Centralized control system for terminal device

• Main Author: MII, HIROSHI
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 01.10.1997
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: CHECKING-DEVICES; CINEMATOGRAPHY; COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS; CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; CONTROLLING; ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; HOLOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS ORELEMENTS; PHOTOGRAPHY; PHYSICS; REGULATING

A centralized control system comprising interface circuits which are provided in respective terminal devices requiring field service such as copying machines or automatic vending machines and collect functional information concerning functions of the terminal devices and abnormality information showing their abnormality; communication units which are provided at every one or plural interfaces circuits and transmit collected information as the need arises; and remote control device which receives transmitted information and selectively displays it on a display unit to execute a plurality of control processing at every terminal device. Abnormality information is announced whenever it occurs or at a predetermined time according to a degree of abnormality, and information concerning the abnormality information announced is displayed on a part or full of the whole display picture screen concerning all the control processing. Further, a record of the abnormality information is stored and displayed and also information on a function along with usage quantity information of consumable goods are displayed in lists, thus notice of abnormality when it occurs and search for its cause are accurately conducted. Still further the system accurately predicts a date for replacement or supply of the consumable goods on the basis of usage quantity information, thus reducing using-up of the con sumable goods.