Abnormality diagnostic system, image formation device, abnormality diagnostic method, and program

Abstract

To provide an abnormality diagnostic system which enables reduction of costs of component exchange while reducing service time / down time, and to provide an image formation device, an abnormality diagnostic method, and a program.SOLUTION: An abnormality diagnostic system includes: an image formation device 20 including a unit (a transport unit 30) comprising a plurality of components and a determination unit (a control unit 21) which determines whether or not an abnormality occurs in the unit; a presumption unit (a control unit 11) which presumes a component having the abnormality of the plurality of components based on first information on the components and second information on resolving the abnormality when the determination unit determines that the abnormality occurs in the unit; and a notification unit (the control unit 11) which notifies a user of the component having the abnormality which is presumed by the presumption unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an abnormality diagnosis system, an image forming apparatus, an abnormality diagnosis method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system is known that displays replacement part candidates by referring to a parts replacement database for each model and troubleshooting. For example, a configuration has been disclosed in which replacement part candidates are extracted and prioritized based on similarity of past troubles / maintenance information / contribution to resolving the troubles (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-350923 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned system that displays replacement part candidates can identify the faulty unit, but cannot identify the parts inside the unit. Therefore, replacement of the unit as a whole is required, which increases costs. On the other hand, when replacing a single part, it is possible that the part replacement may not be performed properly, such as by replacing a part that is not broken. In this case, there is a problem that the service time / downtime increases, such as the need to reorder replacement parts.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an abnormality diagnosis system, an image forming apparatus, an abnormality diagnosis method, and a program that are capable of reducing service time / downtime while suppressing the cost of part replacement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 has been made to achieve the above object, In the abnormality diagnosis system, an image forming apparatus including a unit including a plurality of parts and a determination unit for determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the unit; an estimation unit that, when the determination unit determines that the unit has an abnormality, estimates which of the plurality of parts has an abnormality based on first information about the plurality of parts and second information about a resolution of the abnormality of the unit; a notification unit that notifies a part having an abnormality estimated by the estimation unit; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 1, The first information is information relating to manufacturing.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 2, The information relating to the manufacturing includes at least one of special information, change information, 4M information, and adjustment value information.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 1, The information processing device is characterized by comprising a storage unit that stores the first information and the second information.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 1, The second information is history information of maintenance performed on an image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 5, The maintenance history information is characterized by including at least one of the machine S / N, the replaced part that led to the abnormality being resolved, the number of sheets that could be sustained before the part was replaced, and the method of dealing with the problem if the problem could be resolved without replacing the part.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 1, The information processing device is characterized by comprising an acquisition unit that acquires the first information and the second information.

[0013] The invention described in claim 8 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 6, The maintenance history information is updated by inputting information after an abnormality is resolved.

[0014] The invention described in claim 9 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 1, The notification unit is characterized in that it gives priority to notifying a part having an abnormality estimated by the estimation unit, the part having an abnormality that has been resolved by part replacement at a high rate.

[0015] The invention described in claim 10 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 1, The notification unit is characterized in that, among the parts having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit, the notification unit gives priority to a part that has been eliminated by replacing the part in a large number of cases.

[0016] The invention described in claim 11 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 1, The notification unit is characterized in that it causes a display unit to display the part having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit.

[0017] The invention described in claim 12 is the abnormality diagnosis system described in claim 1, the image forming apparatus includes an operation panel that displays various information and receives operation inputs; The notification unit is characterized in that it causes the part having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit to be displayed on the operation panel.

[0018] The invention described in claim 13 is In an image forming apparatus, A unit consisting of a plurality of parts; A determination unit for determining whether or not the unit is abnormal; an estimation unit that, when the determination unit determines that the unit has an abnormality, estimates which of the plurality of parts has an abnormality based on first information about the plurality of parts and second information about a resolution of the abnormality of the unit; a notification unit that notifies a part having an abnormality estimated by the estimation unit; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0019] The invention described in claim 14 is 1. An abnormality diagnosis method for an abnormality diagnosis system including an image forming apparatus including a unit including a plurality of components and a determination unit that determines whether or not an abnormality exists in the unit, comprising: an estimation step of estimating which of the plurality of parts has an abnormality based on first information about the plurality of parts and second information about elimination of the abnormality of the unit, when the determination unit determines that the unit has an abnormality; a notification step of notifying the part having the abnormality estimated in the estimation step; Includes.

[0020] The invention described in claim 15 is A computer of an abnormality diagnosis system including an image forming apparatus including a unit including a plurality of parts and a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the unit, an estimation unit that, when the determination unit determines that the unit has an abnormality, estimates which of the plurality of parts has an abnormality based on first information about the plurality of parts and second information about elimination of the abnormality of the unit; a notification unit that notifies a part having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit; This is a program that functions as a Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce service time / downtime while suppressing the cost of part replacement. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an abnormality diagnosis system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control structure of the abnormality diagnosis system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 11 is a diagram showing an example of an information management table in which first information and second information are associated with each other. FIG. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of control of an image forming apparatus constituting the abnormality diagnosis system. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control of a PC constituting the abnormality diagnosis system. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the priority order of recommendations is determined based on the replacement ratio of each part when a trouble is resolved. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the priority order of recommendations is determined based on the number of replacements of each part when a trouble is resolved. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] 1 and 2, the abnormality diagnosis system 1 according to this embodiment includes a PC 10 and an image forming apparatus 20. The devices constituting the abnormality diagnosis system 1 are connected to a communication network N. Specifically, the communication network N is the Internet, a telephone line network of a telecommunications carrier, a mobile phone communication network, or the like.

[0025] The PC 10 is a terminal device such as a desktop PC or a notebook PC that is used by a user who has installed the abnormality diagnosis system 1. The PC 10 includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15, as shown in FIG.

[0026] The control unit 11 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The control unit 11 performs overall control of the operation of each unit of the PC 10 in cooperation with the CPU and program data expanded in a working area of ​​the RAM. The program data is stored in the ROM and the storage unit 14.

[0027] The operation unit 12 includes, for example, a keyboard having character input keys, numeric input keys, etc., a pointing device such as a mouse, etc. The operation unit 12 accepts an operation input from a user and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 11 according to the operation input.

[0028] The display unit 13 includes a display such as an LCD, and displays on a display screen an image based on a display control signal output from the control unit 11. The display unit 13 displays, for example, a screen for notifying (recommending) a part having an estimated abnormality.

[0029] The storage unit 14 is composed of, for example, a HDD, a semiconductor memory, etc. The storage unit 14 stores data such as program data and various setting data in a manner that allows the control unit 11 to read and write the data. For example, the storage unit 14 stores machine information of each image forming apparatus 20 constituting the abnormality diagnosis system 1. The storage unit 14 also stores first information (manufacturing information) related to a plurality of parts constituting a unit. The storage unit 14 also stores second information (past maintenance history information) related to solving a problem (abnormality) of the unit. 3 shows an example of an information management table TA1 in which the first information and the second information are associated with each other. In the information management table TA1, trouble information, machine information, the first information (manufacturing information), and the second information (maintenance history information) are associated with each other.

[0030] The communication unit 15 is a communication interface having a communication IC, a communication connector, etc. Under the control of the control unit 11, the communication unit 15 performs data communication via the communication network N using a predetermined communication protocol.

[0031] The image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, an image reading unit 22, an image forming unit 23, a storage unit 24, an operation panel 25, a communication unit 26, and a conveying unit 27.

[0032] The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. First, the CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM in response to an instruction signal and loads the programs in the RAM. The instruction signal is received by an operation signal input from the operation unit 252 or by the communication unit 26. Next, the CPU comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 in cooperation with the various programs loaded in the RAM.

[0033] The image reading unit 22 reads an image of an original placed on an original table or an automatic document feeder (ADF) (not shown) and obtains an image signal. Specifically, the image reading unit 22 scans and exposes the image of the original using the optical system of a scanning exposure device, reads the reflected light using a line image sensor, and obtains an image signal. The image signal is subjected to processes such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and compression, and then input to the control unit 21 as image data. Note that the image data input to the control unit 21 is not limited to that read by the image reading unit 22. For example, it may be image data received from an external device (not shown) via the communication unit 26.

[0034] The image forming unit 23 forms an image made up of four colors, C, M, Y, and K, on ​​a sheet of paper in accordance with the pixel values ​​of the four colors of each pixel of the original image that has been subjected to image processing. The image forming unit 23 includes four writing units 231, an intermediate transfer belt 232, a secondary transfer roller 233, a fixing unit 234, and the like.

[0035] The four writing units 231 are arranged in series (tandem) along the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 232, and form images of the respective colors of C, M, Y, and K. The writing units 231 have the same configuration except for the colors of the images they form. Each writing unit 231 includes an optical scanning unit 231a, a photoconductor 231b, a developing unit 231c, a charging unit 231d, a cleaning unit 231e, and a primary transfer roller 231f.

[0036] When forming an image, in each writing unit 231, first, the photoconductor 231b is charged by the charging unit 231d. Next, the photoconductor 231b is scanned with a light beam emitted from the optical scanning unit 231a based on the original image to form an electrostatic latent image. When the developing unit 231c supplies a color material such as toner and develops it, an image (toner image) is formed on the photoconductor 231b. The images formed on the photoconductors 231b of the four writing units 231 are transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 232 in a sequentially overlapping manner by the respective primary transfer rollers 231f. As a result, images of each color are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 232. The intermediate transfer belt 232 is an image carrier that rotates while being wound around a number of rollers. After the primary transfer, the color material remaining on the photoconductors 231b is removed by the cleaning unit 231e.

[0037] In the image forming unit 23, a sheet is fed in accordance with the timing when the image on the rotating intermediate transfer belt 232 reaches the position of the secondary transfer roller 233. In the image forming unit 23, a sheet is fed from a manual feed tray T1 or a paper feed tray T2. One of the pair of secondary transfer rollers 233 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 232. The other of the pair constitutes one of the multiple rollers that wind around the intermediate transfer belt 232. Next, the image is transferred (secondary transfer) from the intermediate transfer belt 232 onto the sheet by the pressure of the secondary transfer roller 233. Next, the sheet is transported to the fixing unit 234 where a fixing process is performed, and the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray T3 by the sheet discharge roller R1. The fixing process is a process in which the sheet is heated and pressurized by the fixing roller 234a to fix the image onto the sheet. When forming images on both sides of the paper, the paper is conveyed to a reversing path 235 to reverse the paper surface, and then the paper is fed again to the position of the secondary transfer roller 233 .

[0038] The storage unit 24 is a non-volatile storage means configured by an HDD, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 24 stores various programs, various setting data, etc. in a manner readable and writable by the control unit 21. For example, the storage unit 24 stores machine information of its own machine (S / N (serial number), usage information of each part, etc.).

[0039] The operation panel 25 includes a display unit 251 that displays various information to the user, and an operation unit 252 that accepts operation inputs by the user. The display unit 251 is composed of a color liquid crystal display or the like, and displays an operation screen and the like in accordance with a display control signal input from the control unit 21. The operation screen includes, for example, various setting screens, various buttons, and the operating status of each function. The operation unit 252 includes a touch panel provided on the screen of the display unit 251 and various hard keys arranged around the screen of the display unit 251. When a button displayed on the screen is pressed with a finger, a touch pen, or the like, the operation unit 252 first detects the XY coordinates of the pressed point of force as a voltage value. Next, the operation unit 252 outputs an operation signal associated with the detected position to the control unit 21. Note that the touch panel is not limited to a pressure-sensitive type, and may be, for example, an electrostatic type or an optical type. Also, when a hard key is pressed, the operation unit 252 outputs an operation signal associated with the pressed key to the control unit 21. The user can operate the operation unit 252 to perform settings related to image formation, paper transport instructions, and device stop operations. Settings related to image formation include, for example, image quality settings, magnification settings, application settings, output settings, and paper settings.

[0040] The communication unit 26 has a communication IC and a communication connector, and is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 20 to the communication network N. Under the control of the control unit 21, the communication unit 26 transmits and receives various information to and from external devices connected to the communication network N using a predetermined communication protocol. The communication unit 26 is also capable of inputting and outputting various information via a USB.

[0041] The conveying unit 27 first supplies paper from the manual feed tray T1 or the paper feed tray T2 to the image forming unit 23. Next, the conveying unit 27 conveys the paper within the image forming apparatus 20 until the paper after the image formation is discharged outside the image forming apparatus 20. The transport section 27 includes a transport unit 30 for transporting the paper.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit 30 includes a transport roller 31, a transport gear 32, a motor 33, and a cable . The control unit 21 is equipped with a motor driver for driving the motor 33, and controls the transport unit 30. For example, when the control unit 21 detects an abnormal rotation signal of the motor driver, it outputs trouble information and machine information of its own machine to the abnormality diagnosis system 1.

[0043] Next, the control of the abnormality diagnosis system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The control of Fig. 4 is a control in which the image forming apparatus 20 transmits its own trouble information and machine information to the PC 10 when a trouble occurs. The control of Fig. 4 is started when the image forming apparatus 20 is powered on.

[0044] First, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 judges whether or not a trouble (abnormality) has occurred in a unit consisting of a plurality of parts (step S101). The unit is, for example, the conveying unit 30. Specifically, the control unit 21 judges that a trouble has occurred when it detects an abnormal rotation signal of a motor driver. That is, the control unit 21 functions as a judgment unit of the present invention that judges whether or not there is an abnormality in the unit consisting of a plurality of parts. When the control unit 21 determines that a trouble has occurred in the unit (step S101: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S102. On the other hand, if the control unit 21 determines that no trouble has occurred in the unit (step S101: NO), the control unit 21 repeats the process of step S101.

[0045] Next, the control unit 21 extracts units (associated units) and parts (associated parts) related to the trouble (step S102).

[0046] Next, the control unit 21 transmits the trouble information and machine information of the own machine to the PC 10 constituting the abnormality diagnosis system 1 via the communication unit 26 (step S103). The trouble information is, for example, a trouble code, information on the timing of the trouble occurrence, the print mode at the time of the trouble occurrence, etc. (see FIG. 3). The machine information is the S / N (serial number) of the own machine, related parts linked to the trouble code and their usage history (number of sheets durable), etc. (see FIG. 3). If a part is replaced, information after the replacement is recorded in the usage history. Through the above process, trouble information and machine information are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20 in which a trouble has occurred to the PC 10 constituting the abnormality diagnosis system 1.

[0047] 5 is a control in which PC 10 estimates and notifies an abnormal part regarding a trouble in image forming apparatus 20. The control in Fig. 5 is started when control unit 11 of PC 10 receives, via communication unit 15, the information transmitted in step S103 in Fig. 4.

[0048] First, the control unit 11 of the PC 10 extracts and acquires the first information of the related parts linked to the S / N and trouble code transmitted in step S103 (step S201). That is, the control unit 11 functions as an acquisition unit of the present invention that acquires the first information. Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires the first information by referring to the information management table TA1 (see FIG. 3) stored in the storage unit 14. The first information is information related to manufacturing (manufacturing information). The manufacturing information includes at least one of special information, change information, 4M information, and adjustment value information. The 4M information is variation information of Man, Machine, Material, and Method.

[0049] Next, the control unit 11 extracts and acquires the second information linked to the trouble code transmitted in step S103 (step S202). That is, the control unit 11 functions as an acquisition unit of the present invention that acquires the second information. Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires the second information by referring to the information management table TA1 (see FIG. 3) stored in the storage unit 14. The second information is history information of maintenance performed on another image forming apparatus 20 different from the image forming apparatus 20 that transmitted the information in step S103. The maintenance history information includes at least one of the machine S / N, the replacement part that led to the resolution of the trouble, the durability number before the part replacement, and the countermeasure method in the case where the problem can be solved without the part replacement. That is, the second information is information regarding the resolution of the trouble (abnormality) of the unit. In FIG. 3, information such as the print mode when the trouble occurred, the replacement part that led to the resolution of the trouble and its S / N, the usage history (durability number) of the part before the replacement, the special part, and the changed part are exemplified as the maintenance history information. The maintenance history information is updated by inputting various pieces of information via the operation unit 12 after the trouble has been resolved.

[0050] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the first information (manufacturing information) acquired in step S201 includes a specially selected part (step S203). When the control unit 11 determines that a special part is included (step S203: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S204. On the other hand, when the control unit 11 determines that the special part is not included (step S203: NO), the process proceeds to step S205.

[0051] In step S204, the control unit 11 classifies all parts related to the trouble into special parts and non-special parts, and calculates the replacement ratio of each part. Specifically, the control unit 11 calculates the replacement ratio of each part by referring to the second information acquired in step S202. Then, the process proceeds to step S206.

[0052] In step S205, the control unit 11 calculates the replacement ratio of all parts related to the occurred trouble. Specifically, the control unit 11 calculates the replacement ratio of each part by referring to the second information acquired in step S202. Then, the process proceeds to step S206.

[0053] In step S206, the control unit 11 notifies (recommends) preferentially the parts having the high replacement ratios calculated in step S204 or step S205.

[0054] As described above, the control unit 11 performs the following controls through the processes in steps S204 to S206. Specifically, the control unit 11 first estimates which of the multiple parts constituting the unit has an abnormality (is related to the abnormality) based on the first information and the second information. That is, the control unit 11 functions as an estimation unit of the present invention. Next, the control unit 11 notifies (recommends) the user of the parts that have the estimated abnormality. That is, the control unit 11 functions as a notification unit of the present invention. Specifically, the control unit 11 notifies the user of the parts that have the estimated abnormality in a priority order, starting from the parts that have a high ratio of parts that have been replaced to resolve the abnormality (trouble). That is, the control unit 11 calculates the ratio at which each part was replaced when the trouble was resolved, and notifies the user of the parts that have a high replacement ratio in priority order.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows an example of a state in which the priority order of recommendations is determined based on the replacement ratio of each part when a trouble is solved. FIG. 6 illustrates a case in which the total number of troubles in the transport unit 30 (including the control board of the control unit 21) is 20. FIG. 6(A) illustrates a case in which each part is classified into special parts and non-special parts. For example, of the 20 troubles in the transport gear 32, there are 12 special parts and 8 non-special parts. In the example shown in FIG. 6(A), the number of replacements of special parts and non-special parts in the transport gear 32 are 6 and 1, respectively. In this case, the replacement ratio of the transport gear 32 is 6 / 12 = 50% for special parts and 1 / 8 = 13% for non-special parts. In addition, the number of replacements of the motor 33 is 0 special parts and 9, so the replacement ratio is 9 / 20 = 45%. Similarly, the transport rollers 31 have zero special parts and three replacements, so the replacement ratio is three / 20 = 15%. The control board has zero special parts and one replacement, so the replacement ratio is one / 20 = 5%. The cables 34 have zero special parts and zero replacements, so the replacement ratio is zero / 20 = 0%. From the above, the recommendation priorities are as follows: 1st: transport gear 32, 2nd: motor 33, 3rd: transport rollers 31, 4th: control board, 5th: cables 34. Through the above process, it is possible to recommend parts that are most likely to have an abnormality among the multiple parts that make up a unit.

[0056] Note that Fig. 6(B) illustrates a case in which each part is not classified into special parts and non-special parts. In this case, the replacement ratio of parts other than the conveyor gear 32 is the same as in the case of Fig. 6(A). Since the number of replacements of the conveyor gear 32 is 7, the replacement ratio is 7 / 20 = 35%. From the above, the priority order of recommendations is as follows: 1st place: motor 33, 2nd place: conveyor gear 32, 3rd place: conveyor roller 31, 4th place: control board, 5th place: cable bundle 34. As described above, in the case where parts are not classified into special and non-special parts, different recommendations are made, and the accuracy of the recommendations decreases.

[0057] Specific notification methods include a method of displaying the information on a display unit, a method of outputting an audio signal from an audio output unit, etc. For example, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display the part having the estimated abnormality. Also, the control unit 11 may cause the operation panel 25 (display unit 251) of the image forming apparatus 20 to display the part having the estimated abnormality.

[0058] As described above, the abnormality diagnosis system 1 according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 20, an estimation unit (control unit 11), and a notification unit (control unit 11). The image forming apparatus 20 includes a unit (transport unit 30) consisting of a plurality of parts, and a determination unit (control unit 21) that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the unit. When the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the unit, the estimation unit estimates which of the plurality of parts has an abnormality based on first information about the plurality of parts and second information about the resolution of the abnormality in the unit. The notification unit notifies the user of the part that has the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit. Therefore, according to the abnormality diagnosis system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to estimate and notify (recommend) the part having an abnormality. This makes it possible to notify replacement parts in the smallest unit. This allows the serviceman to select the appropriate replacement part without hesitation, and it is possible to reduce the service time / downtime. In addition, it is possible to suppress the cost of part replacement.

[0059] The first information is information related to manufacturing. The information related to manufacturing includes at least one of special information, change information, 4M information, and adjustment value information. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the part having an abnormality based on the manufacturing information of the image forming apparatus 20 in which the trouble has occurred, and this allows the part to be replaced appropriately. For example, if the material of a gear is temporarily changed and adopted as a special order, but the gear is easily damaged, there are many cases where the trouble is solved by replacing the gear during the special order period when the gear is adopted. In this case, the conventional configuration has a problem that a recommendation with a high priority for the gear is mistakenly issued regardless of whether it is a special order period or not. In the present invention, it is possible to notify parts with abnormalities based on the information on the special order / period / lot number. In other words, it is possible to notify the gear with priority during the special order period and to notify the parts excluding gear replacement during other periods. As a result, unnecessary part replacement is not performed compared to the conventional prior art, and it is possible to reduce service time and service costs.

[0060] The second information is history information of maintenance performed on another image forming apparatus 20 different from the image forming apparatus 20. The history information of maintenance includes at least one of the machine S / N, a replaced part that led to the resolution of the abnormality, the number of sheets that could be printed before the part was replaced, and a method of dealing with the problem if the problem could be resolved without replacing the part. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the part having an abnormality based on the maintenance history information of the image forming apparatus 20 other than the troubled machine, and thus it is possible to carry out accurate part replacement.

[0061] The device also includes a storage unit 14 that stores the first information and the second information, and an acquisition unit (control unit 11) that acquires the first information and the second information. Therefore, the part having an abnormality can be easily identified based on the first information and the second information, which facilitates accurate part replacement.

[0062] Furthermore, the maintenance history information is updated by inputting information after the abnormality is resolved. Therefore, the maintenance history information can be updated every time a trouble is resolved, and the information required to identify the part having an abnormality can be updated to an appropriate one, thereby improving the accuracy of identifying the part having an abnormality.

[0063] Furthermore, the notification unit gives priority to notifying the parts having an abnormality estimated by the estimation unit, in order of the rate at which the abnormality has been resolved by part replacement. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user in order of the parts that are most likely to be abnormal among the multiple parts that make up the unit, thereby making it possible to appropriately notify the user of the parts to be replaced.

[0064] In addition, the notification unit causes the display unit 13 to display the part having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit. This allows the service technician to efficiently arrange for replacement parts and perform the replacement work, thereby enabling efficient and accurate part replacement.

[0065] The image forming apparatus 20 further includes an operation panel 25 that displays various information and receives operation inputs. The notification unit causes the operation panel 25 to display the part having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit. This allows the user to efficiently order replacement parts and perform replacement work, thereby enabling efficient and accurate part replacement.

[0066] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on an embodiment thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0067] For example, in the above embodiment, priority is given to notification of the system having a high ratio of troubles resolved by part replacement, but this is not limited to the above. For example, priority may be given to notification of the system having a large number of cases in which anomalies were resolved by part replacement. That is, the control unit 11 may extract the number of cases in which each part was replaced when a trouble was resolved, and priority may be given to notification of the system having a large number of replacements. FIG. 7 shows an example of a state in which the priority order of recommendations is determined based on the number of replacements of each part when a trouble is solved. FIG. 7 illustrates a case in which the total number of troubles of the transport unit 30 (including the control board of the control unit 21) is 20. FIG. 7(A) illustrates a case in which each part is classified into special parts and non-special parts. For example, of the 20 troubles of the transport gear 32, there are 12 special parts and 8 non-special parts. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 7(A), the number of replacements of the special parts for the transport gear 32 is 6, and the number of replacements of the non-special parts is 1. FIG. 7(B) illustrates a case in which each part is not classified into special parts and non-special parts. That is, the number of replacements of the transport gear 32 is 6 when classified into special parts and non-special parts (see FIG. 7(A)), and 7 when not classified (see FIG. 7(B)). The number of replacements of other parts was 9 for the motor 33, 3 for the transport roller 31, 1 for the control board, and 0 for the cable 34. From the above, the priority order of recommendations is as follows: 1st place: motor 33, 2nd place: transport gear 32, 3rd place: transport roller 31, 4th place: control board, and 5th place: cable 34. Through the above process, it is possible to recommend parts that are most likely to have an abnormality among the multiple parts that make up a unit.

[0068] As described above, the notification unit gives priority to the parts that have been estimated by the estimation unit as having an abnormality and that have been resolved by part replacement in order of the number of cases. Therefore, it is possible to notify the parts that are most likely to have an abnormality among the multiple parts that make up the unit in order. This allows appropriate notification of the parts to be replaced. In particular, when the number of maintenance history information items is small, the accuracy of estimating abnormal parts may be low when judging based on the replacement ratio. Therefore, when the number of maintenance history information items is small, the accuracy of estimation can be improved by giving priority to parts with a large number of replacements.

[0069] In the above embodiment, all parts related to the trouble that has occurred are classified into special parts and non-special parts, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of special information, any of change information, 4M information, and adjustment value information may be used for classification.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the conveying unit 30 is described as an example of the unit of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, any unit that constitutes a part of the image forming apparatus 20 may be used, for example, a transfer unit or a fixing unit.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the abnormality diagnosis system 1 is described as an example of a configuration for implementing the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be realized by the image forming device 20 alone by making the control unit 21 of the image forming device 20 function as the acquisition unit, estimation unit, and notification unit of the present invention.

[0072] In addition, the detailed configurations and operations of each device constituting the abnormality diagnosis system may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Abnormality diagnosis system 10PCS 11 Control unit (acquisition unit, estimation unit, notification unit) 12 Control section 13 Display section 14 Storage section 15 Communications Department 20 Image forming device 21 Control section (judgment section) 22 Image reading unit 23 Image forming section 231 Writing Department 231a Optical scanning unit 231b Photoreceptor 231c Developing section 231d Charging section 231e Cleaning Department 231f Primary transfer roller 232 Intermediate transfer belt 233 Secondary transfer roller 234 Fixing part 235 Reverse Route 24 Memory section 25 Operation Panel 251 Display section 252 Operation section 26 Communications Department 27 Conveyor 30 Transport unit (unit) 31 Transport roller 32 Conveyor gear 33 Motor 34 Bundled wire T1 Manual Feed Tray T2 Paper Tray T3 Output Tray

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus including a unit including a plurality of parts and a determination unit for determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the unit; an estimation unit that, when the determination unit determines that the unit has an abnormality, estimates which of the plurality of parts has an abnormality based on first information about the plurality of parts and second information about a resolution of the abnormality of the unit; a notification unit that notifies a part having an abnormality estimated by the estimation unit; An abnormality diagnosis system comprising:

2. 2. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein the first information is information relating to manufacturing.

3. 3. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to the manufacturing process includes at least one of special information, change information, 4M information, and adjustment value information.

4. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit that stores the first information and the second information.

5. 2. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein the second information is history information of maintenance performed on an image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus.

6. 6. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 5, wherein the maintenance history information includes at least one of the machine S / N, the replaced part that led to the abnormality being resolved, the number of sheets that could be sustained before the part was replaced, and a method of dealing with the problem if the problem could be resolved without replacing the part.

7. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1 , further comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring the first information and the second information.

8. 7. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 6, wherein the maintenance history information is updated by inputting information after an abnormality is resolved.

9. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit gives priority to notifying the parts having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit in accordance with a rate at which the abnormality has been resolved by part replacement.

10. 2. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit gives priority to notifying, among the parts having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit, parts that have a large number of cases in which the abnormality has been resolved by part replacement.

11. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1 , wherein the notification unit causes a display unit to display the part having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit.

12. the image forming apparatus includes an operation panel that displays various information and receives operation inputs; 2. The abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit causes the component having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit to be displayed on the operation panel.

13. A unit consisting of a plurality of parts; A determination unit for determining whether or not the unit is abnormal; an estimation unit that, when the determination unit determines that the unit has an abnormality, estimates which of the plurality of parts has an abnormality based on first information about the plurality of parts and second information about a resolution of the abnormality of the unit; a notification unit that notifies a part having an abnormality estimated by the estimation unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

14. 1. An abnormality diagnosis method for an abnormality diagnosis system including an image forming apparatus including a unit including a plurality of components and a determination unit that determines whether or not an abnormality exists in the unit, comprising: an estimation step of estimating which of the plurality of parts has an abnormality based on first information about the plurality of parts and second information about elimination of the abnormality of the unit, when the determination unit determines that the unit has an abnormality; a notification step of notifying the part having the abnormality estimated in the estimation step; An abnormality diagnosis method comprising:

15. A computer of an abnormality diagnosis system including an image forming apparatus including a unit including a plurality of parts and a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the unit, an estimation unit that, when the determination unit determines that the unit has an abnormality, estimates which of the plurality of parts has an abnormality based on first information about the plurality of parts and second information about elimination of the abnormality of the unit; a notification unit that notifies a part having the abnormality estimated by the estimation unit; A program to function as a

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