Diagnostic devices, systems, and diagnostic methods

Abstract

To properly identify errors related to transportation. [Solution] A diagnostic device comprising: a communication unit that communicates with a transport device that transports a medium; an acquisition unit that acquires measurement data indicating the time required to transport the medium in a predetermined transport section on the transport path of the transport device; a storage unit that stores the acquired measurement data; a setting unit that sets a judgment criterion used for error determination of the transport device by time-series analysis of the stored measurement data; a determination unit that, when new measurement data is acquired from the transport device, determines an error related to the transport of the new measurement data based on the new measurement data and the judgment criterion; and a notification unit that notifies the result of the error determination, wherein the setting unit sets the judgment criterion at the time new measurement data is acquired based on the trend of changes in the stored measurement data over time.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a diagnostic device, a system, and a diagnostic method. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there are conveying devices that convey recording paper (hereinafter, paper) in printers and the like, which detect paper conveyance errors. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of measuring the conveyance time for paper to reach a predetermined position, and determining that a paper jam occurs when the conveyance time exceeds a predetermined reference value. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-194037 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, it is merely determined that a paper jam has occurred, and conveyance-related errors cannot be appropriately determined in consideration of the temporally changing state of the device. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a diagnostic device comprising: a communication unit that communicates with a transport device that transports a medium; an acquisition unit that acquires measurement data indicating the time required to transport the medium in a predetermined transport section on the transport path of the transport device; a storage unit that stores the acquired measurement data; a setting unit that sets a judgment criterion used for error determination of the transport device by time-series analysis of the stored measurement data; a determination unit that, when new measurement data is acquired from the transport device, determines an error related to the transport of the new measurement data based on the new measurement data and the judgment criterion; and a notification unit that notifies the result of the error determination, wherein the setting unit sets the judgment criterion at the time the new measurement data is acquired based on the trend of changes in the stored measurement data over time.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a system in which a transport device for transporting a medium and an information processing device are connected to each other via a network, wherein the information processing device comprises a communication unit for communicating with the transport device, an acquisition unit for acquiring measurement data indicating the time required to transport the medium in a predetermined transport section on the transport path of the transport device, a storage unit for storing the acquired measurement data, a setting unit for setting a judgment criterion used for error determination of the transport device by time-series analysis of the stored measurement data, a determination unit for determining an error related to the transport of new measurement data based on the new measurement data and the judgment criterion when new measurement data is acquired from the transport device, and a notification unit for notifying the result of the error determination, wherein the setting unit sets the judgment criterion at the time the new measurement data is acquired based on the trend of changes in the stored measurement data over time.

[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure is a diagnostic method in which a computer acquires measurement data indicating the time required to transport a medium in a predetermined transport section on the transport path of a transport device that transports a medium, stores the acquired measurement data in a storage unit, sets a judgment criterion to be used for error determination of the transport device by time-series analysis of the stored measurement data, and when new measurement data is acquired from the transport device, determines an error related to the transport of the new measurement data based on the new measurement data and the judgment criterion, and notifies the result of the error determination, wherein the process of setting the judgment criterion at the time the new measurement data is acquired is based on the trend of changes in the stored measurement data over time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the printer's functional configuration. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a server device. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating an example of server device operation. [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram illustrating the sensor's transit time. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram showing an example of measurement data. [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram showing an example of measurement data. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram showing an example of measurement data. [Figure 9] An explanatory diagram showing an example of measurement data. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram showing an example of measurement data. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram showing an example of measurement data. [Figure 12] An explanatory diagram showing an example of measurement data. [Figure 13] An explanatory diagram showing an example of measurement data. [Figure 14] An explanatory diagram showing an example of historical data. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, some descriptions may be omitted to avoid unnecessary detail. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted.

[0010] Furthermore, this disclosure may use common abbreviations. For example, LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. MPU is an abbreviation for Micro Processing Unit. PC is an abbreviation for Personal Computer. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. HDD is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive. SSD is an abbreviation for Solid State Drive. SoC is an abbreviation for System-on-a-Chip. DSP is an abbreviation for Digital Signal Processor.

[0011] Furthermore, in the description of this disclosure, alphanumeric characters or the like may be added to the end of reference numerals to distinguish and describe components having the same or similar functions. Also, in the description of this embodiment, alphanumeric characters or the like may be omitted to describe multiple components having the same or similar functions without distinction. For example, in Figure 2, the transport rollers 131a to 131k will be referred to as transport roller 131 unless otherwise specified. Similarly, the sensors 141a to 141h will be referred to as measuring device 141 unless otherwise specified.

[0012] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, a system 1 includes a printer 100, a server device 200, and a terminal device 300. The printer 100, the server device 200, and the terminal device 300 are communicably connected to each other via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, the Internet, a LAN, or the like.

[0013] The printer 100 includes a conveyance mechanism that conveys paper, and a printing mechanism that prints on the conveyed paper by a predetermined printing method such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The printer 100 is an example of a conveyance device that conveys paper, which is an example of a medium. Note that the conveyance device may be incorporated as a conveyance mechanism in the printer 100, or may be an independent device separate from the printer 100. Furthermore, the medium is not limited to paper, and may be, for example, cloth.

[0014] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example functional configuration of the printer 100. As shown in Figure 2, the printer 100 includes a control device 110, a printing mechanism 120, a conveyance mechanism 130, and a sensor device 140.

[0015] The control device 110 is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU or an MPU. The control device 110 provides functions as a printer control unit 111 and a printer communication unit 112, for example, when the CPU executes a program.

[0016] The printer control unit 111 is a processing unit that controls the operation of the printer 100. For example, based on a print request from the server device 200, the terminal device 300, or the like connected via the network NW, the printer control unit 111 drives the conveyance mechanism 130 and the printing mechanism 120 to perform printing on sheets P1 and P2.

[0017] Specifically, when the printer control unit 111 receives a print request, it drives a predetermined transport roller 131 of the transport mechanism 130 to transport the paper P1 and P2 placed in the paper cassettes 132a and 132c and the paper tray 132b to the printing mechanism 120. Then, based on the printing conditions included in the print request, the printer control unit 111 prints on the transported paper P1 and P2 in the printing mechanism 120. Next, the printer control unit 111 drives a predetermined transport roller 131 of the transport mechanism 130 to transport the printed paper P1 and P2 from the printing mechanism 120 to the first output tray 133.

[0018] The printer communication unit 112 is a processing unit that communicates with external devices such as the server device 200 and terminal device 300 connected via a network NW. Specifically, the printer communication unit 112 receives various requests and instructions, such as print requests, from the server device 200 or terminal device 300. The printer communication unit 112 also responds to requests from the server device 200 or terminal device 300. For example, if the server device 200 or terminal device 300 requests the acquisition of measurement data measured by the sensor device 140, the printer communication unit 112 sends the measurement data to the requester along with identification information indicating the source sensor.

[0019] The printing mechanism 120, under the control of the printer control unit 111, prints on the paper P1 and P2 transported by the transport mechanism 130 using a predetermined printing method such as electrophotography or inkjet.

[0020] The transport mechanism 130 includes paper feed cassettes 132a, 132c and paper feed tray 132b on which the paper sheets P1 and P2 are placed, and transport rollers 131a to 131k that transport the paper sheets P1 and P2.

[0021] Specifically, the transport rollers 131a to 131d are transport rollers that transport the paper P1 and P2 placed in the paper cassettes 132a, 132c or the paper tray 132b to the printing mechanism 120.

[0022] The transport rollers 131e to 131k are transport rollers that transport the paper P1 and P2 printed by the printing mechanism 120 from the printing mechanism 120 to the first output tray 133 and the second output tray 134. Alternatively, the transport rollers 131e to 131k transport the paper P1 and P2 printed by the printing mechanism 120 back to the printing mechanism 120 after flipping them over.

[0023] The sensor device 140 is a sensor that detects various states of the printer 100, and includes, for example, a temperature and humidity sensor that detects the temperature and humidity of the printer 100. The sensor device 140 also includes a measuring device 141 for measuring the transport time for each predetermined transport section in which the paper P1 and P2 are transported in the transport mechanism 130. The measuring device 141 is provided at both ends of the transport section and is an optical sensor or the like that detects the paper P1 and P2 as they pass over the sensor.

[0024] Specifically, sensors 141a and 141c are sensors that measure the transport time required for the transport of paper P1 and P2, which are transported via transport rollers 131b and 131c, in the transport section between them.

[0025] Sensors 141b and 141c are sensors that measure the transport time required for the transport of paper P1 and P2, which are transported via the transport roller 131c, in the transport section between them.

[0026] Sensors 141c and 141d are sensors that measure the transport time required for the transport of paper P1 and P2, which are transported via transport rollers 131d and 131e, in the transport section between them.

[0027] Sensors 141d and 141f measure the transport time required for the transport of paper P1 and P2 via transport rollers 131h and 131i in the transport section between them. Sensors 141d and 141e measure the transport time required for the transport of paper P1 and P2 via transport roller 131f in the transport section between them. Sensors 141d and 141g measure the transport time required for the transport of paper P1 and P2 via transport roller 131j in the transport section between them. Sensors 141d and 141h measure the transport time required for the transport of paper P1 and P2 via transport rollers 131j and 131k in the transport section between them.

[0028] Sensors 141e and 141c are sensors that measure the transport time required for the transport of paper P1 and P2, which are transported via transport rollers 131g and 131c, in the transport section between them.

[0029] For example, when the server device 200 transports paper sheets P1 and P2 in response to a print request, it acquires measurement data from the measuring devices 141 located at both ends of each transport section. Then, based on the acquired measurement data, the server device 200 determines any errors related to the transport of paper sheets P1 and P2 for each transport section.

[0030] The server device 200 manages the operation of the printer 100. For example, the server device 200 receives print instructions from the terminal device 300, including text data, image data, paper size, and print area related to printing to the printer 100. Based on the print instructions from the terminal device 300, the server device 200 issues a print request to transport paper P1 and P2 of a predetermined size and print on the specified print area. Next, the server device 200 notifies the printer 100 of the issued print request, causing the printer 100 to execute the print corresponding to the print instructions from the terminal device 300.

[0031] Next, the server device 200 notifies the terminal device 300 based on the data obtained from the printer 100 after notifying the printer of the print request. For example, if the printer 100 notifies the server device 200 that printing has been completed, the server device 200 notifies the terminal device 300 of the completion of printing. Also, if the measurement data measured by the sensor device 140 during printing meets predetermined conditions for an error, the server device 200 notifies the terminal device 300 that an error occurred during printing.

[0032] The terminal device 300 is a computer device used by the user, and can be, for example, a PC or a smartphone.

[0033] Figure 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of the server device 200. As shown in Figure 3, the server device 200 comprises a control unit 201 and a communication unit 202.

[0034] The control unit 201 includes a storage unit 210 and a processor 220. The storage unit 210 includes, for example, non-volatile memory such as ROM and volatile memory such as RAM. The storage unit 210 may also be configured to include auxiliary storage devices such as HDDs and SSDs.

[0035] The storage unit 210 stores a program 211 that controls the operation of each part of the server device 200, measurement data 212, judgment criteria 213, and history data 214 in non-volatile memory or auxiliary storage device. The volatile memory of the storage unit 210 is used as a work area when the processor 220 executes the program 211.

[0036] The measurement data 212 is data measured by the sensor device 140 of the printer 100. Specifically, the measurement data 212 includes the measured value along with the measurement date and time. For example, the measurement data 212 includes the temperature and humidity of the printer 100 measured by the sensor device 140, along with the measurement date and time. In addition, the measurement data 212 includes the measurement data from the measurement devices 141 installed at both ends of each predetermined transport section, along with the measurement date and time.

[0037] Criterion 213 includes criteria for determining errors related to the transport of paper P1 and P2. For example, Criterion 213 includes thresholds indicating the upper or lower limits of measurement data 212 for determining errors based on measurement data 212 newly measured during printing by printer 100. Criterion 213 also includes intervals predicted as the range within which measurement data 212 should fall, based on time-series analysis of the measurement data 212.

[0038] History data 214 is data that shows the printing history of printer 100. Specifically, history data 214 includes the printing date and time, printing speed, temperature, humidity and other printing conditions, as well as the error judgment results at the time of printing, in the order of printing on printer 100.

[0039] The processor 220 is an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU or MPU. The processor 220 may consist of a single arithmetic processing unit or multiple arithmetic processing units. Furthermore, the processor 220 may consist of part or all of the memory unit 210, or an SoC integrated with other circuits. Alternatively, the processor 220 may consist of a combination of a CPU that executes program 211 and a DSP that performs predetermined arithmetic processing. In addition, the processor 220 may be configured with all its functions implemented in hardware, or it may be configured using programmable devices. The communication unit 202 is a communication interface that communicates with external devices via a network NW.

[0040] The processor 220 reads the program 211 from the memory unit 210 and executes it sequentially, thereby providing the functions of an acquisition unit 221, a setting unit 222, a determination unit 223, and a notification unit 224.

[0041] The acquisition unit 221 is a processing unit that acquires measurement data 212 measured by the sensor device 140 from the printer 100. Specifically, the acquisition unit 221 acquires measurement data 212 measured by the sensor device 140 during the transport and printing of paper P1 and P2 in the printer 100. For example, when the transport mechanism 130 transports paper P1 and P2, the acquisition unit 221 acquires measurement data 212 from the measurement devices 141 provided at both ends of each transport section. Then, the acquisition unit 221 stores the acquired measurement data 212 along with the recording date and time in the storage unit 210.

[0042] The setting unit 222 determines the judgment criteria 213 used for determining transport errors in the printer 100 based on a time-series analysis of the measurement data 212 stored in the storage unit 210. Details of the process for determining the judgment criteria 213 will be described later. Next, the setting unit 222 stores the determined judgment criteria 213 in the storage unit 210 and sets the judgment criteria 213.

[0043] The determination unit 223 is a processing unit that determines errors related to the transport of paper P1 and P2 during printing by the printer 100. Specifically, when the determination unit 223 acquires new measurement data 212 from the measuring device 141 for each transport section, it determines an error related to the transport of the new measurement data 212 based on the determination criteria 213 stored in the storage unit 210. Details of the error determination process will be described later. The determination unit 223 stores the determination result as history data 214 in the storage unit 210 along with the printing conditions of the printer 100.

[0044] The notification unit 224 is a processing unit that notifies the terminal device 300. For example, if the notification unit 224 receives a notification from the printer 100 that printing has been completed in response to a print request, it notifies the terminal device 300 of the completion of printing. Also, if the server device 200 determines that an error related to transport has occurred based on new measurement data 212 acquired during printing, the determination unit 223 notifies the terminal device 300 that an error has occurred during transport.

[0045] Next, the details of the processing in the server device 200 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 14. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server device 200. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the sensor transit time. Figures 6 to 13 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of measurement data 212.

[0046] First, an overview of the operation of the server device 200 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 illustrates the operations performed by the server device 200 during the paper transport and printing operations for paper P1 and P2 on the printer 100.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, when processing begins, the acquisition unit 221 acquires new measurement data 212 from the printer 100 for the transport section related to the transport of paper P1 and P2 (S1). Then, the acquisition unit 221 stores and accumulates the newly acquired measurement data 212 in the storage unit 210 after adding the recording date and time (S2).

[0048] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the acquisition unit 221 acquires the sensor passage time T1, which is the difference in detection times between the measuring devices 141 located at both ends of the transport section for paper P1 and P2, as measurement data 212. For convenience, the measuring device 141 at the front end of the transport section (the end on the upstream side in the transport direction) is referred to as sensor A, and the measuring device 141 at the rear end of the transport section (the end on the downstream side in the transport direction) is referred to as sensor B. The sensor passage time T1 at sensor A and sensor B is an example of the time required to transport paper P1 and P2 in the transport section.

[0049] For example, in Figure 2, the paper P2 is transported to the printing mechanism 120 by transport rollers 131c and 131d. Then, the paper P2 printed in the printing mechanism 120 is transported to the second output tray 134 by transport roller 131i.

[0050] At this time, the acquisition unit 221 acquires the sensor passage time T1 when the paper P2 is transported by the transport roller 131c in the transport section where sensor 141b is sensor A and sensor 141c is sensor B. Also, after printing by the printing mechanism 120, the acquisition unit 221 acquires the sensor passage time T1 when the paper P2 is transported by the transport roller 131j in the transport section where sensor 141d is sensor A and sensor 141g is sensor B.

[0051] The acquisition unit 221 stores the sensor passage time T1 for each transport section acquired in this manner as measurement data 212 in the storage unit 210, after adding the recording date and time.

[0052] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of measurement data 212. As shown in Figure 2, the measurement data 212 includes the sensor passage time T1 for each transport section for each recorded date and time. In other words, the measurement data 212 records the time required to transport paper P1 and P2 for each transport section in chronological order.

[0053] Returning to Figure 4, following S2, the setting unit 222 performs a time-series analysis of the accumulated past measurement data 212 for the transport section related to the transport of paper P1 and P2 (S3).

[0054] Specifically, the setting unit 222 arranges the measurement data 212 accumulated for the transport section in chronological order from the past to the present. Then, the setting unit 222 predicts the current measurement data 212, which has been newly acquired, by extrapolation using the measurement data 212 arranged in chronological order. More specifically, the setting unit 222 calculates the confidence interval of the current measurement data 212 with a predetermined confidence level (X%).

[0055] As an example, the setting unit 222 calculates the mean and standard deviation of the measurement data 212, which are arranged in order of recording date and time, as a sample. Then, based on the calculated mean and standard deviation, the setting unit 222 calculates the confidence interval for the measurement data 212 at the present time, for example, with a confidence level of 95%.

[0056] Next, the setting unit 222 sets a judgment criterion 213 that includes the confidence interval of the current measurement data 212 obtained by time-series analysis of the accumulated past measurement data 212 (S4).

[0057] Next, the determination unit 223 determines an error related to the transport of the new measurement data 212 based on the measurement data 212 newly acquired in S1 and the determination criteria 213 (S5). Then, the notification unit 224 notifies the terminal device 300 of the determination result that the determination unit 223 has determined regarding the transport error (S6), and the process ends.

[0058] Here, we will explain in detail how errors are determined in S5. For example, as shown in Figure 7, let t01 be the time when the sensor passage time T1, which is new measurement data 212, is acquired. Furthermore, the judgment criterion 213 includes a paper jam threshold TH1 as the upper limit of the sensor passage time T1 for detecting a "paper jam," which is a paper jam on the transport path. That is, the paper jam threshold TH1 is an example of a threshold that indicates the upper limit of a predetermined range corresponding to errors related to the transport of the media. Similarly, the judgment criterion 213 includes a paper jam threshold TH2 as the lower limit of the sensor passage time T1 for detecting a "paper jam." That is, the paper jam threshold TH2 is an example of a threshold that indicates the lower limit of a predetermined range corresponding to errors related to the transport of the media. Furthermore, it is assumed that the sensor passage time T1 at time t01 exceeds the paper jam threshold TH1.

[0059] If we simply compare the paper jam threshold TH1, paper jam threshold TH2, and sensor passage time T1 to determine the error related to transport, it will only be judged as a paper jam.

[0060] In response, as shown in Figure 8, the setting unit 222 predicts a confidence interval H1 with an extrapolation confidence level of X% for the measurement data 212 at time t01 by performing a time-series analysis of the accumulated measurement data 212. The setting unit 222 then includes this predicted confidence interval H1 in the judgment criterion 213.

[0061] Next, the determination unit 223 determines an error related to transport at time t01 based on the sensor passage time T1 at time t01 and the determination criteria 213, which includes the confidence interval H1.

[0062] Specifically, the determination unit 223 determines the location of the transport error based on whether the sensor passage time T1 at time t01 is within the range of paper jam thresholds TH1 to TH2 and within the confidence interval H1.

[0063] For example, as shown in Figure 9, the sensor passage time T1 at time t01 is greater than or equal to the paper jam threshold TH1 and within the confidence interval H1. In such a case, it can be estimated that the paper jam threshold TH1 is exceeded not by a sudden paper jam, but by the gradual increase in sensor passage time T1 due to wear of the transport roller 131.

[0064] Therefore, the determination unit 223 determines that the transport roller 131 in the transport section is faulty or worn if the sensor passage time T1 at time t01 is greater than or equal to the paper jam threshold TH1 and within the confidence interval H1. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the determination unit 223 determines that the transport roller 131c is faulty or worn in the transport section where sensor 141b is sensor A and sensor 141c is sensor B.

[0065] Here, after the determination unit 223 determines that the transport roller 131 in the transport section is faulty or worn, it changes the value of the paper jam threshold TH1 to a larger value for a predetermined period of time.

[0066] Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the determination unit 223 changes the paper jam threshold TH1a to a larger value than the original paper jam threshold TH1. In this way, the determination unit 223 temporarily increases the upper limit of the predetermined range that corresponds to errors related to media transport. As a result, the server device 200 can temporarily avoid the opportunity for wear on the transport rollers 131 to progress and be detected as a paper jam error.

[0067] This change period can be set arbitrarily by the user. For example, by setting a change period to coincide with the timing and duration of maintenance, errors such as paper jams caused by wear on the transport rollers 131 can be avoided until the next maintenance. This also reduces downtime when the printer 100 is unusable due to errors.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the sensor passage time T1 at time t01 is less than or equal to the paper jam threshold TH2 and outside the confidence interval H1. In such cases, it can be presumed that the detection abnormality is due to contamination of the measuring device 141.

[0069] Therefore, the determination unit 223 determines that there is a malfunction or contamination of the measuring device 141 in the transport section if the sensor passage time T1 at time t01 is less than or equal to the paper jam threshold TH2 and outside the range of the confidence interval H1. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the determination unit 223 determines that there is a malfunction or contamination of sensors 141b and 141c in the transport section where sensor 141b is sensor A and sensor 141c is sensor B.

[0070] Here, after the determination unit 223 determines that there is a malfunction or contamination of the measuring device 141 in the transport section, it changes the value of the paper jam threshold TH2 to a smaller value for a predetermined period of time.

[0071] Specifically, as shown in Figure 12, the determination unit 223 changes the paper jam threshold TH2a to a smaller paper jam threshold than the original paper jam threshold TH2. In this way, the determination unit 223 temporarily reduces the lower limit of the predetermined range that corresponds to errors related to media transport. This allows the server device 200 to temporarily avoid situations where a paper jam error is detected due to contamination of the measuring device 141 or the like.

[0072] This change period can be set arbitrarily by the user. For example, by setting a change period to coincide with the timing and duration of maintenance, errors such as paper jams caused by dirt on the measuring device 141 can be avoided until the next maintenance. In addition, downtime when the printer 100 is unusable due to errors can be reduced.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the sensor passage time T1 at time t01 is greater than or equal to the paper jam threshold TH1 and outside the confidence interval H1. In such cases, it can be presumed that the paper jam is a sudden occurrence and not due to wear of the transport roller 131 or the like.

[0074] Therefore, the determination unit 223 determines that there is a paper jam if the sensor passage time T1 at time t01 is greater than or equal to the paper jam threshold TH1 and is outside the range of the confidence interval H1.

[0075] Furthermore, the notification unit 224 may notify the printer 100 to avoid predetermined transport conditions based on past errors included in the history data 214.

[0076] Specifically, the notification unit 224 notifies the printer 100 to change the transport conditions so that the transport conditions determined to be errors in the history data 214 are not transported under the same conditions.

[0077] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of history data 214. As shown in Figure 14, the history data 214 is assumed to have recorded two paper jam errors in the past. The notification unit 224 obtains the transport conditions such as the printing speed, temperature, and humidity in which the paper jam occurred, based on the paper jam errors contained in the history data 214. In the illustrated example, a paper jam error occurred in a relatively hot and humid environment with a temperature of 30°C and a humidity of 80%, under transport conditions of 60 ppm (Pages Per minute).

[0078] Therefore, the notification unit 224 notifies the printer 100 to change the transport conditions to something other than 60 ppm the next time printing is performed under the same high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. Specifically, the notification unit 224 notifies the printer 100 of the transport conditions that will cause an error under those conditions, along with the environmental information of the temperature and humidity in which the error occurred, thereby causing the printer to change the transport conditions. The notification unit 224 may also notify the printer of the specific transport conditions that should be changed, such as less than 60 ppm. This prevents the server device 200 from experiencing the error again.

[0079] The embodiments described above are preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0080] The functional units of the control unit 201 shown in Figure 3 represent a functional configuration realized through the cooperation of hardware and software, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. Therefore, it is not necessarily required that hardware corresponding to each functional unit be implemented individually, and it is certainly possible to have a single processor 220 that executes program 211 to realize the functions of multiple functional units. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, some of the functions realized by software may be realized by hardware, and some of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software.

[0081] Furthermore, for example, in the configuration of the control unit 201 shown in Figure 3, at least a portion of the acquisition unit 221, setting unit 222, determination unit 223, and notification unit 224 may be composed of integrated circuits or other digital circuits, and at least a portion of each part may include analog circuits. Integrated circuits include LSIs, ASICs, and PLDs. PLDs include, for example, FPGAs. Each of the above parts may be a combination of a processor 220 and an integrated circuit. Such combinations are called, for example, MCUs, SoCs, system LSIs, or chipsets.

[0082] Furthermore, the program 211 executed by the processor 220 to implement the diagnostic method described above may be provided on a recording medium readable by the processor 220. The recording medium readable by the processor 220 may be an optical recording medium such as a DVD, a USB memory, a semiconductor memory device such as an SSD, etc. Also, the program 211 may be provided or distributed in the form of a transmission medium, stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and provided or distributed by downloading it over the network.

[0083] Furthermore, the processing units in the flowchart shown in Figure 4 are divided according to their main processing content to facilitate understanding of the processing of the processor 220, and the present invention is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units shown in the flowchart in Figure 4. In addition, the processing of the processor 220 can be further divided into more processing units depending on the processing content, or it can be divided so that one processing unit contains even more processing. Moreover, the processing order in the flowchart above is not limited to the example shown.

[0084] [Summary of this disclosure] A summary of this disclosure is provided below.

[0085] (Note 1) A diagnostic device comprising: a communication unit that communicates with a transport device that transports a medium; an acquisition unit that acquires measurement data indicating the time required to transport the medium in a predetermined transport section on the transport path of the transport device; a storage unit that stores the acquired measurement data; a setting unit that sets a judgment criterion used for error determination of the transport device by time-series analysis of the stored measurement data; a determination unit that, when new measurement data is acquired from the transport device, determines an error related to the transport of the new measurement data based on the new measurement data and the judgment criterion; and a notification unit that notifies the result of the error determination, wherein the setting unit sets the judgment criterion at the time the new measurement data is acquired based on the trend of changes in the stored measurement data over time.

[0086] This allows for the appropriate detection of errors related to transportation based on criteria derived from the trend of changes in measurement data over time.

[0087] (Note 2) The diagnostic device as described in Appendix 1, wherein the setting unit sets the judgment criteria, which include a predetermined confidence interval at the time the new measurement data was acquired, by extrapolation based on the stored measurement data.

[0088] This allows for more accurate error detection based on predetermined confidence interval criteria in the trend of changes in measurement data over time.

[0089] (Note 3) The diagnostic device described in Appendix 2, wherein the determination unit determines the location of the error in the transport device based on whether the new measurement data is within a predetermined range corresponding to an error related to the transport of the medium, and whether it is within the confidence interval.

[0090] This allows for the determination of appropriate errors by combining the trend of changes in measurement data over time with a predetermined confidence interval.

[0091] (Note 4) The diagnostic device according to Appendix 3, wherein the determination unit determines that a roller in the transport section is faulty if the new measurement data exceeds a first threshold indicating the upper limit of a predetermined range corresponding to an error in the transport of the medium, and is within the confidence interval.

[0092] This makes it possible to detect malfunctions in the rollers used in the transport section.

[0093] (Note 5) The diagnostic device according to Appendix 4, wherein, after determining a failure of the roller, the determination unit sets a third threshold greater than the first threshold as the upper limit of a predetermined range corresponding to errors related to the transport of the medium for a predetermined period of time.

[0094] This temporarily avoids the detection of errors related to roller malfunctions.

[0095] (Note 6) The diagnostic device according to any one of Appendix 3 to 5, wherein the determination unit determines that the sensor related to the transport section is faulty if the new measurement data falls below a second threshold indicating the lower limit of a predetermined range corresponding to an error related to the transport of the medium, and is outside the range of the confidence interval.

[0096] This allows for the detection of sensor failures in the transport section.

[0097] (Note 7) The diagnostic device according to Appendix 6, wherein, after determining a failure of the sensor, the determination unit sets a fourth threshold smaller than the second threshold as the lower limit of a predetermined range corresponding to errors related to the transport of the medium for a predetermined period of time.

[0098] This allows for the temporary avoidance of errors related to sensor malfunctions.

[0099] (Note 8) The diagnostic device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the determination unit determines that a blockage of the medium has occurred in the transport section if the new measurement data exceeds a first threshold corresponding to the upper limit of a predetermined range corresponding to an error related to the transport of the medium, and is outside the range of the confidence interval.

[0100] This allows for the detection of blockages in the transport section of the system.

[0101] (Note 9) The diagnostic device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 8, wherein the storage unit stores historical information including the transport conditions during transport of the medium and the result of determining an error during said transport, and the notification unit transmits a request to the transport device to change the transport under the same transport conditions as the first transport conditions that were determined to be errors in the historical information to a second transport condition different from the first transport condition.

[0102] This makes it possible to avoid transport conditions that would result in an error, thus preventing errors from occurring.

[0103] (Note 10) A system in which a transport device for transporting a medium and an information processing device are connected to each other via a network, wherein the information processing device comprises a communication unit for communicating with the transport device, an acquisition unit for acquiring measurement data indicating the time required to transport the medium in a predetermined transport section on the transport path of the transport device, a storage unit for storing the acquired measurement data, a setting unit for setting a judgment criterion used for error determination of the transport device by time-series analysis of the stored measurement data, a determination unit for determining an error related to the transport of new measurement data based on the new measurement data and the judgment criterion when new measurement data is acquired from the transport device, and a notification unit for notifying the result of the error determination, wherein the setting unit sets the judgment criterion at the time the new measurement data is acquired based on the trend of changes in the stored measurement data over time.

[0104] This allows for the appropriate detection of errors related to transportation based on criteria derived from the trend of changes in measurement data over time.

[0105] (Note 11) A diagnostic method comprising the following processes: a computer acquires measurement data indicating the time required to transport a medium in a predetermined transport section on the transport path of a transport device that transports a medium; stores the acquired measurement data in a storage unit; sets a judgment criterion to be used for error determination of the transport device by time-series analysis of the stored measurement data; and, when new measurement data is acquired from the transport device, determines an error related to the transport of the new measurement data based on the new measurement data and the judgment criterion, and notifies the result of the error determination; wherein the process of setting the judgment criterion is set at the time the new measurement data is acquired based on the trend of changes in the stored measurement data over time.

[0106] This allows for the appropriate detection of errors related to transportation based on criteria derived from the trend of changes in measurement data over time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1...System, 100...Printer, 110...Control device, 111...Printer control unit, 112...Printer communication unit, 120...Printing mechanism, 130...Transport mechanism, 131...Transport roller, 131a...Transport roller, 131b...Transport roller, 131c...Transport roller, 131d...Transport roller, 131e...Transport roller, 131f...Transport roller, 131g...Transport roller, 131h...Transport roller, 131i...Transport roller, 131j...Transport roller, 131k...Transport roller, 132a...Paper feed cassette, 132b...Paper feed tray, 132c...Paper feed cassette, 133...First output tray, 134...Second output tray, 140...Sensor device, 141a...Sensor ,141b...sensor, 141c...sensor, 141d...sensor, 141e...sensor, 141f...sensor, 141g...sensor, 141h...sensor, 200...server device, 201...control unit, 202...communication unit, 210...storage unit, 211...program, 212...measurement data, 213...judgment criteria, 214...history data, 220...processor, 221...acquisition unit, 222...setting unit, 223...judgment unit, 224...notification unit, 300...terminal device, NW...network, H1...confidence interval, P1...paper, P2...paper, T1...sensor passage time, TH1...paper jam threshold, TH1a...paper jam threshold, TH2...paper jam threshold, TH2a...paper jam threshold, t01...time.

Claims

1. A transport device that transports the medium and a communication unit that communicates with it, An acquisition unit that acquires measurement data indicating the time required to transport the medium in a predetermined transport section on the transport path of the transport device, A storage unit for storing the acquired measurement data, A setting unit sets criteria for determining errors in the transport device by performing a time-series analysis of the stored measurement data, When new measurement data is acquired from the transport device, a determination unit determines an error related to the transport of the new measurement data based on the new measurement data and the determination criteria. The system includes a notification unit that notifies the result of the error determination, The setting unit sets a judgment criterion at the time when new measurement data is acquired, based on the trend of changes in the stored measurement data over time. Diagnostic equipment.

2. The setting unit sets the judgment criteria, including a predetermined confidence interval at the time the new measurement data was acquired, by extrapolation based on the stored measurement data. The diagnostic device according to claim 1.

3. The determination unit determines the location of the error in the transport device based on whether the new measurement data is within a predetermined range corresponding to an error related to the transport of the medium, and whether it is within the confidence interval. The diagnostic device according to claim 2.

4. The determination unit determines that a roller in the transport section is faulty if the new measurement data exceeds a first threshold corresponding to the upper limit of a predetermined range corresponding to an error related to the transport of the medium, and is within the confidence interval. The diagnostic device according to claim 3.

5. After determining that the roller is faulty, the determination unit sets a third threshold, which is greater than the first threshold, as the upper limit of a predetermined range corresponding to errors related to the transport of the medium for a predetermined period of time. The diagnostic device according to claim 4.

6. The determination unit determines that a sensor in the transport section is faulty if the new measurement data falls below a second threshold, which indicates the lower limit of a predetermined range corresponding to errors in the transport of the medium, and is outside the range of the confidence interval. The diagnostic device according to claim 3.

7. After determining that the sensor is faulty, the determination unit sets a fourth threshold smaller than the second threshold as the lower limit of a predetermined range corresponding to errors related to the transport of the medium for a predetermined period of time. The diagnostic device according to claim 6.

8. The determination unit determines that a blockage of the medium has occurred in the transport section if the new measurement data exceeds a first threshold indicating the upper limit of a predetermined range corresponding to an error related to the transport of the medium, and is outside the range of the confidence interval. The diagnostic device according to claim 3.

9. The storage unit stores historical information including the transport conditions during transport of the medium and the result of error determination during said transport. The notification unit transmits a request to the transport device to change the transport conditions to a second transport condition different from the first transport condition, for transports that are the same as the first transport condition that was determined to be an error in the history information. The diagnostic device according to claim 1.

10. A system in which a transport device for transporting media and an information processing device are connected to each other via a network, The aforementioned information processing device is A communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned transport device, An acquisition unit that acquires measurement data indicating the time required to transport the medium in a predetermined transport section on the transport path of the transport device, A storage unit for storing the acquired measurement data, A setting unit sets criteria for determining errors in the transport device by performing a time-series analysis of the stored measurement data, When new measurement data is acquired from the transport device, a determination unit determines an error related to the transport of the new measurement data based on the new measurement data and the determination criteria. The system includes a notification unit that notifies the result of the error determination, The setting unit sets a judgment criterion at the time when new measurement data is acquired, based on the trend of changes in the stored measurement data over time. system.

11. Computers Measurement data is acquired that indicates the time required to transport the medium in a predetermined transport section on the transport path of a transport device that transports the medium. The acquired measurement data is stored in the storage unit. By performing a time-series analysis of the stored measurement data, a judgment criterion is set for determining errors in the transport device. When new measurement data is acquired from the transport device, an error related to the transport of the new measurement data is determined based on the new measurement data and the judgment criteria. The following processes are executed to notify the result of the error determination: The process described above sets a judgment criterion at the time when new measurement data is acquired, based on the trend of changes in the stored measurement data over time. Diagnostic methods.

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