JPH0887210A - Copy management system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The information necessary for copy operations or copy management, which cannot be displayed at one time on the copy device, can be auxiliary displayed on the management device side. [Structure] The CPUs 801 and 901 analyze the auxiliary display request command transferred from the copying apparatus 100 and the SRAM 9
The configuration is characterized in that corresponding detailed information or supplementary information is read from 04 and displayed on the display 502.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copy management system having a function of managing a user who uses a copying apparatus for each department or individual.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a copy management apparatus has been proposed for managing the number of copies or the like for each department or individual. This copy management device is provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and an input unit in which keys are arranged in order to total the number of copies for each department and to set the unit price and the upper limit number of copies.

Further, the copy management apparatus is usually always placed on the upper side of the copying apparatus main body or on the side of the platen glass.

On the other hand, by inserting a card for each department or individual and comparing the code stored in the card with the code stored in advance and matching them,
There has also been proposed a copy management apparatus that enables a copy operation and manages the number of copies and the like for each department or individual.

A copy management apparatus has also been proposed, which inputs ID information and determines whether or not the ID information matches the previously registered ID information to enable a copying operation.

[0006]

Although the conventional copy management apparatus is constructed as described above, the operation unit provided in the copy management apparatus has an operation unit when the administrator counts the number of copies, a unit price or an upper limit. It is used only when setting the number of sheets, and when the general user uses the copying apparatus, there is a problem that there are few machines in which the operation unit of the copying management apparatus is effectively used, except for collation input of ID information. There was a point.

Further, the operating unit on the main body side of the copying apparatus often has a low area occupancy rate of the display unit due to design restrictions. When there is little information to be displayed at one time, the display is simplified or the time interval is reduced. In this case, the display is made by alternately displaying. Further, since the display of an error or the like is coded and displayed instead of displaying the explanation message, there is a problem that it is not possible to clearly show accurate information to the user.

Further, the conventional copy management apparatus is provided with a dedicated display section and an input section such as a key for performing operations such as totalizing the number of copies for each department or setting a unit price per number of copies. There has been a problem that the operation unit has to be operated in an environment different from that of the operation unit.

Further, when inputting the ID information, it is necessary to perform it by using a dedicated key attached to the copy management apparatus, for example, and it is troublesome to move the line of sight or the hand between the operation section on the copying apparatus main body side and the operation section. However, there is a problem in that it is forced to perform various operations and induces operation mistakes.

Further, although the input unit and the display unit provided on the copy management apparatus side are rarely used except for the function setting, etc., they are permanently installed.
There is also a problem that the cost of the copy management device is significantly increased.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to ninth inventions is to transfer information that cannot be displayed at a time on the display unit of the copying apparatus to the management apparatus. And the information necessary for the copy operation or the copy management that cannot be displayed at one time on the copying apparatus can be displayed on the management apparatus side by replacing the operation instruction on the management apparatus side with the operation instruction on the copying apparatus side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copy management system capable of efficiently operating and displaying operation instructions and displays of a management apparatus in an operating environment on the side of a copying apparatus without error.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a copying apparatus having an operation panel having a display unit capable of displaying a predetermined number of characters and a management apparatus having a display display are communicably connected. In the copy management system,
Storage means for storing detailed information or supplementary information for the information displayed within the predetermined number of characters for each code, and detailed information or supplementary information corresponding to the auxiliary display request command transmitted from the copying apparatus by analyzing the auxiliary display request command. And an auxiliary display control means for reading out and displaying on the display.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary display control means uses the first display mode for displaying the information peculiar to the management device and the auxiliary display request command transferred from the copying machine to obtain detailed information or supplementary information. The display state of the display is switched between the second display mode for displaying information and the second display mode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary display control means is configured to switch the backlight display color of the display display between the first display mode and the second display mode. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary display control means is configured to switch the display of the display display to non-inverted display or inverted display in the first display mode and the second display mode. It was done.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a copying machine having an operation panel having a display section and a key input section and management information for managing the usage status of the copying machine or a user of the copying machine is managed. In a copy management system communicatively connected to a management device having a storage means for storing user information for storing data, the data writing to the storage means of the management device or the copy management system based on input data from the key input unit is performed. First control means for controlling data read from the storage means, and second control means for displaying management information or user information read from the storage means of the management device by the first control means on the display unit. And a control means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a collating means for comparing and collating the ID data input from the key input section of the copying machine with the ID data stored in the storage means is provided on the management apparatus side and managed. A third method of analyzing the collation result data transmitted from the apparatus side and controlling whether or not the operation of the copying apparatus can be started
This control means is provided on the copying machine side.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the management information is
The data is the number of used recording materials in the copying apparatus.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is configured such that the user information is ID data for identifying the user of the copying machine.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, the recording material used number data can be added with limit data for limiting the upper limit number for each user.

[0021]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the auxiliary display request command transmitted from the copying machine is analyzed, and the auxiliary display control means reads out the corresponding detailed information or supplementary information from the storage means and displays it on the display. The information to be displayed on the display unit on the side can be displayed supplementarily by using the display resources on the side of the management device to clearly indicate to the user.

In the second invention, the auxiliary display control means displays the detailed information or the supplementary information based on the first display mode for displaying the information peculiar to the management apparatus and the auxiliary display request command transferred from the copying apparatus. The display state of the display display is switched between the second display mode and the second display mode, and when the information to be displayed on the display unit of the copying apparatus is supplementarily displayed using the display resources of the management apparatus side, the user can be distinguished. It is possible to clearly specify.

In the third invention, the auxiliary display control means switches the backlight display color of the display display between the first display mode and the second display mode, and displays it on the display section of the copying machine. When auxiliary information is displayed by using the display resources on the management device side, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user with color-coded display.

In the fourth invention, the auxiliary display control means switches the display of the display to the non-inverted display or the inverted display in the first display mode and the second display mode, and the display on the copying machine side is displayed. When the information to be displayed in the department is displayed auxiliary using the display resources of the management device side,
It is possible to change and display the display form to the user with good identification.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, the first control means controls the writing of data to the storage means of the management apparatus or the reading of data from the storage means based on the input data from the key input section of the copying machine. The second control means displays the management information or the user information read from the storage means of the management device by the first control means on the display unit to display the key input unit or the display unit on the copying machine side. It can also be used as a key input part and display part of the management device.

In the sixth invention, the collating means on the side of the management device compares and collates the ID data input from the key input section on the side of the copying device with the ID data stored in the storage means.
The collation result data transmitted from the management device side to the copying device side is analyzed, the third control means controls whether or not the operation of the copying device is started, and copying is performed by data input from the key input unit of the copying device side. By collating ID data of a user who uses the apparatus, it is possible to surely prohibit an illegal operation request of the copying apparatus.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, while using the key input section or the display section of the copying apparatus as the key input section and the display section of the management apparatus, the data of the number of recording materials used in the copying apparatus stored in the management apparatus is copied. It is possible to read or display according to the data input from the key input unit on the device side.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the ID data in the copying apparatus stored in the management apparatus is used in the copying apparatus side while using the key input section or the display section on the copying apparatus side as the key input section and the display section of the management apparatus. It is possible to read or display according to the data input from the key input unit.

In the ninth invention, the limit data for limiting the maximum number of sheets in the copying apparatus stored in the management apparatus while using the key input section or the display section of the copying apparatus as the key input section and the display section of the management apparatus. It is possible to read or display the number-of-uses-of-recording-materials data to which is added according to the data input from the key input unit on the copying machine side.

[0030]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of a copying apparatus communicable with a copying management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The copying apparatus main body 100 and pedestal 20 are roughly classified.
0, RDF 300, sorter 400, etc., and will be described in detail in order. [Structure of Main Body 100] In the main body 100, 101 is a platen glass on which an original is placed, 103 is an illumination lamp (exposure lamp) for illuminating the original, and 105, 107 and 109 are first to third mirrors (scanning mirrors). Then, lighting lamp 10
3 functions as a scanning mirror that changes the optical path of the reflected light due to the illumination of the original. 111 is an imaging lens having a focusing and variable magnification function, 113 is a fourth scanning mirror for changing the optical path, 115 is an optical motor for driving an optical system, 117,
Position sensors (sensors) 119 and 121 detect the scanning position of the optical system.

Reference numeral 131 is a photosensitive drum, 133 is a main motor for driving the photosensitive drum 131, 135 is a high voltage unit, 137 is a blank exposure unit, 139 is a developing device, 140 is a developing roller, 141 is a transfer charging device, and 143.
Is a separation charger, and 145 is a cleaning device.

Reference numeral 151 is an upper cassette, 153 is a lower cassette, 171 is a manual paper feed port, 155 and 157 are paper feed rollers, and 159 is a registration roller. Further, 161 is a conveyor belt for conveying the recording sheet on which an image is recorded to the fixing side.
Reference numeral 163 is a fixing device for fixing the conveyed recording paper by heat and pressure, 165 is a discharge roller, and 167 is a sensor used for double-sided recording.

The surface of the above-mentioned photosensitive drum 131 is composed of a seamless photosensitive member using a photoconductor and a conductor, and the photosensitive drum 131 is rotatably supported and responds to the pressing of a copy start key which will be described later. The operation of the main motor 133 starts rotation in the direction of the arrow shown. Next, when the predetermined rotation control and potential control processing (preprocessing) of the photosensitive drum 131 is completed, the original placed on the platen glass 101 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 that is configured integrally with the first scanning mirror 105. The reflected light of the original is reflected by the first scanning mirror 105 and the second scanning mirror 10.
7, third scanning mirror 109, imaging lens 111, fourth
An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 131 via the scanning mirror 113.

The photosensitive drum 131 is corona charged by the high voltage unit 135. Thereafter, the image (original image) illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 is slit-exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 131 by the known Carlson method.

Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 131 is
It is developed by the developing roller 140 of the developing device 139 and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to the transfer charger 14.
1 is transferred onto the transfer paper as described later.

That is, the transfer paper in the upper cassette 151 or the lower cassette 153 or the manual feed port 171.
The transfer sheet set at is fed to the inside of the main body apparatus by the sheet feeding roller 155 or the sheet feeding roller 157, and is fed to the photosensitive drum 131 at a correct timing by the registration roller 159 so that the leading edge of the latent image and the transfer sheet are The tip is aligned. After that, the transfer charger 141 and the photosensitive drum 1
By passing the transfer sheet between the transfer sheet 31 and the sheet 31, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 131 is transferred onto the transfer sheet.

After the transfer, the transfer paper is the photosensitive drum 13.
1 is separated by the separation charger 143, and the conveyor belt 1
It is guided to the fixing device 163 by 61 and is fixed by pressure and heating, and then the main body 10 is discharged by the discharge roller 165.
It is discharged outside 0.

After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 131 continues to rotate, and its surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 145 including a cleaning roller and an elastic blade. [Structure of pedestal 200] The pedestal 200 is
It has a deck 201 that can be separated from the main body 100 and can store 2,000 sheets of transfer paper, and an intermediate tray 203 for double-sided copying. Also, that 2,000
The lifter 205 of the deck 201 capable of accommodating one sheet ascends according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 207. Further, 211 is a paper discharge flapper for switching between a double-sided recording side or multiplex recording side path and a discharge side path, and 213 and 215 are conveyance paths of a conveyance belt.
Is an intermediate tray weight for pressing the transfer sheet, and the transfer sheet is turned upside down through the paper discharge flapper 211 and the conveyance paths 213 and 215 and stored in the intermediate tray 203 for double-sided copying. Reference numeral 219 denotes a multiple flapper that switches between double-sided recording and multiplex recording paths. The multiple flapper 219 is arranged between the conveying path 213 and the conveying path 215 and rotates upward to guide the transfer paper to the multiplex recording conveying path 221.

Reference numeral 223 denotes a multiple paper discharge sensor for detecting the end of the transfer paper passing through the multiple flapper 219. Reference numeral 225 is a paper feed roller for feeding the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 131 side through the path 227. A discharge roller 229 discharges the transfer paper to the outside of the machine.

At the time of double-sided recording (double-sided copying) or multiplex recording (multiplexed copying), first, a paper discharge flapper 211 of the main body 100.
The transfer paper that has been copied by raising the
It is stored in the intermediate tray 203 via the transport paths 213 and 215.

At this time, the double flapper 2 is used for double-sided recording.
19 is lowered and the multiple flapper 219 is set at the time of multiple recording.
Raise. The intermediate tray 203 can store, for example, up to 99 transfer sheets. Intermediate tray 20
The transfer papers stored in 3 are held by the intermediate tray weight 217.

During the next reverse recording or multiple recording, the transfer papers stored in the intermediate tray 203 are fed one by one from the bottom, the paper feed roller 225, and the intermediate tray weight 217.
By the action of and, it is guided to the registration roller 159 of the main body 100 via the path 227.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the operation panel of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1, which has a key group 600 and a display group 700.

In the key group 600, an asterisk (*) key 601 is used by the operator (user) to set the binding margin amount, the mode such as the size setting of the document frame erase, and the like.
This is pressed when registering and verifying an ID (personal identification number). 60
An all reset key 6 is pressed when returning to the standard mode. Reference numeral 602 denotes a preheat key, which is pressed to bring the copying apparatus into a preheat state or to release the set preheat state. The preheat key 602 is also pressed when returning from the auto shutoff state to the standard mode. 6
Reference numeral 05 denotes a copy start key (copy start key), which is pressed when copying is started.

604 is a clear stop key,
It functions as a clear key during standby (standby) and as a stop key during copy recording. The clear stop key 604 is pressed to release the set number of copies. It is also pressed when releasing the asterisk (*) key mode. The clear stop key 604 is also pressed when interrupting continuous copying. When the clear stop key 604 is pressed, the copying operation is stopped after the copying is completed.

A numeric keypad 603 is used when setting the number of copies, setting the * (asterisk) mode, or inputting an ID code. A job mode memory key (registration key) 619 is pressed when registering and calling a job mode that a user frequently uses. For example, four types of M1 to M4 can be registered.

Reference numerals 611 and 612 denote copy density keys, which are pressed when manually adjusting the copy density. An AE key 613 is pressed when the copy density is automatically adjusted according to the density of the original, or when the AE (automatic density adjustment) is canceled and the density adjustment is switched to manual.

A cassette selection key 607 is depressed when selecting the upper cassette 151, the lower cassette 153, and the deck 201. Further, when the original is placed on the RDF 300, the APS is selected by the cassette selection key 607.
(Automatic paper selection) can be selected. When APS is selected, a cassette of sheets having the same size as the original is automatically selected. Reference numeral 610 denotes a unity size key, which is pressed when copying a unity size (original size).

An automatic scaling key 616 is pressed to automatically reduce or enlarge the image of the original according to the designated transfer paper size. Zoom keys 617 and 618 are used to specify an arbitrary magnification between 64% and 142%.

Reference numerals 608 and 609 denote fixed-size variable magnification keys, which are pressed to specify reduction / enlargement of the fixed-size. A double-sided key 626 is pressed when performing double-sided copying from a single-sided original, double-sided copying from a double-sided original, or single-sided copying from a double-sided original. 6
A binding margin key 25 can create a binding margin of a designated length on the left side of the transfer paper. A photo key 624 is pressed when copying a photo original.

Reference numeral 623 denotes a multiple key, which is depressed when an image is created (combined) from two originals on the same surface of a sheet (transfer paper). Reference numeral 620 denotes an original frame erasing key, which is pressed when the user erases the frame of a fixed-size original, and the size of the original at that time is set by the asterisk key 601.

A sheet frame erasing key 621 is pressed to erase the frame of the original according to the size of the cassette. A page continuous shooting key 622 is pressed to copy the left and right pages of the original on different sheets.

Reference numeral 614 denotes a paper discharge method (staple, sort,
If a stapler that can staple sheets after recording is connected with the (Group) selection key, staple mode or sort mode can be selected or released, and if a sorting tray (sorter) is connected You can select or cancel the sort mode and group mode. A paper folding selection key 615 allows selection and cancellation of Z folding in which a section of a recorded sheet of A3 or B4 size is folded into a Z shape and half folding in which the sheet is folded in half.

Reference numeral 627 denotes an interrupt key, and when pressed during copying, the copying is interrupted and a new copying (hereinafter referred to as interrupt copying) becomes possible. If the button is pressed while the interrupt copy mode is set, the interrupt enable state is canceled. A reservation key 628 allows registration / cancellation of reservation copying. When the reservation key 628 is pressed, a copy mode different from the copy mode already set can be set.

Here, the copy mode to be registered is set,
When the setting is completed, the reservation setting key 629 is pressed. As a result, the set copy mode will be described later in RAM.
Remembered above. An ID key 630 is a key that is pressed when registering or collating an ID. For example, even if the department card is not inserted, if the personal identification number is input and the collation is performed, the copying operation can be performed.

In the display group 700 shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 701 denotes an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display (display) for displaying information relating to copy processing. For example, one character of 5 × 7 dots is formed.
40-character message and standard scaling keys 608, 60
9. The copy magnification set with the same size key 610 and the zoom keys 617 and 618 can be displayed. The display 701 is a semi-transmissive liquid crystal and uses two colors for the backlight. Normally, the green backlight is lit, and the orange backlight is lit when there is an abnormality or the copying is impossible.

Reference numeral 706 denotes a unity-magnification display, which lights up when the unity-magnification is selected. Reference numeral 703 denotes a color developing device display, which lights up when a sepia developing device is set, for example. A copy number display 702 displays the number of copies or a self-diagnosis code.
705 is a cassette display used, and the upper cassette 151,
It is displayed whether any of the lower cassette 153 and the deck 201 is selected.

Reference numeral 704 denotes an AE display, which lights up when AE (automatic density adjustment) is selected by the AE key 613. 7
09 is a preheat indicator, a two-color LED of green and orange
Then, when ready (when copying is possible), the green lights up,
Orange lights when waiting (when copying is not possible).
Reference numeral 708 denotes a double-sided copy display, which is turned on when either double-sided copy from double-sided original or double-sided copy from single-sided original is selected.

In the standard mode, the automatic document feeder (R
When using DF), copy 1 sheet, density AE
Mode, auto paper selection, normal size, single-sided original to single-sided copying. In the standard mode when the automatic document feeder (RDF) is not used, the number of copies is 1 sheet, the density AE mode is set, and the automatic document feeder (RDF) is set to single-sided copy from single-sided original. The difference between the original and the unused state is determined by whether or not a document is set in the automatic document feeder (RDF).

Reference numeral 710 is a power lamp, which lights up when the power switch is turned on. Reference numeral 711 denotes an interrupt indicator, which lights up when the interrupt copy mode is set and during interrupt copy. Reference numeral 712 denotes a reservation registration display, which lights up when reservation copying is registered.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the outer appearance of a copy management apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 500 denotes a copy management apparatus main body, which is an option to be mounted on the main body of the copying apparatus and can be freely removed. This apparatus is always placed on the flat surface on the right side of the platen glass of the copying apparatus.

This apparatus is used when counting the number of copies used for each department or individual for each paper size. The copying apparatus main body synchronizes with the paper size information and the timing when the paper is discharged. The count pulse to be transmitted is received via the communication bundle line 505, and the signals and the department code of the department card read from the card reader described later are arranged in the SRAM described later in the copy management apparatus for each department and paper size. Count up the counter.

Further, for example, the upper limit number of sheets is set for each department or individual, and the copying operation is disabled for the department whose total number of copies reaches the upper limit number. The setting of the upper limit number of sheets and the like which will be described later is performed using the key group 501 and the display 502, and the reading and writing of the storage area of the upper limit number of sheets in the SRAM of the copy management apparatus described later are performed.

A key group 501 is composed of 16 keys including ten keys and function keys. 502
Is a liquid crystal display, for example, has pixels of 19 × 64 dots, and in the case of alphanumeric characters and katakana, 1 character 8 × 1
Since it is 6 dots, 96 characters, and in the case of Kanji, 1 character 16 x 1
Since it is 6 dots, 48 characters can be displayed.

The liquid crystal display 502 is also used when executing the auxiliary display function processing and the usage display function processing on the copying machine side.
To use.

Reference numeral 503 denotes a card insertion slot, which is a magnetic card 50.
It is an entrance for inserting 4. After inserting the magnetic card 504, the code unique to the individual or department written in the magnetic card 504 is read by the card reader 5 of the copy management apparatus 500.
Reading by 07 identifies the owner of the card. The card reader 507 is built in the copy management device 500.

By connecting a dedicated printer (printer 508, which will be described later) to the printer connector 506, the totaling result, the unit price, the number of copies for each department or individual,
The maximum number of sheets can be printed. Also, the key group 50
The totalized result can be displayed on the display 502 in response to the input of 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the electric circuit configurations of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the copying management apparatus shown in FIG. 3. The same parts as those in FIGS. It is attached.

In the figure, reference numeral 801 is C on the body side of the copying apparatus.
PU, 802 is a ROM storing a program describing the control procedure executed by the CPU 801. Reference numeral 803 denotes a DRAM used as input data relating to the main body of the copying apparatus, for example, temporary storage of a job mode, a work storage area, or the like.
In the present embodiment, when the job mode is simply set, it is temporarily held in the DRAM 803, and when the copy start key 605 is pressed, the copy operation is performed according to the contents of the job mode of the DRAM 803.

An SRAM 804 stores a job mode, jam information and the like. In this embodiment, a battery (not shown) backs up the contents so that the contents will not be erased.

Reference numeral 805 is a line connecting the I / O port of the CPU 801 with the key group 600 and the display group 700.

The reading of the key group 600 or the display on the display group 700 is performed by the CPU 801 controlling the I / O port. 806 is the CPU 80
1 bus line, CPU 801 and ROM 802, DR
The AM 803 and SRAM 804 are connected.

In the copy management apparatus 500, 901 is a CPU for controlling the copy management apparatus 500. In this embodiment, serial communication is performed with the CPU 801 of the copying apparatus main body 100 via the serial communication line 909. For example, the CPU 801 communicates with the CPU 901 a command such as displaying a message of the copying apparatus on the display 502 shown in FIG. 3 (details will be described later).

Reference numeral 911 is a count pulse line, which is a CPU
801 and CPU 901 are connected to respective I / O ports. This is because when the main body 100 is performing a copying operation,
This is for sending a pulse to the copy management apparatus 500 at the timing of ejecting the paper after copying. Thereby, the copy management apparatus 500 can count the number of discharged sheets. Further, information such as the size of the discharged paper is communicated in a command format through the serial line 909.

After correctly reading the magnetic card 504 for each department from the card reader 507, a command for making it operable is sent to the copying machine. From the copying machine, during the copying operation, as described above, the count pulse and the discharge are released. Paper Returns paper size information. As a result, the copy management device counts up the contents of the discharge counter for each department and each paper size.

The count pulse line 911 and the serial line 909 are put together in the communication bundle line 505 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 902 is a ROM which stores a program describing a control procedure for controlling the copy management apparatus. In addition,
The ROM 902 and the ROM 802 have CPUs 801 and 90, respectively.
Communication programs (communication protocols) for communicating with each other are also stored.

Reference numeral 903 denotes a DRAM used as a work storage area of a program, and 904 a copy number used by a department or an individual, a unit price per sheet, a maximum number of papers by a department, and permission / prohibition of a copy operation for each department. This is an SRAM that stores the information of, the ID of each department, and the like. The SRAM 90
3 is also backed up by a battery (not shown) so that its contents are not lost.

Reference numeral 908 denotes a bus line of the CPU 901, which includes the CPU 901, ROM 902, DRAM 903.
It is connected to the SRAM 904. 910 is the CPU
901 I / O port and key group 501, display 5
02, a card reader 507, and a printer 508.

Correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the first to fourth inventions and their functions will be described below with reference to FIG.

In the first aspect of the present invention, a copying apparatus having an operation panel having a display unit (display 701) capable of displaying a predetermined number of characters and a management apparatus having a display display (display 502) are communicably connected. In the copy management system described above, a storage unit (SRAM 904) for storing detailed information or supplementary information for the information displayed within the predetermined number of characters by code and an auxiliary display request command transferred from the copying apparatus 100 are analyzed. Auxiliary display control means (CPUs 801 and 901) for controlling the detailed display information or the supplementary information corresponding to the storage means to be displayed on the display display by executing the control procedure shown in FIGS. ) Is provided, the auxiliary display request command transferred from the copying apparatus 100 is analyzed and the CPU 01 and 901 read corresponding detailed information or supplementary information from the SRAM 904 and display it on the display 913, and display information on the display unit (display 701) on the copying apparatus 100 side is displayed on the management apparatus 500 side (display resource 502). ) Is used to display it in a supplementary manner to clearly indicate to the user.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary display control means (the CPUs 801 and 901 control by executing the control procedures shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 described later) is information unique to the management apparatus. Is displayed and the second display mode for displaying detailed information or supplementary information on the basis of the auxiliary display request command transferred from the copying apparatus, the display state of the display display is switched, When the information to be displayed on the display unit (display 701) is supplementarily displayed using the display resource (display 502) on the management device 500 side, it is clearly identified to the user.

The third invention according to the present invention is the auxiliary display control means (the CPUs 801 and 901 execute the control procedure shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 which will be described later) to control the first display mode. The display color of the backlight of the display is switched between the time and the second display mode, and the information to be displayed on the display unit on the copying apparatus 100 side is assisted by using the display resource (display 502) on the copying management apparatus 500 side. In the fourth invention according to the present invention, which is clearly displayed to the user in a color-coded manner when the display is made, the auxiliary display control means (CPU 8)
01 and 901 execute and control the control procedures shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 which will be described later) in the first display mode and in the second display mode.
The display of the display is switched between non-inverted display and inverted display depending on the display mode and the information to be displayed on the display unit (display 701) of the copying apparatus 100 side is used by the display resource (display 502) of the management apparatus 500 side. Then, when the supplementary display is performed, the display form is changed and clearly displayed to the user with good identification.

The auxiliary display processing operation of the copying apparatus side information in the copying management apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the auxiliary display processing procedure of the first copying apparatus side information in the copying management apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), it is determined whether the administrator is totaling the number of copies for each department (totaling mode). This is, for example, in the menu of the copy management device, if "total" is selected, the total mode is selected, and if "end" is selected, the total code is exited.

On the other hand, if it is judged in the totalizing mode in the judgment of step (1), the auxiliary display function of the copying machine is not executed. In the case of the tabulation mode, predetermined tabulation processing is performed (2), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, when it is determined in the determination in step (1) that the mode is not the aggregation mode, the administrator sets the unit price and the maximum number of sheets for each department in step (3) (setting mode). Determine whether or not. For example, it is determined whether or not a “setting card” owned by the administrator is inserted into the card reader 507, and when it is determined that the card is inserted, the setting mode is set and the magnetic card 504 is removed. When it is determined, the "setting mode" is exited.

When it is determined in step (3) that the mode is the "setting mode", the unit price, the upper limit number of sheets and the like are set (4) and the process returns to step (3).

If it is determined that the copy management apparatus 500 is not being used by the administrator, it is determined that the copy management apparatus 500 does not display the copy management apparatus 500. 502 can be used as an auxiliary display unit on the copying apparatus main body side.

At this time, it is judged whether or not a request command for displaying the auxiliary information of the copying apparatus on the display 502 of the copying management apparatus 500 is received from the copying apparatus main body 100 through the communication means (5), and the request is issued. When there is not, the display 502 of the copy management apparatus 500 displays, for example, “-
"---" is displayed (6) and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that there is a request, the received command is expanded and interpreted (7) and stored in advance in the ROM 902 of the copy management apparatus 500 from the message code in the command. Message data in a table in which a character string of a message is displayed according to a code is read (8), the character string is auxiliary displayed on the display 502 of the copy management device 500 (9), and the process returns to step (1). . Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the auxiliary display processing state for the copying machine in the copying management apparatus according to the present invention.

Display 502 of copy management apparatus 500
The command data DATA for auxiliary display of information of the copying apparatus main body is received from the copying apparatus main body 100 byte by byte in the order of "command" and "message code".
At this time, the copying machine main body 100 has a paper jam in the feeder, for example, and the message display 701 of the copying machine main body 100 displays "FEEDANO KASUMI MARIO TRINOZOI TEDAKU".

The command data DATA to be received is a code "A0H" having a meaning of auxiliary display for copying apparatus and a message code, for example, "02H".
After the command expansion of “0H”, the message code, for example, “02H” is referred to, and the ROM 90 of the copy management apparatus 500 is referred to.
2 message table (table 902-MT
The corresponding message data is displayed from B), and the character string, for example, in this case, "clear the original to the first page after clearing the paper jam, and close the front door," says the copy management device 500. Display on the display 502.

In other words, in this case, as a supplement or a detailed display of the message indicating the paper jam of the feeder displayed on the display unit of the copying machine, the coping method after clearing the paper jam on the display 502 of the copying management apparatus 500. Is displayed. After all, information that cannot be displayed sufficiently on the message display 701 on the copying apparatus main body 100 side is
It can be displayed on the display 502 of the copy management apparatus 500 as auxiliary information of the copy apparatus. [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the copying apparatus main body 100 is used.
When the status information of the copying apparatus main body is displayed on the message display 701 of the copying management apparatus 500 and the status information of the copying apparatus main body 100 is displayed on the display 502 of the copying management apparatus 500 in the same manner as the normal display mode of the copying management apparatus 500. As described above, as the display 502, for example, a backlight type display capable of switching between two colors of green and orange is adopted, and the display color at the time of executing the auxiliary display function and the original function execution of the copy management apparatus 500 are executed. The display color is controlled so as to be displayed in a color different from the display color at the time, and the administrator displays the display 502 of the copy management apparatus 500.
May be configured so that it can be easily identified which of the function display states.

The embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the auxiliary display processing procedure of the second copying apparatus side information in the copying management apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (13) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), it is determined whether the administrator is totaling the number of copies for each department (totaling mode). For example, in the menu of the copy management device, if "total" is selected, the total mode is selected, and if "end" is selected, the total code is exited.

On the other hand, when it is judged in the totalizing mode in the judgment of step (1), the auxiliary display function of the copying machine is not executed. In the tabulation mode, the backlight of the display 502 of the copy management device 500 is made green (2). When the backlight is green, the copy management device 50
This means that information about 0 is being displayed. In other words, it is displaying the information that the administrator should see.

Then, a predetermined counting process is performed (2), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the mode is not the aggregation mode, the administrator sets the unit price and the maximum number of sheets for each department in step (4) (setting mode). Determine whether or not. For example, it is determined whether or not a “setting card” owned by the administrator is inserted into the card reader 507, and when it is determined that the card is inserted, the setting mode is set and the magnetic card 504 is removed. When it is determined, the "setting mode" is exited.

[0104] In step (4), "setting mode"
If it is determined that the information regarding the copy management apparatus 500 is displayed, the backlight of the display 502 of the management apparatus 500 is set to green (5), and the unit price, the upper limit number of sheets, etc. are set. Perform (6) and return to step (4).

If it is determined that the copy management apparatus 500 is not being used even if it is determined that the copy management apparatus 500 is not in the process of counting, it means that the copy apparatus main body 100 displays the display of the copy management apparatus 500. 502 can be used as an auxiliary display unit on the copying apparatus main body side.

At this time, it is judged whether or not the request command for displaying the auxiliary information of the copying apparatus is received from the copying apparatus main body 100 via the communication means on the display 502 of the copying management apparatus 500 (7), and the request is issued. When there is not, the backlight of the display 502 of the management apparatus 500 is made green (8), a default display such as "---" is displayed (9), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (7) that there is a request, the received command is expanded and interpreted (1
0), the message data stored in the ROM 902 of the copy management apparatus 500 in advance is read from the message code in the command according to the code, and the message data in the table is read (11).
The backlight of the display 502 of 00 is made orange (12), the character string is auxiliary displayed on the display 502 of the copy management device 500 (13), and the process returns to step (1).

As a result, when the auxiliary information of the copying apparatus main body 100 is displayed on the display 502 of the copying management apparatus 500, the backlight is orange and the information that the general user should see is displayed. Evoke something.

Since the flow of commands from the copying apparatus main body 100 to the copying management apparatus 500 and the message pulling process are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

After all, information that cannot be displayed sufficiently on the display 701 of the copying apparatus main body 100 can be displayed on the display 502 of the copying management apparatus 500 as auxiliary information of the copying apparatus, and is managed by the color of the backlight. Information that a person should see, that is, the copy management device 500
It is possible to easily distinguish with high visibility whether information is displayed or information that should be viewed by a general user, that is, auxiliary information of the copying apparatus main body 100 is displayed. [Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the display 502 is used.
, A backlight type display capable of switching between two colors of green and orange is adopted, and the display color when the auxiliary display function is executed and the display color when the original function of the copy management apparatus 500 is executed are The case where the display colors are controlled so as to display different colors has been described.
For example, by adopting a display capable of switching the display form between non-inverted display and inverted display, a display form at the time of executing the auxiliary display function (inverted display form (for example, the background color is white, characters are When the color is blue, the background color is blue and the characters are displayed in white, which is the opposite of the color), and the display mode when the original function of the copy management apparatus 500 is executed is different. An administrator controls the display color so that the copy management apparatus 500 displays
The display 502 may be configured so that it can be easily identified in which function display state it is.

The embodiment will be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the third auxiliary display processing procedure of the copying apparatus side information in the copying management apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (13) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), it is determined whether the administrator is totaling the number of copies for each department (totaling mode). This is, for example, in the menu of the copy management device, if "total" is selected, the total mode is selected, and if "end" is selected, the total code is exited.

On the other hand, when it is judged in the totalizing mode in the judgment of step (1), the auxiliary display function of the copying machine is not executed. In the tabulation mode, the characters on the display 502 of the copy management device 500 are displayed in a non-reversed display (2). When the characters are in the non-reverse display state, the copy management device 5
This means that information about 00 is being displayed. In other words, it is displaying the information that the administrator should see.

Then, a predetermined totaling process is performed (2), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the mode is not the aggregation mode, the administrator sets the unit price and the maximum number of sheets for each department in step (4) (setting mode). Determine whether or not. For example, it is determined whether or not a “setting card” owned by the administrator is inserted into the card reader 507, and when it is determined that the card is inserted, the setting mode is set and the magnetic card 504 is removed. When it is determined, the "setting mode" is exited.

[0117] In step (4), "setting mode"
If it is determined that the information regarding the copy management apparatus 500 is displayed, the copy management apparatus 50 is displayed.
The character on the display 502 of 0 is set to the non-reverse display state (5), the unit price, the upper limit number of sheets and the like are set (6), and the process returns to step (4).

If it is determined that the copy management apparatus 500 is not being used by the administrator if it is determined that the copy management apparatus 500 is not in the process of counting or setting, the copy apparatus main body 100 displays the copy management apparatus 500 on the display. 502 can be used as an auxiliary display unit on the copying apparatus main body side.

At this time, it is judged whether or not the request command for displaying the auxiliary information of the copying apparatus is received from the copying apparatus main body 100 via the communication means to the display 502 of the copying management apparatus 500 (7), and the request is sent. If not, the characters on the display 502 of the management apparatus 500 are set in a non-inverted display state (8), and a default display such as "-----" is displayed (9), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (7) that there is a request, the received command is expanded and interpreted (1
0), the message data stored in the ROM 902 of the copy management apparatus 500 in advance is read from the message code in the command according to the code, and the message data in the table is read (11).
The character of the display 502 of 00 is switched to the inverted state (12), the character string is auxiliary displayed on the display 502 of the copy management device 500 (13), and the process returns to step (1).

As a result, when the auxiliary information of the copying apparatus main body 100 is displayed on the display 502 of the copying management apparatus 500, the character is highlighted and the information that the general user should see is displayed. Evoke things.

Since the flow of commands from the copying apparatus main body 100 to the copying management apparatus 500 and the message look-up processing are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

After all, the information which cannot be displayed sufficiently on the message display 701 of the copying apparatus main body 100 can be displayed on the display 502 of the copying management apparatus 500 as auxiliary information of the copying apparatus, and the characters are not reversed. Whether the administrator displays the information that the administrator should see by reversing, that is, the information regarding the copying management apparatus 500, or the information that the general user should see, that is, the copying apparatus main body 10
It is possible to easily identify with good visibility whether the auxiliary information of 0 is displayed. [Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of an operation panel and a copy management apparatus of a copying machine showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. For example, the operation panel of the copying machine main body 100 is provided in parallel. Corresponding to the case, the copy management device 5000 is configured to be detachable from the main body 100.
When 000 is not attached, it is hidden by a dedicated cover (not shown).

In the figure, reference numeral 631 denotes an administrator key that the administrator presses when counting the counter information for each department and each discharged paper size.

In this apparatus, the number of copies used by each department or individual is counted for each paper size.
Also, the upper limit number of sheets is set for each department or individual, and the copying operation is disabled for the departments whose total number of copies reaches the upper limit number. The upper limit number of sheets is set by using the key group 600 of the copying apparatus, and the copying apparatus main body 100 and the copying management apparatus 5000 are connected to the SRAM 904 of the copying management apparatus via a communication means described later to store a certain upper limit number of storage areas. Read and write.

Reference numeral 5001 denotes a card insertion slot for the magnetic card 5
This is the entrance for inserting 002. After inserting the magnetic card 5002, the card reader unit 5007 of the copy management apparatus 5000 reads the code specific to the individual or department written in the magnetic card 5002, thereby identifying the owner of the card.

Further, the card reader unit 5007 can be optional for the copy management apparatus 5000,
In this case, a dedicated cover (not shown) is attached.
For example, when the card is not used and only ID information is used for management, the card reader unit 5007 is not attached.

Regarding the tabulation result and the like, by connecting the dedicated printer 5008 to the printer connector 5003, the number of copies for each department or individual can be printed. Further, the totalized result can be displayed on the display 701 via the communication means between the copying apparatus main body 100 and the copying management apparatus 5000.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the electric circuit configuration of the copying apparatus main body shown in FIG. 1 and the copying management apparatus shown in FIG. 9, and the same symbols as those in FIGS. 4 and 9. Is attached.

In the figure, reference numeral 1003 denotes a personal computer interface, such as RS232C and RS232.
Personal computer 10 via C line 1002
By connecting to 00, the personal computer 1000 can set the upper limit number of sheets, count the number of copied sheets, and the like.

At this time, the RS232C connector 1001
Is a copy management apparatus 5 inside a copying apparatus not shown in FIG.
It is wired with 000.

The card reader unit 5007 is composed of a magnetic card reader and is used to read the department number of a card distributed for each department, for example. This is embedded together with the copy management apparatus 5000 on the front side of the operation unit of the copy apparatus 100, and is detachable from the copy management apparatus 5000 with the connector 5009 as a boundary.

After correctly reading the magnetic card 5002 set in the card reader unit 5007, a command for making it operable is sent to the copying apparatus main body 100,
During the copying operation from the copying apparatus main body 100, as described above, the count pulse is sent to the copy management apparatus 5000 via the count pulse line 911, and the discharged paper size information is sent to the copy management apparatus 5000 via the serial line 909. Send it back to.

Thus, the copy management apparatus 5000
Count up the contents of counters by department and paper size.

The printer 5008 is a printer for tabulation and is used by the administrator when tabulating the number of copies of each department at the end of the month or the like. At the time of tabulation, connect the cable of the printer 5008 to the connector 5003 on the operation panel of the main body 100.
Connect to.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the fifth to ninth inventions and their functions will be described below with reference to FIG.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is a display section (display 70).
1), a copying apparatus 100 having an operation panel provided with a key input unit (key group 600) and management information for managing the usage status of the copying apparatus or user information for managing the user of the copying apparatus. Storage means for storing (SRAM
In a copy management system communicatively connected to a management device having 904), data writing to the storage means of the copy management device 5000 or data reading from the RAM 904 is controlled based on input data from the key input unit. First control means (CPU 801, 901
Control by executing the control procedure shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 which will be described later), and displays the management information or user information read from the storage means of the management device by the first control means on the display 701. Second control means (CPU
801 and 901 execute the control procedure shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 described later) to control the CPU 801 based on the input data from the key input unit of the copying apparatus 100.
901 controls data writing to or reading from the SRAM 904 of the copy management apparatus 5000, and CPUs 801 and 901 display management information or user information read from the SRAM 904 of the copy management apparatus 5000 on the display unit. Then, the key input unit or the display unit on the copying machine side is replaced by the key input unit of the management device,
It can also be used as a display unit.

The sixth aspect of the present invention is a copy management apparatus 5000 which has a collating means (the CPU 901 collates in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG. 12) for comparing and collating the ID data input from the key group 600 with the ID data stored in the SRAM 904. The third control means (the CPU 801 collates according to the procedure shown in FIG. 12) which is provided on the side and analyzes the collation result data transmitted from the copy management apparatus 5000 side to control whether or not the operation of the copier is started. Provided on the apparatus 100 side, input from the key group 600, received from the CPU 801 through the serial line 909, the ID data written in the DRAM 903 and the ID data stored in the SRAM 904 are compared and collated, and the CPU 801 receives from the copy management apparatus 5000 side. The collation result data transmitted to the copying apparatus 100 is analyzed to copy the data. By controlling whether or not the operation of the copying machine 100 can be started, the ID data of the user who uses the copying machine is collated by data input from the key input unit on the copying machine 100 side, and the unauthorized operation request of the copying machine is surely prohibited. It is possible. The ID stored in the SRAM 904 in advance
Is input by the keys 600 to the CPUs 801, 90
It is possible to write via 1.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the number of sheets of recording material used in the copying apparatus stored in the management apparatus while using the key input section or display section of the copying apparatus as the key input section or display section of the management apparatus is used in the copying apparatus. It is possible to read or display according to the data input from the side key input unit.

An eighth aspect of the invention is to use the key input section or the display section of the copying apparatus as the key input section and the display section of the management apparatus while using the ID data of the copying apparatus stored in the management apparatus as the key of the copying apparatus. It is possible to read or display according to data input from the input unit.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, while using the key input section or display section of the copying apparatus as the key input section and display section of the management apparatus, the limit data for limiting the maximum number of sheets in the copying apparatus stored in the management apparatus is provided. It is possible to read or display the added number-of-use-of-recording-materials data according to the data input from the key input unit on the copying machine side.

The totaling processing operation in the copy management apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the totalization processing procedure in the copy management apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (12) indicate each step. The card reader unit 5007 is not attached.

First, the SRAM 9 of the copy management apparatus 5000
It is determined whether or not the administrator has pressed the administrator key 631 when counting the counter information for each department and discharged paper size stored in 04 (1), and if NO, returns and YES If so, in order to identify whether the administrator is a legitimate administrator, the password for the administrator is used as the key group 60.
Operate 0 to input (2).

In this embodiment, the password is stored in the SRAM 904 of the copy management apparatus, so C
The password verification request is communicated to the PU 901, and the CPU 90
1 communicates the result of password verification to the CPU 801.

Then, it is judged whether or not the input password matches the registered password (3), and it is judged whether or not the password does not match the third time (11), and if it is not the third time, the step ( In 12), the password does not match,
It is displayed on the display 701 of the copying apparatus main body 100 so as to request re-input, and the process returns to step (2).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (11) that it is the third time, that is, if the passwords do not match three times, the totalization process is skipped and the process returns.

On the other hand, if they match in the determination in step (3), the administrator mode is entered, and it is determined whether or not "total" is selected in the menu, for example (4). If NO, the total processing is exited. So, that is, if you select another menu, return to enter another mode,
If YES (when the total mode is entered), a request command of size-specific counter information is transmitted from the department number 1 to the copy management apparatus 5000 (5).

Next, the copying apparatus main body 100 waits until it receives counter information from the copying management apparatus 5000 (6), and when receiving the counter information, the copying apparatus main body 1
Information of the number of received sheets is stored in the receiving buffer in the DRAM 803 of 00 (7). In this example,
Reception buffers for 20 departments are secured.

Next, the number information is displayed on the display 701 from the department number 1 (8), and switching of the display is performed by operating the key group 600, which will not be described in detail. Next, it is determined whether or not a display outside the reception buffer is requested (for example, when the reception buffer contains information on department numbers 1 to 20 and information about department number 21 is to be displayed) (9). If YES, the process returns to step (5), the counter information is similarly requested, and the department number 21 to
Receive 40 counter information.

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (9) is NO, it is judged whether or not the key group 600 is operated by operating the key group 600 (1), and if NO, the step (8) Then, the same processing is continued, and if YES, the totaling processing is ended.

In the above totalization processing, the control for displaying the number of copies by department and size has been described. For example, other IDs by department, upper limit number of copies, unit price per copy paper, upper limit frequency (for example, When the unit price per copy sheet is determined and "unit price x number of sheets" exceeds this value, copying is prohibited) and the like information may be similarly displayed. [Fifth Embodiment] The ID collation processing operation in the copy management apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of the ID information collation processing procedure in the copy management apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (8) indicate each step. Further, in this embodiment, the ID information is stored in the SRAM 904 of the copy management apparatus 5000 shown in FIG. 10, and when the key group 600 and the display group 700 of the copying apparatus main body 100 are operated to perform the ID information collation processing. Take as an example.

First, when the user inputs the ID information and uses the copying apparatus, the ID key 630 is pressed. C
The PU 801 determines whether or not the ID key 630 has been pressed (1), returns NO if NO, and uses the numeric keypad 603 if YES to read the ID information input by the user, for example, a 6-digit number. (2). Then, the CPU 801 of the copying apparatus main body 100 controls the copying management apparatus 500.
For the CPU 901 of 0, along with the input ID information,
A collation request for ID information is transmitted (3).

Next, the copy management apparatus 5000 collates the received ID information with the ID information registered in the SRAM 904 in advance, and sends the collation result to the copying apparatus main body 100.

Next, the copying apparatus main body 100 waits until the collation result is received from the copy management apparatus 5000 (4), and when the collation result is received, it is determined whether the collation result is ID match (5). ), If they match, the copying operation of the copying apparatus main body 100 is set to the enabled state (8), and for example, the display of the display 701 is switched from "Please input ID" to "Ready to copy", and the processing is ended.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that the collation result is the ID mismatch, it is determined whether or not the third match is not made (6). If YES, the process returns. , NO, a warning prompting re-input of ID information is displayed on the display 701 of the copying apparatus main body 100 (7), and the process returns to step (2). [Sixth Embodiment] The upper limit setting operation in the copy management apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of an upper limit setting processing procedure in the copy management apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (15) indicate each step. Further, in the present embodiment, the copy management apparatus 500 shown in FIG.
As an example, a case where the upper limit number of sheets for each department is set in the SRAM 904 of 0 will be described as an example where the copying operation is limited when the number of copies exceeds the set upper limit value.

First, the SRAM 9 of the copy management apparatus 5000
When the administrator sets management information such as unit price, prohibited department, and upper limit value stored in 04, since the administrator key 631 is pressed, the CPU 801 determines whether or not the administrator key 631 is pressed. (1) If NO, the process returns, and if YES, a password for the administrator is read from the operation unit in order to identify whether or not the administrator is valid (2). In this embodiment, since the administrator password is stored in the SRAM 904 of the copy management apparatus 5000, the password verification request is communicated to the CPU 901, and the CPU 901 outputs the password verification result to the CPU 8
01.

Here, the CPU 801 determines whether or not the collation result is the password match (3). If NO, it is determined whether or not the password does not match the third time (5), and if it is not the third time, If the passwords do not match, a warning is displayed on the display 701 of the copying apparatus main body 100 so as to request re-entry (6), the process returns to step (2), and if it is the third time, that is, if the passwords do not match three times, The process returns from this setting process.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (3) that the password matching result is obtained, whether or not “upper limit setting” is selected in the menu, that is,
It is judged whether or not a key row for setting the upper limit is instructed (4), and when another menu is selected, the process returns to another mode corresponding thereto.

On the other hand, when the upper limit setting is selected in the determination in step (4), it is determined whether or not a key string for instructing to cancel or end the upper limit setting is input (7), and if YES. If the answer is NO, the administrator inputs the department number for which the upper limit is to be set by using the key group 600 (8), and when it is input, the upper limit transmission request is communicated to the copy management apparatus 5000 together with the department number. Yes (9). Then wait until the upper limit is received (1
0) When receiving the upper limit value, first, if there is a department number for which the upper limit value is to be set and the already set upper limit value, that value is displayed on the display 701 of the copying apparatus main body 100 (11). Then, it is judged whether or not the administrator has requested the change of the displayed upper limit value (12), and if NO, the process returns to step (7) to input the department number to be set again.

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (12) is YES, the administrator is made to input the upper limit value from the ten keys of the operation unit (13), and the inputted upper limit value is set to the copy management apparatus 50.
00 (14). Next, the copy management device 500
At 0, when the transmitted upper limit value is received from the copying apparatus main body 100 side, the upper limit value of the SRAM 904 is set as a variable to be stored (15), and the process returns to step (7).

In the above embodiment, the case where the upper limit value is set has been taken as an example, but other processing, for example, setting processing of ID information, unit price, and prohibited department, can be executed in the same manner.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device.

[0166]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, the auxiliary display request command transmitted from the copying apparatus is analyzed, and the auxiliary display control means reads the corresponding detailed information or supplementary information from the storage means and displays it on the display display. The information to be displayed in the department can be displayed auxiliary to the user by using the display resources on the management device side to clearly indicate to the user.

According to the second invention, the auxiliary display control means displays the detailed information or the supplementary information based on the first display mode for displaying the information peculiar to the management apparatus and the auxiliary display request command transferred from the copying apparatus. Since the display state of the display display is switched between the second display mode to be displayed, the user is required to supplementally display the information to be displayed on the display unit of the copying apparatus by using the display resources of the management apparatus. It can be clearly identified.

According to the third invention, since the auxiliary display control means switches the backlight display color of the display display between the first display mode and the second display mode,
When the information to be displayed on the display unit on the copying apparatus side is supplementarily displayed by using the display resources on the management apparatus side, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user by color display with high distinguishability.

According to the fourth invention, the auxiliary display control means switches the display of the display display to the non-inverted display or the inverted display in the first display mode and the second display mode. When the information to be displayed on the display unit is supplementarily displayed by using the display resource on the management device side, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user by changing the display form.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the first control means controls the data writing to the storage means of the management apparatus or the data reading from the storage means based on the input data from the key input section of the copying apparatus. However, the second control means displays the management information or the user information read from the storage means of the management device by the first control means on the display unit, so that the key input unit or the display unit on the copying apparatus side is displayed. You can use the keypad and display of the management device on the operation panel of the copier in the same operating environment.

According to the sixth invention, the collating means on the management device side compares and collates the ID data input from the key input section on the copying device side with the ID data stored on the storage means on the management device side, Since the third control means controls whether or not to start the operation of the copying apparatus by analyzing the collation result data transmitted from the management apparatus side to the copying apparatus side, the key input section or the display section of the copying apparatus side is used. In the same operating environment, the ID data stored in the storage unit of the management apparatus can be compared, and an unauthorized operation request of the copying apparatus can be surely prohibited.

According to the seventh invention, while using the key input section or the display section of the copying apparatus as the key input section and the display section of the management apparatus, the recording material usage number data stored in the management apparatus is stored in the management apparatus. Since data is read out or displayed in response to data input from the key input unit on the copying machine side, it is possible to use the key input unit or display unit on the copying machine side to record in the copying machine stored in the management apparatus in the same operating environment. It is possible to easily read and display the data of the number of used materials.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the ID data in the copying apparatus stored in the management apparatus is stored in the management apparatus while using the key input section or the display section of the copying apparatus as the key input section and the display section of the management apparatus. Since the reading or display is performed according to the data input from the key input unit, the ID data in the copying apparatus stored in the management apparatus in the same operating environment can be read by using the key input section or the display section of the copying apparatus. It is possible to easily give a display instruction.

In the ninth invention, the limit data for limiting the upper limit number of sheets in the copying apparatus stored in the management apparatus while using the key input section or the display section of the copying apparatus as the key input section and the display section of the management apparatus. The number of sheets of recording material used, which has been added, is read or displayed according to the data input from the key input section of the copying machine, so it is possible to use the key input section or display section of the copying machine in the same operating environment. The management process based on the maximum number of sheets can be performed without erroneous operation.

Therefore, the information necessary for the copy operation or the copy management that cannot be displayed at one time on the copying apparatus can be auxiliary displayed on the management apparatus side, and the operation instruction and display of the management apparatus can be efficiently and error-free in the operating environment on the copying apparatus side. There is an effect that can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a copying apparatus that can communicate with a copying management apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a plan view showing an example of an operation panel of the copying apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a copy management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electric circuit configuration of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the copying management apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an auxiliary display processing procedure of the first copying apparatus side information in the copying management apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an auxiliary display processing state for the copying apparatus in the copying management apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an auxiliary display processing procedure of second copying apparatus side information in the copying management apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an auxiliary display processing procedure of third copying apparatus side information in the copying management apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the configurations of an operation panel and a copy management device of the copying apparatus showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a schematic diagram of the copying apparatus main body shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
3 is a block diagram illustrating an electric circuit configuration of the copy management device shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a totalization processing procedure in the copy management apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of an ID information collation processing procedure in the copy management apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an upper limit setting processing procedure in the copy management apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 copy device 500 copy management device 600 key group 700 display group 701 display 801 CPU 802 ROM 901 CPU 904 SRAM 501 key group 502 display

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. In a copy management system in which a copying apparatus having an operation panel having a display unit capable of displaying a predetermined number of characters and a management apparatus having a display display are communicably connected, information displayed within the predetermined number of characters. Storage means for storing detailed information or supplementary information for each code by code and an auxiliary display request command transferred from the copying apparatus to read the corresponding detailed information or supplementary information from the storage means and display it on the display display. A copy management system comprising an auxiliary display control means. 2. The auxiliary display control means displays a first display mode for displaying information specific to the management apparatus and a second display for displaying detailed information or supplementary information based on an auxiliary display request command transferred from the copying apparatus. The copy management system according to claim 1, wherein the display state of the display is switched between the mode and the mode. 3. The copy management system according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary display control means switches the backlight display color of the display display between the first display mode and the second display mode. 4. The copy according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary display control means switches the display of the display display to non-inverted display or inverted display in the first display mode and the second display mode. Management system. 5. A copying machine having an operation panel having a display section and a key input section, and management information for managing the usage of the copying machine or user information for managing the user of the copying machine. In a copy management system communicatively connected to a management device having a storage means,
First control means for controlling data writing to the storage means of the management device or data read from the storage means based on input data from the key input part, and storage of the management device by the first control means. A second control means for displaying the management information or the user information read from the means on the display section. 6. The collating means for comparing and collating the ID data input from the key input unit of the copying apparatus with the ID data stored in the storage means is provided on the management apparatus side, and the collation transmitted from the management apparatus side. 6. The copy management system according to claim 5, further comprising third control means on the copy apparatus side for analyzing the result data and controlling whether or not the operation of the copy apparatus is started. 7. The copy management system according to claim 5, wherein the management information is data on the number of used recording materials in the copying apparatus. 8. The user information is ID data for identifying a user in the copying machine.
The described copy management system. 9. The copy management system according to claim 5, wherein the recording material used number data can be added with limit data for limiting the upper limit number of sheets for each user.