FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power source for backup which can be used with a photocopier. More particularly, the present invention provides a power source for backup with improved control and monitoring.
BACKGROUND & PRIOR ART
Photocopies have become a major factor in office overhead costs. With increased speed in copiers today, numerous copies may be made by any user having access to a copier. Since such access is not controlled, copying expenses may multiply rapidly. Furthermore, if many users are permitted access to the copier, an accounting of how many copies are made by each user is difficult.
The systems known in the art also have the ability to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the photocopier. Users are prevented from accessing the copier by the use of badge reader devices or personal account number verification devices. Unless a user has a valid badge or an authorized account number, access is denied. However, the known systems are associated with several disadvantages. Badge reader devices have been known to be inaccurate, sometimes having problems identifying a particular badge. Also, account number verification devices have proven to be cumbersome to update, being difficult to modify old account numbers or add new account numbers.
In addition, it is difficult to examine each individual account number and view its current copy status. The user has had difficulty in determining how many copies he has made and how many more are allotted to him. Also, if the user exceeds his copy count limit, the
controller disables the copier in the midst of the transaction, thereby jamming the copier sometimes.
During set-up conditions, whereby the user initializes, denies or permits access to an account, changes copy count limits, etc., the menu to perform various functions is inadequate. For example, it is not possible to examine accounts at random or sort it for sequential examination.
Many establishments also provide self-service copy machines which are operated either on a coin basis, or by payment for the number of copies used. The coin operated machines are adequate to protect against unauthorized copying, but are inconvenient and costly for making large volumes of copies. The latter copy systems are found in stationery stores printing shops and book stores. These establishments have machines more suitable for making large volumes of copies, with payment usually on an "honor" system. After making the copies, the customer brings the copies to the counter and informs the cashier, or store operator, the number of copies made. The problem is that, the operator does not know exactly how many copies a customer has made.
Now, reference may be made to the following citations.
US patent no 5,016,059 relates to the photocopy machine remotely controlled copy counting system. This system doesn't have the back up provision and no billing system
US patent no 6,026,380 is directed to a photocopy count system and a method which records usage information for accounting and billing
purposes. The photocopy tracking system comprises a plurality of remote mini-terminals, a multiport serial board, and a central control computer. Billing identifier information entered at a remote mini-terminal is received at the central control computer where it is processed for verification of validity. This system doesn't have the back up provision
US patent no 4,999,672 discloses an interface device for connecting a programmable computer to one or more photocopiers and translating computer logic to line signals to the photocopiers and transmitting line signals from the photocopiers to the computer. There is no back up provision and this is just an interface device between photocopier and the computer.
US patent no 4,531,826 pertains to an event counter and access controller system having a central processor unit, memory storage and an operator's keyboard, display, badge reader and key switch. The system may operate in a normal mode, wherein copy pulses from a photocopier, for example, are counted and stored in individual user accounts; and in a set-up mode, wherein accounts may be sorted and examined, may be made accessible or inaccessible and may have their contents changed. This is a monitoring and event logging system of copy machine processes and obviously there is no back up for the photocopier.
US publication no 20100008692 relates to an image forming apparatus including a power supply unit which supplies high voltage AC power, a developing unit having at least one developing roller to receive first AC power from the power supply unit to supply a developer to an image receptor, and an erasing unit to receive second
AC power to attenuate high frequency noise of the developing unit. This setup consists of a power supply and an image former device. But there is no power back up in case there is no mains supply.
Publication no JP62187868 eliminates the need to adjust the time after recovery from a power failure by using one display device for both a copy quantity display device and a time display device, providing a power failure detector, and supplying electric power to a timer device continuously in case of the power failure. This invention has the power back up solution only to the timer device but not to the copy machine and also there is no billing process and remote management concept.
Publication no JP1155380 relates to the control circuit of the copying machine is constituted of a 1st CPU and a 2nd CPU as main. The 1st CPU is connected to an external ROM, an external RAM and a clock IC to which battery-backup is executed. In this invention there is power back up only for the control module but there is no concept of back up to the machine and no remote management inventions.
US publication no 20090310178 relates to an image forming device for executing an authentication print job including: a communication interface unit for receiving print data; a job data holding unit for holding job data based on the print data for the authentication print job; a user authentication unit for outputting the result of the user authentication to a control unit; a job execution unit for executing a job based on the job data. There is a communication interface for event logging in the copy machines. But there is no backup solution.
Further, reference may be made to an article by "Luminous Electronics Pvt Ltd". The article talks about 6-100 KVA jumbo inverters with DSP
sine wave technology that can run air-conditioners, refrigerators, plasma TVs, coolers, water pumps, washing machines and many other gadgets and home appliances. The jumbo range comes with extended features, such as high speed MOSFET protection, high frequency based design, smart charge pulse technology (which charges battery 50% faster) compact and reliable SMT based design and an intelligent thermal management system. These inverters are also suitable for applications like petrol pumps, deep freezers, lifts, small offices, nursing homes, data centers, cybercafes and photocopier machines
During power failure, the copy which is in the process gets stuck in the photocopy machine. The user needs to wait till power comes. Without power, the copy cannot be taken out from the machine. Thus, the customer and user both need to wait until power comes. None of the systems talk about providing power during power failure.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a control strategy that allows the use of power backup system which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. A means for providing efficient power backup to the photocopier is required which can also count the number of copies and calculate the total cost. In light of the above, there is a need for power backup system during failure which can give backup to the photo copier and simultaneously count the number of copies withdrawn through the photocopier.
In order to overcome the above listed prior art, the present invention provides a power source for power backup, which can be used with a photocopy machine. The system can count the number of copies and calculate the total cost of the copies produced.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The Primary object of the present invention is to provide a power source for power backup which can be used with a photocopy machine.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a power source for backup with improved control scheme.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a power backup system which can count the number of copies.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a power source for backup for photocopy machine which is very efficient and cost effective.
Another object is to provide a power backup system which can calculate the cost of copies.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a power source for power backup which is simple in construction from production and service point of view.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved power source and a control method to facilitate high quality and low output total harmonic distortion in the output.
Another object of the present invention is to provide real time management for inverter using real time communication media or hand held device.
Another object is to provide a power source for backup of the photocopier which provides relevant information such as but not limited to the number of copies, cost of copies and the entire history.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method which is accurate to count the number copies made by customers and stores it so that the data can be retrieved as and when required.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a power backup system which accurately determines the number of copies made on one or more copy machines without having to rely on anyone or actually counting the copies.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a power backup system which accurately determines photocopies taken in specific time period.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a power backup system with built-in RTC, display and keypads.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a power backup system which can have interface with multiple machines and count the number of copies from multiple machines.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of remotely controlling the cash register of a copy machine through power backup system from a convenient location.
SUMMARY
The present invention discloses a power source for backup which can count the number of copies generated. The present invention provides
a system that cannot be tampered with by the customer, or copy machine user; nor can the copy count be altered or erased by the unauthorized person. Each copy is recorded and displayed on a visual display clearly visible to the user or cashier and may be visible to the customer.
In an embodiment according to the present invention, the
invention provides the visual display on power backup system which clearly displays and records each copy number, quantity and price which is clearly visible to the user or cashier and to the customer.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the
invention provides counting modes such as but not limited to main bypass and backup mode.
In yet another embodiment according to the present invention,
the user is able to read the number of copies made from remote location regardless of the number of copy machines located in the store.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the receiver mounted on each copy machine, responds to pulses such as but not limited to voltage, current or optical signal sent by the transmitter.
In yet another embodiment according to the present invention
multiple outputs as well as inputs unit are provided in the inverter so that multiple machines can be connected and tracked through the inverter.
In still another embodiment of the present invention the real time management system is provided to the user that easily monitors, controls 85 configures the product from a remote location using hand held device.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the hand held device are such as without limitation mobile, PDA, laptop or any other device having display, memory, controller and input device.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided a power backup system for photocopier machine comprises controller, a sensor to sense the light flash of the photocopy machine, a remotely located transmitter which sends the digital signals to enable or disable selected self-serve photocopier machines, RTC, display, charger and inverter, the storage medium which is charged by the charger, control section, communication with the peripheral devices like keypad, LCD, wireless/ wired communicating device, receiver placed at the copy machine, photo detector and receiver placed in the power back up system, the interface device or receiver mounted on the photo copy machine, and the peripheral of the inverter controller which interfaces with the handheld or remote devices and responsible for the remote communication between the user and the inverter controller are connected to each other such as herein described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and wherein:
Figure 1 shows the block diagram according to the present invention
Figure 2 shows flowchart according to the present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPNAYING DRAWINGS;
Reference may be made to figure 1 which shows the block diagram of a power source for backup for photocopier machine that counts the number of copies generated. The system comprises mains supply 1 or the supply from generator installed at the site, the charger and inverter (2) of the power back up system. This includes the AC-DC system for charging and DC-AC system for inverting the DC power which is pure at output, the storage medium 3 which is charged by the charger 2. Further, the system is having control section 4 which is the brain of the invention, where the functions like complex decisions, calculation of the cost of the copies, displaying to customer or user, real time management of the total system, communication with the peripheral devices like keypad, LCD, wireless/ wired communicating device, receiver placed at the copy machine, photo detector and receiver 5 placed in the power back up system. The interface device 6 or receiver 6 mounted on the photo copy machine is responsible for calculation of number of copies and transmission of events from photocopy machine to inverter controller. The peripheral of the inverter controller 7 interfaces with the handheld or remote devices and responsible for the remote communication between the user and the inverter controller. Also when the system is remotely controlled, the local access gets blocked by the controller for the system protection purpose and vice versa and the user interface peripheral 8
which can be accessed by the user through which the user sends the command through the keypad.
The power backup system comprises of a remotely located transmitter which sends the digital signals to enable or disable selected self-serve photocopier machines and is in the communication with the controller of the backup system. The receiver mounted on each copy machine responds to pulses such as but not limited to voltage, current or optical signal sent by the transmitter. The receiver is interfaced with the copy machine to receive signal forwarded by the machine to the counter of the power backup system by a photo detector receiving an input from a light which illuminates each time a copy is made. The detector here is a photosensor which senses the light signal every time the paper is photocopied. This signal is received by the receiver located at the photocopy machine. The signal from receiver is fed back to the power back up system and the transmitter in case the machine is operated remotely. The number of copies and the price is calculated by the counters in the firmware of the inverter. Different photocopy machines operate at different voltage and power requirements. However, the power system for backup, according to the present invention is designed to provide a constant output regardless of the input of the machine being used. This implies that, the power back up system is a voltage and frequency independent system (VFI) which delivers regulated and pollution free power supply to the photo copy machine. The power backup system accurately determines photocopies taken in specific time period. The system has built-in RTC, display and keypads to display or set the parameters.
The inverter is provided with the multiple outputs as well as inputs so that multiple machines can be connected and tracked through the inverter. Each machine is provided with a unique identification
codes. The code is generated by accessing the inverter through the external keypad. The user or any authenticated person will enter the code allotted for the machine. The code for the machines is generated randomly by the firmware inside the inverter and only the authenticated person can access the machine. In case the user is remote, the machine can be operated through the handheld device or any communicating device. It keeps record of each machine which are monitored and controlled through centralized controller from any location. The real time management device in the inverter controller keeps this record of all the events occurring in the machines which are connected to the inverter.
The invention provides a system that cannot be tampered with by the customer, or copy machine user; nor can the copy count be altered or erased by the unauthorized person. Each copy is recorded and displayed on a visual display clearly visible to the user or cashier and may be visible to the customer. When copying is completed the user knows exactly the quantity and the price, which can be taken from a clearly visible accurate display without having to count copies or relying on the operator. This is possible by the password access system by only the copy machine owner or any authenticated person. By accessing the copy machine by the external keypad, the authenticated person can monitor the number of copies, prices of the copies thereby the owner cannot rely on the customer. The present invention provides counting all modes such as but not limited to mains bypass and backup mode. The present invention provides run time in mains mode and back up mode. The entire history of usage of the machine as well as the inverter can be logged through the invention.
A distinct advantage of the present invention is that the user is able to read the number of copies made from remote location regardless of the number of copy machines located in the store. The operation of the system for counting the copies is totally automatic and involves only minimal time of the clerk and customer to receive the payment. The accuracy of the system results in less time than usually taken for receiving payment for copies. Since the copy count is extremely accurate, losses resulting from miscounts or dishonesty of the operator are eliminated. This is done by the receiver and photodetector at the copy machine where as this is accessible through the display and keypad installed near the inverter and handheld or computer in case of remote configuration.
The present invention also provides real time management using real time communication. The power system for backup, installed anywhere in the world can be centrally monitored and controlled by the user. The power source for backup has the connectivity through communication media & a hand held device. Using this, the user can monitor, control & configure the product from a remote location using hand held device. This concept of remote monitoring is done by the communicating peripherals placed in the inverter controller which responds to the inputted signals.
Figure 2 is the flow chart according to the present invention. The system first authenticates the person. Authenticated person accesses the copy machine with the password and machine number provided to him. If it is done successfully, it proceeds further else the operator needs to authenticate himself again till the authentication is successful. After authentication, the number of copies and price per
copy needs to be entered. The inverter controller (acts according to the commands given by the user) gives signal to the receiver mounted on the photocopy machine to start the copying process. The copy machine starts the process and during the process the photo detector placed at the convenient location on the copy machine senses the copy movement and sends the signal to the receiver, where the counting takes place with the internal counters. The receiver sends counting information to the inverter controller. The billing is done according to the entered price per copy and the number of copies counted by the counter inside the controller
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-

WE CLAIM:
1. A power backup system for photocopier machine comprises controller, a sensor to sense the light flash of the photocopy machine, a remotely located transmitter which sends the digital signals to enable or disable selected self-serve photocopier machines, RTC, display, charger and inverter, the storage medium which is charged by the charger, control section, communication with the peripheral devices like keypad, LCD, wireless/ wired communicating device, receiver placed at the copy machine, photo detector and receiver placed in the power back up system, the interface device or receiver mounted on the photo copy machine, and the peripheral of the inverter controller which interfaces with the handheld or remote devices and responsible for the remote communication between the user and the inverter controller are connected to each other such as herein described.
2. A power backup system for photocopier machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiver is mounted on each copy machines responds to pulses such as but not limited to voltage, current or optical signal sent by the transmitter.
3. A power backup system for photocopier machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiver is interfaced with the copy machine to receive signal forwarded by the machine to the counter of the power backup system by a photo detector receiving an input from a light which illuminates each time a copy is made.
4. A power backup system for photocopier machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, the backup system provides a constant output regardless of the input of the machine being used.
5. A power backup system for photocopier machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the power backup system accurately determines photocopies taken in specific time period.
6. A power backup system for photocopier machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, the system has built-in display and the user sets the parameters as per the requirement.
7. A power backup system for photocopier machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, the power backup system has multiple output as well as inputs such that multiple photocopier machines can be connected and tracked through the inverter.
8. A power backup system for photocopier machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, each photocopier machine is provided with a unique identification code.
9. A power backup system for photocopier machine, as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, the backup system keeps the record of each machine which is monitored and controlled through centralized controller from any location.
10. A power backup system for photocopier machine
substantially as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.