Management System

Abstract

To provide a system for enabling a person in charge of maintenance to easily grasp the state of a machine body and to easily analyze abnormality even when the abnormality occurs.SOLUTION: A management system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management device connectable to devices of the image forming apparatuses through a network includes detection means for detecting the state of the image forming apparatuses, storage means for storing state information acquired by detecting the state by the detection means, transmission means for transmitting the state information stored in the storage means to the management device, and display means for displaying the information. The display means displays data calculated from the state information on the plurality of image forming apparatuses transmitted to the management device and the state information stored in the storage means on the same screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been proposed that performs maintenance on equipment and analyzes faults by recording logs of errors and status information inside the device, such as the internal temperature, and displaying the information on an operation screen (Patent Document 1).

[0003] In recent years, a system has been proposed in which the machine transmits status information to a management device on a network, and the management device analyzes the information about the machine and displays it on an operation screen (Patent Document 2).

[0004] In such a system, when maintenance is required, the logs recorded by the image forming device maintenance staff are analyzed on-site, and appropriate maintenance is carried out, allowing for early response even if an abnormality such as a breakdown occurs in the device.In addition, stable operation can be achieved, reducing user downtime. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-18712 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-145079 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, such a system only allows the user to grasp the status of the aircraft itself, and is unable to utilize information on errors that have occurred in other aircraft or information on normal operation. As a result, even if the user looks at the recorded status information of the aircraft, it is difficult to directly determine which part of the aircraft has a problem, or whether the displayed number is normal or abnormal, resulting in inefficient maintenance work.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a system that allows maintenance personnel to easily grasp the status of the aircraft and easily analyze any abnormalities that may occur. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the system of the present invention is a management system including a plurality of image forming devices and a management device that can be connected to the equipment of the image forming devices via a network, and is characterized in that it comprises a detection means for detecting the status of the image forming devices, a memory means for storing status information obtained by the detection means detecting the status, a transmission means for transmitting the status information stored in the memory means to the management device, and a display means for displaying information, and the display means displays data calculated from the status information of the plurality of image forming devices transmitted to the management device and the status information stored in the memory means on the same screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system that allows maintenance personnel to easily grasp the state of the aircraft and easily analyze any abnormalities that may occur. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] System configuration diagram of the present invention [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing an example of display on the operation panel of the present invention. [Figure 4]Hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 5] Hardware configuration diagram of the server of the present invention [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a control program according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the contents of internal data of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 8] A conceptual diagram illustrating the overall processing flow of the system of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 shows an example of data measured by the present invention. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of the reader control unit or the printer control unit of the present invention. [Figure 11] A flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of the system control unit of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing an example of display on the operation panel of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing an example of display on the operation panel of the present invention. [Figure 14] A flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of a server according to the present invention. [Figure 15] A flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of the reader control unit or the printer control unit of the present invention. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram showing an example of display on the operation panel of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 shows an example of data measured by the present invention. [Figure 18] 10 is a diagram showing an example of display on the operation panel of the present invention. [Figure 19] A flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of a server according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. [Example]

[0012] <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which provides information to an image forming apparatus 102 when a malfunction or maintenance occurs.

[0013] This management system 10 is configured to include multiple image forming devices 102 and a server 103 that collects and analyzes data indicating the operating status of each image forming device 102. The server 103 then outputs maintenance information useful for maintenance work from the collected data. The server 103 can be connected to multiple image forming devices 102.

[0014] The image forming device 102 is a device configured, for example, by an MFP, and has multiple functions such as a scan function, a print function, and a copy function. The image forming device 102 accepts a function selection operation by a user and executes a job based on a job execution instruction from the user.

[0015] Jobs performed in the image forming apparatus 102 include, for example, a scan job, a print job, and a copy job.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 102 is connected to a server 103 via a network 104 including, for example, the Internet, and is capable of communicating with the server 103. The image forming apparatus 102 transmits to the server 103 via this network 104 data indicating the operating status for managing and monitoring various components installed inside the image forming apparatus 102, log data such as error information during operation, and the like.

[0017] When the server 103 receives data indicating the operating status transmitted from each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 102, it analyzes the content of the data to generate maintenance information. When a maintenance inspector 105 located near the installation location of the image forming apparatus 102 performs maintenance work, the server 103 transmits the maintenance information it holds to the image forming apparatus 102 operated by the maintenance inspector 105. Then, the maintenance inspector 105 performs the maintenance work based on the information, thereby maintaining the image forming apparatus 102 in a state where it can execute jobs.

[0018] 2 is a configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 102. The image forming apparatus 102 can be realized by a printer, copier, multifunction peripheral, facsimile, or the like that forms color images by electrophotography. The image forming apparatus 102 is a so-called intermediate transfer tandem type image forming apparatus in which four image forming units Pa to Pd are arranged side by side on an intermediate transfer belt 206.

[0019] The configuration and functions of the image forming apparatus 102 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. The image forming apparatus 102 has an operation panel 31, a printer unit 200, and a reader unit 240.

[0020] The operation panel 31 includes a display unit 311 and an operation unit 312 configured with a touch panel or the like, and is intended for direct operation by a user or maintenance inspector 105. It is possible to instruct a copy job such as reading an original 245 with a reader unit 240 (described later) and forming an image on a recording material S with a printer unit 200, or to check maintenance information.

[0021] 3, the device is equipped with a display unit 311 and an operation unit 312 consisting of touch panel keys (U1 to U7), and for example, to execute a copy job, the user or maintenance inspector 105 selects the copy key U1. Then, the user or maintenance inspector 105 inputs the displayed number of copies U4, paper size U5, etc. using the numeric keys U6, and finally presses the start button U7 to execute the copy job.

[0022] Recording material S, such as a sheet on which an image is to be formed, is stacked in recording material storage compartments 230a and 230b, and is fed by paper feed rollers 231a or 231b that employ a friction separation method in accordance with the timing of image formation by image forming units Pa to Pd. The paper feed rollers 231a and 231b transport the recording material S via a transport path to registration rollers 232. The registration rollers 232 correct any skew of the recording material S and adjust the timing to transport the recording material S to secondary transfer unit T2.

[0023] The printer unit 200 forms images using image forming units Pa to Pd. The image forming units Pa to Pd each include photoconductors 201a to 201d, chargers 202a to 202d, exposure units 203a to 203d, developers 204a to 204d, primary transfer units T1a to T1d, and photoconductor cleaners 205a to 205d. The chargers 202a to 202d uniformly charge the surfaces of the photoconductors 201a to 201d. The photoconductors 201a to 201d are rotated and irradiated with light by the exposure units 203a to 203d. The exposure units 203a to 203d irradiate the photoconductors 201a to 201d with light modulated according to the image information of the image to be formed. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image is formed on the photoconductors 201a to 201d.

[0024] The developing units 204a to 204d develop the electrostatic latent images formed on the photoconductors 201a to 201d with a developer. In this embodiment, toner is used as the developer. The developing units 204a to 204d develop the electrostatic latent images by attaching toner to the photoconductors 201a to 201d on which the electrostatic latent images have been formed, thereby forming toner images. The primary transfer units T1a to T1d are given a predetermined amount of pressure and an electrostatic load bias, and transfer the toner images from the photoconductors 201a to 201d to the intermediate transfer belt 206. At this time, the toner images formed on the photoconductors 201a to 201d are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 206 so as to be superimposed on each other.

[0025] Image forming unit Pa forms a yellow toner image. Image forming unit Pb forms a magenta toner image. Image forming unit Pc forms a cyan toner image. Image forming unit Pd forms a black toner image. However, the number of colors of the toner images formed is not limited to four. The developing units 204a to 204d of this embodiment contain a two-component developer that is a mixture of non-magnetic toner and magnetic carrier, but may also contain a one-component developer that contains only magnetic toner or non-magnetic toner.

[0026] A full-color toner image is formed by transferring superimposed toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black onto intermediate transfer belt 206. Photoconductor cleaners 205a to 205d collect toner remaining on photoconductors 201a to 201d after transfer. When the amount of toner contained therein falls below a predetermined level, developing units 204a to 204d are replenished with toner from toner bottles Ta to Td, which are developer replenishment containers.

[0027] The intermediate transfer belt 206 is an endless belt that is provided on an intermediate transfer belt frame (not shown) and is stretched by a secondary transfer inner roller 208, a tension roller 212, and a secondary transfer upstream roller 213. The intermediate transfer belt 206 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R207 by the secondary transfer inner roller 208, the tension roller 212, and the secondary transfer upstream roller 213. The intermediate transfer belt 206, on which a full-color toner image has been formed, conveys the toner image to a secondary transfer unit T2 by rotating.

[0028] The toner images formed on the recording material S and the intermediate transfer belt 206 are transported at the same time at secondary transfer portion T2. ​​Secondary transfer portion T2 is a transfer nip formed by an inner secondary transfer roller 208 and an outer secondary transfer roller 209 arranged opposite each other, and applies a predetermined pressure force and an electrostatic load bias to attract the toner image onto the recording material S. In this way, secondary transfer portion T2 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 206 onto the recording material S. Toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 206 after transfer is collected by transfer cleaner 210.

[0029] The recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported from the secondary transfer portion T2 to a fixing device 211 by a secondary transfer outer roller 209. The fixing device 211 applies a predetermined amount of pressure and heat to the recording material S within a fixing nip formed by opposing rollers, melting and fixing the toner image onto the recording material S. The fixing device 211 is equipped with a heater as a heat source, and is controlled so as to always maintain an optimum temperature. The recording material S onto which the toner image has been fixed is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 233. In the case of double-sided image formation, the recording material S is reversed by a reversing conveying mechanism and conveyed to registration rollers 232.

[0030] A density detection sensor 220 for detecting the toner density is provided near the intermediate transfer belt 206. The density detection sensor 220 is disposed between the photoconductor 201d and the outer secondary transfer roller 209 to detect the toner patterns of each color formed on the intermediate transfer belt 206.

[0031] The reader unit 240 is a scanner that reads an image formed on an original 245. The original 245 is placed on an original table 246 with the side on which the image is formed facing the original table 246. The reader unit 240 transmits image data representing the read image to the printer unit 200. The reader unit 240 includes a reading unit 249 and a reader image processing unit 247.

[0032] The reading unit 249 is integrally configured with a light-emitting unit 242, an optical system 243, and a light-receiving unit 244. The reading unit 249 is, for example, a line sensor extending toward the back of the figure, and reads an image from the entire surface of the original 245 while moving in the direction of arrow R248. The light-emitting unit 242 irradiates the original 245. The light-receiving unit 244 receives light reflected from the original 245 via the optical system 243. The light-receiving result is transmitted to a reader image processing unit 247. The reader image processing unit 247 generates image data representing the image formed on the original 245 according to the light-receiving result of the light-receiving unit 244. The reader image processing unit 247 also functions as a sensor that measures the image density of the image formed on the original 245 according to the light-receiving result of the light-receiving unit 244. The reader image processing unit 247 transmits the image data and the measured image density to the printer unit 200 via the system control unit.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 102. As shown in FIG.

[0034] The image forming device 102 comprises a system control unit 30, an operation panel 31, a storage device 32, a network interface 33, a reader unit 240, and a printer unit 200, and is configured such that each of these units can input and output data to and from each other via a data bus 34.

[0035] The system control unit 30 includes a CPU 301 and a memory 302, and controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus .

[0036] The CPU 301 is a hardware processor capable of executing a program 321. For example, when the image forming apparatus 102 is powered on, the CPU 301 reads and executes the program 321 stored in the storage device 32, thereby functioning as various processing units (to be described later) and comprehensively controlling the operation of each unit.

[0037] In particular, in this embodiment, the CPU 301 executes the program 321 to communicate with the reader unit 240 and printer unit 200 (described later) and acquire status information 344 and 354. The CPU 301 then transmits and receives the status information to and from the server 103 via the network interface 33 (described later), and also operates to display a graphical interface (GUI) on the operation panel 31.

[0038] The memory 302 is used to temporarily store data and the like used when the CPU 301 executes processing based on the program 321 .

[0039] The storage device 32 is a non-volatile storage device configured, for example, by a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. In addition to the programs 321 executed by each CPU, the storage device 32 also stores status information 344 and 354, which are time-series data of sensor measurement values ​​in the reader unit 240 and the printer unit 200, as log data 323.

[0040] The network interface 33 is used to connect the image forming apparatus 102 to the network 104. The image forming apparatus 102 communicates with the server 103 via this network interface 33.

[0041] The reader unit 240 has a sensor group 341, which includes at least one sensor that monitors the operating state of a movable part that operates when the reader unit 240 reads a document. The sensor group 341 performs measurement operations based on a request from the system control unit 30, and status information 344 obtained by measuring the operating state of the movable part is temporarily stored in memory 343 by an information acquisition unit 342 after measurement. The status information 344 is then sent to the system control unit 30 and saved in the storage device 32 as log data 323.

[0042] The printer unit 200 has a sensor group 351, which includes at least one sensor that monitors the operating state of movable parts that operate when the printer unit 200 performs image formation processing. The sensor group 351 performs measurement operations based on a request from the system control unit 30, and status information 354 obtained by measuring the operating state of the movable parts is temporarily stored in memory 353 by an information acquisition unit 352 after measurement. The status information 354 is then sent to the system control unit 30 and saved in the storage device 32 as log data 323.

[0043] <Server and analysis device hardware configuration> 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control unit of the server 103. The server 103 includes a CPU 402, a memory 403, an external storage device 405, and a network I / F 406, all of which are connected to a system bus 401.

[0044] The CPU 402 is a central processing unit that controls the overall operation. The memory 403 is a non-volatile and volatile memory, and stores a startup program for the CPU 402 and data used by that program. The external storage device 405 is a storage device (for example, a hard disk drive: HDD) with a larger capacity than the memory 403. The external storage device 405 stores a control program for the server 103 executed by the CPU 402 and data for the image forming device 102 sent via the network 104. The external storage device 405 may be a solid state drive (SSD) or the like, or may be replaced with another storage device having the same functions as a hard disk drive.

[0045] Upon startup, such as when the power is turned on, the CPU 402 executes a startup program stored in the memory 403. This startup program reads the control program stored in the external storage device 405 and loads it on the memory 403. After executing the startup program, the CPU 402 subsequently executes the control program loaded on the memory 403 to perform control. The CPU 402 also stores data used when executing the control program in the memory 403 and reads and writes it. The external storage device 405 can also store various settings required when executing the control program, which are read and written by the CPU 402. The CPU 402 communicates with other devices on the network 104 via the network I / F 406. For example, it is possible to receive data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 102 and transmit maintenance information to be displayed on the operation panel 31 via the network I / F 406.

[0046] <Functional configuration> Fig. 6(a) shows the functional configuration of the system control unit 30, and Fig. 6(b) is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printer unit 200. Note that the functional configuration of the printer unit 200 will be described as an example, but in the functional configuration of the reader unit 240, the devices controlled by the device control unit 54 are the reading unit 249 of the reader unit and the reader image processing unit 247. Also, the sensor measurement values ​​acquired by the data acquisition unit 531 are the sensors 341 provided in the reader unit, but other than that, the functions are similar and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] 6A will be described. In the system control unit 30, the CPU 301 executes a program 321, thereby functioning as a data management unit 50, a job control unit 51, and a GUI control unit 52.

[0048] The data management unit 50 is a processing unit that manages status information 354 such as sensor measurement values ​​measured by various sensors implemented inside the image forming apparatus 102. The data management unit 50 includes a data receiving unit 501, a data processing unit 502, and a data transmitting unit 503. The data receiving unit 501 communicates with the printer unit 200 via the data bus 34, and receives status information 354 obtained from the sensor group 351. Furthermore, the received status information 354 is subjected to various processes by the data processing unit 502 for transmission to the server 103, and the data transmitting unit 503 performs processing to transmit the information to the server 103 as needed.

[0049] The job control unit 51 controls the execution of jobs in the image forming apparatus 102. The job control unit 51 communicates with the printer unit 200 and controls its operation, thereby controlling the execution of jobs designated by a user or maintenance inspector 105 inputted from the operation panel 31.

[0050] The GUI control unit 52 controls input and output of the operation panel 31 in the image forming apparatus 102. Specifically, it is composed of an input processing unit 521 that receives content input to the operation panel 31 by the user or maintenance inspector 105, and a UI generation unit 522 that generates content to be displayed on the operation panel 31 as a GUI.

[0051] 6(b) will be described. In the printer unit 200, the operation of the information acquisition unit 352 is set by the CPU 301, causing the printer unit 200 to function as a data management unit 53 and a device control unit 54. The data management unit 53 is a processing unit that manages sensor values ​​measured by a group of sensors 351 implemented inside the printer unit 200.

[0052] When the timing determination unit 532 determines that a predetermined timing determined by the timer 350 has arrived, the data acquisition unit 531 acquires sensor values ​​measured by the sensor group 351. Here, the predetermined timing is, for example, every fixed time of several msec to several sec set by the timer 350. The data transmission unit 533 transmits the status information 354 acquired by the data acquisition unit 531 in response to a request from the system control unit 30, and also stores the status information 354 in the storage device 32 as log data 323.

[0053] An example of the status information 354 acquired by the data acquisition unit 531 will now be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the status information 354 of the sensor measurement values ​​acquired by the information acquisition unit 352 of the printer unit 200 from the sensor group 351. This status information 354 is held in the memory 353.

[0054] In the memory 353, the status information 354 is stored in order at an address 601 of the memory 353, and an ID 603 that can identify the source of acquisition from among the pre-assigned sensor group 351, sensor measurement value data 604, and timing information 602 at which the sensor measurement value was acquired are registered. This makes it possible to check the timing of the data.

[0055] In this example, at the time of timing information 0, the acquired value of the fixing unit temperature (ID=0) of the fixing unit 211 is 680 degrees, and the acquired value of the belt motor rotation speed (ID=1) of the intermediate transfer belt 206 is 2013 rpm. Also, the acquired result of 3.5 m is recorded for the roller travel distance (ID=2) of the transfer cleaner 210. And, as the toner concentration sensor value (ID=3), 980 is recorded as a density value obtained by quantizing the voltage acquired by the density detection sensor 220 to 10 bits (0 to 1023). Furthermore, as the timing information progresses from 1 to 2, the acquisition timing advances, and the sensor measurement value at each timing is recorded. The data stored in this memory is sequentially transmitted in response to a request from the system control unit 30.

[0056] <Overall operation flow> 8 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall operation flow of the management system 10. A detailed description of each process in this operation flow will be given separately later.

[0057] Although the description will be given as an example in which the status information 354 is acquired from the printer unit 200, the format of the sensor measurement values ​​held in the reader unit 240 is the same, and only the specific sensor contents are different.

[0058] First, the image forming apparatus 102(a) determines whether to acquire internal data using the control program of the timing determination unit 532 in response to the timer 350 of the printer unit 200 (process P801). When it determines that the timing has come, the control program of the data acquisition unit 531 acquires status information 354, such as sensor measurement values, and stores it in the storage device 32 as log data 323 (process P802). When a sufficient amount of status information 354 has been accumulated, the control program of the data transmission unit 523 sends the status information 354 to the system control unit 30, where the program of the data processing unit 502 processes the data for transmission to the server 103 (process P803).

[0059] This process is performed because the data to be sent to the server 103 is too large if it is left as the status information 354. For example, if time-series data of the fixing unit temperature of the fixing unit 211 as shown in Fig. 9 is obtained as the status information 354, it is processed into data that has been downsampled to a maximum value of 856°C, a minimum value of 687°C, and a frequency of once per minute.

[0060] The processed data is transmitted by the data transmission unit 503 to the server 103 via the network 104 (process P804).

[0061] Thereafter, when the image forming apparatus 102(a) determines that it is time to acquire internal data again (process P811), it repeats the series of operations of acquiring and processing the status information 354 again (process P812) and transmitting it to the server 103 (process P813).

[0062] When the server 103 receives the status information 354 from the image forming apparatus 102(a), it first performs data collection and statistical processing (process P805).

[0063] Here, the maximum, minimum, and downsampled data calculated in P803 are aggregated together with data from multiple image forming devices 102 and past aggregated and statistical information stored in the external storage device 405 to calculate information representing the standard operating conditions.

[0064] The calculated data is then finally saved in the external storage device 405 (process P806).

[0065] Thereafter, the server 103 repeats the series of operations of performing data aggregation and statistical processing in the same manner as when the data is transmitted again (process P814), and storing and managing the calculated data (process P815).

[0066] Meanwhile, in the image forming device 102(b), a request for information transfer is sent to the server 103 in order to display information related to the maintenance information selected by the user or maintenance inspector 105 through operation of the operation panel 31 (process P807).

[0067] In response to this, the server 103 selects relevant aggregated and statistical information from the data of multiple image forming devices 102 stored in the external storage device 405 in process P806 and notifies the image forming device 102(b) (process P808).

[0068] Upon receiving this notification, the image forming apparatus 102(b) combines the aggregated and statistical information received from the server 103 with information for display as a GUI from its own internal log data 323 (process P809), and displays the information on the operation panel 31 so that the user or maintenance inspector 105 can read it (process P810).

[0069] <Processing flow> Next, an example of specific processing performed in the image forming apparatus 102 will be described.

[0070] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the printer unit 200 in the image forming apparatus 102. Note that the flowchart of the printer unit 200 will be explained as an example, but the same processing is also performed for the reader unit 240, and the only difference is the type of data handled, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] First, the printer unit 200 waits for the print job to start (step S907).

[0072] The job control process is executed by issuing an instruction to execute a job by operating the operation panel 31 by the user or maintenance inspector 105. When this is executed, the printer unit 200 executes the printing operation by controlling devices related to image formation, such as the photosensitive member 201, the exposure unit 203, and the developing unit 204 of the printer unit 200 (step S908).

[0073] In parallel with this, the information acquisition unit 352 determines whether it is time to acquire sensor measurement values ​​(step S901). This acquisition timing is set to every fixed time of several msec to several sec by the timer 350 in this example, as described above.

[0074] At a predetermined timing, the information acquisition unit 352 acquires sensor measurement values ​​from the sensor group 351 (step S902).

[0075] The values ​​acquired here are those shown in FIG. 7, and the memory 353 stores an ID 603 that can identify the source of acquisition, sensor measurement value data 604, and timing information 602 at which the sensor measurement value was acquired.

[0076] Next, it is determined whether to end the acquisition (step S903). Here, the CPU 301 may instruct the data acquisition to stop when the job ends, or the data acquisition may be ended at a timing preset by the user or maintenance inspector 105.

[0077] Data transfer is performed in parallel with the data acquisition flow described above. First, it is determined whether there is a data transfer request from CPU 301 (step S904). If there is a request, status information 354 stored in memory 353 is sent to system control unit 30 and saved in storage device 32 as log data 323 (step S905). Transmission to system control unit 30 is performed by CPU 301 accessing status information 354 in memory 353.

[0078] Finally, when data acquisition is completed and all data in memory 353 has been transferred, data transfer is terminated (step S906).

[0079] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the system control unit 30. This processing is started when the CPU 301 of the system control unit 30 executes the program 321.

[0080] First, the system control unit 30 waits for a print job to be executed (step S1000).

[0081] This is a state in which the system waits for an instruction to execute a job by the user or maintenance inspector 105 operating the operation panel 31. When a job starts, the system control unit 30 controls the reader unit 240 to start a scan job and the printer unit 200 to start a print job for image formation (step S1001).

[0082] In parallel with this, the memories 353 and 343 are accessed so as to transfer the status information 344 and 354 from the printer unit 200 and the reader unit 240 (step S1002).

[0083] Next, CPU 301 determines whether all data reception has been completed (step S1003). Steps S1002 and S1003 are repeated until the job is completed in printer unit 200 and reader unit 240 and all of the retained status information 344, 354 has been transferred, and when all transfer has been completed, the process proceeds to step S1004.

[0084] The collected status information 344, 354 is processed for transmission to the server 103. As described above, this data processing involves calculating the maximum value, minimum value, and downsampled data from the status information 344, 354 in the data processing unit 502 (step S1004).

[0085] Finally, CPU 301 transmits the processed data to server 103 and ends the flow (step S1005). In parallel with this operation, CPU 301 waits for a request to display maintenance information (step S1006).

[0086] This instruction is given by the user or maintenance inspector 105 operating the operation panel 31 to input a command to display maintenance information by pressing touch panel key U3 in Fig. 12, and then selecting information required for maintenance by pressing touch panel key U10. In this example, the task of checking the fixing temperature is selected, and a request is made to the server 103 for aggregated and statistical information for checking the fixing temperature (step S1007).

[0087] Next, the process waits until the totaled and statistical information is received from the server 103 (step S1008).

[0088] When the tally and statistical information is received from the server 103, the log data 323 stored in the storage device 32 is used as the status information U20 of the own machine, as shown in FIG. 13 . Furthermore, the average maximum / minimum values ​​U21 and the standard fixing temperature transition U22 from the tally and statistical information received from the server 103 are graphed and combined in chronological order for display as a GUI. Furthermore, by receiving machine learning data for abnormality detection from the server 103, points U23 detected as abnormal in the status information U20 of the own machine may also be displayed (step S1009). Finally, the information is displayed on the display unit 311 of the operation panel 31 (step S1010).

[0089] In this way, the data calculated from the status information of the plurality of image forming devices transmitted to the management device and the status information stored in the storage unit can be displayed on the same screen. Also, the threshold value of the normal operating range calculated from the status information of the plurality of image forming devices can be displayed.

[0090] This allows the user who operates the operation panel 31 or the maintenance inspector 105 to obtain detailed maintenance information, making it possible to find and deal with problems early on.

[0091] Next, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the server 103.

[0092] First, the process waits for the processed data to be transmitted from the image forming apparatus 102 (step S1100).

[0093] If the data has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S1101, where data for each device is acquired. Next, new average maximum / minimum values ​​U21, data U22 representing standard operating conditions, etc. are calculated from the acquired data and previously calculated aggregated and statistical information stored in the external storage device 405. The newly calculated aggregated and statistical information is then stored in the external storage device 405 (step S1102).

[0094] In parallel with this, when the image forming apparatus 102 requests data to be displayed on the GUI (step S1103), data that matches the request is read from the aggregated and statistical information stored in the external storage device 405 (step S1102) and transmitted. This data includes the average maximum and minimum values ​​U21 calculated from the information of the multiple devices described above, data U22 representing standard operating conditions, and machine learning data for abnormality detection that has been stored in advance in the server 103 (step S1104).

[0095] According to the configuration and processing of this embodiment described above, it is possible to provide a system that allows the failures and lifespans of various components installed in the image forming device to be checked from the operation panel, making it easy to grasp the status of the machine and easily analyzing any abnormalities that may occur. [Example]

[0096] In the second embodiment, an example is shown in which a GUI is provided that is useful for determining whether the replacement was successful when the maintenance inspector 105 replaces an internal part of the image forming apparatus 102. In this example, the system configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, and only the processing content is different, so a description of that content will be omitted and only the processing flow will be described.

[0097] 15 shows an example of a processing procedure of the printer unit 200 in the image forming apparatus 102. Note that the flowchart of the printer unit 200 is explained as an example, but the same processing is also performed for the reader unit 240, and the only difference is the type of data handled, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] First, the printer unit 200 waits for the print job to start (step S2007).

[0099] The job control process is executed by issuing an instruction to execute a job by the user or maintenance inspector 105 operating the operation panel 31. When this is executed, the printer unit 200 executes the printing operation by controlling devices related to image formation, such as the photosensitive member 201, the exposure unit 203, and the developing unit 204 of the printer unit 200 (step S2008).

[0100] In parallel with this, the information acquisition unit 352 determines whether it is time to acquire sensor measurement values ​​(step S901). This acquisition timing is set to every fixed time of several msec to several sec by the timer 350 in this example, as described above.

[0101] At a predetermined timing, the information acquisition unit 352 acquires sensor measurement values ​​from the sensor group 351 (step S2002).

[0102] The values ​​acquired here are those shown in FIG. 7, and the memory 353 stores an ID 603 that can identify the source of acquisition, sensor measurement value data 604, and timing information 602 at which the sensor measurement value was acquired.

[0103] Next, it is determined whether to end the acquisition (step S2003). Here, the CPU 301 may instruct the data acquisition to stop when the job ends, or the data acquisition may be ended at a timing preset by the user or maintenance inspector 105.

[0104] At a predetermined timing, the information acquisition unit 352 acquires sensor measurement values ​​from the sensor group 351 (step S2002).

[0105] The values ​​acquired here are those shown in FIG. 7, and the memory 353 stores an ID 603 that can identify the source of acquisition, sensor measurement value data 604, and timing information 602 at which the sensor measurement value was acquired.

[0106] Next, it is determined whether to end the acquisition (step S2003). Here, the CPU 301 may instruct the data acquisition to stop when the job ends, or the data acquisition may be ended at a timing preset by the user or maintenance inspector 105.

[0107] Data transfer is performed in parallel with the data acquisition flow described above. First, it is determined whether there is a data transfer request from CPU 301 (step S2004). If there is a request, status information 354 stored in memory 353 is sent to system control unit 30 and saved as log data 323 in storage device 32 (step S2005). Transmission to system control unit 30 is performed by CPU 301 accessing status information 344 in memory 343.

[0108] Finally, when data acquisition is completed and all data in memory 343 has been transferred, data transfer is terminated (step S2006).

[0109] Furthermore, in parallel with the above-described data acquisition and transmission flow, the information acquisition unit 352 determines whether or not a part has been replaced (step S2009).

[0110] In this case, it is determined that a part has been replaced by the user or maintenance inspector 105 operating the operation panel 31 to instruct the part to be replaced by inputting the touch panel key U10 in Fig. 16. In this example, the registration roller 232 has been replaced, so the registration roller replacement is selected on the touch panel key U10.

[0111] When a part is replaced, the information acquisition unit 352 acquires the status information 354 from the sensor group 351 (step S2010).

[0112] The values ​​acquired here are the same as those shown in Figure 7 above, and at least the measurement value data including information on the replaced part, the part replacement timing, and, if an error has occurred, information on the timing of the part abnormality occurrence are stored in memory 353.

[0113] Next, it is determined whether to end the acquisition (step S2011). Here, data acquisition may be continued until a job is executed for a predetermined number of pages, or data acquisition may be ended at a timing preset by the user or maintenance inspector 105.

[0114] Next, an example of the processing procedure in the system control unit 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 11, as it is similar to Fig. 11. This processing is started when the CPU 301 of the system control unit 30 executes the program 321.

[0115] First, the system control unit 30 waits for a print job to be executed (step S1000).

[0116] This is a state in which the system waits for an instruction to execute a job by the user or maintenance inspector 105 operating the operation panel 31. When a job starts, the system control unit 30 controls the reader unit 240 to start a scan job for reading an image, and the printer unit 200 to start a print job for forming an image (step S1001).

[0117] In parallel with this, the memories 353 and 343 are accessed so as to transfer the status information 344 and 354 from the printer unit 200 and the reader unit 240 (step S1002).

[0118] Next, the CPU 301 determines whether all data reception has been completed (step S1003). Steps S1002 and S1003 are repeated until the printer unit 200 and the reader unit 240 finish the de-job and all of the stored status information 344, 354 is transferred, and when all transfer is completed, the process proceeds to step S1004.

[0119] The collected status information 344, 354 is processed for transmission to the server 103. As described above, this data processing involves calculating maximum and minimum values ​​and down-sampled data from the status information 344, 354 in the data processing unit 502. If a part has been replaced, additional information such as registration roller rotation speed information U30 of the replaced registration roller 232 is added, as shown in Fig. 17. If an error has occurred, additional information such as part abnormality occurrence timing U31 and part replacement timing U32, which indicates the timing of part replacement, is also added (step S1004).

[0120] Finally, CPU 301 transmits the processed data to server 103 and ends the flow (step S1005).

[0121] In parallel with this operation, the system waits for a request to display maintenance information (step S1006).

[0122] This instruction is given by the user or maintenance inspector 105 operating the operation panel 31 to instruct the display of maintenance information using the touch panel key U10 in Fig. 18. In the example in Fig. 18, the registration roller replacement confirmation task has been selected, and a request is made to the server 103 for tally and statistical information for registration roller replacement confirmation (step S1007).

[0123] Next, the process waits until the totaled and statistical information is received from the server 103 (step S1008).

[0124] 18, the timing U34 of occurrence of a registration roller part abnormality and the timing U35 of part replacement in the log data 323 stored in the storage device 32 are graphed in chronological order to be displayed as a GUI. Furthermore, the registration roller rotation speed information U33 of the own machine, the timing U31 of occurrence of a registration roller part abnormality, the timing U32 of part replacement, and the registration roller rotation speed information U30 received from the server 103 are also graphed and combined (step S1009).

[0125] Finally, the result is displayed on the display unit 311 of the operation panel 31 (step S1010).

[0126] This allows the following judgments to be made by looking at the stable transition status and the deviation status of the registration roller rotation speed information U30 after the part replacement timing U32 and the registration roller rotation speed information U33 after the part replacement timing U35. That is, in the example of Fig. 18, the value of the registration roller rotation speed information U33 rises again after a certain period of time, so it can be determined that this is not a normal state and that the replacement work is not going well.

[0127] In this way, the maintenance inspector 105 who operates the operation panel 31 can obtain information that can be compared with the operation after a normal part replacement, and can accurately determine whether the part replacement he or she performed was performed normally.

[0128] Next, FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the server 103.

[0129] First, the process waits for the processed data to be transmitted from the image forming apparatus 102 (step S1100).

[0130] If the data has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S1101, where the data of each device is acquired, and the acquired data is then saved (step S1102).

[0131] In parallel with this, when the image forming apparatus 102 requests data to be displayed on the GUI (step S1103), data that matches the request is selected from the data calculated in (step S1102) and transmitted. This data includes measurement value data including information on the replaced parts, the timing of part replacement, and the timing of part abnormality occurrence (step S1104).

[0132] In this way, it is possible to display information relating to part replacement identified based on the status information of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0133] According to the configuration and processing of this embodiment described above, even if various parts installed in the image forming device are replaced, it is possible to provide a system that makes it easy to grasp the condition of the device after replacement and that can easily analyze any abnormalities that may occur.

[0134] <Other embodiments> The present invention can be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 10 Prediction System 102 Image forming device 103 Server 104 Network 105 Maintenance Inspector

Claims

1. A management system having a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a detection means for detecting a state of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses; a storage means for storing state information acquired by the detection means when the state is detected; a transmitting means for transmitting the status information stored in the storage means to a management device via a network; a display means for displaying information; The display means displays data calculated from the status information of the plurality of image forming devices sent to the management device and the status information stored in the memory means on the same screen, and the display means displays a threshold value of the normal operating range calculated from the status information of the plurality of image forming devices sent to the management device.

2. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays information regarding part replacement specified based on the status information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses transmitted to the management device.

3. 3. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the status information is information based on an operating state of a movable part of the image forming apparatus.

4. a selection means for selecting the information displayed by the display means, The management system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the display means displays data calculated from the status information of the multiple image forming devices sent to the management device and the status information stored in the memory means on the same screen in accordance with the selection by the selection means.

5. 5. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means comprises a plurality of sensors.

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