JPH0342668B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a method of controlling a copying machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a key counter has been provided for each department or user, and this key counter has been used to control a copying machine. The key counter does not start the copying operation unless it is set in the copying machine, and after the key counter is set, it counts the number of copies made during the copying operation to help calculate usage charges.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in such a method, the management and storage of the key counter is insufficient, and when another department or user obtains the key counter, it may be misused by them. It is impossible to prevent the key counter from being used, and since the number of sheets is recorded on each key counter, it is necessary to go to the place where each key counter is stored when tallying it, and it is necessary to go to the place where each key counter is stored. There was a drawback that when the powder was lost, the number of copies made using the counter was lost.

This invention eliminates the drawbacks of the conventional control method described above, and operates the copying machine when the recording code of the information medium owned by the department or user of the copying machine matches the registration code of the control device. By storing the number of copies for each registration code and calling up the stored number of copies using a separately prepared information card, it is possible to easily output the number of copies for each department that requires aggregation at any time as needed. The object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a copying machine that can perform the following functions.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a first information medium on which a department code or a user code is recorded in advance as a record code, and a first information medium recorded on the first information medium. a first information medium reading means for reading a recording code; a registration means for registering a registration code corresponding to the recording code; and a recording code read by the first information medium reading means and the registration registered in the registration means. determining means for determining whether the codes match; and when the determining means determines that the recording code and the registered code match, the copying machine permits a copying operation;
a control means for prohibiting the copying operation of the copying machine when it is determined that they do not match; a storage means for storing the number of sheets copied by the copying operation of the copying machine for each recording code; an information medium, a second information medium means for reading a recording code recorded on the second information medium, and a number of copies corresponding to the registration code that matches the recording code read by the second information medium reading means. The present invention provides a control device for a copying machine, comprising a calling means for reading the number of copies from the storing means, and an outputting means for outputting the number of copies called from the calling means.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which 11 is an information card consisting of a magnetic card, 12 is a reading/writing device consisting of a magnetic reading/writing device, 13 is a control device, 1
4 is a copying machine, 15 is an original, 16 is a copy, 17 is a storage device, and 18 is an output device. Information card 1
1, the department code or user code is written as a recording code using a magnetic code, and in addition to this, the set number of copies, paper size, image density, number of originals,
Variable magnification conditions, paper folding, stapling, stamping (secret, etc.),
You can write copying information such as delivery date (urgent or regular), distribution code, post-processing of the manuscript (selection of whether to return the manuscript to the requestor or dispose of it), request date, etc.

The control device 13 is a system control device 1 that controls all the devices of this embodiment including the copying machine 14.
9. Information card 11 read by reading/writing device 12
An alarm device 20 that issues an alarm and disables the copying machine 14 when the recorded code consisting of a department code or user code does not match the registered registration code; It is equipped with a copy control device 21 that enables the machine 14 to operate and cooperates with a storage device 17. Each time it is recorded on the card 11, it is registered and becomes the registration code.

The copying machine 14 includes an original feeder 2 that stores a large number of originals and supplies them one by one to the copying machine 14.
2. An intelligent collator 23 and a stapler 24 are connected for distributing copies to trays 23' according to distribution destination codes.

The storage device 17 includes a non-volatile memory 25 that stores necessary management information such as paper size, occupancy time, etc., in addition to the number of copies made when the copying machine 14 operates; The apparatus includes a calculation device 26 that calculates the number of copies for each registration code and stores it in the nonvolatile memory 25 via the copy control device 21.

The output device 18 includes an output operation panel 27 through which an operator inserts an information card for data retrieval, which will be described later, and an overlay 2 using the copying machine 14.
8. Upon receiving the command from the output operation panel 27, the number of copies of the specified registration code is stored in the non-volatile memory 25.
, and applies it to the overlay 28 to output a hard copy. 30 is a data bus, 31 is an address bus, and 32 is a control bus.

When the information card 11 is applied to the reading/writing device 12 when using the copying machine 14, the reading/writing device 12
reads the record code written on the information card 11 and transmits it to the control device 13, and the control device 13 issues an alarm if the record code read from the information card 11 does not match the registration code, and if they match, the copying machine 1
Activate 4. At that time, original feeder 2
2. The intelligent collator 23 and the stapler 24 are also operated in conjunction with each other as appropriate, so that the copying machine 14 creates a copy 16 from the original 15 by appropriately cooperating with the original feeder 22, the intelligent collator 23, and the stapler 24. The number of copies to be made as the copying machine 14 operates is calculated for each registration code and stored in the storage device 17, and this stored information is outputted from the output device 18 as needed to bill the usage fee for the copying machine 14. It is used for ordering and consumables.

Other copy information may be recorded on the information card 11 in addition to the department code or user code, but this copy information does not necessarily need to be recorded on one card. Some clients may have information that does not need to be changed all the time, or information that only needs to be changed once in a while, and information that needs to be changed frequently with each request.
4 may be divided into information necessary for operating the copy machine 14 and information necessary for post-processing of the copied copy, and may be written on separate cards, and further information such as the usage fee for the copy machine 14 may be written. The information may be written into the information card 11 from the reading/writing device 12 each time a requested copying operation is executed.

Further, as the information card 11, it is preferable to use a magnetic card that has been used conventionally and cannot be tampered with by the general public. Further, as the output method of the output device 18, overlay output, display output using a display device such as a counter of the copying machine 14, printout using a dedicated printer, etc. are possible. Although it is generally convenient to use the original feeder 22, intelligent collator 23, stapler 24, etc., they are not necessarily necessary, and if a conveyance device such as an air chute is connected to the copying machine 14, copies 16 can be automatically made to the distribution destination. It is also possible to distribute the Further, a reading/writing device 12, a control device 13,
In order to control each device such as the storage device 17 and the output device 18, it is effective to use a microcomputer separately or in place of them. If a microcomputer is used, the initial check of the copying machine 14, charging, exposure, development, etc.
Copying processes such as transfer and fixing, and other copying machines 14
There is an advantage that the operation itself can be easily controlled.

Since the specific configuration and operation of a microcomputer are now well known to those skilled in the art, a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted and will be described below.
A second embodiment of the present invention utilizes a microcomputer and employs a department code or user code, set number of copies, paper size, and image density as copy information, and the number of copies copied and paper size as management information. , will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 shows a routine for reading and processing the copy information from an information card such as a magnetic card or an optical card written with a code. When the information card is inserted, the reading/writing device 12 controls the A microcomputer provided separately or in place of each device such as the device 13, storage device 17, and output device 18 uses a recording code consisting of a department code or user code recorded on an information card. It reads and inputs it into the accumulator of the CPU (Central Processing Unit), compares it with the registration code stored in the storage device, and if it matches, reads the set number of copies written on the information card and prints it. This data is stored in a counter register, and each copy is ejected one by one according to this set copy number data and the operation of the copying machine, which will be described later.
When the value of the counter register, which is incremented by 1, matches, the copying operation of the copying machine is terminated. Following the process of reading the set number of copies, the microcomputer reads the paper size written on the information card, turns on the corresponding paper size selector solenoid, and then reads the image density written on the information card and selects it accordingly. Therefore, after adjusting the aperture, proceed to the next step and operate the copying machine.

Figure 3 shows the output control panel 2 which is operated by the operator.
7 shows a routine that calls and outputs the management information stored in the storage device when an information card for data retrieval is inserted, and when the information card for data retrieval is inserted, the microcomputer The department code or user code recorded on the information card is read and the number of copies of the department code or user code stored in the storage device is counted in order from A3 size, A4 size, 5th size, B4 size, etc. Call the size and B5 size and output them sequentially at regular intervals. This output method may be display output, overlay output, printout, or writing on the information card.

Note that the storage device is required to be non-volatile due to the usage conditions of the copying machine, and is, for example, a CMOS-RAM backed up with a nickel cadmium battery. It goes without saying that various changes and modifications to the example are possible.

This invention is as described above, and when the reading device reads the department code or user code recorded on the information medium and the code matches the code registered in the control device, the copying machine makes a copy. Then, the number of copies made is stored in the storage device by department code or user code, so that the copying machine is operated only by the copying machine whose code matches the registered department code or user code. When a medium is lost, the registration code of the control device is deleted to prevent it from being used improperly by another department or user who acquired it, and to prevent the lost department or user from using it. The operator prepares an information medium with a new recording code, registers the code in the control device as a registration code, clarifies the responsibility for managing the copying machine, and furthermore, controls the number of copies stored in the storage device.
Since the data is output by applying a data recall information card to the control device, there is no need to go to the department or the user each time to tally the number of copies, making the tallying work extremely easy.
Furthermore, the usage status of copying by department or user can be accurately grasped, usage fees can be calculated easily, and even if the functions of copiers are diversified and the amount of information increases, it will be easier to manage and operate them. It has the effect of being carried out properly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of this invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing other embodiments of this invention. 13...control device, 14...copying machine, 15...manuscript,
16... Copy, 11... Information card, 12... Reading/writing device, 17... Storage device, 18... Output device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A first information medium on which a department code or a user code is prerecorded as a recording code; a first information medium reading means for reading the recording code recorded on the first information medium; a registration means in which a registration code corresponding to the recording code is registered; and a determination for determining whether the recording code read by the first information medium reading means and the registration code registered in the registration means match. and control means for permitting the copying machine to perform a copying operation when the determining means determines that the recording code and the registration code match, and for inhibiting the copying operation of the copying machine when it determines that they do not match. a storage means for storing the number of copies made by the copying operation of the copying machine according to the recording code; a second information medium on which a recording code is recorded in advance; and a recording code recorded on the second information medium. a second information medium reading means for reading a record code read by the second information medium reading means; a calling means for reading from the storage means the number of copies corresponding to the registration code that matches the recording code read by the second information medium reading means; 1. A control device for a copying machine, comprising: output means for outputting the number of copies made.