Copying maching control system with improved reliability of communication function among copying machines and centralized control unit

• US 5,890,029 A
• Filed: 09/18/1997
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Maekawa, Kazunobu, Hirata, Sumiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): BEATTY, ROBERT B
• Application Number:
  US08/933,041
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 399/8, 399/80, 399/79, 380/23, 380/51, 380/55, 395/200.12, 395/200.14, 364/240.9
• US Class Current: 399/8
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5079 for maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5091 for user-identification or authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/006 Identification G06F11/2289 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0733 in a data processing system embedded in an image processing device, e.g. printer, facsimile, scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0748 in a remote unit communicating with a single-box computer node experiencing an error/fault remote testing G06F11/2294
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test

Abstract

A copying machine control system includes a plurality of copying machines, a plurality of data terminals connected to the individual copying machines and which collect identification data particular to the copying machines, and a centralized control unit performing communication of data with the data terminals through a communication network. Each copying machine stores identification data particular to that copy machine and transmits it to the data terminal in response to a request. Each data terminal includes a receiving device for receiving the identification data and a transmitting device for transmitting the identification data to the centralized controller. The centralized controller confirms the data terminal and associated copy machine and therefore accurate control can be achieved.

Claims

1. A copying machine control system including a data terminal for collecting data related to a copying machine and a centralized control unit for communicating data with said data terminal through a communication network, wherein said data terminal comprises:

first receiving means for receiving first identification data peculiar to the copying machine from the copying machine, and

transmitting means for transmitting the first identification data received by said first receiving means to said centralized control unit, and

said centralized control unit comprises;

second receiving means for receiving the first identification data transmitted from the transmitting means of said data terminal, and

storing means for storing the first identification data received by said second receiving means corresponding to second identification data peculiar to said data terminal.

4. The copying machine control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data terminal further comprises a switch which is manually operated to one of a first state and a second state, wherein said first receiving means of said data terminal receives the first identification data in a case where the switch is in the first state.

5. The copying machine control system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first receiving means of said data terminal receives the first identification data in a case where the switch is in the first state when said data terminal is turned on.

6. The copying machine control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitting means of said data terminal comprises a modem.

7. The copying machine control system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said transmitting means of said data terminal and said second receiving means of said centralized unit communicate with each other through a telephone network.

2. A copying machine control system including a data terminal for collecting data related to a copying machine and a centralized control unit for communicating data with said data terminal through a communication network, wherein said copying machine comprises:

storing means for storing identification data peculiar to the copying machine, and

transmitting means for transmitting the identification data in response to a request from said data terminal, and

said data terminal comprises;

requesting means for outputting a request for making said copying machine transmit the identification data,

receiving means for receiving the identification data from said copying machine, and

transmitting means for transmitting to said centralized control unit the identification data received by said receiving means.

8. The copying machine control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said data terminal further comprises a switch which is manually operated to one of a first state and a second state, and

said requesting means of said data terminal outputs the request in a case where the switch is in the first state.

9. The copying machine control system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said requesting means of said data outputs the request in a case where the switch is in the first state when said terminal is turned on.

10. The copying machine control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said transmitting means of said data terminal comprises a modem.

11. The copying machine control system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said transmitting means communicates with the centralized control unit through a telephone network.

3. A control unit for collecting data related to a copying machine and communicating with a centralized control unit on the basis of the collected data, comprising:

demanding means for outputting a demand for making the copying machine transmit identification data peculiar to that copying machine;

receiving means for receiving the identification data from said copying machine; and

transmitting means for transmitting the identification data received by said receiving means to said centralized control unit.

12. The control unit as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a switch which is manually operated to one of a first state and a second state, and wherein said demanding means outputs the demand in a case where the switch is in the first state.

13. The control unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said demanding means outputs the demand in a case where the switch is in the first state when said control unit is turned on.

14. The control unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said transmitting means comprises a modem.

15. The control unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein said transmitting means communicates with the centralized control unit through a telephone network.