System of controlling a plurality of copying machines interconnnected through a private branch exchange
First Claim
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1. A copying machine control system for controlling a plurality of copying machines, comprising:
- a plurality of data terminals respectively associated with each of the plurality of copying machines for collecting data on the copying machines;
a PBX connected to said plurality of data terminals for allowing internal communication to take place between said plurality of data terminals;
a centralized control unit connected to said PBX through an external communication line;
abnormality detection means provided in at least one of said plurality of data terminals for detecting an abnormality in another data terminal by the internal communication through said PBX; and
abnormality transmission means provided in at least one of said plurality of data terminals for executing an external communication with said centralized control unit through said PBX when said abnormality detection means detects an abnormality in another data terminal.
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Abstract
In a method and system for controlling a plurality of copying machines, plural control units respectively associated with the copying machines are connected with one another by means of a private branch exchange (PBX) telephone system. A control unit calls one or more of the other control units, internally through the extension lines of the PBX, at a prescribed data and time, to detect any abnormality in the operation of the called unit. If an abnormality is detected, a call is placed to a control center located external to the PBX, to thereby inform the control center of the detected abnormality.
84 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A copying machine control system for controlling a plurality of copying machines, comprising:
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a plurality of data terminals respectively associated with each of the plurality of copying machines for collecting data on the copying machines; a PBX connected to said plurality of data terminals for allowing internal communication to take place between said plurality of data terminals; a centralized control unit connected to said PBX through an external communication line; abnormality detection means provided in at least one of said plurality of data terminals for detecting an abnormality in another data terminal by the internal communication through said PBX; and abnormality transmission means provided in at least one of said plurality of data terminals for executing an external communication with said centralized control unit through said PBX when said abnormality detection means detects an abnormality in another data terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A copying machine control system for controlling first and second copying machines, comprising:
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a first data terminal associated with said first copying machine for collecting data on said first copying machine; a second data terminal associated with said second copying machine for collecting data on said second copying machine; a PBX connected to said first and second data terminals for allowing internal communication between said first data terminal and said second data terminal; a centralized control unit connected to said PBX through an external communication line; first abnormality detection means provided in said first data terminal for detecting an abnormality in said second data terminal by an internal communication through said PBX; first abnormality transmission means provided in said first data terminal for calling said centralized control unit by an external communication through said PBX, when said first abnormality detection means detects an abnormality in said second data terminal; second abnormality detection means provided in said second data terminal for detecting an abnormality in said first data terminal by an internal communication through said PBX; and second abnormality transmission means provided in said second data terminal for calling said centralized control unit by an external communication through said PBX, when said second abnormality detection means detects an abnormality in said first data terminal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A copying machine control system for controlling at least three copying machines, comprising:
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a main data terminal associated with a particular one of said at least three copying machines for collecting data on said particular copying machine; a plurality of sub data terminals each associated with each of the copying machines other than said particular copying machine for collecting data on each of the copying machines other than said particular copying machine; a PBX connected to said main and sub data terminals for allowing an internal communication to take place between said main data terminal and each of said sub data terminals; a centralized control unit connected to said PBX through an external communication line; abnormality detection means provided in said main data terminal for detecting an abnormality in each of said sub data terminals by using an internal communication through said PBX; first storage means provided in said main data terminal for storing a prescribed time to execute detection of an abnormality in each of said sub data terminals by said abnormality detection means; second storage means provided in said main data terminal for storing the telephone number of said centralized control unit and the extension number of each of said sub data terminals; detection control means provided in said main data terminal for reading the extension number of each of said sub data terminals stored in said second storage means at the prescribed time stored in said first storage means to operate said abnormality detection means; and abnormality transmission means provided in said main data terminal for reading the telephone number of said centralized control unit stored in said second storage means to execute an external communication with said centralized control unit through said PBX, when said abnormality detection means detects at least one abnormality in a sub data terminal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification