JPH01229391A - Ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the inputting mistake of data due to the memory abnormality of an IC card by executing the memory check of the IC card when said IC card for data collection is set in an objective external apparatus such as a copying machine. CONSTITUTION:At first, the identification code of the set IC card is inputted and decided. If the identification code is A-G, other IC card processing is executed. In the case of the identification code of I, supposing that abnormality does not exist in the memory RAM 3 of the IC card, processing to store the count value of JAM and trouble stored in the RAM 2 of the copying machine in the RAM 3 is executed. Besides, in the case that the abnormality is detected in the memory of the IC card, the display of the error of the IC card is executed. Namely, a prescribed error signal is sent from the IC card to the control CPU 1 of the copying machine so as to display the error by using the segment displaying means of the display part of an operation panel.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an IC that collects various data regarding the status of external equipment such as a copying machine by being connected to the external equipment.
Regarding cards.

[Conventional technology]

For example, data such as the cumulative number of copies made and the number of paper feeding problems of a copying machine are essential data for the maintenance and management of the copying machine. Therefore, conventionally, service personnel regularly record such data in a notebook or the like to use it for the above-mentioned management.

The recorded data is input into a computer by an operator in a company to which a service person belongs, for example, in order to centrally manage a large number of copying machines.

On the other hand, as a means for collectively setting a specific mode in a copying machine, it has been proposed to use an IC card, which has a larger storage capacity than a magnetic card, to store the specific mode data.

According to the IC card, the user can copy, for example, the number of copies: 3, the copy magnification: 1.2x, and the copy paper size: A.
By collectively storing data for modes frequently used by the user, such as 41, etc., the user can easily set the IC card in the card insertion section of the copier to operate the copier as desired. mode can be set.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The method of inputting data essential for the maintenance and management of the copying machine into a computer by an operator is not only troublesome, but also a method that is prone to input errors due to mistakes in the notes mentioned above.

For this reason, the present applicant came up with the idea of manually inputting the data all at once by first storing the data on an IC card and then connecting the IC card to the computer when obtaining the data from a copying machine. In other words, we devised an offline connection between a copying machine and a computer using an IC card as a medium.

However, the IC card used as the medium is susceptible to static electricity because the connection terminals are exposed, and the built-in storage means may be destroyed by the static electricity.

However, the above-mentioned data essential for the maintenance and management of the copying machine is data that is also used as the basis for fees charged to copying machine users, and is data that cannot be subject to human error.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is based on an IC
To connect a copying machine and a convenience store offline without mistakes using a card as a medium.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] The present invention provides an IC card that stores data regarding the state of an external device by being connected to the external device, the IC card being connected to the external device, connection detection means for detecting that the external device has been connected; storage means for storing data regarding the state of the external device; The IC card has: an investigation means for investigating; and a warning means for issuing a warning when the abnormality is detected as a result of the investigation.

That is, the present invention reduces the above-described human data error by checking the memory built into the IC card when the IC card is connected to an external device such as a copying machine.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating how an IC card according to an embodiment is set in a card insertion section of a copying machine.

That is, the IC card 10 is set in the card insertion section 2o provided at the end of the operation panel 30 of the copying machine.

The card insertion section 2o can accept not only the IC card according to the present invention but also, for example, an IC card storing the above-mentioned program mode data (number of copies: 3, copy magnification: 1.2 times).

It is also used to set an IC card (IC card) that stores data such as copy paper size (A41, etc.) and collectively sets the mode defined by the data in the copying machine. Further, the display section 31 of the operation panel 30 is provided with a 7-segment three-digit number display section 311 and a four-digit magnification display section 312, which are as described below.
It is also used as an error display based on a warning signal from the IC card 10.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the IC card 1o and the control means of the copying machine, and FIG. 3 is a memory map.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control CPU 1 of the copying machine and the RAM 3 of the IC card 10 are connected to each other via a bus when the IC card 10 is connected to the socket 21 of the card insertion B 20. Ru.

At this time, an IC card set signal is input to the control CPU.

In addition, various sensors, key switches, display means, etc. (not shown) of the copying machine are connected to the control CPUI via Ilo, and ROMS RAM, RAM, etc. are connected via a path.
M2 is connected, and the memory address has the configuration shown in FIG.

To select information in each memory, signals output from output ports A13, A14, and A15 of CPU 1 are
In the case of ROM, this is done by inputting the input directly to the chip select terminal C3 of each memory via each gate. WR and RD are memory write and read signals, respectively.

Note that the ROM stores a control program for the CPU 1, and the RAMI is used for program execution. Further, the battery-backed RAM 2 stores data to be stored for a long time, such as a copy count value.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing control by the CPUI.

The control CPU 1 starts processing by, for example, turning on the power, and first executes initial settings (Sl).

Next, human output control (S3) is executed, and data to be managed, such as the cumulative number of copies and the number of paper feeding problems, is counted (S5).

Furthermore, if the IC card 10 is not set in the insertion section 20 (S7; No), other processes necessary for controlling the copying machine, such as copy operation processing and temperature adjustment processing, are executed. Waiting for the end of 1 routine (S13)
, returns to S3 and repeats the above processing.

On the other hand, if setting of the IC card 10 in the insertion section 20 is detected in S7, step S9 is shown in detail in FIG.
(IC card control) processing is executed.

The IC card control process (S9) is executed as follows. Note that since this processing is not directly related to the main body control of the copying machine, the processing program may be written in the IC card 10 side.

First, the identification code of the set IC card is input (3102), and the identification code is determined (S104).

The identification code depends on the type of IC card or
This is predetermined depending on the type of data that the C card should collect.

If the identification code is A-G, other IC card processing is executed (S106). Other IC card processing is, for example, various mode data stored in the IC card (number of copies - 3).

Processing that sets the copying machine to the mode defined by the data based on the mode data (copy magnification: 1.2x, copy paper size: A4°, etc.), and is not directly related to the gist of the present invention. Therefore, the explanation will be omitted.

On the other hand, if the identification code is H, the set IC
Provided that there is no abnormality in RAM 3, which is the memory of the card (S202, 5204; YES), the count value of the cumulative number of copies stored in RAM 2 of the ffl photocopier is transferred to RAM 3, which is the memory of the IC card 10. (5206). Note that the memory check is performed by, for example, storing predetermined test data in the RAM 3, reading the data from the RAM 3, and determining whether or not the read data matches the test data. be able to.

Further, if the identification code is I, as above, on the condition that there is no abnormality in the memory of the IC card set in the insertion section 20 (S210, S212; YE
S) A process is executed to store the jam and trouble count values stored in the RAM 2 of the copying machine in the RAM 3 of the IC card 10 (S214).

Note that if an abnormality is detected in the memory of the IC card in 5204 or 5212, the process advances to 5222 and the IC card is
Execute card error display.

That is, a predetermined error signal is sent from the IC card to the control CPUI of the copying machine, and an error display as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed using the segment display means 311 and 312 of the display section 31 of the operation panel 30. let

〔effect〕

As described above, the present invention is an IC card that executes a memory check of an IC card for data collection when the IC card is set in a target external device such as a copying machine.

As detailed in the embodiment, according to the present invention, if an abnormality is detected in the memory of the IC card by the memory check, data collection to the IC card is not executed.

Therefore, when the external device and the computer to which data is to be input are connected off-line using the IC card as a medium, it is possible to effectively prevent data input errors caused by abnormalities in the memory of the card.

Therefore, the data can be used with high reliability even in cases where data entry errors into a computer cannot be tolerated, such as when the data affects the fee structure, such as data on the number of copies of prefectural bonds.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of the IC card insertion section of the copying machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the copying machine and the IC card, and FIG. 3 is a memory map. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing in the control CPU of the copying machine, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing 89 in FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of error display. 101C card 20 Card insertion section

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An IC card that, when connected to an external device, stores data regarding the state of the external device, comprising: connection detection means that detects that the IC card is connected to the external device; and the external device. a storage means for storing data regarding the state of the IC card; an investigation means for investigating whether or not there is an abnormality in the storage means when a connection between the IC card and the external device is detected; An IC card comprising: a warning means for issuing a warning when detected;