JP3282913B2 - Image forming apparatus management system and data writing / reading method thereof - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention connects an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine to a management apparatus via a communication line, and exchanges data between the management apparatus and the image forming apparatus via the communication line. The present invention relates to a writable and readable image forming apparatus management system and a data writing and reading method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus management system, for example, JP-A-2-257155 and JP-A-2-259.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 666 or 3-196053, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is connected to a management apparatus installed in a service center or the like online using a communication line such as a public line. There is known an image forming apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving data on an image forming apparatus by remote control.

[0003] Such an image forming apparatus management system includes:
By centrally managing a plurality of image forming apparatuses installed in remote locations by a management apparatus (host machine) provided in one place, the usage status of each image forming apparatus is totaled, and the management information is stored in an image. It is used for maintenance of forming equipment. The contents of the usage state include the number of copies, etc., and the contents of the maintenance include automatic calling to the management apparatus by self-diagnosis of the image forming apparatus, adjustment of each part of the image forming apparatus by access from the management apparatus side, and the like.

In such an image forming apparatus management system, the management apparatus performs various processes (data writing processing and data reading processing) on the image forming apparatus. All processing is prohibited until the operation is completed.

[0005]

However, as described above, the management apparatus cannot perform all the processing on the operating image forming apparatus, and starts the processing on the image forming apparatus after the operation is completed. Then, when the number of formed images is large, there is a problem that it takes a considerable amount of time to perform processing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in the above-described image forming apparatus management system, processing can be performed on the image forming apparatus in which the management apparatus is operating as much as possible. It is another object of the present invention to reduce the processing time of the management device.

[0007]

According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus is connected to a management apparatus via a communication line, and data is exchanged between the management apparatus and the image forming apparatus via the communication line. In order to achieve the above object, a writable and readable image forming apparatus management system is characterized as follows.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG . 1 , when write data is received from the management apparatus during standby in the image forming apparatus, a serviceman sets parameters to the image forming apparatus. A mode determining means C for determining whether the mode is a mode in which a user can set or change a specific parameter to the image forming apparatus, and a mode in which the user can set or change a certain parameter. If it is determined that
The write disable signal transmitting means A for transmitting a write disable signal to the management device and the mode determining means C
If it is determined that the mode is not any of the modes, the management device
The write data received from the
Data determination means D for determining whether the data is
And data relating to its own image forming operation by means D.
If it is determined that the image forming operation is
Prohibition means E for prohibition is provided. When the management apparatus receives a write disable signal from the image forming apparatus, it transmits a read start signal to the image forming apparatus and reads only data from the image forming apparatus. Is provided with data reading means B for performing the following.

[0010]

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, when the image forming apparatus receives write data from the management apparatus during the image forming operation, it relates to its own image forming operation. A data discriminating means D for discriminating whether or not the data is data, and only when the means D determines that the data is data relating to its own image forming operation,
A write disable signal transmitting means A for transmitting a write disable signal to the management device is provided, and when the write disable signal is received from the image forming device, the read start signal is transmitted to the image forming device. And data reading means B for performing only reading processing for reading data from the image forming apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus receives write data from the management apparatus during the image forming operation, the image forming apparatus transmits the write data to the management apparatus when the data is data relating to its own image forming operation. And transmits a write disable signal to the image forming apparatus when receiving the write disable signal from the image forming apparatus. This is a data writing and reading method in which only reading processing for transmitting and reading data from the image forming apparatus is performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus receives write data from the management apparatus during standby, a mode in which parameters can be set or changed in the image forming apparatus by a serviceman or an image can be set by a user. In the case of a mode in which setting or change of a specific parameter to the forming apparatus is possible, a write disable signal is transmitted to the management apparatus. If the data is not data relating to its own image forming operation, the data writing process is performed as it is.If the data is data relating to its own image forming operation, the start of the image forming operation is prohibited and the data writing process is performed. When the management device receives the write disable signal from the image forming device, the management device reads the image forming device. A data writing and reading method for performing only read processing to read data from the image forming apparatus sends a start signal.

[0014]

[0015]

SUMMARY OF] According to the image forming apparatus management system of the invention of claim 1, the image forming apparatus, when receiving the write data from the management device while waiting, to set or change the parameter to the image forming apparatus by a service person A mode in which the user can set or change a certain parameter in the image forming apparatus by the user, and in any one of the modes, write to the management apparatus. Since the management device transmits a disable signal and receives a write disable signal from the image forming device, it transmits a read start signal to the image forming device and performs only read processing for reading data from the image forming device. In the image forming apparatus, a parameter set or changed by a service person or a user is written from the management apparatus. It is no longer that would be changed by over data.

Further, when it is determined that neither the either mode, the write data received from the management apparatus determines whether the data relating to the own image forming operation (parameter), to self-image forming operation in the case of data, Runode to prohibit the start of the image forming operation, the result write processing of the write data from to complete the possible to perform an image forming operation, a desired image can be surely obtained. Furthermore , if the write data received from the management device is not data relating to its own image forming operation, the start of the image forming operation is not prohibited, so that the image forming operation can be performed before the data writing process is completed. Thus, the time required for the image forming operation can be reduced. Furthermore, the management device
Even if a write disable signal is received from the image forming apparatus,
Data can be read, reducing processing time
Can be achieved.

According to the image forming apparatus management system of the invention of claim 2, the image forming apparatus, upon receiving a write data from the management apparatus during the image forming operation, if it is a data relating to the own image forming operation Only when the data is related to the image forming operation of itself, a write disable signal is transmitted to the management device. When the management device receives the write disable signal from the image forming device, Since a read start signal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus and only reading processing for reading data from the image forming apparatus is performed, if the write data received from the management apparatus is not data relating to its own image forming operation, A write process can be performed, thereby efficiently writing data sent from the management device. In the management device, the processing time can be reduced for the same reason as described above.

According to the data writing and reading method in an image forming apparatus management system of the invention of claim 3, the image forming apparatus, the management apparatus during the image forming operation when it receives the write data, the data is self When the data is related to the image forming operation, a write disable signal is transmitted to the management device. When the data is other than the data, the data is written, and the management device receives the write disable signal from the image forming device. Sometimes, a read start signal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus and only reading processing for reading data from the image forming apparatus is performed. Therefore, in the same manner as described above, the image forming apparatus writes data sent from the management apparatus. Can be performed efficiently. In the management device, the processing time can be reduced for the same reason as described above.

According to the data writing and reading method in an image forming apparatus management system of the invention of claim 4, the image forming apparatus, the parameters of when receiving the write data from the management device while waiting, to the image forming apparatus by a service person In the mode in which the setting or change of the image forming apparatus can be performed or the mode in which the user can set or change a specific parameter to the image forming apparatus, a write disable signal is transmitted to the management apparatus. If the data received from the management device is not the data related to the image forming operation, the data writing process is performed as it is. The start is prohibited and the data writing process is performed. When a write disable signal is received, a read start signal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and only reading processing for reading data from the image forming apparatus is performed. It is not possible to change the set or changed parameters by the write data from the management device.

When the image forming apparatus is not in any of the above modes and the write data received from the management apparatus is data relating to its own image forming operation, the image forming operation can be performed after completing the write processing. Thus, a desired image can be reliably obtained. Furthermore, if the write data received from the management device is not data relating to its own image forming operation, the image forming operation can be performed before the writing process of the data is completed, so that the time of the image forming operation is reduced. Can be. Furthermore, the management device can reduce the processing time for the same reason as described above.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. First, as an example of an image forming apparatus constituting an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention, a schematic configuration of a copying machine used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The copying machine 1 is an electrophotographic plain paper copying machine (PPC). An automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as "ADF") 3 is mounted on an upper portion of a copying machine main body 2, and the A manual feed tray 4 and a large amount of paper feed 5 are mounted on the side surface, and a discharge tray 6 is mounted on the other side surface. A document tray 7 for the ADF 3 includes a document set sensor 8. The copier main body 2 includes a scanner unit 10, an image forming unit 11, a paper feed unit 12, a fixing / discharge unit 13, a reversing unit 14, a duplex unit 15, and the like.

The scanner section 10 has a first scanner 24 comprising a contact glass 21, an exposure lamp 22 and a first mirror 23, a second scanner 27 comprising a second mirror 25 and a third mirror 26, Third scanner 3 including fourth mirror 28 and fifth mirror 29
0, a sixth mirror 31, and a lens 32 are provided.

The image forming section 11 includes a quenching lamp 36 and a charging charger 3 around a photosensitive drum 35.
7, an eraser 38, a potential sensor 39, a developing unit 40 for mounting the toner cartridge 41, a pre-transfer charger 42, a transfer charger 43, a separation charger 44, a P sensor 45, and a cleaning unit 46 are arranged. A registration roller pair 47 is provided before the transfer position in the transfer paper transfer path, and a transfer belt 48 is provided behind the transfer position.

A first tray 51, a second tray 52, a third tray 53, and a fourth tray 54 are detachably provided in the sheet feeding section 12 as trays for stocking and supplying transfer sheets. A first paper supply unit 55, a second paper supply unit 56, a third paper supply unit 57, and a fourth paper supply unit 58 are provided as paper supply units for supplying the transfer papers stocked therein. And a large number of paper feed trays (LC
T) A manual / large-volume paper feed unit 59 for feeding the transfer paper from 60 is also provided.

Further, in order to transport the transfer paper fed by each of the paper feed units 55 to 59 and the duplex unit 15 toward the registration roller pair 47, the right transport unit 6
1, a left transport section 62 and a horizontal transport section 63 are provided. The fixing / discharge unit 13 is provided with a fixing unit 65 and a discharge roller group 66, and the reversing unit 14 is provided with a reversing roller group 67.

Next, the operation of the copying machine 1 having such a configuration will be briefly described. The photoconductor drum 35 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft (not shown), and rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow A according to a copy command or the like. Then, the document fed on the contact glass 21 by the ADF 3 is scanned and exposed by the first scanner 24. The reflected light image is first mirror 23, second mirror 25, third mirror 26,
An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 35 via the lens 32, the fourth mirror 28, the fifth mirror 29, and the sixth mirror 31.

The photosensitive drum 35 is charged by the charger 3.
7, the surface is charged, and when the charged surface is exposed by the reflected light image, an electrostatic latent image is formed. Thereafter, the unnecessary portion is irradiated with light by the eraser 38 to correct the transfer paper or the latent image suitable for the projected image. At this time, the photosensitive drum 35 and the first scanner 24 are driven at the same speed in order to obtain the same-sized image. Then, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 35 is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 40. At this time, a dark or light image can be obtained by applying a potential (development bias voltage) to the developing unit 40.

On the other hand, transfer paper stocked in any one of the first tray 51, the second tray 52, the third tray 53, the fourth tray 54, the manual tray 4, the large-volume paper feed tray 60, and the duplex unit 15 is used. , Paper feed units 55 to 59
And the paper is fed at a predetermined paper feed timing, and the transfer paper is fed to the right transport unit 61, the left transport unit 62,
The sheet is conveyed to the registration roller pair 47 stopped in advance through the horizontal conveying section 63 and the like. Then, the photosensitive drum 35
The registration roller pair 47 is driven at the timing when the leading edge of the upper toner image and the leading edge of the transfer paper match.

As a result, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 35 is transferred to transfer paper by the action of the pre-transfer charger 42 and the transfer charger 43. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 is very smooth, and the adhesion between the surface and the transfer paper is large. Therefore, the action of the separation charger 44 lowers the potential of the transfer paper to lower the adhesion.

Thereafter, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 35 by a separation claw (not shown), and the separated transfer paper is sent to the fixing unit 65 by the transport belt 48. The transfer paper sent to the fixing unit 37 is applied with heat and pressure to the toner here, whereby the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed on the transfer paper. The paper is discharged onto the paper tray 6. When performing double-sided copying or the like, the sheet is once sent to the reversing unit 14, the conveyance direction is reversed, the sheet is sent to the double-sided unit 15, and the image is again fed to the image forming unit 11 when the image of the next original is copied.

Since the toner that has not been completely transferred adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 after the transfer, the surface is cleaned by the brush and the cleaning blade of the cleaning unit 46, and then is unevenly formed by the quenching lamp 36. Constant surface potential.

These control timings are controlled by a control circuit to be described later based mainly on a pulse generated in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 35 or a reference pulse for driving the photosensitive drum 35.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation unit of the copying machine. At the center of the operation unit 70, a guidance display unit 71 using a liquid crystal display panel and a pattern display unit 72 are provided, and a large number of keys are provided on the left, right and front sides thereof. On the right side, a start key 73, an interrupt key 74, a preheat key 75, a mode clear / preheat key 76, a ten key 77, a clear / stop key 78, a timer key 7
9, a program key 80, an enter key 81, and a guidance key 82 are provided.

On the left side, a remote notification key 83, a sorter key 84, a double-sided key 85, a page continuous copy key 86, and a delete key 8
7, paper specification scaling key 88, zoom key 89, binding margin adjustment key 90, centering key 91, dimension scaling key 92
Is provided. A reduction key 93, an enlargement key 94, an equal-size key 95, a paper selection key 96, an automatic paper selection key 97, a density adjustment key 98, and an automatic density key 99 are provided in front of the central portion. Note that the remote report key 8
During the remote notification by turning on 3, LE of the remote notification display 83a
D lights up.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the pattern display section 72, in which a set number display D1 and a copy number display D are shown.
2, running display D3, density adjustment display D4, misfeed position display D5, paper supply display D6, misfeed display D7, remote communication abnormality display D8, toner supply display D9,
Paper remaining amount display D10, paper selection / size / direction display D1
1, a magnification display D12 and the like are respectively displayed in a pattern.

The guidance display section 71 shown in FIG. 3 displays messages for operation and warning. Further, the operation unit 70 is characterized in that a remote report key 83 for the user to report when a service is requested and a remote communication abnormality display D8 displayed when an abnormality occurs in the report. However, instead of providing a dedicated remote notification key as in this example, a function corresponding to the remote notification key may be realized by the pressing order, pressing time, or combination of pressed keys of other keys.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the operation unit of the copying machine. The operation unit 70 includes a touch panel display device 121 and an operation panel 122. The operation panel 122 has a start key 123, as shown in FIG.
Clear / stop key 124, numeric key 125, guidance key 126, program key 127, interrupt key 12
8 and a mode clear key 129.

The touch panel display device 121 is C
The screen of the RT display device has a touch panel, and can input various information by touching each key of the touch panel, and can display various information such as an operation state and a message.

This touch panel display device 121
Is a serviceman program mode (SP mode) in which a serviceman can set or change parameters (data) in a copying machine as an image forming apparatus, and a user can set or change a specific parameter in a copying machine by a user. It has a user program mode (UP mode) that can be executed. For example, after the user presses the mode clear key 129 in a state where the display shown in FIG.
Is input, UP as shown in FIG.
The screen switches to the mode setting screen.

The screen is in the form of a hierarchical menu. In this example, by selecting a remote diagnosis report (remote report) mode setting key of "5", a manual call mode screen (notification) shown in FIG. Screen). Here, a remote report can be made by touching the remote report key "#".

FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system to which the present invention is applied. A management apparatus 16 installed at a service base and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine (denoted as “PPC”) 1 installed at each user via a public line network 17 as a communication line. Connected. Since the management device 16 is installed at each service base, a host machine (not shown) that integrally manages the management devices 16 is also connected.

On the user side, a communication control device 18 for controlling communication with the management device 16 is installed, and each copying machine 1 as a user is connected to the communication control device 18. This communication control device 18
Can be connected to an external communication device such as a telephone 19 or a facsimile device 20 by a connection means (not shown), and can be installed by inserting it into an existing line of the user.

A plurality of copiers 1 can be connected to the communication control device 18, but there may be a single copier. These copiers 1 need not be of the same type and may be of different models, and may be image forming apparatuses such as printers other than copiers. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a maximum of five copying machines 1 can be connected to one communication control device 18. The communication control device 18 and the plurality of copying machines 1 are connected to the RS-485.
Multidrop connection according to the standard.

Communication control between the communication control device 18 and each copying machine 1 is performed by a basic data transmission control procedure. By establishing a data link by a polling / selecting method of centralized control using the communication control device 18 as a control station, communication with an arbitrary copying machine is enabled. Each copying machine can be set to a unique value by an address setting switch, whereby the polling address and the selecting address of each copying machine are determined.

FIG. 9 shows the communication control device 18 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of FIG. A signal from the public network 17 is first input to the switching unit 180. here,
If the communication from the public line is addressed to the telephone 19 (or the facsimile machine 20 in FIG. 8) connected to the communication control device 18, the public line is
(Or the facsimile apparatus 20 in FIG. 8), and if the communication is from the management apparatus 16, the modem 18 on the public line side
Connect to 1.

Further, communication with the copying machine 1 is performed by a communication interface 183 using a transceiver for RS-485. These controls and processes are performed mainly by the CPU 184 according to a control program in the ROM 185. The RAM 186 stores intermediate results of processing and the like, and is also used to temporarily store communication text. Various parameters necessary for the operation of the communication control device 18 are also written in the RAM 186 from the management device 16 side.

Normally, this communication control device 18
The battery 187 backs up the RAM 186 so that the contents of these parameters and the communication text are not lost due to accidental power-off or the like. are doing. Further, a clock 188 and a switch 189 for automatically calling a total counter value are provided.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management device 16 shown in FIG. The management device 16 includes a host computer 160 that executes various processes, an external storage device 161 such as a magnetic disk for storing management data and the like, a display 162 for display, and a keyboard 163 as operation means. , A printer 164 for outputting management data, and a modem 165 for connecting to the public network 17. Note that the host computer 160 and the modem 165 also function as the data reading means B shown in FIG.

The management device 16 is connected to a host machine via a local area network LAN (not shown). The host machine is a computer that integrally manages the plurality of management devices 16, and performs various daily tasks in addition to data management of the image forming device management system. Its configuration is the same as that of a known large-sized computer.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of copying machine 1 shown in FIG. The control of the copying machine body 2 is performed based on a control program and data stored in the ROM 101 with the CPU 100 as the center.
The RAM 102 is used to store intermediate results of processing, various set values, the state of the apparatus, and the like.

The A / D converter 103 includes an exposure lamp 22
Supply voltage, the light emission voltage and light reception voltage of the P sensor 45, the output of the potential sensor 39, the output of the ADS sensor, the output of the lamp light amount sensor for detecting the light amount of the exposure lamp 22, and the current flowing to the photosensitive drum 35. It is used to input the output of the drum current sensor, thermistor voltage in the fixing unit 65, and the like.

The optical system control unit 104 controls the scanner section 10 shown in FIG. High voltage power supply unit 105
Supplies a high voltage applied to the charger 37, the separation charger 44, the transfer charger 43, and the pre-transfer charger (PTC) 42, respectively, and a developing bias voltage applied to the developing roller in the developing unit 40.

The motor control unit 106 controls the main motor that drives the photosensitive drum 35, the paper feed units, the rollers of the transport unit, and the like. The heater control unit 107 controls energization to a fixing heater that heats the fixing roller of the fixing unit 65, and maintains the surface temperature of the fixing roller within a predetermined range. Sensor sensitivity control unit 1
08 is a light receiving gain of the lamp light amount sensor, a light receiving gain of the ADS sensor, a light receiving gain of the P sensor 45, a P sensor 4
5 is used to change the light emission voltage and the like of the LED.

The communication interface unit 109
This unit communicates with the communication control device 18. An address unique to the copying machine can be set in the range of 1 to 5 by the address setting switch 110. The communication permission switch 111 can be used to set permission / prohibition of communication with the communication control device 18. In addition, CPU
100, the communication interface unit 109
, The write-disable signal transmitting means A, the mode discriminating means C,
It also functions as data discriminating means D and inhibiting means E.

The communication permission switch 111 is a dip switch, and when a copier equipped with the switch is connected to an image forming apparatus management system (remote diagnosis system), a service person turns on the service. You cannot touch it. Therefore, the communication permission switch 111 is kept ON when the copying machine having the communication permission switch 111 is connected to the image forming apparatus management system.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. First, FIGS. 12 and 8
The function of the remote notification will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the operation unit 70 shown in FIG. 3 is used.

In the case of a remote report by the remote report key, when the remote report key 83 provided on the operation unit 70 of the copying machine 1 is pressed, the copy from the copying machine 1 is started as shown in FIG. The remote report data is transmitted to the communication control device 18 using the remote report key. Upon receiving this, the communication control device 18 makes a call to the telephone number of the management device 16 set in advance, and transmits remote report data by the remote report key.

The management device 16 is usually installed at a service base or the like. At this time, the data transmitted from the communication control device 18 to the management device 16 is only the data of the type previously set in the communication control device 18 from the plurality of types of data received by the communication control device 18 from the copying machine 1. And This setting can be set from the management device 16 to the communication control device 18 through the public network 17.

When the communication control device 18 finishes transmitting predetermined data to the management device 16, the communication control device 18 instructs the copy machine 1 of the transmission source to perform communication between the communication control device 18 and the management device 16. The report result report indicating the result is transmitted. Thereby, the copy machine 1 of the transmission source
Can determine whether communication has been completed normally or communication has failed due to some abnormality.

Normally, the copying machine is provided with a self-diagnosis function. When the abnormality of the fixing temperature is detected, or when the adjustment by the electronic volume of each adjustment portion is impossible, the copying machine is in a dangerous state or cannot be used. If the situation becomes
It is common practice to notify a user or serviceman in a form such as "error" or "serviceman call".

Even when an abnormality is detected by such a self-diagnosis function of the copying machine, as shown in FIG. Send data. The communication control device 18 that has received the remote notification data transmits the remote notification data due to the self-diagnosis abnormality to the management device 16, and transmits a report of the report to the copying machine at the transmission end when the communication is completed.

Further, when the copier determines that it is preferable to perform maintenance, such as when the self-diagnosis function diagnoses that an abnormal state has not been reached but the state is very close to the abnormal state, FIG. As shown in ()), remote notification data of an advance warning is transmitted to the communication control device 18. In the case of a remote report due to this self-diagnosis error, the copier is inevitably disabled.However, in the case of a remote report by advance warning, the copy machine remains in the usable state. Is set and the start key is pressed, a copying operation is performed.

At this time, if the load on the controller of the copying machine 1 is heavy due to the copying process, or if there is a possibility that the contents included in the transmission data may be changed by the copying operation to make it inconsistent, the communication is interrupted. May be. Since the remote alert data of the advance warning is of low urgency, the communication control device 18 that has received the remote alert data immediately sends it to the management device 16.
To the telephone 19 or the facsimile device 20 connected to the communication control device 18 or at a time convenient for communication, such as a time period when the traffic volume of the public network 17 is small. It is good to do.

This time can be set from the management device 16 to the communication control device 18, and the transmission time can be determined based on the coincidence with the current time by the clock 188 shown in FIG. In the case of this remote warning of the advance warning, a report of the report result is not transmitted to the copying machine 1 unlike other remote reports.

Next, a case where the management apparatus accesses the copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. The access from the management apparatus 16 to the copying machine 1 is roughly classified into three types, namely, a read request, a write request, and an execute request. A read request is a process of reading logging data, various set values, output values of various sensors, and the like in the copying machine 1, and a write request is a process of rewriting various set values and the like by sending data from the management device 16 and rewriting them. is there. The execute request is a process for causing the copying machine 1 to perform a test operation or the like.

FIGS. 13 (a), 13 (b) and 13 (c) show the procedure of the communication process between the management device 16, the communication control device 18 and the copying machine 1 at the time of each request. The management device 16 dials the communication control device 18 to which the target copying machine 1 is connected, and transmits each request data. The communication control device 18 receives these request data from the management device 16. The communication control device 18 that has received the request data transmits the request data to the target copier 1.

Upon receiving the request, the copier 1 processes the request and sends a response to the request to the communication control device 1.
Send to 8. The communication control device 18 transmits this to the management device 16 and ends one processing unit.

Referring to FIG. 14, a case where the management apparatus accesses the communication control apparatus will be described. The access from the management device 16 to the communication control device 18 is also roughly classified according to the purpose, and is categorized into a read (Read) request, a write (write) request, and an execute (Execute).
There are three types of requests. The procedure of each process at this time is shown in FIG.
(a), (b), and (c).

The read request is the communication control device 1
The process of reading the setting parameters and status in 8;
When the communication control device 18 reads out the information inside the copying machine 1 and stores it in the communication control device 18 in advance, it is a process of reading out the information. The write request is a process of setting parameters of the communication control device 18 by sending data from the management device 16 or the like. The execute request is the communication control device 1
8 is a process for performing a test operation such as a function check.

Referring to FIG. 15, a description will be given of a process when the communication control device accesses the copying machine without using the management device. When the communication control device 18 accesses the copying machine 1, the communication control device 18 reads out information inside the copying machine 1, reserves the data inside the communication control device 18, and later manages the management device 16.
This is a reading process for enabling reading from the.

Generally, a counter value such as the total number of copies is used for a maintenance contract or maintenance of a copying machine. Using this system, the counter value of the total number of copies is transmitted from the copying machine 1 to the communication control device 18 periodically, and when the power of the copying machine 1 is cut off, the copying machine 1 is in a communication disabled state. Even if the management device 1
6 can know the value of this counter.

For this purpose, as described above, the function of the communication control device 18 reading out the information inside the copying machine 1 and retaining the data inside the communication control device 18 is used. The communication control device 18 is connected when the total counter value collection time in the parameters set in the communication control device 18 is reached with reference to the clock 188 (FIG. 9) in the communication control device 18. A request for total copy number information is sequentially made every day to all copying machines.

The new total copy number information of the copying machine that responded is updated in the value read out the previous day including the date and time when the total copy number was acquired, and is backed up in the communication control device 18. RAM1
86 (FIG. 9). If the communication of the copier is disabled, such as when the power of the copier for which the total copy number information is requested is turned off, the reception of the data response from the copier is postponed, and the next copier is Process.

When a request has been made to all copying machines,
The request is made again only to the copying machine that has failed to receive. Normally, the total counter value collection time is set at night when it is considered that the power of the copier is turned off, and the power of the copier is turned on as time passes. While adjusting each part,
This communication is performed.

RAM 18 in communication control device 18
The transfer of the information on the total number of copies stored and held in the storage device 6 to the management device 16 includes a method of periodically reading out the information from the management device 16 on the closing day of each month, and a method set in the communication control device 18. There are two methods in which the communication control device 18 automatically transmits the total counter value to the management device 16 when the automatic call date and time has reached.

The selection of this method is set by a total counter value automatic call permission switch 189 (FIG. 9) provided in the communication control device 18. When this switch 189 is ON, when the date and time indicated by the parameter set in the communication control device 18 is reached, the call is sent to the report destination telephone number indicated by the parameter set in the communication control device 18. Then, the counter value of the total number of copies is transmitted to the management device 16. When the switch 189 is turned off, an access from the management apparatus 16 is waited without performing an automatic call.

In this example, the data to be communicated periodically is used as the counter value of the total number of copies. However, other data or other data may be added for communication. The communication control device 18 is capable of controlling a plurality of copying machines 1 and the like, and acquires data in order. Thus, it is possible to prevent a data request from an unconnected copier and to shorten the access time.

FIG. 16 is a list of parameters set in the communication control device 18. A model number and a serial number of the copying machine are registered for each copying machine of each address, and are added to the information when the notification from the copying machine 1 is transmitted to the management device 16 or transmitted when the management device 16 accesses. This is used to determine the address of the copying machine 1 to be selected.

Further, the telephone number of the report destination, the number and interval of redials, and the type of data to be transmitted to the management device 16 are set for each remote report reason. The reporting time to the management device 16 is also set in the remote warning of the advance warning. A checksum is added to each block of the parameter, and the parameter value is rewritten or lost due to malfunction of the communication control device 18, consumption of the backup battery 187 (FIG. 9), or communication error. This can be detected when it occurs.

These parameters are written from the management device 16 through the public network 17, and are written by directly connecting a portable device for setting parameters to the communication control device or by providing operating means on the communication control device 18. It may be configured to set.

Further, since the parameter setting is an important function, confidentiality is enhanced by adding an ID (password) to the communication data. This ID is not determined uniquely for each communication control device 18, but is determined when the first parameter is designated (when the parameter in FIG. 16 is not set), and thereafter cannot be changed by communication or the like. This is enabled by manually initializing the communication control device 18.

The ID is confirmed each time communication is performed, so that incorrect data or a different system cannot be entered. When a different ID is received a predetermined number of times, this error is stored internally and the management device 16
To automatically notify the system administrator. The ID is checked every time communication is performed to prevent hackers and the like. Although the ID cannot be changed by communication or the like as described above, for example, another ID (I
(For D change).

FIG. 17 shows an example of the format of communication data at the time of remote notification. (A) is a data format from the copying machine 1 to the communication control device 18. The first field is a report reason code, which indicates the type of remote report using a remote report key, remote report due to self-diagnosis abnormality, or remote report of prior warning. This is followed by information inside the copier. The copying machine status is information such as the status of consumables such as toner, oil, and copy paper, the output values of various sensors, the set values of various adjustment points, and the connection status of units.

(B) is a data format from the communication control device 18 to the management device 16. In addition to the data from the copier 1, fields for a model number and a serial number are added at the top to specify the copier that has been the information source. A communication control device 18 is provided at the rear.
The time at which the notification factor occurred is added by the clock 188 inside. In the data portion, the type of data to be transmitted to the management device 16 changes depending on parameters set in the communication control device 18. In this example, only the number of times of self-diagnosis abnormality occurrence and the copying machine state are transmitted to the management device 16. Is set to the communication control device 18 in the first step.

(C) is a data format of a report report transmitted to the copying machine 1 when the report from the communication control device 18 to the management device 16 is completed.

FIG. 18 shows a data format at the time of read processing during access from the management apparatus 16 to the copying machine 1. The management device 16 transmits to the communication control device 18 a request code indicating a read process and a code of an item to be read, following the model number and serial number of the target copying machine 1.

The communication control unit 18 removes the model number and the serial number fields from the copier 1 and sends only the read request code and the item code. Upon receiving this, the copying machine 1 transmits the requested data to the communication control device 18 following the read response code and the received item code. The communication control device 18 adds the model number and the serial number again and transmits the result to the management device 16.

FIG. 19 shows a data format at the time of write processing. In this case, in the communication toward the copying machine 1, data to be written is added following the item code as compared with the case of the read processing. In the communication toward the management device 16, the data actually written in the copying machine 1 is transmitted following the item code field. Normally, the data to be written received by the copier and the data to be transmitted transmitted by the copier match.However, when the received data is out of the valid range, the data may be rounded to a boundary value and the data may be written. In such a case, they do not match.

FIG. 20 is also the same as “Execute”.
This is the data format at the time of processing. In this case, in the communication toward the copying machine 1, when the operation target cannot be specified only by the item code, a code for supplementing the operation content follows the item code. Copier 1 that has performed the requested operation
Transmits the operation result information to the management device 16 side.

FIGS. 21A and 21B show the data format when the management device 16 accesses the communication control device 18. FIG. 21A shows a read process, FIG. 21B shows a write process, and FIG.
(C) is a format at the time of execute processing.
These have almost the same data format as when the copy machine 1 is accessed, but have a code indicating the communication control device 18 instead of the model number and the serial number.

FIG. 22 shows a data format when the communication control device 18 accesses the copying machine 1.
The data format between the communication control device 18 and the copying machine 1 when the copying machine 1 is accessed from the management device 16 shown in FIGS. It is not necessary to discriminate between the accesses, and it can be handled in the same way.

Although only one management device 16 is shown in FIG. 8, the repair of the machine is performed by a service center in actual work, and the management of the number of copies is performed at another place. I have. In this embodiment, since these can be dealt with, the operation will be described.

The report data from the copying machine 1 to the communication control device 18 is provided with a report reason code as shown in FIG. Communication control device 18
Classifies the report data as shown in the following (1) to (4) by identifying the report reason code.

(1) Data by remote notification key (2) Data by self-diagnosis abnormality (3) Data by advance warning (4) Data by total counter value

The communication control device 18 classifies the report data as described above, stores the report data in the internal memory, selects a report destination telephone number in the parameters shown in FIG. 16 for these data, and transmits the data to the number. . Therefore,
Centralized management can be performed by using the same destination telephone number for each category, and management can be performed at individual locations by using individual destination telephone numbers for each category.

FIG. 23 shows the CP of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the main routine of the notification control by U100. This process corresponds to the case where the operation unit 70 shown in FIG. 3 is used. When the communication permission switch 111 provided outside the operation unit 70 of the copying machine 1 is ON, whether the remote notification key 83 of the operation unit 70 is pressed or whether the occurrence of abnormality is detected by the self-diagnosis function is determined.
Alternatively, when it is determined that any of the states requires a prior warning, the respective remote notification processing is performed.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the remote notification subroutine using the remote notification key in FIG. First, remote report data is transmitted to the communication control device 18 using the remote report key.
If the notification cannot be performed normally, such as no response from the communication control device 18, the remote communication abnormality display D8 (FIG. 4) on the operation unit 70 is turned on or blinks to notify the user of the fact.

When the data has been normally transmitted to the communication control device 18, the timer for judging the timeout is reset and the communication result report from the communication control device 18 is waited. In this example, the time-out period is set to 3 minutes, and when the report of the report is not received within 3 minutes, the time-out is set as the time-out.
It is displayed by lighting or flashing of the remote communication abnormality display D8 on 0 to notify the user.

If the report is received within the time-out period, it is determined whether or not the report has been normally made based on the report. If the report has been made normally, it is displayed that the automatic report has been completed. Is omitted), and if it is unsuccessful, the fact is displayed by lighting or blinking of the remote communication abnormality display D8, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine for remote notification due to a self-diagnosis abnormality in FIG. The processing of this subroutine is the same as the remote notification by the remote notification key described with reference to FIG. 24, except that the data to be transmitted to the communication control device 18 is data due to a self-diagnosis abnormality and the timeout time is 20 minutes. Therefore, the description is omitted.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the contents of the subroutine for remote notification by prior warning in FIG. In this routine, remote notification data is transmitted to the communication control device 18 by prior warning.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a main routine of processing by CPU 100 of copying machine 1 when accessed from communication control device 18. When the communication permission switch 111 shown in FIG. 11 is ON and there is received data in the communication interface unit 109, the received data is received, the processing requested by the first field is determined, and a read request, a write request, One of the execute requests is determined, and processing is performed according to the result of the determination. If the request is neither of the above, an error code is returned, and the process ends.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of the read process of FIG. In this routine, if the item code received by the copying machine 1 is correct and readable, the requested data is returned, and if not, an error code is returned.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the contents of the subroutine of the write process in FIG. In this routine, if the received item code is not a writable correct one, an error code is returned. If it is correct, the value to be written is checked, and if it is within the valid range, the value of the received data is written as it is. If the item is out of the valid range, if the item can be written with data rounded to the boundary value of the valid range, the boundary value is written. Otherwise, return an error code and return.

Whether or not the data can be rounded to the boundary value and written may be determined for each item code. Even if the temperature is within the effective range like the setting of the fixing temperature,
For service center telephone numbers that have no meaning in numerical values, rounding to the boundary value is prohibited, and items that do not affect image quality, such as auto reset time, are rounded to the boundary value for convenience. To give permission. For example, if the auto reset time is to be as long as possible, the maximum value is automatically selected on the copying machine side by setting the value to be written to the maximum value that is full of digits.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of the execute process shown in FIG.
In this routine, an error code is returned if the received item code is not an executable correct one. If the item is correct, it is determined whether or not the item requires an operation content supplement. If not, the specified operation is executed and the operation result information is returned. If the operation content supplementation is required for the item, the operation according to the supplemented information is executed. If the operation content supplementation is out of the valid range, an error code is transmitted and the process returns.

Next, a communication procedure between the communication control device 18 and the copying machine 1 will be described. FIG. 31 shows a communication sequence in an idle state when five copiers are connected to the communication control device 18.

The communication control device 18 executes a polling cycle for sequentially transmitting a polling sequence using the polling address of each copying machine 1. The copier 1 polled by its own polling address sends a negative acknowledgment to the communication control unit 18 if there is no transmission text.
Send to The communication control device 18 repeats this polling cycle in a normal state where there is no other communication processing.

FIG. 32 shows an example of a communication sequence in the case where a text of a remote report is transmitted to the copying machine at address 2. RS-48 after polling with own address
Send outgoing text on 5 lines.

FIG. 33 shows an example of a communication sequence when the text of the report report is transmitted from the communication control device 18 to the copying machine at address 5. After finishing the current polling, send a selecting sequence using the selecting address of the target copier,
Send the text to the copier. After sending the text, it returns to the original polling cycle.

FIG. 34 shows a communication sequence between the communication control device 16 and the copying machine 1 when the management device 16 or the communication control device 18 accesses the copying machine of the address 3.

In this case, the communication control device 18 selects a target copying machine, and transmits any one of a read request, a write request, and an execute request. Immediately thereafter, the same copying machine is polled, and a response to the request is received. Actually, FIG.
This sequence will be inserted during the polling cycle indicated by.

FIG. 35 shows an example of a communication sequence at the time of periodically transferring the total counter value. When the collection date and time of the counter value of the total number of copies (total counter value) is reached, the communication control device 18 inserts a selecting cycle for sequentially selecting the copying machines at addresses 1 to 5 between polling cycles. If a response is received during the selecting cycle, the same copying machine is polled immediately thereafter to receive data (total counter value), and in the next selecting cycle, the copying machine is selected. Do not do.

In this example, in the first selecting cycle, a response is received from the copiers at addresses 1, 3, and 4, and in the next selecting cycle, the copiers at addresses 2 and 5 for which data could not be received last time are received. Only selecting is done. Then, in the next selecting cycle, data reception of all copying machines is completed, and the state returns to the state of performing only the normal polling cycle shown in FIG.

FIG. 36 shows another example of a communication sequence at the time of transferring the total counter value which is periodically performed. When the date and time of collection of the total counter value is reached, the communication control device 18 performs selective instead of polling at the timing of polling each copying machine. Polling is immediately performed on the copying machine that has responded to the selecting, and data is received.

The first cycle for the copying machines at addresses 1 to 5 immediately after the date and time of collection of the total counter value is the same as in FIG. 35, but no polling cycle is inserted next. In the second cycle, polling is performed for a copying machine that has already received data, and selecting for a counter value request is performed again for a copying machine that has failed to receive data. When the data of all the copying machines can be received, the state returns to the normal state in which only the polling is performed.

In this example, similarly to FIG. 35, first, a response is received from the copying machines at addresses 1, 3, and 4, and in the next cycle, data of the copying machine at address 2 out of the copying machines that could not receive data in the previous cycle. Is completed, and data of all copying machines can be received in the next cycle.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a process according to the present invention by the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. This routine starts when write data (parameters) is received from the management device 16. First, it is determined in step 1 whether or not the apparatus is in standby. If not, whether or not the image forming operation (copy operation) in step 2 is in progress Proceed to determination of no.

If the image forming operation is not being performed, the process enters the standby state at step 5 and returns to step 1. However, if the image forming operation is being performed, the process proceeds to step 3, where the write data received from the management device 16 stores the own image. It is determined whether or not the data is related to the forming operation (including image forming). If the data is the data, a write disable signal is transmitted to the management device 16 in step 4.

If the write data received from the management device 16 is any other data, the data is written in step 10 and a copy machine (image forming apparatus) is displayed on the display of the operation unit 70 in step 11. Is displayed (usable display) indicating that the user can use
Sends a write end signal to the management device 16 to enter a standby state, and ends this processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1 that the apparatus is on standby, the flow proceeds to step 6 to determine whether the above-described SP mode or UP mode is set, and one of the modes is set. If so, a write disable signal is transmitted to the management device 16 in step 13, and if neither mode is set, the process proceeds to step 7.

Here, it is determined whether or not the data received from the management device 16 is data relating to its own image forming operation.
To prohibit the start of the image forming operation.
After a display indicating that the copying machine cannot be used (unusable display) is made on the display portion of 0, the process of writing the data received from the management device 16 is performed in step 10, and thereafter the same process as described above is performed.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the processing according to the present invention by the management device 16 shown in FIG. This routine starts when write data is transmitted to any one of the copying machines 1.
To check whether a write disable signal has been received from the copying machine 1.

When a write disable signal is received from the copying machine 1, the process proceeds to step 22, where it is determined whether or not a reading process for reading data from the copying machine 1 is to be performed.
If not, the process is terminated in a standby state. If it is to be performed, a read start signal is transmitted to the copying machine 1 in step 23, and then data is read from the copying machine 1 in step 24. Processing,
This processing ends.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to an image forming apparatus management system in which a copying machine and a management apparatus are connected via a communication line (public line) and a communication control device, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to an image forming apparatus management system in which an image forming apparatus other than a copying machine and a management apparatus are connected via a communication control apparatus, and an image forming apparatus management system excluding a communication control apparatus therefrom.

[0127]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the image forming apparatus management system , the setting or changing is performed by a serviceman or a user.
Changed parameters to write data from the management device
Therefore, there is no possibility of being changed.

[0128]

[0129] In addition, if data relating to write data own image forming operation received from the management apparatus, it is possible to perform the image forming operation must complete the write processing of the write data, ensuring a desired image Is obtained. Furthermore, if the write data received from the management device is not data relating to its own image forming operation, the image forming operation can be performed before the writing process of the data is completed, thereby shortening the time of the image forming operation. Can be planned. Furthermore, with the management device
Receives a write disable signal from the image forming apparatus.
Can read data from other image forming devices
Thus, the processing time can be reduced.

[0130] According to the present invention 2, the image forming apparatus of the image forming apparatus management system, the writing process for performed if the write data received from the management apparatus is not the data relating to the own image forming operation In addition, the writing process of the data sent from the management device can be performed efficiently. In the management device, the processing time can be reduced in the same manner as described above. According to the invention of claim 4 , the claim
The same effect as in the item 1 can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a basic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit of the copying machine illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing display contents of a pattern display section 72 of the operation section shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of the operation unit of the copying machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a layout diagram showing the operation panel 122 of FIG. 5 in an enlarged manner.

7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example for describing a procedure for displaying a setting screen of a user program mode on the touch panel display device 121 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control device 18 shown in FIG.

10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a management device 16 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the copying machine 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8;

FIG. 12 is a communication sequence diagram at the time of remote notification in the image forming apparatus management system of this embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a communication sequence diagram when the management apparatus accesses the copying machine.

FIG. 14 is a communication sequence diagram when the management apparatus accesses the communication control apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a communication sequence diagram when the communication control device accesses the copier without using the management device.

FIG. 16 is a list of parameters set in the communication control device 18 shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a format of communication data at the time of remote notification.

18 is a diagram showing an example of a data format at the time of read processing during access from the management apparatus shown in FIG. 8 to the copying machine.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a data format at the time of write processing.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a data format at the time of execute processing.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format when the management device accesses the communication control device.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format when a communication control device accesses a copying machine.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of notification control at the time of power-on by the CPU of the copying machine.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the content of a subroutine for remote notification using a remote notification key in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine for remote notification due to a self-diagnosis abnormality in FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine for remote notification based on advance warning in FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a main routine of processing by the CPU of the copying machine when accessed from the communication control device.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of a read process in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of a write process in FIG. 27;

30 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of execute processing in FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a communication sequence diagram in an idle state when five copiers are connected to the communication control device.

FIG. 32 is a communication sequence diagram in a case where a text of a remote report is present in the copying machine at address 2;

FIG. 33 is a communication sequence diagram in the case of transmitting a text of a report result report from the communication control device to the copying machine at address 5;

FIG. 34 is a communication sequence diagram between the communication control device and the copier when the copier of address 3 is accessed from the management device or the communication control device.

FIG. 35 is a communication sequence diagram between the communication control device and the copying machine when the total counter value is periodically transferred.

FIG. 36 is another communication sequence diagram between the communication control device and the copying machine when the total counter value is periodically transferred.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing processing according to the present invention by the copying machine shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing processing according to the present invention by the management device shown in FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Copying machine 16: Management device 17: Public line network 18: Communication control device 19: Telephone 20: Facsimile device 100: CPU of copying machine 109: Communication interface unit 160: Host computer of management device 165, 181: Modem

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming apparatus connected to a management apparatus via a communication line; and an image forming apparatus capable of mutually writing and reading data between the management apparatus and the image forming apparatus via the communication line. In the device management system, in the image forming apparatus, a mode in which a serviceman can set or change a parameter to the image forming apparatus when write data is received from the management apparatus during standby, or a mode in which the user sets the image forming apparatus. Mode determining means for determining whether or not the mode is a mode in which setting or change of a specific parameter can be performed, and writing to the management device when the mode is determined to be any of the modes. A write disable signal transmitting means for transmitting a disable signal; and the mode discriminating means.
Received from the management device when it is determined that the
The received write data contains data on its own image forming operation.
Data determining means for determining whether the data is
Is determined to be data related to its own image forming operation.
If separated, prohibit starting image forming operation
Means, when the management device receives the write disable signal from the image forming device, transmits only a read start signal to the image forming device to read data from the image forming device. An image forming apparatus management system, comprising: a data reading unit for performing the operation. 2. An image forming apparatus, wherein an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus are connected via a communication line, and data can be written and read between the management apparatus and the image forming apparatus via the communication line. In the device management system, when the image forming device receives write data from the management device during an image forming operation, the data determining unit determines whether or not the received data is data relating to its own image forming operation. Only when it is determined by the means that the data is related to its own image forming operation, a write-disable signal transmitting unit that transmits a write-disable signal to the management device is provided. When the write disable signal is received, a read start signal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus to read only data from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus management system characterized in that a Nau data reading means. 3. An image forming apparatus, wherein an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus are connected via a communication line, and data can be written and read between the management apparatus and the image forming apparatus via the communication line. In the apparatus management system, when the image forming apparatus receives write data from the management apparatus during an image forming operation, the image forming apparatus cannot write to the management apparatus when the data is data relating to its own image forming operation. A signal is transmitted, and when it is other data, the data is written.When the management device receives the write disable signal from the image forming device, the management device sends a read start signal to the image forming device. A data writing and reading method, wherein only a reading process for transmitting and reading data from the image forming apparatus is performed. 4. An image forming apparatus, wherein an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus are connected through a communication line, and data can be written and read between the management apparatus and the image forming apparatus through the communication line. In the device management system, when the image forming apparatus receives write data from the management apparatus during standby, a mode in which parameters can be set or changed in the image forming apparatus by a serviceman, or a mode in which the user sets the image forming apparatus. If the mode is one in which certain parameters can be set or changed, a write disable signal is transmitted to the management device, and if not in any of the modes, the data received from the management device If the data is not the data relating to the image forming operation, the data writing process is performed as it is, and the data relating to the image forming operation is performed. If the data is data, the start of the image forming operation is prohibited and the writing process of the data is performed. When the management device receives the write disable signal from the image forming device, the management device reads the data from the image forming device. A data writing / reading method, characterized by performing only a reading process for transmitting data from the image forming apparatus by transmitting a start signal.