Image forming system, diagnostic system, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique that can appropriately gives notification about a replacement part that is likely to be a portion causing a defect.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus collects data related to the operation of the image forming apparatus and transmits the collected data to a server. The server detects a defect occurring in the image forming apparatus on the basis of the data, specifies, on the basis of the data, that a portion of the defect is within a first range that is a range including a plurality of replacement parts, and when capable of specifying that the portion of the defect is within a second range included in the first range, specifies the second range. When specifying the second range, the server notifies a display unit of the specification so that the display unit displays information indicating that the defect is likely to be within the second range. When not specifying the second range and specifying the first range, the server notifies the display unit of the specification so that the display unit displays information indicating that the defect is likely to be within the first range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a diagnostic technique for an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices such as copiers and laser printers have replacement parts (replacement units) that are replaced when their lifespan is reached. If a replacement part is used beyond its lifespan, it may cause problems such as the generation of noises different from normal operating sounds (hereinafter, abnormal noises) and defective images. For example, if a transport roller that transports a sheet is used beyond its lifespan, abnormal noises may be generated due to wear on its surface. In addition, if a cleaning blade that removes toner remaining on a photoconductor is used beyond its lifespan, it may be damaged or deformed, causing streaky image defects in the formed image.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a sound collector is placed inside an image forming apparatus and the sound collector is compared with known abnormal sounds to detect a part that is generating an abnormal sound. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-14818 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Since malfunctions occur due to various factors, even if the cause is narrowed down to one replacement part, the result may be incorrect. In such cases, it may take a long time to resolve the malfunction. In order to quickly resolve the malfunction, it is necessary to properly notify replacement parts that may be the cause.

[0006] The present invention provides a technique capable of appropriately notifying a replacement part that may be the cause of a malfunction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a server capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus has a collection means for collecting data regarding the operation of the image forming apparatus and a transmission means for transmitting the data to the server, and the server detects a malfunction occurring in the image forming apparatus based on the data, and identifies based on the data that the location of the malfunction is in a first range that includes a plurality of replacement parts equipped in the image forming apparatus, and further has an identification means for identifying the second range if it is possible to identify that the location of the malfunction is in a second range that is included in the first range, and an indication means for notifying the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may be in the second range if the identification means identifies the second range, and an indication means for notifying the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may be in the first range if the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately notify a part to be replaced that is likely to be the cause of the malfunction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to some embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a diagnostic system, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 3] 1 is a functional block diagram of a diagnostic system, according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart of a threshold setting process according to some embodiments. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates sound data according to some embodiments. [Figure 6]4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between statistics and thresholds according to some embodiments. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart of a process for identifying a first area according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] 4 is an illustration of a process for identifying a first area, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9] 4A-4C are diagrams illustrating examples of a first area, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10] 13A-13C are diagrams illustrating abnormal sound data according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart of a process for identifying a second area according to some embodiments. [Figure 12] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating examples of notification content according to some embodiments. [Figure 13] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of image defects according to some embodiments. [Figure 14] 4 is an illustration of a process for detecting image defects according to some embodiments. [Figure 15] 4 is an illustration of a process for detecting image defects according to some embodiments. [Figure 16] 4 is an illustration of a process for detecting image defects according to some embodiments. [Figure 17] 4 is an illustration of a process for detecting image defects according to some embodiments. [Figure 18] 4 is an illustration of a process for detecting image defects according to some embodiments. [Figure 19] 4 is an illustration of a process for detecting image defects according to some embodiments. [Figure 20] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating examples of notification content according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0011] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 according to some embodiments. The image forming apparatus 100 has cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K that form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images on an intermediate transfer body 12. The cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K have the same configuration except for the color of the toner they contain, and will be collectively referred to as cartridge 5 below. The cartridge 5 is configured to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and has a photoconductor 1, a charging roller 2, a developing roller 3, a cleaning blade 4, and a waste toner container 7. The intermediate transfer body unit 11 has an intermediate transfer body 12, a driving roller 15, a tension roller 13, primary transfer rollers 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, a cleaning blade 16, and a waste toner container 17. During image formation, the photoconductor 1 of the cartridge 5 is rotated clockwise in the figure. During image formation, the drive roller 15 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, whereby the intermediate transfer body 12 is also rotated counterclockwise in the drawing.

[0012] The charging roller 2 charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1 which is rotated. The scanning unit 8 exposes each photoreceptor 1 based on image data, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1 of each cartridge 5. The developing roller 3 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1 with toner, thereby forming a toner image on the photoreceptor 1. The primary transfer rollers 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K output a primary transfer voltage, respectively, to transfer the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 1 of the cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K to the intermediate transfer body 12. The cleaning blade 4 removes the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer body 12 from the photoreceptor 1, and collects it in the waste toner container 7. The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer body 12 is transported to a position facing the secondary transfer roller 14 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer body 12.

[0013] On the other hand, the feed roller 22 of the feeding unit 20 feeds the sheet S stored in the cassette 21 to the conveying path of the image forming apparatus 100. The conveying roller 23 conveys the sheet S fed by the feed roller 22 downstream. The separation roller 24 is provided to prevent double feeding. The registration unit 25 has a registration roller 26 and a conveying sensor 90 that detects the sheet S. The registration roller 26 conveys the sheet S toward the nip area formed by the secondary transfer roller 14 and the intermediate transfer body 12. The secondary transfer roller 14 transfers the toner image of the intermediate transfer body 12 to the sheet S by outputting a secondary transfer voltage. The timing at which the registration roller 26 sends the sheet S toward the nip area is adjusted based on the timing at which the conveying sensor 90 detects the sheet S so that the toner image of the intermediate transfer body 12 is transferred to the sheet S. The fixing unit 30 has a fixing film 31 and a pressure roller 32, and heats and presses the sheet S to fix the toner image onto the sheet S. After the toner image is fixed, the sheet S is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 by a discharge roller 41 of the discharge unit 40. Note that the image reading device 501, the opposing guide 502, and the discharge roller 503 in FIG. 1 are not necessary in this embodiment and may be omitted.

[0014] In the conveying direction of the sheet S, a receiving unit 71 that receives sound waves is provided between the conveying sensor 90 and the secondary transfer roller 14. The receiving unit 71 may have, for example, a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) microphone that converts the vibration displacement of a diaphragm caused by pressure into a voltage change and outputs it. Note that, as long as it is possible to receive sound waves, a microphone other than a MEMS microphone, such as a condenser microphone, may also be used.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a diagnostic system or an image forming system including an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, a host computer 200, an image forming apparatus 100, a server 300 which is an information processing apparatus, and a maintenance management device 400 are configured to be able to communicate with each other, for example, via a network. A control unit 201 of the host computer 200 includes a CPU which is a processor, and performs various processes by executing a control program stored in a storage device (not shown). An operation display unit 202 includes a display, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and provides a user interface. For example, the control unit 201 transmits a print job including image data to the image forming apparatus 100 in response to a user operation on the operation display unit 202, and causes the image forming apparatus 100 to form an image based on the image data.

[0016] The video controller 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 can communicate with the host computer 200, the server 300, and the maintenance management device 400. When the video controller 101 receives a print job from the host computer 200, it controls the printer engine 103 to form an image based on the print job. The operation display unit 102 includes an operation panel, operation buttons, and the like, and provides a user interface. The printer engine 103 has an engine control unit 110 including a CPU 111, which is a processor, a ROM 112, and a RAM 113. The ROM 112 is a non-volatile memory that holds and stores a control program and various data. Note that a rewritable non-volatile memory can be used instead of the ROM 112. The RAM 113 is a volatile memory that stores temporary data. The CPU 111 executes a control program stored in the ROM 112, thereby controlling each part shown in FIG. 1 and each motor 91 to 95 shown in FIG. 2 via the IO port 104 to form an image on the sheet S.

[0017] The feed motor 91 is a drive source for the feed roller 22, the transport roller 23, and the registration roller 26. The intermediate transfer motor 92 is a drive source for the drive roller 15. The photoconductor motor 93 is a drive source for each photoconductor 1. The development motor 94 is a drive source for each development roller 3. The fixing motor 95 is a drive source for the pressure roller 32 of the fixing unit 30 and the discharge roller 41 of the discharge unit 40.

[0018] The computing unit 301 of the server 300 includes one or more processors (CPUs) and executes a control program stored in the storage device 302 to perform various processes described below. The storage device 302 includes any volatile and non-volatile storage device. The storage device 302 stores not only the program executed by the computing unit 301, but also data used by the computing unit 301 in various processes. In this embodiment, the storage device 302 is a component of the server 300, but some or all of the data described below as being stored in the storage device 302 may be stored in an external device that the server 300 can access via a network.

[0019] The maintenance management device 400 is an information device such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer used by a person in charge of maintenance management of the image forming apparatus 100, and in this embodiment has an operation display unit 402 such as a touch display.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the engine control unit 110 and the calculation unit 301 of the server 300 shown in Fig. 2 in this embodiment. Note that the functional blocks shown in Fig. 3 can be realized by the CPU 111 of the engine control unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the CPU of the calculation unit 301 of the server 300 each executing a corresponding control program.

[0021] When the received sound processing unit 140 receives a print job, it processes the sound signal output by the receiving unit 71 that has received the sound waves. The received sound amplifier 141 amplifies the sound signal from the receiving unit 71. The analog-to-digital (AD) conversion unit 142 converts the sound signal output by the received sound amplifier 141 into a digital signal (digital value). Since the sound signal output by the receiving unit 71 contains a DC component, the reference value setting unit 143 subtracts a reference value from each digital value indicated by the digital signal from the AD conversion unit 142, and extracts only the components related to the pressure fluctuation of the sound. The reference value is set by the CPU 111.

[0022] The filter calculation unit 144 applies a filter to the digital signal from which the DC component has been removed by the reference value setting unit 143, and performs filtering. The filter calculation unit 144 has a plurality of filters, and performs filtering using the filters set by the CPU 111. The square calculation unit 145 performs squaring of the digital signal after filtering. The section average calculation unit 146 performs section average calculation of the digital signal after squaring. In this embodiment, as an example, the time section for performing the section average calculation is set to 100 ms. The time length for performing the section average calculation is not limited to 100 ms. The time length for performing the section average calculation can also be changed for each measurement. By performing the square calculation and the section average calculation, a sound wave level L indicating the magnitude of the sound pressure fluctuation for each time section is obtained. The section average calculation unit 146 stores the sound wave level L for each time section in the sound information storage unit 150.

[0023] At this time, the state notification unit 160 determines the operation state of each of the motors 91 to 95, that is, whether or not the motors are operating, and associates the sound wave level L of the time interval with the operation state of each of the motors 91 to 95 in the time interval. In the following description, the motors 91 to 95 are collectively referred to as "actuators". The sound information storage unit 150 stores information indicating the operation state of each actuator in the time interval and the sound wave level L in the time interval for each time interval. If the operation state of an actuator changes during the time interval, for example, the operation state of the actuator with the longer operation time in the time interval is used. Hereinafter, information stored in the sound information storage unit 150 indicating the time interval, the operation state of each actuator in the time interval, and the sound wave level L in the time interval is referred to as sound data. One piece of sound data is information indicating the operation state and sound wave level L of each actuator for each of a plurality of consecutive time intervals. Furthermore, one piece of sound data can be associated with print setting information such as the type of filter applied by the filter calculation unit 144 and the type (or basis weight) of the sheet S used for printing. In this manner, in this embodiment, sound data is generated in the image forming apparatus 100. The sound information storage unit 150 of the engine control unit 110 transmits the sound data to the server 300. The server 300 stores the sound data acquired from the image forming apparatus 100 in the storage device 302.

[0024] Next, the processing performed by the calculation unit 301 of the server 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The classification unit 311 classifies and groups the sound data stored in the storage device 302. The grouping is performed based on the difference between the operation states of each actuator in each of a plurality of time periods of one sound data. Specifically, a plurality of sound data in which the operation states of each actuator in each of a plurality of time periods are the same are grouped into the same group. The grouping may further be performed based on a filter applied when the sound data is generated. In this case, for example, even if there are two sound data in which the operation states of each actuator in each of a plurality of time periods are the same, if the filters applied when the two sound data are generated are different, the two sound data will belong to different groups. Furthermore, the grouping may be performed based on print setting information. In this case, for example, even if there are two sound data in which the operation states of each actuator in each of a plurality of time periods are the same, if the types of the sheet S that were conveyed when the two sound data were acquired are different, the two sound data will belong to different groups.

[0025] The statistical value calculation unit 312, as described later, calculates a statistical value P for each time interval for each group based on a plurality of sound data within the same group. In this way, the processing described below is performed independently for each group. Therefore, even if the term "for each group" is omitted below, it means processing performed independently for each group unless it is clearly stated that it is not for each group. The threshold setting unit 313, as described later, sets a threshold value TH-P for each time interval based on the statistical value P for each time interval. The identification unit 314, as described later, detects the occurrence of an abnormal sound, that is, the occurrence of a malfunction, using the threshold value TH-P for each time interval. Furthermore, when the identification unit 314 detects the occurrence of an abnormal sound, it identifies a cause part that is likely to cause the abnormal sound. The notification unit 315 notifies information related to the identification result by the identification unit 314. Note that the notification destination can be, for example, the maintenance management device 400, the host computer 200 used by the user of the image forming device 100, or the image forming device 100. The notification destination device can display the notification content from notification unit 315 on the display of the operation display unit.

[0026] In this embodiment, one sound data is acquired during a period from when the last sheet S of one or more sheets S on which an image is formed in one print job reaches a predetermined position to after all actuators of the image forming apparatus 100 have stopped. In this embodiment, the timing when the sheet S reaches the predetermined position is assumed to be the timing when the trailing edge of the sheet S passes the detection position of the sheet S by the conveyance sensor 90. Also, the length of the period during which one sound data is acquired is assumed to be 1600 ms. In this embodiment, the length of one time period is 100 ms, so that one sound data is data indicating the sound wave level L of each of 16 consecutive time periods and the operating state of each actuator.

[0027] The period from the timing when the trailing edge of the last sheet S in one print job passes through the transport sensor 90 until all the actuators of the image forming apparatus 100 stop includes a period when the sheet S is not transported near the receiving unit 71, and is a period during which the operation sound of each actuator of the image forming apparatus 100 is easily received. In the following description, the period from the timing when the trailing edge of the last sheet S passes through the transport sensor 90 until all the actuators of the image forming apparatus 100 stop is referred to as a "post-rotation period". Note that the period for acquiring sound data is not limited to the above-mentioned period. For example, if there is no need to reduce the load of the sound data generation process by the image forming apparatus 100 or the processing load of the server 300 due to the large data amount of sound data, the period from the start of feeding each sheet S to its discharge can be set as the acquisition period for one sound data.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows the setting process of the threshold value TH-P performed by the server 300. When the classification unit 311 acquires one piece of sound data from the image forming apparatus 100, in S10, it determines the group to which the sound data belongs, and stores the sound data in the storage device 302 in association with the group to which the sound data belongs. As described above, the grouping is performed based on the difference in the operating state of each actuator over 16 time periods. Furthermore, the grouping is performed based on the applied filter and print setting information. FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 5(B) show two pieces of sound data classified into different groups based on the operating state of each actuator. Note that "1" of each actuator in FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 5(B) indicates that the actuator is operating (operating state), and "0" indicates that the actuator is not operating (non-operating state). The sound data shown in FIG. 5(A) and the sound data shown in FIG. 5(B) are grouped into different groups because the states of the actuators in the shaded parts in time period #9 are different.

[0029] When new sound data is added to a group, in S11, the statistical value calculation unit 312 calculates a statistical value P for each of the 16 time intervals based on the new N pieces of sound data including the added sound data. The statistical value P can be, for example, a percentile value of the N pieces of sound data. As an example, N=100, and the 95th percentile value can be the statistical value P. In this case, if the 16 time intervals of one sound data are time interval #1 to time interval #16, the value of the fifth highest sound wave level L among the 100 sound wave levels L in time interval #1 becomes the statistical value P for time interval #1.

[0030] When the number of the calculated statistical values ​​P reaches M, the threshold setting unit 313 sets a threshold value TH-P for each of the 16 time intervals based on the M statistical values ​​P in S12. The threshold value TH-P can be, for example, a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the average value of the M statistical values ​​P. As an example, M can be set to 100. FIG. 6 shows an example of a sound level L, a statistical value P calculated from the sound level L, and a threshold value TH-P calculated from the statistical value P. In FIG. 6, the threshold value TH-P is set to a value 10 dB higher than the average value of the M statistical values ​​P. In this manner, the threshold value TH-P is calculated based on M×N sound levels L.

[0031] The calculation method of the statistical value P is not limited to the above method. For example, the statistical value P can be any percentile value or the maximum value of N sound levels L. Furthermore, the statistical value P can be the average value of a predetermined number of the N sound levels L. Similarly, the setting method of the threshold value TH-P is not limited to the above method. For example, the threshold value TH-P can be the average value or percentile value of M statistical values ​​P increased by a predetermined method.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for determining whether an abnormal sound is generated and the cause of the abnormal sound. The process of FIG. 7 is executed after the threshold value TH-P for each of the 16 time intervals is set. The classification unit 311 groups the sound data every time the sound data is input from the image forming device 100, and the statistical value calculation unit 312 calculates the statistical value P corresponding to each of the 16 time intervals every time sound data is added to a group. The process of FIG. 7 is executed when the statistical value calculation unit 312 calculates a new statistical value P. The statistical value P in the process of FIG. 7 is based on the sound data acquired by the server 300 after the threshold value TH-P is set, and may be referred to as a "determination value P" when distinguished from the statistical value P used to calculate the threshold value TH-P.

[0033] In S20, the identification unit 314 compares the newly calculated statistical value P for each of the 16 time intervals with the threshold value TH-P for the corresponding time interval. The identification unit 314 then determines that a time interval in which the statistical value P is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH-P is an occurrence interval in which an abnormal sound is occurring, and determines the other time intervals as non-occurrence intervals in which no abnormal sound is occurring. The identification unit 314 then obtains an abnormal sound vector in which the occurrence interval is set to a value "1" and the non-occurrence interval is set to a value "0". The number of dimensions of the abnormal sound vector is equal to the number of time intervals, which is 16 in this example. Furthermore, the identification unit 314 obtains a motion vector for each actuator in which an interval in an operating state is set to a value "1" and an interval in a non-operating state is set to a value "0". The number of dimensions of the motion vector is also equal to the number of time intervals, which is 16 in this example. Note that as long as the values ​​of the occurrence interval and the operating interval are the same, the values ​​of the occurrence interval and the operating interval are not limited to "1". Similarly, the values ​​of the non-occurrence section and the section in the non-operating state are not limited to "0" so long as the values ​​of the non-occurrence section and the section in the non-operating state are the same. In S22, the identification unit 314 calculates an evaluation value of the similarity between the motion vector of each actuator and the abnormal sound vector. In this example, this evaluation value is the cosine value of the angle between the motion vector and the abnormal sound vector. In other words, if the motion vector is A and the abnormal sound vector is B, the evaluation value is A·B / (|A||B|). Here, A·B is the dot product of vector A and vector B.

[0034] A high degree of similarity between the motion vector of an actuator and the abnormal sound vector means that the actuator and the unit driven by the actuator are highly likely to be the cause of the abnormal sound. Here, in this example, the higher the degree of similarity between the motion vector and the abnormal sound vector, the closer the evaluation value is to 1. Therefore, the closer the evaluation value is to 1, the more likely it is that an actuator and a unit driven by the actuator are to be the cause of the abnormal sound. For this reason, in S23, the identifying unit 314 identifies an actuator whose evaluation value is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Note that if all elements of the abnormal sound vector are 0, that is, if all time intervals are non-occurrence intervals, no abnormal sound is occurring, and therefore the identifying unit 314 skips the processes of S21 to S23.

[0035] For example, it is assumed that the time interval #1 to #13 is determined as an occurrence interval and the time interval #14 to #16 is determined as a non-occurrence interval by the determination in S20. In this case, the abnormal sound vector is as shown in "Determination Result" in FIG. 8. If the operation state of each actuator is the same as that of FIG. 5(A), the motion vector of each actuator is as shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, in this case, the evaluation values ​​of the feed motor, intermediate transfer motor, photoconductor motor, development motor, and fixing motor are 0.48, 0.78, 0.78, 0.78, and 1, respectively. For example, if the threshold value is 0.9, the fixing motor and the unit driven by the fixing motor are identified as the cause of the abnormal sound. In other words, the identification unit 314 determines that it is highly likely that either the fixing unit 30 and discharge unit 40 driven by the fixing motor, or the fixing motor and the fixing drive unit for transmitting the driving force thereof to the fixing unit 30 and discharge unit 40 are the cause of the abnormal sound.

[0036] In the following description, the fixing unit 30 and the discharge unit 40 driven by the fixing motor, and the fixing drive unit including the fixing motor and the mechanism for transmitting the driving force thereof are collectively referred to as the "fixing area". The fixing area is a collective term for a plurality of units (replaceable parts) that are likely to be the cause of abnormal sound when the evaluation value of the fixing motor is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9, a "feed area" is defined for the feed motor. The feed area includes the registration unit 25 driven by the feed motor, and the feed motor and the feed drive unit that transmits the driving force thereof to the registration unit 25. The feed motor also transmits driving force to the feed unit 20, but since the feed unit 20 is stopped at the start of the post-rotation period in this embodiment, the feed unit 20 is excluded from the feed area. If the sound data includes a period during which the feed unit 20 is driven, the feed unit 20 is included in the feed area. 9, one "imaging area" is defined for the intermediate transfer motor 92, the photoconductor motor 93, and the developing motor 94. This is because the cartridge 5 and the intermediate transfer unit 11 driven by these motors operate in coordination with each other. The imaging area includes the cartridge 5 and the intermediate transfer unit 11, the intermediate transfer motor 92, the photoconductor motor 93, the developing motor 94, and an imaging drive unit for transmitting the driving forces of these motors.

[0037] As described above, in S23, the identifying unit 314 identifies a first area including multiple replacement parts that are likely to be the cause of the malfunction, based on the evaluation value of each motor. The first area is, for example, the feeding area, the imaging area, the fixing area, etc., shown in FIG.

[0038] The identification unit 314 identifies the first area that is likely to be the cause of the malfunction, and then, based on the abnormal sound data as shown in FIG. 10, determines a second area including one or more units that are more likely to be the cause of the malfunction (abnormal sound) among the multiple units included in the identified first area. The abnormal sound data is stored in advance in the storage device 302 of the server 300. The abnormal sound data is information indicating the relationship between one or more units and the evaluation value when the abnormal sound is generated by the unit for each applied filter. The abnormal sound data can be information indicating the relationship between one or more units and the evaluation value when the abnormal sound is generated by the unit for each type of sheet S, or information indicating the relationship between one or more units and the evaluation value when the abnormal sound is generated by the unit for each combination of the applied filter and the type of sheet S. The abnormal sound data is created in advance based on experiments or abnormal sounds that have occurred in the past. The first data in FIG. 10 indicates that the discharge unit 40 is likely to be the cause if the evaluation value of the fixing motor when the high-pass filter is used is 0.9 or more and the evaluation value of the fixing motor when the low-pass filter is used is less than 0.9. Similarly, the second data in FIG. 10 indicates that if the fuser motor rating is 0.9 or greater in both the high-pass and low-pass filters, the fuser drive unit is likely to be the cause.

[0039] Fig. 11 is a flowchart of the process executed by the identification unit 314 using the abnormal sound data in S23 of Fig. 7. In S30, the identification unit 314 determines an actuator whose evaluation value is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In S31, the identification unit 314 reads out the abnormal sound data relating to the actuator determined in S30 from the storage device 302. In S32, the identification unit 314 compares the evaluation value of each filter of the actuator determined in S30 with the abnormal sound data read out in S31. In S33, the identification unit 314 determines the second area causing the abnormal sound based on the comparison result in S32.

[0040] For example, it is assumed that the evaluation value of the fixing motor when the high-pass filter is used is 0.95, which is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and the evaluation value of the fixing motor when the low-pass filter is used is 0.5, which is less than the threshold value. It is also assumed that the evaluation values ​​of the other motors are less than the threshold value regardless of the filter used. The abnormal sound data is as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, in S30, the identification unit 314 determines that the evaluation value of the fixing motor is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and in S32, the identification unit 314 compares the evaluation value of the fixing motor when the low-pass filter and the high-pass filter are used with the abnormal sound data shown in FIG. 10. Since the evaluation value of the fixing motor matches the data No. 1 in FIG. 10, the identification unit 314 identifies that the discharge unit 40 is most likely to be the cause of the abnormal sound.

[0041] The notification unit 315 notifies the maintenance management device 400 so that the operation display unit 402 of the maintenance management device 400 displays the area that is likely to be the source of the abnormal sound identified by the identification unit 314 .

[0042] For example, when the number of sound data is small and an evaluation value is not obtained for each filter, the identification unit 314 can identify the first area, but cannot narrow down to the second area based on the abnormal sound data. For example, when the identification unit 314 identifies the fixed area as the first area but does not identify the second area, the notification unit 315 notifies the "fixed area" as the cause of the abnormal sound, as shown in FIG. 12(A). In response to the user selecting the "fixed area" part in FIG. 12(A), the notification unit 315 can display the replacement procedure of the three units included in the "fixed area" on the operation display unit 402, as shown in FIG. 12(B). The replacement procedure can also be configured to specify the replacement order. The replacement order can be based on a predetermined priority order.

[0043] In addition, when the collected sound data increases and evaluation values ​​are obtained for each filter, the identification unit 314 can narrow down the area to the second area based on the abnormal sound data. For example, when the identification unit 314 identifies the fixing area as the first area and further identifies the discharge unit 40 as the second area, the notification unit 315 can notify the discharge unit 40 as the cause of the abnormal sound as shown in FIG. 12(C). In response to the user selecting the "discharge unit" part in FIG. 12(C), the notification unit 315 can display the replacement procedure of the discharge unit 40 on the operation display unit 402 as shown in FIG. 12(D). As shown in FIG. 12(D), the screen showing the replacement procedure of the discharge unit 40 has a user operation area for displaying a screen showing the replacement procedure of the fixing area when the abnormal sound does not stop even after replacing the discharge unit 40. In response to a user selecting the "fixing area" portion of Figure 12 (D), the notification unit 315 can display on the operation display unit 402 the replacement procedures for two of the three units included in the "fixing area", excluding the discharge unit 40 previously displayed.

[0044] In addition, when the identification unit 314 identifies the second area, the notification unit 315 can be configured to notify not only the second area but also both the first area and the second area. FIG. 12(E) shows an example of information to be notified to the maintenance management device 400 or the like when the fixing area is identified as the first area and the discharge unit 40 is identified as the second area. In addition, the display order can be configured to display the discharge unit 40, which is likely to be the cause, before the fixing area. In response to the user selecting the part "discharge unit" in FIG. 12(E), the notification unit 315 can display the replacement procedure of the discharge unit 40 on the operation display unit 402. In response to the user selecting the part "fixing area" in FIG. 12(E), the notification unit 315 can display the replacement procedure of two units, excluding the separately displayed discharge unit 40, among the three units included in the "fixing area", on the operation display unit 402. The replacement procedure can also be configured to specify the replacement order. In FIG. 12(E), the discharge unit 40, which is most likely to be the cause, is displayed before the fixing area, but it is also possible to display information indicating that the discharge unit 40 should be replaced first.

[0045] In the example of the abnormal sound data shown in FIG. 10, the second area is one unit. However, there may be cases where there are two or more units that are likely to be the cause under the same conditions. For example, if the evaluation value of the fixing motor when using the high-pass filter is 0.9 or more and the evaluation value of the fixing motor when using the low-pass filter is less than 0.9, the possibility that either the discharge unit 40 or the fixing unit 30 is the cause may be higher than the possibility that the fixing drive unit is the cause. In this case, the discharge unit and the fixing unit are shown as the cause units of the first data in FIG. 10. Then, when the evaluation value matches the first data, the notification unit 315 notifies the discharge unit 40 and the fixing unit 30 as the second area. Therefore, the operation display unit 402 displays the discharge unit 40 and the fixing unit 30 as shown in FIG. 12(F). In addition, when the second area includes multiple replacement units, the configuration may be such that the order of replacement is also notified.

[0046] As described above, according to this embodiment, the identification unit 314 collects data related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 from the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the data related to the operation is data of the operation sound of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, when the identification unit 314 detects the occurrence of a malfunction based on the collected data, it identifies, based on the data, that the malfunction location is in a first area (first range) including a plurality of replacement parts. If the identification unit 314 can further identify, based on the data, that the malfunction location is in a second area (second range) including one or more replacement parts among the plurality of replacement parts included in the first area, it identifies the second area. Then, when the identification unit 314 can identify the second area, the notification unit 315 notifies, for example, that a display device such as the maintenance management device 400 displays that there is a possibility of a malfunction in the second area. Also, when the identification unit 314 cannot identify the second area, the notification unit 315 notifies, for example, that a display device such as the maintenance management device 400 displays that there is a possibility of a malfunction in the first area. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately notify the user of a part that may be the cause of the problem and be replaced.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the server 300 operates as a diagnostic device for the image forming apparatus 100. However, the process described as being executed by the server 300 may be executed by the engine control unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. That is, the calculation unit 301 and the storage device 302 of the server 300 may be provided inside the image forming apparatus 100. Furthermore, a part of the process executed by the received sound processing unit 140, for example, the process executed by the functional blocks after the reference value setting unit 143, that is, the process of generating sound data, may be executed by the server 300. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the digital signal output by the AD conversion unit 142 together with information indicating the operating state of each actuator to the server 300. In the present embodiment, the server 300 is configured as one server device, but the server 300 may be configured as multiple servers.

[0048] Moreover, the actuator may include not only a motor but also a sensor, a solenoid, an electromagnetic clutch, and the like. Although only one threshold value TH-P is set in this embodiment, two threshold values ​​TH-P may be set and the abnormal sound level may be evaluated in three levels of "0", "1", and "2". The abnormal sound level "0" indicates that no abnormal sound is occurring, and the abnormal sound levels "1" and "2" indicate that an abnormal sound is occurring. In this case, when the sound data includes the abnormal sound level "2", the identifying unit 314 lowers the threshold value to be compared with the evaluation value and identifies the actuator that is generating the abnormal sound. This makes it possible to more reliably identify the cause of the abnormal sound when a strong abnormal sound is occurring.

[0049] Second Embodiment Next, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment has an image reading device 501, an opposing guide 502, and a discharge roller 503 downstream of the discharge roller 41. The sheet S on which an image has been formed is sent from the discharge roller 41 to the discharge roller 503 and discharged by the discharge roller 503. During this time, the image reading device 501 optically reads the sheet S and transmits read data indicating the read image of the sheet S to the storage device 302 of the server 300. The read data may be RGB data indicating the luminance values ​​of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) for each pixel.

[0050] Next, a cleaning defect, which is one of the image defects that occur in the image forming apparatus 100, will be described. The cleaning blade 4 removes toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1, and the cleaning blade 16 removes toner remaining on the intermediate transfer body 12. When the cleaning blades 4 and 16 are unable to sufficiently remove toner due to deterioration or the like, a vertical streak C, which is a streak-like image defect extending in the transport direction of the sheet S, occurs as shown in FIG.

[0051] Next, the process of detecting image defects will be described. Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of sheet S where an image defect occurs. Vertical streaks C1, C2, and C3 occur on sheet S due to poor cleaning. The vertical streaks C1, C2, and C3 have different levels. Specifically, the level of vertical streak C1 is the lowest, and the level of vertical streak C3 is the highest. Note that the higher the level of the vertical streak, the more easily it is visually noticeable to the user.

[0052] In this embodiment, the image reading device 501 reads the sheet S at a resolution of 100 dpi. The area read to determine image defects is area E in FIG. 14, that is, the margin area (non-image area) at the leading edge of the sheet S in the transport direction. In this embodiment, the length of area E in the transport direction is 3.05 mm (12 dots). The width of area E, that is, the length in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction (hereinafter, width direction), depends on the size of the sheet. In this embodiment, the width of area E is 209.05 mm.

[0053] The determination unit 314 of the server 300 finds the average value of the color information of each dot in the area E. In this embodiment, the color information is the color value of the Lab color space. Therefore, the determination unit 314 converts each color value in the RGB color space read by the image reading device 501 into each color value in the Lab color space before performing the process described below. Note that, although the color values ​​in the Lab color space are used in this embodiment, color values ​​in any color space can be used. In the following, the average values ​​of the color values ​​L, a, and b in the entire area E are called L, ave , a ave , b ave It is written as follows.

[0054] 14, the specification unit 314 extracts a determination area U having a size of 3.05 mm×3.05 mm, that is, 12 dots×12 dots, from the area E. In the following description, the color value of each dot included in the determination area U is expressed as L mn , a mn and b mnHere, m is the order of dots from the top (leading end in the transport direction) to the bottom (rear end in the transport direction) of the determination area U, and n is the order of dots from the left to the right of the determination area U in FIG. 14. For example, L 45 is the color value L of the fourth dot from the top and the fifth dot from the left in the determination area U. In addition, in the following explanation, the direction in which the value of m increases is called the vertical direction, and the direction in which the value of n increases is called the horizontal direction.

[0055] The determination unit 314 determines L mn , a mn and b mn For each dot in the judgment area U, the color difference ΔE from the average color information of the area E mn Request. ΔE mn =√((L mn -L ave ) 2 +(a mn -a ave ) 2 +(b mn -b ave ) 2 ) (1) FIG. 15 shows the color difference ΔE of each dot obtained for one judgment area U. mn Next, the specification unit 314 calculates the color difference ΔE mn The color difference integrated value ΔE sum The determination unit 314 calculates the color difference integrated value ΔE sum By dividing by the total number of dots in the judgment area U, 144, the average color difference ΔE ave In the example of FIG. 15, the color difference integrated value ΔE sum is 515, so the average color difference ΔE ave becomes 3.58.

[0056] The specification unit 314 determines the average color difference ΔE ave The value added with a predetermined value is the threshold ΔE th In this embodiment, the predetermined value is set to 5, and therefore the threshold value ΔE thThe specification unit 314 calculates the color difference ΔE mn and threshold ΔE th In this embodiment, the color difference ΔE mn is the threshold ΔE th The dots with a color difference of ΔE or more are classified as first dots. mn is the threshold ΔE th Dots that are less than 100% are classified as second dots. In the example of Fig. 15, the two shaded dots indicate first dots, and the other white dots indicate second dots. The first dots are determined to be dots with toner attached or dots with minute particles of dirt attached. In other words, the second dots are normal dots, and the first dots can be abnormal dots.

[0057] In this embodiment, for each of the 12 vertical dot rows, the number of times a dot changes from a first dot to a second dot and the number of times a dot changes from a second dot to a first dot are counted to determine a count value. Each vertical dot row includes multiple dots (12 in this embodiment) lined up in the vertical direction. This count value will be referred to as the vertical change amount (HT) below. A similar count is performed for the 12 horizontal dot rows, and the count value is determined as the horizontal change amount (HY). FIG. 16 shows the color difference ΔE in FIG. 15. mn 16 shows the horizontal change amount and the vertical change amount calculated for the above-mentioned. The determination unit 314 calculates an integrated value ΣHT (first count integrated value) of the 12 vertical change amounts and an integrated value ΣHY (second count integrated value) of the 12 horizontal change amounts. In the example of FIG. 16, ΣHT=4 and ΣHY=4. In this embodiment, the ratio of the horizontal change amount is defined as RY=ΣHT / (ΣHT+ΣHY).

[0058] Furthermore, the level of image defects is RI=RY×ΔE sumThe determination unit 314 shifts the judgment region U to the right by a predetermined value, and repeats the above-mentioned process. The predetermined shift value is shorter than the horizontal length of the judgment region U, and is set to 2 mm in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the horizontal length of region E is 209.05 mm, so the above-mentioned process is repeated for a total of 103 judgment regions U.

[0059] 17A, 17B, and 17C show the color difference ΔE in the determination region U including the areas where the vertical stripes C1, C2, and C3 in FIG. 14 occur, respectively. mn HT and HY. The shaded dots indicate the color difference ΔE mn is the threshold ΔE th The above dots are the first dots, and the other dots are the second dots. Since the vertical stripe C1 is a single stripe, as shown in FIG. 17A, the color difference ΔE mn is the threshold ΔE th On the other hand, since the vertical stripes C2 and C3 are two stripes, as shown in Figs. 17B and 17C, the color difference ΔE mn is the threshold ΔE th The vertical stripe C3 has a higher density than the vertical stripe C2, so the color difference ΔE mn is the color difference ΔE of the first dot in FIG. mn It's getting bigger.

[0060] FIG. 18 shows the color difference integrated value ΔE sum , ΣHY, ΣHT, RY, and RI. Note that number #1 is the leftmost judgment area U, number #16 is the judgment area U including the vertical streak C1, number #61 is the judgment area U including the vertical streak C2, number #79 is the judgment area U including the vertical streak C3, and number #103 is the rightmost judgment area U.

[0061] From FIG. 18, it can be seen that the occurrence level of vertical stripes correlates with the level RI. For example, there is no significant difference in the values ​​of the horizontal change amount ratio RY for the judgment areas U numbered #16, #61, and #79, which include vertical stripes C1 to C3. The value of the horizontal change amount ratio RY is higher when vertical stripes are present than when they are not present. On the other hand, as the density of the vertical stripes increases, the color difference integrated value ΔE sum increases. Therefore, the value of the level RI generally increases as the level of vertical streaks increases. For example, the specifying unit 314 can determine that an area where the level RI is greater than a predetermined value is an area where vertical streaks occur, and can determine that an area where the level RI is equal to or less than the predetermined value is an area where vertical streaks do not occur. The predetermined value can be, for example, 500. Furthermore, the specifying unit 314 can determine that the higher the value of the level RI is, the higher the level of vertical streaks that have occurred.

[0062] Furthermore, the identification unit 314 identifies the color of the cleaning defect regardless of the color of the sheet S by using the color difference integrated value ΔE sum In the following, it is assumed that the determination area U with the number #1 shown in FIG. 18 is selected. This determination area U is an area that is less affected by toner and dust and is suitable for use as the reference color for the background of the sheet S. The specifying unit 314 selects the average color value L of the color values ​​of dots in the determination area U with the number #1. white , a white , b white Request.

[0063] The specification unit 314 selects the dot with the highest level RI, #79, in the determination region U, with a color difference ΔE mn is the threshold ΔE th The color values ​​of the first dots are retained, and the color values ​​of the second dots are erased. Figures 19(A), 19(B), and 19(C) show the state in which the above-mentioned processing has been performed on the color values ​​L, a, and b. The determination unit 314 calculates the average value L from the L values ​​of each of the first dots (shaded dots) in Figure 19(A). white The average value a is calculated by subtracting the a value of each first dot in FIG. 19(B). white The average value b is calculated by subtracting b from the b value of each first dot in FIG. whiteThis makes it possible to obtain information on the original color of the vertical stripes, minus the color of the sheet's background. The calculation unit 301 analyzes the color components from this information on the original color of the vertical stripes, and identifies the color of the toner that is causing the vertical stripes.

[0064] When the toner color causing the vertical streaks is one color, the identifying unit 314 determines that the cartridge 5 corresponding to that one color is highly likely to be the cause. On the other hand, when the toner color causing the vertical streaks includes four colors, the identifying unit 314 determines that the intermediate transfer unit 11 is highly likely to be the cause. The notification unit 315 notifies the maintenance management device 400, etc. that the vertical streaks have occurred and the part that is highly likely to be the cause to be replaced.

[0065] For example, if the color of the vertical stripe is yellow, the information of FIG. 20A is displayed on the operation display unit 402 of the maintenance management device 400. Here, if a cleaning failure occurs in the intermediate transfer body 12, a vertical stripe close to black occurs due to the mixture of four colors of toner. Therefore, if the number of measurements is small, that is, if the amount of read data is small, the identification unit 314 cannot determine whether the cleaning failure occurs in the intermediate transfer body 12 or in the black cartridge 5K. In such a case, the identification unit 314 identifies the black area including the intermediate transfer body unit 11 and the cartridge 5K as the first area that is likely to be the cause. Then, the notification unit 315 displays the black area on the operation display unit 402 of the maintenance management device 400 as shown in FIG. 20B. In response to the user selecting the part marked "black area" in FIG. 20B, the notification unit 315 can display the replacement procedure for the two units included in the "black area" on the operation display unit 402 as shown in FIG. 12C.

[0066] After that, when the amount of read data for sheet S increases and it is determined whether the toner causing the vertical stripes is black toner or a mixture of four colors of toner, the identifying unit 314 can determine whether the cleaning failure is occurring in the intermediate transfer unit 11 or the cartridge 5K. In this case, the notification unit 315 can display the second area, that is, either the intermediate transfer unit 11 or the cartridge 5K, on ​​the operation display unit 402, as shown in Figures 20(D) and 20(E).

[0067] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the identifying unit 314 collects data related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 from the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the data related to the operation is the read data of the sheet S on which the image forming apparatus 100 has formed an image. Then, when the identifying unit 314 detects the occurrence of a malfunction based on the collected data, it identifies the location of the malfunction based on the data. Here, the identifying unit 314 determines whether it is possible to identify that the location of the malfunction is in the second area (second range) based on the data. In this embodiment, the second area is the intermediate transfer body unit 11 and the cartridge 5K. If the identifying unit 314 cannot identify the second area, it identifies the first area (black area) including the two second areas. If the identifying unit 314 can identify the second area, the notifying unit 315 notifies that there is a possibility of a malfunction in the second area, and if the identifying unit 314 cannot identify the second area, it notifies that there is a possibility of a malfunction in the first area. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately notify a replacement part that may be the cause of the malfunction.

[0068] [Other embodiments] In the first and second embodiments, the first area includes a plurality of replacement parts, and the second area related to the first area includes some of the replacement parts included in the first area. In other words, the second area is included in the first area. The first area may include a plurality of replacement parts and may itself be a single replacement part. As an example, the fixing film 31 and the pressure roller 32 of the fixing unit 30 are each a replacement part, but the fixing unit 30 itself is also a single replacement part. In such a case, the identification unit 314 may identify the fixing unit 30 as the first area and identify the fixing film 31 or the pressure roller 32 as the second area based on the data collected from the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, when the second area cannot be identified, the notification unit 315 may notify the fixing unit 30 as the first area and notify the user that the entire fixing unit 30 is to be replaced. Alternatively, if the second area cannot be identified, the notification unit 315 may notify the user that the fixing unit 30 is the first area, and may prompt the user to replace the fixing film 31 and the pressure roller 32 in that order, and if the malfunction is still not resolved, may prompt the user to replace the entire fixing unit 30.

[0069] In addition, the first embodiment detects abnormal sounds as malfunctions, and the second embodiment detects image defects as malfunctions, but malfunctions detected in the diagnostic system are not limited to abnormal sounds and image defects. For example, the time from when the sheet S is fed until the conveyance sensor 90 detects the sheet S can be collected as data related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 to detect a malfunction of the sheet S. In this case, since it is not possible to distinguish whether the cause is the feed roller 22 or the conveyance roller 23 and the separation roller 24 from the time, the identification unit 314 identifies the feed unit 20 as the first area, and the notification unit 315 notifies the feed unit 20. After that, when it is determined that there is a high possibility that paper powder or the like is attached to the conveyance roller 23 and the separation roller 24 based on the data collected from the image forming apparatus 100, the configuration can be such that the conveyance roller 23 and the separation roller 24 are identified as the second area and notified.

[0070] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0071] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a server capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus, The image forming apparatus includes: a collection means for collecting data relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus; A transmitting means for transmitting the data to the server; having The server, an identification means for detecting a malfunction occurring in the image forming apparatus based on the data, identifying the location of the malfunction in a first range that includes a plurality of replacement parts provided in the image forming apparatus based on the data, and further identifying the second range when it is possible to identify the location of the malfunction in a second range that is included in the first range; a notification means for notifying the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may exist in the second range when the identification means identifies the second range, and for notifying the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may exist in the first range when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range; An image forming system comprising: (Configuration 2) The image forming system of configuration 1, wherein when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range, the notification means notifies the display device to display the replacement order of replacement parts included in the first range. (Configuration 3) The image forming system of configuration 1 or 2, wherein when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means notifies the display device to display the replacement order of replacement parts included in the second range. (Configuration 4) The image forming system of configuration 1, wherein when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means further notifies the display device to display information indicating that there is a possibility of the defect in the first range. (Configuration 5) The image forming system of configuration 4, wherein when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means notifies the display device to display the replacement order of replacement parts included in the second range and the replacement order of replacement parts included in the first range but not included in the second range. (Configuration 6) 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first range includes the plurality of replacement parts and is also a replacement part of one of the image forming devices. (Configuration 7) The image forming system of configuration 6, wherein, when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range, the notification means notifies the display device to cause the display device to display a message indicating that the one replacement part should be replaced, or, when the malfunction is not resolved even when the replacement parts included in the first range are replaced according to the replacement order, the notification means notifies the display device to cause the display device to display a message indicating that the one replacement part should be replaced. (Configuration 8) The image forming system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of replacement parts included in the first range are driven by the same driving source. (Configuration 9) The image forming system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of replacement parts included in the first range include a replacement part that forms a black image on a photoconductor and transfers it to an intermediate transfer body, and a replacement part that includes the intermediate transfer body. (Configuration 10) 8. The image forming system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the data is data indicating a relationship between an operating sound of the image forming apparatus and an operating state of a plurality of driving sources included in the image forming apparatus. (Configuration 11) 11. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the malfunction detected by the identifying means is the occurrence of an abnormal sound. (Configuration 12) 8. The image forming system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the data is read data obtained by reading a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus. (Configuration 13) 13. The image forming system according to claim 12, wherein the defect detected by the identifying means is an image defect of the image formed on the sheet. (Configuration 14) 2. The image forming system of claim 1 further comprising the display device. (Configuration 15) A collection means for collecting data relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus; an identification means for detecting a malfunction occurring in the image forming apparatus based on the data, identifying the location of the malfunction in a first range that includes a plurality of replacement parts provided in the image forming apparatus based on the data, and further identifying the second range when it is possible to identify the location of the malfunction in a second range that is included in the first range; a notification means for notifying the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may exist in the second range when the identification means identifies the second range, and for notifying the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may exist in the first range when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range; Equipped with diagnostic equipment. (Configuration 16) 16. The diagnostic device of claim 15, wherein, when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range, the notification means notifies the display device to display the replacement order of replacement parts included in the first range. (Configuration 17) 17. The diagnostic device according to claim 15, wherein when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means notifies the display device so that the display device displays the replacement order of replacement parts included in the second range. (Configuration 18) 16. The diagnostic device of claim 15, wherein when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means further notifies the display device to display information indicating that the first range may be the malfunction. (Configuration 19) 19. The diagnostic device of configuration 18, wherein, when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means notifies the display device so that the display device displays the replacement order of replacement parts included in the second range and the replacement order of replacement parts included in the first range but not included in the second range. (Configuration 20) 16. The diagnostic device of claim 15, wherein the first range includes the plurality of replacement parts and is also a replacement part for one of the image forming devices. (Configuration 21) The diagnostic device of configuration 20, wherein, when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range, the notification means notifies the display device so that the display device displays a message indicating that the one replacement part should be replaced, or, when the malfunction is not resolved even when the replacement parts included in the first range are replaced according to the replacement order, the notification means notifies the display device so that the display device displays a message indicating that the one replacement part should be replaced. (Configuration 22) 22. The diagnostic device of any one of configurations 15 to 21, wherein the plurality of replacement parts included in the first range are driven by the same driving source. (Configuration 23) 22. The diagnostic device of any one of configurations 15 to 21, wherein the plurality of replacement parts included in the first range includes a replacement part that forms a black image on a photoconductor and transfers it to an intermediate transfer body, and a replacement part that includes the intermediate transfer body. (Configuration 24) 22. The diagnostic device according to any one of configurations 15 to 21, wherein the data is data indicating a relationship between an operating sound of the image forming device and an operating state of a plurality of drive sources included in the image forming device. (Configuration 25) 25. The diagnostic device according to claim 24, wherein the malfunction detected by the identifying means is the occurrence of an abnormal sound. (Configuration 26) 22. The diagnostic device according to any one of configurations 15 to 21, wherein the data is read data obtained by reading a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming device. (Configuration 27) 27. The diagnostic device according to claim 26, wherein the defect detected by the identifying means is an image defect of the image formed on the sheet. (Configuration 28) 28. The diagnostic device of any one of configurations 15 to 27, further comprising the display device. (Configuration 29) 28. The diagnostic device of any one of configurations 15 to 27, wherein the display device is a device separate from the diagnostic device. (Configuration 30) 30. The diagnostic device according to any one of configurations 15 to 29, wherein the diagnostic device is provided in a server capable of communicating with the image forming device. (Configuration 31) 30. An imaging device having the diagnostic device according to any one of configurations 15 to 29, The collection means collects data regarding operation of the imaging device having the diagnostic device.

[0072] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 314: Identification department, 315: Notification department

Claims

1. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a server capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus, The image forming apparatus includes: a collection means for collecting data relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus; A transmitting means for transmitting the data to the server; having The server, an identification means for detecting a malfunction occurring in the image forming apparatus based on the data, identifying the location of the malfunction based on the data as being within a first range that is a range including a plurality of replacement parts equipped in the image forming apparatus, and further identifying the second range when it is possible to identify the location of the malfunction as being within a second range that is included in the first range; a notification means for notifying the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may exist in the second range when the identification means identifies the second range, and for notifying the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may exist in the first range when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range; An image forming system comprising:

2. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein, when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range, the notification means notifies the display device to display the replacement order of replacement parts included in the first range.

3. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means notifies the display device so that the display device displays the replacement order of replacement parts included in the second range.

4. 2. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means further notifies the display device to display information indicating that there is a possibility of the defect in the first range.

5. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means notifies the display device so that the display device displays the replacement order of replacement parts included in the second range and the replacement order of replacement parts included in the first range but not included in the second range.

6. The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the first range includes the plurality of replacement parts and is also a replacement part of one of the image forming devices.

7. 7. The image forming system of claim 6, wherein, when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range, the notification means notifies the display device to display a message indicating that the one replacement part should be replaced, or, when the malfunction is not resolved even when replacement parts included in the first range are replaced in accordance with the replacement order, the notification means notifies the display device to display a message indicating that the one replacement part should be replaced.

8. The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of replacement parts included in the first range are driven by a same driving source.

9. 2 . The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of replacement parts included in the first range include a replacement part that forms a black image on a photoconductor and transfers the image to an intermediate transfer body, and a replacement part that includes the intermediate transfer body.

10. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the data indicates a relationship between an operating sound of the image forming apparatus and an operating state of a plurality of drive sources included in the image forming apparatus.

11. The image forming system according to claim 10 , wherein the malfunction detected by the identifying unit is the occurrence of an abnormal sound.

12. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the data is read data obtained by reading a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus.

13. The image forming system according to claim 12 , wherein the defect detected by the specifying unit is an image defect of the image formed on the sheet.

14. The imaging system of claim 1 further comprising the display device.

15. A collection means for collecting data relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus; an identification means for detecting a malfunction occurring in the image forming apparatus based on the data, identifying the location of the malfunction based on the data as being within a first range that is a range including a plurality of replacement parts equipped in the image forming apparatus, and further identifying the second range when it is possible to identify the location of the malfunction as being within a second range that is included in the first range; a notification means for notifying the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may exist in the second range when the identification means identifies the second range, and for notifying the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may exist in the first range when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range; Equipped with diagnostic equipment.

16. 16. The diagnostic device according to claim 15, wherein, when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range, the notification means notifies the display device to display a replacement order for replacement parts included in the first range.

17. 16. The diagnostic device according to claim 15, wherein, when the specifying means specifies the second range, the notifying means notifies the display device so that the display device displays the replacement order of replacement parts included in the second range.

18. 16. The diagnostic device according to claim 15, wherein, when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means further notifies the display device to display information indicating that the malfunction may exist in the first range.

19. 19. The diagnostic device according to claim 18, wherein, when the identification means identifies the second range, the notification means notifies the display device to display a replacement order of replacement parts included in the second range and a replacement order of replacement parts included in the first range but not included in the second range.

20. The diagnostic device according to claim 15 , wherein the first range includes the plurality of replacement parts and is also a replacement part of one of the image forming devices.

21. 21. The diagnostic device according to claim 20, wherein, when the identification means does not identify the second range but identifies the first range, the notification means notifies the display device so that the display device displays a message indicating that the one replacement part should be replaced, or, when the malfunction is not resolved even when replacement parts included in the first range are replaced in accordance with a replacement order, the notification means notifies the display device so that the display device displays a message indicating that the one replacement part should be replaced.

22. The diagnostic device according to claim 15 , wherein the plurality of replacement parts included in the first range are driven by the same drive source.

23. The diagnostic device according to claim 15 , wherein the plurality of replacement parts included in the first range include a replacement part that forms a black image on a photoconductor and transfers the image to an intermediate transfer body, and a replacement part that includes the intermediate transfer body.

24. The diagnostic device according to claim 15 , wherein the data indicates a relationship between an operating sound of the image forming device and an operating state of a plurality of drive sources included in the image forming device.

25. The diagnostic device according to claim 24 , wherein the malfunction detected by the identifying means is the occurrence of an abnormal sound.

26. The diagnostic device according to claim 15 , wherein the data is read data obtained by reading a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming device.

27. The diagnostic device according to claim 26, wherein the defect detected by the identifying means is an image defect of the image formed on the sheet.

28. The diagnostic device of claim 15 further comprising the display device.

29. The diagnostic device of claim 15 , wherein the display device is a separate device from the diagnostic device.

30. The diagnostic device according to claim 15 , wherein the diagnostic device is provided in a server capable of communicating with the image forming device.

31. 30. An image forming apparatus having the diagnostic device according to any one of claims 15 to 29, The collection means collects data regarding operation of the imaging device having the diagnostic device.

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