Maintenance Apparatus for Image Forming Devices Using Regional Data Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing maintenance methods for image forming and information processing apparatuses struggle with effective offline analysis and fault diagnosis due to mixed statistical data from different destinations and terrains, leading to incorrect setting values and potential machine errors.

Innovation Solution

A maintenance apparatus and method that acquires machine information, including identification and setting values, through external storage, compares this data with statistical data from a server, and generates evaluation information to display the propriety of setting values, enabling proper analysis and adjustment during offline maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If statistical data from multiple destinations and terrains are mixed together for fault diagnosis, then the quantity of available data increases, but the measurement precision and reliability of fault diagnosis deteriorates due to inappropriate comparisons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantity of statistical dataVSAvoidprecision of fault diagnosis

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments statistical data by destination and terrain characteristics, creating separate statistical profiles for different regions. This allows the maintenance apparatus to compare machine information against appropriate regional benchmarks rather than mixed global data, resolving the contradiction by organizing data quantity into meaningful segments that maintain diagnostic precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of mixing all statistical data together and then trying to filter, the patent inverts the approach by first segmenting data by destination and terrain, then performing comparisons within each segment. This inversion of the data processing sequence ensures that only appropriate statistical data is compared, maintaining precision while still utilizing comprehensive data sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If service persons manually check machine settings during maintenance, then adaptability to different destinations and terrains can be assessed, but the time and complexity of maintenance operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of setting valuesVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance apparatus automatically performs the adaptation assessment by comparing machine setting values against destination-specific and terrain-specific statistical data. This self-service approach eliminates the need for service persons to manually evaluate adaptability, significantly reducing maintenance time while maintaining comprehensive adaptability assessment through automated data comparison and outlier detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of setting verification with an automated information processing system. The maintenance apparatus uses computational algorithms to compare setting values against statistical benchmarks, substituting human manual checking with automated electronic analysis, thereby reducing time loss while preserving adaptability evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If setting values are modified during delivery to match local conditions, then the adaptability to local terrain improves, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential wrong settings by service persons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to local terrainVSAvoidreliability of setting values

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by comparing modified setting values against statistical data from the same destination and terrain. The maintenance apparatus detects outliers that deviate from normal ranges for specific regions, providing feedback to service persons about potentially wrong settings. This feedback mechanism maintains reliability by validating local adaptations against regional benchmarks rather than allowing unverified modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary anti-action by detecting setting values that deviate from statistical norms before they can cause machine errors. By identifying outliers in setting values during the maintenance check, the system prevents potential reliability issues from occurring, counteracting the risk of wrong settings made during local adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS9292239B2Maintenance method and maintenance apparatus of information processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

A maintenance method of an information processing apparatus comprises: acquiring a machine information including an identification information identifying a machine of the information processing apparatus, a group name classifying the machine as an isolated group and the setting value information of multiple setting items of the machine through an external storage apparatus, acquiring a statistical data of the setting item generated for each group based on the setting value information of multiple information processing apparatuses, comparing the machine information with the statistical data according to each setting item whose group name matches, and generating an evaluation information denoting the propriety of the setting value of the machine and displaying the evaluation information from a display processing unit on a display unit.