Image forming device management system

a technology of image forming device and management system, which is applied in the direction of digital output to print units, instruments, electrographic processes, etc., can solve the problems of inability of the central service station to automatically transit the error message of the copier, the copier may erroneously transmit an error message to the central service station, and the difficulty of the central service station to speedily provide a maintenance service for the image forming devi

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-11-30
TOMIDOKORO NOBUAKI +3
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system provides swift maintenance messaging, reduces unnecessary message transmissions, ensures accurate maintenance service tracking, and simplifies management by inhibiting automatic transmissions during jams and using common parameter codes for diverse devices, enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.

Problems solved by technology

Hence, as the central service station is unable to detect whether the image forming device is in a disconnected state, it is difficult for the central service station to speedily provide a maintenance service for the image forming device during its disconnected state.
However, it is difficult for the method of the above publication to carry out an automatic message transmission of the image forming device in an appropriate situation during the maintenance operation of the image forming device by the serviceman.
Further, there are further messages which should not be automatically transmitted to the central service station during the maintenance service of the copier.
For example, when a certain error of the copier occurs after the start of the maintenance service of the copier, it is undesirable to automatically transit its error message from the copier to the central service station because the serviceman has already visited the user site.
If it is not reset, the copier may erroneously transmit an error message to the central service station, because of the changed data, after the maintenance service of the copier.
However, it is difficult for the above-described image forming device management to provide an efficient operation of the block billing function or a precise management of the image forming devices.
It is difficult to provide an easy-to-use image forming device management system for the user.
In this case, the management method for such image forming devices will be considerably complicated.
This makes it difficult to take actions to upgrade the image forming device management system.
However, if the serviceman fails to perform the message transmit operation, the central service station does not receive the maintenance service start / end messages.
Hence, it is likely that the above-described system cannot provide a precise management of the image forming devices.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

1. First Embodiment

1.1 Structure of System

[0125]FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the image forming device management system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming device management system of the first embodiment, a plurality of image forming devices 100, such as plain paper copiers PPC (shown in FIG. 1) or printers (not shown in FIG. 1), are provided on each of a user site US1 and a user site US2. It is a matter of course that the image forming device management system of the present invention may include only one image forming device. Hence, the image forming device management system may include one or more image forming devices 100 provided therein. For the sake of convenience, one of the image forming devices 100 in the following description will be called the copier 100, unless otherwise specified.

[0126] In the image forming device management system of FIG. 1, a communication control unit CCU 200 is also provided on each of the user sites US1 and...

second embodiment

2. Second Embodiment

[0262] The present embodiment of the image forming device management system is characterized in that the image forming device 100 of concern effectively inhibits an automatic message transmission through the CCU 200 to the CSS 300 when a jam of the image forming device 100 continuously occurs.

[0263] In the present embodiment, the structure of the image forming device management system, the structure of the image forming device 100, the structure of the CCU 200, the structure of the CSS 300, the communication sequences, the data format of the messages, and the remote message transmission process are essentially the same as corresponding elements of the previous embodiment described in the above sections 1.1 through 1.7.

[0264] A description will now be given of only features of the second embodiment of the image forming device management system which are different from those of the previous embodiment.

2.1 Jam Detection Process

2.1.1 First Jam Detection Process...

third embodiment

3. Third Embodiment

[0283] The present embodiment of the image forming device management system is characterized in that the image forming device of concern starts an automatic message transmission only in an appropriate situation when a maintenance service of the image forming device is performed by a serviceman.

[0284] In the present embodiment, the structure of the image forming device management system, the structure of the image forming device 100, the structure of the CCU 200, the structure of the CSS 300, the communication sequences, the data format of the messages, and the remote message transmission process are essentially the same as corresponding elements of the previous embodiment described in the above sections 1.1 through 1.7.

[0285] A description will now be given of only features of the third embodiment of the image forming device management system which are different from those of the previous embodiment.

3.1 Serviceman Maintenance Service Start / End Message Process ...

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PUM

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Abstract

An image forming device management system includes a plurality of image forming devices, a central service station which provides a maintenance service for the image forming devices, and a communication control unit which is connected to each of the image forming devices by a signal line, the communication control unit connecting one of the image forming devices to the central service station via a communication network. In the system, each of the image forming devices includes a message unit which outputs a signal line separation message when the image forming device has no signal from the central service station or the communication control unit over a predetermined period.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 from U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 195,604, filed Nov. 19, 1998, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from the following Japanese Patent Applications: 9-322840, filed in Japan Nov. 25, 1997, 9-328843, filed in Japan Nov. 28, 1997, 9-328842, filed in Japan Nov. 28, 1997, 9-328837, filed in Japan Nov. 28, 1997, 9-328789, filed in Japan Nov. 28, 1997, 10-065787, filed in Japan Mar. 16, 1998, and 10-251670, filed in Japan Sep. 4, 1998. Each of the above applications is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] (1) Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to an image forming device management system in which a plurality of image forming devices, such as copiers, facsimiles, or printers, are linked through a communication device to a central service station, and each image forming device can automatica...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06F3/12B41J29/38G03G15/00G03G21/00G06F11/00G06F11/273H04M11/00H04N1/00H04N1/32
CPCG03G15/553G03G2215/00109G03G2215/00113G06F11/0733G06F11/0748G06F11/0757G03G15/5079H04N1/00344H04N2201/0074H04N2201/0082H04N2201/0091H04N2201/0093G03G15/55G06F11/2294
InventorTOMIDOKORO, NOBUAKIASAKAWA, TETSUOMIYAWAKI, SHOHZOHNISHIDA, HIROSHI
OwnerTOMIDOKORO NOBUAKI