Portable Sound Diagnostic Device for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic systems for abnormal sounds in image forming apparatuses lack efficient methods for remote analysis and treatment guidance, particularly in secure environments where installing sound recording capabilities is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic device and system that acquires sound information, performs time-frequency analysis, and displays analysis results to identify potential causes of abnormal sounds, allowing service engineers to input treatment situations via a portable device connected to a server, which provides treatment candidates based on analysis similarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sound recording capabilities are installed in image forming apparatuses, then abnormal sound diagnosis capability is improved, but device complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sound recording function is extracted from the image forming apparatus and implemented as a separate portable diagnostic device. This allows the apparatus to maintain simplicity while still enabling abnormal sound diagnosis through external sound capture.
Solution Approach 2:
A portable diagnostic device serves as an intermediary between the sound source (image forming apparatus) and the analysis system. This mediator captures sound information externally and transmits it for remote analysis, avoiding the need to embed recording capabilities in the apparatus itself.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive analysis results are displayed to guide treatment, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic system is segmented into distinct functional modules: sound information acquisition, time-frequency analysis, candidate cause identification, and treatment guidance. Each module handles a specific aspect of the diagnostic process, making the overall complex system manageable through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms sound information from the time domain to the time-frequency domain through wavelet transform analysis. This dimensional transformation enables better visualization and interpretation of abnormal sound characteristics, improving diagnostic accuracy while managing processing complexity through standardized signal processing techniques.
3Productivity
If remote diagnosis is enabled without on-site recording, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but sound information quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The portable diagnostic device enables service engineers to independently capture and analyze sound information on-site without requiring complex on-site recording infrastructure. The device performs self-contained sound acquisition, analysis, and generates diagnostic reports that guide treatment, improving maintenance efficiency while maintaining sound quality through dedicated portable recording capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables remote and efficient diagnosis and treatment of abnormal sounds by displaying analysis results and treatment candidates, facilitating effective maintenance without the need for on-site sound recording capabilities, thereby improving maintenance efficiency and security.
Implementation Method 1
a sound acquisition unit that acquires sound information
Implementation Method 2
a display that displays a first analysis result obtained by a time-frequency analysis on the sound information
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic device includes an acquisition unit that acquires sound information, and a display that displays a first analysis result obtained by a time-frequency analysis on the sound information and plural second analysis results obtained by a time-frequency analysis on sound information of an abnormal sound, and that displays the second analysis results in descending order of a possibility presumed to be a cause of the abnormal sound and displays treatment candidates on a screen for inputting a treatment situation of the abnormal sound, based on an order in which the second analysis results have been displayed.