JP2004322650A - Management system of image formation apparatus, image formation apparatus of image formation management system, and management method of image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management system of an image formation apparatus, an image formation apparatus of an image formation management system, and a management method of an image formation system, for enabling precise and efficient maintenance by accurately grasping the jam-trouble occurrences. <P>SOLUTION: This invention includes an image formation counting step for counting the number of image formation times performed on recording paper, a jam counting step for counting the number of jam occurrence, and a time-counting step for counting the elapse of time under a jamming state (step S604); an alarm signal output step for outputting an alarm signal to a management device via a communication line (step S606) when the elapse of time under a jamming state exceeds a predetermined time (Yes in step S604) and outputting an alarm signal to the management device (step S606) when the elapse of time under a jamming state does not reach a predetermined time (No in step S604) and when a jam ratio, i.e., a ratio of the number of image formation times to the number of jamming times, is calculated and the calculated jam ratio reaches a predetermined occurrence ratio (Yes in step S607). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a management system of an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus of the image forming management system, and a management method of the image forming system.

  As a related art related to the present invention, for example, there is an “information collection system of an image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this system, when a serious error requiring repair is generated in the image forming apparatus, various information on the use condition of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the host computer of the management system. Thus, the maintenance work of the image forming apparatus can be performed efficiently and accurately.

JP-A-2-25963

  However, in the conventional information collection system for an image forming apparatus as described above, when a serious failure that requires repairs occurs in the image forming apparatus (copier), the information is automatically collected. It is a management method for reporting and could not respond to the following situations. In other words, in the failure mode of the copier, even if a jam occurs once, maintenance is not required immediately, but the frequency of occurrence is used as data for judging whether or not maintenance is necessary. However, it may vary depending on the user and its use conditions, etc. In addition, in the case of a jam occurrence, for example, if the jam state continues for a long time, maintenance is required immediately. Could not respond to. As described above, in the related art, since it is not possible to accurately judge the necessity of maintenance when a jam trouble occurs, there is a problem that reliable and efficient maintenance is not performed, resulting in a decrease in the operation rate and work efficiency of the apparatus. Was.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and when a jam trouble occurs, the occurrence situation is accurately grasped according to the user and its use conditions, etc., and accurate and efficient maintenance is enabled to enable the operation of the apparatus. The aim is to improve the rate and work efficiency.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, an invention according to claim 1 is a management system for an image forming apparatus, which manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a communication line and manages the image forming apparatuses. A management system for an image forming apparatus connected to a management apparatus for performing image formation, wherein the image formation apparatus counts the number of times an image is formed on recording paper by the image formation apparatus; A jam counter for counting the number of times a jam has occurred, measuring means for measuring an elapsed time in the jam state, and when the elapsed time of the jam state measured by the measuring means is equal to or longer than a predetermined elapsed time, If an alarm signal is output to the management device via the communication line, and the elapsed time of the jam state has not reached the predetermined elapsed time, When the jam rate, which is a ratio of the number of image formations counted by the image forming counter to the number of jams counted by the jam counter, is calculated, and the calculated jam rate reaches a predetermined occurrence rate, the management is performed. And alarm signal output means for outputting an alarm signal to the device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the first aspect, the image forming apparatus detects that a jam recovery process has been performed after the occurrence of the jam, and the image forming apparatus detects the image. The apparatus further comprises jam recovery detecting means for resetting the count of the jam counter and the jam counter.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the management system of the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the jam recovery detecting means determines that the jam recovery processing has been performed by the image forming apparatus main body. The detection is performed based on a door opening / closing operation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the management system for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image forming apparatus is configured to set an alarm level for receiving a setting input of the predetermined occurrence rate. Means are further provided.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the management system for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image forming apparatus is configured to set an alarm time for receiving a setting input of the predetermined elapsed time. Means are further provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus of the image forming management system, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to a management apparatus that manages the image forming apparatuses via a communication line. An image forming apparatus for a system, wherein the image forming apparatus counts the number of times an image is formed on a recording sheet by the image forming apparatus, and counts the number of times a jam occurs during image formation by the image forming apparatus. A jam counter, a measuring unit for measuring an elapsed time in the jam state, and an alarm signal to the management device when the elapsed time of the jam state measured by the measuring unit is equal to or longer than a predetermined elapsed time. If the output is performed via a line and the elapsed time of the jam state does not reach the predetermined elapsed time, the jam counter determines Calculating a jam rate, which is a ratio of the number of times of image formation counted by the image forming counter to the number of times of jamming, and when the calculated jam rate reaches a predetermined occurrence rate, an alarm is issued to the management device; And alarm signal output means for outputting a signal.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the image forming management system according to the sixth aspect, the image forming apparatus detects that a jam recovery process has been performed after the occurrence of the jam. The image forming apparatus further includes a jam recovery detecting unit that resets the counts of the image forming counter and the jam counter.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the image forming management system according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the jam recovery detecting means determines that the jam recovery processing has been performed. The detection is performed based on the door opening / closing operation of the main body.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the image forming management system according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the image forming apparatus includes an alarm for receiving a setting input of the predetermined occurrence rate. It is characterized by further comprising level setting means.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the image forming management system according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the image forming apparatus includes an alarm for receiving a setting input of the predetermined elapsed time. It is characterized by further comprising time setting means.

  The invention according to claim 11 is a method for managing an image forming system, which manages an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus that manages the image forming apparatuses are connected via a communication line. A method for counting the number of times an image is formed on recording paper by the image forming apparatus; a jam counting step for counting the number of times a jam has occurred in image formation by the image forming apparatus; A measuring step of measuring a certain elapsed time, and, when the elapsed time of the jam state measured in the measuring step is equal to or longer than a predetermined elapsed time, outputting an alarm signal to the management device via the communication line; and If the elapsed time of the jam state has not reached the predetermined elapsed time, the jam count calculated in the jam counting step is reduced. An alarm signal output for outputting an alarm signal to the management device when a jam rate which is a ratio of the number of times of image formation calculated in the image forming count step is calculated and the calculated jam rate reaches a predetermined occurrence rate. And a process.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system management method according to the eleventh aspect, it is detected that a jam recovery process has been performed after the occurrence of the jam, and the image forming counter and the jam counter are detected. And a jam recovery detecting step of resetting the count of (i).

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for managing an image forming system according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the jam recovery detecting step includes the step of determining that the jam recovery processing has been performed by the image forming apparatus main body. The detection is performed based on a door opening / closing operation.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming system management method according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, further comprising an alarm level setting step of receiving the setting input of the predetermined occurrence rate. It is characterized by the following.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for managing an image forming system according to any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, the method further includes an alarm time setting step of receiving the setting input of the predetermined elapsed time. It is characterized by the following.

  A management system for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention (claim 1) counts the number of times an image is formed on a recording sheet by the image forming apparatus, counts the number of times a jam has occurred in image formation by the image forming apparatus, and determines a jam state. When the measured elapsed time of the jam state exceeds the predetermined elapsed time, an alarm signal is output to the management device via a communication line, and the elapsed time of the jam state is determined. If the elapsed time has not reached, the jam rate, which is the ratio of the number of image formations to the number of jams, is calculated. If the calculated jam rate reaches a predetermined occurrence rate, an alarm signal is output to the management device. I do. With this configuration, the image forming apparatus unconditionally outputs an alarm signal to the management device when the jam continues for a predetermined time or more, and when the jam occurrence state does not continue for the predetermined time, the jam rate exceeds the predetermined occurrence rate. The image forming apparatus outputs an alarm signal to the management device only when the condition is satisfied. Therefore, even if the jam condition continues for a predetermined time or more, even if the jam condition continues for a short time, the frequency of occurrence of the jam condition is small. For jams where the need for repair is high due to high repair, an alarm signal is output to the management device to indicate the necessity of maintenance work for jam situations where the above two types of repair are highly necessary. Because a warning can be issued, the occurrence situation can be accurately grasped in the event of a jam, enabling accurate and efficient maintenance. An effect that can be improved.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention (claim 2), the image forming apparatus detects that the jam recovery processing has been performed after the occurrence of the jam, and counts the image forming counter and the jam counter. Reset. With this configuration, the number of image formations and the number of occurrences of the jam after the jam recovery can be reset, and after the recovery of the jams, the number of times of the image formation and the occurrence of the jams can be counted again from the beginning to accurately calculate the jam occurrence rate. When a trouble occurs, the occurrence state can be accurately grasped, accurate and efficient maintenance can be performed, and the operation rate and work efficiency of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

  Further, the management system of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention (claim 3) detects that the jam recovery processing has been performed based on the door opening / closing operation of the image forming apparatus main body. With this configuration, by opening and closing the door of the image forming apparatus main body, the number of image formations and the number of occurrences of the jam after the jam recovery can be reset. After the recovery of the jam, the number of times of the image formation and the occurrence of the jams is re-counted from the beginning, and after the maintenance. Since the accurate jam occurrence rate is recalculated by the simple operation of closing the door, the occurrence situation can be accurately grasped when a jam trouble occurs, enabling accurate and efficient maintenance. There is an effect that the working efficiency can be improved.

  In the management system for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention (claim 4), the image forming apparatus can receive a setting input of a predetermined occurrence rate. With this configuration, it is possible to set a predetermined jam occurrence rate serving as a reference for the image forming apparatus to output an alarm signal to the management apparatus when the user inputs the jam state. Can be set, accurate and efficient maintenance can be performed in consideration of the user's judgment, and the operation rate and work efficiency of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

  In the management system for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention (claim 5), the image forming apparatus can receive a setting input of a predetermined elapsed time. According to this configuration, it is possible to set a predetermined elapsed time serving as a reference for the image forming apparatus to output an alarm signal to the management apparatus by inputting by the user. A predetermined elapsed time can be set, accurate and efficient maintenance can be performed in consideration of the user's judgment, and the operation rate and work efficiency of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the image forming management system according to the present invention (claim 6) counts the number of times of image formation on the recording paper, counts the number of times a jam has occurred in image formation, and determines the elapsed time in the jam state. If the measured elapsed time of the jam state is equal to or longer than the predetermined elapsed time, an alarm signal is output to the management device via the communication line, and the elapsed time of the jam state is set to the predetermined elapsed time. If the jam rate has not reached, the jam rate, which is the ratio of the number of times of image formation to the number of jams, is calculated. If the calculated jam rate reaches a predetermined occurrence rate, an alarm signal is output to the management device. With this configuration, an alarm signal is unconditionally output to the management device if the jam has continued for a predetermined time or more, and if the jam rate has exceeded the predetermined occurrence rate if the jam has not continued for the predetermined time or more. Only the alarm signal is output to the management device, so it is necessary to repair severe jams that occur when the jam condition continues for a predetermined time or longer, and that the frequency of occurrence is high even if the jam condition lasts for a short time. Even if the jam is high, an alarm signal can be output to the management device to warn of the need for maintenance work for the above two types of jams that require high repair. It is said that it is possible to accurately grasp the occurrence situation at the time of trouble occurrence, enable accurate and efficient maintenance, and improve the operation rate and work efficiency of image formation. Achieve the results.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the image forming management system according to the present invention (claim 7) detects that the jam recovery processing has been performed after the occurrence of the jam in the image forming apparatus, and the image forming counter and the jam counter are detected. Reset the count. With this configuration, the number of image formations and the number of occurrences of the jam after the jam recovery can be reset, and after the recovery of the jams, the number of times of the image formation and the occurrence of the jams can be counted again from the beginning to accurately calculate the jam occurrence rate. When a trouble occurs, the occurrence situation can be accurately grasped, accurate and efficient maintenance can be performed, and the operation rate and work efficiency of image formation can be improved.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the image forming management system according to the present invention (claim 8) detects that the jam recovery processing has been performed based on the door opening / closing operation of the image forming apparatus main body. With this configuration, by opening and closing the door, the number of times of image formation and the number of occurrences of jam after the recovery from the jam can be reset. After the recovery of the jam, the number of times of image formation and occurrence of the jam can be counted again from the beginning, and the door can be closed after maintenance. The exact jam occurrence rate is recalculated by a simple operation, so the occurrence situation can be accurately grasped in the event of a jam trouble, enabling accurate and efficient maintenance, and improving the image formation operation rate and work efficiency. This has the effect that it can be performed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the image forming management system according to the present invention (claim 9) can receive a setting input of a predetermined occurrence rate. With this configuration, it is possible to set a predetermined jam occurrence rate serving as a reference for outputting an alarm signal to the management device by inputting by a user. Therefore, it is possible to set a jam state to output an alarm signal at the discretion of the user, It is possible to perform accurate and efficient maintenance in consideration of the user's judgment, and it is possible to improve an operation rate and an operation efficiency of image formation.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the image forming management system according to the present invention (claim 10) can receive a setting input of a predetermined elapsed time. With this configuration, it is possible to set a predetermined elapsed time serving as a reference for outputting an alarm signal to the management device when a user inputs the predetermined value. Can be set, accurate and efficient maintenance can be performed in consideration of the user's judgment, and the operation rate and work efficiency of image formation can be improved.

  The image forming system management method according to the present invention (claim 11) counts the number of times an image is formed on a recording sheet by the image forming apparatus, and counts the number of times a jam occurs in image formation by the image forming apparatus. The elapsed time in the jam state is measured, and when the measured elapsed time of the jam state is equal to or longer than a predetermined elapsed time, an alarm signal is output to the management device via a communication line, and the elapsed time of the jam state is measured. Does not reach the predetermined elapsed time, the jam rate, which is the ratio of the number of image formations to the number of jams, is calculated. When the calculated jam rate reaches the predetermined occurrence rate, an alarm signal is sent to the management device. Is output. With this configuration, the image forming apparatus unconditionally outputs an alarm signal to the management device when the jam continues for a predetermined time or more, and when the jam occurrence state does not continue for the predetermined time, the jam rate exceeds the predetermined occurrence rate. The image forming apparatus outputs an alarm signal to the management device only when the condition is satisfied. Therefore, even if the jam condition continues for a predetermined time or more, even if the jam condition continues for a short time, the frequency of occurrence of the jam condition is small. For jams where the need for repair is high due to high repair, an alarm signal is output to the management device to indicate the necessity of maintenance work for jam situations where the above two types of repair are highly necessary. Because a warning can be issued, the occurrence situation can be accurately grasped in the event of a jam, enabling accurate and efficient maintenance. An effect that can be improved.

  Further, the management method of the image forming system according to the present invention (claim 12) detects that the jam recovery processing has been performed after the occurrence of the jam, and resets the counts of the image forming counter and the jam counter. With this configuration, the number of image formations and the number of occurrences of the jam after the jam recovery can be reset, and after the recovery of the jams, the number of times of the image formation and the occurrence of the jams can be counted again from the beginning to accurately calculate the jam occurrence rate. When a trouble occurs, the occurrence situation can be accurately grasped, accurate and efficient maintenance can be performed, and the operation rate and work efficiency of image formation can be improved.

  Also, the management method of the image forming system according to the present invention (claim 13) detects that the jam recovery processing has been performed based on the door opening / closing operation of the image forming apparatus main body. With this configuration, by opening and closing the door of the image forming apparatus main body, the number of image formations and the number of occurrences of the jam after the jam recovery can be reset. After the recovery of the jam, the number of times of the image formation and the occurrence of the jams is re-counted from the beginning, and after the maintenance. The accurate jam occurrence rate is recalculated by the simple operation of closing the door, so when the jam occurs, the occurrence situation can be accurately grasped, and accurate and efficient maintenance can be performed. There is an effect that the efficiency can be improved.

  Further, the image forming system management method according to the present invention (claim 14) can receive a setting input of a predetermined occurrence rate. With this configuration, it is possible to set a predetermined jam occurrence rate serving as a reference for outputting an alarm signal to the management device by inputting by a user. Therefore, it is possible to set a jam state to output an alarm signal at the discretion of the user, It is possible to perform accurate and efficient maintenance in consideration of the user's judgment, and it is possible to improve an operation rate and an operation efficiency of image formation.

  Further, the image forming system management method according to the present invention (claim 15) can receive a setting input of a predetermined elapsed time. With this configuration, it is possible to set a predetermined elapsed time serving as a reference for outputting an alarm signal to the management device when a user inputs the predetermined value. Can be set, accurate and efficient maintenance can be performed in consideration of the user's judgment, and the operation rate and work efficiency of image formation can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numerals 101a and 101b denote copying machines, which are connected to a modem device 103 via a private line 102a, and are connected to a remote location via a public line 102b. Is connected to a management device 104 using a host computer located at the same time. This system is configured so that transmission and reception of management information between the copying machines 101a and 101b and the management device 104 can be performed by the above connection. In this system, two copiers are connected for convenience, but it can be further added.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine 101 to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, the copying machine includes a document reading system 201, an image forming system 202, a paper feeding and conveying system 203, a fixing / discharging system. It comprises a paper system 204, a sorter 205 as a sorting device that is optionally installed, and further includes an operation unit (see FIG. 3), an electrical control system, and the like.

[Document scanning system]
The document reading system 201 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder) 206 that automatically conveys the set document, and an optical unit 207 that irradiates the document with light to form an optical image. The ADF 206 is mounted on a document placing surface so as to be openable and closable, and includes a document set table, transport rollers, a transport belt, and the like. The optical unit 207 includes a contact glass 208 on which a document is placed, a first scanner 211 integrally configured by an exposure illumination unit (fluorescent lamp) 209 and a first mirror 210, a second mirror 212, and a third mirror. The second scanner 214, the fourth mirror 215, and the lens 216, which are integrally formed by the 213, are housed in a housing.

(Imaging system)
The image forming system 202 includes a plurality of units that execute various processes based on a generally used electrophotographic process. That is, 220 is a photosensitive drum for forming an electrostatic latent image, 221 is a charging charger for uniformly corona charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 220, 222 contains toner, and transfers toner to the photosensitive drum 220 based on a developing process. A developing unit 223 for performing a developing process by attaching the developing unit 223, a transfer charger 223 for performing a transfer process by corona discharge, and a separation charger 224 for separating the recording paper adhered to the photosensitive drum 220 by corona discharge.

  A cleaning unit 225 removes and collects residual toner after the transfer process on the surface of the photosensitive drum 220 by using a fur brush and a cleaning blade. A cleaning unit 226 is synchronized with an image of a recording paper formed on the photosensitive drum 220. It is a registration roller to be conveyed.

[Paper feeding system]
Further, the paper feed / conveyance system 203 constitutes a lower portion of the copying machine. In the figure, reference numerals 230 and 231 denote paper feed trays on which a plurality of recording papers can be stacked and pulled out to the front, and 232 denotes a double-sided paper feed unit. Further, a vertical transport section 233 is provided on the exit side of the paper feed trays 230 and 231. The vertical transport section 233 is arranged so as to communicate with the registration roller 226. Each of the paper feed trays 230 and 231 is provided with paper feed units 235 and 236 for separating and transporting recording paper one by one. It is configured. Reference numeral 237 denotes a transport belt that guides the transferred and separated recording paper to the fixing / discharge system 204.

  Further, the paper feeding and conveying system 203 is provided with recording paper detection sensors 238, 239 and 240 for detecting the conveyance of the recording paper near the outlets of the paper feeding trays 230 and 231 and the duplex paper feeding unit 232, respectively. ing. Further, a recording paper detection sensor 241 is disposed immediately after the registration roller 226, and a recording paper detection sensor 242 is disposed immediately after the paper discharge unit.

  Next, the operation will be described. The photoconductor drum 220 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft (not shown), and rotates counterclockwise in response to a copy start command or the like. At about the same time, the original to be copied, which has been conveyed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 208 by the ADF 206, is exposed and scanned by the first scanner 214. At this time, the reflected light (reflected light image) of the document obtained by the illumination of the exposure illumination unit 209 passes through the first mirror 210, the second mirror 212, the third mirror 213, the lens 216, the fourth mirror 215, and the photosensitive drum. An image is formed on 220.

  On the other hand, prior to this, since the surface of the photosensitive drum 220 is uniformly charged by the charger 221, an electrostatic latent image is formed by the distribution of the potential corresponding to the reflected light image. Unnecessary portions of the surface are irradiated with light by an eraser, and are corrected to a recording paper or an electrostatic latent image area suitable for a projected image. At this time, in order to obtain a 1: 1 image, the photosensitive drum 220 and the first scanner 214 are driven at the same speed. Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 220 is visualized (toner image) by the toner stored in the developing unit 222. Further, at this time, a grayscale image is adjusted by applying a developing bias potential to the developing bias line of the developing unit 222 and controlling the amount of toner adhered to the photosensitive drum 220.

  On the other hand, recording paper feeding is started almost in parallel with the image forming processing. That is, the sheet feeding from one of the sheet feeding trays 230 and 231 and the duplex sheet feeding unit 232 is selected, and the sheet feeding operation is executed at a predetermined sheet feeding timing. For example, when the paper is fed from the paper feed tray 230, the paper is fed by the paper feeding operation of the paper feeding unit 235, and the fed recording paper is sent to the registration roller 226 via the vertical conveyance unit 233. The recording paper is subjected to skew correction (skew correction) by abutting the stopped nip portion of the registration roller 226, and then the timing at which the positional relationship with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 220 matches. Is conveyed by restarting the registration roller 226.

  Next, the recording paper is conveyed and adhered to the photosensitive drum 220, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 220 is transferred to the recording paper by the action of the transfer charger 223. At this time, since the surface of the photosensitive drum 220 is very smooth, the adhesion of the recording paper is large. For this reason, the potential of the recording paper is reduced by corona discharge of the separation charger 224, and the adhesion between the photosensitive drum 220 and the recording paper is reduced. Next, the recording paper is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 220 by the separation claw, and the separated recording paper is sent to the fixing / discharge system 204 by the transport belt 237. In the fixing / discharge system 204, heat and pressure are applied to the conveyed recording paper by a fixing roller and a pressure roller to fix the toner image on the recording paper, and then the recording paper is discharged to a sorter 205. Or, in the case of double-sided copying, the sheet is conveyed to the double-sided paper feeding unit 232 side.

  After the transfer process, the surface of the photosensitive drum 220 has residual toner, paper dust, and the like attached thereto. For this reason, the cleaning unit 225 collects the adhered matter such as residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 220 by the rotation of the fur brush and the contact of the cleaning blade. Thereafter, the quenching lamp is turned on to equalize the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 220, and the apparatus enters a standby state in preparation for the next copying process.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit. In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes an operation unit, which is composed of the following various operation keys and a group of indicators such as LEDs and LCDs. That is, a start key 302 for inputting a copy start, a tray selection key 303 for selecting a paper feed tray, a display panel 304 for performing various displays using an LCD or the like, an ADF mode selection key 305 for selecting a mode of the ADF 206, and image density setting. An automatic density selection key 306 for automatic adjustment and a manual density selection key 307 for adjusting the density of the image density to preference are provided.

  Further, a sort mode selection key 308 for selecting a mode such as a stack mode or a sort mode of the sorter 205, a discharge selection key 309 for switching a recording sheet discharge surface, a mode clear key 310 for clearing an input mode, and the number of copies are set. Numeric keys 311 function as stop keys for inputting interruption of copying during a copy operation, and clear / stop keys 312 function as correction keys for input data by ten keys 311 while copying is stopped. , An interrupt copy key 313 for enabling another mode input and the start of the copy thereof, and input keys 314 to 316 for inputting and setting conditions relating to the management system.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes a main control equipped with a microcomputer system for executing overall control of the copying machines 101a and 101b. It is a substrate and is composed of the following main functional elements. That is, the main control board 401 includes a CPU 402 that executes predetermined control based on the control program, a ROM 403 that stores the control program, a RAM 404 that temporarily stores control data, condition flags, and the like. It comprises I / O elements 405 to 407 for input / output interfaces, a programmable timer 408 having a plurality of timer functions, and a bus line 409 connecting each element.

  Further, a control unit (ADFCO) 410 for controlling the ADF 206 is connected to the I / O element 405. The I / O element 406 has a control unit (S.SCO) 411 for controlling the sorter 205 and a communication format of data for transmitting the management data (signal) generated in the main control board 401 to the management device 104. And a communication interface unit (PI) 412 for executing interface matching. The operation unit 301, the recording paper detection sensors 238 to 242, and the door switch 413 for detecting the opening / closing operation of the front door are connected to the I / O element 407.

  Next, the control operation will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main control processing according to the present invention. This control operation is stored in the ROM 403 in the main control board 401 when the power switches (not shown) of the copying machines 101a and 101b are turned on. The control described in the main flow process is executed in accordance with the performed program data. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

  In FIG. 5, when the program starts, first, an initial setting which is a subflow process is executed (S501). In this initial setting, settings necessary for resetting the control data flag and controlling the copiers 101a and 101b are set. After the initial setting is performed, a jam check sub-flow process (see FIG. 7) for checking the jam state of the copying machines 101a and 101b (the paper jam state in the internal conveyance path) is executed (S502). When a jam state is detected in the jam check subflow process, a jam flag which is a control flag is set. After executing the jam check subflow process in step S502, a standby process is executed (S503). In this standby process, control processing of each unit before starting copying, display control of the operation unit 301, and the like are executed. For example, when the jam flag is set, a jam is displayed on the operation unit 301.

  Next, after executing the above step S503, it is determined whether or not the jam flag is set (S504). If it is determined in this processing that the jam flag has been set, the sub flow processing of the jam recovery check (see FIG. 8) is executed (S505), and it is further determined whether or not the jam reset flag has been set. (S506). In this process, if it is determined that the jam reset flag is set, a sub flow process of copy management (see FIG. 6) is executed (S507). This copy management subflow process is to execute information processing control required in the copy management system, and to the communication interface unit (PI) 412 when necessary transmission data is generated for the management device 104. Output management data.

  Next, after executing the copy management in step S507, it is determined whether or not the jam flag is set (S508). At this time, if it is determined that the jam flag is not set, the start is further performed. It is determined whether the key 302 has been pressed (S509). If it is determined in step S509 that the start key 302 has been pressed, copy process processing is executed (S510). In the copy process, as described above, image forming control processing, recording paper conveyance control processing, and conveyance jam control processing for checking the conveyance state of the recording paper by the units required to execute the copy processing are executed. Is done. In this transport jam control process, when a transport error of the recording paper (paper jam, non-feed, timing deviation, etc.) is detected, a jam flag is set.

  Next, after executing the process of step S510, it is determined whether or not the copy process has been completed (S511). The conditions for terminating the copy process are satisfied, such as the end of the number of copies input from the operation unit 301, the input of copy interruption from the operation unit 301, the occurrence of a jam, and the end of consumables such as toner and recording paper. Is the case. If it is determined in step S510 that the copy process has been completed, a subflow process of the copy final process is executed (S512). This copy final process is a flow process for executing control processing of each unit necessary for preparing for the next copy processing and initial setting of each control data after the copy is completed. Then, after executing the process of step S512, the process returns to the process of step S502 to prepare for the next copy process.

  If it is determined in step S504 that the jam flag has not been set, the process proceeds to step S509 for determining whether a copy start has been performed. If it is determined in step S506 that the jam reset flag has not been set, if it has been determined in step S508 that the jam flag has been set, or if it has been determined in step S509 that the copy has not been started. If so, the process returns to step S502 to prepare for the next copy process. If it is determined in step S511 that it is not the copy end, the process returns to the sub flow (copy process) in step S510.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the copy management sub-flow processing (step S507) according to the present invention. In the figure, first, it is determined whether or not the jam flag is set (S601). At this time, when it is determined that the jam flag is not set, the process returns to the main flow process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S601 that the jam flag has been set, it is further determined whether the jam timer in the programmable timer 408 has been started (S602). At this time, if it is determined that the jam timer has not been started, the jam timer is started (S603).

If it is determined in step S602 that the jam timer has started, or after the processing in step S603, it is determined whether the count of the jam timer is greater than the jam alarm time TJ (for example, 30 minutes). A determination is made (S604). That is,
Jam timer count ≧ TJ
Judge. If it is determined in step S604 that "the count value of the jam timer ≧ TJ", the jam timer is reset (S605), and a subflow process for transmitting the jam alarm management data is executed (S606). Is returned.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S604 that the count value of the jam timer is not equal to or greater than TJ, it is further determined whether the jam rate calculated by the jam counter JCO and the jam copy counter JCOPYCO is greater than the jam alarm rate RJ. It is determined whether or not it is (S607). That is,
JCO / COPYCO ≧ RJ
Judge. If it is determined in this step that “JCO / COPYCO ≧ RJ” is not satisfied, the process returns.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S607 that "JCO / COPYCO≥RJ", the jam counter JCO is reset (S608), and the jam copy counter JCOPYCO is reset (S609). Then, the sub flow processing of the jam alarm management data transmission is executed, and the processing returns. In the above description, the jam counter JCO is counted up when a jam occurs, and the jam copy counter JCOPYCO is counted up in the subflow process of the copy process each time one copy is processed.

  In the above description, the jam alarm time TJ and the jam alarm rate RJ can be arbitrarily set by the input keys 314 and 315 and the ten keys 311 of the management system on the operation unit 301, and this control processing is executed by the subflow processing of the standby process. Is done. In the transmission of the jam alarm management data, a jam alarm signal and copy management information relating to the jam alarm signal are transferred to the communication interface 412.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the jam check subflow process (step S502) according to the present invention. In the figure, first, a sensor jam check subflow process for checking the detection states of the recording paper detection sensors 238, 239, 240, 241, and 242 is executed (S701). Then, it is determined whether a jam has occurred (S702). If it is determined that a jam has been detected at this time, a jam flag of a control flag is set (S703), and the process returns. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S702 that no jam has been detected, the jam flag of the control flag is reset (S704), the jam timer for measuring the jam state is reset (S705), and the jam is set. The flag is reset (S706), and the process returns.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a sub flow process (step S505) of the jam recovery check according to the present invention. In the figure, first, it is determined whether or not the jam reset flag is set (S801). If it is determined that the jam reset flag is set at this time, the process returns. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S801 that the jam reset flag has not been set, a sub flow process of door open → close check is executed (S802).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the operation of opening and closing the door has been performed (S803). That is, it is determined whether or not the jam recovery operation has been performed from the ON / OFF state of the door switch 413. If it is determined in step S803 that the operation of opening and closing the door has not been performed, the process returns. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S803 that the operation of opening and closing the door has been performed, the jam reset flag of the control flag is set (S804), and the process returns. After the return, the process returns to the main flow process (see FIG. 5).

  Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, the alarm signal is automatically managed when the copying machines 101a and 101b are left in a jam occurrence state for a long time and when the jam occurrence frequency increases. Since transmission is performed to the apparatus 104, accurate and efficient maintenance of the copying machines 101a and 101b can be performed, and work efficiency can be improved.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention, the elapsed time of the jam detection state is measured by the measuring unit, and the measurement result reaches the alarm notification level set by the level setting unit. At this time, the alarm signal output means automatically outputs an alarm signal to the management device, and the jam recovery detection means detects that the jam recovery processing has been executed after the occurrence of the jam. In some cases, the elapsed time of the jam state of the image forming apparatus is measured, and when the measurement result reaches the alarm notification level set by the level setting means, an alarm signal is automatically sent to the management apparatus by the alarm signal output means. Is output, so that when a jam occurs, its occurrence status can be accurately grasped according to the user and its usage conditions. , It is possible to improve the operating rate and the working efficiency of the device and enables a good maintenance of accurate and efficient.

  As described above, the management system of an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus of the image forming management system, and the method of managing the image forming system according to the present invention are useful for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer. In particular, the image forming apparatus management system and the image forming management system, which notify the management apparatus of the occurrence state of the jam based on the setting criteria by the user and enable appropriate post-processing according to the user and the usage conditions thereof. This is useful for a forming apparatus and a method for managing an image forming system.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system configuration according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a main control process according to the present invention. 9 is a flowchart showing a sub flow process of copy management according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the subflow process of a jam check which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the subflow process of jam recovery check which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Copier 102 Communication line 104 Management device 238-242 Recording paper detection sensor 301 Operation unit 311 Numeric keypad 314-316 Input key 402 CPU
403 ROM 404 RAM
408 Timer 411 Control unit 412 Communication interface unit 413 Door switch

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus management system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus for managing the image forming apparatuses are connected via a communication line,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An image forming counter for counting the number of times an image is formed on recording paper by the image forming apparatus;
A jam counter for counting the number of times a jam has occurred in image formation by the image forming apparatus;
Measuring means for measuring an elapsed time in a jam state;
If the elapsed time of the jam state measured by the measuring means is equal to or longer than a predetermined elapsed time, an alarm signal is output to the management device via the communication line, and the elapsed time of the jam state is set to the predetermined time. If the elapsed time has not reached, the jam rate calculated by calculating the jam rate which is the ratio of the number of image formations counted by the image forming counter to the number of jams counted by the jam counter is calculated. Alarm signal output means for outputting an alarm signal to the management device when a predetermined occurrence rate is reached;
A management system for an image forming apparatus, comprising:   The image forming apparatus further includes a jam recovery detecting unit that detects that a jam recovery process has been performed after the occurrence of the jam and resets the image forming counter and the count of the jam counter. The management system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the jam recovery detecting unit detects that the jam recovery processing is performed based on a door opening / closing operation of the image forming apparatus main body. Equipment management system.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes an alarm level setting unit that receives a setting input of the predetermined occurrence rate. Management system.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes an alarm time setting unit that receives a setting input of the predetermined elapsed time. Management system. An image forming apparatus of an image forming management system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus that manages the image forming apparatuses are connected via a communication line,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An image forming counter for counting the number of times an image is formed on recording paper by the image forming apparatus;
A jam counter for counting the number of times a jam has occurred in image formation by the image forming apparatus;
Measuring means for measuring an elapsed time in a jam state;
If the elapsed time of the jam state measured by the measuring means is equal to or longer than a predetermined elapsed time, an alarm signal is output to the management device via the communication line, and the elapsed time of the jam state is set to the predetermined time. If the elapsed time has not reached, the jam rate calculated by calculating the jam rate which is the ratio of the number of image formations counted by the image forming counter to the number of jams counted by the jam counter is calculated. Alarm signal output means for outputting an alarm signal to the management device when a predetermined occurrence rate is reached;
An image forming apparatus for an image forming management system, comprising:   The image forming apparatus further includes a jam recovery detecting unit that detects that a jam recovery process has been performed after the occurrence of the jam and resets the image forming counter and the count of the jam counter. The image forming apparatus of the image forming management system according to claim 6.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the jam recovery detecting unit detects that the jam recovery processing has been performed based on a door opening / closing operation of the image forming apparatus main body. Image forming apparatus of management system.   The image forming management system according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes an alarm level setting unit that receives a setting input of the predetermined occurrence rate. Image forming apparatus.   10. The image forming management system according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes an alarm time setting unit configured to receive a setting input of the predetermined elapsed time. Image forming apparatus. A management method for an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus that manages the image forming apparatuses are connected via a communication line,
An image formation counting step of counting the number of image formations on recording paper by the image forming apparatus;
A jam counting step of counting the number of times a jam has occurred in image formation by the image forming apparatus;
A measuring process for measuring an elapsed time in a jam state,
When the elapsed time of the jam state measured in the measuring step is equal to or longer than a predetermined elapsed time, an alarm signal is output to the management device via the communication line, and the elapsed time of the jam state is set to the predetermined time. If the elapsed time has not reached, the jam rate calculated by calculating the ratio of the number of image formations counted in the image formation counting step to the number of jams counted in the jam counting step is calculated. An alarm signal output step of outputting an alarm signal to the management device when the jam rate reaches a predetermined occurrence rate;
A method for managing an image forming system, comprising:   12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a jam recovery detecting step of detecting that a jam recovery process has been performed after the occurrence of the jam and resetting the counts of the image forming counter and the jam counter. Management method of an image forming system.   13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the jam recovery detecting step detects that the jam recovery processing has been performed based on a door opening / closing operation of the image forming apparatus main body. How to manage the system.   The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising an alarm level setting step of receiving the setting input of the predetermined occurrence rate.   The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising an alarm time setting step of receiving a setting input of the predetermined elapsed time.

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