JPH06194904A - Copying machine provided with divisionally managing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent illegality by providing a time-out clear means executing both processing of counter clear processing and main body clear processing in the first execution of either of them. CONSTITUTION:A master CPU 71 obtains a standby mode to actuate a main body clear timer when an input operation, a copying action, etc., through a key are completed. When the time of the main body clear timer is up or a main body clear processing signal is inputted from the slave CPU 81 of a department controller, the main body clear processing is executed. In this manner, at the execution time of earlier one among the main body clear processing of a copying machine and the counter clear processing of the department clear controller both processing are executed. Therefore, even if an operator forgets to pull out a card or reset a password number, the counter clear processing is executed at the same time when the main body clear processing is executed on the side of the copying machine and the copying machine is not worked, so that the illegality is prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine provided with a department management device for managing the number of copies for each department.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some copying machines are provided with a department management device for managing the number of copies for each department. There are two types of department management devices, a card type and a personal identification number type. When each department code is input by a card or a personal identification number, the department management device waits for a copying operation signal to be input from the copying machine. At the same time, a copy permission signal is sent to the copying machine. The copying machine to which the copying permission signal is input becomes in the copying execution state, and every time the copying operation is executed, the copying operation signal is sent to the department management apparatus. The department management device cumulatively counts the copy operation signals input from the copying machine for each input department.

In a conventional copying machine having a department management device, each of the department management device and the copying machine is provided with a timer. When the copying operation signal from the copying machine is not input for a certain period of time, the copying machine is a copying machine. The counter clearing process for prohibiting the above operation is executed, and the copying machine executes the main body clearing process for setting the copying condition of the main body to the initial state when the operation member is not operated for a certain time while the copying operation is not executed.

[0004]

However, in the copying machine equipped with the conventional department management device, when the time measured on the department management device side is set shorter than the time measured on the copying machine side, copying is performed under a plurality of conditions. As the counter clear process is executed while the copy conditions are being set and the copy permission is canceled, there is a problem that copying cannot be performed and the department code must be input again. On the other hand, in order to solve the above problem, if the timekeeping time on the department management device side is made longer than the timekeeping time on the copier side, the copier will not operate even if you forget to remove the card or do not cancel the password. There is a problem that fraud is performed because the number of sheets copied by another operator is left for a long time in a non-operated state and counted by the previous department.

An object of the present invention is to lengthen the timekeeping time on the department management device side so that the counter clearing process is not executed during the setting of copying conditions, forgetting to remove the card, or canceling the personal identification number. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying machine equipped with a department management device that can prevent fraud even when it is not performed.

[0006]

A copying machine equipped with a department management apparatus according to the present invention executes both counter clear processing and main body clear processing when the counter clear processing or the main body clear processing is executed, whichever is earlier. It is characterized in that a timeout clear means is provided.

[0007]

In the copying machine equipped with the department management apparatus of the present invention, the counter clear processing for prohibiting the operation of the copying machine when the copying operation signal is not input for a fixed time and the operation member when the copying operation is not executed are performed. Both the counter clearing process and the main body clearing process are executed at the earlier of the main body clearing process which sets the copy condition of the main body to the initial state when not operated for a certain period of time. Therefore, even if the time measurement time on the department management device side is set longer than the time measurement time on the copier side, the counter clear process is executed at the same time as the main body clear process is executed. Regardless, the state where copying is not possible is not left for a long time, and the counter clear process is not executed during the setting of copying conditions.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the construction of a copying machine applied to an embodiment of the present invention. The copying machine 1 includes a main body 2, a sorter 3, and a base 4. The optical system 10 is provided on the top of the main body 2.
Is provided. The optical system 10 includes a copy lamp 11 including a halogen lamp and a plurality of mirrors 12 to 1
5, a zoom lens 16 and the like. A photoconductor 20 is rotatably supported below the optical system 10. Around the photoconductor 20, a charger 21, a developing unit 22, a registration roller 23, a transfer unit 24, and a cleaner 2 are arranged in the order of the copying process.
5 and the static eliminator 26 are arranged. Also, the main body 2
Above the table, the automatic document feeder (R
DH) 18 is provided, and an operation panel and a display unit (not shown) are provided in the vicinity thereof. RDH18
Is the document setting section 31, the document transport path 32, and the drum 3.
It has 3, 34. When copying a document, the document is wound around the drums 33 and 34 and rotated to copy the front surface and the back surface. At this time, the optical system 10 is stopped below the drum as shown.

The table 4 is provided with an intermediate tray 38 and a multi-sheet feeding device 28. The sorter 3 is provided with a plurality of output trays 35 and conveyance paths 36 and 37.

The transport path 36 connects the paper discharge section of the main body 2 and the intermediate tray 38 of the table 4.

The copy sheet is fed from the sheet tray 27 or the multi-sheet feeding device 28. The fed paper is
The sheet is fed by the registration roller 23 at the same timing as the copying process. The sheet is conveyed between the transfer device 24 and the photoconductor 20, the conveying device 29, and the fixing device 30 and then discharged.
The ejected paper is fed from the sorter 3 to the paper ejection tray 3 in a predetermined stage.
The paper is discharged to 5. In the case of double-sided copying or synthetic copying, the intermediate tray 38 is conveyed by the conveying paths 36 and 37 in the sorter 3.
Is saved once. The paper stored in the intermediate tray 38 is fed by the paper feed roller 39 and is conveyed again to the registration rollers 23.

During copying, copying process processing, document scanning, operations of peripheral devices, etc. are executed in synchronization. With the surface of the photoconductor charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 21, the copy lamp 11, the first mirror 12, and the second and third mirrors 13 and 14 are moved in the direction A and covered with the original cover 17. Documents not shown are sequentially exposed by the copy lamp 11 from the leading edge. Then, the reflected light from the document exposes the photoconductor 20 and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 20. When an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 20, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the toner supplied from the developing unit 22 to form a toner image. This toner image is moved to the position of the transfer unit 24 by the rotation of the photoconductor 20. At this time, the sheet temporarily stopped by the registration roller 23 is supplied to the position of the transfer device 24 at a predetermined timing.
Then, the toner image is transferred onto the supplied paper by the transfer device 24. After that, the paper is separated from the photoconductor 20, and is conveyed to the fixing device 30 by the conveying device 29 to fix the toner image on the paper.

If the copy mode is the second process of single-sided copy, composite copy, or double-sided copy, the paper output tray 3 is used as it is.
It is discharged to 4. On the other hand, in the case of the first process of composite copying and double-sided copying, the paper discharged from the fixing device 30 is sent to the paper transport path 36. If it is a composite copy, it is discharged to the intermediate tray 38 as it is, and if it is a double-sided copy, the reversing section 37.
Then, the front and back sides are reversed, and the sheet is discharged to the intermediate tray 38. When a predetermined number of sheets of paper are accumulated in the intermediate tray 38, the sheets of paper on the intermediate tray 38 are sequentially fed from the uppermost one by the paper feed roller 39 and sent to the photoconductor 20, and copying is subsequently performed.

2A and 2B are external views of a department management device applied to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a card type department management device and FIG. 2B shows a personal identification number type department management device. is there. Connection plug 4 at the rear of the card type department management device 41
2 is provided and is connected to a connection portion (not shown) of the copying machine 1. The card type department management device 41 is provided with a card insertion unit 43 into which a card storing each department code is inserted, and a card reading unit 83 (see FIG. 3) for reading the department code stored in the card inside. Is provided. A display unit 44 is provided above the card type department management device 41, and the department code read by the card reading unit 83 and the number of copies are displayed.

At the rear of the personal identification number type department management device 51,
Like the card type department management device 41, a connection plug 52 is provided so that it can be connected to the copying machine 1. The personal identification number type department management device 51 is provided with an input key 83 (see FIG. 3) for inputting each department code, and the input department code and the counted number of copies are displayed on the display unit 54. .

Further, the card type department management device 41 and the personal identification number type department management device 51 are provided with connecting portions 45 and 55 respectively for connecting an external output device (not shown), and are stored in the department management devices 41 and 51. It is possible to print the number of copies of each department.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the control unit of a copying machine having a department management device. The control unit of the copying machine 1 is composed of a master / slave system. The master CPU (MCPU) 71 includes a ROM 72 and a RAM 7.
3 and slave CPU for optical system scan control (SC
PU) 91 and the like are connected. MCPU71 is RO
SC according to the program previously written in M72
It sends commands to the PU 91 and the like, receives status from each SCPU, and controls various solenoids and main motors. The data input / output at this time is RAM
It is temporarily stored in a predetermined memory area 73. Also, MC
The PU 71 includes a copy lamp lighting circuit 74 including a copy lamp 11 and a charging unit 7 including a charger 21.
5 is connected. The MCPU 71 controls the supply and stop of supply of voltage to the copy lamp 11 via the copy lamp lighting circuit 74, adjusts the effective voltage level applied to the copy lamp 11, and supplies the charging unit 75 with a high voltage. Control.

Upon receiving the command sent from the MCPU 71, the SCPU 91 receives the optical system scanning motor 95.
Control. A ROM 92, a motor driver 93, and a rotary encoder 94 are connected to the SCPU 91, and a moving motor 95 such as a lamp unit is connected to the motor driver 93. SCPU91 is R
The motor driver 93 is driven by receiving a signal from the rotary encoder 94 according to a program previously written in the OM 92.

Further, the MCPU 71 is connected to the CPU 81 of the department management apparatus including the RAM 82, the input section 83 and the communication port 84 via the interfaces 76 and 85. The CPU 81 centrally controls each input / output device of the department management device according to a program written in advance. The data input from the input unit 83 is the CPU 81.
When the department code is input from the input unit 83, the CPU 81 sends a copy permission signal to the MCPU 71, counts the copy operation signal sent from the MCPU 71, and stores it in the RAM 82. Communication port 84
Is connected to an external output device (not shown) and sends the data stored in the RAM 82 to the external output device.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of an example of a clearing process on the copying machine side of the control section. MCP
When the input operation from the key, the copying operation, etc. are completed, the U71 enters the standby mode and activates the timer for clearing the main body (n1 → n2). Whether the timer for clearing the main body is up (n3) or the CPU 8 of the department management device
When the main body clear processing signal is input from 1 (n5), the main body clear processing is executed (n6). If the timer for clearing the main body has timed up in n3, the MCPU7
1 sends a counter clear signal to the CPU 81 of the department management apparatus (n4), and then executes a clearing process of the main body (n6). If any operation (key input, sensor input, copy processing, etc.) is performed in the standby mode, the timer for clearing the main body is reset, and after the processing, the standby mode is entered and the timer is started (n1 → n2).

In the above processing, n3 to n6 correspond to the timeout clear means of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the clearing process on the department management device side of the control unit. The CPU 81 enters a standby mode and starts a counter clearing timer (n11 → n12) when a process such as inputting and canceling a personal identification number and inputting a count signal from the copying machine is not performed. Whether the timer for clearing the counter is up (n13) or the MCPU7 of the main body
When the counter clear signal is input from 1, (n1
5) The counter clearing process is executed (n16). n
When it is determined that the timer for clearing the counter has timed out in 12, the CPU 81 determines that the MCPU 7 of the copying machine
After sending the main body clear signal to 1, the counter clearing process is executed (n14 → n16).

In the above processing, n13 to n16 correspond to the timeout clear means of the present invention.

As described above, according to this embodiment, both the main body clearing process and the counter clearing process are executed at the earlier of the main body clearing process of the copying machine or the counter clearing process of the department management apparatus. To execute. Therefore, even if you forget to remove the card or forget to reset the PIN after copying, the counter clear process is executed at the same time as the main body clear process is executed on the copier side, and the copier does not operate. There is no fraud.

By the way, in a copying machine, an interrupt copy may be made during copying. In this case, when the interrupt key is operated, the copy mode before the key operation is saved and stored, and by operating the interrupt key again, the mode is restored and the interrupted copy can be continued. However, as described above, the copying machine is equipped with a function of making the state of the copying machine into a standard state (clear processing) when no operation is performed for a certain period of time as described above. If you leave the copier because you entered, when you return, all the copy modes (copy magnification, copy density, number of copies, etc.) that were set before interruption were cleared, and the code number you entered (or insert) There is a problem that even the valid state of the department card) is cleared and all the settings must be reset from the beginning. Furthermore, if you interrupt the copy process in the middle of it, and if all the copy statuses up to that point are cleared, you must confirm to what stage the continuous copy has finished and then enter the new copy mode settings. No
It was very troublesome. In order to prevent such a problem, in the following embodiment, when the interrupt key is operated to enter the interrupt mode, the copy mode or the department code before the interrupt cannot be cleared unless the interrupt key is operated next. Thus, the occurrence of the above problems is prevented. This embodiment will be described below with reference to the flow chart. Figure 6
7 is a flowchart showing a clearing process procedure of the copying machine, FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing a clearing process procedure of the department management apparatus.

When the main body receives a permission signal from the department management device (n21), it enters a standby mode and starts a timer for clearing the main body (n22). If there is any input (key input, sensor input, etc.), the process corresponding to the input is performed (n23 ...). For example, when the interrupt key is operated (n24), the process corresponding to the interrupt mode is performed. First, the state of the flag F1 (a flag indicating whether or not the interrupt mode is set) is determined (n25), and when the interrupt mode is not set (in the normal copy mode), the division management apparatus is interrupted. An interrupt signal is sent to notify that the machine will enter the interrupt mode, and the current copy mode (copy magnification, copy density, number of copies, etc. before interruption) of the main body of the copying machine is saved in the memory and stored. After setting F1, it waits for an input of a permission signal from the department management device (n26 → n27 → n28 → n21). On the other hand, flag F
When 1 is set (during the interrupt mode), an interrupt end signal is sent to the department management device to notify that the interrupt mode will end, and the interrupt saved in n27 is saved. The previous copy mode is read and set, the flag F1 is reset, and then the input of a permission signal from the department management apparatus is waited (n29 → n30 → n31 →
n21). As described above, the interrupt mode on the main body side is set and released.

On the other hand, when there is no input, the state of the timer for clearing the main body is determined, and when the timer times out, a counter clear signal is sent to the department management device (n32 → n33), and the main body side The clearing process is executed (n35 to n39). The same clear processing is also executed when the main body clear signal is input from the department management device (n34 → n35 to n39). The clearing process on the main unit changes depending on whether it is in interrupt mode or normal mode.
In the interrupt mode, only the copy mode set after the interrupt is cleared, and the copy mode saved in n27 is left as it is (n35 → n36). Then, the operation panel section of the main body displays "in interrupt mode" and waits until the interrupt key is operated (n37 → n3).
8). When the interrupt key is operated, the above-described interrupt end processing is performed (n29 ...). On the other hand, in the case of the normal copy mode, all the stored copy modes are cleared and returned to the standard state, and then the permission signal from the department management device is waited (n35 → n39 → n21).

The department management device side operates as follows. When the personal identification number is input, a permission signal is sent to the main body of the copying machine to enter the standby mode and the counter clearing timer is started (n41 → n42 → n43). Then, various processes are executed according to the input signal from the copying machine. For example, when an interrupt signal is input from the main unit (n5
2) Data such as the department code before the interruption and the cumulative number of copies are stored in the memory (battery-backed up memory), and the flag F2 indicating that the interruption mode is entered is set (n53 → n54). On the contrary, when the interrupt end signal is input, the data (department code, cumulative copy number, etc.) of the department after the interrupt is cleared, and the department code, cumulative copy number, etc. of the department before the interruption are restored. After resetting the flag F2 and ending the interrupt mode, a permission signal indicating that copying before interruption may be restarted is sent to the main body of the copying machine (n55 → n56 → n57 → n58 → n4).
2). The interrupt mode is set and released as described above.

On the other hand, when the timer for counter clearing has timed out in the absence of any input, a clear signal is sent to the main body (n44 → n45), and the clearing process of the department management device is executed. Further, when the counter clear signal is input from the main body (n51), the clearing process of the department management apparatus is executed by the same procedure. In the clearing process of the department management apparatus, first, the setting state of the interrupt mode is determined (n46), and when the interrupt mode is not set, all the department codes and the like are cleared (n46 → n50). However, in the interrupt mode, only the data of the department after the interrupt is cleared, the fact that it is in the interrupt mode is displayed, and the interrupt end signal is input (the interrupt key is operated on the main unit. Wait (n46 → n47 → n48 → n49). That is, copying is not permitted during this waiting. The display indicating that the interrupt mode is in progress may be displayed on either the main body side of the copying machine or the department management device.

According to this embodiment, even if an interrupt process occurs during the copy process and there is a vacant time of a predetermined time or more after the interrupt process is completed, the interrupt key is operated before the interrupt key is operated again. Since the copy mode is not cleared, there is no problem that "all the copy modes were cleared when I left my seat and returned during the interrupt process".

[0031]

According to the present invention, the main body clearing process on the copying machine side and the counter clearing process on the department managing device side are performed at the same time, so that the time measuring time on the department managing device side is made longer than the time measuring time on the copying machine side. As a result, it is possible to prevent the counter clear process from being executed while the copy condition is being input, and also to prevent fraud, which is a problem when the timekeeping time on the department management apparatus side is lengthened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying machine applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the department management apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an example of a clearing process in the main body of the copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an example of a clearing process in the department management apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of another clear processing example in the main body of the copying machine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of another clear processing example in the department management apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-Copier 41-Department Management Device 51-Department Management Device 71-MCPU (Copier Side) 81-CPU (Department Management Device Side)

Front page continued (72) Inventor Shigeo Kusumoto 22-22 Nagaikecho, Naganocho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Osaka (72) Inventor Ryo Morooka 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A department management device for cumulatively counting copying operation signals input from a copying machine for each department, and executing a counter clearing process for prohibiting the operation of the copying machine when the copying operation signal is not input for a certain period of time. In a copier that executes a main body clear process that initializes the main body copy condition when the operating member is not operated for a certain period of time while the copy operation is not being executed, whichever of the counter clear process and the main body clear process is the earlier. A copying machine provided with a timeout clearing means for executing both the counter clearing process and the main body clearing process when executing.