Image forming system

Abstract

An image forming system is provided. The image forming system includes an image forming device, the image forming device including a first variable mechanism that changes from a first state to a second state or from a second state to a first state when physically operated by a user, a first detection unit configured to detect a change in the state of the first variable mechanism, and a sound collecting unit. The image forming system also includes a generation unit configured to generate first statistical information about at least one sound wave obtained by the sound collecting unit in a time period based on the moment when the change is detected by the first detection unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming system. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in the market for image forming devices, typically laser printers, there has been an increasing opportunity for companies to exchange maintenance contracts with users or pay-as-you-go contracts that charge fees based on, for example, the number of printed sheets. Under such contractual arrangements, it is expected that the device will be used beyond the limits of the quality assurance of the main body or replaceable parts of the device (e.g., an upper limit of the number of years of use or an upper limit of the number of printed sheets; also referred to as the service life). The use of a device that has exceeded its service life may cause abnormal sounds to be generated during the operation of the device. The generated abnormal sounds may be measured to determine the passage of the service life or to assess the risk of failure.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-226482 discloses a method of determining a component in which an abnormal sound has been generated by comparing the waveform of a sound obtained via a microphone within the device with a known waveform normally generated by components involved in image forming operations (eg, a motor and a blade). Summary of the invention

[0004] However, the risk of abnormalities (such as malfunctions and poor quality) in an image forming apparatus is affected not only by the repetition of image forming operations, but also by how the user performs physical operations such as opening / closing of a cover, insertion / pulling of a tray, and attachment / removal of a unit. In particular, operations performed with a force exceeding the durability of the apparatus may trigger abnormalities such as breakage of components, loss of service life, and reduction in quality of printed images. In the method disclosed by Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-226482, the sound caused by such user operations is not taken into consideration when making the determination.

[0005] In view of this, there is a need to implement a structure that enables the risk of abnormality in an image forming apparatus to be evaluated based on sounds caused by user operations.

[0006] According to one aspect, there is provided an image forming system, the image forming system comprising an image forming device, the image forming device comprising a first variable mechanism that changes from a first state to a second state or from a second state to a first state when physically operated by a user, a first detection unit configured to detect a change in the state of the first variable mechanism, and a sound collecting unit. The image forming system further comprises a generation unit configured to generate first statistical information about at least one sound wave obtained by the sound collecting unit in a time period based on the timing of detecting the change when the first detection unit detects the change.

[0007] According to another aspect, there is provided an image forming system, the image forming system comprising an image forming device, the image forming device comprising a variable mechanism that changes from a first state to a second state or from a second state to a first state when physically operated by a user, a detection unit configured to detect a change in the state of the variable mechanism, and a sound collecting unit. The image forming system further comprises a determination unit configured to determine, when the detection unit detects the change, whether a sound wave level of a sound wave obtained by the sound collecting unit in a time period based on a moment when the change is detected exceeds a threshold value, and a warning unit configured to issue a warning when the determination unit determines that the sound wave level exceeds the threshold value.

[0008] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment;

[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment;

[0011] Figure 3 The cassette tray is shown being removed from Figure 2 A perspective view of a state in which a main body of the image forming apparatus is pulled out;

[0012] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 A perspective view of a state in which a cover of an image forming apparatus is opened;

[0013] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a controller of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment;

[0014] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of the configuration of a ring buffer;

[0015] Figure 7 is a graph showing, in time series, the sound wave level of an operation sound associated with a case where an operation of inserting a cartridge tray into a main body of the apparatus is performed;

[0016] Figure 8 is a graph showing some examples of the relationship between the insertion speed of the cartridge tray and the average sound wave level of the operation sound;

[0017] Fig. 9is a graph showing, in time series, the sound wave level of the operation sound associated with a case where an operation of closing the lid is performed;

[0018] Fig.10 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the speed of closing the lid and the average sound wave level of the operation sound;

[0019] Fig.11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of statistics generation processing performed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment; and

[0020] Fig.12 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of statistics generation processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. A plurality of features are described in the embodiments, but are not limited to the invention requiring all such features, and a plurality of such features may be appropriately combined. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar configurations, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0022] <<1. Introduction>>

[0023] In the following, an example in which the technology according to the present disclosure is applied to a printer will be mainly described. Note that the technology according to the present disclosure may also be applied to, for example, other types of image forming devices, such as copying devices and multi-function peripherals. Each of the constituent elements (such as devices, equipment, modules, and chips) described below may be composed of a single entity, or may be composed of multiple entities that are physically different from each other, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0024] <<2. Overall configuration of the device>>

[0025] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. It is assumed here, as an example, that the image forming apparatus 1 is a color laser printer that performs printing by an electrophotographic method using four colors, namely, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

[0026] refer to Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes primary transfer rollers 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K for stations of four colors, photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, charging units 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K, and developing units 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K. The photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, the charging units 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K, and the developing units 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K are installed in cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K, respectively. Note that in the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between colors, the letters at the end of the reference symbols are omitted; for example, the cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K are collectively referred to as cartridges 20. The same is true for the reference symbols of other constituent elements.

[0027] The photosensitive drum (also referred to as an image carrier) 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K is composed of an aluminum cylinder and an organic photoconductive layer applied to the outer periphery of the aluminum cylinder, and rotates in a clockwise direction when the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted thereto. The charging units 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K include charging rollers 7YR, 7MR, 7CR, 7KR, respectively, and the charging rollers 7YR, 7MR, 7CR, 7KR uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, respectively. Then, the optical unit 3 selectively irradiates the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K with light; as a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K. The developing units 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K include developing rollers 8YR, 8MR, 8CR, 8KR, respectively, and the developing rollers 8YR, 8MR, 8CR, 8KR respectively make the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K visible by using toner as a recording agent.

[0028] During image formation, the intermediate transfer belt 12 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the figure while maintaining contact with the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K. A primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer rollers 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K, and the primary transfer bias causes each of the visible images on the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K to be primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 12. The color visible image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 12 is secondarily transferred to the recording medium (also referred to as paper) 2 at a nip portion (secondary transfer position) between the secondary transfer roller 9 and the intermediate transfer belt 12. The primary transfer rollers 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K and the secondary transfer roller 9 rotate in accordance with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 12.

[0029] A portion of the visible image remains on the intermediate transfer belt 12 without being transferred to the recording medium 2 at the secondary transfer position. The remaining portion of the visible image is removed by a cleaning operation. In the cleaning operation, the toner forming the remaining visible image is conveyed to the cleaning blade 21 by the intermediate transfer belt 12, scraped off by the cleaning blade 21, and collected by the waste toner container 22. Although not shown, each of the cartridges 20 of each color may also include a cleaning blade that scrapes off the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5, and a waste toner container that collects the scraped off toner.

[0030] The cartridge tray 30 is a container that accommodates a plurality of recording media 2 supplied to the image forming apparatus 1. The recording media 2 in the cartridge tray 30 are picked up by a pickup roller 33, separated one by one by a paper feed roller 34 and a separation roller 35, and conveyed toward a conveying roller pair 36 along a conveying path 32. The conveying roller pair 36 conveys the entered conveyed recording media 2 to a secondary transfer position.

[0031] The fixing unit 40 includes a fixing roller 41 that heats the recording medium 2 and a pressure roller 42 that brings the recording medium 2 into contact with the fixing roller 41 with pressure, and fixes the transferred color visible image on the recording medium 2 while conveying the recording medium 2. The fixing roller 41 and the pressure roller 42 are formed so that they have a hollow shape, and a heater is built inside the fixing roller 41. While the recording medium 2 having the color visible image formed thereon is conveyed by the fixing roller 41 and the pressure roller 42, heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium 2; as a result, the toner of the visible image is fixed on the surface of the recording medium 2. After the visible image has been fixed, the recording medium 2 is discharged by the paper discharge roller 44 onto the paper discharge tray 45.

[0032] The image forming apparatus 1 includes some cover members for shielding various internal units from external spaces. Figure 1 The right cover 48 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of such a cover member. Figure 2 The front cover 50 described is another example of such a cover member. These cover members are mounted in an openable and closable manner on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The user can deal with a paper jam that may occur on the conveying path 32 by, for example, opening the right cover 48.

[0033] The controller 100 is a control unit that controls the overall functions of the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 100 is connected to the respective components of the image forming apparatus 1 via signal lines not shown. A more specific configuration of the controller 100 will be further described later.

[0034] Figure 23 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall appearance of the image forming apparatus 1. The gripping portion 30a of the cartridge tray 30 is located on the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1. On the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1, a front cover 50 is provided above the cartridge tray 30. The gripping portion 50a of the front cover 50 is located on the upper edge of the front cover 50. A screen 80 is installed on the upper right of the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 2 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus 1 is in a state where the cartridge tray 30 is completely inserted into the main body and the front cover 50 is closed.

[0035] Figure 3 30a and 30b , which are perspective views showing a state in which the cartridge tray 30 is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The user supplies the recording medium 2 to the cartridge tray 30 in the state in which the cartridge tray 30 is pulled out. The cartridge tray 30 is movable in the arrow direction in the figure along a guide rail (not shown) installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, for example. When the user puts his / her hand on the grip portion 30a and pulls the cartridge tray 30 forward, the cartridge tray 30 changes from a state in which it is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 to a state in which it is pulled out. Furthermore, when the user pushes the cartridge tray 30 in the opposite direction, the cartridge tray 30 changes from a state in which it is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 to a state in which it is inserted. Figure 3 There is also shown a cartridge switch 31 mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The cartridge switch 31 may be, for example, a pressure sensor. The switch contact surface 30b of the cartridge tray 30 presses the cartridge switch 31 in a state where the cartridge tray 30 is fully inserted into the main body. The cartridge switch 31 outputs a state detection signal to the controller 100, the voltage of which is different between a state where the cartridge switch 31 is pressed by the switch contact surface 30b and a state where the cartridge switch 31 is not pressed by the switch contact surface 30b.

[0036] Figure 4 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front cover 50 of the image forming device 1 is opened. In the state in which the front cover 50 is opened in this way, the boxes 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are exposed to the outside of the main body. This enables the user to remove / attach each box 20 from the main body. The front cover 50 is rotatably coupled to the main body of the image forming device 1 via a hinge (not shown) mounted on the lower edge of the front cover 50, for example. This enables the front cover 50 to be opened and closed in the direction of the arrow in the figure with the hinge as the central axis. When the user places his / her hand on the grip portion 50a and tilts the front cover 50 forward, the front cover 50 changes from its closed state to its open state. In addition, when the user lifts the upper edge of the opened front cover 50 and flips the front cover 50 upward in the opposite direction, the front cover 50 changes from its open state to its closed state. Figure 4There is also shown a cover switch 51 mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The cover switch 51 may be, for example, a pressure sensor. The protrusion 50b of the front cover 50 presses the cover switch 51 in a state where the front cover 50 is completely closed. The cover switch 51 outputs a state detection signal to the controller 100, the voltage of which is different between a state where the cover switch 51 is pressed by the protrusion 50b and a state where the cover switch 51 is not pressed by the protrusion 50b.

[0037] Despite Figure 4 Although not shown in the figure, other components that are movable by the user (e.g., openable and closable) may also be provided inside the main body of the image forming device 1. The user may be able to remove and attach other components of the image forming device 1 (e.g., the fixing unit 40) by moving these components. Changes in state due to, for example, the opening / closing of these components and the attachment / removal of replaceable components can be detected by switches and sensors similar to those described above. Although a pressure sensor has been exemplarily described above as a unit for detecting the state of a variable mechanism, the state detection unit is not limited to this example. For example, a light sensor that responds to light incident in a specific state (blocked in other states) can be used as a state detection unit.

[0038] If already used Figures 1 to 4 As described, the image forming device 1 includes one or more variable mechanisms that change between multiple states when physically operated by a user. How the user performs physical operations on these variable mechanisms affects the risk of abnormalities (such as failures and poor quality) in the image forming device 1. In particular, operations performed with a force that exceeds the durability of the device may trigger abnormalities such as breakage of components, loss of service life, and reduced quality of printed images. In view of this, the embodiments of the present disclosure that will be described in detail below incorporate a structure that enables the risk of abnormalities in the image forming device 1 to be evaluated based on sounds caused by user operations.

[0039] Specifically, Figure 1As shown in , the image forming device 1 includes a microphone 70 as a sound collecting unit. The microphone 70 obtains sound waves within the audible range generated inside the image forming device 1, and outputs a sound level signal indicating the level of the sound waves by means of a voltage to the controller 100. The microphone 70 is, for example, a MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) microphone, which converts the displacement of a vibrating membrane vibrating due to sound pressure into a voltage change and outputs the voltage change. The MEMS microphone includes, for example, a vibrating membrane and a rear electrode, which are arranged on a silicon substrate so as to face each other and form a capacitor. The vibration of such a vibrating membrane due to sound waves causes a change in the capacitance of the capacitor of the MEMS microphone. The MEMS microphone amplifies an electrical signal having a voltage in response to such a change in capacitance using an amplifier circuit, and outputs the resulting electrical signal. Note that the microphone 70 may be another type of microphone different from the MEMS microphone; for example, it may be a capacitor microphone. Generally, a microphone has a unique resonant frequency. In this article, for example, a microphone having a resonant frequency that is not included in the frequency band of the sound waves that should be obtained in the image forming device 1 may be used.

[0040] <<3. Example of controller configuration>>

[0041] Figure 5 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the controller 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 , the controller 100 includes a sound processing circuit 110, a buffer 130, a state notification section 140, and a CPU 150. The sound processing circuit 110 includes an amplifier 111, an AD converter 113, a DC removal circuit 115, a square calculation circuit 117, and an interval average circuit 119. The CPU 150 is connected to a communication interface 160 and a display 165.

[0042] As described above, the microphone 70 obtains sound waves within the audible range, including sound waves generated when the user physically operates the variable mechanism of the image forming device 1, and outputs sound wave level signals to the amplifier 111, which are analog signals indicating the level of the obtained sound waves. The amplifier 111 amplifies the sound wave level signal and outputs the amplified signal to the AD converter 113. The AD (analog-digital) converter 113 converts the form of the signal input from the amplifier 111 from an analog form to a digital form, and outputs the sound wave level signal in digital form to the DC removal circuit 115. The DC (direct current) removal circuit 115 converts the sound wave level signal input from the AD converter 113 into a signal indicating only the fluctuation of the sound wave level (sound pressure) by removing the DC component, and outputs the converted signal to the square calculation circuit 117. A notification of the reference value of the DC component to be removed can be provided from the CPU 150, which will be described later. In the sound wave level signal from which the DC component has been removed, the sound pressure fluctuation is represented as a signed numerical value. The square calculation circuit 117 squares the value of the sound wave level signal input from the DC removal circuit 115, and outputs the squared signal to the interval averaging circuit 119. In the squared sound wave level signal, the magnitude of the sound pressure fluctuation is represented as a positive value. The interval averaging circuit 119 calculates the interval average value of the sound wave level signal input from the square calculation circuit 117 for each time interval of a certain time length. The time length of each time interval can be a fixed length of, for example, 2ms. Alternatively, for each time interval, the interval averaging circuit 119 can use a time length that varies according to the type of sound detected. The sound wave level signal is formatted by the aforementioned square and interval averaging, and results in a plurality of sound wave level data in chronological order indicating the magnitude of the sound pressure fluctuation in each time interval. The interval averaging circuit 119 writes the plurality of sound wave level data as the result of the interval averaging into the buffer 130 in sequence.

[0043] The buffer 130 is a storage unit that stores pieces of sound wave level data indicating sound wave levels in respective time intervals of the sound waves obtained by the microphone 70. The buffer 130 may be, for example, a ring buffer that stores pieces of sound wave level data in respective time intervals in a cyclic manner. Figure 6 1 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of the configuration of the buffer 130 as a ring buffer. Figure 6 In the example of FIG. 1 , the buffer 130 includes N storage areas 132, which are respectively assigned indexes 131 from 0 to N-1. The i-th (i=0, ..., N-1) storage area is expressed as S(i), and the sound wave level data L in the k-th time interval is kis stored in the storage area S(k mod N). For example, after the interval averaging circuit 119 has written the sound wave level data in a certain time interval into the (N-1)th storage area S(N-1), it overwrites the 0th storage area S(0) with the sound wave level data in the next time interval. In this way, the buffer area 130 always holds the most recent N sound wave levels L as data.

[0044] The state notification section 140 monitors the state of one or more variable mechanisms of the image forming apparatus 1 based on a state detection signal input from a state detector such as the cartridge switch 31 and the cover switch 51. When a change in the state of a certain variable mechanism has been detected from a change in the voltage of the state detection signal, the state notification section 140 notifies the CPU 150 of the change in state. The state notification section 140 may also notify the CPU 150 of information identifying the variable mechanism whose state has changed.

[0045] The CPU 150 is a processor that performs calculations required to control the functions of the image forming device 1. When a change in the state of the variable mechanism of the image forming device 1 has been detected, the CPU 150 generates statistical information about the sound waves obtained by the microphone 70 based on the sound wave level data stored in the buffer 130. As an example, the CPU 150 can generate statistical information about the sound waves based on the sound wave levels in one or more time intervals stored in the buffer 130 before the time point when the state change is detected and based on the sound wave levels in one or more time intervals stored in the buffer 130 after this time point. As another example, the CPU 150 can generate statistical information about the sound waves based on the sound wave levels of the sound waves obtained by the microphone 70 in one or more time intervals after the time point when the state change is detected. The statistical information about the sound waves generated by the CPU 150 may include one or more of the average value, maximum value, and integrated value of the sound wave levels of the sound waves obtained in multiple time intervals. Such statistical information can be used as a measure for evaluating the strength of the force applied to the variable mechanism when the user operates.

[0046] The communication interface 160 is an interface for communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and another apparatus. The communication interface 160 may be a wired interface, or may be a wireless interface. The display 165 is a device that displays information generated by the CPU 150. Figure 2 The screen 80 shown in FIG. 8 may be part of the display 165 .

[0047] Figure 71 is a graph showing, in chronological order, the sound wave levels of sound waves (i.e., operation sounds) actually obtained when the operation of inserting the cartridge tray 30 into the main body of the image forming device 1 is performed. The horizontal axis of the graph indicates time (s). The dashed line of the graph represents the signal level (voltage value) of the state detection signal output from the cartridge switch 31. As shown in the figure, the signal level of the state detection signal from the cartridge switch 31 first indicates a high level corresponding to the state in which the cartridge tray 30 is pulled out, but transitions to a low level at time T=0.5. This means that the cartridge tray 30 is fully inserted into the main body at time T=0.5.

[0048] Figure 7 The solid line of the graph represents the signal level (dBV) of the sound wave obtained by the microphone 70 when the cartridge tray 30 is operated with a relatively strong force. The dotted line of the graph represents the signal level (dBV) of the sound wave obtained by the microphone 70 when the cartridge tray 30 is operated with a relatively weak force. As shown in the figure, compared with the case where the cartridge tray 30 is inserted with a small operating intensity and a low speed, the sound wave level indicates a large value, especially near T=0.5, when the cartridge tray 30 is inserted with a large operating intensity and a high speed. Therefore, it can be said that by, for example, analyzing statistical values ​​such as the average value, the maximum value or the integrated value of the sound wave level in the entire interval 171 including T=0.5, it is possible to evaluate whether the user's operation of the cartridge tray 30 is appropriate. Figure 7 In the example of FIG. 1 , the interval 171 is an interval from T=0.45 to T=0.55 and lasts for 100 milliseconds.

[0049] Figure 8 : is a graph showing the relationship between the insertion speed (m / s) of the cartridge tray 30 and the average sound wave level (dBV) of the operation sound for each of the three modes of the amount of paper contained in the cartridge tray 30. In the graph, the horizontal axis indicates the cartridge insertion speed (m / s), and the vertical axis indicates the average sound wave level (dBV). The cross marks drawn in the graph represent the actual measured values ​​in the state where the cartridge tray 30 contains no paper, the triangle marks represent the actual measured values ​​in the state where the cartridge tray 30 contains a medium amount of paper, and the solid circles represent the actual measured values ​​in the state where the cartridge tray 30 contains a full load of paper. As can be seen from Figure 8 It can be understood that the average value of the sound wave level accompanying the insertion of the cartridge tray 30 is proportional to the cartridge insertion speed and hardly depends on the amount of paper accommodated in the cartridge tray 30. Therefore, based on statistical information about the operation sound generated when the cartridge tray 30 is operated, values ​​such as the speed and acceleration of the cartridge tray 30 during operation and the measure of the force applied to the cartridge tray 30 can be estimated.

[0050] Fig. 91 is a graph showing the sound wave level of the sound wave (i.e., the operation sound) actually obtained when the operation of closing the front cover 50 is performed in chronological order. The horizontal axis of the graph indicates time (s). The dashed line of the graph represents the signal level (voltage value) of the state detection signal output from the lid switch 51. As shown in the figure, the signal level of the state detection signal from the lid switch 51 first indicates a high level corresponding to the state of the front cover 50 being opened, but changes to a low level at time T = 0.48. This means that the front cover 50 is completely closed at time T = 0.48.

[0051] Fig. 9 The solid line of the graph represents the signal level (dBV) of the sound wave obtained by the microphone 70 when the front cover 50 is operated with a relatively strong force. The dotted line of the graph represents the signal level (dBV) of the sound wave obtained by the microphone 70 when the front cover 50 is operated with a relatively weak force. As shown in the figure, compared with the case where the front cover 50 is closed with a small operating intensity and a low speed, the sound wave level indicates a large value when the front cover 50 is closed with a large operating intensity and a high speed, especially around T=0.48. Therefore, it can be said that by, for example, analyzing statistical values ​​such as the average value, the maximum value or the integrated value of the sound wave level in the entire interval 172 including T=0.48, it is possible to evaluate whether the user's operation of the front cover 50 is appropriate. Fig. 9 In the example of FIG. 1 , the interval 172 is an interval from T=0.45 to T=0.55 and lasts for 100 milliseconds.

[0052] Fig.10 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the speed (m / s) of closing the front cover 50 and the average sound wave level (dBV) of the operation sound. In the graph, the horizontal axis indicates the speed (m / s) of closing the cover, and the vertical axis indicates the average sound wave level (dBV). The solid circles drawn in the graph represent the actually measured values ​​of the average sound wave level. Fig.10 It can be understood that the average value of the sound wave level accompanying the operation of closing the front cover 50 is substantially proportional to the speed of this operation. Therefore, based on the statistical information about the operation sound generated when operating the front cover 50, values ​​such as the speed and acceleration of the front cover 50 during the operation and the measure of the force applied to the front cover 50 can be estimated.

[0053] If already used Figures 7 to 10As described, statistical information about sound waves obtained when operating the variable mechanism of the image forming device 1 (particularly when a change in the state of the variable mechanism is detected) is useful in evaluating the appropriateness of the user's operation. For example, when the force applied to the variable mechanism at the time of the user's operation is evaluated to be too strong, the user can be prompted to operate the variable mechanism with less force in subsequent operations by issuing a warning to the user. Taking such measures reduces the risk of abnormalities (such as failures and poor quality) in the image forming device 1. The poor quality mentioned here may include, for example, a reduction in printing accuracy caused by a position shift of the recording medium 2 within the cartridge tray 30. In addition, accumulating statistical information about sound waves as history in a memory located inside or outside the image forming device 1 helps to specify the cause of the abnormality after the abnormality has occurred.

[0054] The CPU 150 may associate the identification information of the variable mechanism whose state has changed with the statistical information about the sound waves generated in the case of this change. For example, the CPU 150 associates the first identification information identifying the cartridge tray 30 with the first statistical information generated in the case of the change of the state detected by the cartridge switch 31. In addition, the CPU 150 associates the second identification information identifying the front cover 50 with the second statistical information generated in the case of the change of the state detected by the cover switch 51. By associating the identification information identifying the variable mechanism with the statistical information about the sound waves in this way, the evaluation of the appropriateness of the user operation based on the statistical information or the evaluation of the risk of abnormality can be performed separately for each variable mechanism. The evaluation based on the statistical information or the accumulation of the statistical information can be performed in the image forming device 1, or can be performed in a device different from the image forming device 1. In the latter case, the statistical information can be transmitted to another device via, for example, the communication interface 160. The evaluation based on the statistical information can be performed manually by the user. In this case, the statistical information generated by the CPU 150 can be displayed on, for example, the screen 80 of the display 165.

[0055] In the foregoing, the cartridge tray 30 and the front cover 50 have been mainly described as the variable mechanism of the image forming apparatus 1. However, the aforementioned mechanism can also be applied to other user operations involving the state in which the cartridge 20 is attached / removed, the state in which the fixing unit 40 is attached / removed, the state of another member included in the main body (e.g., opening / closing of the right cover 48), etc. In addition, the aforementioned mechanism can also be applied to an operation direction opposite to the direction according to the described example (e.g., an operation of pulling out the cartridge tray 30, and an operation of opening the front cover 50).

[0056] <<4. Processing Flow>>

[0057] This section describes some examples of the flow of processing performed by the image forming device 1 according to the above-described embodiment. In a first working example, the image forming device 1 generates statistical information about sound waves based on the sound wave levels in N time intervals, and the N time intervals include a time interval before a time point at which a change in the state of a variable mechanism is detected and a time interval after this time point. As an example, this statistical information may be an average value of the sound wave levels of the entire N intervals. In a second working example, the image forming device 1 generates statistical information about sound waves based on the sound wave levels in N time intervals after a time point at which a change in the state of a variable mechanism is detected. As an example, this statistical information may be a maximum value of the N sound wave levels.

[0058] (1) First working example

[0059] Fig.11 : is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of statistics generation processing executed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the first working example. Fig.11 The statistics generation process shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented by a combination of hardware such as the sound processing circuit 110 included in the controller 100 and software (computer program) executed by the CPU 150. The computer program may be loaded into, for example, Figure 5 The processing steps are stored in a memory not shown in the figure and are executed by the CPU 150. Note that in the following description, the processing steps are abbreviated as S (step).

[0060] First, in step S1101, the CPU 150 initializes N storage areas in the buffer 130. Next, in step S1102, the CPU 150 initializes both the index variable i and the interval counter c to zero. The index variable i is a variable used to reference the storage area in the buffer 130 in a circular manner. The interval counter c is a variable used to count time intervals in generating statistical information.

[0061] In step S1103, the sound processing circuit 110 calculates the sound wave level L of the sound wave obtained by the microphone 70 in the most recent time interval through processing such as signal amplification, AD conversion, removal of DC components, square calculation, and interval averaging. In step S1104, the interval averaging circuit 119 of the sound processing circuit 110 writes the calculated sound wave level L to the storage area S(i) in the buffer 130 which is a ring buffer.

[0062] Thereafter, in step S1105, the process branches depending on whether the state notification section 140 has detected a change in the state of one of the variable mechanisms. When a change in the state of the variable mechanism has been detected, the process proceeds to step S1111. When a change has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S1106.

[0063] When a change in the state of the variable mechanism has not been detected, in step S1106, the process further branches depending on whether the CPU 150 is currently generating statistical information about the sound wave. For example, when the interval counter c is equal to zero, the generation of statistical information has not yet started, so the process proceeds to step S1107. On the other hand, when c is greater than zero, the CPU 150 is currently generating statistical information, so the process proceeds to step S1113.

[0064] In step S1107, the CPU 150 increments the index variable i. Next, in step S1108, the CPU 150 determines whether the index for referencing the buffer has reached its upper limit, that is, whether i=N. When i has reached N, in step S1109, the index variable i is initialized to zero for circular reference to the buffer. When i has not reached N, step S1109 is skipped. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1103.

[0065] When the state notification section 140 has detected a change in the state of the variable mechanism in step S1105, the CPU 150 determines in step S1111 whether the amount of sound wave level data in the buffer 130 is insufficient to generate statistical information. For example, assuming that generation of statistical information requires a total of N time intervals and the number of C seconds after detection of the state change is max In this case, when the interval counter c has not reached NC after being initialized in step S1102, max When the data in the buffer is insufficient, it can be determined that the data is insufficient. When the data in the buffer is insufficient, statistical information is not generated, and the process returns to step S1101. When the data in the buffer is not insufficient, the process proceeds to step S1112.

[0066] When the data in the buffer is not insufficient, in step S1112, the CPU 150 determines whether statistical information is currently generated at this point in time. For example, when the interval counter c is equal to zero, the generation of statistical information has not yet started, so the processing proceeds to step S1113. On the other hand, when c is greater than zero, it is interpreted that a new state change has been detected and the CPU 150 is currently generating statistical information for the previous state change. In this case, since it is difficult to generate meaningful statistical information, the generation of statistical information is canceled and the processing returns to step S1101.

[0067] In step S1113, the CPU 150 increments the interval counter c. Next, in step S1114, the CPU 150 determines whether the interval counter c has reached its upper limit. For example, when c ≥ C max, the interval counter c has reached its upper limit, so the process proceeds to step S1115. On the other hand, when c <C max , the interval counter c has not reached its upper limit, so the process proceeds to step S1107, and the calculation of the sound wave level L in the most recent time interval is advanced and L is cyclically written into the ring buffer.

[0068] When the interval counter c has reached its upper limit, in step S1115, the CPU 150 generates statistical information about the sound wave based on the N sound wave levels that have been written to the N storage areas in the buffer 130, respectively. For example, the CPU 150 may calculate the average value of the N sound wave levels as statistical information. The CPU 150 may also associate identification information with the generated statistical information, which identifies the variable mechanism whose state has changed and is provided as a notification from the state notification section 140. Then, the CPU 150 outputs the generated statistical information to a storage device so that the generated statistical information is stored in the storage device, transmits the generated statistical information to another device via the communication interface 160, or outputs the generated statistical information to the display 165 so that the generated statistical information is displayed on the screen 80. For example, when the generated statistical information satisfies a predetermined warning condition, the CPU 150 may output a warning message to the display 165 prompting the user to operate the variable mechanism with less force in subsequent operations, and display the warning message 80 on the screen. The warning condition may be, for example, a state in which the average value of the sound wave level (or another measure described later) exceeds a threshold value, or a state in which the threshold value has been exceeded a predetermined number of times. Instead of displaying a warning message, a warning to the user may be issued using other warning means, such as outputting a warning sound or a warning voice, or lighting a light emitting unit (eg, an LED).

[0069] Despite Fig.11 Although not shown in the figure, the CPU 150 can also estimate another measure for evaluating the strength of the force applied to the variable mechanism by substituting the average value of the sound wave level calculated in step S1115 into a predefined calculation formula. The other measure mentioned here can be, for example, the speed or acceleration of the operation or the strength of the force. The calculation formula can be defined as, for example, fitting the used Figure 8 and Fig.10 A function that describes the distribution of the actual measured values. Such another measure may also be included in the output statistics.

[0070] After that, Fig.11 The statistical information generation process shown in returns to step S1101, and continues to calculate the sound wave level L, write the sound wave level L into the buffer, and monitor the state change of the variable mechanism.

[0071] In the first working example, since statistical information is generated based on the sound wave levels in the time intervals before and after the time point when the state change of the variable mechanism is detected, the user operation can be more appropriately evaluated based on the operation sound compared to the second working example to be described later.

[0072] Note that, as a special case of the first working example, when zero is set to C max When the state of the variable mechanism is detected, statistical information about the sound wave can be generated based on the sound wave levels in N time intervals before the time point when the change in the state of the variable mechanism is detected. The parameters controlling the number of time intervals (such as N and C) max ) can be defined in advance as fixed parameters, or can be changed by an administrator.

[0073] (2) Second working example

[0074] Fig.12 : is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of statistics generation processing executed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the second working example. Fig.12 The statistics generation process shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented by a combination of hardware such as the sound processing circuit 110 included in the controller 100 and software (computer program) executed by the CPU 150. The computer program may be loaded into, for example, Figure 5 The present invention relates to a memory not shown in the figure and is executed by the CPU 150.

[0075] First, in step S1201, the CPU 150 initializes N storage areas in the buffer 130. Next, in step S1202, the CPU 150 sets variables i and L max Initialized to zero. Variable i is a variable used to sequentially reference a storage area in buffer 130. Variable L max is a variable used to store the maximum value of the sound wave level.

[0076] In step S1203, the CPU 150 stands by until the state notification section 140 detects a change in the state of one of the variable mechanisms. When a change in the state of the variable mechanism has been detected, the process proceeds to step S1204.

[0077] In step S1204, the sound processing circuit 110 calculates the sound wave level L of the sound wave obtained by the microphone 70 in the most recent time interval through processes such as signal amplification, AD conversion, removal of DC components, square calculation, and interval averaging. The interval averaging circuit 119 of the sound processing circuit 110 writes the calculated sound wave level L to the storage area S(i) in the buffer 130.

[0078] Next, in step S1205, the CPU 150 determines whether the sound wave level L calculated in step S1204 exceeds L max When L exceeds L max In step S1206, the CPU 150 replaces L with L max to update the maximum value of the sound wave level. Next, in step S1207, the CPU 150 increments the variable i. Next, in step S1208, the CPU 150 determines whether the statistical period corresponding to the N time intervals has ended. For example, when i has reached N, the statistical period has ended, so the processing proceeds to step S1209. On the other hand, when i has not reached N, the statistical period has not ended, so the aforementioned steps S1204 to S1207 are repeated for the next time interval.

[0079] When the process proceeds to step S1209, L at this point in time max The value of indicates the maximum value of the N sound wave levels calculated during the statistical period after the time point at which the state change of the variable mechanism is detected. In step S1209, the CPU 150 converts this maximum value L max The statistical information about the sound waves is output to a storage device, the communication interface 160 or the display 165 .

[0080] Likewise, in this working example, the CPU 150 can also calculate the maximum value L by max Substitute into the predefined calculation formula to estimate another measure for evaluating the strength of the force applied to the variable mechanism, and include such another measure estimated in the statistical information. In addition, the CPU 150 may associate identification information identifying the variable mechanism whose state has changed with the output statistical information.

[0081] After that, Fig.12 The statistics generation process shown in returns to step S1201, and the monitoring of the state change of the variable mechanism is resumed.

[0082] Comparing the second working example with the first working example, the second working example does not need to constantly perform repeated calculations of the sound wave level L and store it in the buffer, so the burden on resources for calculation and storage purposes in the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced.

[0083] <<5. Implementation as an image forming system>>

[0084] An example has been described above in which both the function of calculating the sound wave level in each time interval from the sound level signal and the function of generating statistical information about the sound wave are implemented on the image forming device 1. However, part of these functions (for example, signal processing and statistical calculation in the digital domain) can be implemented on another device connected to the image forming device 1 via a network. That is, the technology according to the present disclosure is generally applicable to image forming systems. The image forming system mentioned here can mean both a single image forming device and multiple devices that cooperate with each other (at least one of which is an image forming device). Another device that cooperates with the image forming device can be, for example, a server device in a service center that manages the status of multiple image forming devices. One or more of the function of calculating the sound wave level, the function of generating statistical information about the sound wave, the function of presenting the statistical information to the administrator, the function of providing the statistical information to the original image forming device, and the function of evaluating the user operation by analyzing the statistical information can be implemented on the aforementioned another device.

[0085] <<6. Conclusion>>

[0086] So far, Figures 1 to 12 Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail. In the above-described embodiment, when an image forming device has detected a change in the state of a variable mechanism physically operated by a user, statistical information about at least one sound wave obtained by a sound collecting unit in a time period based on the moment when the change has been detected is generated. This configuration enables the use of statistical information based on sounds caused by user operations to evaluate the risk of abnormalities (such as failures and poor quality) in the image forming device.

[0087] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, based on the sound wave level of the sound wave obtained in one or more time intervals corresponding to the time point at which the change is detected, statistical information can be generated as, for example, an average value, a maximum value or an integrated value of the sound wave level. Since these statistical values ​​are correlated with the strength of the force applied to the variable mechanism during user operation, it is possible to evaluate in a simple manner whether the user operation has been appropriate by analyzing the statistical information. For example, in the case where the force applied to the variable mechanism during user operation is evaluated to be too strong, the user can be prompted to operate the variable mechanism with less force in subsequent operations by issuing a warning to the user. Such measures are taken to reduce the risk of abnormalities (such as failures and poor quality) in the device.

[0088] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, statistical information may be generated in association with identification information that identifies the variable mechanism whose state change has been detected. In this case, when the statistical information is analyzed, it is possible to clearly indicate which of the multiple variable functions that may be included in the image forming device has been subjected to a problematic operation.

[0089] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the statistical information can be transmitted to another device via the communication interface. In this case, it is possible to evaluate whether the user operation is appropriate by analyzing the statistical information on such another device (eg, a device in a service center).

[0090] In addition, in the above embodiment, the statistical information can be displayed on the display of the image forming apparatus. In this case, a user (or another user such as an administrator) who has operated the image forming apparatus can be directly provided with a notification of whether the user operation is appropriate via the screen.

[0091] The above embodiment has mainly described an example in which the technology according to the present disclosure is applied to an image forming apparatus. However, the above structure for outputting statistical information about sound waves can also be applied to other types of image processing apparatuses, such as scanners and facsimile devices.

[0092] <<7. Other embodiments>>

[0093] Embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by reading out and executing computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more completely referred to as a 'non-transitory computer-readable storage medium') to perform one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments and / or a computer of a system or device including one or more circuits (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and by a computer of the system or device, for example, reading out and executing computer executable instructions from a storage medium to perform one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments and / or controlling one or more circuits to perform one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute computer executable instructions. Computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a storage device of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), or a Blu-ray disk (BD)) TM ), one or more of flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

[0094] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0095] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An image forming system, include: An image forming device, comprising: a first variable mechanism that changes from a first state to a second state or from a second state to a first state when physically operated by a user, a first detection unit configured to detect a change in a state of the first variable mechanism, and Sound collection unit; a generating unit configured to generate, when the first detecting unit detects the change, first statistical information about at least one sound wave caused by an operation performed by a user on the first variable mechanism, which is obtained by the sound collecting unit in a period based on a time when the change is detected; and A warning unit configured to warn the user to operate the first variable mechanism with less force in a subsequent operation when the first statistical information about the at least one sound wave generated by the generation unit satisfies a predetermined warning condition.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the generating unit is configured to generate the first statistical information based on the sound wave levels of the sound waves obtained by the sound collecting unit in one or more time intervals before the moment, and the sound wave levels of the sound waves obtained by the sound collecting unit in one or more time intervals after the moment. 3 . The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the generating unit is configured to generate the first statistical information based on a sound wave level of the sound wave obtained by the sound collecting unit in one or more time intervals after the time. 4 . The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the first statistical information includes one or more of an average value, a maximum value, and an integrated value of the sound wave levels of the sound waves obtained in a plurality of time intervals. 5 . The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the first statistical information is used as a measure for evaluating the intensity of a force applied to the first variable mechanism at the time of a user operation.

6. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein The generating unit is configured to associate first identification information identifying the first variable mechanism with the first statistical information.

7. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming device further comprises: include: the generating unit, and A communication unit configured to transmit the first statistical information generated by the generation unit to another device. 8 . The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises a display unit configured to display the first statistical information generated by the generating unit.

9. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein The image forming device also include: a second variable mechanism that changes from the third state to the fourth state or from the fourth state to the third state when physically operated by a user, and a second detection unit configured to detect a change in a state of the second variable mechanism, and The generation unit is configured to generate second statistical information about at least one sound wave obtained by the sound collection unit in a time period based on the moment when the second detection unit detects the change, and to associate second identification information identifying the second variable mechanism with the second statistical information when the second detection unit detects the change.

10. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first variable mechanism comprises a cover which is mounted on a main body of the image forming device in an openable and closable manner, The first state is a state in which the lid is opened, and The second state is a state in which the cover is closed.

11. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first variable mechanism includes a tray that accommodates a recording medium supplied to the image forming device, The first state is a state in which the tray is pulled out from a main body of the image forming apparatus, and The second state is a state in which the tray is inserted into the main body.

12. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first variable mechanism includes a cartridge that contains a recording agent for forming an image, The first state is a state in which the cartridge is removed from a main body of the image forming apparatus, and The second state is a state in which the cartridge is attached to the main body.

13. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first variable mechanism includes a fixing unit for fixing the image on the recording medium, The first state is a state in which the fixing unit is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and The second state is a state in which the fixing unit is attached to the main body.

14. An image forming system, include: An image forming device, comprising: a variable mechanism that changes from a first state to a second state or from a second state to a first state when physically operated by a user, a detection unit configured to detect a change in the state of the variable mechanism, and Sound collection unit; a determination unit configured to determine, when the detection unit detects the change, whether a sound wave level of the sound wave caused by the operation performed on the variable mechanism by the user obtained by the sound collection unit in a period based on a time when the change is detected exceeds a threshold value; and A warning unit configured to warn the user to operate the variable mechanism with a smaller force in a subsequent operation when the determination unit determines that the sound wave level of the sound wave exceeds the threshold value.

Images