US 5,184,179 AGranted

Photocopy monitoring system and method for monitoring copiers

AssigneeMonitel Products Corp.

InventorsLeonard Tarr, Gregory King, Brian Johansen

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A system for monitoring a variable output paper processing device is provided. The monitoring system includes a counter which counts the number of papers processed and provides a count signal for each paper counted. A controller receives the count signals and totals the counts. The controller includes an internal clock as well as an interrupt signal generator. Upon receipt of the count signal, the interrupt generator generates an interrupt signal starting the internal clock. The internal clock has a duration of a predetermined value larger than random noise signals. The controller compares the internal clock signal to the count signal and determines whether a valid count has occurred. The controller includes a CPU and RAM which are coupled by a PAL which isolates the RAM from the CPU when a voltage supplied to the CPU and PAL falls below a predetermined level.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A system for monitoring a paper processing device and reporting to a central station, the paper processing device including an internal diagnosing system for diagnosing malfunctions within the system, a display device for displaying the diagnosed malfunction, the diagnosing system providing an internal diagnostic signal specific to the paper processing device for causing the display device to display the malfunction comprising:

counter means for counting the number of papers processed by the paper processing device and producing a count signal corresponding to each paper processed;
first control means for receiving the count signal, totalling the count signal and transmitting the total count at at least one of a predetermined time interval and a predetermined count interval and producing a count trigger signal;
interface means for receiving the diagnostic signal without interfering with the operation of the display device, the first control means also receiving the diagnostic signal from the interface means and in response thereto producing a diagnostic trigger signal;
modem means for transmitting the total count signal to the central station upon receipt of said count trigger signal, the modem means also receiving the diagnostic trigger signal and transmitting the diagnostic signal in response thereto to the central station;
and
voltage regulator means receiving an AC power input, a power input from the paper processing device and a battery power input, said voltage regulator means providing power to said first control means utilizing said battery power when said voltage regulator means detects an absence of an input of AC power and power from said paper processing device.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/739,060Filed 31 Jul 1991 · continuation in part
Priority: 17 May 1988
Granted: 2 Feb 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

G05B 19/0428
Using digital processors: safety, monitoring
G03G 15/5079
Remote control machines, e.g. by a host: for maintenance
G03G 21/02
Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge: counting the number of copies; Billing
G03G 15/55
Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern: self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display