JP5257844B2 - Image forming apparatus, external diagnostic apparatus, diagnostic system, and diagnostic program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an external diagnostic apparatus, a diagnostic system, and a diagnostic program.

  In an image forming apparatus put on the market, malfunction may occur due to abnormalities in mounted parts such as a mechanism, a substrate, a power supply, a harness, and a connector. In such a case, the on-site customer engineer (CE) analyzes the cause and takes action, but the cause analysis is not easy and the downtime of the image forming apparatus may be prolonged. In addition, when malfunctions occur frequently, introduction of countermeasure parts is considered, but due to oversight of this information and delay in transmission, countermeasures may not sufficiently penetrate.

A technique for solving such a problem is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. In Patent Document 1, the current model history information that is error information of the current model and the previous model history information that is error information of the previous model that was installed before the installation of the current model are used. A technique for performing cause analysis and presenting a work instruction to a service person who maintains an image forming apparatus is disclosed.
JP 2004-29479 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of such a background, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving leakage and delay in information transmission of countermeasure parts for malfunction of an image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 1 is a detection means for detecting an operation failure from loading to ejection of a recording medium, a storage means for storing an identification code indicating the operation failure detected by the detection means, and the operation failure. when there occurred, when said storage means countermeasure component corresponding to the identification code is stored there is provided a display means for displaying a message prompting replacement of the the countermeasure components, replacement of the the protection component The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the message prompting is a message including a lead time until delivery of the countermeasure component .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is a transmission unit that transmits the identification code to the outside when the malfunction occurs and a countermeasure component that corresponds to the identification code. And receiving means for receiving a message prompting replacement from the outside to the countermeasure component.

When the invention according to claim 3 is replaced with the countermeasure part in the invention according to claim 2 , the transmission means transmits data indicating that the countermeasure part has been exchanged to the outside. It is characterized by.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided receiving means for receiving an identification code representing an operation failure of the image forming apparatus, storage means for storing data of countermeasure parts corresponding to the identification code received by the receiving means, and the identification A diagnostic unit that diagnoses whether there is a countermeasure component corresponding to the code; and a transmission unit that transmits a message of a diagnosis result by the diagnostic unit to the image forming apparatus, and the storage unit replaces the countermeasure component In the external diagnostic device, history data is further stored, and when there is a countermeasure component corresponding to the identification code, the diagnosis unit diagnoses whether or not the countermeasure component has been replaced .

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 4 , when the countermeasure part is not replaced, the diagnostic means processes a message prompting replacement to the countermeasure part. And

The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 4 , when the countermeasure component has been replaced, the diagnostic means estimates another cause.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 4 , wherein when the countermeasure part is replaced, the replacement part data stored in the storage means is updated. .

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 4 , wherein the storage means is nonvolatile storage means.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 4 , further comprising display means for displaying a message of a diagnosis result by the diagnosis means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting a malfunction from recording medium loading to ejection, a storage means for storing an identification code representing the malfunction detected by the detecting means, and the malfunction. When there is a transmission means for transmitting the identification code stored in the storage means to the outside and a countermeasure component corresponding to the identification code is received, a message for prompting replacement from the outside to the countermeasure component is received. An image forming apparatus comprising: a receiving means; a display means for displaying a message received by the receiving means; a receiving means for receiving an identification code representing an operation failure of the image forming apparatus; and an identification code received by the receiving means A storage means for storing data of countermeasure parts corresponding to the above, a diagnostic means for diagnosing whether there is a countermeasure part corresponding to the identification code, and the diagnostic means And an external diagnostic device comprising a transmitting means for transmitting a message of disconnection result to the image forming apparatus is composed of a message prompting the replacement of the the countermeasure component is a message containing the lead time to delivery of the reducing components This is a diagnostic system for an image forming apparatus.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving step of receiving an identification code representing an operation failure of the image forming apparatus, and a diagnostic step of diagnosing whether or not there is a countermeasure component corresponding to the identification code received in the receiving step. Transmitting a message for prompting replacement to the countermeasure component as a diagnostic result message in the diagnostic step to the image forming apparatus, and a message prompting replacement to the countermeasure component is a message of the countermeasure component. It is a diagnostic program characterized by being a message including the lead time until delivery .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve leakage and delay of information transmission of countermeasure parts for malfunction of the image forming apparatus. In addition, the on-site CE can grasp the lead time until delivery of countermeasure parts.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to collect information on countermeasure parts at one external location and facilitate management thereof.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to externally diagnose whether or not the countermeasure component has been replaced.

According to the invention described in claim 4 , information on countermeasure parts can be gathered in one external place to facilitate management thereof, and leakage and delay in information transmission of countermeasure parts can be improved. it can.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve leakage and delay of information transmission of countermeasure parts.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required for the cause analysis of the malfunction due to CE at the site and the downtime of the image forming apparatus.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to diagnose whether or not the image forming apparatus has been replaced with countermeasure parts.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, countermeasure component data and countermeasure component replacement history data can be maintained before and after the power supply of the external diagnostic apparatus is turned on or off.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to grasp the occurrence state of the malfunction of the image forming apparatus at a remote place and arrange countermeasure parts in advance.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to collect information on countermeasure parts in one external location and facilitate management thereof, and to improve leakage and delay in information transmission of countermeasure parts. it can.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve leakage of information transmission and delay of countermeasure parts for malfunction of the image forming apparatus.

  The best embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of image forming apparatus and external diagnostic apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus and an external diagnostic apparatus. A diagnostic system for diagnosing the cause of the malfunction of the image forming apparatus 1 includes the image forming apparatus 1 and an external diagnostic apparatus 2. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to an external diagnostic apparatus 2 installed at a remote place via a wired or wireless network such as the Internet. The image forming apparatus 1 transmits an identification code (Fault Code) indicating an operation failure to the external diagnosis device 2 when an operation failure such as a paper jam occurs due to an abnormality in a mechanical configuration, a board, a power supply, a harness, a connector, and other mounted parts. To do.

  The image forming apparatus 1 displays a detection unit 3 such as a sensor that detects a malfunction, a nonvolatile storage unit 4 that stores data of a fault code, and a message of a diagnosis result for the fault code when a malfunction occurs. A display unit 5, a fault code is transmitted to the external diagnostic apparatus 2, a transmission / reception control unit 6 that receives a diagnostic result from the external diagnostic apparatus 2, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 7 that stores a control program of the image forming apparatus 1. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 8 for temporarily storing a work area of the control program and various data, and a control means 9 for controlling each means according to the control program.

  The external diagnostic device 2 is composed of a general-purpose computer or the like. The external diagnosis apparatus 2 receives the fault code from the image forming apparatus 1 and transmits / receives a diagnosis result of the cause corresponding to the fault code to the image forming apparatus 1 and the cause of the malfunction based on the fault code. ROM 11 for storing a diagnostic program for diagnosing, control means 12 for executing the diagnostic program, controlling each means, RAM 13 for temporarily storing the work area of the diagnostic program and various data, and storing various data Non-volatile storage means 14 and display means 15 for displaying a diagnosis result are provided.

  The diagnostic program stored in the ROM 11 includes a command analysis unit 16 that analyzes a transmission / reception command necessary for transmitting / receiving data to / from the image forming apparatus 1, and which fault corresponds to the received 6-digit fault code. A fault code analyzing means 17 for analyzing whether or not, a diagnostic means 18 for diagnosing the cause of the malfunction based on the fault code, and a diagnostic result notifying means 19 for notifying the image forming apparatus 1 of the diagnostic result of the diagnostic means 18. I have.

  Further, the nonvolatile storage unit 14 stores countermeasure part data corresponding to the fault code and countermeasure part replacement history data in the image forming apparatus 1 and other image forming apparatuses. A nonvolatile storage means such as a hard disk is used as the nonvolatile storage means 14 so that the data of the countermeasure parts and the replacement history data are not erased before and after the power supply of the external diagnostic apparatus 2 is turned on or off.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed tray 20-23, a nudger roll 24-27, a feed roll 28-31, a retard roll 32-35, a takeaway roll 36-39, a registration clutch 40, a registration roll 41, and a photosensitive drum. 42-45, primary transfer rolls 46-49, transfer belt 50, secondary transfer roll 51, fixing device 52, discharge roll 53, and the like.

  A recording medium such as paper loaded on the paper feed trays 20 to 23 is gripped by nudger rolls 24 to 27, separated into one sheet by feed rolls 28 to 31 and retard rolls 32 to 35, and transported to a transport path. Is done. The takeaway rolls 36 to 39 convey the recording medium to the registration roll 41, and the registration roll 41 temporarily stops the recording medium. The registration clutch 40 drives the registration roll 41 at the timing of transferring the toner image to the recording medium.

  On the other hand, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 42 to 45 are uniformly charged by a charger (not shown), and are exposed by a ROS (Raser Output Scanner) that converts image data into an optical signal. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. Black, magenta, cyan, and yellow toner images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 42 to 45 on which the electrostatic latent images are formed by a developing bias voltage by a developing unit (not shown).

  The toner images formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 42 to 45 are transferred to the transfer belt 50 by primary transfer rolls 46 to 49. The toner image transferred to the transfer belt 50 is transferred to the recording medium by the secondary transfer roll 51. The recording medium advances upward of the image forming apparatus 1, and the toner image transferred to the recording medium is heated and pressed by the fixing device 52 and fixed on the recording medium. The recording medium is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 by the discharge roll 53.

  The recording medium discharged from the discharge roll 53 enters the post-processing device 54. The post-processing device 54 is a stapler that stops a bundle of recording media. The post-processing device 54 includes an entrance roll 55, an exit roll 56, a front tamper 57, a rear tamper 58, a compile tray 59, a main paddle 60, a stapler 61, an eject belt 62, a sub paddle 63, a stacker tray 64, and an eccentric cam 65. .

  The recording medium that has entered the post-processing device 54 is conveyed by the entrance roll 55 and the exit roll 56 and loaded on the compile tray 59. The recording medium loaded on the compile tray 59 is conveyed downward by the main paddle 60 and the sub paddle 63, and the conveyance direction of the recording medium is aligned by the support wall at the lower end of the compile tray 59. Further, the width direction of the recording medium is aligned by the front tamper 57 and the rear tamper 58.

  When the recording media are aligned, the stapler 61 holds the needle. The recording medium that has been stapled is discharged to the stacker tray 64 by the rotation of the eject belt 62. The height of the stacker tray 64 is adjusted by the eccentric cam 65.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration, as the detection unit 3 that detects a malfunction, feedout sensors 66 to 69 that detect the position of the recording medium, a registration sensor 70, a paper-on-belt sensor 71, and an exit sensor 72. , An entrance sensor 73 and a compiled exit sensor 74.

  Further, an eject home sensor 75 that detects the home position of the eject belt 62, a front cover interlock switch 76 that detects opening and closing of the front cover of the post-processing device 54, and a top cover interface that detects opening and closing of the top cover of the post-processing device 54. A lock switch 77, a front tamper home sensor 78 for detecting the home position of the front tamper 57, a rear tamper home sensor 79 for detecting the home position of the rear tamper 58, and the like are also used as means for detecting malfunction.

  When an operation failure of the image forming apparatus 1 is detected based on the detection unit 3 as described above, a fault code indicating the operation failure is transmitted to the external storage device 2. Table 1 below shows an example of the fault code.

  For example, the fault code 151000 in Table 1 is an identification code indicating an operation failure when the compile exit sensor 74 is not turned off within a specified time after the compile exit sensor 74 is turned on. The cause of this malfunction is considered to be a paper jam, an abnormality in the compile exit sensor 74, a short circuit or disconnection of the harness. Therefore, the CE at the site should take measures such as removing jammed paper, replacing the compile exit sensor 74, checking for short circuits and disconnections in the harness, or replacing the post-processing device 54 (Finisher) if the cause is unknown. Do.

  However, there are cases where countermeasure parts are supplied for the 151,000 Fault Code. The external diagnostic apparatus 2 that has received the fault code diagnoses whether or not countermeasure parts are supplied based on the countermeasure part data stored in the nonvolatile storage means 14. Table 2 below shows an example of countermeasure part data. The countermeasure parts are introduced when a malfunction of the image forming apparatus 1 appears remarkably. At this time, information on countermeasure parts is registered in the data shown in Table 2. The countermeasure part information includes the product name, part number, introduction time, lead time until delivery, and countermeasure part replacement rate.

  When the external diagnostic apparatus 2 diagnoses that there is a countermeasure part corresponding to the fault code, the image forming apparatus 1 replaces the countermeasure part with the countermeasure part based on replacement history data stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 14. It is diagnosed whether it has been completed (diagnostic primary analysis). Table 3 below shows an example of replacement history data for countermeasure parts. The replacement history data includes a code for identifying the image forming apparatus 1 and other image forming apparatuses, a model name, a product name of the replaced countermeasure parts, a replacement date, and the like.

  When the countermeasure parts have not been replaced, the external diagnostic apparatus 2 transmits a diagnostic result message instructing replacement to the countermeasure parts to the image forming apparatus 1. The diagnosis result includes information on the countermeasure parts (product name, part number, introduction time, lead time, replacement rate, etc.). In addition, when there are a plurality of countermeasure parts corresponding to the fault code, the diagnosis result includes all information on the unreplaced countermeasure parts. In this case, the information on the unreplaced countermeasure parts is arranged in the order of high replacement rate, order of introduction time, order of lead time, and the like.

  On the other hand, when the countermeasure parts have been replaced, the external diagnostic apparatus 2 estimates another cause corresponding to the fault code (secondary analysis of diagnosis). The secondary diagnosis analysis is performed based on FTA (Fault Tree Analysis). The FTA covers the causes of malfunctions in a hierarchical manner (tree shape). Then, the causes are estimated in descending order based on the state of the image forming apparatus 1 when an operation failure occurs (in what mode printing is performed, environmental temperature, humidity, etc.).

  For example, in the 151000 Fault Code described above, when the countermeasure parts have been replaced, a short circuit and disconnection of the harness are estimated as the cause of the malfunction based on the state of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the diagnosis result includes a message indicating that there is a possibility of short circuit and disconnection of the harness and a position of the harness. The diagnosis result is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1.

(Operation of image forming apparatus and external diagnostic apparatus)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of countermeasure part replacement notification processing. A diagnostic program for executing this flowchart is stored in the ROM 11 and executed by the control means 12. The diagnostic program can be provided by being stored in a recording medium such as a CDROM.

  First, when a malfunction occurs in the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits a fault code indicating the malfunction to the external diagnostic apparatus 2 (step S1). When the external diagnostic device 2 receives the fault code (step S2), the external diagnostic device 2 analyzes the fault code (step S3). And the data of the countermeasure parts shown in the said Table 2 are searched, and it is determined whether there exists any countermeasure part corresponding to received Fault Code (diagnosis primary analysis) (step S4).

  Next, the countermeasure part replacement history data is searched to determine whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 has been replaced with the countermeasure part (step S5). At this time, if there are a plurality of countermeasure parts, it is determined whether or not all countermeasure parts have been replaced.

  If the countermeasure parts have not been replaced (No in step S5), in order to instruct replacement to the countermeasure parts (step S7), the diagnostic result message is processed (step S8). The diagnosis result includes information (part name, part number, introduction time, lead time, replacement rate) of countermeasure parts to be replaced. In addition, when there are a plurality of countermeasure parts that have not been replaced, the diagnosis result includes all of the countermeasure parts that have not been replaced. Unreplaced countermeasure parts are arranged in order of high replacement rate, order of introduction time, order of lead time, and the like.

  On the other hand, if the countermeasure parts have been replaced (Yes in step S5), another cause corresponding to the fault code is estimated (diagnostic secondary analysis) (step S6). As described above, the diagnostic secondary analysis is performed based on FTA. Then, the causes are estimated in descending order based on the state of the image forming apparatus 1 when an operation failure occurs (in what mode printing is performed, environmental temperature, humidity, etc.).

  After processing the diagnostic result message (step S8), the external diagnostic apparatus 2 transmits the diagnostic result message to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S9). The image forming apparatus 1 receives the diagnosis result message (step S10), and displays the diagnosis result message on the display unit 5 (step S11). The CE in the field replaces the countermeasure part with the countermeasure part when there is an instruction to replace the countermeasure part based on the message of the diagnosis result (step S12).

  When the CE replaces the countermeasure part, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits data indicating that the countermeasure part has been replaced to the external diagnostic apparatus 2 (step S13). The external diagnostic device 2 receives data indicating that the countermeasure parts have been replaced (step S14), and updates the replacement history data of the countermeasure parts (step S15). Thereby, it can be determined whether the image forming apparatus 1 has been replaced with countermeasure parts.

(Advantages of this embodiment)
According to the present embodiment, information on countermeasure parts for malfunction of the image forming apparatus 1 is automatically transmitted from the external diagnostic apparatus 2 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network. Leaks and delays are eliminated.

  In addition, since the maintenance center where the external diagnostic apparatus 2 is installed can grasp the occurrence state of the malfunction of the image forming apparatus 1 at any time, it is possible to arrange countermeasure parts in advance.

  As a result, it is possible to reduce the time required for analyzing the cause of the malfunction due to CE and the downtime of the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, improvement in CE work accuracy and efficiency are promoted, leading to improvement in customer satisfaction.

  The present invention can be used for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine of these, and an external diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing the cause of the malfunction of the image forming apparatus.

It is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus and an external diagnostic apparatus. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the notification process of replacement | exchange of countermeasure parts.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... External diagnostic apparatus, 3 ... Detection means, 4 ... Nonvolatile storage means, 5 ... Display means, 6 ... Transmission / reception control means, 7 ... ROM, 8 ... RAM, 9 ... Control means, 10 ... Transmission / reception control means, 11 ... ROM, 12 ... control means, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... nonvolatile storage means, 15 ... display means, 16 ... command analysis means, 17 ... Fault Code analysis means, 18 ... diagnostic means, 19 ... diagnosis Result notification means.

Claims (11)

A detecting means for detecting a malfunction from taking in the recording medium to discharging,
Storage means for storing an identification code representing the malfunction detected by the detection means;
When there is a countermeasure part corresponding to the identification code stored in the storage means when the malfunction occurs, display means for displaying a message prompting replacement to the countermeasure part;
With
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the message for prompting replacement to the countermeasure component is a message including a lead time until delivery of the countermeasure component . Transmitting means for transmitting the identification code to the outside when the malfunction occurs;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a message prompting replacement from the outside to the countermeasure part when there is a countermeasure part corresponding to the identification code. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein, when the countermeasure component is replaced, the transmission unit transmits data indicating that the countermeasure component has been replaced to the outside. Receiving means for receiving an identification code representing an operation failure of the image forming apparatus;
Storage means for storing data of countermeasure parts corresponding to the identification code received by the receiving means;
Diagnosing means for diagnosing whether there is a countermeasure component corresponding to the identification code;
A transmission means for transmitting a message of a diagnosis result by the diagnosis means to the image forming apparatus;
With
The storage means further stores data of replacement history of countermeasure parts,
An external diagnostic apparatus characterized in that, when there is a countermeasure component corresponding to the identification code, the diagnostic means diagnoses whether or not the countermeasure component has been replaced . 5. The external diagnosis apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein, when the countermeasure part is not replaced, the diagnosis unit processes a message prompting replacement to the countermeasure part. 5. The external diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein when the countermeasure component has been replaced, the diagnostic means estimates another cause. 5. The external diagnosis apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein when the countermeasure component is replaced, the countermeasure component replacement history data stored in the storage unit is updated. The external diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the storage unit is a nonvolatile storage unit. The external diagnosis apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a display unit that displays a message of a diagnosis result by the diagnosis unit. A detecting means for detecting a malfunction from taking in the recording medium to discharging,
Storage means for storing an identification code representing the malfunction detected by the detection means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the identification code stored in the storage means to the outside when the malfunction occurs;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives a message prompting replacement from the outside to the countermeasure component when there is a countermeasure component corresponding to the identification code; and a display unit that displays the message received by the receiving unit; ,
Receiving means for receiving an identification code representing a malfunction of the image forming apparatus;
Storage means for storing data of countermeasure parts corresponding to the identification code received by the receiving means;
Diagnosing means for diagnosing whether there is a countermeasure component corresponding to the identification code;
An external diagnostic device including a transmission unit that transmits a message of a diagnosis result by the diagnostic unit to the image forming apparatus,
The diagnostic system for an image forming apparatus , wherein the message prompting replacement with the countermeasure component is a message including a lead time until delivery of the countermeasure component . A receiving step of receiving an identification code representing an operation failure of the image forming apparatus;
A diagnostic step of diagnosing whether there is a countermeasure component corresponding to the identification code received in the receiving step;
A transmission step of transmitting a message urging replacement to the countermeasure component to the image forming apparatus as a message of a diagnosis result by the diagnosis step;
And execute
The diagnostic program according to claim 1, wherein the message prompting for replacement with the countermeasure component is a message including a lead time until delivery of the countermeasure component .

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