JP2011024014A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system capable of facilitating management of an air cleaner. <P>SOLUTION: An FSS server 102 manages not only operational information of an image forming apparatus 100 but also operational information of an air cleaner 71 added to the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, not only maintenance services of the image forming apparatus 100 but also maintenance services of the air cleaner 71 can be implemented, and man-hour required to a user US can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine, and an air cleaner.

  As this type of image forming apparatus, there is an electrophotographic type. In this type of apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed with toner, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the toner image is exposed to light. The toner image is fixed on the recording sheet by transferring the recording sheet from the body drum to the recording sheet and heating and pressing the recording sheet.

  Such an image forming apparatus is an indispensable OA device and is installed in most offices, and is also becoming popular in homes and hospitals.

  On the other hand, in offices, homes, hospitals, etc., air cleaners that purify indoor air are often installed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ion generator that simultaneously generates positive ions and negative ions, and effectively removes airborne bacteria in the air by using positive ions and negative ions.

JP 2002-58731 A

  By the way, if an air purifier is installed in addition to the image forming apparatus, the labor of the user who manages it is increased.

  Here, some image forming apparatuses have a function of collecting and storing operation information of the image forming apparatus and transmitting the operation information to a service center server through a network. The server accumulates operation information of the image forming apparatus and displays the operation information on the screen of the display unit. The service center determines whether or not the image forming apparatus needs repair or periodic inspection based on the operation information of the image forming apparatus displayed on the screen of the display unit, and performs maintenance such as repair and periodic inspection.

  However, the air cleaner does not have a maintenance service system like the image forming apparatus, and therefore the user has to request repair or periodic inspection of the air cleaner by TEL or the like, which is troublesome compared with the image forming apparatus. It took.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming system capable of easily managing an air cleaner.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus, a management unit that collects and stores operation information of the image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus that is stored and managed by the management unit. A communication control means for transmitting the operation information to the outside, comprising an air purifier for purifying the air, and the management means also collects the operation information of the air cleaner. The communication control means also transmits the operation information of the air cleaner managed and stored by the management means to the outside.

  The communication control unit communicates the operation information of the image forming apparatus and the operation information of the air cleaner to an external server through a network, and the server transmits the operation information of the image forming apparatus and the air cleaner. Operation information is accumulated and displayed.

  Furthermore, a display means for displaying operation information of the air purifier that is stored and managed by the management means is provided.

  Further, the operation information of the air cleaner indicates the accumulated time of the air cleaning operation.

  Furthermore, the operation information of the air cleaner indicates a failure of the air cleaner.

  The air cleaner includes an ion generating means.

  Further, the air cleaner is provided above the image forming apparatus.

  The air cleaner is built in the image forming apparatus.

  In the present invention, an image forming apparatus, a management unit that collects and stores operation information of the image forming apparatus, and a communication control unit that transmits the operation information of the image forming apparatus stored and managed by the management unit to the outside. An existing image forming system is assumed. For example, the communication control unit transmits the operation information of the image forming apparatus stored and managed by the management unit to the server of the service center through the network. The server accumulates operation information of the image forming apparatus and displays this operation information. The service center determines whether or not the image forming apparatus needs to be repaired or periodically checked based on the displayed operation information of the image forming apparatus, and performs a maintenance service for repair or periodic inspection.

  Then, the operation information of the air purifier is also collected and stored and managed by such management means of the image forming apparatus, and the operation information of the air purifier is also transmitted to the outside (service center server) by the communication control means. Yes. Accordingly, the maintenance service for the air purifier can be implemented using the existing maintenance service for the image forming apparatus, and the user's labor can be simplified.

  Further, since the operation information of the air purifier stored and managed by the management means is displayed on the image forming apparatus, the user can know the operation information of the air purifier by viewing the display.

  For example, the operation information of the air cleaner indicates the accumulated time of the air cleaning operation. In this case, the maintenance service implementation time can be set based on the accumulated time.

  Further, the operation information of the air cleaner indicates a failure of the air cleaner. In this case, the air cleaner can be repaired immediately.

  Moreover, the air cleaner is provided with an ion generating means. As this ion generating means, one that generates and releases positive ions and negative ions simultaneously is preferable. Such positive ions and negative ions are suitable for the present invention because they can effectively remove airborne bacteria in the air and can reduce and reduce the exhaust gas of the image forming apparatus. For example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, exhaust gas such as ozone may be generated. Usually, after being removed by a filter built in the image forming apparatus, it is discharged outside the apparatus. By using the generating means, exhaust gas such as ozone can be decomposed and reduced by positive ions and negative ions.

  For example, the air cleaner is provided above the image forming apparatus. In this case, the installation space of the air cleaner can be saved. Further, the air blown from the air cleaner can be convected over a wide range, and the air purification action can be enhanced.

  Alternatively, the air cleaner is built in the image forming apparatus. Also in this case, the installation space of the air cleaner can be saved.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an embodiment of an image forming system of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the air cleaner in the image forming system of FIG. It is a top view which illustrates the plasma cluster ion generating element in the ion generator of FIG. It is a side view which shows the state which set the ion discharge | release direction from the air cleaner in the image forming system of FIG. 1 diagonally downward. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of an image forming apparatus, an air cleaner, and the like in the image forming system of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows roughly the procedure until it provides the service with respect to the user of an image forming apparatus and an air cleaner. It is a perspective view which shows the other arrangement | positioning aspect of an air cleaner. It is a side view which shows another arrangement | positioning aspect of an air cleaner.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of an image forming system of the present invention. The image forming system of this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 and an air purifier 71 disposed above the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to a network as will be described in detail later, and transmits operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 and operation information of the air purifier 71 to an external FSS server through the network.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is a so-called multi-function machine having a scanner function, a copying function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like, and transmits an image of a document read by the document reading device 101 to the outside (corresponding to a scanner function). The image of the read original or the image received from the outside is recorded and formed on a recording sheet in color or single color (corresponding to a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function).

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a document reading device 101 and a document transport unit 42 for reading a document image. The document reading device 101 reads the document image conveyed by the document conveying unit 42. In the document conveying section 42, when a document is set on the document set tray 41, the document pickup roller 44 is pressed against the document surface and rotated, the document is pulled out from the document set tray 41, and the document is pulled out from the suction roller 45 and the separation pad 46. After passing between the sheets, the sheets are separated one by one and then conveyed to the conveyance path 47.

  In this conveyance path 47, the leading edge of the document abuts on the document registration roller 49, the leading edge of the document is aligned in parallel with the document registration roller 49, and then the document is transported by the document registration roller 49 and read by the reading guide 51. Passes between the glasses 52. Further, the document is conveyed by the conveyance roller 57 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 59 via the paper discharge roller 58.

  In the document reading device 101, when the document passes between the reading guide 51 and the reading glass 52, the light from the light source of the first scanning unit 53 is irradiated on the surface of the document through the reading glass 52, and the reflected light thereof is read glass 52. The reflected light is reflected by the mirrors of the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 and guided to the imaging lens 55, and the image of the original is converted by the imaging lens 55. An image is formed on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 56. The CCD 56 reads a document image and outputs image data indicating the document image.

  In addition, it is possible to read a document placed on the platen glass 61. The document conveying section 42 is pivotally supported on the back side of the lower document reading apparatus 101 by a hinge (not shown) and opened and closed by moving the front portion up and down. When the document transport unit 42 is opened, the document table glass 61 is released, and a document can be placed on the document table glass 61. When the document is placed and the document transport unit 42 is closed, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 are moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the first scanning unit 53 moves the document surface on the document table glass 61. After the exposure, the reflected light from the document surface is guided to the imaging lens 55 by the first and second scanning units 53 and 54, and the image of the document is formed on the CCD 56 by the imaging lens 55. At this time, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 are moved while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship with each other, and reflection of the document surface → the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 → the imaging lens 55 → the CCD 56 is performed. The positional relationship between the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 is always maintained so that the length of the optical path of the light does not change, whereby the focus of the original image on the CCD 56 is always maintained accurately.

  The entire image of the original read in this way is sent and received as image data to the laser exposure apparatus 1 of the image forming apparatus 100, and the image is printed on recording paper in the image forming apparatus 100.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 prints an image on a recording paper by using a laser exposure device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a charger 5, a cleaner device 4, an intermediate transfer belt device 8, a fixing device 12, and a paper. A transport path S, a paper feed tray 10, a paper discharge tray 15, and the like are provided.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 uses data corresponding to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). This is in accordance with the monochrome image. For this reason, four each of the developing device 2, the photosensitive drum 3, the charger 5, and the cleaner device 4 are provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors, and black, cyan, magenta, and Four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are configured in association with yellow.

  The photoconductor drum 3 is disposed at substantially the center of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The charger 5 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. In addition to a contact type roller type or brush type charger, a charger type charger is used. .

  The laser exposure apparatus 1 is a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser diode and a reflection mirror, and exposes the surface of a charged photosensitive drum 3 according to image data, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 corresponds to image data. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 with (K, C, M, Y) toner. The cleaner device 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt device 8 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 7, an intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21, a driven roller 22, an intermediate transfer roller 6, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9. .

  The intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21, the intermediate transfer roller 6, the driven roller 22, etc. stretch and support the intermediate transfer belt 7, and move the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the direction of arrow C.

  The intermediate transfer roller 6 is rotatably supported in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 7, is pressed against the photosensitive drum 3 via the intermediate transfer belt 7, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7. A transfer bias is applied.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 is provided so as to be in contact with each photoconductive drum 3, and a color toner image (each color is transferred by sequentially superimposing and transferring the toner image on the surface of each photoconductive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 7. Toner image). The transfer belt 7 is formed in an endless belt shape using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  The transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7 is performed by the intermediate transfer roller 6 that is in pressure contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7. A high voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 6 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 6 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the recording paper.

  As described above, the toner images on the surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 7 and become a color toner image indicated by the image data. The toner images of the respective colors stacked in this way are transported together with the intermediate transfer belt 7 and transferred onto the recording paper by the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 are pressed against each other to form a nip region. Further, the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 has a voltage for transferring the toner image of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 7 onto a recording sheet (high polarity (+) opposite to the toner charge polarity (-)). Voltage) is applied. Further, in order to constantly obtain the nip region, either the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21 is made of a hard material (metal or the like), and the other is a soft material such as an elastic roller. (Elastic rubber roller, foaming resin roller, etc.).

  In addition, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 may not be completely transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer device 11, and the toner may remain on the intermediate transfer belt 7. Causes color mixing. Therefore, the residual toner is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9 is provided with, for example, a cleaning blade as a cleaning member that comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7 to remove residual toner, and the intermediate transfer belt is driven by a driven roller 22 at a portion where the cleaning blade comes into contact. 7 The back side is supported.

  The paper feed tray 10 is a tray for storing recording paper, and is provided below the image forming apparatus 100 to supply the recording paper in the tray.

  The image forming apparatus 100 has an S-shaped sheet conveyance path S for sending the recording sheet supplied from the sheet feeding tray 10 to the sheet discharge tray 15 via the secondary transfer device 11 and the fixing device 12. Is provided. Along the paper conveyance path S, a paper pickup roller 16, a paper registration roller 14, a fixing device 12, and a conveyance roller for conveying the recording paper are arranged.

  The paper pick-up roller 16 is a calling roller that is provided at the end of the paper feed tray 10 and supplies recording paper from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper transport path S one by one. The conveyance rollers are small rollers for promoting and assisting conveyance of the recording paper, and a plurality of conveyance rollers are provided.

  The paper registration roller 14 temporarily stops the recording paper that has been conveyed, aligns the leading edge of the recording paper, and is on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11 a of the secondary transfer device 11. The recording paper is conveyed in a timely manner in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 and the intermediate transfer belt 7 so that the color toner image is transferred onto the recording paper.

  For example, the paper registration roller 14 detects the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 based on the detection output of a pre-registration detection switch (not shown). The recording paper is transported so that the leading edge is aligned with the leading edge of the image forming area of the recording paper.

  The fixing device 12 includes a heating roller 31, a pressure roller 32, and the like. The heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 sandwich and convey the recording paper that has passed through the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11.

  The heating roller 31 is controlled so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature based on the detection output of a temperature detector (not shown), and the toner transferred onto the recording paper by thermocompression bonding with the pressure roller 32. It has a function of fusing, mixing, and pressing an image to thermally fix the image on a recording sheet.

  The recording paper after the fixing of the toner images of the respective colors is discharged face down onto the paper discharge tray 15 by the transport roller.

  Next, the air cleaner 71 will be described. The air cleaner 71 is supported on the upper end of a column 72 protruding from a corner on one side of the back of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, generates positive ions and negative ions, and moves the positive ions and negative ions together with air. To release.

  In many cases, the image forming apparatus 100 is arranged with its back side close to the wall of the chamber, and therefore the air cleaner 71 is also arranged close to the wall of the chamber. In this case, most of the air released upward from the air purifier 71 rises along the wall, is blown to the ceiling, spreads along the ceiling, and spreads widely in the room. Therefore, positive ions and negative ions contained in the air discharged from the air purifier 71 are also widely distributed in the room, and airborne bacteria in the room air are effectively removed by the positive ions and negative ions.

  Further, a part of the air released upward from the air cleaner 71 is lowered as it is, drifts in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 100, and covers the entire main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The exhaust gas of the image forming apparatus 100 can be decomposed and reduced by the positive ions and the negative ions contained in the air.

  In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100, exhaust gas such as ozone may be generated, and a filter or the like for reducing this may be built in the image forming apparatus 100, but the exhaust gas is generated by positive ions and negative ions. Since decomposition can be reduced, a built-in filter or the like can be omitted.

  Since the air cleaner 71 is disposed above the image forming apparatus 100, a special space for installing the air cleaner 71 is not required, and this space can be saved.

  Further, since the air cleaner 71 is supported on the upper end of the column 72 protruding from the image forming apparatus 100, the space between the image forming apparatus 100 and the air cleaner 71 is opened, and the usability of the image forming apparatus 100 is impaired. It will never be.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the air cleaner 71. The air cleaner 71 overlaps the main body casing 81, the fan unit 82 disposed at the lower portion of the main body casing 81, the plurality of suction holes 81a formed in the lower side wall of the main body casing 81, and the suction holes 81a. The filter 86 disposed in the filter 86, the suction duct 83 disposed between the filter 86 and the suction port 82a of the fan unit 82, the upper blowing port 81b formed in the upper part of the main body housing 81, the upper blowing port 81b and the fan unit. A blowout duct 84 disposed between the blowout ports 82 b of the 82 and a plurality of ion generating elements 85 disposed around the fan unit 82.

  As shown in FIG. 1, since the air cleaner 71 is long in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100, the main body casing 81, the fan unit 82, each suction hole 81a, the suction duct 83, the discharge port 82b, the discharge duct 84, and the like are also provided. The image forming apparatus 100 is long in the width direction, and a plurality of ion generating elements 85 are arranged in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The fan 82c of the fan unit 82 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) to generate an air flow as shown by an arrow G, and the air is passed through each suction hole 81a → filter 86 → suction duct 83 in the fan unit. The air is sucked into 82 and air is circulated in the vicinity of each ion generating element 85, and then the air is discharged from the upper outlet 81 b through the outlet duct 84. At this time, the filter 86 adsorbs and removes dust in the air.

  Each ion generating element 85 is a plasma cluster ion (registered trademark) generating element (PCI). Looking at each ion generating element 85 from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2, two ion generating elements 85 are arranged in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. A pair of positive ion generators 85a for generating negative ions and a pair of negative ion generators 85b for generating negative ions are arranged. Such an ion generating element 85 is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-58731 filed earlier by the applicant of the present invention.

  The positive ions and negative ions generated by the ion generating element 85 are discharged from the upper outlet 81b through the outlet duct 84 together with the air flow generated by the fan 82c of the fan unit 82.

  The amount of air released from the air cleaner 71 can be adjusted by changing the rotational speed of the motor of the fan 82c. When the amount of released air is increased, air containing positive ions and negative ions spreads over a wider range, and a wider range of air is purified. Further, when the amount of released air is reduced, air containing positive ions and negative ions easily drifts in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 100, and the exhaust gas of the image forming apparatus 100 is decomposed and reduced more effectively.

  Moreover, you may set the discharge | release direction of the air from the air cleaner 71 not diagonally upward but diagonally downward of the arrow D as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the shaft 71a on one end side of the air purifier 71 is rotatably supported at the upper end of the column 72, the shaft 71a is rotated by a motor drive, the air purifier 71 is rotated around the shaft 71a, and the air purifier is rotated. You may make it change the discharge | release direction of the air from the machine 71. FIG. Furthermore, the air cleaner 71 may be rotated back and forth within a certain angular range around the shaft 71a, that is, the air cleaner 71 may be swung to widen the release range of positive ions and negative ions.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the image forming apparatus 100, the air cleaner 71, and the like. FIG. 5 also shows an external FSS (field support system) server 103 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network N. The FSS server 103 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 through the network N, and can send and receive various information to and from the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 111 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 100, a document conveying unit 42, a document reading device 101, an image data storage unit 112, an image processing unit 113, and an image forming unit. 114, a facsimile communication unit 115, a display unit 116 for displaying various information, an input operation unit 117 operated by a user, a bus 118 for interconnecting each unit, an input / output unit 119, a data communication unit 120, a main power supply 121, A sub-power supply 122, a power key 123, and the like are provided.

  The control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing various programs executed by the CPU, a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU, and the like. To execute the program, perform data processing, and control the entire image forming apparatus 100.

  The control unit 111 is connected to the air purifier 71 through the input / output unit 119 and controls the operation of the air purifier 71.

  The document conveying unit 42 and the document reading device 101 are also shown in FIG. 1, and convey a document or read an image of a document.

  The image data storage unit 112 is a hard disk device or the like, and stores image data indicating an image of a document read by the document reading device 101 or an image received from the outside. The image processing unit 113 performs various processes on the image data stored in the image data storage unit 112.

  The image forming unit 114 includes the laser exposure device 1, the developing device 2, the photosensitive drum 3, the charger 5, the cleaner device 4, the intermediate transfer belt device 8, the fixing device 12, the paper transport path S, and the paper feed tray shown in FIG. 10 and a paper discharge tray 15 or the like, and prints an image of a document on a recording paper.

  The facsimile communication unit 115 is connected to the network N, and transmits and receives image data through the network N by executing a protocol of facsimile communication with the counterpart terminal.

  The display unit 116 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays operation guidance and the like of the image forming apparatus 100. The input operation unit 117 includes various keys and buttons operated by the user, or a touch panel superimposed on the screen of the display unit 116, and detects the keys and buttons operated by the user, or is selected by the user. The key on the screen of the displayed display unit 116 is detected through a touch panel, and an input instruction by the user is output to the control unit 111.

  The data communication unit 120 is connected to the network N and transmits operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71 to the FSS server 102 through the network N.

  The main power supply 121 supplies power to other units except the facsimile communication unit 115, and includes a control unit 111, a document transport unit 42, a document reading device 101, an image data storage unit 112, an image processing unit 113, and image formation. Operating power is supplied to the unit 114, the display unit 116, the input operation unit 117, the input / output unit 119, and the like. The sub power source 122 is a power source dedicated to the facsimile communication unit 115 and supplies operating power only to the facsimile communication unit 115.

  The power key 123 is operated by a user, and is operated to set the image forming apparatus 100 to the night mode or return from the night mode.

  The air cleaner 71 includes a control unit 131 that controls the entire air cleaner 71, a motor 132 that rotates the fan 82c, a display unit 133, an input / output unit 134, an ion generating element 85, a power source 135, and a power switch. 136 and the like.

  The control unit 131 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores various programs executed by the CPU, and a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU 131 executes the program and controls the entire air cleaner 71.

  The control unit 131 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 through the input / output unit 134 and controls the operation of the air cleaner 71 in response to an instruction from the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The motor 132 is for rotationally driving the fan 82c of the fan unit 82 shown in FIG. The ion generating element 85 is the PCI shown in FIGS.

  The display unit 133 is, for example, a plurality of LEDs. These LEDs are selectively lit or blinked, and various information is notified to the user by the selective lighting or blinking.

  The power supply 135 supplies operating power to the control unit 131, the motor 132, the display unit 133, the input / output unit 134, the ion generating element 85, and the like.

  The power switch 136 is a switch operated by the user, and is operated to turn on / off the power supply from the power source 135.

  The FSS server 102 is a host computer that is installed in the service center SS and manages the image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71 from a remote location, and displays a storage unit 125 that stores various types of information and various types of information. The display unit 126 and the like are provided. Normally, there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 on which the service is provided by the FSS server 102 on the network N, and the operation information of these image forming apparatuses 100 is collected and managed collectively by the FSS server 102. If the air cleaner 71 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the operation information of the air cleaner 71 is also collected and managed by the FSS server 102.

  As is well known, the operation information of the image forming apparatus is collected and stored in the server, and this operation information is displayed on the screen of the display unit. Based on the displayed operation information of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is repaired or periodically A service is provided in which the necessity of inspection is judged and maintenance is performed for repairs and periodic inspections. However, in the present embodiment, not only the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 is managed by the FSS server 102 but also the operation information of the air purifier 71 attached to the image forming apparatus 100 is managed. Not only the maintenance service of the apparatus 100 but also the maintenance service of the air purifier 71 can be implemented, and the labor of the user can be simplified.

  If the management of the air purifier 71 is left to the user, the user will request repair or periodic inspection of the air purifier 71 by TEL or the like, which is much more troublesome than the image forming apparatus 100. It takes.

  The air cleaner 71 can purify the air in the office or the like and decompose and reduce the exhaust gas of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the provision of the air cleaner 71 preferably increases the labor of the user. Absent. However, if not only the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 but also the operation information of the air purifier 71 is managed by the FSS server 102 as in the present embodiment, the user's effort is reduced without adding special network equipment. The increase can be suppressed.

  Next, referring to FIG. 6, the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 and the operation information of the air cleaner 71 are collected and managed in the FSS server 102, and the operation information and air of the managed image forming apparatus 100 are managed. A procedure for providing a service based on the operation information of the cleaner 71 will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71 to be managed are installed in an office or a store of a user (service customer) US. The FSS server 102 is installed in the service center SS. The image forming apparatus 100, the air cleaner 71, and the FSS server 102 are remote meter readings for collecting the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 and the operation information of the air cleaner 71 in the FSS server 102 so as to provide services. In addition, the remote diagnosis function 1011 and the alert transmission function 1013 and the remote maintenance function 1012 for performing remote maintenance from the FSS server 102 to the image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71 are performed.

  The remote meter reading and remote diagnosis function 1011 is for measuring the count value of the recording paper (the number of recording paper used) of the image forming apparatus 100, the accumulated time of the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71, and the like. The count value of the apparatus 100 and the accumulated time of the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71 are periodically transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to the FSS server 102.

  Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 111 monitors the image forming operation by the image forming unit 114, counts the number of recording sheets on which images are recorded by the image forming unit 114, and uses the counted value as a RAM or the like. Remember it. The count value may be, for example, the cumulative number from the installation time of the image forming apparatus 100 or the cumulative number from the time when the image forming apparatus 100 is regularly checked.

  Further, in the air cleaner 71, the control unit 131 measures the driving time of the ion generating element 85 and the motor 132, that is, the accumulated time during which the air cleaning operation is performed, and stores this accumulated time in a RAM or the like. This accumulated time may be, for example, the accumulated time from the installation time of the air cleaner 71 or the accumulated time from the time when the air cleaner 71 is regularly checked.

  Then, the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 periodically calls the FSS server 102 through the network N, and transmits the count value of the recording paper stored in the RAM or the like from the data communication unit 120 to the FSS server 102. . At this time, the control unit 111 issues a request for operation information to the control unit 131 of the air purifier 71 through the input / output unit 119. When the control unit 131 of the air cleaner 71 receives the request for the operation information through the input / output unit 134, the control unit 131 controls the image forming apparatus 100 through the input / output unit 134 using the accumulated time of the air cleaning operation stored in the RAM or the like. Notification to the unit 111. When the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives the accumulated time of the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71 through the input / output unit 119, the control unit 111 transmits the accumulated time of the air cleaning operation from the data communication unit 120 to the FSS server 102. To do. At this time, the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 may display the count value of the recording paper and the accumulated time of the air cleaning operation on the screen of the display unit 116.

  Therefore, the count value of the recording sheet is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to the FSS server 102 as the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100, and the accumulated time of the air cleaning operation is transmitted as the operation information of the air cleaner 71.

  When the FSS server 102 receives the count value of the recording sheet and the accumulated time of the air cleaning operation, the FSS server 102 stores them in the storage unit 125 or displays them on the screen of the display unit 126 to execute the operation status report 1014. In this operation status report 1014, if there is a contract for charging the recording paper count value of the image forming apparatus 100 and the cumulative time of the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71, the count value and the cumulative time are in accordance with the contract. The usage fee is recorded for the user US. The usage fee is recorded by transmitting an image indicating a bill for the usage fee from the FSS server 102 to the image forming apparatus 100 and printing the image such as the bill on a recording sheet by the image forming apparatus 100. be able to.

  Next, an alert transmission function 1013 is used to obtain an alert indicating a failure of the image forming apparatus 100 or the air cleaner 71, a request for inspection, and the like, and to transmit this alert from the image forming apparatus 100 to the FSS server 102. It is.

  Specifically, the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines a failure of the image forming apparatus 100 or whether or not a consumable part (such as a toner box) needs to be replaced based on detection outputs of various sensors. The alert code corresponding to the determination result is obtained, and the determination result is displayed on the screen of the display unit 116. For example, each alert code corresponding to various determination results is created in advance and stored in a ROM or the like, and when the determination result is obtained, the alert code corresponding to the determination result is read out and obtained.

  In addition, the control unit 131 of the air cleaner 71 determines a failure of the air cleaner 71 based on detection outputs of various sensors or the like, determines whether or not a consumable part replacement (ion generating element or the like) is necessary, An alert code corresponding to the determination result is obtained, the alert code is notified to the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100, and the determination result is displayed on the screen of the display unit 116.

  When the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 obtains the alert code of the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 111 voluntarily calls the FSS server 102 and transmits the alert code from the data communication unit 120 to the FSS server 102. In addition, when the control unit 111 is notified of the alert code from the control unit 131 of the air cleaner 71, the control unit 111 transmits the alert code from the air cleaner 71 to the FSS server 102.

  Therefore, an alert code corresponding to a determination result of whether or not the image forming apparatus 100 has failed or whether consumable parts need to be replaced is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to the FSS server 102 as the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100, and the air cleaner. An alert code corresponding to the result of the determination of whether or not the failure of 71 is necessary or the replacement of consumable parts is transmitted as the operation information of the air cleaner 71.

  When the FSS server 102 receives the alert code of the image forming apparatus 100 or the alert code of the air purifier 71, these alert codes are stored in the storage unit 125 or displayed on the screen of the display unit 126.

  Next, the remote maintenance function 1012 is for performing remote maintenance for the image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71 from the FSS server 102, and the images collected by the remote meter reading and remote diagnosis function 1011 and the alert transmission function 1013. Based on the operation information of the forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71, a trouble primary response process 1015, a consumable parts automatic delivery process 1016, a visit process 1017, and the like are selectively performed.

  Specifically, the service center SS determines whether or not the trouble primary response processing 1015 is necessary based on the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 and the air cleaner 71, and executes the trouble primary response processing 1015 if necessary. . In this trouble primary response processing 1015, maintenance of the image forming apparatus 100 or the air purifier 71 is performed from the FSS server 102 through the network N. For example, if it is determined that the firmware needs to be updated based on the alert code of the image forming apparatus 100 or the air cleaner 71, the latest firmware is transferred from the FSS server 102 to the image forming apparatus 100 or the air cleaner 71. And the firmware of the image forming apparatus 100 or the air cleaner 71 is updated. When updating the firmware, the contents of the update are displayed on the display unit 116 of the image forming apparatus 100 or the display unit 133 of the air purifier 71. Thereby, the trouble of the image forming apparatus 100 or the trouble of the air purifier 71 is solved, and the contents of the update are notified to the user US, and the anxiety of the user US is solved.

  Further, the service center SS determines whether or not the consumable parts automatic delivery processing 1016 is necessary based on the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71, and executes the consumable parts automatic delivery processing 1016 if necessary. To do. In the consumable parts automatic delivery processing 1016, for example, if the alert code of the image forming apparatus 100 indicates replacement of the toner box, an arrangement processing for automatically sending the toner box to the user US of the image forming apparatus 100 is performed. Do. Accordingly, the user US can use the image forming apparatus 100 without worrying about the remaining amount of toner.

  Further, the service center SS determines whether or not the visit processing 1017 is necessary based on the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71, and executes the visit processing 1017 if necessary. In this visit processing 1017, the service center SS notifies the service base 1018 of the necessity of failure or replacement of consumable parts, and the service engineer at the service base 1018 grasps the content of the trouble of the image forming apparatus 100 or the air purifier 71. To visit user US. For example, if the accumulated time of the air cleaner 71 exceeds the useful life of the ion generating element, the service engineer visits the user US with the replacement ion generating element.

  The remote maintenance function 1012 enables the setting change or remote operation of the image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71 by the FSS server 102 after obtaining a request from the user US or an approval by the user US. For example, various setting items and setting values for operating the image forming apparatus 100 can be uploaded and downloaded, and simulation setting contents used by a service engineer can be uploaded and downloaded. In addition, a restart instruction for the image forming apparatus 100, operation prohibition / cancellation of the image forming apparatus 100, multi-copy setting prohibition / cancellation, machine status information of the image forming apparatus 100 (for example, door open, energy saving mode, recovery, Uploading during the warm-up, ready, etc.) and uploading the version information of the application of the image forming apparatus 100 are possible.

  In addition, when there is a telephone contact from the user US to the service center SS, the technical operator responds to the telephone contact. The technical operator performs an appropriate response while confirming the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 and the air cleaner 71 collected in the FSS server 102. For example, if the location can be confirmed and changed by remote operation from the FSS server 102, diagnosis and remote maintenance are performed by the remote meter reading and remote diagnosis function 1011 and the remote maintenance function 1012 of the FSS server 102. In addition, if the toner is ordered, it can be notified that the toner has already been automatically shipped, and if a visit by a service person is necessary, a repair instruction can be given to the maintenance department.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the remote meter reading and remote diagnosis function 1011 and the alert transmission function 1013 are implemented by the cooperation of the image forming apparatus 100, the air cleaner 71, and the FSS server 102, and the image forming apparatus 100 and the air cleaner The operation information of the machine 71 is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to the FSS server 102, and the operation information is stored in the storage unit 125 of the FSS server 102 or displayed on the screen of the display unit 126. For this reason, in the service center SS, maintenance service for the image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71 can be performed based on the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71, and the labor of the user US is simplified. can do.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and even if a design change or the like in a category not departing from the gist of the present invention is performed, It is included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the air cleaner 71 is disposed above the image forming apparatus 100, but the air cleaner 71 may be built in the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of air holes 191 are formed on the upper side of the outer wall of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and an air cleaner 71 is provided on the back side of the outer wall of the main body at these air holes 191. In addition, ions may be blown from the air purifier 71 to the operation panel 192 through the air holes 191 on the outer wall of the main body.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an air cleaner 71 for blowing ions to the operation panel 192 of the image forming apparatus 100, and an air cleaner 71 for blowing ions to the vicinity where the exhaust gas of the image forming apparatus 100 is generated. May be provided individually.

  Furthermore, the air cleaner 71 is not integrated with the image forming apparatus 100 but is separated, and the control unit 131 of the air cleaner 71 and the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 are simply interconnected via the input / output unit. I do not care. In this case, the air purifier 71 can be installed on a high place such as a ceiling or on the floor.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser exposure apparatus 2 Developing apparatus 3 Photosensitive drum 4 Cleaner apparatus 5 Charger 8 Intermediate transfer belt apparatus 10 Paper feed tray 11 Secondary transfer apparatus 12 Fixing apparatus 15 Paper discharge tray 42 Document conveyance part 71 Air cleaner 72 Strut 81 Main body Housing 82 Fan unit 83 Suction duct 84 Blowout duct 85 Ion generating element 86 Filter 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Document reading apparatus 102 FSS servers 111 and 131 Control unit 112 Image data storage unit 113 Image processing unit 114 Image forming unit 115 Facsimile communication unit 116, 126, 133 Display unit 117 Input operation unit 118 Bus 119, 134 Input / output unit 121 Main power source 122 Sub power source 125 Storage unit 132 Motor 135 Power source

Claims (8)

Image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus; management means for collecting and storing operation information of the image forming apparatus; and communication control means for transmitting operation information of the image forming apparatus stored and managed by the management means to the outside. A system,
Equipped with an air purifier to purify the air,
The management means also collects and manages the operation information of the air cleaner,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit also transmits the operation information of the air cleaner stored and managed by the management unit to the outside. The image forming system according to claim 1,
The communication control unit communicates the operation information of the image forming apparatus and the operation information of the air cleaner to an external server through a network,
The image forming system, wherein the server accumulates and displays operation information of the image forming apparatus and operation information of the air cleaner. The image forming system according to claim 1,
An image forming system comprising display means for displaying operation information of the air cleaner that is stored and managed by the management means. The image forming system according to claim 1,
The operation information of the air cleaner indicates an accumulated time of the air cleaning operation. The image forming system according to claim 1,
The image forming system, wherein the operation information of the air cleaner indicates a failure of the air cleaner. The image forming system according to claim 1,
The air cleaner includes an ion generating means. The image forming system according to claim 1,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the air cleaner is provided above the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1,
The image forming system, wherein the air cleaner is built in the image forming apparatus.

Images