Copying machine control system with improved reliability of communication function among copying machiines and centralized control unit

A copying machine control system including a data terminal for collecting data related to a copying machine and a centralized control unit for communicating with the data terminal through a communication network, wherein

• said data terminal comprises:
• first storing means for storing first and second passwords,
• first password transmitting means for transmitting the first password stored in said first storing means to said centralized control unit after a connection is made to said centralized control unit,
• first password receiving means for receiving a password from said centralized control unit after connection is made to said centralized control unit, and
• first comparing means for comparing the password received by said first password receiving means and the second password stored in said first storing means and permitting data communication when the two agree with each other, and
• said centralized control unit comprises,
• second storing means for storing said first and second passwords,
• second password transmitting means for transmitting the second password stored in said second storing means to said data terminal after a connection is made to said data terminal,
• second password receiving means for receiving a password from said data terminal after a connection is made to said data terminal, and
• second comparing means for comparing the password received by said second password receiving means and the first password stored in said second storing means to permit data communication when the password received by said second password receiving means and the first password stored in said second storing means agree with each other.

A control device for collecting data related to a copying machine and communicating with a centralized control unit on the basis of the collected data, comprising:

• storing means for storing first and second passwords;
• password transmitting means for transmitting the first password stored in said storing means to said centralized control unit after a connection is made to said centralized control unit;
• password receiving means for receiving a password from said centralized control unit after a connection is made to said centralized control unit;
• control means for comparing the password received by said password receiving means and the second password stored in said storing means and permitting communication of data when the password received by said password receiving means and the second password agree with each other;
• and
• updating means for updating the first and second passwords stored in said storing means to new first and second passwords transmitted from said centralized control unit after data communication is permitted.

An initialization method of a copying machine control system including a data terminal for collecting data related to a copying machine and a centralized control unit for communicating with said data terminal through a communication network, comprising the steps of:

• providing an identification code to said data terminal;
• storing the identification code provided to said data terminal into said centralized control unit;
• installing said data terminal, to which the identification code has been provided, to the copying machine which is intended to be controlled thereby;
• transmitting the identification code from the installed data terminal to said centralized control unit;
• confirming the identification code transmitted from the installed data terminal by said centralized control unit;
• transmitting data for initialization from said centralized control unit to the installed data terminal after confirming the identification code;
• and
• carrying out an initialization operation by the installed data terminal on the basis of the data for initialization transmitted from said centralized control unit.

A copying machine control system including a data terminal for collecting data related to a copying machine and a centralized control unit for communicating with said data terminal through a communication network, wherein

• said data terminal comprises:
• holding means for holding an identification code for initialization, and
• first transmitting means for transmitting the identification code for initialization to said centralized control unit when said data terminal is connected to the copying machine which is intended to be controlled,
• said centralized control unit comprises:
• storing means for storing the identification code for initialization held in said data terminal,
• confirming means for confirming said data terminal on the basis of the identification code for initialization transmitted from said first transmitting means of said data terminal, and
• second transmitting means for transmitting data for initialization to the data terminal confirmed by said confirming means, and
• said data terminal further comprises:
• initialization means for initializing said data terminal on the basis of the data for initialization transmitted from the second transmitting means of said centralized control unit.

A copying machine control system comprising:

• a data terminal provided in the copying machine and connected to an external centralized control unit through a communication network;
• setting means for setting primary identification codes for both said centralized control unit and said data terminal;
• memory means for storing the primary identification codes set by said setting means;
• initial confirming means for performing mutual confirmation with said centralized control unit by said primary identification codes through said data terminal when the copying machine is installed;
• initialization means provided in said centralized control unit for transmitting data for initializing said data terminal and for transmitting a mutual identification code used for mutual confirmation with said centralized control unit for subsequent times when the mutual confirmation by said initial confirming means was completed;
• and
• a control circuit to initialize said data terminal based on data for said initialization and to maintain the transmitted mutual identification code.

A copying machine control apparatus connected to the copying machine, communicating control information data with a centralized control unit provided at the position remote to the copying machine, comprising:

• information collecting means for collecting first information relating to a number obtained by operation of the copying machine and second information different from the first information;
• determining means for determining whether the second information is within a prescribed range;
• communication means for transmitting an indication that the second information exceeds the prescribed range to the centralized control unit when said determining means determines that the second information exceeds the prescribed range;
• and
• updating means for automatically updating said prescribed range based on said first information.

A control unit for collecting data related to a copying machine and communicating with a centralized control unit on the basis of the collected data, comprising:

• collecting means for collecting data related to operation of the copying machine;
• determining means for determining whether or not said collected data is in a permittable range;
• communicating means for calling said centralized control unit when said collected data is outside of the permittable range;
• calculating means for calculating frequency of use of said copying machine;
• and
• updating means for updating the permittable range of said determining means on the basis of the frequency of use of said copying machine.