JP2867516B2 - Image forming device management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management system in which an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus are connected via a communication line.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, or an optical printer that forms a hard copy image using an electrophotographic process, and a management device (host) for managing the image forming device are connected via a communication line. There is a management system.

For example, the management system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-142559 is configured such that data indicating the usage status such as the number of times of copying is output from a copying machine in accordance with a control signal from a host. I have.

According to such a management system, even when copiers are installed in each of distant places, these plural copiers can be centrally managed by a host provided in one place, The usage status of each copying machine can be easily counted.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

By the way, in recent years, a host is installed at a maintenance base (service station) where a service person stands by, and each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses installed for each user is connected to the host via a communication line. Construction of a management system for the purpose of speeding up maintenance (maintenance work) for each image forming apparatus and reducing maintenance costs has been promoted.

In addition, as the maintenance, in addition to the recovery work at the time of failure, there is a work of checking an operation state (condition) and adjusting each part according to the condition.

However, the conventional management system does not aim at improving the efficiency of maintenance (maintenance).

Therefore, conventionally, in a service station, when a user requests a serviceman to visit (service visit), it is necessary to manually adjust the service visit date (schedule) in consideration of the degree of urgency. There was a problem. This makes scheduling adjustments complicated, especially for large numbers of users.
This is time-consuming and error-prone, which can bother the user.

In addition, even when the service station is provided with an information processing system for customer management, every time a user requests, some operation input is performed manually.
At this time, an operation error may occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus management system that can quickly and accurately set a date for a service visit corresponding to an image forming apparatus and can improve maintenance efficiency. .

Another object of the present invention is to enable an image forming apparatus to confirm a date of a service visit set at a service base, thereby increasing the intimacy between the user and the service base. To provide a management system.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus management system in which an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus are connected via a communication line, wherein the management apparatus relates to an operation state of the image forming apparatus. A means for storing information; and a schedule creating means for setting a due date for a service visit for maintenance of the image forming apparatus, based on the stored information, according to whether the operation state of the image forming apparatus is good or bad. It is characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the management device has a transmission unit for transmitting a date of the service visit to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is configured to transmit the date of the service visit. It is characterized by comprising receiving means for receiving a due date and display means for displaying a due date of the service visit.

(Operation)

The image forming apparatus and the management apparatus are connected via a communication line.

In the management device, a date of a service visit for maintenance of the image forming apparatus is set by the schedule creation unit according to whether the operation state of the image forming device is good, and the set date of the service visit is set by the transmission unit. The data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the communication line.

In the image forming apparatus, the date of the service visit received by the receiving unit is displayed by the display unit.

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

 FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing a main part of the copying machine A.

In FIG. 1, a photosensitive drum 5 is rotatably arranged in a direction of an arrow Ma at a constant peripheral speed v. Around the photosensitive drum 5, a charging charger 6, an inter-image eraser 10, and a developing device 7 for an electrophotographic process. , Transfer charger 28, separation charger
29, a cleaning device 9 and a main eraser 8 are provided. A surface voltmeter 90 for measuring the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 5 is provided between the exposure position X2 and the inter-image eraser 10, and a reference voltage is provided between the separation charger 29 and the cleaning device 9. In order to measure the density of the toner image, a reflection type photo sensor 19 including a light emitting element 19a and a light receiving element 19b is provided.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is uniformly charged by passing through the charging charger 6, and the optical system 20 is exposed at the exposure position X2.
Exposure. The surface charge of the photosensitive drum 5 is partially removed by the exposure, and the original D
Is formed. Surface charges other than the latent image are erased by the inter-image eraser 10.

The optical system 20 includes an exposure lamp 21 for irradiating a document D placed on the document table glass 1, mirrors 22a to 22d for guiding reflected light B from the document D to an exposure position X2, and a projection lens 23. Have been. At the time of exposure scanning of the document D, the exposure lamp 21 and the mirror 22a move at a speed v / m (m
Move at a copy magnification), and the mirrors 22b and 22c can move at a speed v / 2m.

The latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is developed by the developing device 7 and is visualized as a toner image.

The developing device 7 uses a developer consisting of a mixture of a magnetic carrier and an insulating toner, and attaches the toner to a latent image (charge existing portion, that is, a non-exposed portion) passing through the developing position X3 by a known magnetic brush method. , So-called forward rotation development. Inside the developing tank 70, a developing sleeve 71 having a built-in magnetic roller 72, an ear height regulating plate 73, a bucket roller 74,
A screw roller 75 is provided, and a toner density sensor 80 is disposed below the screw roller 75.

When the bucket roller 74 rotates in the direction of arrow Mc, the developer is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 71 by the magnetic force of the magnetic roller 72, and is transported to the developing position X3 based on the rotation of the developing sleeve 71 in the direction of arrow Md. Is done. The toner concentration sensor 80 is for measuring the weight ratio T / C [wt%] of the toner to the entire developer from the magnetic permeability of the developer.

A toner tank 76 is provided at an upper portion of the developing tank 70, and a toner supply roller 77 is provided at a bottom portion thereof. When the toner supply roller 77 is driven to rotate by the supply motor 78, toner is supplied from the toner tank 76 to the screw roller 75. The replenished toner is supplied to the screw roller 75
The developer is stirred and mixed with the developer already existing inside the developing tank 70 by the rotation of the developer tank 70 and is sent to the bucket roller 74. The frictional charging occurs due to the stirring and mixing here, and the magnetic carrier and the toner are charged with polarities different from each other. The negative toner adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 by electrostatic attraction with the surface charge of the photosensitive drum 5 at the developing position X3. At this time, a developing bias VB of a predetermined voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 71 in order to prevent toner from adhering due to residual charges on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 (charges remaining on the exposed portion).

On the other hand, the paper P is conveyed by the timing roller 30 while keeping timing with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 5, and the transfer position is changed.
At X4, the toner image is transferred to the sheet P by the transfer charger 28. The sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 5 by the separation charger 29 and sent to a fixing device (not shown).

Thereafter, the remaining toner is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 by the cleaning device 9 and the remaining charge is removed by the main eraser 8 to prepare for the next exposure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control circuit 200 of the copying machine A.

The control circuit 200 controls the first CP for performing overall control of the copying machine A.
U201, second CPU 221 with clock function, RAM 209, 210, ROM 211
And so on. One RAM 209 is backed up by a main power supply (not shown), and is initialized when the main power supply is turned off. The other RAM 210 is backed up by a battery, and data written in the RAM 210 is retained regardless of whether the main power supply is turned on or off. 212-214 is RAM20
9, 210, and a data bus that connects each of the ROM 211 and the first CPU 201.

The first CPU 201 has an output voltage VD of the surface electrometer 90 described above,
The output voltage VT of the toner density sensor 80 and the output voltage VP of the photosensor 19 are converted into digital signals by A / D converters 205 to 207 and input, respectively, and an exposure lamp for lighting the exposure lamp 21 is provided. The first CPU 20 has a power supply 50 and a high-voltage power supply 40 for applying the developing bias VB.
Control signals are applied from 1 via D / A converters 203,204. Reference numeral 208 denotes a power supply for driving the supply motor 78, and reference numeral 216 denotes an interface for transmitting and receiving data between an operation panel 100 and the first CPU 201 described later.

An online controller 223 communicates with an external management device 227 described below.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the operation panel 100 of the copying machine A.

The operation panel 100 is divided into an operation unit 219a for setting copying conditions such as the number of copies and density, and a display operation unit 219b related to displaying the status of each unit.

The operation unit 219a has a print key 101 for starting a copying operation, and a 7-segment L for displaying the number of copies and the like.
ED102, numeric keypad 10 corresponding to numerical values of 1,2,… 9,0 respectively
4 to 113, a clear / stop key 103 for canceling the setting of copy conditions, up and down keys 114 and 115 for changing and setting the copy image density stepwise, a density display section 116 for displaying the copy image density, and the like. Are located.

The display operation unit 219b includes a message display unit 117 including a liquid crystal display and serviceman keys 118 to 124.
Is arranged.

As will be described later, the serviceman keys 118 to 124
It is mainly used for maintenance by a service person such as a display operation of management information stored in the M210 and a data processing operation. The serviceman keys 118 to 125 may be covered by a cover or provided in the main body so that normal operation cannot be performed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management network system 500.

The management network system 500 is a system in which five copiers A1 to A5 of the same type installed at the user and the management device 227 of the service station SS are brought online using the telephone line 230. A3 is installed in a building B1 in which an extension network is configured by an automatic exchange 225a and internal lines 229a to 229c.Copiers A4 and A5 are installed in buildings B2 and B3, respectively, and the automatic exchanges 225b and 225c are installed. Telephone line 230 through
It is connected to the.

 FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the management device 227.

The management device 227 is a host computer 30 that executes various processes according to software for maintenance.
1, display 302 for display, keyboard 303 as operation input means, printer 304 for printing, each of the above-described copying machines A1
A5 includes a buzzer 305 for notifying a service person of an abnormality in A5, and a communication interface 306 for communication with each of the copying machines A1 to A5. The host computer 301 includes a CPU 401 that controls the entire management device 227, and a storage device 402 provided with a schedule table ST described later. In the following, the schedule table ST may be simply referred to as “table ST”.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of communication in the management network system 500.

Each of the copying machines A1 to A5 transmits maintenance data MD for setting a service visit date at an appropriate time (for example, when the power is turned on or at a predetermined time).

The maintenance data MD includes a machine number Mn for setting one of the copying machines A1 to A5, an accumulated number of copies CN, status data indicating a condition detected by self-diagnosis, and date and time data indicating the date and time of occurrence of an abnormality or malfunction. Management data CD, the number of occurrences of paper jams (jams) occurring since the last transmission, the presence or absence of maintenance work since the last transmission, and the total number of copies CN at the time of the work
Consists of the maintenance execution data SED.

On the other hand, the management device 227 sets the next service visit date SV for each of the copy machines A1 to A5 based on the maintenance data MD sent from each of the copy machines A1 to A5, as described later, and sets the service visit date SV and The service visit data SD including the display command signal SF is transmitted to the corresponding copying machines A1 to A5. In the following, among the copiers A1 to A5, the one for transmitting and receiving the service visit data SD as the maintenance data MD is referred to as “copier A”.

FIG. 7 is a main flowchart schematically showing the operation of the host computer 301.

When the power is turned on and the program starts, first, in step # 1, initialization of each unit is performed, and in step # 2, an internal timer for defining the length of one routine is set.

Next, in step # 3, an input process for receiving an input from the keyboard 303 and the communication interface 306 is performed, and in step # 4, a service visit time setting process for setting a service visit date SV is executed.

Thereafter, other processing (step # 5) is performed, and in step # 6, the process waits for the end of the internal timer, and then proceeds to step # 2.
Return to

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the service visit time setting process in step # 4, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the schedule table ST.

In FIG. 8, first, at step # 21, it is checked whether or not the maintenance data MD has been received.

If the maintenance data MD has been received, the process proceeds to step # 22, and it is checked whether or not a failure has occurred in the copying machine A based on the management data CD.

In the case of a failure, the table ST is read (step # 23), and the service visit time for the copying machine A is changed to the current time in step # 24.

Table ST shows the copier A for which service visits are scheduled for each time period in which the day is divided into morning (AM) and afternoon (PM).
The machine numbers Mn1, Mn2,... Of 1, A2.

Condition C is G (Good) indicating an appropriate state, N (No Good) indicating an improper state in which image formation is performed under electrophotographic process conditions different from the standard although image quality within an allowable range is obtained, J (Jam), which indicates a jam abnormal state in which the occurrence rate of jam is larger than the standard, and T (Trouble), in which a failure occurs, are classified.

In FIG. 9, the current time is indicated by a triangle symbol 245.

In the process of step # 24, first, the copying machine A is specified from the machine number Mn.

For example, it is assumed that the copying machine A1 (machine number Mn1) corresponds. In this example, according to the maintenance data MD received last time, the condition C of the copying machine A1 is in the proper state (G), and the service visit was scheduled on “April 12, 1989 PM”. At the time of this reception, it is in the failure occurrence state (T), so it is necessary to immediately carry out a service visit.

Therefore, in step # 24, as described above, the service visit time for the copying machine A1 is
AM on April 2, 2008, and at the same time, condition C is set to the failure occurrence state (T).

Returning to FIG. 8, in step # 25, the buzzer 305 is turned on, and an alarm is issued so that the service person can immediately perform a service visit.

When the alarm is triggered, the service person will enter the keyboard 30
The table ST is displayed on the display 302 by using 3 or printed by the printer 304, and after confirming which copier A has failed, the user goes to the user.

Thereafter, in Step # 36, the copying machine A
Send the service visit data SD.

If no in step # 22 above, step # 26
Then, it is checked whether the copying machine A is in an improper state.

If the state is improper, the table ST is read (step # 27), and in step # 28, the service visit time for the copying machine A is changed two days from the present time.

For example, in FIG. 9, when the copying machine A1 is applicable, the service visit time for the copying machine A1 is set to “April 12, 1989”.
Date PM ”is changed to“ April 4, 1989 AM ”, and at the same time, condition C is set to the inappropriate state (N). As a rule, the morning and afternoon are selected in the morning.

If no in step # 26, the process proceeds to step # 29, in which the jam occurrence rate j is obtained based on the number Jn of occurrences of the jam in the maintenance data MD, and is determined according to the obtained value and the model of the copying machine A. By comparing with the reference value j1, it is checked whether or not the copying machine A is in the jam abnormal state.

 The jam occurrence rate j is expressed by the following equation (1).

When the jam occurrence rate j exceeds the reference value j1, there is a high possibility that there is some defective portion in the copying machine A, especially in the paper passing system, so it is necessary to visit and inspect the service.

Therefore, if the jam is abnormal, the table ST is read out (step # 30), and in step # 31, the service visit time for the copying machine A is set to 1 from the current time.
Change after day.

In other words, the service visit is performed earlier in the abnormal jam state than in the inappropriate state.

For example, in FIG. 9, when the copying machine A1 is applicable, the service visit time for the copying machine A1 is set to “April 12, 1989”.
Date PM ”is changed to“ April 3, 1989 AM ”, and at the same time, condition C is set to a jam abnormal state (J).

If no in step # 29 above, step # 32
Then, based on the maintenance execution data SED, it is checked whether or not maintenance has been performed between the reception of the previous maintenance data MD and the current transmission. If yes in step # 32, table in step # 33
Read ST.

In step # 34, the timing of the next PM cycle is determined. The PM cycle is provided according to the model of the copying machine A1, A2, etc., and is performed from the time when parts are replaced or cleaned during maintenance work until the time when parts need to be replaced or cleaned again in the same way. It means the working amount (number of copies) or period (days),
Based on the following equation (2), the PM cycle PM of the copy number display
(Sheets) and the PM cycle PM (days) in days can be converted.

Therefore, the day corresponding to the PM (day) starting from the latest service visit date included in the maintenance execution data SED is the time of the next PM cycle.

In step # 35, the service visit time is changed to the time of the next PM cycle obtained in step # 34.

For example, in FIG. 9, copying machine A3 (machine number Mn
Explaining that item 3) applies, the latest service visit to copier A3 was scheduled as of April 1, 1989 PM.
Assuming that the PM (day) is 32 days, the service visit time is changed from “April 1, 1989 PM” to “May 3, 1989 AM”.

After the execution of step # 28, step # 31, and step # 35, the processing of step # 36 described above is executed, and the service visit data based on the updated latest table ST is executed.
The SD is transmitted to the corresponding copier A.

The serviceman can display or print the latest table ST as appropriate.

FIG. 10 is a main flowchart schematically showing the operation of the CPU 201 of the copying machine A.

When the power is turned on and the program starts, first, in step # 51, initialization of each unit is performed, and in step # 52, an internal timer for defining the length of one routine of the first CPU 201 is set.

In step # 53, an input process of receiving signals from the operation keys of the operation panel 100, sensors and switches of each unit is performed.

Next, in step # 54, it is checked whether or not the display command signal SF has been input from the management device 227.

If yes in step # 54, the message display unit 117 of the operation panel 100 displays the fourth message in step # 55.
As shown in FIG. 7B, a message Z1 for notifying the operator of the next service visit date is displayed.

Thereafter, a copy operation (step # 56), a communication process for communicating with the second CPU 221 and the management device 227 (step # 57)
Are sequentially executed, the internal timer is waited for in step # 58, and the process returns to step # 52.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to quickly and accurately set a date for a service visit corresponding to an image forming apparatus, and to improve maintenance efficiency.

In particular, on the management device side where the maintenance data is collected, the date of the service visit is set based on the stored operation state of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the optimal service date for the target image forming apparatus is determined. Is set,
As a result, the service person can perform maintenance on the image forming apparatus on that date, and can reduce troubles in the apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the date of service visit set at the service base can be confirmed on the image forming apparatus side, and the closeness between the user side and the service base side can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management network system, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a management device, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a copying machine, FIG. 4 is a plan view of an operation panel of the copying machine, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of communication in the management network system, FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing a main part of the copying machine, FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the operation of the management device, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a schedule table. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine. 117 message display unit (display means), 223 online controller (reception means), 227 management device, 230
…… Telephone line (communication line), 306 …… Communication interface (transmission unit), 401 …… CPU (schedule creation unit), 500 …… Management network system (image forming apparatus management system), A1 to A5… Copier (Image forming apparatus).

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Deyama 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside the Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Togaku Kamitama 2 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 3-13 Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Montaro Nishimori 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Hatta Osaka Kokusai Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd., Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. 2-31-2, Azuchicho, Osaka-shi, Osaka Masami Ito Osaka Kokusai Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. 2-3-113, Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka (72) Inventor Tsutomu Yoshiyama 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Satoshi Shibata 2-3-3 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 13 Osaka International Building Mi Inside Norta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshiaki Hata 2-3-2, Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-62-249875 (JP, A) JP-A-60-263163 (JP, A) JP-A-1-180566 (JP, A) JP-A-1-233954 (JP, A) JP-A-62-1115473 (JP, A) JP-A-2-34864 (JP JP, A) JP-A-60-263162 (JP, A) JP-A-3-94564 (JP, A) JP-A-63-311854 (JP, A) JP-A-60-178767 (JP, A) JP JP-A-61-284158 (JP, A) JP-A-59-138732 (JP, A) JP-A-1-123256 (JP, A) JP-A-61-88280 (JP, A) JP-A-61-88279 (JP, A) , A) Japanese Utility Model 1988-41194 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 1987-192499 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-540 H04N 1 / 00 106 H04M 11/00 301

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus management system in which an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus are connected via a communication line, wherein the management apparatus stores information relating to an operation state of the image forming apparatus, and stores the information. A schedule creating means for setting a due date of a service visit for maintenance of the image forming apparatus based on the information based on whether the operation state of the image forming apparatus is good or bad. Forming equipment management system. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the management device includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit a date of the service visit to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming device includes a receiving unit configured to receive the date of the service visit. 2. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a date of said service visit.