Image forming device management system and method Number:7,154,620 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Image forming device management system and method

Abstract: In image forming device management system and method of the present invention, a data communication device transmits, on an early message date that is earlier than a normal message date for a corresponding one of a plurality of image forming devices, a usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to a center management device via a telephone network by using a call sent by the data communication device. The center management device receives, on the early message date for the corresponding one of the image forming devices, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices that is transmitted by the data communication device, by using the call sent by the data communication device. The center management device issues a billing of a usage charge of the corresponding one of the image forming devices based on the usage data received by the center management device.

Patent Number: 7,154,620 Issued on 12/26/2006 to Ogura,   et al.

---

Inventors:	Ogura; Masaaki (Kanagawa, JP), Ugajin; Kiyoshi (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee:	Ricoh Company, Ltd. (Tokyo, JP)
Appl. No.:	09/658,566
Filed:	September 8, 2000

---

Foreign Application Priority Data

---

Sep 09, 1999 [JP]			11-255789
Sep 01, 2000 [JP]			2000-266103

Current U.S. Class:	358/1.15 ; 358/1.1; 358/1.9; 399/10; 399/8
Current International Class:	G06F 15/00 (20060101); G06K 1/00 (20060101)
Field of Search:	358/1.15,1.1,1.9,1.16,1.14 355/204,200,202 364/403 399/8,10 705/28

---

References Cited [Referenced By]

---

U.S. Patent Documents

	5216461		June 1993		Maekawa et al.
	5270775		December 1993		Suzuki
	5347346		September 1994		Shimizu et al.
	5543892		August 1996		Hirata et al.
	5631724		May 1997		Sawada et al.

Foreign Patent Documents

	7-311524		Nov., 1995		JP

Other References

US. Appl. No. 09/206,295, filed Dec. 7, 1998, Pending. cited by other . U.S. Appl. No. 09/314,939, filed May 20, 1999, Pending. cited by other . U.S. Appl. No. 09/603,917, filed Jun. 26, 2000, Pending. cited by other . U.S. Appl. No. 09/771,883, filed Jan. 30, 2001, Pending. cited by other . U.S. Appl. No. 09/874,994, filed Jun. 7, 2001, Pending. cited by other . U.S. Appl. No. 09/658,566, filed Sep. 8, 2000, Pending. cited by other . U.S. Appl. No. 10/141,875, filed May 10, 2002, Pending. cited by other . U.S. Appl. No. 09/658,566, filed Sep. 8, 2000, Ogura et al. cited by other . U.S. Appl. No. 10/668,007, filed Sep. 23, 2003, Ogura. cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Garcia; Gabriel
Assistant Examiner: Pham; Thierry L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

---

Claims

---

What is claimed is:

1. An image forming device management system in which a customer system and a center system are connected by a network, the customer system including a data communication device connecting a plurality of image forming devices to the network, the center system including a center management device connected to the network, the data communication device comprising: first message means for transmitting, on a normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, a usage data of a corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the network by using a call sent by the data communication device; and second message means for transmitting, on an early message date that is earlier than the normal message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices, a usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the network by using a call sent by the data communication device, and the center management device comprising: first message reception means for receiving, on the normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices that is transmitted by the first message means using the call sent by the data communication device; second message reception means for receiving, on the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices that is transmitted by the second message means using the call sent by the data communication device; remote management means for issuing a billing of a usage charge of the corresponding one of the image forming devices based on the usage data received by either the first message reception means or the second message reception means; input means for inputting a holiday data of the center system and the customer system; calculation means for calculating an early message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices based on the holiday data, input by the input means, and based on the normal message date for the corresponding one of the image forming devices; and early message date setting means for transmitting the early message date, calculated by the calculation means, to the data communication device via the network, so that the calculated early message date is set in the data communication device.

2. The image forming device management system according to claim 1, wherein the early message date setting means transmits, on the normal message date for the corresponding one of the image forming devices, the early message date, calculated by the calculation means, to the data communication device via the network, so that the calculated early message date is set in the data communication device.

3. The image forming device management system according to claim 1, wherein the data communication device further comprises message inhibition means for inhibiting the transmission of the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices by the first message means only on the normal message date for the corresponding one of the image forming devices, which is subsequent to the early message date when the usage data is transmitted to the center management device by the second message means.

4. The image forming device management system according to claim 1, wherein the normal message date is indicated by a 2-digit day number, and the early message date is indicated by a 4-digit month-and-day number.

5. The image forming device management system according to claim 1, wherein the normal message date is indicated by a 2-digit day number, and the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices is indicated by one of a plurality of 4-digit month-and-day numbers.

6. The image forming device management system according to claim 4, wherein the second message means transmits, by using the call sent by the data communication device, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device when a current month-and-day number matches with a month-and-day number of the early message date for the corresponding one of the image forming devices.

7. An image forming device management system in which a customer system and a center system are connected by a network, the customer system including a data communication device connecting a plurality of image forming devices to the network, the center system including a center management device connected to the network, the data communication device comprising: first message means for transmitting, on a normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, a usage data of a corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the network by using a call sent by the center management device; and second message means for transmitting, on an early message date that is earlier than the normal message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices, a usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the network by using a call sent by the center management device, and the center management device comprising: first message reception means for receiving, on the normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices that is transmitted by the first message means using the call sent by the center management device; second message reception means for receiving, on the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices that is transmitted by the second message means using the call sent by the center management device; remote management means for issuing a billing of a usage charge of the corresponding one of the image forming devices based on the usage data received by either the first message reception paeans or the second message reception means; input means for inputting a holiday data of the center system and the customer system; calculation means for calculating an early message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices based on the holiday data, input by the input means, and based on the normal message date for the corresponding one of the image forming devices; and early message date setting means for transmitting the early message date, calculated by the calculation means, to the data communication device via the network, so that the calculated early message date is set in the data communication.

8. The image forming device management system according to claim 7, wherein the center management device further comprises message inhibition means for inhibiting the reception of the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices by the first message reception means only on the normal message date for the corresponding one of the image forming devices, which is subsequent to the early message date when the usage data is received by the second message reception means.

9. The image forming device management system according to claim 7, wherein the normal message date is indicated by a 2-digit day number, and the early message date is indicated by a 4-digit month-and-day number.

10. The image forming device management system according to claim 7, wherein the normal message date is indicated by a 2-digit day number, and the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices is indicated by one of a plurality of 4-digit month-and-day numbers.

---

Description

---

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming device management system and method in which a center management device (or a center system) provides remote maintenance of a plurality of image forming devices, such as copiers and printers, which are connected to the center management device via a public switched telephone network by a data communication device within a customer system.

2. Description of the Related Art

An image forming device management system in which the center system carries out an automatic reception of usage data of a plurality of image forming devices, such as printers and copiers, in various customer premises, such as user offices or companies, through a data communication device linked to the center system via a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or the like is known.

In the image forming device management system of the above type, the center system receives, on a normal message date (for example, the fifth day of each month) for each of the respective image forming devices, a usage data of a corresponding one of the image forming devices via the telephone network by using a call sent by the data communication device or a call sent by the center system. The center system automatically issues a billing of a usage charge of the corresponding one of the image forming devices based on the usage data received by the center system.

In a conventional image forming device management system, each of the respective image forming devices usually transmits, on a monthly deadline date, the usage data from the data communication device to the center system via the telephone network. However, during long holidays (e.g., summer holidays) of the customer system, all the image forming devices of the customer system are often turned off for the purpose of economy and safety of the use. In such a case, the data communication device that connects the image forming devices to the telephone network is also turned off, and the transmission of the usage data of that month to the center system cannot be performed by the customer system. Even if the sales or service person is delivered from the center system to the customer system, the person never collects the usage data of the image forming device due to the off state of the customer system.

Further, in the conventional image forming device management system, the center system is sometimes turned off during long holidays of the center system or due to the system maintenance. In such a case, the reception of the usage data from the customer system cannot be achieved by the center system. The customer system sends a call to the center system at several times, in order to transmit the usage data to the center system, but the center system does not acknowledge the call in response due to the off state of the center system. The connection between the customer system and the center system via the telephone network is not established in such a case, and an error of the communication takes place. As the center system is not operating in such a case, it is impossible to request the sales or service person to visit the customer system. As a matter of course, the data communication device cannot perform the transmission of the usage data of that month to the center system. Hence, the center system cannot achieve the reception of the usage data of that month from the customer system.

By referring to FIG. 36A and FIG. 36B, a description will now be given of a usage data reception operation of a conventional image forming device management system. FIG. 36A shows a call management table of a data communication device, and FIG. 36B shows an error log of the data communication device.

In this conventional image forming device management system, the data communication device receives a monthly total copy count from a corresponding one of the image forming devices. When a transmission time of a monthly deadline date is reached, the data communication device sends a call to the center system in order to transmit the usage data of the corresponding image forming device to the center system. This calling operation is performed by the data communication device based on the contents of the call management table, as shown in FIG. 36A, which are retained in the data communication device.

In the call management table of FIG. 36A, the call destination is provided to specify a phone number of the center system facility. The maximum number of calls is provided to indicate a maximum number of calls that can be attempted by the data communication device in cases of the busy state or the off state of the center system or a communication error. The calling interval is provided to indicate a time interval (in seconds) between the current call and the following call. The number of call events is provided to indicate the number of calls that have actually been attempted by the data communication device. The number of call events is incremented by one every time the call from the data communication to the center system is repeated. In the example of FIG. 36A, the number of call events indicates that the call from the data communication device to the center system was already repeated six times.

In the above-described calling operation of the data communication device, when the number of call events is equal to or larger than the maximum number of calls after the maximum number of calls have been attempted, it is determined that a communication error has occurred due to no return of acknowledgement from the center system. In such a case, an error code "0-23", indicating no return of acknowledgement, is written to a recording area of the error log, as shown in FIG. 36B, by the data communication device. Then, the data communication device terminates the communication.

Accordingly, during long holidays of the center system or the customer system, it is impossible for the above-described conventional management system to achieve the reception of the usage data by the center system and to achieve the transmission of the usage data by the customer system. In addition, it is also impossible for the conventional management system to request the sales or service person to visit the customer system during the long holidays. This will significantly increase the number of non-received usage data cases as well as the cost of communications between the customer system and the center system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the above-described problems, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an improved image forming device management system and method that provide, with low cost and high reliability, reception of the usage data of the image forming devices at the center system.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming device management system that provides, with low cost and high reliability, reception of usage data of the image forming devices at the center system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a data communication device for use in an image forming device management system, which enables the center system to carry out, with low cost and high reliability, reception of usage data of the image forming devices from the data communication device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming device management method that provides, with low cost and high reliability, reception of usage data of the image forming devices at the center system.

The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are achieved by an image forming device management system in which a customer system and a center system are connected by a public switched telephone network, the customer system including a data communication device connecting a plurality of image forming devices to the telephone network, the center system including a center management device connected to the telephone network, the data communication device comprising: a first message means for transmitting, on a normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, a usage data of a corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the telephone network by using a call sent by the data communication device; and a second message means for transmitting, on an early message date that is earlier than the normal message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices, a usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the telephone network by using a call sent by the data communication device, and the center management device comprising: a first message reception means for receiving, on the normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices that is transmitted by the first message means using the call sent by the data communication device; a second message reception means for receiving, on the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices that is transmitted by the second message means using the call sent by the data communication device; and a remote management means for issuing a billing of a usage charge of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to the data communication device, based on the usage data received by either the first message reception means or the second message reception means.

In the above-preferred embodiment, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices is received not only on the normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, but also on the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices. The image forming device management system of the above-preferred embodiment is effective in reducing the non-reception cases of the usage data of the image forming devices due to the off state of the customer system or the center system during the holidays, and in increasing the efficiency of the reception of the usage data of the image forming devices with a reduction of the cost of communications between the customer system and the center system.

The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are achieved by an image forming device management system in which a customer system and a center system are connected by a public switched telephone network, the customer system including a data communication device connecting a plurality of image forming devices to the telephone network, the center system including a center management device connected to the telephone network, the data communication device comprising: a first message means for transmitting, on a normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, a usage data of a corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the telephone network by using a call sent by the center management device; and a second message means for transmitting, on an early message date that is earlier than the normal message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices, a usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the telephone network by using a call sent by the center management device, and the center management device comprising: a first message reception means for receiving, on the normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices that is transmitted by the first message means using the call sent by the center management device; a second message reception means for receiving, on the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices that is transmitted by the second message means using the call sent by the center management device; and a remote management means for issuing a billing of a usage charge of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to the data communication device, based on the usage data received by either the first message reception means or the second message reception means.

In the above-preferred embodiment, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices is received not only on the normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, but also on the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices. The image forming device management system of the above-preferred embodiment is effective in reducing the non-reception cases of the usage data of the image forming devices due to the off state of the customer system or the center system during the holidays, and in increasing the efficiency of the reception of the usage data of the image forming devices with a reduction of the cost of communications between the customer system and the center system.

The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are achieved by a data communication device for use in an image forming device management system, in which a customer system and a center system are connected by a public switched telephone network, the customer system including a plurality of image forming devices connected to the telephone network by the data communication device, the center system including a center management device connected to the telephone network, the data communication device comprising: a first message means for transmitting, on a normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, a usage data of a corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the telephone network by using a call sent by the data communication device; and a second message means for transmitting, on an early message date that is earlier than the normal message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices, a usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the telephone network by using a call sent by the data communication device.

In the above-preferred embodiment, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices is transmitted to the center management device not only on the normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, but also on the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices. The data communication device of the above-preferred embodiment is effective in reducing the non-reception cases of the usage data of the image forming devices due to the off state of the customer system or the center system during the holidays, and in increasing the efficiency of the reception of the usage data of the image forming devices with a reduction of the cost of communications between the customer system and the center system.

The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are achieved by a data communication device for use in an image forming device management system in an image forming device management system in which a customer system and a center system are connected by a public switched telephone network, the customer system including a plurality of image forming devices connected to the telephone network by the data communication device, the center system including a center management device connected to the telephone network, the data communication device comprising: a first message means for transmitting, on a normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, a usage data of a corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the telephone network by using a call sent by the center management device; and a second message means for transmitting, on an early message date that is earlier than the normal message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices, a usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to the center management device via the telephone network by using a call sent by the center management device.

In the above-preferred embodiment, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices is transmitted to the center management device not only on the normal message date for each of the respective image forming devices, but also on the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices. The data communication device of the above-preferred embodiment is effective in reducing the non-reception cases of the usage data of the image forming devices due to the off state of the customer system or the center system during the holidays, and in increasing the efficiency of the reception of the usage data of the image forming devices with a reduction of the cost of communications between the customer system and the center system.

The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are achieved by a management method for an image forming device management system including a customer system and a center system linked together by a public switched telephone network, the customer system including a plurality of image forming devices and a data communication device connected to the image forming devices, the center system including a data management device connected to the data communication device via the telephone network, the management method comprising the steps of: transmitting, on an early message date that is earlier than a normal message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices, a usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices from the data communication device to the center management device via the telephone network by using a call sent by the data communication device; receiving, on the early message date for each of the respective image forming devices, the usage data of the corresponding one of the image forming devices that is transmitted by the data communication device, at the center management device, using the call sent by the data communication device; and issuing a billing of a usage charge of the corresponding one of the image forming devices to the data communication device, at the center management device, based on the usage data received by the center management device.

The image forming device management method of the above-preferred embodiment is effective in reducing the non-reception cases of the usage data of the image forming devices due to the off state of the customer system or the center system during the holidays, and in increasing the efficiency of the reception of the usage data of the image forming devices with a reduction of the cost of communications between the customer system and the center system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a detailed configuration of the image forming device management system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one preferred embodiment of the image forming device management system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a detailed configuration of one of a plurality of image forming devices in the image forming device management system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a detailed configuration of a personal interface unit in the image forming device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation/display portion in the image forming device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an image-forming mode window of a character display in the operation/display portion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a configuration of a data communication device in the image forming device management system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a selecting process executed by the data communication device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a polling process executed by the data communication device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the data format of a text data that is transmitted between the center system and the data communication device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the data format of a text data that is transmitted between the data communication device and a personal interface of the image forming device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the data format of a text data that is transmitted between the personal interface and a PPC controller.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a malfunction message process executed by the image forming device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a repair request message process executed by the image forming device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a specific malfunction message process executed by the image forming device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a specific malfunction message acknowledge process executed by the image forming device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a detailed configuration of a plurality of clients in the image forming device management system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a server in the image forming device management system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of a main data file that is stored in a database of the server of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of a customer data file that is stored in the database of the server of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of a machine data file that is stored in the database of the server of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a diagram of a detailed machine data file that is stored in the database of the server of FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of the data format of a text data that is transmitted between the center system and the data communication device.

FIG. 24 is a diagram of a message reception window of a display device in the client of FIG. 17.

FIG. 25 is a diagram of a message reception window of the display device in the client of FIG. 17.

FIG. 26 is a diagram of a message reception window of the display device in the client of FIG. 17.

FIG. 27 is a diagram of a message reception window of the display device of FIG. 17 when a menu button is depressed in the condition shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a diagram of a message reception window of the display device of FIG. 17 when one record in the received messages is designated.

FIG. 29 is a diagram of a usage data file including a total copy count data for one image forming device, which is stored in the database of FIG. 18.

FIG. 30 is a diagram of a normal message reception file that is stored in the database of FIG. 18.

FIG. 31 is a diagram of an early message reception file created based on the normal message reception file of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a diagram of an early usage-data reception file created based on the early message reception file of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33A is a diagram of an example of a center-system holiday schedule and FIG. 33B is a diagram of an example of a customer holiday schedule.

FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining communication sequences between the data communication device and the center management device when a usage data reception process is performed by the image forming device management system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart for explaining a usage data reception process executed by the center management device of the image forming device management system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 36A and FIG. 36B are diagrams for explaining a usage data reception operation of a conventional image forming device management system.

FIG. 37 is a diagram of the data format of a text data that is transmitted from the center system to the data communication device.

FIG. 38 is a diagram of the data format of an internal clock data of the data communication device.

FIG. 39 is a diagram of a configuration of the text data that is transmitted to the data communication device.

FIG. 40 is a diagram of a configuration of parameter areas of the data communication device that store the received text data.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart for explaining a usage data transmission operation of one preferred embodiment of the image forming device management system when the early message date is set.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart for explaining a usage data transmission operation of one preferred embodiment of the image forming device management system when the early message date and time are set.

FIG. 43 is a diagram of an example of a holiday data in which customer holidays and center-system holidays are set.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart for explaining an early message date setting process executed by the image forming device management system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a diagram of a holiday data input window of a display device in the image forming device.

FIG. 46 is a diagram of the data format of a customer holiday data that is transmitted from the data communication device to the center management device.

FIG. 47 is a diagram for explaining communication sequences between the image forming device, the data communication device and the center management device when an early message date setting process is performed.

FIG. 48 is a diagram of the data format of a center-system holiday data that is transmitted from the center management device to the data communication device.

FIG. 49 is a diagram of a configuration of parameter areas of the data communication device that store the center-system holiday data of FIG. 48 that is received from the center management device.

FIG. 50 is a diagram for explaining communication sequences between the image forming device, the data communication device and the center management device when the early message date setting process is performed.

FIG. 51 is a block diagram of a detailed configuration of the data communication device in the image forming device management system of the present embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description will now be provided of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows one preferred embodiment of the image forming device management system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming device management system of the present embodiment generally includes a plurality of image forming devices (IFDs) 1 through 5 (such as copiers), a data communication device 7 which connects the image forming devices 1 5 to a public switched telephone network (PSTM) 8, and a center system 6 which is connected to the PSTN 8. The image forming devices 1 5 and the data communication device 7 are provided in a customer system. The center system 6 is provided with a center management device (which will be described later) and configured to carry out a remote maintenance of the image forming devices 1 5 in a concentrated manner by using a connection between the center system 6 and the data communication device 7 via the PSTN 8.

The data communication device 7 delivers a command signal, received from the center system 6 via the PSTN 8, to a selected one of the image forming devices 1 5. The data communication device 7 transmits a data signal or a message, sent by any of the image forming devices 1 5, to the center system 6 via the PSTN 8.

In the customer system of the image forming device management system of FIG. 2, power is supplied to the data communication device 7 for 24 hours. Even during the night hours the image forming devices 1 5 are turned off, the data communication device 7 is always powered and can communicate with the center system 6 via the PSTN 8. The data communication device 7 and the image forming devices 1 5 are connected together by a multi-drop connection using RS-485 interfaces, and a communication between the data communication device and the image forming devices 1 5 is carried out by using a polling process or a selecting process that is executed by the data communication device 7 for the image forming devices 1 5.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed configuration of one of the image forming devices 1 5 in the image forming device management system of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming device of the present embodiment generally comprises a CPU (central processing unit) 11, a RTC (real-time clock) 12, a ROM (read-only memory) 13, a RAM (random access memory) 14, a backup RAM 15, an I/O (input/output) port 16, a set of SCIs (serial communication interfaces) 17a, 17b and 17c for a PPC (plain paper copier) controller, a personal I/F (interface) 18, and a system bus 19.

In the image forming device of FIG. 3, the CPU 11 controls the elements of the image forming device in accordance with control program code instructions stored in the ROM 13. The RTC 12 provides the current date and time (the year, the month, the day, the hours, and the minutes). The CPU 11 detects the current date and time by accessing the RTC 12. The ROM 13 provides a storage area of the control program code instructions for the CPU 11 and a storage area of various kinds of other fixed information for operational and control programs.

In the image forming device of FIG. 3, the RAM 14 provides a work storage area to temporarily store data used by the CPU 11 when performing a data processing. The backup RAM 15 provides a storage area of various kinds of mode indications for an operation/display portion (not shown). Power from a battery (not shown) is always supplied to the backup RAM 15, and the information of mode indications is retained by the backup RAM 15 even when the image forming device is turned off. The I/O port 16 provides the output load interfaces between the CPU 11 and the mechanical portions (such as motors, solenoid coils and clutches) of the image forming device. The I/O port 16 provides the input interfaces between the CPU 11 and the sensors and switches of the image forming device.

In the image forming device of FIG. 3, the SCI 17a receives a signal from and/or transmits a signal to the operation/display portion (not shown) of the image forming device. The SCI 17b receives a signal from and/or transmits a signal to a document transport portion (not shown) of the image forming device. The SCI 17c receives a signal from and/or transmits a signal to a copy-sheet post-process portion (not shown) of the image forming device.

Further, in the image forming device of FIG. 3, the personal I/F 18 is an interface circuit that controls a communication between this image forming device and the data communication device 7. The personal I/F 18 is provided to reduce the processing load of the CPU 11 needed to communicate with the data communication device 7. Alternatively, if the CPU 11 is configured to have an adequately high ability to communicate with the data communication device 7, the functions of the personal I/F 18 may be incorporated into the CPU 11.

The main functions that are provided by the personal I/F 18 in the image forming device of FIG. 3 are as follows.

(1) Monitoring of the polling and selecting by the data communication device 7.

(2) Sending an acknowledgement (ACK) or a negative acknowledgement (NAK) to the data communication device 7.

(3) Checking the correctness of data received from or sent to the data communication device 7, the parity checking and sending a request for re-transmission of data to the data communication device 7 upon an error.

(4) Detecting the header information of data received from or sent to the data communication device 7.

Further, in the image forming device of FIG. 3, the system bus 19 is constituted by an address bus, a control bus and a data bus, and provided to interconnect the CPU 11, the RTC 12, the ROM 13, the RAM 14, the backup RAM 15; the I/O port 16, the SCIs 17a 17c, and the personal I/F 18.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed configuration of the personal I/F 18 in the image forming device of FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the personal I/F 18 of the present embodiment generally comprises a CPU 12, a dual-port memory 22, a set of registers 24 through 26, an input port 27, a SCI 28, a local bus 29, and a device-code setting switch 30.

In the personal I/F 18 of FIG. 4, the CPU 21 is a one-chip microcomputer including a ROM, a RAM and an I/O interface. The CPU 21 controls the elements of the entire personal I/F 18. The dual-port memory 22 provides a storage area the information of which can be accessed by either the CPU 21 or the CPU 11 of FIG. 3. The dual-port memory 22 is accessed by either the CPU 21 or the CPU 11 of FIG. 3 when a text data is exchanged between the personal I/F 18 and a PPC (plain paper copier) controller 31.

The PPC controller 31 of FIG. 3 is constituted by the above CPU 11, the RTC 12, the ROM 13, the RAM 14, the backup RAM 15, the I/O port 16 and the SCIs 17a, 17b and 17c. The registers 23 through 26 in the personal I/F 18 of FIG. 3 are used for control when a text data is exchanged between the personal I/F 18 and the PPC controller 31, and a detailed description of the registers 23 26 will be omitted.

In the personal I/F 18 of FIG. 3, the device-code setting switch 30 is provided to set a specific device code of the image forming device in which the personal I/F 18 is provided. The device code of each of the image forming devices 1 through 5 in the image forming device management system of FIG. 2 is detected to identify each image forming device when the polling process or the selecting process is performed by the data communication device 7. The SCI 28 is connected to the data communication device 8 and/or the personal I/F 18 of another image forming device.

FIG. 5 shows an operation/display portion in the image forming device of FIG. 3.

Similar to the configuration of the control portion of the image forming device (such as that shown in FIG. 3), the operation/display portion of the present embodiment includes a control part (not shown) that generally comprises a CPU controlling the operation/display portion, a ROM storing program code instructions for the CPU, a RAM providing a working storage area for the CPU, a backup RAM providing a storage area of various kinds of mode indications for the operation/display portion, an SCI, and an I/O port. The operation/display portion receives a data signal from and/or sends a data signal to the SCI 17a of FIG. 3, and a detailed description of the control part of the operation/display portion of the present embodiment will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operation/display portion of the present embodiment generally includes, in addition to the above-mentioned control part, a set of ten keys 71, a clear/stop key 72, a print key 73, an enter key 74, an interrupt key 75, an preheat/mode clear key 76, a mode confirm key 77, a window change key 78, a call key 79, a registration key 80, a guidance key 81, a display contrast volume 82, and a character display unit 83.

In the operation/display portion of FIG. 5, the ten keys 71 are provided to input the number of copies to be formed or input the number of a scaling factor. The clear/stop key 72 is provided to cancel an input number of the character display device 83, such as the number of copies, or to stop an image forming operation of the image forming device. The print key 73 is provided to start an image forming operation of the image forming device. The enter key 74 is provided to determine an input number, such as a zooming factor or a staple size setting number. The interrupt key 75 is provided to insert another document copying operation in the current copying operation. The preheat/mode clear key 76 is provided to cancel all the previously set operations modes or to set a preheat mode of the image forming device for economy of power consumption.

In the operation/display portion of FIG. 5, the mode confirm key 77 is provided to display a list of several image forming modes on the character display device 83. The window change key 78 is provided to select one of a set of different types of display window formats for the character display device 83. The call key 79 is provided to call a user-defined control program.

In the operation/display portion of FIG. 5, the registration key 80 is provided to register a user-defined control program into the operation/display portion of the image forming device. The guidance key 81 is provided to display a guidance message on the character display device 83. The display contrast volume 82 is provided to adjust the contrast of the character display device 83.

Further, in the operation/display portion of FIG. 5, the character display unit 83 employs a liquid crystal device (LCD) or a full-dot fluorescent display device. A matrix touch panel of a generally transparent sheet which a number of touch sensors (one of which is provided for a matrix of 8.times.8 picture elements) are built in is overlapped onto the LCD or the like.

FIG. 6 shows an image-forming mode window of the character display device 83 in the operation/display portion of FIG. 5. This image-forming mode window appears on the character display device 83 when a power switch of the image forming device is turned on.

An operator of the image forming device can select a desired one or a desired number of the sheet sizes, the optical densities, the scaling factors, the single or dual mode, the staple mode or the sorter mode by depressing one of a number of touch keys of the character display device 83 as shown in FIG. 6. The display mode of a touch key that is depressed by the operator is turned from white into black or vice versa.

In the example of the image-forming mode window of FIG. 6, the scaling factor 93%, the automatic sheet feeder (ASF) mode, the automatic density control (ADC) mode and the input number 1 for the number of copies are selected by the operator.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration of the data communication device 7 in the image forming device management system of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 7, the data communication device 7 of the present embodiment generally comprises a control portion 41, an auto dialer portion 42, and a switching control portion 43. The control portion 41 controls the plurality of image forming devices 1 through 5, and controls the reception of a command signal, which is transmitted by the center system 6 via the PSTN 8.

In the data communication device 7 of FIG. 7, the auto dialer portion 42 sends a call to the center system 6 in accordance with the messages sent by the image forming devices 1 5. The switching control portion 43 carries out a switching control for connecting the control portion 41 to either an external telephone unit 44 or to the PSTN 8.

Similar to the configuration of the control portion of the image forming device such as that shown in FIG. 3, the control portion 41 of the present embodiment generally comprises a CPU controlling the data communication device 7, a ROM storing program code instructions for the CPU, a RAM providing a working storage area for the CPU, a backup RAM, an SCI, an I/O port, and a RTC. The backup RAM of the control portion 41 provides a storage area for storing a text data transmitted between the data communication device 7 and the center system 6, the respective device codes and ID codes of the image forming devices 1 5, a phone number of the center system 6 (or the call destination), the maximum number of calls, the calling interval, and other parameters.

Next, a description will be provided of the major functions of the image forming device management system of the present embodiment. The image forming device management system of the present embodiment has three major functions: (1) the control of communications from the center system 6 to the image forming devices 1 5; (2) the control of communications from the image forming devices 1 5 to the center system 6 or to the data communication device 7; and (3) the control of the data communication device 7 itself.

Regarding the control of communications from the center system 6 to the image forming devices 1 5 as mentioned in the above item (1), there are three functions (a) through (c) that follows.

(a) Reading and resetting of various items including a total copy count of a corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5, respective copy counts for a plurality of sheet feed cassettes of the corresponding image forming device, respective copy counts for a plurality of paper sizes of the corresponding image forming device, a total number of paper jam events of the corresponding image forming device, respective numbers of paper jam events for the plurality of paper sizes of the corresponding image forming device, and respective numbers of paper jam events for a plurality of sheet transport positions of the corresponding image forming device.

(b) Reading and setting of the adjustment values of the control voltage, the control current, the resistance, and the timing in the respective units of a corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5.

(c) Transmission of the results of the control of the communications mentioned in the above item (2) from the image forming devices 1 5 back to the center system 6.

The control functions (a) through (c) described above are carried out by executing a selecting process for the image forming devices 1 5 by the data communication device 7 after a command signal sent by the center system 6 is received by the data communication device 7. The selecting process means that the data communication device 7 selects one of the image forming devices 1 5 and performs a communication between the data communication device 7 and the selected image forming device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a selecting process executed by the data communication device 7 of FIG. 7.

In the selecting process shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that each of the image forming devices 1 5 has a specific device code, and the data communication device 7 sends a predefined code (or a combination of predefined codes) of the selecting process and a device code of the image forming device to be selected, to the SCI 28 (which uses the RS-485 interface) of each of the image forming devices 1 5.

Each of the image forming devices 1 5, connected to the data communication device 7, checks the process code sent by the data communication device 7 and compares the device code followed by the process code, with the specific device code assigned for the corresponding image forming device. When the former device code matches with the latter device, the corresponding image forming device recognizes that it is to be selected by the data communication device 7. When the selected image forming device has a text data to be sent to the data communication device 7, the selected image forming device sends a busy signal (a predefined code or a combination of predefined codes) back to the data communication device 7. On the other hand, when the selected image forming device has no text data to be sent to the data communication device 7, the selected image forming device either sends an acknowledge signal ACK (a predefined code or a combination of predefined codes) to the data communication device 7, or sends a negative acknowledge signal NAK (a predefined code or a combination of predefined codes) to the data communication device 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the data communication device 7 at step S10 determines whether a busy signal, sent by the selected one of the image forming devices 1 5, is received at the data communication device 7. When the result of the step S10 is affirmative, the data communication device 7 terminates the selecting process of FIG. 8, and the control of the data communication device 7 is transferred to a following polling process.

When the result of the step S10 is negative, the data communication device 7 at step S11 determines whether an acknowledge signal (ACK), sent by the selected one of the image forming devices 1 5, is received at the data communication device 7. When the result of the step S11 is affirmative, the data communication device 7 at step S14 receives the text data from the selected image forming device, and the control of the data communication device 7 is transferred to a following step S15. The data communication device 7 at step S15 determines whether the end of the text data sent by the selected image forming device is detected.

When the result of the step S15 is negative, the control of the data communication device 7 is transferred to the above step S11. Otherwise the data communication device 7 terminates the selecting process of FIG. 8, and the control of the data communication device 7 is transferred to the following polling process.

On the other hand, when the result of the step S12 is negative, the data communication device at step S12 determines whether a negative acknowledge signal (NAK), sent by the selected image forming device, is received at the data communication device 7.

When the result of the step S12 is negative, the data communication device 7 at step S13 determines whether a predetermined time period has been elapsed. When the result of the step S13 is negative, the control of the data communication device 7 is transferred to the above step S11. Otherwise the data communication device 7 terminates the selecting process of FIG. 8, and the control of the data communication device 7 is transferred to the following polling process.

Regarding the control of communications from the image forming devices 1 5 to the center system 6 as mentioned in the above item (2), there are five functions (a) through (e) that follows.

(a) Sending an error message (an emergency message) from a corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5 to the data communication device 7 and to the center system 6 via the PSTN 8 when a malfunction in the corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5 takes place.

(b) Sending a repair request (an emergency message) from a corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5 to the data communication device 7 and to the center system 6 via the PSTN 8 when a repair request message window appears on the character display device 83 of the corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5 and a repair request transmit button of the repair request message window is depressed by the operator.

(c) Sending a usage data or a supply request (an emergency message) from a corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5 to the data communication device 7 and to the center system 6 via the PSTN 8 when a contract copy count (or a predetermined count number of copies) is reached by the total copy count of the corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5 is reached.

(d) Sending, on a normal message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5, a usage data thereof (a non-emergency message) from the corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5 to the data communication device 7 and to the center system 6 via the PSTN 8 when the current date and time of the corresponding one of the image forming device 1 5 matches with a predetermined date and time.

(e) Sending, on a normal message date for a corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5, a supply request or a maintenance request thereof (a non-emergency message) from the corresponding one of the image forming devices 1 5 to the data communication device 7 and to the center system 6 via the PSTN 8 when a maintenance event (such as a change of consumable materials or a supply of copy sheets) in the corresponding one of the image forming device 1 5 takes place.

The control functions (a) through (e) described above are carried out by executing a polling process for the image forming devices 1 5 by the data communication device 7. The polling process means that the data communication device 7 sequentially designates one of the image forming devices 1 5 and confirms the reception of a communication request from each selected image forming device at the data communication device 7.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a polling process executed by the data communication device of FIG. 7.

In the polling process shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that each of the image forming devices 1 5 has a specific device code, and the data communication device 7 sends a predefined code (or a combination of predefined codes) of the polling process and a device code of the image forming device to be designated, to the SCI 28 (which uses the RS-485 interface) of each of the image forming devices 1 5.

Each of the image forming devices 1 5, connected to the data communication device 7, checks the process code sent by the data communication device 7 and compares the device code followed by the process code, with the specific device code assigned for the corresponding image forming device. When the former device code matches with the latter device code, the corresponding image forming device recognizes that it is designated for the polling process by the data communication device 7. When the designated image forming device has a text data (or a transmission request being sent to the data communication device 7 or to the center system 6), the image forming device starts the communication with the data communication device 7. On the other hand, when the designated image forming device has no transmission request, or when the communication is terminated, the image forming device sends a communication end reply (a predefined code or a combination of predefined codes) to the data communication device 7 to terminate the communication with the data communication device 7.

As shown in FIG. 9, the data communication device 7 at step S16 determines whether a communication end reply, sent by the designated one (in this case, the image forming device 1) among the image forming devices 1 5, is received at the data communication device 7. When the result of the step S16 is affirmative, the control of the data communication device 7 is transferred to a following polling process for the image forming device 2.