JP2006184722A - Image forming apparatus with self-checking function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus with self-checking function capable of hindering degradation of apparatus reliability and progressive deterioration by detecting abnormal sounds of the unit of the image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has a plurality of sound sensors for detecting the operating sounds of the apparatus and compares the pre-collected operating sounds of the apparatus and the newly-collected operating sounds, thereby discriminating the abnormal states of the apparatus and timing. The apparatus includes a first unit prescribing means for prescribing the abnormal unit from the result of the discrimination and a sequence table of operation sequences of the apparatus. Further, the apparatus also includes a second unit prescribing means for calculating the position of the emission of an abnormal sound from the abnormal timing and the sound sensors and prescribing the unit from a unit position table for the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a means for prescribing the abnormal unit from the result of prescribing by the first/the second unit prescribing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention connects an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer to a remote information collecting apparatus via a communication network, collects data on the operating state of the image forming apparatus, and performs maintenance / management. In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a self-diagnosis function.

  Attempts have been made to monitor the operating status of equipment from a remote location to reduce system downtime, reduce the number of visits by service personnel, and reduce the burden on system administrators.

  Many of recent image forming apparatuses are provided with means for acquiring information such as the remaining amount of toner, the remaining amount of paper, and a system error (a cover is opened and a jam has occurred) from a remote location.

  These consumables such as the remaining amount of toner and the remaining amount of paper have been conventionally monitored since they must be replaced by humans.

  However, in recent years, many attempts have been made to recycle products and parts from the viewpoint of protecting the global environment. Since used parts are shipped in new products before shipment, motors and clutches that have not been subject to monitoring in the past have been used. It is necessary to monitor from a remote location.

Therefore, for example, it has been proposed to install a microphone in each unit of the apparatus, collect each sound, and determine normality / abnormality (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-200414

  However, in the method of installing microphones in each unit, the same number of microphones as the monitoring target units are required, and the scale becomes large. In addition, there is a risk of making an erroneous determination from the sound of other parts or the environmental sound of the office.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides an image having a self-diagnosis function for detecting an abnormality of the apparatus from the generation of sound considering the operation sequence of the apparatus and the position detection function using the acoustic sensor. In addition to providing an image forming apparatus, an image image forming apparatus such as a copier or printer is connected to a remote information collecting apparatus via a communication network to collect data on the operating state of the image forming apparatus, An object of the present invention is to provide an image information collection system for management.

  In order to achieve the above object, a plurality of sound detection means for detecting the operation sound of the apparatus, a recognition means for recognizing the operation sound of the apparatus collected by one or more of the plurality of sound detection means, and pre-collection The device operation noise is compared with the recognition result by the recognition means, the abnormality of the apparatus, the abnormality timing determination means for determining the timing of the abnormal state, the determination result by the abnormality timing determination means, and the apparatus constitutes the apparatus First unit specifying means for specifying an abnormal unit from a sequence table showing an operation sequence of the unit, timing of an abnormal state by the abnormal timing determining means, and generation for calculating a sound generation position from the plurality of sound detecting means The unit is calculated from the position calculation means, the calculation result by the generation position calculation means, and the unit position table indicating the position of the unit. And a second unit specifying means for specifying includes the specific result of the first unit specification unit, from the specific results with the second unit specification unit, and an abnormality unit specifying means for specifying the abnormal unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to more accurately perform self-diagnosis for detecting an abnormality of a device from the occurrence of abnormal sound of a unit / component taking into account the operation sequence of the device and the position detection function of the unit / component using an acoustic sensor. It becomes possible to do. In addition, an information collection system for maintaining and managing the image forming apparatus can be provided by transmitting this diagnosis result to a remote information collection apparatus via a communication network.

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

  FIG. 2 shows a network system configured according to this embodiment.

  Reference numeral 200 in the figure denotes an Internet communication network. Reference numeral 202 denotes an information collection device. The information collecting apparatus 202 is connected to an image forming apparatus 220 connected via the Internet 200, and receives and stores an operation status log of the image forming apparatus 220 by a communication function. Depending on the contents of the received operating status log, the image forming apparatus 202 is supported from various aspects by ordering parts or notifying a service person who performs maintenance of the apparatus in the event of an abnormality.

  A firewall 203 connects the inside of the LAN 2011 shown below and an external communication network (Internet 200), and performs security management and the like. Reference numeral 210 denotes each of the device management servers 211 to 214 and 220 connected via the LAN 2011. Reference numeral 211 denotes a file server, which allows a plurality of users connected via a LAN to share data.

  An image forming apparatus 220 such as a digital copying machine mainly has an image input / output function. In this image forming apparatus 220, 140 is an operation unit for a user to perform various operations, 10 is an image scanner for reading an image in accordance with instructions from the operation unit 140 and the personal computers 212 and 213, and 20 is a personal computer 212 and 213. Or a printer that prints data from the file server 211 on paper.

  A controller unit 30 controls input / output of image data to and from the scanner 10 and the printer 20 based on instructions from the operation unit 140 and the personal computers 212 and 213. For example, control is performed such that image data captured by the scanner 10 is stored in a memory inside the controller, output to the personal computers 212 and 213, or printed by the printer 20. A printer 214 can print image data from the personal computers 212 and 213 and the file server 211 on a recording medium. Reference numerals 212 and 213 denote personal computers connected as terminal devices. Information provided from the web server 201 via the Internet 200 can be browsed, and image data can be output to the image forming apparatus 220 and the printer 214.

  The above configuration is configured such that the LAN 2011 is connected to the Internet via the firewall 203, but a configuration in which a firewall is connected via the service provider 204 may also be used.

  The appearance of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG.

  The scanner unit 10 as an image input device irradiates a document image with a lamp, reads it with a CCD line sensor (not shown), and converts it into an electrical signal to process it as image data. The original paper is set on the original feeder 142, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 140, the feeder 2072 feeds the original paper one by one and performs an original image reading operation.

  The printer unit 20 that is an image output device is a part that converts image data into an image on paper. In the specification of this patent, the electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt will be described. An ink jet system that prints an image directly on a sheet by ejecting ink from a minute nozzle array may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from a controller (described later) inside the apparatus. The printer unit 20 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has paper cassettes 2101, 2102, 2103, and 2104 corresponding thereto. Further, the paper on which the image is formed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 132.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Details of the operation will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes an original platen glass on which originals fed from the automatic document feeder 142 are sequentially placed at predetermined positions. Reference numeral 102 denotes a document illumination lamp composed of, for example, a halogen lamp, which exposes a document placed on the document table glass 101. Reference numerals 103, 104, and 105 denote scanning mirrors, which are accommodated in an optical scanning unit (not shown), and guide reflected light from the original to the CCD unit 106 while reciprocating. The CCD unit 106 includes an imaging lens 107 that forms an image of reflected light from an original on the CCD, for example, an image sensor 108 composed of a CCD, a CCD driver 109 that drives the image sensor 108, and the like. An image signal output from the image sensor 108 is converted into, for example, 8-bit digital data and then input to the controller unit 139. Reference numeral 110 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is discharged by a pre-exposure lamp 112 in preparation for image formation. A primary charger 113 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 110. Reference numeral 117 denotes an exposure unit, which is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser and exposes the photosensitive drum 110 based on image data processed by the controller unit 139 that controls image formation and the entire apparatus, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. . Reference numeral 118 denotes a developing device that contains a black developer (toner). A pre-transfer charger 119 applies a high voltage before transferring the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 110 onto a sheet. Reference numerals 120, 122, 124, 142, and 144 denote paper feeding units (120 is a manual paper feeding unit), and the transfer paper is fed into the apparatus by driving the paper feeding rollers 121, 123, 125, 143, and 145. Then, the operation is temporarily stopped at the position where the registration roller 126 is disposed, and the writing start timing with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is taken and the paper is fed again. A transfer charger 127 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 110 onto a transfer sheet to be fed. Reference numeral 128 denotes a separation charger that separates the transfer sheet on which the transfer operation has been completed from the photosensitive drum 110. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 110 without being transferred is collected by the cleaner 111. Reference numeral 129 denotes a conveyance belt which conveys the transfer sheet on which the transfer process has been completed to the fixing device 130 and is fixed by heat, for example. Reference numeral 131 denotes a flapper that controls the transfer path of the transfer sheet after the fixing process to one of the arrangement directions of the sorter 132 and the intermediate tray 137. Reference numerals 133 to 136 denote feeding rollers which feed the transfer paper once the fixing process is completed to the intermediate tray 137 by being reversed (multiple) or non-reversed (both sides). Reference numeral 138 denotes a re-feed roller that transports the transfer paper placed on the intermediate tray 137 to the position where the registration roller 126 is disposed again.

  The controller unit 139 includes a microcomputer, an image processing unit, and the like, which will be described later, and performs the above-described image forming operation in accordance with an instruction from the man-machine interface device 140.

  The configuration of the operation unit 140 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit 1032 has a touch panel sheet affixed on the LCD, displays an operation screen of the system, and transmits position information to the controller unit 30 when a displayed key is pressed. This will be described later with reference to FIG. The numeric keypad 1028 is used when inputting numbers such as the number of copies. A start key 1029 is used when starting a document image reading operation. A stop key 1030 is used to stop an operation in operation. A reset key 1031 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.

  Reference numeral 1023 denotes a guide key. When the key function is not understood, an explanation of the key is displayed. Reference numeral 1024 denotes a copy mode key which is pressed when copying. Reference numeral 1025 denotes a fax key which is pressed to make settings related to fax. A file key 1026 is pressed to output file data. Reference numeral 1027 denotes a printer key, which is used when settings relating to print output from an external device such as a computer are made.

FIG. 6 is a basic screen displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel 140.
Reference numeral 1001 denotes an extended function key. When this key is pressed, a mode such as double-sided copying, multiple copying, movement, binding margin setting, frame erasing setting, or the like is entered. An image mode key 1002 enters a setting mode for performing shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking on a copy image. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a user mode key, which can register a mode memory and set a standard mode screen for each user. Reference numeral 1004 denotes an applied zoom key, which enters a mode for independently scaling the X and Y directions of a document, and a zoom program mode for calculating a scaling ratio from the document size and copy size. Reference numerals 1005, 1006, and 1007 denote an M1 key, an M2 key, and an M3 key, which are pressed when calling each mode memory. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a call key, which is pressed to call the copy mode that was previously set. An option key 1009 sets an optional function such as a film projector for copying directly from a film. Reference numeral 1010 denotes a sorter key for setting modes such as sort output and group output. Reference numeral 1011 denotes a document mixed loading key which is pressed when setting A4 size and A3 size or B5 size and B4 size documents together in the document feeder. Reference numeral 1012 denotes an equal magnification key which is pressed when the copy magnification is set to 100%. Reference numerals 1014 and 1015 denote a reduction key and an enlargement key, respectively, which are pressed when performing regular reduction or enlargement. Reference numeral 1016 denotes a zoom key which is pressed when performing non-standard reduction or enlargement in increments of 1%. A sheet selection key 1013 is pressed when selecting a copy sheet. The density keys 1018 and 1020 are darkly copied every time 1018 is pressed, and lightly copied every time 1020 is pressed. Reference numeral 1017 denotes a density display. When the density key is pressed, the display changes to the left and right. Reference numeral 1019 denotes an AE key which is pressed when a document having a dark background such as a newspaper is copied for automatic density adjustment. Reference numeral 1021 denotes a HiFi key, which is pressed when copying a document having a large halftone density such as a photographic document. Reference numeral 1022 denotes a character emphasis key which is pressed when it is desired to make a character stand out when copying a character document.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the scanner 10 and the printer 20 in the image forming apparatus.

  A CPU 751 controls the entire scanner 10 and sequentially reads and executes the program from a read-only memory 753 (ROM) that stores the control program. The CPU address bus and data bus are connected to each load via a circuit comprising a bus driver and an address decoder 752. Further, it is connected to the CPU of the controller unit 30 and performs communication.

  Reference numeral 754 denotes a random access memory (RAM) as a main storage device used as input data storage, a working storage area, or the like. Reference numeral 755 denotes an I / O interface, and each load of devices such as a motor 756, a lamp 757, and a paper detection sensor 758 for detecting a sheet to be conveyed is driven. Connected to.

  The image data read by the CCD unit 106 is transferred to the controller 30.

  Next, reference numeral 701 denotes a CPU that controls the printer 20, and sequentially reads and executes a program from a read-only memory 703 (ROM) storing a control procedure (control program). The address bus and data bus of the CPU 701 are connected to each load through the bus driver circuit and address decoder circuit 702. Reference numeral 704 denotes a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used as a storage area for input data, a working storage area, or the like. Reference numeral 705 denotes an I / O interface, and motors 707, clutches 708, solenoids 709 for driving the paper feed system, transport system, and optical system, and paper detection sensors 710 for detecting the transported paper. Connected to each load of the device. The developing device 118 is provided with a toner residual detection sensor 711 that detects the amount of toner in the developing device, and its output signal is input to the I / O port 705. A high voltage unit 715 outputs a high voltage to the above-described primary charger 113, developing device 118, pre-transfer charger 119, transfer charger 127, and separation charger 128 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 701.

  The image signal output from the CCD unit 106 is subjected to image processing, which will be described later, by the controller unit 30 and outputs a control signal 117 of the laser unit according to the image data. Laser light output from the laser unit 117 irradiates and exposes the photosensitive drum 110, and a light emission state is detected by a beam detection sensor 713 serving as a light receiving sensor in a non-image area. 705 is input.

  A block diagram of the controller unit is shown in FIG. The controller unit 30 is connected to the scanner 10 which is an image input device and the printer 20 which is an image output device, and on the other hand, is connected to a LAN 2011 or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input / output image information and device information. It is a controller. A CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for operating the CPU 2002, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software, image data, software counter values, and the like. An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface unit with an operation unit (UI) 140 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 140 to the operation unit 140. Further, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 140 to the CPU 2001. A network 2010 is connected to the LAN 2011 and inputs / outputs information. A Modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs information. The acoustic sensor detection units 1 to 4 (500 to 503) are connected to the acoustic sensors 1 to 4 (550 to 553), respectively, and control signals input via the acoustic sensors. A scanner / printer communication I / F 2006 is an I / F for communicating with the CPUs of the scanner 10 and the printer 20. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

  An Image Bus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts a data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008. A raster image processor (RIP) 2060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. A device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 10 and the printer 20 which are image input / output devices to the controller 30 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 performs compression / decompression processing of JPEG for multi-value image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

Hereinafter, each block in the controller unit 30 shown in FIG. 8 will be described.
FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080. The image bus I / F controller 2081 is connected to the image bus 2008 and controls the bus access sequence and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080. The filter processing unit 2082 performs a convolution operation with a spatial filter. For example, the editing unit 2083 recognizes a closed area surrounded by a marker pen from the input image data, and performs image processing such as shading, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed area. A scaling unit 2084 performs enlargement and reduction by performing an interpolation operation in the main scanning direction of the raster image when changing the resolution of the read image. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). A table 2085 is table conversion performed to convert image data, which is read luminance data, into density data. Binarization 2086 binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing.

  The processed image data is transferred to the image bus via the image bus controller 2081 again.

  The configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2091 is connected to the image bus 2008, and controls the bus access sequence and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2090. A resolution conversion unit 2092 performs resolution conversion for converting image data coming from the network 2011 or the public line 2051 to the resolution of the printer 20. The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs processing to smooth out jaggies of the image data after resolution conversion (roughness of an image appearing at a black and white border such as an oblique line).

  The configuration of the image compression unit 2040 is shown in FIG. Image bus The / F controller 2041 is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus access sequence, timing control for exchanging data with the input buffer 2042 and the output buffer 2045, mode setting for the image compression unit 2043, and the like. Control. The processing procedure of the image compression processing unit is shown below.

  Settings for image compression control are performed from the CPU 2001 to the image bus I / F controller 2041 via the image bus 2008. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 makes settings necessary for image compression (for example, MMR compression, JBIG expansion, etc.) to the image compression unit 2043. After performing the necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 2041. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2041 starts transferring image data from each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042, and the image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 2043. At this time, the input buffer determines whether image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, reads the image data from the image bus 2008, and reads the image compression unit 2043. When it is impossible to write an image on the screen, control is performed so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshaking). The image compression unit 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing to be performed, and several lines of image data are prepared in order to compress the first one line. This is because the image cannot be compressed unless it is empty. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045. The output buffer 2045 performs handshaking with the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043 and transfers the image data to the image bus I / F controller 2041. The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred compressed (or expanded) image data to each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the necessary number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from this image compression unit (when an error occurs during compression and expansion). It is.

  The configuration of the image rotation unit 2030 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2031 is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus sequence, control to set a mode or the like in the image rotation unit 2032, and timing to transfer image data to the image rotation unit 2032 Take control. The processing procedure of the image rotation unit is shown below.

  Settings for image rotation control are performed from the CPU 2001 to the image bus I / F controller 2031 via the image bus 2008. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 makes settings necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction / angle, etc.) to the image rotation unit 2032. After performing the necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 2041. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2031 starts transferring image data from each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. Here, the size is 32 bits and the image size to be rotated is 32 × 32 (bits), and image data is transferred in units of 32 bits when transferring image data on the image bus 2008 ( The image to be handled is assumed to be binary).

  As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform the above unit data transfer 32 times, and it is necessary to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses (see FIG. 13). ).

  The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written in the RAM 2033 so that it is rotated at a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, if the rotation is 90 degrees counterclockwise, the first transferred 32-bit image data is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. By reading in the X direction at the time of reading, the image is rotated.

  After the 32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (writing to the RAM 2033) is completed, the image rotation unit 2032 reads the image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-described reading method, and transfers the image to the image bus I / F controller 2031.

  The image bus I / F controller 2031 that has received the rotated image data transfers the data to each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008 by continuous addressing.

  Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the necessary number of pages is completed).

  The configuration of the device I / F unit 2020 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2021 is connected to the image bus 2008, and controls the bus access sequence and generates control and timing of each device in the device I / F unit 2020. In addition, control signals to the scanner 10 and the printer 20 are generated. The scan buffer 2022 temporarily stores the image data sent from the scanner 10 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the image bus 2008. The serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023 arranges the image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 in order or decomposes and converts the image data into a data width that can be transferred to the image bus 2008. The parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion 2024 decomposes the image data transferred from the image bus 2008 or arranges the image data in order, and converts the image data into a data width that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. A print buffer 2025 temporarily stores image data sent from the image bus 2008 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the printer 20.

  The processing procedure at the time of image scanning is shown below. The image data sent from the scanner 10 is stored in the scan buffer 2022 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 10. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when the image data is 32 bits or more in the buffer, the image data is sent from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023 in the first-in first-out manner. Is transferred to the image bus 2008 through the image bus I / F controller 2021. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the image data in the buffer is first-in-first-out, sent from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023, converted into serial image data, and then converted into serial image data through the image bus I / F controller 2021. Transfer on 2008.

  The processing procedure at the time of image printing is shown below. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller, sent to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion 2024, and the number of input data bits of the printer 20 Are stored in the print buffer 2025. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE 1394, serial image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller and sent to the parallel serial / serial / parallel conversion 2024 to determine the number of input data bits of the printer 20. It is converted into image data and stored in the print buffer 2025. Then, in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the printer 20, the image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 20 in a first-in first-out manner.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing details of acoustic sensor detection units 1 to 4 (500 to 503), which is a feature of the present invention.

  The acoustic sensor detection unit 1 (500) includes a circuit that inputs sound data input from the acoustic sensor 1 (550) to the CPU 2001 of the controller unit 30 via the system bus 2007.

  A bus I / F control unit 511 inputs a control signal to the timing control unit 512 in order to generate read / write timing to the FIFO memory 531 and exchanges sound data between the system bus 2007 and the FIFO 531. In addition, the CPU 2001 also performs an interrupt to the CPU 2001 based on the read / write to various registers of the register control unit 513 and the interrupt signal input by the interrupt generation unit 515.

  Reference numeral 512 denotes a timing control unit that controls timing of reading / writing to the FIFO 531 according to a control signal of the bus I / F control unit 511, a control register of the register control unit 513, and a status register. Further, the address indicating the write position and read position of the FIFO 531 is provided as a counter register of the register control unit 513, and count-up control is also performed.

  A register control unit 513 includes a bus I / F control unit 511, a timing control unit 512, an amplifier ON_OFF control unit 514, an interrupt generation unit 515, an A / D control unit 516, data conversion units 532 and 534, and a thinning-out unit 533. It includes status registers, control registers, and counter registers that are used, and also controls these registers.

  An amplifier ON_OFF control unit 514 performs ON_OFF control of the amplifier 537 according to the control register of the register control unit 513. This control register is controlled by the CPU 2001 via the bus I / F control unit 511.

  An interrupt generation unit 515 generates an interrupt signal when the status of the status register of the register control unit 513 changes, and outputs the interrupt signal to the CPU 2001 via the bus I / F control unit 511. Here, as an example of generating the interrupt signal, when reading / writing of the FIFO 531 is completed, processing of the voice input / output unit 500 is completed, and the like.

  Reference numeral 516 denotes an A / D control unit that performs sampling frequency change, ON_OFF control, and conversion start control of the A / D conversion unit 535 in accordance with the control register of the register control unit 513. This control register is controlled by the CPU 2001 via the bus I / F control unit 511.

  Reference numeral 531 denotes a FIFO (First In First Out), which is a buffer memory for sound data. Here, the FIFO may have a double buffer configuration.

  Data conversion units 532 and 534 are data conversion units for matching the data width used in the data processing with the data width of the FIFO 531 or the A / D conversion unit 535 like the thinning-out unit 533. This conversion unit becomes unnecessary when all the data is processed with the same data width.

  Reference numeral 536 denotes an LPF (Low Pass Filter), which is a filter that cuts high frequency components. Reference numeral 537 denotes an amplifier that amplifies the signal, and ON_OFF is controlled by the amplifier ON_OFF control unit 514. Reference numeral 533 denotes a thinning unit, which thins out data when the sampling frequency of sound data is smaller than the sampling frequency in the A / D conversion unit 535 and the amount of data is small. Further, the thinning method is changed according to the control register of the register control unit 513.

  Reference numeral 535 denotes an A / D conversion unit that converts an analog signal into a digital signal in accordance with the sampling frequency set by the A / D / control unit 516.

  Similarly to the units 500 and 550, reference numerals 501 to 503 denote acoustic sensor detection units 2 to 4, and the sound data input by the acoustic sensors 2 to 4 (551 to 553) is sent to the CPU 2001 of the controller unit 30 from the system bus 2007. It is comprised from the circuit which inputs via.

  16 to 19 are flowcharts showing the flow of abnormal sound detection.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of abnormal sound detection.

  The operation sound determination routine is a routine for specifying a sound generation source from the generated sound collected through the sensor and the operation sequence of the apparatus. The next position determination routine is a routine for specifying the sound source position from the time difference between the generated sounds collected by the sensors.

  The abnormality determination reach determines whether or not the unit of the apparatus is abnormal from the result of the operation sound determination routine and the position determination routine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of the operation sound determination routine of FIG.
The sequence data sound is calculated from the operation sound of the apparatus collected by the acoustic sensor.
Next, the sequence data sound collected in advance and stored in the HDD 2004 of FIG. 8 is read from the HDD 2004 and compared with the data in the operation sequence calculated in the above step.

  Data comparison is performed depending on whether the waveform and volume differ by a certain level.

  If the difference is within a predetermined level as a result of the data comparison, the abnormal sound is not detected, but if there is a difference of a predetermined level or more, it is determined that there is a unit that generates the abnormal sound, and the next step Migrate to

  When it is estimated that there is a unit generating an abnormal sound, the generation source is estimated by comparing the time in the sequence with the operation timing chart of each unit shown in FIG.

  FIG. 20 shows an operation timing chart when performing single-sided copying of two A4 size originals. A black line portion indicates a case where each unit is operating, and a white line portion indicates a case where each unit is stopped.

  The operation sound can be collected via the acoustic sensor by the motor indicated by M1 to M6, the solenoid indicated by SL1, and the clutch indicated by CL1 and CL2.

  When two originals are set in the ADF and the copy start key is turned on, the original illumination lamp is turned on and reading of the original is started. In the section A, each unit starts its operation, and the first sheet is fed from the cassette 1. In the section B, feeding of the second sheet is started, and at the same time, an image of the first document is formed on the sheet. In section C, the image of the second original is formed on the second sheet.

  For example, if it is estimated that there is an abnormality at time T1, the units operating at that time are the laser scanner motor M5, the paper feed motor M4, the drum motor M1, the main motor M2, and the fixing motor M6. Therefore, it is estimated that an abnormal sound is generated from one of them.

  The flow shown in FIG. 17 may be performed only for one of the data collected by the four sensors, or may be performed for all the data collected by the four sensors. However, it is necessary to match the sequence sound collection method that has been collected in advance with the collection method during operation.

  Next, the position determination routine of FIG. 16 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In this flow, the sound source is identified by detecting and using the time difference of the operation sound from the sound data collected using the four acoustic sensors at the timing determined as abnormal by the operation sound determination routine. .

  As shown in FIG. 21, the four acoustic sensors are arranged on the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis of the apparatus.

  Sensor 1 is located at (0,0,0), sensor 2 is located at (0,90,0), sensor 3 is located at (100,0,0), and sensor 4 is located at (0,0,130). (Unit: cm).

  Moreover, each unit which can collect an operation sound via an acoustic sensor is arrange | positioned in the position shown in FIG. 22, FIG. FIG. 24 shows coordinate data indicating the positions of these units. Position information of motors such as an optical system motor, solenoids, and clutches is stored in the HDD 2004 of FIG. 8 as a unit position table.

  Returning to the position determination routine of FIG. 18, the time difference between the two sensors is calculated from the operation sounds collected by the four sensors, and the position (coordinates) of the sound source is specified.

  Thereafter, referring to the unit position table shown in FIG. 24, the sound source candidates are squeezed.

  For example, if the sound source position is calculated as the position (10, 25, 20) as a result of the sound source position calculation during the time T1 indicating the abnormal state, the unit close to that position is determined from the unit position reference table. It can be seen that it is M4 (10, 24, 20). From this result, the abnormal sound source unit candidate is the paper feed motor M4.

  Further, it can be determined from the position data of the sound source whether the sound source of the abnormal sound is inside or outside the device.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the abnormality determination routine of FIG.
If it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality determination unit from the results of the operation sound determination routine of FIG. 17 and the position determination routine of FIG. 18, the unit is specified.

  In addition, since the sheet feeding motor M4 is common to the selected unit from the two flows described in the present embodiment, it is said that the sheet feeding motor M4 generates an abnormal sound due to the abnormality determination flow. Can be determined.

  By sending the determination result in this way to the information collecting apparatus 202 via the Internet 200 shown in FIG. 2, the subsequent apparatus maintenance can be performed more efficiently and accurately.

  Further, more detailed diagnosis can be performed by increasing the number of operation sequence tables and position tables related to the units and parts of the apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the form of notifying the information collection apparatus 202 of the diagnosis result has been described. However, the diagnosis content may be displayed on the operation unit of the apparatus.

It is a figure which shows the structure of a voice input / output unit. It is a figure which shows the network system containing the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an operation part. It is a figure which shows a LCD display. 2 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a scanner 10 and a printer 20 in the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a controller unit. It is a figure which shows the block diagram of a scanner image processing part. 2 is a block diagram of a printer image processing unit. FIG. It is a figure which shows the block diagram of an image compression process part. It is a figure which shows the block diagram of an image rotation part. It is a figure which shows explanatory drawing of an image rotation process. It is a figure which shows explanatory drawing of an image rotation process. It is a figure which shows the block diagram of a device I / F part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of abnormal sound detection. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation sound judgment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a position judgment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of abnormality detection. It is a timing chart which shows the operation timing of a unit. It is a figure which shows sensor arrangement | positioning in an apparatus. It is a figure which shows the position of each unit. It is a figure which shows the position of each unit. It is a figure which shows the reference table which shows the position of a unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Scanner 20 Printer 30 Controller 140 Operation part 200 Internet communication network 202 Information collecting device 203 Firewall 210 Equipment management server 211 File server 212 Personal computer 213 Personal computer 214 Printer

Claims (1)

A plurality of sound detection means for detecting the operation sound of the device;
Recognizing means for recognizing operation sound of the apparatus collected by one or more of the plurality of sound detecting means;
The operation sound of the device collected in advance and the recognition result by the recognition means are compared, and the abnormality timing determination means for determining the abnormality of the device and the timing of the abnormal state,
First unit specifying means for specifying an abnormal unit from a determination result by the abnormal timing determination means and a sequence table showing an operation sequence of units constituting the apparatus;
An abnormal state timing by the abnormal timing determination means, and a generation position calculation means for calculating a sound generation position from the plurality of sound detection means,
A calculation result by the generation position calculating means, and a second unit specifying means for specifying a unit from a unit position table indicating the position of the unit,
An image forming apparatus having a self-diagnosis function, comprising: an abnormal unit specifying unit that specifies an abnormal unit from a specifying result by the first unit specifying unit and a specifying result by the second unit specifying unit.