Information processing system and program

Abstract

To make it possible to grasp signs of generation of abnormal noise at portions where sound tends to become louder due to aging.SOLUTION: A control unit 37 acquires sound information generated when an image forming apparatus 10 operates, compares the acquired sound information with sound information of normal sound stored in advance, and determines that abnormal noise has occurred when a difference therebetween is equal to or greater than a preset abnormal noise detection threshold β. When a difference between the acquired sound information and the sound information of the normal sound stored in advance is smaller than the abnormal noise detection threshold β but equal to or greater than a sign detection threshold α set to be lower than the abnormal noise detection threshold β, the control unit 37 notifies a management server 20 that there is a sign of abnormal noise generation at the location where the sound information is acquired.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printer maintenance method that aims to enable more detailed maintenance of the printer by recording the operating sounds of the printer and comparing them with the operating sounds of the printer when it is operating normally or abnormally, thereby predicting the occurrence of printer problems before they occur.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a remote maintenance device that is connected to multiple image forming devices via a communication line, generates a normal individual model for each of the multiple image forming devices based on audio information acquired from each of the multiple image forming devices, and when audio information is transmitted from a certain image forming device, selects a normal individual model corresponding to the image forming device that transmitted the audio information from the multiple generated normal individual models, and diagnoses an abnormality in the image forming device according to the probability of occurrence of the audio information in the selected normal individual model. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-150797 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-081465 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In information processing devices such as image forming devices, abnormal noises may occur due to deterioration of mechanical parts caused by wear and tear over time. For such abnormal noises caused by deterioration of mechanical parts over time, preventive maintenance such as lubrication can be performed before the noise actually becomes loud enough for users to recognize it as an abnormal noise, thereby preventing complaints about the abnormal noise. Furthermore, preventing abnormal noise complaints also eliminates the need for maintenance personnel known as customer engineers (hereinafter abbreviated as CEs) from the manufacturer of the information processing device to visit the installation site of the information processing device. Therefore, there is a need for a method for identifying signs of abnormal noise in areas where noise increases over time due to deterioration.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing system and program that can detect signs of abnormal noise occurring in locations where noise increases due to aging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a processor, wherein the processor acquires sound information generated when the information processing device operates, compares the acquired sound information with pre-stored sound information of normal sounds, and determines that an abnormal sound is occurring when a difference between the acquired sound information and pre-stored sound information is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; If the difference between the acquired sound information and pre-stored sound information of normal sounds is smaller than the first threshold value and equal to or greater than a second threshold value set lower than the first threshold value, a notification is issued that there are signs of abnormal noise occurring at the location where the sound information was acquired.

[0008] An information processing system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system of the first aspect, wherein the processor adjusts the second threshold value according to an environmental condition in which the information processing device is installed.

[0009] An information processing system of a third aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system of the second aspect, wherein the processor adjusts the second threshold based on either or both of the temperature and humidity of the location where the information processing device is installed.

[0010] An information processing system of a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system of the first aspect, wherein the processor adjusts the second threshold value according to the volume of ambient noise when the information processing device is not operating.

[0011] An information processing system of a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system of the first aspect, wherein the processor calculates the loudness of the acquired sound information for each of a plurality of frequency bands and sets the second threshold for each of the frequency bands.

[0012] An information processing system of a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system of the fifth aspect, wherein the processor calculates the magnitude of the acquired sound information for each of the multiple frequency bands according to the characteristics of the component at the location where the sound information is acquired, and sets the second threshold for each of the frequency bands.

[0013] A program according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes the steps of acquiring sound information generated when an information processing device is operating, comparing the acquired sound information with pre-stored sound information of normal sounds, and determining that an abnormal sound is occurring when the difference is equal to or greater than a first threshold value that has been set; a step of notifying that there is a sign of an abnormal sound occurring at the location where the sound information was acquired, when a difference between the acquired sound information and pre-stored sound information of a normal sound is smaller than the first threshold value and equal to or larger than a second threshold value set lower than the first threshold value; A program that causes a computer to execute the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the information processing system of the first aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to detect signs of abnormal noise occurring in a location where noise generated due to aging increases.

[0015] According to the information processing system of the second aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine whether there is a sign of an abnormal sound occurring without being affected by changes in the environmental conditions in which the information processing device that acquires sound information is installed.

[0016] According to the information processing system of the third aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine whether there are any signs of abnormal noise occurring without being affected by changes in temperature or humidity in the location where the information processing device that acquires sound information is installed.

[0017] According to the information processing system of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine whether there are any signs of an abnormal sound occurring without being affected by environmental sounds around the location where the information processing device acquiring sound information is installed.

[0018] According to the information processing system of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a sign of abnormal noise occurring, depending on the frequency characteristics of the sound generated from the information processing device.

[0019] According to the information processing system of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a sign of abnormal noise occurring, depending on the characteristics of the component at the location where sound information is acquired.

[0020] According to the program of the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to grasp the signs of abnormal noise occurring in a location where the noise generated due to aging increases. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the operational sound analysis result level of sound information acquired from a member at a certain location changes over time since the installation of the image forming apparatus 10. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating specific examples of setting a precursor detection threshold α and an abnormal sound detection threshold β for each of a plurality of frequency bands. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a temperature correction table in which the volume correction amount for temperature is set for each frequency band. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a humidity correction table in which a volume correction amount for humidity is set for each frequency band. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper type correction table in which correction coefficients based on usage rate data of paper types are set. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] 1, an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an image forming apparatus 10 interconnected by a network 30 such as the Internet, and a management server 20 installed in a call center or the like. The image forming apparatus 10 is an information processing apparatus having multiple functions such as a printing function, a scanning function, a copying function, and a facsimile function, and is a device known as a multifunction peripheral.

[0025] Image forming apparatuses 10 are installed and used in various locations, such as offices and stores. Image forming apparatuses 10 may generate abnormal noise due to deterioration of mechanical parts caused by wear and tear over time. For such abnormal noises caused by deterioration of mechanical parts over time, preventive maintenance such as lubrication can be performed before the noise actually becomes loud enough for users to recognize it as an abnormal noise, thereby preventing complaints about the abnormal noise. Furthermore, preventing abnormal noise complaints can also eliminate the need for a maintenance technician, known as a customer engineer (hereinafter abbreviated as CE), from the manufacturer of the information processing device to visit the installation location of image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, there is a need for a method for identifying signs of abnormal noise in locations where noise increases over time due to deterioration.

[0026] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, by performing the control described below, it is possible to detect signs of abnormal noise in areas where the noise generated due to aging becomes louder.

[0027] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in the information processing system of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0028] 2, the image forming apparatus 10 has a CPU 11, memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 14 that transmits and receives data to and from external devices via a network 30, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 15 that includes a touch panel or liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a scan unit 16, an image forming unit 17, a sound sensor 18, and a temperature and humidity sensor 19. These components are connected to one another via a control bus 21.

[0029] Image forming unit 17 prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing. Sound sensor 18 is disposed in a position that detects sound information within image forming apparatus 10. For example, sound sensor 18 may be provided at each location where abnormal noise may be generated, such as image forming unit 17, DADF (Duplex Auto Document Feeder), finisher, paper feed tray, etc. Temperature and humidity sensor 19 measures the temperature and humidity within image forming apparatus 10.

[0030] The CPU 11 is a processor that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 by executing predetermined processes based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13. While the present embodiment has been described as the CPU 11 reading and executing the control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, this is not limiting. The control program may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the program may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The control program may also be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication interface 14.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 realized by executing the above control program.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a temperature and humidity information collection unit 31, an operation input unit 32, a display unit 33, an operation sound collection unit 34, an abnormal sound detection unit 35, a data transmission / reception unit 36, a control unit 37, an image reading unit 38, a data storage unit 39, and an image output unit 40.

[0033] The operation input unit 32 inputs various pieces of operation information performed by the user. The display unit 33 is controlled by the control unit 37 and displays various pieces of information to the user. The data transmission / reception unit 36 ​​transmits and receives data to and from external devices such as the management server 20. The temperature and humidity information collection unit 31 collects temperature information and humidity information of the location where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed.

[0034] The control unit 37 controls the image reading unit 38 and the image output unit 40 to execute various jobs such as a print job, a copy job, etc., based on user instructions input through the operation input unit 32. The data storage unit 39 stores various data such as print data generated by the control unit 37.

[0035] The image output unit 40 outputs an image onto a recording medium such as printing paper under the control of the control unit 37. The image reading unit 38 reads an original image from a set original under the control of the control unit 37.

[0036] The operation sound collection unit 34 collects sound information such as operation sounds generated in the image forming apparatus 10, which is the monitored device. Specifically, the operation sound collection unit 34 collects sound pressure value data for each predetermined frequency band of operation sounds generated when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a print job or the like. Alternatively, the operation sound collection unit 34 may acquire sound information by converting sound data for a predetermined frequency of operation sounds generated when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a print job or the like into a frequency spectrum waveform and generating a frequency spectrum image.

[0037] The control unit 37 stores the sound information collected by the operation sound collection unit 34 in the data storage unit 39 together with characteristic information such as the job content that was being executed when the sound information was collected.

[0038] In this embodiment, the data storage unit 39 stores sound information when various components, etc., are operating normally without any abnormalities as normal sound information. The abnormal sound detection unit 35 compares the sound information collected by the operation sound collection unit 34 with normal sound information to determine whether the collected sound information contains an abnormal sound. Furthermore, the abnormal sound detection unit 35 diagnoses the abnormal sound by determining the abnormal sound level, which indicates the loudness of the detected abnormal sound. Here, the abnormal sound level is an index indicating that the larger the value, the louder the sound. As this abnormal sound level, various values ​​indicating the loudness of the sound, such as the amplitude value of the acquired abnormal sound data or the acquired sound pressure level [dB], can be used as an index.

[0039] The sound information transmitted to the management server 20, etc., can be the maximum or upper value of sound pressure data for one or more frequency bands, and the sum or average value. Furthermore, when converting sound information into a frequency spectrum image, a learning model trained only on normal sound images can be used to calculate the difference between the normal sound image and the frequency spectrum image into which the acquired sound information has been converted, and the maximum or upper value for each predetermined frequency band, and the sum or average value can be obtained.

[0040] By using the total or average value for each frequency band, abnormal sounds such as continuous oscillation sounds and short-period sounds can be detected or signs of such sounds can be detected, and by using the maximum or highest value for each frequency band, abnormal sounds such as impulse sounds and irregular sounds can be detected or signs of such sounds can be detected. Regardless of which sound information is sent to the management server 20, audio data is not sent directly to the outside, so there is no possibility of information leakage.

[0041] If the level of the abnormal sound detected by the abnormal sound detection unit 35 is greater than a preset threshold, the control unit 37 determines that an abnormal sound is occurring and stores the collected sound information of the abnormal sound as a diagnostic result in the data storage unit 39. The control unit 37 then transmits the abnormal sound diagnostic result stored in the data storage unit 39 to the management server 20 at a preset interval, for example, once a day.

[0042] Specifically, the control unit 37 performs abnormal sound diagnosis using two thresholds: a sign detection threshold α and an abnormal sound detection threshold β. The abnormal sound detection threshold β is a threshold for determining whether or not the acquired sound information contains an abnormal sound. The sign detection threshold α is a threshold set lower than the abnormal sound detection threshold β, and is a threshold for determining whether or not there is a sign that the part from which sound information has been acquired will produce an abnormal sound.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows how the volume of a certain component of an image forming apparatus 10 changes over time since the image forming apparatus 10 was installed. Referring to FIG. 4, the graph shows how the operation sound analysis result level of sound information acquired from a certain component changes over time since the image forming apparatus 10 was installed. The graph in FIG. 4 shows that immediately after installation, the volume gradually decreases due to aging of the gears and bearings, and then gradually increases over time after aging is complete. It can also be seen that the operation sound analysis result level exceeds a preset abnormal noise detection threshold α at time T1, and then exceeds a preset abnormal noise detection threshold β at time T2. At time T1, when the operation sound analysis result level exceeds the abnormal noise detection threshold α, the control unit 37 determines that there is a sign of an abnormal noise occurring at that location. At time T2, when the operation sound analysis result level exceeds the abnormal noise detection threshold β, the control unit 37 determines that an abnormal noise is occurring at that location.

[0044] The control unit 37 then acquires sound information generated when the image forming apparatus 10 is operating, compares the acquired sound information with pre-stored sound information of normal sounds, and determines that an abnormal sound is occurring if the difference is equal to or greater than the set abnormal sound detection threshold β. If the difference between the acquired sound information and the pre-stored sound information of normal sounds is smaller than the abnormal sound detection threshold β and equal to or greater than the sign detection threshold α, the control unit 37 notifies the management server 20 that there is a sign of an abnormal sound occurring at the location where the sound information was acquired.

[0045] Here, the control unit 37 may adjust the symptom detection threshold α depending on the environmental conditions in which the image forming apparatus 10 to be diagnosed is installed. For example, the control unit 37 adjusts the symptom detection threshold α depending on either or both of the temperature and humidity of the location in which the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. Alternatively, the control unit 37 may adjust the symptom detection threshold α depending on the volume of ambient noise when the image forming apparatus 10 is not operating.

[0046] In addition, when the acquired sound information is composed of the sound volume for each of multiple frequency bands, the control unit 37 calculates the volume of the acquired sound information for each of the multiple frequency bands and sets the precursor detection threshold α for each of the frequency bands.

[0047] For example, a specific example of setting a warning sign detection threshold α and an abnormal sound detection threshold β for each of multiple frequency bands is shown in Figure 5. Referring to Figure 5, it can be seen that the operation sound analysis results for each frequency band in 100 Hz increments are expressed as sound pressure levels [dB], and warning sign detection thresholds α1 to α200 and abnormal sound detection thresholds β1 to β200 are set for each frequency band. In this case, the warning sign detection threshold α and abnormal sound detection threshold β are also in units of [dB].

[0048] When setting the sign detection threshold α and the abnormal sound detection threshold β for each of a plurality of frequency bands in this manner, the control unit 37 may be configured to determine that there is a sign of abnormal sound generation or that an abnormal sound has occurred when the sound pressure level of the operation sound analysis result in any one frequency band exceeds either the sign detection threshold α or the abnormal sound detection threshold β. Alternatively, the control unit 37 may be configured to determine that there is a sign of abnormal sound generation or that an abnormal sound has occurred when the sound pressure level of the operation sound analysis result in a predetermined number of frequency bands, for example, 10 frequency bands, exceeds either the sign detection threshold α or the abnormal sound detection threshold β.

[0049] The control unit 37 may also calculate the magnitude of the acquired sound information for each of multiple frequency bands according to the characteristics of the material at the location where the sound information is acquired, and set the precursor detection threshold α for each of those frequency bands. For example, if the location where sound information is acquired is a bearing made of a resin material, the precursor detection threshold α may be set low, whereas if the location where sound information is acquired is a ball bearing made of a metal material, the precursor detection threshold α may be set high. This is because locations made of resin materials have low abrasion resistance, so abnormal noise may occur in a shorter period of time, making it necessary to detect the precursor early. Conversely, locations made of metal materials have high abrasion resistance, so it often takes a long time for abnormal noise to occur, and even if the detection of the precursor is delayed somewhat, it is likely that it will take a long time for the abnormal noise to actually occur.

[0050] The control unit 37 may change both the precursor detection threshold α and the abnormal sound detection threshold β based on an operation by a user or a CE. Alternatively, the control unit 37 may change both the precursor detection threshold α and the abnormal sound detection threshold β based on a remote instruction from an external device such as the management server 20. For example, both the precursor detection threshold α and the abnormal sound detection threshold β may be changed depending on the sensitivity of the user or organization using the image forming apparatus 10 to abnormal sounds, specifically, whether the user is not particularly sensitive to abnormal sounds or is very sensitive to abnormal sounds. Alternatively, both the precursor detection threshold α and the abnormal sound detection threshold β may be changed depending on the contract type of the user using the image forming apparatus 10, specifically, whether the user is under a lease contract or a maintenance contract.

[0051] In addition, the viscosity of the lubricant increases in low-temperature environments, increasing the load on the moving parts, resulting in increased low-frequency sound pressure levels for the operating noise of information processing devices with mechanical components, such as the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, if the low-frequency warning detection threshold α is set too low, it may be erroneously determined that there are signs of abnormal noise even when the moving parts are not significantly worn in low-temperature environments. Therefore, the control unit 37 adjusts the low-frequency warning detection threshold α to be higher in low-temperature environments. Furthermore, when humidity is extremely low, the paper dries and hardens, increasing the sound pressure levels of paper transport noise and impulse noise. Conversely, when humidity is too high, the coefficient of friction between the paper feed roller and the paper increases, increasing the sound pressure level of paper transport noise.

[0052] Taking these circumstances into consideration, as described above, the control unit 37 adjusts the sign detection threshold α based on either or both of the temperature and humidity of the location where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. Note that the control unit 37 may adjust the sound pressure level of the acquired sound information instead of adjusting the sign detection threshold α based on the temperature and humidity.

[0053] Such correction may be realized by, for example, creating a correction table in advance in which the volume correction amount for temperature or the volume correction amount for humidity is set, or by creating a function with temperature and humidity as variables. For example, Fig. 6 shows an example of a temperature correction table in which the volume correction amount for temperature is set for each frequency band, and Fig. 7 shows an example of a humidity correction table in which the volume correction amount for humidity is set for each frequency band.

[0054] 6, it can be seen that the volume correction amount for each frequency band is set in 1°C increments from -10°C to 50°C. Also, referring to Fig. 7, it can be seen that the volume correction amount for each frequency band is set in 1% increments from 0% to 100%. Based on the temperature information and humidity information of the environment in which image forming apparatus 10 is installed, control unit 37 references the correction tables shown in Figs. 6 and 7 to obtain the volume correction amount based on temperature and the volume correction amount based on humidity, and adds these to the symptom detection threshold α and the abnormal sound detection threshold β, respectively, to perform symptom detection and abnormal sound detection.

[0055] For example, if the temperature of the place where image forming apparatus 10 is installed is -6°C and the humidity is 4%, control unit 37 acquires a value of 4.2 [dB] as the volume correction amount based on temperature for the frequency band of 0 to 100 Hz and a value of 3.1 [dB] as the volume correction amount based on humidity. If a value of α1 is set as the sign detection threshold α for the frequency band of 0 to 100 Hz as shown in Fig. 5, control unit 37 uses a value of α1 + 4.2 + 3.1 [dB] as the sign detection threshold α to determine whether or not there is a sign of abnormal noise.

[0056] The volume of sound generated in the image forming apparatus 10 also varies depending on the type of paper used. Therefore, the control unit 37 may calculate data on the paper type and its usage rate within a predetermined time, and adjust the sound by multiplying the warning sign detection threshold α and the abnormal sound detection threshold β by a correction coefficient based on the calculated usage rate data on the paper type.

[0057] For example, the control unit 37 generates a paper type correction table in advance as shown in Fig. 8, and adjusts the symptom detection threshold value α and the abnormal sound detection threshold value β based on this paper type correction table. The paper type correction table shown in Fig. 8 shows an example in which the correction coefficient is set to 1.2 when the usage rate of thick paper in the past week is 80% or more, 1.1 when the usage rate is 50% or more but less than 80%, and 1.0 when the usage rate is less than 50%.

[0058] As described above, the control unit 37 may adjust the warning detection threshold α according to the volume of ambient noise when the image forming apparatus 10 is not operating. Specifically, the control unit 37 may automatically adjust the warning detection threshold α and the abnormal sound detection threshold β based on the average ambient noise level around the location where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. For example, in a noisy environment where the sound pressure level exceeds 70 dB, such as in a factory, the control unit 37 sets the warning detection threshold α and the abnormal sound detection threshold β higher to make it difficult to predict and detect the occurrence of an abnormal sound. In a quiet environment where the sound pressure level is below 40 dB, such as in a quiet office, the control unit 37 sets the warning detection threshold α and the abnormal sound detection threshold β lower to make it easy to predict and detect the occurrence of an abnormal sound. Furthermore, in a noisy environment where the sound pressure level exceeds 70 dB, such as in a factory, if there is a large external noise in the 1-3 kHz band, the control unit 37 may adjust the threshold value for only the frequency band near the noise frequency by multiplying it by a predetermined coefficient to a larger value. Also, if a 4 kHz operating noise, for example, was quieter than the originally assumed threshold and caused a complaint about the abnormal noise, the control unit 37 may set a stricter threshold value for that frequency band, i.e., a lower threshold value. However, in either case, the threshold value must not be set to a value that does not have a predetermined margin relative to the device's performance limits.

[0059] Even in a noisy environment such as inside a factory, or in a situation where complaints about abnormal noise are unlikely to occur, if the analysis of possible causes detects signs of an abnormal noise that, if left unattended, would result in expensive part replacement, such as wear on the fixing unit gears, or an increase in driving noise due to an increase in the load on the dispense motor, that is, a dispenser clogging and causing toner to spray, which is likely to lead to a serious malfunction, the control unit 37 may notify the management server 20 of the detected signs.

[0060] By detecting such signs of abnormal noise and notifying the management server 20, the CE can prevent abnormal noise complaints by carrying out preventive maintenance such as lubrication on parts where signs of abnormal noise have been detected during regular visits or when responding to other complaints. As a result, the CE can reduce unnecessary visits, and the user can also avoid the hassle of having to call a call center when an abnormal noise occurs, which is thought to improve customer satisfaction. In addition, by carrying out preventive maintenance such as the one described above, the lifespan of parts can be extended and the cost of replacement parts can be reduced.

[0061] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0062] Furthermore, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate.

[0063] In this embodiment, the term "system" includes both a system made up of multiple devices and a system made up of a single device.

[0064] [Variations] In the above embodiment, the monitored device is an image forming device, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can be similarly applied to a processing device other than an image forming device as the monitored device, as long as the processing device is a device that generates abnormal noise when a malfunction occurs, such as a processing device that performs various processes by operating parts such as a motor, roller, or fan.

[0065] [Note] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0066] (((1))) a processor; The processor: Acquire sound information generated when the information processing device is operating, compare the acquired sound information with pre-stored sound information of normal sounds, and determine that an abnormal sound is occurring if the difference is equal to or greater than a set first threshold value; If the difference between the acquired sound information and pre-stored sound information of a normal sound is smaller than the first threshold value and equal to or greater than a second threshold value set lower than the first threshold value, a notification is issued that there is a sign of an abnormal sound occurring at the location where the sound information was acquired. Information processing system.

[0067] (((2))) The processor adjusts the second threshold value according to an environmental condition in which the information processing device is installed. The information processing system according to (((1))).

[0068] (((3))) the processor adjusts the second threshold value based on either one or both of the temperature and humidity of a location where the information processing device is installed. The information processing system according to (((2))).

[0069] (((4))) the processor adjusts the second threshold value according to the volume of ambient sound when the information processing device is not operating. The information processing system according to (((1))).

[0070] (((5))) the processor calculates the magnitude of the acquired sound information for each of a plurality of frequency bands and sets the second threshold for each of the frequency bands. An information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))).

[0071] (((6))) the processor calculates the magnitude of the acquired sound information for each of the plurality of frequency bands according to the characteristics of the member at the location where the sound information is acquired, and sets the second threshold for each of the frequency bands. The information processing system according to (((5))).

[0072] (((7))) a step of acquiring sound information generated when the information processing device is operating, comparing the acquired sound information with pre-stored sound information of normal sounds, and determining that an abnormal sound is occurring if the difference is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; a step of notifying that there is a sign of an abnormal sound occurring at the location where the sound information was acquired, when a difference between the acquired sound information and pre-stored sound information of a normal sound is smaller than the first threshold value and equal to or larger than a second threshold value set lower than the first threshold value; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0073] The effects of the configuration described above will be described below.

[0074] According to the information processing system (((1))), it is possible to detect signs of abnormal noise occurring in areas where noise increases due to aging.

[0075] According to the information processing system (((2))), it is possible to determine whether there are any signs of abnormal noise occurring without being affected by changes in the environmental conditions in which the information processing device that acquires sound information is installed.

[0076] According to the information processing system (((3))), it is possible to determine whether there are any signs of abnormal noise occurring without being affected by changes in temperature or humidity in the location where the information processing device that acquires sound information is installed.

[0077] According to the information processing system (((4))), it is possible to determine whether there are any signs of an abnormal sound occurring without being affected by the ambient sounds around the location where the information processing device that acquires sound information is installed.

[0078] According to the information processing system of (((5))), it is possible to determine whether or not there is a sign of abnormal noise occurring, based on the frequency characteristics of the sound generated from the information processing device.

[0079] According to the information processing system of (((6))), it is possible to determine whether there is a sign of abnormal noise occurring, depending on the characteristics of the component at the location where sound information is acquired.

[0080] According to the program (((7))), it is possible to detect signs of abnormal noise occurring in areas where noise increases due to aging. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10 Image forming device 11 CPU 12 Memory 13 Storage device 14 Communication Interface 15 User Interface Device 16 Scan Unit 17 Image forming unit 18 Sound Sensor 19 Temperature and humidity sensor 20 Management Server 21 Control Bus 30 Network 31 Temperature and humidity information collection unit 32 Operation input section 33 Display section 34 Operation sound collection unit 35 Abnormal noise detection unit 36 Data transmission / reception unit 37 Control Unit 38 Image reading unit 39 Data storage unit 40 Image output unit

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: acquires sound information generated when the information processing device is operating, compares the acquired sound information with pre-stored sound information of normal sounds, and determines that an abnormal sound is occurring if the difference is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; If the difference between the acquired sound information and pre-stored sound information of a normal sound is smaller than the first threshold value and equal to or greater than a second threshold value set lower than the first threshold value, a notification is issued that there is a sign of an abnormal sound occurring at the location where the sound information was acquired. Information processing system.

2. the processor adjusts the second threshold value according to an environmental condition in which the information processing device is installed. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. the processor adjusts the second threshold value based on either one or both of the temperature and humidity of a location where the information processing device is installed. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. the processor adjusts the second threshold in accordance with the volume of a surrounding environmental sound when the information processing device is not operating. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. the processor calculates the magnitude of the acquired sound information for each of a plurality of frequency bands and sets the second threshold for each of the frequency bands. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

6. the processor calculates the magnitude of the acquired sound information for each of the plurality of frequency bands according to the characteristics of the member at the location where the sound information is acquired, and sets the second threshold for each of the frequency bands. The information processing system according to claim 5 .

7. acquiring sound information generated when the information processing device is operating, comparing the acquired sound information with pre-stored sound information of normal sounds, and determining that an abnormal sound is occurring if the difference is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; a step of notifying that there is a sign of an abnormal sound occurring at the location where the sound information was acquired, when a difference between the acquired sound information and pre-stored sound information of a normal sound is smaller than the first threshold value and equal to or larger than a second threshold value set lower than the first threshold value; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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