JPH0219953B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention is capable of managing the number of sheets of copy paper used for each department (or individual) using a copying machine, or for managing the number of sheets of paper used for each size of copy paper. The present invention relates to an individual copy management device useful for.

Various types of copiers incorporating individual copy management devices have been proposed and put into practical use. A user of the copying machine has a medium on which the number of copies data is recorded, and when using the machine, the medium on which the data is stored is connected to the main body of the copying machine, and the number of copies data is changed every time a copy is made. In the mechanical key counter method, one counter is assigned to each predetermined department that uses the copying machine, and when each department uses the copying machine, it connects its own counter to the main body of the copying machine. The counter contents are changed each time it is copied. In addition, there is also a system that improves portability by providing each department with a magnetic counter that is not a mechanical counter and uses a magnetic card or the like as a medium.

In these conventional devices, the counter is generally used as a key to use the copying machine, and unless the counter is connected to the copying machine, the copying operation will not be executed even if the copy switch is pressed. has been done. Therefore, departments that do not own counters have administrative advantages such as not being able to use copying machines. However, the above-mentioned method not only requires a counter to be distributed to a predetermined department that uses the copying machine, but also requires the counter to be carried at all times when the copying machine is used, which is troublesome. In addition, if there are many departments or users, the cost required for the counter increases, and the space required for connecting to the copying machine body becomes more complicated. This contradicts cost reduction and machine downsizing.

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional system at once with a simple configuration, and provides the most desirable individual copy management device. The present invention stores unique registration data in advance for each department that uses a copying machine, and when using the copying machine, inputs the registration data, and compares the input data with the registered data stored in advance. If the input data and registered data match, the copying machine is enabled for use. In this state, a storage section corresponding to the storage section for the registration data is provided for each copy to store and change copy number data. Since the copy management device of the present invention is as described above, it does not require a counter or the like, and the copying machine can be used by inputting registration data. or,
If you do not know the registration data, you will not be able to use the copying machine, and you will not lose the same management advantages as in the past.

The individual copy management device of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing the key input section and display section of the individual copy management apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the control circuit section of the individual copy management apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is the main body of the copying machine, 2 is a numerical input key, 3 is a numerical information start key, 4 is a numerical information end key, 5 is a selection switch, and 6 is a display device.

If the selection switch 5 is on the registration (REG.) side, the numerical input key 2 can input, for example, 6-digit numerical information.
This is an input key that is given to the department using the copier as a registration number. That is, by inputting unique six-digit numerical information for each department using the input key 2, this information is stored in the storage section as a registration number (data). Further, when the selection switch 5 is on the count (CNT.) side, the input key 2 is used as a key for inputting a registration number stored in advance in the storage section in order to use the copying machine. That is, six-digit numerical information is input using key 2, and if this input information matches a registration number registered in advance, the copying machine main body is shifted to a copy-enabled state.

The numerical information start key 3 is a key for validating the input of the numerical input key 2, and is pressed before the numerical input key 2 is pressed. Also, numerical information end key 4
is a key indicating that the input of the key 2 after the six-digit input of the numerical value input key 2 is completed is invalid, and is pressed after the user inputs the registration number with the key 2. Therefore, regardless of whether the selection switch 5 is on the registration side or the counter side, the keys 2, 3, and 4 are pressed in the order of the start key 3, the numerical input key 2, and the end key 4.

In this embodiment, the display device 6 displays copy number data related to the registration number, ie, the number of copies used by the user up to now, when the selection switch 5 is on the count side. Note that the copy number data does not necessarily have to be the number of copies used up to now, but may be the number of failed copies, the ratio of copy paper types, or the like. Alternatively, the number of copies may be displayed for each type of copy paper. In this embodiment, the number of copies of one type of copy paper is displayed. Further, in this embodiment, copy management is performed individually for each user, but it is also fully applicable to individual management for each copy paper.

Next, the control circuit of the individual copy management device will be explained with reference to FIG. 7 in the figure is a storage circuit for storing the registration number from the numerical input key 2 in the present invention. This storage circuit 7 has an area a that stores a unique registration number for each department that uses the copying machine.
and an area b for storing copy number data corresponding to area a. Reading of the memory circuit 7 is performed using a signal obtained by decoding the contents of the address counter 8 via a decoder 9.
The count content of the address counter 8 is incremented by "+1" by the adder 10 when the micro order is output. The registration number read from the storage circuit 7 and the corresponding copy number data are temporarily stored in the buffer memory 11. The buffer memory 11 is divided into an area c for storing registration numbers and an area d for recording copy number data, and temporarily stores data for only one section. The contents of the buffer memory 11 are transferred to the storage circuit 7 when the address counter 8 counts up by one, and the data of the section whose address has been increased is read out and stored. In this way, as the address counter 8 continues to count up, the data stored in the storage circuit 7 is sequentially transferred to the buffer memory 11.
The data in 1 is transferred to the storage circuit 7.

Input/output control circuits 12 and 13 are connected in series to the buffer memory 11. The input/output control circuits 12 and 13 are control circuits for serially inputting or outputting data to or from the buffer memory 11. All serial input and output of data to and from the buffer memory 11 is performed via the input/output control circuits 12 and 13 mentioned above. As will be described in detail later, when a micro order is generated, the output control circuit 13 sends the data in area d of the buffer memory 11 to the adder 14. This adder 14 adds "+1" to the above data and sends the added data to the input control circuit 12 via a gate G which inputs a copy signal to one side. Here, the input control circuit 12 inputs the addition data sent from the adder 14, ie, 1 count up data, to the area d of the buffer memory 11 by inputting the micro order. When a micro order is generated as described above, a circuit for counting up the copy number data in area d of the buffer memory 11 is configured, and the copy number data is changed when a copy signal is output. Furthermore, if the selection switch 5 is at the contact point on the CNT. side shown in FIG _. By inputting this reset output ₁ , the output control circuit 13 sends the data in the area d of the buffer memory 11 to the display device 6. Therefore, the display device 6 displays the copy number data of area d. Incidentally, by inputting a micro order, the input control circuit 12 transfers the data of the buffer register 16, which temporarily stores the registration number input using the numerical input key 2, to the area c of the buffer memory 11.

The buffer register 16 is also buffer memory 1.
1, input/output control circuits 17, 18 are connected in series, and these input/output control circuits 17, 18
controls data input and output. Note that the storage capacity of the buffer register 16 and the area c of the buffer memory 11 is the same. Input control circuit 17
inputs a code signal which is converted by the key input control circuit 19 from the input from the numerical input key 2. Therefore, when the micro order is output, numerical information input using the numerical input key 2, so-called registration number data, is stored in the buffer register 16. Here, in order to validate the input of the numerical input key 2, the key signal of the start key 3 is inputted to the set terminal of the flip-flop 20. In other words, the flip-flop 20 is used to generate a micro-order that is applied to the input control circuit 17 in order to make the input of the numerical input key 2 valid. In addition, the reset terminal of the flip-flop 20 confirms that the end key 3 has been pressed by the key control circuit 19, and
That signal is added. Therefore, if the flip-flop 20 is in the set state, the key 2 can be input, and if the flip-flop 20 is in the reset state, the registration number cannot be input. When the flip-flop 20 is in the reset state, the numerical input key 2 can be used as a number setting key when performing multi-copying.

On the other hand, in FIG. 2a, the selection switch 5 is
The REG. side contact is connected to the set terminal of flip-flop 15. The flip-flop 21 shown in FIG. 2b is set by a micro-order generation, and its set output is applied to the base terminal of the transistor. Therefore, the ON/OFF control of the power supply to enable the copying operation of the copying machine is performed using the conduction/non-conduction of the transistor. Further, the timer 22 shown in FIG. 2c is set to 0.1, for example.
This is a second timer that is set by entering a micro order and reset after 0.1 seconds. Further, FIG. 2d shows an alarm circuit that issues an alarm when the input registration number does not match the registration number stored in the storage circuit 7 in advance. No match signal above
Add BUZZ to the base of the transistor, buzzer 2
Operate 3.

Here, in each block of FIG.
31 is a discriminator. That is, 24 is a discriminator for discriminating the set state of the flip-flop 20;
5 is a discriminator for discriminating the set state of the flip-flop 15; 26 is connected to the key control circuit 19;
A discriminator 27 determines whether or not the timer 22 is set; a discriminator 28 determines whether the content of area c of the buffer memory 11 is "0"; A discriminator 29 is an area c of the buffer memory 11.
and the contents of the buffer register 16, and 30 and 31 are discriminators that check whether end data has been input to the buffer register 16, and This is a discriminator that confirms whether the input data is end data. Each of the above discriminators 24 to 31
By applying the discrimination output to the controller 32 shown in FIG. 2e, micro-order signals are output that serve as control signals for each circuit. This controller 32
The control procedure shown in the figure, a so-called program, is stored, and by inputting signals from each discriminator, the program is executed sequentially, and micro-orders serving as control signals for each circuit are output.

Hereinafter, the control operation of the block diagram of FIG. 2 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

First, at step n0 in FIG.
is not pressed. Therefore, when the start key 3 is pressed, the process moves from n0 to n1. That is, the second
Since the flip-flop 20 shown in the figure is set, the discriminator 24 sends to the controller 32 that the flip-flop 20 is in the set state. This causes the controller 32 to execute the next program and proceed from step n0 to step n1. This step
At n1, the controller 32 waits for an input from the numerical input key 2. Therefore, when one numerical value is input using the input key 2, the discriminator 26 discriminates this and sends the signal to the controller 32. Therefore, the steps
The process moves from n1 to n2, and at step n2, the micro order is output from the controller. By outputting this micro-order, the input control circuit 1
7, the pressed value of key 2 is the key control circuit 1
9 and inputs the coded signal to the buffer register 16 as data. Thereafter, at n3, the discriminator 30 determines whether the input data is an end code. In this case, if the data input to the buffer register 16 is numerical data, the process returns to step n1 and waits again for the key to be pressed. By repeating the above steps n1→n2→n3, numerical data is sequentially introduced into the buffer register 16. The above-mentioned state is a state in which the user of the copying machine presses the start key 3 and then inputs the registration number by operating the numerical input keys 2. After entering the registration number, when the user presses the end key 4, the end code will be sent to the buffer register 1.
6, and this is confirmed by the discriminator 30. As a result, the process moves from step n3 to step n4 and the next program is executed. Note that the end code introduced into the buffer register 16 described above is also processed as valid data.

Next, in step n4, it is determined whether the selection switch 5 is on the registration (REG.) or count (CNT.) side, and the process branches to a new processing routine. That is, the set state of the flip-flop 15 is determined by the discriminator 25 shown in FIG.
Proceed to n5. On the other hand, if it is in the reset state, it is in the counting mode, that is, the copying machine usage mode, and the process proceeds from step n4 to step n9.

Here, the description will be made assuming that it is in registration mode. Therefore, by proceeding from step n4 to n5,
At step n5, the registration data and copy number data for one section of the storage circuit 7 are transferred to areas a and b of the buffer memory 11. and,
Proceeding to n6, the discriminator 28 discriminates whether the data transferred to the area c of the buffer memory 11 is "0" or not. Here, if the discriminator 28 does not discriminate "0", the process returns to step n5 and the data of the next section of the storage circuit 7 is transferred to the buffer memory 11. In addition, by outputting a micro order at n5, the address counter 8 is set to 1 each time.
The count is increased and the data is sequentially read out from the memory circuit 7. As mentioned above, step n5,
By repeating n6, an empty section of the memory circuit 7 is searched. Then, when a vacant section is found, the process proceeds to n7, and in the same way as the registration number data introduced into the buffer register 16 at n2,
One numerical value of the input data of the buffer register 16 is transferred to the area c of the buffer memory 11. In this case, the data in the buffer register 16 is transferred to the area c via the output control circuit 18 and the input control circuit 12 by outputting the micro order. This operation continues until the end code is transferred. That is, in step n8, the discriminator 31 determines whether the data transferred to area c of the buffer memory 7 is an end code and sends a signal to the controller 32, thereby executing the next program. Therefore, the end code is determined by the discriminator 31.
If confirmed, all data in the buffer register 16 is transferred to area c of the buffer memory 11.
Returning to n0, the "creation" of the registration data (number) is completed. Note that the data in the buffer memory 11 will be stored in the section currently addressed by the address counter 8.

Next, a case where the selection switch 5 is tilted toward the counting side will be explained. The selection switch 5 is normally tilted toward the counting side, and can be switched to the registration side by inserting a key into the hole. By doing so, it is possible to avoid unnecessary registration to the copying machine. Therefore, in step n4, the process proceeds to step n9. This n9 is currently buffer memory 11
The discriminator 29 compares the registration data in area c with the registration number input to the buffer register 16. If there is no matching signal in the discriminator 29, n10
Then proceed to set the timer 22. That is, the micro order is output and the timer 22 operates. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step n11, where the micro-order is output, and the data of the next section is transferred from the storage circuit 7 to the buffer memory 11. And n12
At this point, the set state of the timer 22 is determined by the discriminator 27. That is, the elapsed time of the timer 22 is
If it is within 0.1 seconds, the process returns to step n9 and the contents of area c of memory 11 and register 16 are compared again. Repeat the above operation, and if the contents of area c of memory 11 and register 16 match, step
Proceeding from n9 to n13, the flip-flop 21 is set and the transistor is turned on to supply power to the copying machine and make it ready for use. That is, the copying machine can be used when the input numerical information matches the registered data stored in advance and the "selection" is performed. In this case, if they do not match within the predetermined time (0.1 seconds in this example) at step n9,
Generate a BUZZ signal and apply this signal to the base of the transistor shown in Figure 2d. This makes the transistor conductive, and the buzzer 23 alerts the user that the input numerical information does not match the pre-registered data and is not registered. Then, when the buzzer 23 is reset, the buzzer 23 is reset.
It enters the input waiting state at n0. Furthermore, timer 2
The time period 2 may be set to exceed the time required for the data in the memory circuit 7 to be read out once.

Now, following this example, if we consider the case where the input numerical information matches, the use of the copying machine becomes possible at step n13. Next, n14 branches to the copy routine, which is a subroutine. Here, the contents will not be described in detail and will simply be described as subroutine steps, but the procedure can be performed in a conventional manner. However, in step n14, it is necessary to output a copy signal at the start or end of copying. Therefore, after the copy signal is generated, the process moves to step n15, and when a copy count up signal is generated in a discriminator (not shown), the process moves from n15 to n16, and the program at n16 is executed. In step n16, copy number data in area d of buffer memory 11 is set to 1.
The count will increase. That is, when the micro order is output, the contents of the area d of the memory 11 are incremented by 1 in the adder 14 under the control of the input/output control circuits 12 and 13, and this data is used as the copy number count. When the gate G is opened by the UP signal, the signal is returned to the region d. When the copy operation is executed in this way, the copy number data in area d of the memory 11 is "changed". Since the selection switch 5 is tilted toward the CNT. side, the output control circuit 13 is sending the data in area d of the memory 11 to the display device 6, so that data is displayed.

After the above count-up, the process returns to n14 and other necessary processing is performed. For example, in the case of multi-copying, steps n15 and n16 described above are repeated until after the multi-copying is completed. When the copying operation is completed, for example, by pressing an end switch (not shown), the state shifts to the key input standby state of n0.

As explained above, according to the individual copy management device of the present invention, registration data specific to a user using a copying machine is registered in advance, and copy data such as the number of copies, etc., corresponding to the registered registration data is stored. A storage section is also provided for inputting code data using an input means for inputting registered data in advance, and by detecting a match between this input data and the registered data registered in advance, the copying machine can be used. ,
When this copying machine is available for use, the above input means is used as a means for inputting the number of copies, and when attempting to use the copying machine, it is only necessary to input the code data unique to the user in advance, and then the registered By inputting code data, it is possible to manage copies using a copying machine. Accordingly, there is no need to issue a counter or the like as in the conventional case. Also,
There is no need to connect the counter to the main body of the copying machine as in the past, and it is only necessary to remember the registration data for each department in which it is used, allowing the copying machine to be used effectively. Furthermore, the storage section that stores registration data and the like can be made of a semiconductor or the like, and does not take up any space. Furthermore, each registered data can be registered only in the registration mode by providing a means for switching between the registration mode and the copying mode, and unnecessary registration can be avoided, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the copying machine. At the same time, the input means can be used for storing registered data, for inputting code data when using a copying machine, and for inputting the number of code sheets by switching modes, etc.
Since the use of the input means is changed from time to time, necessary data can be input accurately, and since there is no need to provide multiple input means for that purpose, input errors can also be prevented.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an external view of an input section provided in the copying machine main body according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the control circuit configuration of the present invention, Fig. 2 a, b, c, d, e.
is a diagram showing the circuit accompanying Fig. 2, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the circuit accompanying Fig. 2.
This is a flowchart provided to explain the function of the block diagram shown in the figure. 1: Copying machine body, 2: Numerical input key, 3: Numerical information start key, 4: Numerical information end key,
5: selection switch, 6: display device, 7: memory circuit, 11: buffer memory, a, c: registered data storage area, b, d: copy number data storage area,
16: Buffer register for storing input numerical values, 29:
A discriminator that detects matching registered data.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 Mode selection means for switching to registration mode or copying mode that allows user-specific registration data to be input to enable use of the copying machine; input means for inputting various input data; and mode selection means for inputting various input data; a first storage section that stores input data from the input means as registered data; a temporary storage section that temporarily stores data input by the input means when the mode selection means is in the copy mode; a comparison means for comparing the registered data stored in the storage section 1 with the data stored in the temporary storage means; a matching signal from the comparison means enables a copying operation and controls the copying; A control means for processing input data as the number of copies; a second storage section for storing copy data based on the completion of copying by the control means in correspondence with each registered data of the first storage section; and the second storage section. 1. An individual copy management device comprising a calculation means for updating the data of the copy each time the control means finishes copying.