Management system for managing maintenance information of image forming apparatus

In a management system for managing maintenance information of at least two image forming apparatuses, a method for transmitting maintenance information of first and second image forming apparatuses from first and second data control apparatuses respectively connected to said first and second image forming apparatuses to an information management apparatus through a communication line, including the steps of:

• prohibiting said first and second image forming apparatuses from executing an image forming process;
• connecting said first data control apparatus to said information management apparatus through said communication line after completing said prohibiting step;
• executing a communication process between said first data control apparatus and said information management apparatus;
• disconnecting said communication line between said first data control apparatus and said information management apparatus, and connecting a communication line between said second data control apparatus and said information management apparatus;
• executing a communication process between said second data control apparatus and said information management apparatus;
• and
• disconnecting said communication line between said second data control apparatus and said information management apparatus.

A management system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a telephone;
• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said image forming apparatus;
• transmission means, connected to said image forming apparatus, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through a telephone line;
• connection means for selectively connecting said telephone or said transmission means to said telephone line;
• detection means for detecting whether or not said image forming apparatus executes an image forming process;
• and
• prohibition means for prohibiting said transmission means from being connected to said telephone line when it is detected by said detection means that said image forming apparatus executes said image forming process.

A management system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus comprising:

• a telephone;
• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said image forming apparatus;
• transmission means, connected to said image forming apparatus, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through a telephone line;
• connection means for selectively connecting said telephone or said transmission means to said telephone line;
• prohibition means for prohibiting said image forming apparatus from executing an image forming process;
• and
• control means for controlling said prohibition means and said transmission means to transmit said maintenance information after prohibiting said image forming apparatus from executing said image forming during transmission of said maintenance information.

A management system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a telephone;
• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said image forming apparatus;
• transmission means, connected to said image forming apparatus, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through a telephone line;
• connection means for selectively connecting said telephone or said transmission means to said telephone line;
• prohibition means for prohibiting said image forming apparatus from executing an image forming process;
• and
• control means for controlling said prohibition means and said connection means to connect said transmission means to said telephone line after prohibiting said image forming apparatus from executing said image forming process during transmission of said maintenance information.

A management system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a telephone;
• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said image forming apparatus;
• transmission means, connected to said image forming apparatus, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through a telephone line;
• connection means for selectively connecting said telephone or said transmission means to said telephone line;
• prohibition means for prohibiting said image forming apparatus from executing an image forming process;
• detection means for detecting whether or not the execution of said image forming process is prohibited;
• and
• control means for controlling said connection means to connect said transmission means to said telephone line only when it is detected by said detection means that the execution of said image forming process is prohibited.

A management system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a telephone;
• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said image forming apparatus;
• transmission means, connected to said image forming apparatus, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through a telephone line;
• connection means for selectively connecting said telephone or said transmission means to said telephone line;
• detection means for detecting whether or not said telephone is being used;
• and
• first control means for controlling said connection means to connect said transmission means to said telephone line when it is detected by said detection means that said telephone is not used and when a predetermined condition occurs for transmitting said maintenance information;
• wherein said first control means prohibits said transmission means from being connected to said telephone line when it is detected by said detection means that said telephone is being used and when said predetermined condition occurs and subsequently controls said connection means to connect said transmission means to said telephone line when it is detected by said detection means that said telephone is not being used.

In a management system for managing maintenance information of at least two image forming apparatuses, a method for transmitting maintenance information of first and second image forming apparatuses from first and second data control apparatuses respectively connected to said first and second image forming apparatuses to an information management apparatus through an on-line controller and a communication line, including the steps of:

• connecting said on-line controller to said information management apparatus through said communication line;
• prohibiting said first image forming apparatus from executing an image forming process and connecting said first data control apparatus to said on-line controller;
• executing a communication process between said first data control apparatus and said information management apparatus;
• prohibiting said second image forming apparatus from executing an image forming process and connecting said second data control apparatus to said on-line controller;
• and
• executing a communication process between said second data control apparatus and said information management apparatus.

A management system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said image forming apparatus;
• and
• transmission means, connected to said image forming apparatus, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through a telephone line;
• said transmission means comprising:
• first means for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus when a first condition for transmitting said maintenance information occurs;
• and
• second means for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus when a second condition, which is different from said first condition, occurs;
• wherein said first transmitting means transmits said maintenance information after waiting for a predetermined time when said telephone line is being used in the case that said first condition occurs, and
• said second transmitting means supervises usage of said telephone line when said telephone line is being used in the case that said second condition occurs, and transmits said maintenance information as soon as said telephone line is not being used.

A management system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said image forming apparatus;
• transmission means, connected to said image forming apparats, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through a telephone line;
• first transmission request means, connected to said image forming apparatus and said transmission means, for requesting said transmission means to transmit said maintenance information to said information management apparatus at regular intervals;
• and
• second transmission request means, connected t said image forming apparatus and said transmission means, for requesting said transmission means to transmit said maintenance information to said information management apparatus at irregular intervals;
• wherein, in response to said telephone line being busy, said transmission means executes either a first or second operation based on whether transmission was requested by said first or second transmission request means, respectively.

A management system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said image forming apparatus;
• transmission means, connected to said image forming apparatus, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through a communication line;
• and
• means for prohibiting said transmission means from beginning to transmit said maintenance information while said image forming apparatus executes an image forming process.

A management system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said image forming apparatus;
• transmission means, connecting to said image forming apparatus, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through a communication line;
• and
• means for prohibiting said image forming apparatus from executing an image foring process while said transmission means transmits said maintenance information.

A management system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a key member;
• an acceptance member for accepting said key member;
• means for permitting said image forming apparatus to execute an image forming process when said key member is inserted into said acceptance member, and for prohibiting said image forming apparatus from executing said image forming process when said key member is discharged from said acceptance member;
• discharge means or automatically discharging said key member from said acceptance member;
• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said image forming apparatus;
• transmission means, connected to said image forming apparatus, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through a communication line;
• and
• control means for enabling said discharge means and enabling said transmission means to transmit said maintenance information when a predetermined condition for transmitting said maintenance information occurs.

A management system for managing maintenance information of a plurality of image forming apparatuses comprising:

• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said plurality of image forming apparatuses;
• a plurality of transmission means, connected to said plurality of image forming apparatuses, respectively, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through telephone lines, each of said plurality of transmission means being operable in a first processing mode for executing a first process to transmit said maintenance information to said information management apparatus and in a second processing mode for executing a second process different from said first process;
• origination means for executing an origination process so as to connect each of said plurality of transmission means to said information management apparatus;
• and
• control means for controlling each of said plurality of transmission means and said origination means to enable said origination means to execute said origination process after setting in said first processing mode all of said plurality of transmission means from which said maintenance information is to be transmitted.

A management system for managing maintenance information of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, comprising:

• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said plurality of image foring apparatuses;
• a plurality of transmission means, connected to said plurality of image forming means, respectively, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus, each of said plurality of transmission means being operable in a first processing mode for executing a first process to transmit said maintenance information to said information management apparatus and a second processing mode for executing a second process different from said first process;
• communication means for communicating with said information management apparatus through a telephone line;
• origination means for executing an origination process so as to connect said communication means to said information management apparatus through said telephone line;
• connection means for sequentially connecting each of said plurality of transmission mans to said communication means so as to transmit said maintenance information from each of said plurality of transmission means to said information management apparatus when said telephone line is connected between said communication means and said information management apparatus;
• and
• control means for controlling said plurality of transmission means and said origination means to execute said origination process after setting in said first processing mode all of said plurality of transmission means from which said maintenance information is to be transmitted.

A management system for managing maintenance information of a plurality of image foring apparatuses comprising:

• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said plurality of image forming apparatus;
• a plurality of transmission means, connected to said plurality of image forming means, respectively, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus through telephone lines, each of said plurality of transmission means being operable in a first processing mode for executing a first process to transmit said maintenance information to said information management apparatus and a second processing mode for executing a second process different from said first process;
• origination means for executing an origination process so as to connect said information management apparatus to each of said plurality of transmission means through a telephone line;
• and
• control means for controlling each of said plurality of transmission means to set them in said first processing mode after executing said origination process upon transmitting said maintenance information.

A management system for managing maintenance information of a plurality of image forming apparatuses comprising:

• an information management apparatus for managing maintenance information of said plurality of image forming apparatuses;
• a plurality of transmission means, connected to said plurality of image forming means, respectively, for transmitting said maintenance information to said information management apparatus, each of said plurality of transmission means being operable in a first processing mode for executing a first process to transmit said maintenance information to said information management apparatus and in a second processing mode for executing a second process said transmission first process;
• communication means for communicating with said information management apparatus through a telephone line;
• origination means for executing an origination process so as to connect said information management apparatus to said communication means through said telephone line;
• connection means for sequentially connecting each of said plurality of transmission means to said communication means so as to transmit said maintenance information from each of said plurality of transmission means to said information management apparatus when said telephone line is connected between said communication means and said information management apparatus;
• and
• control means for controlling each of said plurality of transmission means so as to set it in said first processing mode after said telephone line is connected between said communication means and said information management apparatus by said origination process upon transmitting said maintenance information.