Information processing device, program, and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a technology in which an execution frequency of analysis in an information processing apparatus is optimized.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises: reception means that receives history information indicating an operation history of a predetermined operation in a device from the device; analysis means that analyzes a state of the device on the basis of the history information when an execution condition is satisfied; and setting means that sets the execution condition. The setting means sets the execution condition on the basis of an analysis result based on the analysis means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device for analyzing the state of a device. 、 program and image forming system Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] A system has been proposed that notifies users and dealers of the need for maintenance by analyzing the operation history of an image forming device. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the operation history of an image forming device is sent to a server, and the server performs a diagnosis. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which the server analyzes the operation history of the image forming device based on analysis rules, notifies the user of the image forming device of necessary measures such as the timing of part replacement, and modifies the analysis rules based on the validity of the measures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3831143 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-071657 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Analyzing operation history in an information processing device such as a server consumes resources (storage, memory, execution time, etc.) Therefore, if more analysis than necessary is performed, the operating costs of the information processing device increase.

[0005] The present invention provides a technique for optimizing the frequency of analysis execution in an information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing device includes a receiving means for receiving history information indicating the operation history of a specified operation in the device from the device, an analysis means for analyzing the state of the device based on the history information when an execution condition is satisfied, and a setting means for setting the execution condition, wherein the setting means sets the execution condition based on the analysis result by the analysis means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the frequency of analysis performed in an information processing device can be optimized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a feeding unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of sheets on which images are formed and feeding time. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a server in one embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by a server in one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a server in one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a server in one embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by a server in one embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus PR according to this embodiment. The letters Y, M, C, and K at the end of the reference numbers in Fig. 1 indicate that the colors of the toner images formed by the components indicated by the reference numbers are yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between colors, reference numbers without the letters Y, M, C, and K at the end will be used.

[0011] During image formation, the photoconductors 1 are rotated clockwise in the figure. The charging rollers 2 are set to a charging potential and charge the corresponding photoconductors 1 to a predetermined potential. The scanning unit 8 scans and exposes the corresponding photoconductors 1 with light, forming electrostatic latent images on the corresponding photoconductors 1. The developing rollers 3 are set to a developing potential and develop the electrostatic latent images on the corresponding photoconductors 1 with toner, forming toner images on the corresponding photoconductors 1. The primary transfer rollers 10 are set to a primary transfer potential and transfer the toner images on the corresponding photoconductors 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 11. Note that by transferring the toner images of each photoconductor 1 onto the intermediate transfer belt 11 in an overlapping manner, different colors, such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, can be reproduced. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure during image formation. As a result, the toner images transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 11 are transported to a position facing the secondary transfer roller 14.

[0012] The feeding unit 20 feeds the sheet S stored in the cassette 21 to a conveying path provided in the image forming apparatus PR. The sheet S fed to the conveying path is transported by a pair of registration rollers 25 (hereinafter referred to as the registration roller pair 25) to a position facing the secondary transfer roller 14. The secondary transfer roller 14 is set to a secondary transfer potential and transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 to the sheet S. The sheet S with the transferred toner image is transported to the fixing device 30. The fixing device 30 fixes the toner image to the sheet S by applying heat and pressure to the sheet S. After the toner image is fixed, the sheet S is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus PR by a discharge roller pair 33. A conveying path sensor 27 for detecting the sheet S is provided downstream of the registration roller pair 25.

[0013] Next, details of the feeding unit 20 will be described using FIG. 2. FIG. 2A shows the feeding unit 20 and its vicinity at the timing when feeding of the uppermost sheet S1 stored in the cassette 21 is started. In the cassette 21, the position of the sheet S in the conveying direction is restricted by the trailing edge restricting plate 26. At this time, the leading edge of the sheet S in the conveying direction is at position Ps shown in FIG. 2A. When the feeding operation starts and the feed roller 22 and the conveying roller 23 are rotated, the sheet S1 starts to move to the right in FIG. 2A due to friction with the feed roller 22. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2B, the sheet S1 reaches the separation nip Pn formed by the conveying roller 23 and the separation roller 24. In FIG. 2B, the sheet S2 below the sheet S1 is also moving due to the frictional force between the sheet S1 and the sheet S2 below it. The separation nip Pn is configured so that when two or more sheets S are fed to the separation nip Pn by the feed roller 22, only the uppermost sheet S1 is fed downstream.

[0014] Specifically, a torque limiter (not shown) is connected to the separation roller 24, and applies torque as a resistance force in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the sheet S1. This torque is set so that when only one sheet S enters the separation nip Pn, the separation roller 24 rotates in response to the conveying roller 23, but stops when two sheets S enter the separation nip Pn. Therefore, the sheets S are conveyed downstream one by one by the separation nip Pn.

[0015] Even after the leading edge of sheet S1 passes through separation nip Pn, sheet S1 passes through registration roller pair 25 due to the rotation of feed roller 22 and conveyance roller 23, and reaches detection position Pr of conveyance path sensor 27 as shown in Fig. 2(C). The time from the start of the feeding operation shown in Fig. 2(A) until the leading edge of sheet S1 reaches detection position Pr of conveyance path sensor 27 is hereinafter referred to as feeding time.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows the feeding time when the feeding operation was repeated for 400,000 sheets. Note that FIG. 3(A) shows the feeding time for the feeding operation for the first 2,000 sheets, and FIG. 3(B) shows the feeding time for the feeding operation for the last 2,000 sheets. As shown in FIG. 3, as the number of repeated feeding operations increases, sudden delays in the feeding time occur sporadically, and the feeding time varies more. This is thought to be mainly because repeated feeding operations wear out the feed roller 22, and the frictional force between the feed roller 22 and the sheet S decreases in areas with greater wear.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus PR according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a host computer HC, an image forming apparatus PR, and a server SV, which is an information processing apparatus, are configured to be able to communicate with each other, for example, via a network. A control unit 201 of the host computer HC includes a CPU, which is a processor, and executes control programs stored in a storage device (not shown) to perform various processes described below. An operation display unit 202 includes a display, keyboard, mouse, etc., and provides a user interface. For example, in response to user operations on the operation display unit 202, the control unit 201 sends a print job including image data to the image forming apparatus PR, causing the image forming apparatus PR to form an image based on the image data.

[0018] The video controller 85 of the image forming apparatus PR performs communication processing with the host computer HC and the server SV. When the video controller 85 receives a print job from the host computer HC, it controls the printer engine 84 to form an image based on the print job. The operation display unit 86 includes an operation panel, operation buttons, and the like, and provides a user interface. The printer engine 84 has an engine control unit 87 including a processor (CPU 80), a ROM 81, and a RAM 82. The ROM 81 is a nonvolatile memory that holds and stores control programs and various data. Note that a rewritable nonvolatile memory may be used instead of the ROM 81. The CPU 80 executes the control program stored in the ROM 81 to control the components shown in FIG. 1 via the I / O port 83 to form an image on the sheet S. Note that a motor 28, which is a component not shown in FIG. 1, is a drive source that rotates the conveyance roller 23 and the separation roller 24. A solenoid 29, which is not shown in FIG. 1, is a drive source that rotates the feed roller 22.

[0019] The computing unit 301 of the server SV includes one or more processors (CPUs) and performs various processes by executing control programs stored in the storage device 302. The storage device 302 includes any volatile and non-volatile storage device. In addition to the programs executed by the computing unit 301, the storage device 302 also stores data used by the computing unit 301 in various processes. In this embodiment, the storage device 302 is a component of the server SV, but some or all of the data described below as being stored in the storage device 302 may be stored in an external device that the server SV can access via a network.

[0020] Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of the present embodiment of the system shown in Fig. 4. The functional blocks shown in Fig. 5 can be realized by the CPU 80 of the engine control unit 87 of the image forming apparatus PR, the CPU of the calculation unit 301 of the server SV, and the CPU of the control unit 201 of the host computer HC executing corresponding control programs, respectively.

[0021] The feeding control unit 871 controls the motor 28 and the solenoid 29 to control the feeding of the sheet S. The feeding control unit 871 notifies the measurement unit 872 of the timing to start feeding the sheet S. The measurement unit 872 measures the feeding time based on the detection timing of the leading edge of the sheet S notified by the transport path sensor 27. The measurement unit 872 stores the measured feeding time together with the timing at which the feeding time was measured (hereinafter referred to as measurement timing) in RAM 82. The measurement timing can be, for example, the feeding start timing or the detection timing. The operation history collection unit 873 transmits the measurement timing and the feeding time at the measurement timing stored in RAM 82 to the server SV as history information.

[0022] Upon receiving the history information, the server SV stores the received history information in the storage device 302. FIG. 6A shows an example of history information according to this embodiment. When a predetermined execution condition is satisfied, the analysis unit 3011 calculates a variance value V of the feeding time of the most recent X sheets S from the history information stored in the storage device 302. For example, X can be set to 1000. The storage device 302 stores the determination information shown in FIG. 6B. Based on the determination information, the analysis unit 3011 analyzes and determines the condition of the feeding unit 20 due to wear of the feeding roller 22 based on the variance value V. In the example of FIG. 6B, the quality of the condition of the feeding unit 20 is classified into four levels based on the variance value V. Note that the analysis result in FIG. 6B indicates that the smaller the number, the better the condition of the feeding unit 20. In other words, in this embodiment, the smaller the variance value, i.e., the smaller the variation in feeding time, the better the condition of the feeding unit 20 is determined to be. 6(B), the quality of the condition of the feeding section 20 is classified into four levels, but it may also be classified into two, three, five or more levels. The analysis section 3011 stores the analysis result (determination result) in the storage device 302 in association with the measurement timing used to calculate the variance value V. The measurement timing to be associated may be the last timing, the first timing, or both of the multiple measurement timings used to calculate the variance value V. The analysis result is not limited to the variance value V, and the standard deviation value, or simply the difference between the longest and shortest feeding times, may be used instead.

[0023] If the numerical value of the analysis result by the analysis unit 3011 is higher than a predetermined value, the notification unit 3012 transmits a message to the host computer HC indicating that an action is required for the feed unit 20. In other words, if the condition of the feed unit 20 is lower than a predetermined level, the notification unit 3012 transmits a message to the host computer HC indicating that an action is required for the feed unit 20. For example, in a four-level evaluation as shown in FIG. 6B, if the condition of the feed unit 20 is the lowest level of "4," the notification unit 3012 may transmit a message to the host computer HC indicating that the feed unit 20 needs to be replaced. The display control unit 2011 of the host computer HC displays the content of the message received from the notification unit 3012 on the operation display unit 202.

[0024] The management unit 3013 of the calculation unit 301 sets the conditions for analysis by the analysis unit 3011. In this embodiment, the management unit 3013 sets the conditions for analysis using the results of the most recent analysis performed by the analysis unit 3011. For this purpose, the setting conditions shown in FIG. 6C are stored in the storage device 302 of the server SV. As shown in FIG. 6C, the setting conditions are set so that the lower the condition of the feeding unit 20, the higher the frequency of analysis. For example, as shown in FIG. 6C, if the analysis result by the analysis unit 3011 is "1" or "2," the next analysis will be performed one month later. On the other hand, if the analysis result by the analysis unit 3011 is "4," the next analysis will be performed the following day. Note that the initial value of the execution conditions is arbitrary, but can be set to the most frequently executed condition, such as "daily." Furthermore, the execution conditions can be set based not only on the most recent analysis results, but also on the results of the past few analyses.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the process executed by the calculation unit 301 of the server SV. The analysis unit 3011 waits until the execution condition is satisfied in S10. When the execution condition is satisfied, the analysis unit 3011 performs an analysis based on the history information stored in the storage device 302 in S11. The analysis unit 3011 stores the analysis results in the storage device 302. The management unit 3013 sets the execution condition based on the analysis result in S11 in S12. Note that the execution condition may be set based on the results of several previous analyses, rather than based only on the most recent analysis result. The notification unit 3012 determines in S13 whether the analysis result in S11 indicates that notification of an action to be taken for the image forming apparatus PR is necessary to the host computer HC. If notification is necessary, the notification unit 3012 notifies the host computer HC of the action to be taken in S14. The process then repeats from S10. Note that even if notification to the host computer HC is not necessary, the process repeats from S10.

[0026] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus RP has one feeding unit 20. However, it may have multiple feeding units 20. In this case, the status is analyzed for each feeding unit 20. In this embodiment, the analysis target is the feeding unit 20 of the image forming apparatus PR, more specifically, the feeding operation of the feeding unit 20. However, the analysis target is not limited to this. For example, the transport operation of the sheet S can be analyzed. In this case, the analysis is performed using the transport time, which is the time it takes for the sheet S to be transported along a predetermined section of the transport path, instead of the feeding time in this embodiment. Note that the feeding time can be considered to be the transport time from the start position of the transport path to the detection position of the transport path sensor 27. Furthermore, any replaceable component, such as the fixing device 30 or the intermediate transfer belt 11, can also be analyzed. Furthermore, the device to be analyzed is not limited to the image forming apparatus PR; any replaceable part of any device can also be analyzed. For example, the device to be analyzed can be an image reading device. Furthermore, the device to be analyzed can be a sheet transport device that transports sheets, or a device that includes the sheet transport device. Furthermore, the apparatus to be analyzed may be a feeding apparatus that feeds sheets to an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus or an image reading apparatus, etc. Furthermore, the apparatus to be analyzed may be an apparatus that includes a feeding apparatus.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the execution condition is specified by the period until the next analysis is performed, but it is possible to use an execution condition based on any value that can adjust the frequency of analysis. For example, the execution condition can also be specified by the number of sheets S fed. In other words, the execution condition can also be specified by the number of predetermined operations. When the execution condition is specified by the number of sheets S fed, after the analysis is performed, the next analysis is performed when the number of sheets S specified in the execution condition is fed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the notification unit 3012 notifies the host computer HC. Instead of this, or in addition to this, it is possible to configure the notification unit 3012 to notify the image forming apparatus PR.

[0028] As described above, the state of the device, more specifically, the degree of quality of the replacement parts related to the predetermined operation in the device, is analyzed and evaluated in two or more stages based on the operation history of the device. Then, based on the analysis results, the execution conditions for the analysis are set. Here, if the degree of quality of the state is the first stage, the first execution condition is set, and if the state is the second stage, which is higher than the first stage, the second execution condition is set. As shown in Figure 6(C), the frequency of the analysis based on the second execution condition is set less than the frequency of the analysis based on the first execution condition. This configuration prevents unnecessary analysis on the server SV, thereby suppressing increases in operating costs.

[0029] Second Embodiment Next, the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Figure 8 is a functional block diagram of this embodiment of the system shown in Figure 4. The abnormality detection unit 874 determines that a transport abnormality has occurred when the feeding time measured by the measurement unit 872 is equal to or greater than a threshold value α. Information indicating the threshold value α is pre-stored in the ROM 81. In this example, α = 1800. The abnormality detection unit 874 also stores information on whether or not a transport abnormality has occurred (hereinafter referred to as an abnormality detection result) in the RAM 82, associating it with the measurement timing. The operation history collection unit 873 includes information indicating the abnormality detection result at the measurement timing in the history information.

[0030] 9(A) shows an example of history information stored by the server SV in the storage device 302 in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9(A), the feed time at the measurement timing of 21:05:30 on March 4, 2020 is 1856 ms, which exceeds the threshold value α of 1800 in this example. Therefore, the abnormality detection result for that record is "Yes".

[0031] In this embodiment, the management unit 3013 determines the number of times a conveyance abnormality has been detected in the feeding of the most recent Y sheets S based on the history information. For example, Y can be set to 1000. Then, the management unit 3013 sets the execution conditions based on the setting information shown in FIG. 9(B). As shown in FIG. 9(B), in this embodiment, the setting information is set such that the higher the number of times an abnormality has been detected in a predetermined number of sheets in the past, the higher the execution frequency of the analysis.

[0032] In this embodiment, the flowchart of the first process executed by the arithmetic unit 301 of the server SV omits S12 in FIG. 7. The first process includes analysis by the analysis unit 3011, determination of whether notification is required by the notification unit 3012, and notification when notification is required. On the other hand, the management unit 3013 sets and updates the execution conditions based on the setting information at the update timing. The update timing can be the timing when the analysis unit 3011 executes the analysis. Alternatively, the update timing can be the timing when the history information regarding one sheet S is received. Further, the update timing can be the timing when the history information regarding Y1 sheets S is received. Note that Y1 < Y can be satisfied. For example, if Y = 1000 and Y1 = 100, when the management unit 3013 receives the history information of 100 sheets S after updating the execution conditions last time, it sets the execution conditions based on the history information of the past 1000 sheets. Further, the update timing can be set for each predetermined period.

[0033] As described above, in this embodiment, as the number of times an abnormality has been detected in a predetermined number of predetermined operations in the past decreases, the execution frequency of the analysis is lowered. Note that the predetermined operation in this embodiment is the feeding operation. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the server SV from performing unnecessary analysis and suppress an increase in the operation cost. In this embodiment, although the management unit 3013 sets the execution conditions based on the number of times an abnormality has been detected in the most recent Y sheets, the configuration may be such that the execution conditions are set based on the number of times an abnormality has been detected in a predetermined period in the past. Further, the configuration may be such that the execution conditions are set based on the operation history such as the type of the sheet S and the environmental temperature and humidity.

[0034] Third Embodiment Next, the third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of this embodiment of the system shown in FIG. 4. As in the first embodiment, the display control unit 2011 of the host computer HC displays the required action in accordance with a message notified from the notification unit 3012. In this embodiment, the display control unit 2011 displays options for whether the action has been taken or not and the resulting results, allowing the user to select. For example, the display control unit 2011 displays the four options shown in "Feedback Content" in FIG. 11(A) and allows the user to select. The result notification unit 2012 feeds back the user's selection result to the management unit 3013.

[0035] When the selection result is fed back, the management unit 3013 sets and updates the execution conditions based on the setting information shown in Fig. 11(A). As shown in Fig. 11(A), if the user determines that the problem has been solved by the action notified by the notification unit 3012, the frequency of analysis execution is set lower than in other cases. Note that the options displayed to the user for selection are not limited to those shown in Fig. 11(A).

[0036] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of processing executed by the calculation unit 301 of the server SV in this embodiment. Note that processing steps similar to those in the first embodiment are assigned the same step numbers, and their description will be omitted. As in the second embodiment, when the analysis unit 3011 executes analysis in S11, the notification unit 3012 determines whether notification is necessary in S13, and if notification is necessary, notifies the host computer HC of the details of the action to be taken in S14. Thereafter, in S20, the management unit 3013 waits for feedback of the selection result of the option from the result notification unit 2012 of the host computer HC. Upon receiving the selection result as feedback, in S21, the management unit 3013 sets an execution condition based on the feedback option. Note that in S20, if a selection result is not received from the result notification unit 2012 even after a predetermined period has elapsed, the management unit 3013 may be configured to proceed to S21 assuming that the option "no action taken" was selected.

[0037] 11, if the user takes the instructed action and the problem is resolved, the frequency of analysis execution is reduced compared to other cases. However, it is also possible to have the user rate the degree of improvement of the problem on a scale of two or more, and based on the user's evaluation results, the higher the degree of improvement, the lower the frequency of analysis execution. Also, for example, it is possible to use the waiting time in S20 to set the execution conditions.

[0038] As described above, in this embodiment, the execution conditions are set based on whether the action was taken or not according to the action content notified to the user, and the degree of problem improvement when the action is actually taken. Note that the frequency of analysis is set lower as the degree of improvement by taking the action increases. This configuration prevents unnecessary analysis on the server SV, and suppresses increases in operational costs.

[0039] <Fourth embodiment> Next, the fourth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the system shown in FIG. 4 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the user operates the display control unit 2011 to perform a user input to select the frequency at which the analysis unit 3011 will perform analysis. For example, as shown in FIG. 11(B), the user can perform a user input to select one of low frequency, medium frequency, and high frequency. The user can select the execution frequency taking into consideration the installation environment of the image forming apparatus PR, other individual circumstances, and the like. The frequency notification unit 2013 notifies the management unit 3013 of the execution frequency selected by the user based on the user input.

[0040] When the management unit 3013 acquires the result of the user input, that is, the execution frequency selected by the user, it sets and updates the execution conditions based on the setting information shown in Fig. 11(B). Note that, although Fig. 11(B) classifies the execution frequency into three levels, it can be classified into any level of two or more.

[0041] In this embodiment, the flowchart of the first process executed by the calculation unit 301 of the server SV is the same as in the first embodiment, except that S12 in Fig. 7 is omitted. On the other hand, when the management unit 3013 is notified of the user's selection frequency from the frequency notification unit 2013, the management unit 3013 sets and updates the execution conditions based on the notified selection frequency.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, the user selects the execution frequency. This makes it possible to prevent analyses that are unnecessary for the user from being executed. Note that, for example, a configuration is also possible in which the user selects an acceptable operating cost and the execution conditions are set based on that operating cost.

[0043] The server SV according to this embodiment may be realized by a plurality of devices configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network. The server SV may also be installed in a location different from the image forming device PR. Furthermore, the functions of the server SV may be realized on the functions provided by a cloud computing service.

[0044] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also 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 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.

[0045] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 3011: Analysis Department, 3013: Management Department

Claims

1. a receiving means for receiving history information indicating an operation history of a predetermined operation in the device from the device; an analysis means for analyzing the state of the device based on the history information when the execution condition is satisfied; a setting means for setting the execution conditions; Equipped with The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the setting means sets the execution conditions based on the analysis results by the analysis means.

2. the analyzing means analyzes the degree of quality of the state of the device in at least two stages; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said setting means sets said execution conditions based on the degree of goodness of the state of said apparatus.

3. the setting means sets a first execution condition when the state of the device is at a first level, and sets a second execution condition when the state of the device is at a second level that is better than the first level; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of execution of the analysis by the analysis means based on the second execution condition is lower than the frequency of execution of the analysis by the analysis means based on the first execution condition.

4. a receiving means for receiving history information indicating an operation history of a predetermined operation in the device from the device; an analysis means for analyzing the state of the device based on the history information when the execution condition is satisfied; a setting means for setting the execution conditions; Equipped with The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the setting means sets the execution conditions based on the history information.

5. the history information indicates whether an abnormality has been detected in the predetermined operation; 5. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the setting means sets the execution condition based on the number of times an abnormality has been detected in the predetermined operation in the past, or the number of times an abnormality has been detected in the predetermined operation in the past, during a predetermined period of time.

6. the setting means sets a first execution condition when the number of times is a first number of times, and sets a second execution condition when the number of times is a second number of times that is greater than the first number of times; 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the frequency of execution of the analysis by the analysis means based on the first execution condition is lower than the frequency of execution of the analysis by the analysis means based on the second execution condition.

7. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a user of an action to be taken by the apparatus based on the analysis result by the analysis unit.

8. a receiving means for receiving history information indicating an operation history of a predetermined operation in the device from the device; an analysis means for analyzing the state of the device based on the history information when the execution condition is satisfied; acquiring means for acquiring a user input regarding a frequency of analysis by said analysis means; a setting means for setting the execution conditions; a notification means for notifying a user of an action to be taken by the device based on the analysis result by the analysis means; Equipped with The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the setting means sets the execution conditions based on the user input.

9. a receiving means for receiving history information indicating an operation history of a predetermined operation in the device from the device; an analysis means for analyzing the state of the device based on the history information when the execution condition is satisfied; a notification means for notifying a user of an action to be taken by the device based on the analysis result by the analysis means; an acquisition means for acquiring feedback from a user regarding the action notified by the notification means; a setting means for setting the execution conditions; Equipped with The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the setting means sets the execution conditions based on the feedback.

10. the setting means sets a first execution condition when the feedback indicates that the state of the device has improved as a result of the action notified by the notifying means, and sets a second execution condition otherwise; 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the frequency of execution of the analysis by the analysis means based on the first execution condition is lower than the frequency of execution of the analysis by the analysis means based on the second execution condition.

11. the setting means sets a first execution condition when the feedback indicates that the action notified by the notification means has improved the state of the device by a first degree, and sets a second execution condition when the feedback indicates that the action notified by the notification means has improved the state of the device by a second degree higher than the first degree; 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the frequency of execution of the analysis by the analysis means based on the second execution condition is lower than the frequency of execution of the analysis by the analysis means based on the first execution condition.

12. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis means analyzes the state of the apparatus based on a variance value of values ​​indicated by an operation history of the predetermined operation over a predetermined number of times in the past.

13. the apparatus includes a sheet transport device that transports a sheet along a transport path; 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the value indicated by the operation history of the predetermined operation is a time required to transport the sheet through a predetermined section of the transport path.

14. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus is an image forming apparatus including the sheet conveying apparatus.

15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the execution condition is a condition based on a period.

16. 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution condition is a condition based on the number of times the predetermined action is performed.

17. A program characterized in that, when executed by one or more processors of an apparatus having one or more processors, the program causes the apparatus having the one or more processors to function as an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. An image forming apparatus; an information processing device; An image forming system comprising: The information processing device includes: a receiving unit for receiving history information indicating an operation history of a predetermined operation in the image forming apparatus; an analysis unit that analyzes the state of the image forming apparatus based on the history information when the execution condition is satisfied; a setting means for setting the execution conditions; Equipped with The image forming system is characterized in that the setting means sets the execution conditions based on the analysis results by the analysis means.

19. The setting means sets a first execution condition when the state of the image forming device is at a first stage, and sets a second execution condition when the state of the image forming device is at a second stage that is better than the first stage, 19. The image forming system according to claim 18, wherein the frequency of execution of the analysis by the analysis unit based on the second execution condition is lower than the frequency of execution of the analysis by the analysis unit based on the first execution condition.

Images