JPH0352626B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a copying machine management device that centrally manages copying machines on a copying table in one place. Prior Art Conventionally, when a single copying machine is used by multiple departments, the value of copies (cumulative number of copies, etc.) has been managed separately for each department. . For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 54-72057, which was filed and published by the present applicant, there is a document that describes the use of portable information recording media (magnetic cards, etc.) distributed to each department.
It is disclosed that the value of copies made in the usage department is stored cumulatively in a predetermined storage area of a data storage device characterized by the unique code recorded in the usage department. ing. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54-3539, also filed by the present applicant, discloses setting and inputting a unique code indicating the department in use using a ten-key switch. Nowadays, in the information age, the need for copying services is rapidly increasing, and government offices, companies,
In user organizations such as schools that have a large number of users, multiple copying machines are installed, and any copying machine can be used by a user department that is a group of a large number of users or a specific group of users. You can see where you are. Even in this type of use of copying machines, it is necessary to comprehensively manage the value of copies made by each department (or user) using the copying machines, from the perspective of sharing the cost of copying among beneficiaries. There is. However, in the management device for a single copying machine that has been proposed in the past, only the usage value of each usage department made by that copying machine is stored in the data storage device of each copying machine, and as mentioned above, If the conventional device is applied as is to the usage pattern of a group of copying machines, the use value information of each usage department will be dispersed to each copying machine, and the burden of human labor such as collecting and aggregating the information will be large. Moreover, this burden tends to increase as the number of copying machines increases and the number of departments using them increases. Therefore, the present applicant further proposed
As disclosed in the above publication, copy data for each department code is transmitted from each of a plurality of copiers to a management device, cumulatively added up and stored as the number of copies for each department and copier, and stored. We have proposed a central control device for copying machines that allows data to be aggregated and displayed or printed out as needed. However, since this device does not have a means to store use value information such as the number of copies by department on each copying machine side, if the signal transmission path becomes longer due to expansion in scale, accurate transmission may become impossible due to noise etc. Alternatively, the storage data may be lost due to some reason on the management device side, but in such a case, the problem arises that the data cannot be collected again. Furthermore, if the terminal device of each copying machine were to store cumulative data such as departmental copy sheets, a problem would arise in that it would take time for the management device to collect and total the data. Purpose This invention was made in order to solve the problems caused by the conventional copying machine management device as described above. The usage price information such as the number of copies is stored, and communication can be made at any time with the management device that manages the group of copying machines.Furthermore, the management device stores the cumulative number of copies, etc. by department stored in each terminal device. The purpose is to shorten the time required to collect data and shorten the aggregation time. In this specification, the term "copying machine" refers not only to general copying machines but also to machines having a copying function, such as facsimile machines and copying machines. Also, "department"
refers to classifications necessary for management such as companies, departments, groups, individuals, etc. Configuration The configuration of the present invention will be described below based on examples. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a system block diagram. In both figures, numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 are copying machines, to which terminal devices 5, 6, 7, and 8 are attached, respectively. 9 is a central management device, and 10 is a communication line. Each terminal device 5, 6, 7, 8 is connected to a central management device 9
The polling address contained in the transmission data of the central management device 9 is connected to the terminal device by a communication line 10 in a known multi-drop method, and the transmission data is transmitted only when the polling address included in the transmission data of the central management device 9 matches a predetermined address unique to each terminal device. In response to command signals included in the data, data transmission and other processing are performed. That is, regardless of the number of terminal devices, by using one pair of twisted pair communication lines 10,
Communication between the central management device 9 and arbitrary terminal devices 5 to 8 is now possible. The central management device 9 directly connects to each terminal device 5, 6, 7, 8 individually without going through the communication line 10, and transmits the above polling address, thereby
It has also become possible to communicate independently. Note that data modulation for data transmission is performed by the RZ method using DC transmission for transmission, and by the differential detection method for reception. Next, details of the terminal device and the central management device will be explained. First, FIG. 3 shows an external view of the terminal device, and FIG. 4 shows its circuit configuration using an example of the terminal device 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 5 is equipped with a data processing device consisting of a microcomputer 21, a terminal data storage memory 22 for recording terminal data, etc., and a magnetic processor for reading magnetization code signals recorded on a magnetic card 23. Information reading means includes a card reader 26 consisting of a head 24, a card detection switch 25, and a circuit that demodulates and shapes the waveform of the magnetization code signal of the magnetic card 23 read by the magnetic head 24, and the information is copied from the microcomputer 21 to the copying machine 1. A prohibition release signal S27 is sent to cancel the prohibition, and the copying pulse signal S28 and copy size signal S29 are sent from the copying machine 1. If a jam (paper jam) occurs during use,
An input/output circuit 31 for providing a maintenance information signal S30 indicating the status of the copying machine such as a serviceman call to the microcomputer 21, a communication circuit 32 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the central management device 9, and a central management device An interphone circuit 33, which forms the main part of a communication means for communicating with the operator on the 9th side, a display 34, and its driver circuit 35.
Contains etc. Furthermore, 36 is a latch circuit that latches data from the microcomputer 21, 37 is a relay that switches the communication line 10 to the communication circuit 32 side or the inter-on circuit 33 side by a double changeover switch 38, and 39 is a communication means. Inter-on's microphone/speaker 40 is a transmit/receive switch. 41 is a recall switch used when displaying terminal data using a management card; 42 is a management switch used to erase memory, invalidate department codes, etc. using the management card; 43 is for making calls using the interface. This is a call switch used when calling the central management unit. 47 is a digital switch for setting an address unique to each terminal device, for example, a 5-bit
It is equipped with five small switches so that the address of the terminal device can be set using a BCD code, and the address set by these switches is stored in the microcomputer 21 via the input/output circuit 31. Note that the keys for the recall switch 41 and call switch 43 are installed outside, such as on the side of the case, as shown in FIG.
The digital switch 47 is provided inside or on the back of the case so that it cannot be operated by general users. 44 is a power supply circuit, 45 is a power-on reset circuit, and 46 is a backup circuit for the terminal data storage memory 22. The card detection switch 25 detects when the magnetic card 23 is inserted into the slit 5a (see FIG. 3) formed in the case of the terminal device 5.
It is a limit switch that closes when it receives an acting force from the card and opens when the card is pulled out. As the card detection switch 25, a photoelectric switch using a photocoupler, a magnet and a reed switch, a Hall element, or the like may be used instead of the limit switch. This card detection switch 2 is connected to the card reader 26.
5 is connected to the card reader 26, and the card reader 26 is equipped with a circuit that eliminates the chattering noise that occurs at the moment the switch is opened and closed, and can accurately detect the presence or absence of a card. The detection signal S25 is input to the microcomputer 21. Magnetic strip track 23 of magnetic card 23
a starts code specified in JIS B9561,
The ID code (3 digits) and department code (3 digits) are recorded in digital format as serial binary signals using the F2F method, which is known as magnetic information. This magnetic information is read by a magnetic head 24 provided inside the case along the slit 5a of the terminal device 5, and a demodulation circuit in the card reader 26 generates demodulated data and a clock pulse signal corresponding to the data. Then, the data signal SD and clock signal SC are input to the microcomputer 21. Note that the demodulation circuit of the card reader 26 is as follows:
For example, a known circuit as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 49-66116, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 50-85320, etc. is used. A microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as "microcomputer") 21 that controls the central part of this terminal device 5 is
Central processing unit (CPU), read-on memory (ROM) that stores control programs, data memory (RAM), timing generator, input/output ports (I/O ports), serial transmission ports, and signal transmission buses It is a digital computer that is integrated into an LSI chip and performs digital calculations in a time-sharing manner based on a control program for terminal device control that is predetermined using a stored program method. This microcomputer 2
1, Intel's MCS-51 (8051) is suitable. This microcomputer 21 and each logic block are connected by an address bus 21A, a data bus 21D, and a control bus 21C.
D are time-divided and organically coupled using addresses by the address bus 21A, so that signals can be received from or given to each logic block. When the inserted magnetic card 23 is valid,
A prohibition release signal S27 is sent from the microcomputer 21 to the input/output circuit 31 (for example, an Intel plastic I/O element 8255) to cancel the prohibition on the use of the copying machine 1, thereby making the copying machine 1 usable. From the copying machine 1, the copy size signal S29 is the first
It is input as a 2-bit signal coded as shown in the table. When copying is started, a copying pulse S28 of level "1" generated in each copying process is input to the microcomputer 21 via the input/output circuit 31, and the size-specific address according to the code of the department in use is stored in the terminal data storage memory 22. will be added to.

[Table] In addition, the status of the copying machine, that is, the signal indicating that it is in use (the main motor is operating), the serviceman call signal for calling a serviceman in the event of a failure, and the location of a jam in the event of a jam. Maintenance information signals S30 such as signals indicating (non-jammed: 00, paper feed jam: 01, separation jam: 10, fixing jam: 11, returns to 00 after reset) are also input to the microcomputer 21 via the input/output circuit 31. be done. The terminal data storage memory 22 is a known C-
A MOS random access memory (RAM) is used and is connected so that the microcomputer 21 can select a storage address and write and read data (binary code signals). Diode D, resistor R ₁ and rechargeable battery B
A backup circuit 46 consisting of
The memory 22 is connected to the memory 22 and is configured to retain the data stored in the memory 22 even when the main power of the terminal device 5 is lost. In addition to this, due to the pull-up resistor _R2 ,
A write inhibit signal of high level "1" is normally applied to the control input terminal R/W of the memory 22, including when the main power supply is lost. Then, only when a high level “1” signal is applied from the microcomputer 21 to the base of the transistor Q ₁ , a low level “0” write enable signal is applied to the control input terminal R/W, and the memory 22 is It can be used in write mode, and data writing is prohibited when the main power is turned off or turned on. Terminal data storage memory 2 held by each terminal device
2 is the cumulative number of copies data for each department in use (monthly total), data on the number of copies by size, data on the cumulative number of copies over the set time (daily total), and the terminal device, for each specific copying machine managed by the terminal device. The total number of copies made in the apparatus, the number of jams in each jam location of the copying machine, the number of failures in each failure location, data on the actual operating time of the copying machine, etc. are stored. The allocation of storage addresses in the terminal data storage memory 22 is shown in FIG. That is, in the storage area of the memory 22, there are prepared address groups that indicate address groups assigned to each department and correspond to the department code recorded on the magnetic card 23. For example, 22a indicates a group of addresses assigned to a certain used partial code, 22a-1 indicates the ones and tens of cumulative numbers, 22a-2 indicates the hundreds and thousands, and 22a-3 indicates the numbers. 10,000's place and 100,000's place respectively
Store in BCD code. 22a-4, 5, 6 are the ones digit of size A3,
hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, and hundreds of thousands, respectively.
Store in BCD code. Similarly, 22a-7, 8, 9 are size A4,
22a-10, 11, 12 are size B4, 22a
-13, 14, and 15 are data storage areas of size B5. 22X indicates an address group for cumulative number data of the terminal device. Furthermore, the address group 22Z includes an area for storing the number of jams for each jam location, the number of failures for each failure location, the actual operating time of the copying machine, and the like. The communication circuit 32 is a circuit as shown in FIG. 6, and is connected to the transmission terminal TXD of the serial interface of the microcomputer 21 by a signal line 32a, and to the reception terminal RXD by a signal line 32b. The signal line 32a is connected to a light emitting element of a photocoupler 32d via a transistor 32c, and the output of the light receiving element is amplified by an amplifier 32e and outputted to an output terminal 32g by a driver circuit 32f. Thereby, the serial digital signal output from the serial interface transmission terminal TXD of the microcomputer 21 is converted into a 15V serial digital signal and is applied to the communication line 10. On the other hand, the receiving circuit is connected to the terminal 32g of the communication circuit 32.
An external signal is received by a comparator 32h connected in parallel with the microcomputer 21, photoelectrically isolated by a photocoupler 32i, and input to the receiving terminal RXD of the microcomputer 21 through a signal line 32b. Other terminal devices 6, 7, 8 and central management device 9
The communication circuit also has the same or similar circuit configuration. Next, other configurations of the terminal device will be explained. The interface circuit 33 connects the communication line 10 for data communication between the central management device 9 and each terminal device.
When the call switch 43 is pressed, if the communication line 10 is not in use, the microcomputer 21 activates the relay 37 and switches the changeover switch 38. The communication line 10 is switched from the state shown in FIG. 4 to be connected to the interface circuit 33 (details will be described later). Therefore, by pressing the button on the transmitting/receiving switch 40 to switch to the b side, the user can transmit a voice from the speaker 39 which also serves as a microphone. When the button on the switch 40 is released and returned to the side a, the speaker 39 becomes in a state where a call from the central management device 9 side can be heard. Note that calls from the central management device 9 to each terminal device will be described later. The display 34 is a dot liquid crystal display with 5 x 7 dots and 10 to 20 characters, a dot fluorescent display, or a small
A dot display such as CTR, and a magnetic card 2
When 3 is inserted, the usage department code recorded therein is displayed, and the cumulative sheet number data of the corresponding usage department is displayed.Furthermore, when the recall switch 41 is pressed, sheet number data by size is sequentially displayed. It also displays the time and guidance from the central management device 9. A driver circuit 35 that drives this dot display 34 is a peripheral I/O of the microcomputer 21.
(For example, Intel 8041) is suitable. In other words, this driver circuit 35 has a 1K byte ROM, 64 bytes RAM, and 24 lines of I/O.
It is an LSI with a built-in ROM, and a control program for controlling the display 34 and a character generator for character display are stored in the ROM. The power supply circuit 44 receives a commercial power supply AC100V, converts it into a constant stabilized DC voltage VD,
It is supplied to the microcomputer 21 and other circuits. The power-on reset circuit 45 generates a reset signal in response to the rise of the DC voltage VD output from the power supply circuit 44 to cause the microcomputer 21 to start executing the control program from the start address. Next, the configuration of the central management device 9 is shown in FIGS.
This will be explained using figures. FIG. 7 is an external perspective view, in which the keyboard 50,
It is equipped with a printer 51, a display 52, an interface-on microphone/speaker 53, and the like. As shown in FIG. 8, the keyboard 50 includes a power switch 54, a pilot lamp 55, a numeric keypad 56, an end key 57, a minus key 58, an enter key 59, a clear key 60, a print key 61, a paper feed key 62, and a manual key. 63, a status key 64, a terminal key 65, an erase key 66, a setting key 67, and a call key 68 and a call key 69 are provided. The print key 61 is used when printing out data on a paper P by the printer 51, and the paper feed key 62 is used when sending out the printed paper P. The call key 68 is used to switch the inter-on microphone/speaker 53 from the speaker to the microphone to transmit a call. The uses of other keys will be described later. FIG. 9 shows the circuit configuration of this central management unit, and the data processing means includes a CPU 70, a program memory (ROM) 71, a central data storage memory (RAM) 72, a display interface 73, and a keyboard. interface 74
, a printer interface 75, a communication interface 78, a timing signal generation timer 79, and a clock 80 as main elements,
It is connected by an address bus 70A, a data bus 70D, and a control signal line 70C, and functions as a microcomputer as a whole. Note that as the CPU 70, for example, an 8085A manufactured by Intel Corporation is used, and as the memories 71, 72 and each interface and timer 79, those sold for the 8085A can be used. For example, ROM71 is Intel's 2732A or 2332A, RAM72 is Toshiba's TC5516APL,
The display interface 73 is an Intel 8041 like the terminal device, the keyboard interface 74 is an Intel 8279, and the printer
Interface 75 is manufactured by Mostek.
MK3870, timing timer 79 is Intel 8253, clock 57 is National Semiconductor MN58174AN, communication interface 7
8 is suitable for Signetex 2651. In addition to these data processing means, a display 52
driver 81, driver 82 of the printer 51,
A communication circuit 83, an inter-on circuit 84, a transmit/receive switch SW68 using the call key 69, a power supply circuit 85, a power-on reset circuit 86, etc. similar to those of the terminal device 5 described above are provided. Although not particularly shown, elements such as a chip selector buffer for communicating mutual functions between circuit devices are appropriately combined. The program memory 71 is comprised of a read-on memory (ROM), and stores therein a predetermined control program for control operations controlled by the CPU 70 using a stored program method. The central data storage memory 72 consists of random access memory (RAM) and is used for temporary storage of data used in the course of data processing as well as for storing data resulting from the data processing. For example, this central data storage memory 72 stores the daily total data in Table 2 (A), the interval total data in (B), the cumulative data in (C), and the data at the time of aggregation in (D). The area is secured.

【table】

[Table] The contents of each data in Table 2 are as follows. (A) Daily total data The daily total number of copies by terminal and department, calculated on the previous day (B) Sectional total data: The number of section copies by terminal and department, calculated last time (C) Cumulative data: The terminal at the time of the previous section calculation Cumulative number of copies by department and by department (D) Data at the time of aggregation Number of copies by terminal and by department received from each terminal device at the time of aggregation to calculate the total by department Please note that Table 2 shows the size for the purpose of simplifying the explanation. Although the column for separate data is omitted, in order to aggregate and store each data (A) to (D) by size, it is sufficient to divide each data area by size. Furthermore, in addition to these data, the central data storage memory 72 stores, for example, the aggregation time set for automatic aggregation, the start date of section aggregation, the number of days in the aggregation section, and the next section aggregation date calculated from the data. It also has an area to store data such as, and an area to register the department code and terminal number (code) to be used. The use of each of the above-mentioned data will be mainly described later along with an explanation of automatic aggregation. This central data storage memory 72 is also backed up by the battery _B1 in the same way as the terminal data storage memory 22 of the terminal device 5 described above, so that it retains data even if the main power supply disappears. The display interface 73 is connected to a dot display 52 of liquid crystal or fluorescent display type with 40 characters per line, and displays numbers or characters based on instructions from the CPU 70. The keyboard interface 74 provides instructions for each data processing to be described later to the CPU 70 through input from each function key and numeric keypad connected to the keyboard 50 shown in FIG. The printer interface 75 is connected to the printer 5
1 is connected, and each data to be described later is output according to instructions from the CPU 70. The printer 51 has, for example, 40
It may be a 5×7 dot thermal printer or a printer of another type. The clock 80 has year, month, day, hour, minute, and
It is a clock that counts seconds and days of the week and generates time data and year, month, and day data, and the data is not displayed on the display 52 of the central management device 9 or the display section 34 of each terminal device 5, 6, 7, and 8. It is used to display the time during processing, to automatically tally the daily total at the set time every day, and to automatically tally the interval total at the set time every certain number of days from the set date. This clock 80 is backed up by electronic _B2 and is constantly operating. The communication interface 78 includes a transmitter terminal TXD and a receiver terminal RXD for serial digital signals.
The communication circuit 83 is used to communicate with the terminal devices 5, 6, 7, and 8 via the communication line 10. A relay (not shown) similar to that described for the terminal device 5 causes the changeover switch 88 to switch the communication line 10 from the communication circuit 83 side to the interface circuit 84 side in response to a command from the CPU 70. The power supply circuit 85 receives AC100V from the commercial power supply and converts it into a constant and stable DC voltage VD.
Supplies CPU 70 and other circuit elements. Power-on reset circuit 86, power supply circuit 8
In response to the rise of the DC voltage VD output from the program memory 71, a reset signal is generated to cause the CPU 70 to start executing digital calculations from the start address of the control program stored in the program memory 71. The timer circuit 79 generates a reference clock signal to advance the digital processing of the CPU 70.
Make it count. The operational interaction between the aforementioned terminal devices 5, 6, 7, 8 and the central control device 9 is characterized by a control program that defines the operation of the respective data processing means. . First, each of the terminal devices 5 to 8 has the following operations defined by a control program. (1) When using the copier to which it is attached, the magnetic card 23 on which code data indicating the department in use is recorded is read by the magnetic head 24 and card reader 26, and is temporarily stored in the internal register of the microcomputer 21. Remember. (2) Determine whether the code data is valid. (3) If the code data is invalid, an "error" warning is displayed on the display 34. (4) If the code data is valid, the copy prohibition of the copier to be managed is canceled and the department code is displayed on the display 34. (5) Input the size signal S29 and copy pulse S28 from the copying machine and cumulatively add them to the daily total number area of the address according to the corresponding department code in the map shown in FIG. 5 of the terminal data storage memory 22, It is displayed on the display 34 together with the department code. Furthermore, the number of copies after the previous monthly total (manual) is cumulatively added to the address corresponding to the size signal S29 in the monthly total number area for each department, and also accumulated to the address of the total number of copies data in the terminal device. to add. (6) Add to the data at the corresponding address in the terminal data storage memory 22 according to the maintenance information signal S30 of the copying machine. (7) Use department data, size-specific data, and terminal status data (maintenance information such as the number of times jams have occurred) are held in the terminal data storage memory 22. (8) A signal (polling signal) transmitted from the central management device 9 is received via the communication circuit 32, and it is determined whether or not it is a request to the terminal device. (9) If it is a request to the terminal device, decipher the contents of the transmitted signal. The command is as follows: (a) ADS (All Data Send) Send the usage department data (including size) sequentially for each of all usage departments. However, in order to shorten transmission time, if the unregistered department code or data is zero, it will not be sent. set time,
Includes a request to send terminal device data including automatic aggregation of set dates. (b) DDS (Division Data Send) Send only the specified department data (including number of sheets by size). (c) ADC (All Data Clear) Clear all user department data (including size) and terminal status data. (d) DDC (Division Data Clear) Delete data only for designated departments. (e) AHOLD (All Hold) Prohibit the use of the copying machine managed by that terminal device. (f) Prohibit the use of DHOLD designated use departments. (g) VSED Lift the prohibitions in (e) and (f) above. (h) DRX (Receive Data & Display) Receive data (time, guidance, etc.) from the central control unit 9 depending on the status of the copying machine and display it on the display 34. (This display will disappear when you reinsert the magnetic card.) (i) TEL (Telephone) Make the inter-on ring tone and switch to inter-on. (j) MDS (Machine Data Send) Send the copy size, jam, and operating signal of the copier. (10) If the decoded instruction is ADS, DDS, MDS, data sending or processing completion report,
It is included in the transmission data to the central management device 9 and sent out by the communication circuit 32. (11) If the decoded instruction is other than (10) above, execute it. (12) By using the management card, it is possible to read and display terminal data using only the terminal device. (a) Auto display card When this card is inserted, the copy number data (including size) for each department is automatically read out sequentially for a certain period of time (approximately 4 seconds) and displayed along with the department code. (b) Manual display card When this card is inserted, the department code and its copy number data are sequentially displayed each time the recall switch 41 is turned on. Furthermore, by turning on the management switch 42, the use of the department code displayed at that time is prohibited. (c) Clear card By inserting this card, all memory data can be erased (all cleared) by turning on the management switch 42, and the department codes can be sequentially displayed by the recall switch 41, and the designated department code can be cleared. It is also possible to erase (partially clear) the memory data only by turning on the management switch 42. (d) Maintenance Card By inserting this card and turning on the recall switch 41, maintenance information such as the number of jams mentioned above can be sequentially read out. Further, by inserting this card and turning on the management switch 42, all maintenance information can be erased. On the other hand, a program for the following operation is defined as the data processing means of the central management device 9. (1) Decode the key operations on the keyboard 50 and read each of the above-mentioned command contents ADS, DSS, ADC, AHOLD,
Determine one of the VSEDs. Furthermore, the specified display and key input are determined. (2) Based on the determination result, transmission data indicating the contents of the command is sent to the terminal device 5 via the communication circuit 83.
~Send to 8. (3) Receive transmission data indicating responses from terminal devices 5 to 8. (4) Determine whether the received signal is data from the specified terminal device. (5) When sending data indicating one of the command contents DDS, ADS, DDC, or AHOLD is sent to the terminal device, determine which data indicates a processing end signal among the data received from the terminal device. (6) When the determination results in (4) and (5) above are negative, an error display and warning sound are generated. (7) Send the command content ADS and calculate the copy number data included in the data from the terminal device using a predetermined calculation means. (8) Display and print out the results of (7) above. (9) Receive data from the terminal device using the command DDS, display it, and send out the DRX signal. (10) Switch to interface on when there is a call from a terminal device or a call or response from a management device. (11) Set the time to automatically send out the commands ADS and DDS, and receive and count data from the terminal device at the set time. (12) Display and print out the data in (11) above. (13) Perform self-diagnosis function. FIG. 10 shows an arrangement of communication data used for communication between the terminal device and the central management device. This communication data includes a header code that includes a code indicating the beginning of the communication data and a direction identification code that determines the communication direction (terminal device → central management device, or central management device → terminal device), a terminal address (polling address) code, ADS, DDS, ADC,
It consists of instruction codes such as DDC, AHOLD, and VSED, actual data, and check data.
The length (capacity) of actual data changes depending on the command. Next, the operation of the terminal device will be explained with reference to operation flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 to 19. FIG. 11 shows the main routine that is cyclically repeated from power-on. When the power is turned on, the standby state is displayed on the display 34 in STEP 1, the insertion of the magnetic card 23 is checked in STEP 2, and when the magnetic card is inserted, the code read from the magnetic card is validated in STEP 3 ( If it is not valid, the process jumps to the error routine shown in FIG. 12 in STEP 9, and an error message is displayed on the display 34. If the card is valid in STEP 3, then STEP 4 to 8
to determine whether it is a card with each function. If it is determined to be a department card in STEP 4, STEP 10
The program then jumps to the copy routine shown in FIG. 12, issues a prohibition release signal S27 to the copying machine to cancel the copy prohibition, and displays the department code and the cumulative number of copies for that department. Then, a copy size signal S2 is sent from the copying machine.
9 is input, and thereafter, the cumulative number of sheets by department counter and the number of sheets by size counter are counted up by the copying pulse S28 that arrives every time one sheet is copied, and the data is stored in the terminal data storage memory 22. When the copying is completed and the magnetic card 23 is removed, the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG. 11 and proceeds from STEP15. If it is determined to be an auto display card in STEP 5,
In STEP 11, jump to the auto display routine shown in Figure 13 and display the cumulative number of sheets for each department using department code 001.
From then on, it is automatically displayed on the display 34 every 4 seconds. If it is determined to be a manual display card in STEP 6,
In STEP 12, the program jumps to the manual cover routine shown in FIG. 14, and each time the recall switch 41 is pressed, the cumulative number of sheets in the designated category is displayed on the display 34. Further, by pressing the management switch 42, the use of the department code displayed at that time is prohibited. In addition, the automatic display card and manual display card are provided with cards for daily totals, monthly totals, monthly totals by size, etc.
It is possible to display sheet count data for each department that is appropriate for each department. If it is determined to be a clear card in STEP 7,
In STEP 13, jump to the clear routine shown in Figure 15,
By pressing the management switch 42, all stored data is cleared (erased). If you want to clear only the data of a specified department, each time you press the recall switch 41, the specified departments will be displayed one after another, and when the specified department you want to clear is displayed, press the management switch 42 to clear the data of that specified department. clear. If it is determined to be a maintenance card in STEP 8,
In STEP 14, the program jumps to the maintenance routine shown in FIG. 16, clears the maintenance information of the copying machine by pressing the management switch 42, and sequentially displays the maintenance information on the display 34 by pressing the recall switch 41. Returning to FIG. 11, in STEP 15, the interface is called to inquire of the person monitoring the central management device about the occurrence of paper jams and operations, and it is determined whether the switch 43 has been pressed. If it is determined that only a call has been made, STEP16
Then, the program jumps to the interface on routine shown in FIG. 17, and first checks whether the communication circuit 10 is in use by checking whether there is communication data shown in FIG. 10. If the communication data is all "0", it is determined that it is not in use. , the communication circuit 32 transmits the address (polling address) of the terminal device and the ring tone to the central management device 9 via the communication circuit 10. As a result, the central management device 9 immediately switches the changeover switch 88 shown in FIG. Switch to
At the same time as the ring tone is emitted from the speaker 53,
The terminal number is displayed on the display 52. Then, the operator on the central management device 9 side
When the call key 68 in the figure is pressed to answer, a response signal is input to the microcomputer 21 of the terminal device via the communication circuit 32. Therefore, it is determined that there is a response, and the communication circuit 10 is disconnected from the communication circuit 32 side by the relay 37, and the interface circuit 33 is disconnected from the communication circuit 32 side.
Connect to the side. In this state, the terminal device side uses the transmit/receive switch 40, and the central management device side uses the call key 6.
8, it is possible to talk to each other while switching between sending and receiving calls. Termination of a call due to inter-on is determined by whether the push-on/push-off type call switch 43 is pressed again and turned off. If the call is terminated, the communication line 10 is returned to the communication circuit 32 side and the main routine is resumed. Return to. Alternatively, the call switch 43 may be turned on to automatically return to the communication circuit side after a set time of 1 to 3 minutes after a call is made, thereby preventing forgetting to switch. If you cannot make a call within the set time, just press the switch again. On the central management device side, when the call ends, the operator presses the call key 69 (which serves as the end key in this case) to perform the operation shown in FIG.
When the CPU 70 determines that the call has ended, a relay (not shown) returns the changeover switch 88 to the state shown, and the communication line 10 is connected to the communication circuit 83 side. Return to the main routine in Figure 11, STEP17
Then, the start bit of the communication data received by the communication circuit 32 from the central management device is checked based on the logic level of the signal applied to the microcomputer 21. The communication data (FIG. 10) is defined such that the header code data includes a start bit that is at a constant logic level (for example, level "1") and lasts for a determined time. When it is determined that this start bit has been hit,
In STEP 18, the received data following the start bit is stored at a predetermined allocated address in the internal RAM of the microcomputer 21. In STEP 19, the terminal device number data (polling address) included in the memorized received data
Determine whether they match, and if they match, use the command code of the received data as shown in STEP 20 to 29 below.
It is sequentially judged and processed. However, if the terminal numbers do not match, return to STEP1. Note that the instruction code is assigned as a binary code depending on the instruction. When the command ADS is determined in STEP 20, the program jumps to the all data transmission routine shown in FIG. 18 in STEP 30, and sequentially sends out all data. In FIG. 18, it is determined in STEP 301 and 302 whether the daily total number data is aggregated or the monthly total number data is aggregated. The daily total and monthly total are assigned as binary codes in the sub-instruction code (see Figure 10) following ADS. STEP 304 to 309 are the flow for sending daily accounting data, and in STEP 304 and 305, first check whether the data of the specified department code is zero,
Data is sent only if it is not zero. Zero data is not transmitted in order to shorten the transmission time. In STEP305, when the judgment in STEP304 is NO (when the data is not zero), the terminal data storage memory 22
The daily total sheet count data cumulatively stored in the daily total sheet count area is sent to the central management device through the communication circuit 32. Check whether the department code is the end of the setting code in STEP 306, and if it is not the end, STEP 307
The department code is incremented at step 308, and whether or not the new department code is registered is checked at step 308. If it is a registered department code,
Repeat steps 304 to 307 to send out the daily sheet count data for that department. If not registered,
Return to STEP 307, increment the department code, and perform the check in STEP 308 again. In order to check whether the department code is registered or not, it is now possible to register the department code used on the central management device side (for details on how to register, see the explanation of system settings using the central management device). ), the registration data is transmitted to each terminal device, and the terminal device side receives it and stores, for example, an area corresponding to the registered department code among the department codes in each department storage area of the terminal data storage memory 22. Flag only. Therefore, in STEP 308, it is checked whether the new department code incremented in STEP 307 is a registered department code by determining whether this flag is set. I can do it. Therefore, there is no problem even if the registered department codes are not consecutive and are discrete numbers. After data transmission is completed, if you reset the department code counter to "000" and do not use this code, it will be determined that the daily data = 0 in STEP 304 at first, so you can use STEP 306 without transmitting data. Since it is not finished, the judgment is NO, and the department code is incremented in STEP 307. Among the department codes that can be registered from "001" to "250", only the data of the registered departments will be sent. , transmission time is reduced. If the department code ends in STEP306,
Counter (memory) of daily sheet count data in STEP309
is deleted, a completion code is sent in STEP 318, and the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG. Next, monthly total data aggregation will be explained. In STEP 310, as in STEP 304, check whether the monthly total data for each department code (total data after the previous manual clearing) is zero, and if it is not zero, send out the monthly total number data for the corresponding code in STEP 311. If the data is aggregated by size in STEP 312, the mode is checked and data of each size is sent sequentially. Steps 314 to 316 are for the daily accounting
Similar to STEP 307 and 308, this step is for sequentially transmitting only data of registered department codes up to the final department code. Finally, in STEP 317, the copying machine's total number of copies data is sent, and in STEP 318, a completion code is sent. Note that the monthly total data of each terminal device is cleared only by manual operation, and is not cleared automatically after data transmission. Errors in each data are prevented by providing a parity check code for each data. Although not shown, if there is an error, a code for retransmission is sent and processed. If it is determined that the instruction is DDS in STEP 21 of Fig. 11,
In STEP 31, the routine jumps to a routine for sending data of the designated department, but since it is the same as STEP 304 to 309 and 310 to 317 in FIG. 18, illustration thereof is omitted. If it is determined in STEP 22 that the instruction is ADC, the process jumps to the routine for erasing all data shown in FIG. 19 in STEP 32.
Then, the execution inquiry code is sent to the central management device, and key operations on the central management device (for example, numeric keypad 5) are sent to the central management device.
After checking the arrival of the execution code (the enter key 59 is pressed after "987" is input in step 6), data in all sections of the memory is erased. Then, it sends a completion code to the central management device and returns to the main routine. When the command DDC is determined in STEP 23, the routine jumps to a routine for erasing only the data of the designated department in STEP 33, but since it is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 19 except for specifying the department, illustration is omitted. If the instruction AHOLD is determined in STEP24, STEP
Step 34 jumps to a routine for prohibiting the use of all codes, and invalidates even normal cards in order to prohibit use of the copying machine with all department codes. If the instruction DHOLD is determined in STEP25,
Step 35 jumps to a routine that prohibits the use of designated codes, and prohibits the use of copy machines only in designated departments to prevent misuse of department cards. This prohibition is performed by setting a logic "1" level to the first bit of the address corresponding to the department code of the memory. If the instruction is determined to be VSED in STEP26, STEP36
to jump to the code usage ban release routine,
Cancel the prohibition in STEP 34 or 35. That is,
The first bit of the address corresponding to the prohibited department code in the memory is set to a logic "0" level. If the command DRX is determined in STEP 27, the routine jumps to the received data display routine in STEP 37, and while the copying machine is in use, commands from the central control unit (for example, time, guidance when a jam occurs, etc.) are received and displayed on the display 34. . If it is determined in STEP 28 that it is a command TEL, the process jumps to the inter-on calling routine in STEP 38, and switches the communication line 10 to the inter-on circuit 33 side in response to the inter-on calling from the central management device as described above. If it is determined that the command is MDS in STEP 29, the process jumps to the machine data transmission routine in STEP 39, and checks whether the copier is in use, a jam has occurred, the size in use, a serviceman call, etc. in response to polling from the central control unit at set intervals. Send machine data indicating status. Next, the operation of the central management device 9 will be explained with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 and 20 to 43. In addition, Fig. 21 to Fig. 37 and Fig. 41 to Fig. 4
In FIG. 3, the display contents of the display 52 are also illustrated. Figure 20 shows an overview of the functions that can be performed by this central management device, including various settings, terminal clear, terminal designation, manual tally (number of copies), automatic tally (number of copies), and terminal status collection (manual collection of machine data), data transmission, data reception,
The automatic collection (machine data) and inter-on call (telephone calls) functions are broadly classified. The automatic aggregation function operates automatically at preset times. The data transmission function operates automatically upon receiving a call from the other party. The automatic collection function operates automatically according to a schedule such as a preset time. While automatic aggregation, data transmission, and automatic collection functions are in operation, reception of other functions is prohibited. FIG. 21 shows the functions when the power is turned on. When the power switch is turned on, a power-on message is printed out, and the clock (year,
Displays the month, day, hour, minute, day of the week), displays a guide with a short horizontal line in the job name, and waits for the job to be specified. FIG. 22 is an operation flowchart for selecting the contents of the setting task. When the setting key 67 in FIG. Move to column. Therefore, by using the numeric keypad 56 in FIG.
When any of the setting codes 6 is input, that code is displayed on the monitor in the guide display column of the display 52, and is cleared by pressing the clear key 60, but it is set by pressing the enter key 59, and if necessary Then, the next setting can be made, and by pressing the end key 57, the content selection operation for this setting task is ended. Setting codes 1 to 6 are as shown in the figure, respectively.
This is a code for selecting unit price settings, terminal collection condition settings, automatic aggregation condition settings, section aggregation condition settings, clock settings, and system settings. Each of these setting operations will be explained below. (1) Unit price setting As shown in Figure 23, the unit price (copy 1
If the price has been set, it will be displayed along with the guide, so if you want to make a correction, enter the average unit price using the numeric keypad 56 and press the enter key 59 without pressing the clear key 60.
The unit price will be newly set. When the print key 61 is pressed, the set unit price is printed out by the printer 51, and when the end key 57 is pressed, the operation ends. (2) Terminal Receive Condition Settings As shown in Figure 24, if there are specified conditions, they will be displayed, and a guide will appear at the start time of the Receive.If you wish to change them, use the numeric keypad 56. Then input a new collection start time and press the enter key 59 to set it. Next, the guide display moves to the display field for the already set reception interval (time), so if you want to change it, enter a new reception time interval using the numeric keypad 56, Enter key 5
Press 9 to set. Monitor display, printing, and termination are the same for all setting operations, so explanations will be omitted. (3) Setting automatic aggregation conditions As shown in Figure 25, if there is an automatic aggregation time that has been specified, it will be displayed along with the guide display, so if you want to change them, press the numeric keypad 5.
Enter the new automatic aggregation time in step 6,
(In a 24-hour display, for example, if you want to count at 6 p.m. every day, enter "1800.") Press the enter key 59 to set that time. Then, "Nitsukei?" will be displayed, so
If printing of the daily count is required, press the enter key 59; if not, press the minus key 58. Next, the message "Kukankei?" will appear, so press the enter key 59 if you want to print the interval meter, or press the minus key 58 if you do not want to print it. (4) Section aggregation condition settings As shown in Figure 26, if there are specified conditions, they will be displayed, and a guide will appear in the section aggregation start month and day column.If you want to change them, press the numeric keypad. 56, enter the month and day to start a new section aggregation (for example, if you want to start from August 1st, enter "0801"), and press the Enter key 56.
Press to set, and the guide display will move to the section days column. Therefore, if you want to change the number of days in this section, enter the new number of days in the section using the numeric keypad 56 (if you want to total every 10 days, enter "10"),
The setting is made by pressing the enter key 59. (5) Clock settings As shown in Figure 27, the set date, time, day of the week, and number of years since leap year are displayed together with "Hizuke", "Time", "Yobi", and "Uruudoshi". Since the information is sequentially displayed near the right end of the display 52 and a guide display is also made, new contents are input one by one using the numeric keypad 56 and settings are made using the enter key 59. To set the days of the week, for example, Sunday is set to "0", Monday is set to "1", Tuesday is set to "2", . For example, set leap year to "0".
, the next year is "1", the year after next is "2", etc., and the number of years since the leap year is entered on the numeric keypad 56.
Enter by. By setting the leap year, all selections will be set in the built-in clock and a clock message will be printed out. (6) System settings This is an operation to register the machine number (terminal device number) of the copier to be used and the department code to be used.As shown in Figure 28, the machine number that has already been set (in this example 1 to 5) are displayed, so if you want to change it, first enter the smallest consecutive machine number, for example "1", using the numeric keypad 56, and then press the enter key 59 if it is registered.
If it is a peripheral, press the minus key 58, then enter the maximum machine number, for example "10" with the numeric keypad 56, and then press the enter key 59 or minus 58 to register or delete the machine number "1 to 10". can do. If you want to register or delete only a specific machine number, for example "3", press that machine number "3" using the numeric keypad.
Repeat the operation of inputting and pressing the enter key or minus key twice. Press the end key 57 to finish setting the machine number, and then the set department code (in this example, 1 to 250) will be displayed. If you want to change it, repeat it in the same way as when setting the machine number. By inputting the minimum code and maximum code among the department codes using the ten keys and pressing the enter key or minus key, all department codes between them can be registered or deleted. When registering or deleting only a specific department code, it is sufficient to input the department code using the numeric keypad and press the enter key or minus key twice. By pressing the end key 57, the setting of the department code is completed and the user waits for the next task designation. The set machine number and department code are stored in RAM.
72, and the department code is also transmitted to and registered in each terminal device. Next, the terminal clear operation will be explained. This is an operation that erases data in some departments or terminals, or all data. First, as shown in Fig. 29, a clock is displayed and a guide is displayed in the business name field. When you press the clear key 60 in Fig. 8, "Clear" is displayed in the business name, and "Code" is displayed on the right side. A guide will be displayed. Then, use the numeric keypad 56 to enter the clear code 6.
Enter any one of 8 to 8 and press the enter key 59. Clear code "6" is designated as clear category, "7"
is a code for selecting clear terminal designation, and "8" is a code for selecting all clear designation. If you input the clear code "8" to specify all clear, press the enter key 59 and then press the end key 57 to clear the counters as data storage devices for all terminal devices and the central management device. All are cleared, and all copy count data by terminal and by department are erased. If the print key 61 is pressed before pressing the end key 57, the cleared contents will be printed out. If you want to specify a clear department, as shown in Figure 30, "Clear Boomon Code" will be displayed, and a guide will appear on the right side of it, so enter the code of the department you want to clear using the numeric keypad 56 and press the enter key 59. . If there are multiple departments that you want to clear, you can enter the department code using the numeric keypad 56 and press the enter key 59 repeatedly. By pressing the end key 57, the designation of the clear category is completed, and the process returns to FIG. 29. If you specify a clear terminal, "Clear Tanmatsu Code" will be displayed as shown in Figure 31.
A guide display will appear on the right side, so use the numeric keypad 56.
Enter the code of the terminal you wish to clear using and press the enter key 59. If there are multiple terminal devices you want to clear, repeat this operation, and after specifying all the terminal devices you want to clear, press the exit key 5.
Finish specifying the clear terminal by pressing 7.
Return to Figure 29. In this way, when you press the end key 57 again after specifying the department or terminal, or both, for which you want to clear data, all the counters of the corresponding terminal or the data of the counter of the specified department will be cleared.
At that time, the display 52 displays "*Tanmatsu Clear" as shown at the bottom of FIG. 29, and "*"
A flashing “-” is displayed below the . Subsequently, the counter (memory) of the central management device itself, which stores the data of the relevant terminal and department, is cleared. If the print key 61 is pressed before pressing the end key 57, the clear contents are printed out, as in the case of all clear. Next, a terminal designation operation for prohibiting or canceling the prohibition on the use of a copying machine by a specific department or terminal will be explained. First, as shown in Fig. 32, a clock is displayed and a guide is displayed in the business name column, so when you press the terminal key 65 in Fig. 8, "Tanmatsu" is displayed as the business name, and on the right side, "Code" is displayed. ” is displayed as a guide. Then, the user inputs the terminal designation code "1" or "2" using the numeric keypad 56 and presses the enter key 59. The terminal designation code "1" is a code for selecting prohibition or cancellation of the specified department, and the code "2" is a code for selecting prohibition or cancellation of the specified terminal. In the case of "designated department", as shown in FIG. 33, enter the department code using the numeric keypad 56,
To prohibit, press the enter key 59, to cancel, press the minus key 58. If there are multiple designated departments, repeat this operation to designate them one by one, and then press the end key. The case of the "designated terminal" is the same as the case of the "designated department" except that the terminal code is input using the numeric keypad 56 and then the enter key 59 or the minus key 58 is pressed, as shown in FIG. When a department or a terminal or both are specified in this manner, only the prohibited contents are printed out when the print key 61 is pressed. and,
When the end key 57 is pressed, use of the copying machine by all departments of the designated terminal or by the designated department is prohibited or the prohibition is canceled. As mentioned above, this designated department is prohibited by setting "1" to the first bit of the address of the area for storing the number of copies for each department in the terminal data storage memory 22 (Fig. 4) of each terminal device. The prohibition is canceled by setting this to "0". At this time, the display 52 displays "*Tanmatsu City" as shown in the lower part of FIG. 32, and a "-" flashes below the "*". Next, manual aggregation operations will be explained. First, as shown in Fig. 35, a clock is displayed and a guide is displayed in the business name field. When the manual key 63 in Fig. 8 is pressed, "SHUIUKEI" is displayed in the business name.
will be displayed, and the "Code" and guide will be displayed on the right side. Then, one of the total designation codes 1 to 6 or 11 to 16 is input using the numeric keypad 56 and the enter key 59 is pressed. Aggregation designation codes "1" and "2" are for daily, monthly, section, or only monthly totals, and "3" and "4" are for daily, monthly, and section totals by department.
"5" is the code for specifying the daily total, monthly total, or interval total for the designated department, and "6" is the code for specifying the monthly total for each department and size.
16 is a code for specifying the same aggregation contents as above for each terminal or a designated terminal. Note that the dotted line portion in FIG. 35 indicates an optional function. If you specify aggregation by department or device,
As shown in FIG. 36, the contents of the tally are displayed and printed out by the printer 51. If you wish to interrupt printing, press the end key 57 to end the printing. The displayed contents in the figure are divided by division or terminal, and when it is divided by division, it is displayed as "Bumon", and when it is divided by terminal, it is displayed as "Tanmatsu". is the department code or terminal code being printed, is the tally content specification code,
is a summary item, "Tsukikei Kukankei", "Tsukikei Keihi", "Tsukikei A3
A4 B4 B5” etc. will be displayed. In the case of a designated department or designated terminal tally, as shown in FIG. When pressed, the tabulated contents are printed out by the printer 51. The display contents in the diagram are "Bumon" or "Tanmatsu", and the display of the total contents, and the daily total is "D".
The monthly total is displayed as "M" and the interval total is displayed as "W".
is the department code or terminal code, is the total number of sheets,
is the tabulated expense. After the monthly totals have been tallied, the monthly total (cumulative) data of all terminals is cleared by the terminal clear operation shown in FIG. Next, we will explain the automatic aggregation operation in Figures 38 to 40.
This will be explained with reference to the figures. The CPU 70 in FIG. 9 checks whether the automatic aggregation counter of the timer 79 has counted over in a main routine (not shown), and is configured to overcount every minute (for example, every 1 minute or every 10 minutes). ), the main routine jumps to the automatic aggregation routine shown in FIG. Then, in a step, the time (t) of the clock 80 is read out, and in a step, the time (t) is read out by the operation shown in FIG.
Reads the automatic aggregation time (T) set in the RAM 72, determines whether t=T or not, and NO
If so, the automatic aggregation time has not yet arrived, so the process ends without doing anything and returns to the main routine. If YES in step (however, timer 79
(equal if tT deviates within the count over interval of tT), step reads the month and day (D) of the clock 80, and step reads the month and day set in the RAM 72 (D'). This set date (D') is calculated from the section start date (SD) and section days (ND) set by the operation shown in Figure 26, and is calculated by D' = SD + ND x n (n is the number of section aggregations). is the next interval aggregation date calculated by
When setting the interval aggregation conditions and after completing the interval aggregation, the CPU
70 and stored in RAM 72. Then, in a step, it is determined whether D=D' or not. If NO, the step goes to a subroutine for daily totals, and if YES, a step goes to a subroutine for interval totals. In the daily accounting subroutine, as shown in FIG. 39, the first step is to transmit the terminal address of the smallest machine number registered and the command code ADS for transmitting all data. Thereby, the departmental daily accounting data transmitted from the designated terminal device according to the flow of all data transmission shown in FIG. Temporarily stored in the storage area. After that, it is determined in step whether or not the final terminal is the last terminal, and if it is NO, the terminal address is incremented, and the terminal address (machine number) where it is registered.
If not, increment it further. If the terminal address is registered, repeat the steps.
receives and stores the departmental daily accounting data of the terminal device at that address. In this way, the terminal device with the highest registered machine number is sequentially called up to receive the departmental daily accounting data, and all of it is temporarily stored in the data area at the time of aggregation. In this case, since only the terminal devices whose machine numbers are registered in advance as described above are sequentially read out, the aggregation time can be shortened. If the answer is YES in the step, the total for each department _Y1 ' to Ym' in (D) of Table 2 is calculated in the step to complete the daily accounting data for each terminal and each department, and the data is displayed on the display 52 in the step. . In the step, this daily accounting data is transferred to the daily accounting data area shown in Table 2 (A), and in the step, the daily accounting table is printed out, and the process returns to the automatic aggregation routine shown in FIG. In the section aggregation subroutine, as shown in FIG. 40, in steps ~, only the terminal devices with registered machine numbers are sequentially called up in exactly the same way as in the daily total aggregation, and the monthly total for each department is called up. The (cumulative) data is received and temporarily stored in the data area for totaling shown in Table 2 (D) of the RAM 72. Then, in step, the departmental totals _Y1 ' to Ym' are calculated, and in step, the terminal and departmental cumulative data at the time of the previous section aggregation stored in the cumulative data area shown in Table 2 (C) are calculated. Table 2 (D)
Calculate the interval total by subtracting each from the corresponding data. In step 1, display the interval total that is the result of this calculation, and in step 2, display the interval total in the interval total data area of Table 2 (C), and save the data at the time of aggregation in Table 2 (D) in the same table ( Transfer each data to the cumulative data area in B). Then, in a step, the section table is printed out, and the process returns to the automatic totaling routine shown in FIG. Note that when the monthly total data of all terminal devices is cleared, the cumulative data of Table 2 (C) stored in the RAM 72 of the central management device is also cleared. Next, see the 38th manual regarding the manual collection operation of the terminal status.
This will be explained using figures. First, when you press the status key 64 in FIG. 8, a guide display will appear on the right side of "JIYOTAITANMATSU CODE", so enter the terminal code of the terminal device you wish to receive using the numeric keypad 56 and press the enter key 59. When the button is pressed, machine data (maintenance data) indicating the status of the copier (terminal status) stored in the designated terminal device is collected and displayed. Then, by pressing the print key 61, the contents are printed out. By sequentially inputting each terminal code and repeating the above operations, all the machine data of each terminal device can be totaled, and by pressing the end key 57, the process ends. Automatic collection is performed automatically according to the terminal collection conditions (collection start time and collection time interval) set in advance as described above.
As shown in the figure, the message ``Start ＊Return'' is displayed (a ``-'' flashes below the ``*''), and the machine data from each terminal device is collected, and then the message ``Start ＊Return'' is displayed.
will be displayed and the received terminal status data will be printed out. Note that printing can be interrupted by pressing the end key 57. Finally, the operation of inter-on calling and the functions of the CPU 70 at that time will be explained with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. This is an operation and function that is used when attempting to make a call by specifying a specific terminal device from the central management device side. First, when the call key 69 in FIG. ” is displayed, and a guide “---” is displayed on the right side at the position where the terminal designated address (number) is displayed. Therefore, when a terminal code is input and specified using the numeric keypad 56 in FIG.
Figure 0 shows the case where "001" is specified),
When you press the enter key 59, the code shown in Figure 9 is
The settings are stored by the CPU 70. Therefore, the CPU 70 determines whether the communication circuit 10 is in use or not based on the presence or absence of communication data, and if it is not in use, the CPU 70 transmits the address and ring tone of the set calling terminal from the communication circuit 83, and then sends the set address and ring tone of the calling terminal as shown in FIG. The communication line 10 is switched to the interface circuit 84 side by the changeover switch 88 . At this time, the terminal device whose address corresponds to the address of the calling terminal transmitted from the central management device 9 receives it, switches the changeover switch 38 shown in FIG. 4, and connects the communication circuit 10 to the interface circuit 33 side. A ringing tone is generated by the speaker 39. Thereby, it becomes possible to communicate with each other between the central management device side and the designated terminal device side. When the call ends, when the call key 69 in FIG. 8 is pressed again (at this time, the call key 69 serves as the end key), the CPU 70 determines that the call is over, and
At the same time as erasing the display of "TEL YOBIDASHI" and the calling terminal code, the changeover switch 88 is returned to the state shown in FIG. 9, and the communication line 10 is connected to the communication circuit 83 side. On the other hand, on the terminal device side, when the operator turns on and off the call switch 43 shown in FIG. 3 after the call ends (at this time, the call switch 43 acts as an end switch), the microcomputer 21 determines that the call has ended. Turn off the relay 37 and set the changeover switch 38 to the fourth position.
Return the communication line 10 to the communication circuit 3 to the state shown in the figure.
Connect to the 2nd side. This enables data communication between the central management device and the terminal device again. Effects As described in the embodiments above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily centrally manage a large number of copying machines constituting a copying machine in one place, and the central management device automatically performs automatic control at a preset time. It is possible to collect aggregated data showing the value of copies, such as the number of copies for each department and copying machine. At that time, only the data of the pre-registered department code of the terminal device with the number pre-registered in the central management device is sent and totaled, so it is possible to perform the aggregation only from the desired department, which simplifies the aggregation work and improves the aggregation process. It saves time. Using this aggregated data, it is possible to easily and timely manage billing for copying machine usage charges for each department and supply consumables such as paper and toner for each copying machine. In addition, since the data for each copying machine is stored in the terminal device attached to each copying machine, the data can be transmitted as many times as necessary from the central management unit, preventing careless data transmission. Data defects due to data loss or reception errors do not occur.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a system block diagram thereof. Third
The figure is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the terminal device, and FIG.
Similarly, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the memory address allocation of the terminal data storage memory 22, and FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a specific example of the communication circuit 32. .
7 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the central management device, FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing the key arrangement of the keyboard 50, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration, and FIG. The figure is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of communication data used for communication between a terminal device and a central management device. Figures 11 to 19 are
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the terminal device. 20 to 43 are flowcharts for explaining the functions and operations of the central management device. 1-4... Copy machine, 5-8... Terminal device, 9...
... Central management unit, 10 ... Communication line, 21 ... Microcomputer, 22 ... Terminal data storage memory, 23 ... Magnetic card (information recording medium), 2
4... Magnetic head, 26... Card reader, 31
...Input/output circuit, 32...Communication circuit, 33...Interface-on circuit, 34...Display device, 39...Speaker, 41...Recall switch, 42...Management switch, 43...Call switch, 50... Keyboard, 50...Printer, 52...Display unit,
53...Speaker, 70...CPU, 71...Program memory (ROM), 72...Central data storage memory (RAM), 79...Timer, 80...
...Clock, 83...Communication circuit, 84...Interface circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A copying machine management device that uses an information recording medium on which a department code indicating a specific department of use is recorded when a copying machine is used, which is attached to each of a plurality of copying machines, and each of which has the following:
(a) a plurality of terminal devices equipped with (h); (a) information reading means for reading a department code from the information recording medium; (b) determining whether the information read by the information reading means is normal. (c) signal input means for receiving a signal indicating use value information including at least the number of copies from the copying machine; (d) a plurality of departments; (e) a first storage means for registering codes in advance and having a plurality of memory addresses corresponding to the plurality of department codes; (e) an input means for inputting one of the plurality of department codes registered in the first storage means into the central management device; (f) a memory corresponding to the department code read by the information reading means of the first storage means from the use value information received from the copying machine; (g) a second storage means that registers the terminal device number of each of the plurality of terminal devices; (h) receiving a command from a central management device and based on the received command; and transmitting the use value information for each department code stored in the first storage means.
a communication means, a central management device that is connected to the plurality of terminal devices by a communication line and includes the following (a) to (n); (b) transmits commands to each of the plurality of terminal devices, and (b) a second communication means for receiving use value information from the device; (c) third storage means in which the department code and terminal device number inputted by the input device are registered; (d) copy value information received from the terminal device for each department code and each terminal device; (e) an output for outputting a data processing result by the second data processing means; (F) Clock means for generating time data; (G) Data input means for inputting time data; (H) fourth storage means for storing time data input by the data input means; 4. Judgment means for judging whether or not the time data stored in the storage means and the time data of the clock means match; (v) When the judgment means judges that they match,
Means for transmitting a command only to the terminal device registered in the third storage means, and causing the terminal device to transmit only the use value information of the department code corresponding to the storage address where the flag is set in the first storage means; A copying machine management device characterized by comprising: