, or tape. It is. Since such management data is processed on a monthly basis, it is input into the monthly data processing unit 22 and is aggregated together with the monthly aggregate file 13 collected online.

Further, the key human power unit 19 and correction input processing 120 input and process data that needs to be corrected in the monthly data processing unit 22. For example, in the management device, mechanical,
Management data is automatically aggregated according to usage, so in the case of maintenance, trouble, special use, etc., it can be used to record it in a ledger or the like and try to correct it when the monthly aggregation is not completed. Ru.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of the process, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the counting process.

The period aggregation method of the recording device management system according to the present invention basically depends on whether or not automatic aggregation is performed as shown in FIG. Aggregation processing is performed, and if the aggregation is not automatic, the aggregation processing is performed if there is an instruction for aggregation. Furthermore, even when automatic aggregation is set, it goes without saying that the aggregation can be instructed and processed by an interrupt.

Then, the aggregation process is executed according to the flow shown in FIG.

■ Collect data from the relay device.

This is a process of inputting data from a relay device that corresponds to a specified terminal, and the type of data to be input and the aggregation cycle are, for example, the total number of sheets per terminal department in days, and the size of each terminal department. The number of separate coins and the actual number of pilled coins for a terminal are collected on a monthly basis, and the raw data for each job on a terminal is collected on a daily and monthly basis.

■ Display the communication status.

This displays an error code together with the terminal NCL when communication with the relay device is unsuccessful, and displays the relay device N1 and terminal Nα in reverse video when communication is OK.

■～■ When the communication status becomes OK, aggregation calculation processing is executed for the collected data.

[F] In the case of communication failure, or after executing the aggregation calculation process, check whether there are any relay devices that have not been collected, and if there are any relay devices that have not been collected, go back to the process of The same process is repeated for those relay devices.

■ When processing is completed for all relay devices, communication N
Check whether there is a relay device of G.

■ If there is a relay device that does not communicate, branch by pressing Retry, EXIT, or the menu function key.

In the case of a function key retry, the process returns to step (2) and performs the retry process again for the relay device with the communication failure.

■ If there is no relay device that causes communication failure, or if the function key is EXIT or MENU, communication failure occurs.
Ignore the relay device that has become a problem, and perform post-processing of the tally, such as updating the database of the tally results and printing them. Post-processing of aggregation may be performed immediately after the end of communication.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of aggregated data corresponding to the management data items shown in FIG. 3.

As explained earlier, when a unit price is set for each item, the amount is calculated by calculating the total number of sheets for each item and multiplying it by the unit price, but the unit price is also set for each terminal. If set, first, the amount for each department is calculated for each terminal, and the fees for each terminal are totaled by the department. However, if such a detailed fee structure is not adopted, the aggregated data simply includes the total number of copies on the terminal side, which indicates the total number of copies per terminal, the total number of copies by department, which indicates the total number of copies per department, Terminal-side size number that shows the number of copies by size per terminal, number of types by department that shows the number of copies by type per department, number of size sheets by department that shows the number of copies by size per department, pilling for each terminal It is sufficient to simply obtain the terminal-side pilling number, which indicates the number of sheets. In addition, since the annual aggregate data is used to see annual usage trends such as comparison with the same month of the previous year, the number of size sheets by terminal and department is calculated by 2.
Just store it for April.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of output of daily aggregate data and period aggregate data. Figure (a) shows the communication results for each terminal NCL.
This is an example of outputting the model name and number of sheets, and (b) in the same figure is the registered k
This is an example in which the department name and number of cards are output for each (card Nα), and (C) in the same figure is an example in which the specified registration number and number of cards in a specified period are output.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the description has been given of a copying machine as a recording device, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to printers, facsimile machines, and other devices that manage the number of sheets used by departments. In addition, in the system configuration, multiple management devices are connected under a relay device, but the relay device is connected to a public line via a modem, and management data from other relay devices and management devices can also be collected through the public line. It may be configured as follows. The host computer and the management device may be directly connected without using a relay device.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the host computer automatically collects the management data of the recording device stored in the management device through the relay device, and
Since the system is configured to collect and accumulate daily and monthly totals for each department, it is possible to reliably obtain aggregated data for each terminal and department.

Furthermore, aggregated data for a designated period can be obtained from monthly daily aggregated data. Therefore, it is possible to easily manage a large number of shared copying machines for each user in a copy center or a communal building, and moreover, it is possible to centrally manage a plurality of copying machines for each user.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of a period aggregation method of a recording device management system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a data transfer method between a host computer, a relay device, and a management device. , Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of management data, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the aggregation processing system, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the processing, and Fig. 6 is for explaining the flow of the aggregation processing. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of aggregated data, and 8th TyJ is a diagram showing an example of the pressure of daily aggregated data and period aggregated data. 1... host computer, 2 and 9... relay device,
3-1 to 3-N...management device, 4-1 to 4-N...
Recording device, 5...PBX, 6-8...Modem.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of management devices attached to a recording device that collate registration codes to enable recording operations, and store and manage management data including usage information of the recording device by counting each registration code; A relay device that collects and holds management data from each connected management device based on a set time, controls the management device and relay device, collects management data held in the relay device, aggregates calculations, charges calculations, and other processes. The host computer has a means for accumulating daily aggregated management data and monthly aggregated management data, and is configured to aggregate for a specified period from the daily aggregated management data. Period aggregation method for recording device management system. (2) The period aggregation method for a recording device management system according to claim 1, wherein the management device is configured to clear the management data according to an instruction from the relay device each time the management data is transferred to the relay device. (3) Claim characterized in that, when the relay device collects management data from the management device, it adds it to the previously collected management data and holds it, and clears the usage information according to instructions from the host computer. 1. A period aggregation method of the recording device management system according to 1. (4) The host computer accumulates daily aggregated management data and monthly aggregated management data by management device and registration code, and by specifying a period from the daily aggregated management data, obtains the aggregated management data for that period. A period aggregation method for a recording device management system according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured as follows. (5) The recording device management system according to claim 1, wherein the host computer has a parameter table for calculating fees for management data, and is configured to calculate fees based on monthly aggregated management data. Period aggregation method.