Copy machine managing system and facsimile machine used therein

• US 5,424,844 A
• Filed: 03/04/1993
• Issued: 06/13/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Yokoyama, Hiroshi, Hyakutake, Shogo, Kudo, Shinichi, Koyanagi, Yuuji, Mitsudome, Tomokazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Reinhart, Mark J.
• Application Number:
  US08/026,026
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 358/296, 358/300, 358/302
• US Class Current: 358/296
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5075 Remote control machines, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00109 Remote control of apparatus, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00254 with an electrophotographic copying machine, i.e. a photocopier

Abstract

A copy machine managing system comprises at least one copy machine provided with a collecting unit for collecting and storing management information and a transferring unit for transferring the management information to an external unit, the management information being used for managing the copy machine, a facsimile machine connected with the copy machine so as to establish a local area network, the facsimile machine collecting the management information of the copy machine via the local area network, and a managing unit connected with the facsimile machine via a public service telephone line. The managing unit receives the management information from the facsimile machine via the public service telephone line so it can manage the copy machine by using the management information. The management information is converted into a facsimile communication signal by the facsimile machine so that the management information can be transmitted via the public service telephone line.

Claims

1. A copy machine managing system comprising:

at least one first copy machine provided with a first collecting means for collecting and storing management information and a first transferring means for transferring said management information to an external unit, said management information being used for managing said first copy machine;

a first facsimile machine connected with said first copy machine so as to establish a local area network, said first facsimile machine collecting said management information of said first copy machine via said local area network; and

a managing unit connected with said first facsimile machine via a public service telephone line, said managing unit receiving said management information from said first facsimile machine via said public service telephone line,

said management information being converted into facsimile communication signals by said first facsimile machine so that the management information is transmitted via said public service telephone line.

2. The copy machine managing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first facsimile machine converts said management information into image signals used for facsimile communication.

3. The copy machine managing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first collecting means and said first transferring means are provided as separate units which are not integral with said first copy machine.

4. The copy machine managing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a local managing unit provided between said first facsimile machine and said first copy machine, said local managing unit collecting said management information from said first copy machine and transferring said management information to said first facsimile machine.

5. The copy machine managing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one second facsimile machine connected with at least one second copy machine provided with second collecting means for collecting and storing management information and a second transferring means for transferring said management information to an external unit, said second copy machine and said second facsimile machine being connected to said managing unit via said public service telephone line.

6. The copy machine managing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first copy machine further comprises a malfunction diagnosis means for diagnosing a malfunction occurring in said first copy machine and an information adding means for adding the malfunction diagnosis information supplied by said malfunction diagnosis means to said management information, and wherein said first facsimile machine further comprises a registration means for registering said copy machine having the malfunction diagnosis means, said malfunction diagnosis information, together with said management information, being converted into facsimile communication signals, said malfunction diagnosis information being transferred by said first facsimile machine to said managing unit via said public service telephone line.

7. A facsimile machine used in a copy machine management system comprising at least one copy machine provided with a collecting means for collecting and storing management information and a transferring means for transferring said management information to an external unit, said management information to an external unit, said management information being used for managing said copy machine, said copy machine managing system further comprising a managing unit connected with said facsimile machine via a public service telephone line, said managing unit receiving said management information from said facsimile machine via said public service telephone line, said facsimile machine being connected with said copy machine so as to establish a local area network and collect said management information of said copy machine via said local area network, said facsimile machine comprising:

a read out means for reading out said management information from said transferring means,

a memory means for storing said management information at an address corresponding to each of said copy machines;

a signal converting means for converting said management information into facsimile communication signals; and

a transmitting means for transmitting said management information via said public service telephone line.

8. The facsimile machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said management information is read out by the read out means automatically.

9. The facsimile machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said management information is read out by the read out means upon a request by an operator.

10. The facsimile machine as claimed in claim 7, further comprising an outputting means for outputting said management information to a display on said facsimile machine so that said management information is displayed on said display.

11. The facsimile machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the display comprises a printer.

12. The facsimile machine as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a parameter setting means for setting a parameter used in a software unit of said copy machine so that functions of said copy machine are changed by operating said parameter setting means.