JP2020151873A - Fault specifying method and fault specifying system - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve functionality.SOLUTION: An image forming system 1 includes a portable terminal 6 and a server 4. The portable terminal 6 includes: an abnormal sound occurrence spot specifying part 80 for making a user specify an abnormal sound occurrence spot in an image forming device 2; a sound collecting part 82 for collecting abnormal sound of the abnormal sound occurrence spot; an abnormal sound occurrence information transmitting part 84 for transmitting abnormal sound occurrence information indicating the abnormal sound occurrence spot and the abnormal sound to the server 4; a fault specification information receiving part 86 for receiving fault specification information from the server 4; and a fault specification information presenting part 88 for presenting the fault specification information to the user. The server 4 includes: an abnormal sound occurrence information receiving part 90 for receiving the abnormal sound occurrence information from the portable terminal 6; a fault specifying part 92 for specifying a fault content on the basis of the abnormal sound occurrence information; and a fault specification information transmitting part 94 for transmitting the fault specification information indicating the fault content to the portable terminal 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a failure identification method and a failure identification system, and is suitable for application to an image formation system that identifies the cause of abnormal noise generated in an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, the voice generated by the image forming apparatus is recorded by the mobile terminal, and the voice pattern of the recorded voice is compared with the voice pattern stored in advance in the mobile terminal to succeed in the task in the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, an image forming system for confirming a failure on a mobile terminal has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-24512

However, in such an image forming system, when the abnormal sound generated by the fault-occurring location where the fault has occurred in the image forming apparatus is recorded and compared with the voice pattern of the abnormal noise stored in advance, it is stored in advance. Since there are a huge number of abnormal noise voice patterns, there are problems that it takes a long time to detect and there is a possibility of false detection.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose a failure identification method and a failure identification system capable of improving functionality.

In order to solve such a problem, in the fault identification method of the present invention, a step of designating an abnormal noise generation location in the image forming apparatus for the user to specify an abnormal noise generation location and a step of collecting abnormal noise of the abnormal noise generation location are collected. And, the abnormal noise generation information transmission step of transmitting the abnormal noise generation location and the abnormal noise generation information indicating the abnormal noise, the abnormal noise generation information receiving step of receiving the abnormal noise generation information, and the failure content based on the abnormal noise generation information. A failure identification step to be identified, a failure identification information transmission step to transmit failure identification information indicating the specified failure content, a failure identification information reception step to receive failure identification information, and a failure identification information to present failure identification information to the user. A presentation step is provided.

Further, in the fault identification system of the present invention, in the image forming system having the mobile terminal and the server, the mobile terminal has an abnormal noise generation location designation unit that allows the user to specify the abnormal noise generation location in the image forming apparatus, and the abnormal noise generation. A sound collecting unit that collects abnormal noise at a location, an abnormal noise generation information transmitter that transmits abnormal noise generation information indicating the abnormal noise occurrence location and abnormal noise to the server, and a failure identification information that receives fault identification information from the server. A receiving unit and a failure specific information presenting unit that presents the fault specific information to the user are provided, and the server has an abnormal noise generation information receiving unit that receives the abnormal noise generation information from the mobile terminal and the failure content based on the abnormal noise generation information. A failure identification unit that identifies the above and a failure identification information transmission unit that transmits the failure identification information indicating the specified failure content to the mobile terminal are provided.

As a result, the present invention allows the user to specify the location where the abnormal noise is generated in the image forming apparatus, narrows down the number of voice patterns to be collated with the recorded noise to some extent, and then selects the recorded noise and the voice pattern. You can collate and identify the details of the failure.

According to the present invention, by having the user specify the location where the abnormal noise is generated in the image forming apparatus, the number of the recorded abnormal noise and the voice pattern to be collated is narrowed down to some extent, and then the recorded abnormal noise and the voice pattern are selected. You can collate and identify the details of the failure. Thus, the present invention can realize a failure identification method and a failure identification system that can improve functionality.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the image formation system by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the failure information table by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile terminal by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the image formation system by 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows the failure identification processing procedure by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the shooting instruction screen by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the recording instruction screen. It is a figure which shows the analysis result presentation screen by 1st and 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image formation system by 2nd and 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the failure information table by the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the housing image table. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile terminal by 2nd and 3rd Embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows the failure identification processing procedure by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the product name input instruction screen by the 2nd and 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the abnormal noise generation part pressing instruction screen by the 2nd and 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server by 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the failure information table by the 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detailed image table. It is a sequence chart which shows the failure identification processing procedure by 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the analysis result presentation screen by 3rd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1. First Embodiment]
[1-1. Image formation system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 is composed of an image forming device 2, a server 4, and a mobile terminal 6. The image forming apparatus 2 is, for example, an electrophotographic color printer. As shown in FIG. 2, a QR code (registered trademark) CQR, which is a matrix-type two-dimensional code, is attached to each component of the image forming apparatus 2. A QR code pattern, which is a unique identification code for each pasted part, is embedded in each QR code CQR. The server 4 (FIG. 1) is a PC (Personal Computer). The server 4 wirelessly communicates with the mobile terminal 6 via a wireless network WLN including a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The mobile terminal 6 is composed of a portable terminal such as a so-called smartphone, tablet, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) that is easily carried by a user. The mobile terminal 6 wirelessly communicates with the server 4 via the wireless network WLN.

[1-2. Server configuration]
As shown in FIG. 3, the server 4 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 composed of a microprocessor or the like, and a predetermined program is stored in a storage unit (not shown) including a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory. Is read and executed to comprehensively control each device and program connected to the system bus 12 and control the entire server 4.

The operation display unit 14 is composed of a display unit made of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various screens and the like, and an operation unit made of a keyboard that allows the user to perform information input operations and the like. The communication control unit 16 performs a process of controlling data in both directions via the wireless network WLN (FIG. 1). The RAM (Random Access Memory) 18 is a storage device for temporarily reading or writing data. The OS (Operating System) 20 is a software program that manages the entire server 4.

The failure analysis system 22 is a software program that operates on the OS 20, and constitutes a data receiving unit 24, a transmission data generation unit 26, a data transmission unit 28, a generation site detection unit 30, a voice data comparison unit 32, and a failure information table TB1. To do. The data receiving unit 24 receives data via the communication control unit 16. The transmission data generation unit 26 generates data to be transmitted by the data transmission unit 28. The data transmission unit 28 transmits data via the communication control unit 16.

The generation site detection unit 30 extracts a voice pattern group from the failure information table TB1 (FIG. 4) based on the QR code pattern information included in the abnormal noise generation information received from the mobile terminal 6, and the voice included in the abnormal noise generation information. The information is supplied to the voice data comparison unit 32 together with the information, and the comparison result between the voice pattern group and the voice information is received from the voice data comparison unit 32 to identify the failure occurrence location and the failure factor.

The voice data comparison unit 32 identifies a voice pattern similar to the voice information received from the generation part detection unit 30 from the voice pattern group received from the generation part detection unit 30, and determines the identified voice pattern in the generation part detection unit. Reply to 30.

As shown in FIG. 5, the failure information table TB1 is a database, and stores a table composed of a “QR code pattern”, a “voice pattern”, and a “failure occurrence location: failure factor”. The "QR code pattern" stores information on various QR code patterns and identifies the location where a failure occurs, and stores "Pattern A", "Pattern B", "Pattern C" and the like. .. When the QR code pattern is "Pattern A", the failure occurrence location is the transport belt, when "Pattern B", the failure occurrence location is the option tray, and when "Pattern C", the failure occurrence location is the fuser. That is, for example, the QR code CQR having the QR code pattern “Pattern A” is attached around the transport belt in the image forming apparatus 2.

The "voice pattern" is an information group of voice data in which a failure occurrence location specified by the QR code pattern can occur. For example, the "pattern A" of the QR code pattern includes "pattern A1", "pattern A2" and Three voice patterns of "Pattern A3" are stored. For example, "Pattern A1" indicates audio data of abnormal noise generated by waste toner full in the transport belt.

In "Failure occurrence location: Failure factor", the failure occurrence location specified by the QR code pattern and the factor that causes the voice of the voice pattern are described. That is, when the QR code pattern is "Pattern A" and the voice pattern is "Pattern A1", the failure occurrence location is the transport belt, and the failure factor is an abnormal noise due to waste toner full. When the QR code pattern is "Pattern A" and the voice pattern is "Pattern A2", the failure occurrence location is the transport belt, and the failure factor is the gear No. It is an abnormal noise due to the damage of 1. Further, when the QR code pattern is "Pattern A" and the voice pattern is "Pattern A3", the failure occurrence location is the transport belt, and the failure factor is an abnormal noise due to belt sheet breakage.

[1-3. Mobile terminal configuration]
As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 6 is mainly composed of a CPU 40 composed of a microprocessor or the like, and a system bus is executed by reading a predetermined program from a storage unit (not shown) including a ROM or a flash memory and executing the program. It comprehensively controls each device and program connected to the 42, and controls the entire mobile terminal 6.

The operation display unit 44 is a touch panel in which a display unit made of an LCD for displaying various screens and the like and an operation unit for causing a user to perform an information input operation and the like are integrated. The communication control unit 46 performs a process of controlling data in both directions via the wireless network WLN (FIG. 1). The RAM 48 is a storage device for temporarily reading or writing data. The image reading unit 50 is an electronic camera that captures an image of the surroundings and supplies the imaging information to the CPU 40. The sound collecting unit 52 is a microphone device that collects ambient sounds and supplies voice information to the CPU 40. OS 54 is a software program that manages the entire mobile terminal 6.

The fault analysis application 56 is a software program that runs on the OS 54, and constitutes a data receiving unit 58, a code analysis unit 60, a transmission data generation unit 62, a data transmission unit 64, a screen display unit 66, and a message display unit 68. The data receiving unit 58 receives data via the communication control unit 16. The code analysis unit 60 analyzes the QR code information included in the image pickup information generated by the image reading unit 50, and shows a QR code pattern unique to each component to which the QR code CQR is attached in the image forming apparatus 2. By extracting the code pattern information, the component to which the QR code CQR is attached is specified in the image forming apparatus 2. The transmission data generation unit 62 generates abnormal sound generation information by using the voice information generated by the sound collecting unit 52 and the QR code pattern information analyzed by the code analysis unit 60. The data transmission unit 64 transmits abnormal noise generation information via the communication control unit 46. The screen display unit 66 displays the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of the failure analysis application 56 via the operation display unit 44. The message display unit 68 causes the screen display unit 66 to display a character string or an image.

[1-4. Functional configuration of image formation system]
Here, the basic functions related to the failure identification process described later in the image forming system 1 are shown in FIG. 6 as a functional block diagram. By executing a predetermined fault identification processing program, the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 6 and the CPU 10 of the server 4 execute a predetermined fault identification processing program, so that the noise generation location designation unit 80, the sound collection unit 82, the noise generation information transmission unit 84, and the fault identification information reception Each functional block of the unit 86, the failure identification information presentation unit 88, the abnormal noise generation information reception unit 90, the failure identification unit 92, and the failure identification information transmission unit 94 is realized.

The abnormal noise generation location designation unit 80 corresponds to the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 6, the operation display unit 44, and the code analysis unit 60, and causes the user to specify the abnormal noise generation location in the image forming apparatus 2. The sound collecting unit 82 corresponds to the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 6 and the sound collecting unit 52, and collects the abnormal sound at the abnormal sound generating portion. The abnormal noise generation information transmission unit 84 corresponds to the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 6, the transmission data generation unit 62, and the data transmission unit 64, and transmits the abnormal noise generation location and the abnormal noise generation information indicating the abnormal noise to the server 4. .. The failure identification information receiving unit 86 corresponds to the CPU 40 and the data receiving unit 58 of the mobile terminal 6, and receives the failure identification information from the server 4. The failure identification information presentation unit 88 corresponds to the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 6, the screen display unit 66, and the message display unit 68, and presents the failure identification information to the user.

The abnormal noise generation information receiving unit 90 corresponds to the CPU 10 and the data receiving unit 24 of the server 4, and receives the abnormal noise generation information from the mobile terminal 6. The failure identification unit 92 corresponds to the CPU 10 of the server 4, the failure information table TB1, the occurrence site detection unit 30, and the voice data comparison unit 32, and identifies the failure content based on the abnormal noise generation information. The failure identification information transmission unit 94 corresponds to the CPU 10 of the server 4, the transmission data generation unit 26, and the data transmission unit 28, and transmits the failure identification information indicating the identified failure to the mobile terminal 6.

[1-5. Failure identification processing procedure]
The failure identification processing procedure RT1 by the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. When the failure analysis application 56 is activated by the user, the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 6 transitions to the shooting state in step SP1, and the shooting instruction screen DIP1 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the operation display unit 44 via the screen display unit 66. By displaying the image, the user is urged to take a picture of the QR code CQR (FIG. 2) attached to the place where the abnormal noise is generated in the image forming apparatus 2, and the process proceeds to step SP2. When the shooting instruction screen DIP1 is displayed on the operation display unit 44, the user takes a picture of the QR code CQR attached to the place where the abnormal noise is generated in the image forming apparatus 2. In step SP2, the CPU 40 captures the QR code CQR with the image reading unit 50, acquires the read QR code information, and proceeds to step SP3. In step SP3, the CPU 40 extracts and holds the QR code pattern information indicating the QR code pattern by analyzing the QR code information received from the image reading unit 50 by the code analysis unit 60, and proceeds to step SP4.

In the present embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the QR code pattern is "Pattern A". Therefore, as shown in the failure information table TB1 (FIG. 4), in the image forming apparatus 2, a failure is currently occurring in the transport belt.

In step SP4, the CPU 40 transitions to the sound collecting state, and displays the recording instruction screen DIP2 shown in FIG. 9 on the operation display unit 44 via the screen display unit 66 to prompt the user to record an abnormal sound. Move to step SP5. When the recording instruction screen DIP2 is displayed on the operation display unit 44, the user records the abnormal noise by performing an operation of generating the abnormal noise using the image forming apparatus 2. In step SP5, the CPU 40 records an abnormal sound by the sound collecting unit 52 to acquire voice information, and proceeds to step SP6. In step SP6, the CPU 40 generates abnormal noise generation information using the QR code pattern information analyzed by the code analysis unit 60 and the voice information received from the sound collecting unit 52, and transmits the abnormal noise generation information to the data transmission unit 64. Supply. Further, the CPU 40 transmits the abnormal noise generation information to the failure analysis system 22 of the server 4 by the data transmission unit 64 via the communication control unit 46.

When the CPU 10 of the server 4 receives the abnormal noise generation information from the mobile terminal 6 by the data receiving unit 24 via the communication control unit 16, in step SP7, based on the QR code pattern information and the voice information included in the abnormal noise generation information. , The failure information table TB1 (FIG. 4) is referred to, the failure occurrence location and the failure cause are specified, and the process proceeds to step SP8.

Specifically, the generation site detection unit 30 acquires abnormal noise generation information from the CPU 10, extracts a voice pattern group from the failure information table TB1 (FIG. 4) based on the QR code pattern information included in the abnormal noise generation information, and voices. Together with the information, it is supplied to the voice data comparison unit 32. At this time, since the "pattern A" is specified by the QR code pattern information in the generation site detection unit 30, the "pattern" is a group of voice patterns classified into the "pattern A" of the failure information table TB1 (FIG. 4). Only three voice patterns of "A1", "Pattern A2" and "Pattern A3" are extracted and supplied to the voice data comparison unit 32.

The voice data comparison unit 32 identifies a voice pattern similar to the received voice information from the voice pattern group received from the generation part detection unit 30, and returns the specified voice pattern to the generation part detection unit 30. At this time, the voice data comparison unit 32 identifies, for example, "Pattern A1" as a voice pattern that approximates the received voice information from the voice pattern group of "Pattern A", and the voice of the specified "Pattern A1". The pattern is returned to the generation site detection unit 30.

The occurrence site detection unit 30 identifies the failure occurrence location and the failure factor to be notified to the user from the failure information table TB1 (FIG. 4) based on the voice pattern specified by the voice data comparison unit 32, and the failure occurrence location and the failure cause. Failure identification information including a message indicating the cause is supplied to the data transmission unit 28. At this time, since the voice data comparison unit 32 determines that the voice information approximates the voice information to, for example, the "pattern A1", the fault occurrence spot is the "conveyor belt", and the fault factor is "abnormal noise due to waste toner full". Is specified. "

In step SP8, the CPU 10 transmits the failure identification information including the message of the failure occurrence location and the failure cause to the failure analysis application 56 of the mobile terminal 6 via the communication control unit 16 by the data transmission unit 28.

When the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 6 receives the failure identification information from the data receiving unit 58 via the communication control unit 46, the CPU 40 supplies the failure identification information to the message display unit 68 in step SP9. Further, the CPU 40 presents the failure occurrence location and the failure occurrence factor to the user by displaying the analysis result presentation screen DIP3 shown in FIG. 10 on the operation display unit 44 via the screen display unit 66 by the message display unit 68. .. When the analysis result presentation screen DIP3 is displayed on the operation display unit 44, the user confirms the message content, grasps the failure occurrence location and the failure cause of the image forming apparatus 2, and takes a failure response.

[1-6. effect]
In the above configuration, the image forming system 1 causes the user to take a picture of the QR code CQR attached to the abnormal noise generating portion in the image forming apparatus 2, so that the user can specify the abnormal noise generating portion. Therefore, the image forming system 1 can specify the QR code pattern in the failure information table TB1 (FIG. 4) by the QR code pattern acquired from the captured QR code CQR. Subsequently, the image forming system 1 compares one or a plurality of voice patterns included in the pattern previously specified by the QR code pattern in the failure information table TB1 (FIG. 4) with the voice information recorded with abnormal sounds. , The location of the failure and the cause of the failure were identified.

In this way, the image forming system 1 does not compare the recorded voice information of the abnormal noise with all the voice patterns in the fault information table TB1 (FIG. 4), but instead compares the recorded voice information of the noise and the fault information. The voice patterns specified by the user and narrowed down in advance in the table TB1 (FIG. 4) are compared. As a result, the image forming system 1 can reduce the number of voice patterns to be compared with the voice information, shorten the detection time of the failure occurrence location and the failure factor, and prevent erroneous detection.

Further, the image forming system 1 causes the mobile terminal 6 to capture the QR code CQR of the image forming apparatus 2 when the user is made to specify the location where the abnormal noise is generated. Therefore, the image forming system 1 does not force the user to perform complicated operations, and simply photographs the QR code CQR attached to the place where the abnormal noise is generated according to the instruction displayed on the mobile terminal 6. Then, the user can specify the location where the abnormal noise is generated.

Further, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when a failure is detected by various sensors provided in the image forming apparatus, the user is informed that the failure has occurred, but it is difficult for the sensor to detect the damage of various parts. In the case of a failure, the user could not be informed that the failure occurred. On the other hand, the image forming system 1 can identify the content of the failure based on the abnormal noise caused by the failure and present it to the user even if the failure is difficult to detect by the sensor of the image forming device 2. Further, the image forming system 1 does not detect a failure in the image forming device 2, and even at a stage where the user is not informed that a failure has occurred, if the user notices an abnormal noise, the difference is found. Since the content of the failure can be identified based on the sound, the failure can be resolved proactively before a major failure occurs.

Further, the image forming system 1 does not always need to record the sound generated by the image forming system on the mobile terminal 6 as in the image forming system of the prior art document, and records on the mobile terminal 6 only when an abnormal noise is generated. Therefore, the user's operation can be simplified and the processing of the mobile terminal 6 can be reduced.

According to the above configuration, the image forming system 1 has a mobile terminal 6 and a server 4, and the mobile terminal 6 includes an abnormal noise generating location specifying unit 80 that allows the user to specify an abnormal noise generating location in the image forming apparatus 2. , The noise collecting unit 82 that collects the abnormal noise at the abnormal noise generation location, the abnormal noise generation information transmitting unit 84 that transmits the abnormal noise generation location and the abnormal noise generation information indicating the abnormal noise to the server 4, and the failure identification information. A failure identification information receiving unit 86 that receives the failure identification information from the server 4 and a failure identification information presentation unit 88 that presents the failure identification information to the user are provided, and the server 4 receives the abnormal noise generation information from the mobile terminal 6. The receiving unit 90, the failure specifying unit 92 that identifies the failure content based on the abnormal noise generation information, and the failure specifying information transmitting unit 94 that transmits the failure specifying information indicating the failure content to the mobile terminal 6 are provided.

As a result, the image forming system 1 causes the user to specify the abnormal noise generation location in the image forming apparatus 2, narrows down the number of voice patterns to be collated with the recorded abnormal sound to some extent, and then records the abnormal sound and voice. The details of the failure can be identified by collating with the pattern.

[2. Second Embodiment]
[2-1. Overall configuration of image formation system]
The image forming system 101 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 replaces the image forming device 2, the server 4, and the mobile terminal 6 as compared with the image forming system 1 (FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment. It has an image forming apparatus 102, a server 104, and a mobile terminal 106. The image forming apparatus 102 does not have the QR code CQR attached as compared with the image forming apparatus 2 (FIG. 1).

[2-2. Server configuration]
The server 104 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12, in which the members corresponding to those in FIG. 3 have the same reference numerals, is used in the failure analysis system 22 as compared with the server 4 (FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment. Although different in that it has an alternative fault analysis system 122, it is configured similarly in other respects. The fault analysis system 122 according to the second embodiment has the housing image table TB102 and the fault information that replaces the fault information table TB1 as compared with the fault analysis system 22 (FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment. Although different in that it has a table TB101, it is configured in the same manner in other respects.

The failure information table TB101 shown in FIG. 13 in which the information corresponding to FIG. 4 is assigned the same code has the information of the “tap pattern” instead of the “QR code pattern” as compared with the failure information table TB1 (FIG. 4). It is stored. The "tap pattern" stores information on various tap patterns corresponding to the tap patterns A to H in the housing image table TB102 shown in FIG. 14, and identifies a failure occurrence location. The "pattern B" , "Pattern H", "Pattern E" and the like are stored. When the tap pattern is "Pattern B", the failure occurrence location is the transport belt, when "Pattern H", the failure occurrence location is the option tray, and when "Pattern E", the failure occurrence location is the fuser.

The housing image table TB102 shown in FIG. 14 stores the product name and the image of the image forming apparatus with a tap pattern in association with each other for each product name. The image forming apparatus image with a tap pattern is an image obtained by synthesizing an image forming apparatus image which is an image of an image forming apparatus corresponding to a product name and a tap pattern. In the tap pattern, the image forming apparatus image is divided into nine division regions of tap patterns A to I in a matrix by linear region division lines. For example, the tap pattern A shows the upper left divided region in the image forming apparatus image.

[2-3. Mobile terminal configuration]
The mobile terminal 106 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15 in which the member corresponding to FIG. 5 has the same reference numeral is an image reading unit as compared with the mobile terminal 6 (FIG. 5) according to the first embodiment. Although 50 is omitted and the fault analysis app 156 replaces the fault analysis app 56, the other points are similarly configured. Although the failure analysis application 156 according to the second embodiment is different from the failure analysis application 56 (FIG. 5) according to the first embodiment in that it has an image processing unit 170 instead of the code analysis unit 60. , Other points are configured in the same way.

The image processing unit 170 determines which division region (that is, tap pattern) is the pressed portion in the image forming apparatus image of the abnormal noise generation location pressing instruction screen DIP102 (FIG. 18) described later.

[2-4. Failure identification processing procedure]
The failure identification processing procedure RT101 by the image forming system 101 will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. 16 in which the steps corresponding to those in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals. The failure identification processing procedure RT101 is compared with the failure identification processing procedure RT1 (FIG. 7), in which steps SP101, SP102, SP103, SP104 and SP105 replace steps SP1, SP2 and SP3, and steps SP106 and SP107 replace steps SP6 and SP7. Although it differs in that it has and, the other points are similarly configured.

When the failure analysis application 156 is started by the user, the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 106 displays the product name input instruction screen DIP101 shown in FIG. 17 on the operation display unit 44 via the screen display unit 66 in step SP101. , Prompts the user to input a product name as an identification name for identifying the image forming apparatus 102 that is generating an abnormal noise, and proceeds to step SP102. When the product name input instruction screen DIP101 is displayed on the operation display unit 44, the user inputs the product name of the image forming apparatus 102 on the product name input instruction screen DIP101. In the present embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the product name input by the user is "model A". In step SP102, the CPU 40 acquires the product name information indicating the input product name, and supplies the product name information to the data transmission unit 64. Further, the CPU 40 transmits the product name information and the device image request for requesting the image forming device image with the tap pattern to the failure analysis system 122 of the server 104 by the data transmission unit 64 via the communication control unit 46.

When the CPU 10 of the server 104 receives the product name information and the device image request from the mobile terminal 106 by the data receiving unit 24 via the communication control unit 16, the product name “Model A” indicated by the product name information is shown in step SP103. With reference to the housing image table TB102 (FIG. 14), the image forming apparatus image with a tap pattern whose “product name” is “model A” is specified. Subsequently, the CPU 10 supplies the image of the image forming apparatus with a tap pattern of the "model A" to the data transmission unit 28. Subsequently, the CPU 10 transmits the image of the image forming apparatus with a tap pattern to the failure analysis application 156 of the mobile terminal 106 by the data transmission unit 28 via the communication control unit 16.

When the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 106 receives the image of the image forming apparatus with a tap pattern by the data receiving unit 58 via the communication control unit 46, in step SP104, the screen display unit displays the abnormal noise generation location pressing instruction screen DIP102 shown in FIG. By displaying the image on the operation display unit 44 via 66, the user is urged to press the portion where the abnormal noise is generated in the image forming apparatus 102, and the process proceeds to step SP105. Under the control of the image processing unit 170, the abnormal sound generation location pressing instruction screen DIP102 removes the tap pattern from the received image forming device image with a tap pattern and displays only the image forming device image. When the abnormal noise generation location pressing instruction screen DIP 102 is displayed on the operation display unit 44, the user presses the abnormal noise generating location pressing instruction screen DIP 102 on the image forming apparatus 102. In step SP105, the CPU 40 uses the image processing unit 170 to determine which division area (that is, which tap pattern) the pressed portion in the image forming device image of the abnormal noise generation location pressing instruction screen DIP102 is tapped. Acquire as information and move to step SP4.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the pressed tap pattern is, for example, "pattern B". Therefore, as shown in the failure information table TB101 (FIG. 13), in the image forming apparatus 102, a failure is currently occurring in the transport belt.

In steps SP4 and SP5, the CPU 40 displays the recording instruction screen DIP2 (FIG. 9), acquires voice information of abnormal noise, and proceeds to step SP106. In step SP106, the CPU 40 generates abnormal noise generation information using the tap information acquired from the image processing unit 170 and the voice information received from the sound collecting unit 52, and supplies the abnormal noise generation information to the data transmitting unit 64. .. Further, the CPU 40 transmits the abnormal noise generation information to the failure analysis system 122 of the server 104 by the data transmission unit 64 via the communication control unit 46.

When the CPU 10 of the server 104 receives the abnormal noise generation information from the mobile terminal 106 by the data receiving unit 24 via the communication control unit 16, in step SP107, the failure occurs based on the tap information and the voice information included in the abnormal noise generation information. With reference to the information table TB101 (FIG. 13), the location of the failure and the cause of the failure are specified, and the process proceeds to step SP8.

Specifically, the generation site detection unit 30 acquires the abnormal noise generation information from the CPU 10, extracts the voice pattern group from the failure information table TB101 (FIG. 13) based on the tap information included in the abnormal noise generation information, and obtains the voice information. Together, it is supplied to the voice data comparison unit 32. At this time, since the “pattern B” is specified by the tap pattern information in the generation site detection unit 30, the “pattern A1” which is a voice pattern group classified into the “pattern B” of the failure information table TB101 (FIG. 13). , "Pattern A2" and "Pattern A3" are extracted and supplied to the voice data comparison unit 32.

The voice data comparison unit 32 identifies a voice pattern similar to the received voice information from the voice pattern group received from the generation part detection unit 30, and returns the specified voice pattern to the generation part detection unit 30. At this time, the voice data comparison unit 32 identifies, for example, "Pattern A1" as a voice pattern that approximates the received voice information from the voice pattern group of "Pattern B", and the voice of the specified "Pattern A1". The pattern is returned to the generation site detection unit 30.

The occurrence site detection unit 30 identifies the failure occurrence location and the failure factor to be notified to the user from the failure information table TB101 (FIG. 13) based on the voice pattern specified by the voice data comparison unit 32, and the failure occurrence location and the failure cause. Failure identification information including a message indicating the cause is supplied to the data transmission unit 28. At this time, since the voice data comparison unit 32 determines that the voice information approximates the voice information to, for example, the "pattern A1", the fault occurrence spot is the "conveyor belt", and the fault factor is "abnormal noise due to waste toner full". Is specified. "

In step SP8, the CPU 10 transmits the failure identification information including the message of the failure occurrence location and the failure cause to the failure analysis application 156 of the mobile terminal 106 by the data transmission unit 28 via the communication control unit 16.

When the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 106 receives the failure identification information by the data receiving unit 58 via the communication control unit 46, the CPU 40 supplies the failure identification information to the message display unit 68 in step SP9. Further, the CPU 40 presents the failure occurrence location and the failure occurrence factor to the user by displaying the analysis result presentation screen DIP3 (FIG. 10) on the operation display unit 44 via the screen display unit 66 by the message display unit 68. .. When the analysis result presentation screen DIP3 is displayed on the operation display unit 44, the user confirms the message content, grasps the failure occurrence location and the failure cause of the image forming apparatus 102, and takes a failure response.

[2-5. Effect, etc.]
Compared with the image forming system 1, the image forming system 101 causes the user to take a picture of the QR code CQR to specify a location where an abnormal sound is generated, but instead, the image of the image forming device 102 displayed on the mobile terminal 106 is displayed. The location where abnormal noise is generated is specified by letting the user press the image of the forming device. As a result, the image forming system 101 needs to have the user manually input the product name instead of having the user take a picture of the QR code CQR, but even in the image forming apparatus 102 to which the QR code CQR is not attached. The location where abnormal noise is generated can be determined.

In other respects, the image forming system 101 according to the second embodiment can exert the same effects as the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[3. Third Embodiment]
[3-1. Overall configuration of image formation system]
The image forming system 201 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11 differs from the image forming system 101 according to the second embodiment in that it has a server 204 instead of the server 104, but other points. Is configured in the same way.

[3-2. Server configuration]
The server 204 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 19 in which the members corresponding to those in FIG. 12 have the same reference numerals is used in the failure analysis system 122 as compared with the server 104 (FIG. 12) according to the second embodiment. Although different in that it has an alternative fault analysis system 222, it is configured similarly in other respects. The failure analysis system 222 according to the third embodiment has the detailed image table TB202 added and replaces the failure information table TB101 as compared with the failure analysis system 122 (FIG. 12) according to the second embodiment. Although it differs in that it has a failure information table TB201, the other points are similarly configured.

Compared with the failure information table TB101 (FIG. 13), the failure information table TB201 shown in FIG. 20 in which the information corresponding to FIG. 13 is assigned the same code has a detailed location number added in association with the failure occurrence location and the failure factor. It is remembered. The detailed location number corresponds to the detailed tap pattern in the detailed image table TB202 (FIG. 21), and indicates a detailed fault occurrence location in the image forming apparatus 202.

The detailed image table TB202 shown in FIG. 21 stores the product name and the image of the image forming apparatus with the detailed tap pattern in association with each other for each product name. The image forming apparatus image with a detailed tap pattern is an image obtained by synthesizing an image forming apparatus image which is an image of an image forming apparatus corresponding to a product name and a detailed tap pattern. The detailed tap pattern is a matrix of area division lines so that the nine division areas of each tap pattern A to I are further divided into three in the vertical direction as compared with the tap pattern of the housing image table TB102 (FIG. 14). It is divided into shapes. For example, the detailed tap pattern A-1 indicates the upper leftmost divided region in the image forming apparatus image.

[3-3. Failure identification processing procedure]
The failure identification processing procedure RT201 by the image forming system 201 will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. 22 in which the steps corresponding to those of FIG. 16 are designated by the same reference numerals. Although the failure identification processing procedure RT201 is different from the failure identification processing procedure RT101 (FIG. 16) in that it has steps SP207, SP208 and SP209 that replace steps SP107, SP8 and SP9, and step SP210 is added. , Other points are configured in the same way.

The image forming system 201 performs the same processing as the failure identification processing procedure RT101 (FIG. 16) in steps SP101 to SP105 and steps SP4 to SP106, and proceeds to step SP207.

When the CPU 10 of the server 204 receives the abnormal noise generation information from the mobile terminal 106 by the data receiving unit 24 via the communication control unit 16, in step SP207, the failure occurs based on the tap information and the voice information included in the abnormal noise generation information. With reference to the information table TB201 (FIG. 20), the failure occurrence location, the failure cause, and the detailed location number are specified, and the process proceeds to step SP210.

Specifically, the generation site detection unit 30 acquires the abnormal noise generation information from the CPU 10, extracts the voice pattern group from the failure information table TB201 (FIG. 20) based on the tap information included in the abnormal noise generation information, and obtains the voice information. Together, it is supplied to the voice data comparison unit 32. At this time, since the “pattern B” is specified by the tap information in the generation site detection unit 30, the “pattern A1” is a voice pattern group classified into the “pattern B” of the failure information table TB201 (FIG. 20). , "Pattern A2" and "Pattern A3" are extracted and supplied to the voice data comparison unit 32.

The voice data comparison unit 32 identifies a voice pattern similar to the received voice information from the voice pattern group received from the generation part detection unit 30, and returns the specified voice pattern to the generation part detection unit 30. At this time, the voice data comparison unit 32 identifies, for example, "Pattern A1" as a voice pattern that approximates the received voice information from the voice pattern group of "Pattern B", and the voice of the specified "Pattern A1". The pattern is returned to the generation site detection unit 30.

The generation site detection unit 30 specifies a failure occurrence location, a failure factor, and a detailed location number to be notified to the user from the failure information table TB201 (FIG. 20) based on the voice pattern specified by the voice data comparison unit 32. At this time, since the voice data comparison unit 32 determines that the voice information approximates the voice information to, for example, the "pattern A1", the fault occurrence spot is the "conveyor belt", and the fault factor is "abnormal noise due to waste toner full". Is specified. "

In step SP210, the CPU 10 creates a detailed part presentation image by emphasizing the part corresponding to the detailed part number specified in step SP207 with respect to the image forming apparatus image by, for example, enclosing it with a circle. The data transmission unit 28 is supplied with failure identification information including a message of the failure occurrence location and the failure cause and a detailed location presentation image, and the process proceeds to step SP208. At this time, since the CPU 10 has specified that the voice pattern that approximates the received voice information is, for example, "pattern A1", the CPU 10 corresponds to the detailed tap pattern A-1 of the failure information table TB201 (FIG. 20) with respect to the image forming apparatus image. Create a detailed part presentation image with a circle added to the part to be marked.

In step SP208, the CPU 10 transmits the failure identification information including the message of the failure occurrence location and the failure factor and the detailed location presentation image to the failure analysis application 156 of the mobile terminal 106 via the communication control unit 16 by the data transmission unit 28.

When the CPU 40 of the mobile terminal 106 receives the failure identification information by the data receiving unit 58 via the communication control unit 46, the CPU 40 supplies the failure identification information to the message display unit 68 in step SP209. Further, the CPU 40 displays the analysis result presentation screen DIP203 including the detailed part presentation image shown in FIG. 23 on the operation display unit 44 via the screen display unit 66 by the message display unit 68, so that the failure occurrence location and the failure occur. The cause of the occurrence and the detailed location where the abnormal noise is generated are presented to the user. When the analysis result presentation screen DIP203 is displayed on the operation display unit 44, the user confirms the message content, grasps the failure occurrence location and the failure cause of the image forming apparatus 202, and takes a failure response.

[3-4. Effect, etc.]
Since the image forming system 101 according to the second embodiment presents the analysis result presentation screen DIP3 (FIG. 10) for explaining the failure occurrence location and the failure occurrence factor only in sentences, the user can use, for example, a transport belt. Even if it is displayed, it may be difficult to understand which of the inside of the image forming apparatus 102 is the transport belt.

On the other hand, in the image forming system 201 according to the present embodiment, the detailed portion where the abnormal noise is generated is shown to the user on the analysis result presentation screen DIP203 (FIG. 23). Therefore, the image forming system 201 can make the user understand the abnormal noise generation portion at a glance.

In other respects, the image forming system 201 according to the third embodiment can exert the same effects as the image forming system 101 according to the second embodiment.

[4. Other embodiments]
In the first embodiment described above, the user photographs the QR code CQR attached to the abnormal noise generation location, and in the second and third embodiments, the abnormal noise generation location in the image forming apparatus image. The case where the user presses to specify the location where the abnormal noise is generated has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the user may be allowed to specify the abnormal noise generation location by various other methods. In addition, for example, "abnormal noise is generated in color printing but no abnormal noise is generated in monochrome printing" or "abnormal noise is generated in double-sided printing but no abnormal noise is generated in single-sided printing". The user may send various information useful for determining a failure factor, such as the timing of printing, the loudness of the sound, the type of paper, and the temperature of the image forming apparatus 2, from the mobile terminal 6 to the server 4 as comments. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, the case where the failure occurrence location and the failure factor are presented on the analysis result presentation screen DIP3 (FIG. 10) has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and a method of canceling a failure that causes abnormal noise may be presented together with a failure occurrence location and a failure factor. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

Further, in the second embodiment described above, the case where the image forming apparatus image is divided into a plurality of divided regions by a matrix-shaped region dividing line is described in the housing image table TB102 (FIG. 14). The present invention is not limited to this, and may be divided into each mechanism such as a gear inside the image forming apparatus 102. The same applies to the third embodiment.

Further, in the second and third embodiments described above, based on one image forming apparatus image of the housing image table TB102 (FIG. 14), in step SP104 (FIG. 16), the abnormal noise generation location pressing instruction screen DIP102 The case where (FIG. 18) is displayed has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and for example, images of a plurality of image forming devices 102 viewed from a plurality of directions can be displayed on the abnormal noise generation location pressing instruction screen DIP 102 (FIG. 18), or an image of the image forming device 102 can be displayed by a user. , And based on the captured image, the abnormal noise generation location pressing instruction screen DIP102 (FIG. 18) may be displayed.

Further, in the second and third embodiments described above, only the image forming device image in which the tap pattern is removed from the image forming device image with the tap pattern is displayed on the abnormal noise generation location pressing instruction screen DIP102 (FIG. 18). I mentioned the case. The present invention is not limited to this, and the image itself of the image forming apparatus with a tap pattern may be displayed on the abnormal noise generation location pressing instruction screen DIP102 (FIG. 18).

Further, in the first embodiment described above, the case where the user photographs the QR code CQR attached to the abnormal noise generating portion to specify the abnormal noise generating portion has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the location where abnormal noise is generated may be specified by the user taking various identification symbols unique to each component in the image forming apparatus 2.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the mobile terminal 6 and the server 4 communicate with each other to execute the failure identification process has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and by incorporating the function of the server 4 into the mobile terminal 6, the failure identification process may be executed only by the mobile terminal 6.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case where various information is displayed on the operation display unit 44 of the mobile terminal 6 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and various information may be notified to the user by various methods such as voice and vibration. Further, various information may be displayed in addition to the operation display unit 44 of the mobile terminal 6.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the mobile terminal 6 and the server 4 communicate with each other by a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be carried by various communication means according to standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3u / ab, and IEEE802.11a / b / g / n. The terminal 6 and the server 4 may communicate with each other.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a printer has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to various devices such as copiers, multifunction devices, and fax machines.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the scope of the present invention extends to an embodiment in which each of the above-described embodiments and a part or all of the above-mentioned other embodiments are arbitrarily combined, and an embodiment in which a part is extracted. Is.

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the abnormal noise generation location designation unit 80 as the abnormal noise generation location designation unit, the sound collection unit 82 as the sound collection unit, and the abnormal noise generation information transmission unit A mobile terminal 6 as a mobile terminal having a generation information transmission unit 84, a failure specific information reception unit 86 as a failure specific information receiving unit, and a failure specific information presentation unit 88 as a failure specific information presentation unit, and abnormal noise generation. The failure is caused by the abnormal noise generation information receiving unit 90 as an information receiving unit, the failure specifying unit 92 as a failure specifying unit, and the server 4 as a server having the failure specifying information transmitting unit 94 as a failure specifying information transmitting unit. The case where the image forming system 1 as a specific system is configured has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and has an abnormal noise generation location designation unit, a sound collection unit, an abnormal noise generation information transmission unit, a failure specific information receiving unit, and a failure specific information presentation unit having various other configurations. A failure identification system may be configured by a mobile terminal, an abnormal noise generation information receiving unit, a failure identification unit, and a server having a failure identification information transmission unit.

The present invention can be used not only in a computer for printing an image on a printer, but also in various electronic devices such as an image scanner, a facsimile machine, and a copier that perform various processes related to images.

1, 101, 201 ... Image forming system, 2, 102 ... Image forming device, 4, 104, 204 ... Server, 6, 106 ... Mobile terminal, WLN ... Wireless network, CQR ... QR code, 10 ... CPU, 12 ... system bus, 14 ... operation display unit, 16 ... communication control unit, 18 ... RAM, 20 ... OS, 22, 122, 222 ... fault analysis system, 24 ... data reception Unit, 26 ... Transmission data generation unit, 28 ... Data transmission unit, 30 ... Occurrence site detection unit, 32 ... Voice data comparison unit, TB1, TB101, TB201 ... Failure information table, TB102 ... Housing image Table, TB202 ... Detailed image table, 40 ... CPU, 42 ... System bus, 44 ... Operation display unit, 46 ... Communication control unit, 48 ... RAM, 50 ... Image reading unit, 52 ... Collection Sound part, 54 ... OS, 56, 156 ... Failure analysis application, 58 ... Data receiving part, 60 ... Code analysis part, 62 ... Transmission data generation part, 64 ... Data transmission part, 66 ... Screen Display unit, 68 …… Message display unit, 170 …… Image processing unit, 80 …… Abnormal noise generation location designation unit, 82 …… Sound collection unit, 84 …… Abnormal noise generation information transmission unit, 86 …… Failure identification information Receiver, 88 ... Failure specific information presentation unit, 90 ... Abnormal noise generation information reception unit, 92 ... Failure identification unit, 94 ... Failure specific information transmission unit, DIP1 ... Shooting instruction screen, DIP2 ... Recording instruction Screen, DIP3, DIP203 ... Analysis result presentation screen, DIP101 ... Product name input instruction screen, DIP102 ... Abnormal noise occurrence location pressing instruction screen.

Claims (8)

An abnormal noise generation location specification step that allows the user to specify an abnormal noise generation location in the image forming apparatus,
A sound collection step that collects abnormal noise at the location where abnormal noise is generated, and
An abnormal noise generation information transmission step for transmitting the abnormal noise generation location and the abnormal noise generation information indicating the abnormal noise, and
The abnormal noise generation information receiving step for receiving the abnormal noise generation information, and
A failure identification step that identifies the failure content based on the abnormal noise generation information,
A failure identification information transmission step for transmitting failure identification information indicating the identified failure content, and
The failure identification information receiving step for receiving the failure identification information and
A failure identification method having a failure identification information presenting step of presenting the failure identification information to a user. The failure identification step
The difference specified to the user from the failure information table that stores the failure occurrence location, one or more voice patterns that can occur at the failure occurrence location, and the failure content for each voice pattern in association with each other. The failure according to claim 1, wherein the failure occurrence location is specified based on the sound generation location, and then the voice pattern at the failure occurrence location is collated with the collected abnormal sound to specify the failure content. Specific method. The failure identification method according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal noise generation location designation step specifies the abnormal noise generation location based on an image taken by the user. The fault identification method according to claim 3, wherein the abnormal noise generation location designation step specifies the abnormal noise generation location based on an image of an identification code unique to each component in the image forming apparatus, which is taken by a user. The failure identification method according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal noise generation location designation step is specified by a user in an image indicating the image forming apparatus displayed on a display unit. It further has a distinguished name designation step that allows the user to specify a distinguished name that identifies the image forming apparatus.
The failure identification method according to claim 5, wherein in the step of designating an abnormal noise generation location, the image showing the image forming apparatus corresponding to the identification name is displayed on the display unit, and the user is made to specify the abnormal noise generation location. .. The failure identification step
The failure occurrence location, one or more voice patterns that can occur at the failure occurrence location, the failure content for each voice pattern, and the detailed failure occurrence location indicating the detailed failure occurrence location in the failure content are associated with each other. Based on the abnormal noise generation location specified by the user from the fault information table stored in the above, the fault occurrence location is specified, and then the voice pattern at the fault occurrence location and the collected abnormal noise To identify the details of the failure and the location where the detailed failure occurred.
The failure identification information transmission step transmits the failure identification information indicating the identified failure content and the detailed failure occurrence location.
The failure identification method according to claim 6, wherein the failure identification information presenting step presents an image showing the detailed failure occurrence location on the image showing the image forming apparatus. In an image forming system having a mobile terminal and a server
The mobile terminal
An abnormal noise generation location designation unit that allows the user to specify the abnormal noise generation location in the image forming device,
A sound collecting unit that collects abnormal noise at the location where abnormal noise is generated,
An abnormal noise generation information transmitting unit that transmits the abnormal noise generation location and the abnormal noise generation information indicating the abnormal noise to the server, and
A failure identification information receiving unit that receives failure identification information from the server, and
It has a failure identification information presentation unit that presents the failure identification information to the user.
The server
An abnormal noise generation information receiving unit that receives the abnormal noise generation information from the mobile terminal,
A failure identification unit that identifies the details of the failure based on the abnormal noise generation information,
A failure identification system having a failure identification information transmission unit that transmits the failure identification information indicating the specified failure content to the mobile terminal.

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