JP2008092315A - Remote management system of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system which can perform remote diagnosis of existence of fault in an image forming apparatus having various peripheral units. <P>SOLUTION: Sound generated during operation of an image forming apparatus 1 is collected by a sound collection means 3, and that sound data is associated with operation information and transmitted by a transmission means 4 to a central management center 2 through a communication line 5. In the central management center 2, the sound data and the operation information of peripheral units thus transmitted are received by a reception means 6, recorded in a recorder 8, frequency analysis of the sound data is performed in a frequency analyzer 9, frequency analysis results of the transmitted sound data are compared with a specified value at each peak frequency, and a decision is made that the image forming apparatus is normal if the frequency analysis results are below the specified value at all frequencies. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention connects an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus via a communication line, and the management apparatus centrally manages OA devices such as printers, digital copying machines, plain paper fax machines, etc. via the communication line. The present invention relates to a remote management system for an image forming apparatus.

  In a conventional remote management system for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is connected to a management apparatus (collecting apparatus) installed in a service center online using a communication line such as a public line. It is possible to transmit data related to an image forming apparatus by remote control.

  In the remote management system described in Patent Document 1, when the copying machine detects an abnormality, it communicates the abnormality to the center. When the center determines that the operation of the copying machine needs to be stopped, the remote operation is performed. A technique for stopping the operation of a copying machine is disclosed.

  In addition, a remote management system that samples the operation sound of a copying machine and detects an abnormality has been proposed. In the remote management system described in Patent Document 2, the center holds information on normal sound or vibration of the copier, and the center receives information on detection of sound or vibration during the copying operation from the copier, Disclosed is a technology that, when the level of sound or vibration exceeds a specified level, identifies the location of an abnormality compared to the information held, and if necessary, prohibits the use of units that are judged to be abnormal inside the copier Has been.

  As described above, in the abnormality detection by sound in the conventional remote management system of the copying machine, it is determined that the sound is abnormal when the sound level is high, but the sound signal actually input from the sound sampling microphone is In addition, not only signals of interest but also sounds from other operation parts are added, so it is often difficult to identify abnormalities. Furthermore, when a loud sound is generated as an external sound, the input sound signal also has low reliability. Further, even if the unit abnormality can be detected by the judgment based on the sound volume, it is not possible to identify the abnormal part.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 3 discloses a plurality of abnormality detection means for acquiring an operation sound inside the copying machine as an electric signal and detecting an abnormal state of the copying machine based on the signal. A technique has been proposed in which abnormality analysis means is switched in accordance with the operating state of the copying machine. As one of the abnormality analysis means, if sampling analysis of sound is performed in synchronization with the rotation cycle of the rotating body inside the copier, and harmonics are detected with respect to the rotation frequency, the rotating body parts are detected as abnormal. A method has been proposed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-21859 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-302019 JP 2000-81813 A

  Incidentally, in recent years, image forming apparatuses are often provided with various peripheral devices. In such an image forming apparatus, the sound generation state differs greatly between the case where each peripheral device is operating and the case where each peripheral device is not operating. Accordingly, since the operation sound during normal operation of the image forming apparatus varies greatly depending on the operating status of each peripheral device, accurate remote diagnosis of the image forming apparatus cannot be performed without considering the operating status of each peripheral device.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of accurately performing remote diagnosis of the presence or absence of abnormality of an image forming apparatus in a remote management system for an image forming apparatus provided with various peripheral devices. In addition, it is possible to identify abnormal parts instantly without the user visiting the user, and to immediately replace the part by visiting the user with a replacement part, thereby shortening the down time of the image forming apparatus. The purpose is to provide a system.

  According to the first aspect of the image forming apparatus remote management system of the present invention, there is provided a sound collecting means for collecting sound characteristics during operation of an image forming apparatus having various peripheral devices, and the sound collecting means. Communication means for sending the collected sound data to a place away from the image forming apparatus, storage means for storing normal sound data of the image forming apparatus during each operation of the peripheral device, and sent sound data In the remote management system of the image forming apparatus provided with the analysis means for comparing and analyzing the sound data stored in the storage means, each operation information of the peripheral unit of the image forming apparatus and the sound collecting means The sound data is associated and sent to a place away from the image forming apparatus using the communication unit, and the peripheral unit is stored in the storage unit based on the operation information of the peripheral unit at each operation. And normal sound data of the serial image forming apparatus, analyzes the sound data collected by the sound collecting means at said analyzing means, characterized by determining the presence or absence of an abnormality.

  That is, in a remote management system for an image forming apparatus including various peripheral devices, the sound generation state differs greatly between when the peripheral device is operating and when the peripheral device is not operating. Therefore, normal sound data in various operating conditions of the peripheral device is stored in the storage means, sound data during operation of the image forming apparatus, and sound data of each peripheral device stored in the storage means according to the operating status Thus, it is possible to accurately perform remote diagnosis of the presence or absence of an abnormality in an image forming apparatus provided with a peripheral device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the remote management system for an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the peripheral device is stored in the storage unit based on the operation information of the peripheral device at the time of each operation. Normal sound data of the image forming apparatus and sound data collected by the sound collecting means are analyzed by the analyzing means, and the peak value of the waveform of the collected sound data is a predetermined sound at the time of each operation of the peripheral device. When the data is out of the normal range, it is determined that the image forming apparatus has an abnormality. Then, in a remote management system for an image forming apparatus provided with various peripheral devices, it is possible to accurately execute a remote diagnosis for the presence or absence of an abnormality.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the remote management system for an image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, each operation time of the peripheral device stored in the storage unit is based on each operation information of the peripheral device. The normal sound data of the image forming apparatus and the sound data collected by the sound collecting means are analyzed by the analyzing means, and the peak value of the sound waveform with respect to the time axis of the collected sound data is the normality of the predetermined sound data When it is out of the range, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image forming apparatus. With this configuration, it is possible to more accurately execute remote diagnosis of the presence / absence of an abnormality in a remote management system for an image forming apparatus including various peripheral devices.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the remote management system for an image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when it is determined that there is an abnormality in a part related to a sound waveform with respect to a time axis that is out of the normal range, the part is attached. It is characterized by determining that the peripheral device is abnormal, and it is possible to identify the part in which the abnormality has occurred and the peripheral device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the remote management system for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, at least one or more of the sound collecting means are disposed in the vicinity of each peripheral device. In a remote management system for an image forming apparatus equipped with various peripheral devices, it is possible to reliably collect sound during operation of each peripheral device and improve the accuracy of remote diagnosis for occurrence of an abnormality.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the remote management system for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image forming apparatus serves as the peripheral device, such as an automatic document feeder, a paper post-processing device, and a large amount of paper feeding. In the remote management system of an image forming apparatus having at least one peripheral device, it is possible to accurately perform remote diagnosis of the presence / absence of an abnormality. .

  According to the present invention, normal sound data in various operating situations of the peripheral device is stored in the storage means, and the sound data during the operation of the image forming apparatus and each of the storage means stored in the storage means according to the operating situation. Since the sound data of the peripheral devices are compared, an image forming apparatus equipped with various peripheral devices has the effect of accurately performing remote diagnosis of the presence or absence of abnormality.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a remote management system of the present invention. This system mainly includes an image forming apparatus 1 installed at a plurality of service bases, and a central management center 2 that centrally manages these image forming apparatuses via a communication network such as a communication line 5. A centralized management center 2 that manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses is installed in an office that provides maintenance services for the image forming apparatus 1.

  In this system, the sound generated by the image forming apparatus 1 during operation is collected by the sound collecting means 3, and the sound data is transmitted to the central management center 2 by the transmission means 4 via the communication line 5. In the central management center 2, the transmitted sound data is received by the reception means 6 (in this example, the transmission means 4, the communication line 5, and the reception means 6 constitute the communication means, but other configurations are also possible. The sound data is analyzed by the analyzing means 7. In this way, the central management center 2 remotely manages the machine state of the image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a color image forming apparatus to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the color image forming apparatus described here, a plurality of photoconductors 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A are arranged on the same plane and rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The photoreceptor is composed of an organic or inorganic material having photoconductivity.

  As a full-color image forming apparatus using electrophotography, a color separation superposition transfer method is generally used. In this type of image forming apparatus, image information light obtained by separating a document into three colors of blue, red, and green is read by the document reading unit, and image calculation processing is performed based on the intensity level of each color light. Based on the obtained writing image data to be developed in each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (BK), optical writing is performed on the four photoconductors 1A to 4A. The obtained electrostatic latent images are developed by developing units 1B to 4B containing yellow, cyan, magenta and black developers provided for the respective photoreceptors 1A to 4A.

  In the illustrated example, each color separation image information is optically color-separated by a document reading unit 29 provided at the top of the color image forming apparatus main body, read by three CCDs 20..., And based on the output signal. Optical writing is performed by the laser writing devices 1D to 4D installed corresponding to the photoreceptors 1A to 4A based on the color data obtained by the arithmetic processing.

  The photoreceptors 1A to 4A are negatively charged by the charging devices 1E to 4E, respectively, and the portion where the optical writing has been performed is reversely developed with the negatively charged toner. As the charging device, a device such as a corotron or a scorotron, which generates a charge by corona discharge and spreads it on the surface of the image carrier. In the arrangement of the developing devices 1B to 4B, 1B to 4B are used for yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toner, respectively, from the paper supply side, and the superimposing transfer is sequentially performed by the positive corona in this order. The transfer belt 25 is made of a dielectric material such as a polyester film and is positively charged by the transfer chargers 1C to 4C. Therefore, the transfer belt 25 is discharged by the charge removing device 26 after the transfer material is separated. The static eliminator 26 performs negative AC corona discharge with a charger from both sides of the transfer belt 25, neutralizes (charges) the accumulated charge on the transfer belt 25, and initializes the transfer belt 25. The transfer belt 25 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaning unit 22.

  The separation device 28 performs negative AC corona discharge with a charger from the upper surface of the transfer material, neutralizes (charges) accumulated charge on the transfer material, and removes toner dust due to peeling discharge when the transfer material is separated from the transfer belt 25. To prevent. After the transfer, the transfer material is separated from the transfer belt 25, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 21 to obtain a color image.

  The color image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a sorter 30, an automatic document feeder 31, and a mass feeding device 32 as peripheral devices. Here, a sorter is used as an example of a paper post-processing device, but a finisher or the like is also applicable. In any case, any peripheral device of the image forming apparatus is a target of remote management according to the present invention.

  Examples of the present invention will be described in more detail. Here, analysis of sound data by the analysis means 7 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of the analyzing means. As shown in the figure, the analyzing means 7 includes a recording device 8, a frequency analyzing device 9, a storage device 10, an abnormality determining device 11, and a display device 12.

  The recording device 8 records the sound data received by the receiving means 6, and the frequency analysis device 9 performs frequency analysis of the sound data. The storage device 10 stores frequency characteristics of sound data during normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1. At the same time, the operation information of the sorter 30, the automatic document feeder 31, and the mass feeding device 32 is transmitted to the central management center 2 in association with the collected sound data. The storage device 10 stores normal sound data corresponding to the operating status of the sorter 30, automatic document feeder 31, and mass feed device 32. Here, the sorter 30 is taken as an example of the paper post-processing apparatus, but the same applies to the case where a finisher or the like is provided.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing according to the present embodiment in the image forming apparatus 1 described above. Sound sampling, collection of operating status of peripheral devices (step 1), transmission of sound data and operating information of peripheral devices (step 1) Step 2). This routine is executed at the time of copy operation or power-on. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing according to the present embodiment in the analysis means 7 of the centralized management center 2, reading sound data (step 1), analyzing sound data (step 2), and determining whether there is an abnormality (step) 3) Consists of a display when an abnormality occurs (step 4). This routine is executed at the time of copy operation or power-on. FIG. 5 is also a flowchart showing processing according to the present embodiment in the image forming apparatus 1. This routine is executed periodically or by receiving sound data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1.

  Here, remote diagnosis in the case of printing out without operating the sorter 30, the automatic document feeder 31, and the large-volume paper feeder 32 will be described. FIG. 6 shows the frequency characteristics of normal sound when printing is performed without operating the sorter 30, the automatic document feeder 31, and the mass feeding device 32. This sound data is stored in the storage device 10 in association with operation information indicating that none of the sorter 30, the automatic document feeder 31, and the large-volume paper feeder 32 are in operation. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a prescribed value for the loudness is provided for each large peak frequency.

  Here, the specified value can be set as a ratio with sound data during normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, if the ratio of the specified value is 110% of the noise level during normal operation, the specified value in the case of 50 dB during normal operation is 55 dB.

The specified value can also be set as an increase with respect to sound data during normal operation of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, if the increment of the specified value is +4 dB of the noise level during normal operation, the specified value in the case of 50 dB during normal operation is 54 dB. As the increase in the specified value, a different specified value can be set for each peak frequency. Table 1 below shows specific specified values.

  First, sound generated during operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is collected by the sound collecting means 3, and the sound data is operated so that none of the sorter 30, the automatic document feeder 31, and the large-volume paper feeder 32 are in operation. In association with the information, the transmission means 4 transmits the information to the central management center 2 via the communication line 5. In the central management center 2, the received sound data and peripheral device operation information are received by the receiving means 6 and recorded in the recording device 8. Then, the frequency analysis device 9 performs frequency analysis of the sound data. Further, based on the operation information, the frequency characteristic of the sound shown in FIG.

  Then, the frequency analysis result of the transmitted sound data is compared with the specified value in FIG. 7 at each peak frequency, and if it is below the specified value at all frequencies, it is determined that the image forming apparatus is normal. On the other hand, if there is a frequency exceeding the specified value, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image forming apparatus, and that effect is displayed on the display device 12. In addition, the part related to the frequency exceeding the specified value is determined to be abnormal. When the occurrence of an abnormality is reported, the service person immediately visits the user for repair. In this way, the service person can identify the failed part without visiting the user, and immediately visits the user with the replacement part of the part determined to be abnormal, and performs part replacement. As a result, machine downtime is reduced.

  Next, remote diagnosis when the large-volume paper feeder 32 is operated and printed out will be described. The sorter 30 and the automatic document feeder 31 do not operate. FIG. 9 shows the frequency characteristics and normal values of normal sound in this case. Since the peak of the frequency A related to the mass feeding motor appears with respect to the frequency characteristic of FIG. 8, a prescribed value of the sound volume with respect to the frequency A is set.

Specific specified values are shown in Table 2 below and compared with Table 1 above.
Since the operation of the mass feeding device 32 is added, the sound at the normal time of the frequency b (Hz) rises. Therefore, the specified value of the frequency b (Hz) increases by 2 dB. Since the high frequency c (Hz) is less affected by the operation of the mass feeding device 32, the increase in the specified value is 1 dB. Further, the high frequency frequencies d (Hz) and e (Hz) do not increase because the mass feeding device 32 is hardly operated. Since the paper feed motor does not operate, the specified value of the paper feed motor a (Hz) is not set.

  This sound data is stored in the storage device 10 in association with operation information indicating that the mass feeding device 32 is operating and the sorter 30 and the automatic document feeder 31 are not operating.

  First, the sound collecting means 3 collects the operation sound of the image forming apparatus 1 that is printing out with the mass feeding device 32 operating. Next, the sound data is associated with operation information indicating that the mass feeding device 32 is in operation and the sorter 30 and the automatic document feeder 31 are not in operation, and the central management center 2 through the communication line 5 by the transmission means 4. Send to. In the central management center 2, the received sound data and peripheral device operation information are received by the receiving means 6 and recorded in the recording device 8. Then, the frequency analysis device 9 performs frequency analysis of the sound data, and sends the analysis result to the abnormality determination device 11. The abnormality determination device 11 calls the frequency characteristics of the sound shown in FIG. 8 from the storage device 10 based on the operation information.

  Then, the frequency analysis result of the transmitted sound data is compared with the specified value of the loudness shown in FIG. 8 at each peak frequency. If the peak value is less than the specified value at all peak frequencies, the image forming apparatus is normal. Judge that there is. On the other hand, if there is a frequency exceeding the specified value, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image forming apparatus, and that effect is displayed on the display device 12. If the specified value exceeds A (Hz), the mass feeding device 32 determines that an abnormality has occurred.

  Therefore, even when the peripheral device is operated and the sound characteristics are changed, an accurate remote diagnosis can be performed by changing the determination criterion according to the operating state of the peripheral device.

  Further, although a sound collecting microphone is used as the sound collecting means 3, a plurality of sound collecting microphones may be provided. If at least one or more microphones are provided in the vicinity of each peripheral device, the sound generated by each peripheral device can be reliably collected, so that the accuracy of remote diagnosis can be improved.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In this embodiment, a remote diagnosis when the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 is operated and printed out will be described. The sorter 30 and the mass feeding device 32 do not operate. Here, it is assumed that the frequency related to the automatic document feeder motor and the paper feed motor is the same at a (Hz). FIG. 9 shows the frequency characteristics and normal values of normal sound in this case. Specific specified values are shown in Table 3 below.
Since the frequency a (Hz) is a frequency related to both the automatic document feeder motor and the paper feed motor, it is set 3 dB higher than the specified value in FIG. The defined values for other frequencies are as described in the first embodiment.

  This sound data is stored in the storage device 10 in association with operation information indicating that the automatic document feeder 31 is in operation and the sorter 30 and the mass feed device 32 are not in operation. Here, the sorter 30 is taken as an example of the paper post-processing apparatus, but the same applies to the case where a finisher or the like is provided.

  In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the sound collecting means 3 collects the operation sound of the image forming apparatus 1 that has been printed out with the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 in operation. Next, the sound data is associated with operation information indicating that the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 is in operation and the sorter 30 and the mass feeding device 32 are not in operation, and is concentrated by the transmission means 4 via the communication line 5. Transmit to the management center 2. In the central management center 2, the received sound data and peripheral device operation information are received by the receiving means 6 and recorded in the recording device 8. Then, the frequency analysis device 9 performs frequency analysis of the sound data, and sends the analysis result to the abnormality determination device 11. The abnormality determination device 11 calls the frequency characteristics of the sound shown in FIG. 9 from the storage device 10 based on the operation information.

  Then, the frequency analysis result of the transmitted sound data is compared with the specified value in FIG. 9 at each peak frequency, and if it is less than the specified value at all frequencies, it is determined that the image forming apparatus is normal. On the other hand, if there is a frequency exceeding the specified value, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image forming apparatus, and that effect is displayed on the display device 12. If the prescribed value exceeds a (Hz), it is determined that the automatic document feeder 31 or the paper feed motor is abnormal. Configurations and routines other than those described here are the same as those in the first embodiment.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In this embodiment, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 and remote diagnosis when the sorter 30 is operated and printed out will be described. The mass feeding device 32 does not operate. Here, the frequency related to the sorter 30 is B (Hz). FIG. 10 shows normal sound frequency characteristics and specified values in this case. Since the peak of the frequency B related to the sorter 30 appears with respect to the frequency characteristic of FIG. 8, a specified value for the frequency B is set. Specific specified values are shown in Table 4 below and compared with Table 3 of Example 3.
Since the operation of the sorter 30 is added to the third embodiment, the sound when the frequency b (Hz) is normal is set 1 dB higher. The defined values for other frequencies are as described in the first embodiment.

  This sound data is stored in the storage device 10 in association with operation information indicating that the automatic document feeder 31 and the sorter 30 are operating and the mass feeding device 32 is not operating. Here, the sorter 30 is taken as an example of the paper post-processing apparatus, but the same applies to the case where a finisher or the like is provided.

  In the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, the sound collecting means 3 collects operation sounds of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 and the image forming apparatus 1 that is printing out with the sorter 30 operating. Next, the sound data is associated with operation information indicating that the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 is operating, the sorter 30 is operating, and the mass feeding device 32 is not operating. Transmit to the central management center 2. In the central management center 2, the received sound data and peripheral device operation information are received by the receiving means 6 and recorded in the recording device 8. Then, the frequency analysis device 9 performs frequency analysis of the sound data, and sends the analysis result to the abnormality determination device 11. The abnormality determination device 11 calls the frequency characteristics of the sound shown in FIG. 10 from the storage device 10 based on the operation information.

  Then, the frequency analysis result of the transmitted sound data is compared with the specified value in FIG. 10 at each peak frequency, and if it is less than the specified value at all frequencies, it is determined that the image forming apparatus is normal. On the other hand, if there is a frequency exceeding the specified value, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image forming apparatus, and that effect is displayed on the display device 12. If the specified value is exceeded in B (Hz), the sorter 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred. Configurations and routines other than those described here are the same as those in the first embodiment.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the present embodiment, the sound data associated with the operation information of the peripheral device is received and the time axis analysis of the sound data is performed in the same manner as the above-described embodiment. Here, remote diagnosis when the automatic document feeder 31 is used in a peripheral device will be described.

  First, FIG. 11 shows time-axis noise when no peripheral device is used. The time when the print button is turned on is set to 0 (seconds). After t1 seconds, the main body paper feed motor starts to drive and stop for 1 second to feed one sheet. Next, in order to supply the second sheet, the main body sheet feeding motor starts to move after t2 seconds, and similarly, the sheet is driven for h seconds to stop feeding one sheet. If the printout continues, such an operation is repeated. Actually, noise fluctuation occurs due to ON / OFF of the developing motor, AC charging, photoconductor motor, and polygon motor. However, the explanation is complicated in FIG.

The sound data on the time axis in FIG. 11 is stored in the storage device 10 in association with operation information indicating that none of the automatic document feeder 31, the sorter 30, and the mass feeding device 32 are operating. The specific specified value is shown in Table 5 below.
Here, the sorter 30 is taken as an example of the paper post-processing apparatus, but the same applies to the case where a finisher or the like is provided.

  Next, a case will be described in which printing is performed using only the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 among the peripheral devices of the sorter 30, the automatic document feeder 31, and the large-volume paper feeder 32. FIG. 12 shows time-axis noise.

  The time when the print button is turned on is set to 0 (seconds). After k1 seconds, the motor of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 starts to feed the first document and is driven for m seconds. Then, t4 seconds after the print button is turned on, the main body paper feed motor starts to move and stop for h seconds to feed one sheet. Next, in order to supply the second sheet, the motor of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 starts to move after k2 seconds, and similarly starts moving to feed the second document and is driven for m seconds. Similarly, the main body sheet feeding motor starts to move after t5 from the time the button is turned on, and is stopped after being driven for h seconds in order to feed the second sheet. If the printout continues, such an operation is repeated.

The sound data on the time axis in FIG. 12 is stored in the storage device 10 in association with operation information indicating that the automatic document feeder 31 is operating and the sorter 30 and the large-volume paper feeder 32 are not operating. Specific specific values are shown in Table 6 below.

  In the same manner as in the first to third embodiments, only the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 among the peripheral devices of the sorter 30, the automatic document feeder 31, and the large-volume paper feeder 32 is operated and printed out. The operation sound of the device 1 is collected by the sound collecting means 3. Next, the sound data is associated with operation information indicating that the automatic document feeder (ADF) 31 is in operation and the sorter 30 and the mass feeding device 32 are not in operation, and is concentrated by the transmission means 4 via the communication line 5. Transmit to the management center 2. In the central management center 2, the received sound data and peripheral device operation information are received by the receiving means 6 and recorded in the recording device 8. Then, the frequency analysis device 9 performs frequency analysis of the sound data, and sends the analysis result to the abnormality determination device 11. The abnormality determination device 11 calls the frequency characteristics of the sound shown in FIG. 12 from the storage device 10 based on the operation information.

  Then, the frequency analysis result of the transmitted sound data is compared with the specified value in FIG. 12 at each peak frequency, and if it is less than the specified value on all the time axes, it is determined that the image forming apparatus is normal. On the other hand, if there is a frequency exceeding the specified value, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image forming apparatus, and that effect is displayed on the display device 12. If the specified time is exceeded for the main body feed motor, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the main body feed motor. If the specified time for the automatic document feeder 31 is exceeded, the automatic document feeder 31 is abnormal. Judge that there is.

As above
・ In the remote management system for image forming devices, accurate remote diagnosis should be performed even if the sound characteristics change due to operation of peripheral devices.
・ Accurately perform remote diagnosis for occurrence of abnormalities and identify the site where the abnormalities occurred,
・ A service person can instantly identify an abnormal part without visiting the user, immediately bring a replacement part and visit the user to replace the part, and shorten the downtime of the image forming apparatus.
Is possible.

Functional block diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention Schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied Block diagram showing a configuration example of analysis means The figure which shows the process concerning this invention in an image forming apparatus. The figure which shows the process example concerning this invention in an analysis means The figure which shows the frequency characteristic when the peripheral machine memorize | stored in the memory | storage device in Example 1 is not operating. The figure which shows the frequency characteristic which showed the defined value when the peripheral machine memorize | stored in the memory | storage device in Example 1 is not operating. The figure which shows the frequency characteristic which showed the regulation value when the mass feeding apparatus memorize | stored in the memory | storage device in Example 1 is working. The figure which shows the frequency characteristic which showed the defined value in case the automatic document feeder (ADF) memorize | stored in the memory | storage device in Example 2 is working. The figure which shows the frequency characteristic which showed the regulation value in Example 3 when an automatic document feeder (ADF) and the sorter are operating. The figure which shows the sound data of the time-axis which showed the defined value when the peripheral machine memorize | stored in the memory | storage device in Example 4 is not operating. The figure which shows the sound data of the time-axis which showed the defined value when the automatic document feeder (ADF) memorize | stored in the memory | storage device in Example 4 is working.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1A-4A Photoconductor 1B-4B Developer 1C-4C Transfer charger 1D-4D Laser writing apparatus 1E-4E Charging apparatus 2 Centralized control center 3 Sound collection means 4 Transmission means 5 Communication line 6 Reception means 7 Analysis Means 8 Recording device 9 Frequency analysis device 10 Storage device 11 Abnormality judgment device 12 Display device 20 CCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Fixing device 22 Cleaning unit 25 Transfer belt 26 Static elimination device 28 Separating device 29 Document reading part 30 Sorter 31 Automatic document feeder 32 Mass feeding device

Claims (6)

Sound collecting means for collecting sound characteristics during operation of an image forming apparatus including various peripheral devices, communication means for sending sound data collected by the sound collecting means to a place away from the image forming apparatus, Storage means for storing normal sound data of the image forming apparatus during each operation of the peripheral device, and analysis means for comparing and analyzing the transmitted sound data with the sound data stored in the storage means In a remote management system for an image forming apparatus,
Each operation information of the peripheral unit of the image forming apparatus and the sound data collected by the sound collecting unit are associated and sent to a place away from the image forming apparatus using the communication unit, and each operation information of the peripheral unit Based on the above, normal sound data of the image forming apparatus stored in the storage means during each operation and sound data collected by the sound collection means are analyzed by the analysis means, and whether there is an abnormality A remote management system for an image forming apparatus. Based on each operation information of the peripheral unit, the analysis unit stores normal sound data of the image forming apparatus stored in the storage unit during each operation of the peripheral unit and sound data collected by the sound collection unit If the peak value of the waveform of the sound data collected and analyzed is out of the normal range of sound data determined in advance at each operation of the peripheral device, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image forming apparatus. The remote management system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Based on each operation information of the peripheral device, normal sound data of the image forming apparatus at each operation time of the peripheral device stored in the storage device and sound data collected by the sound collection device are analyzed by the analysis device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the peak value of the sound waveform with respect to the time axis of the collected sound data analyzed is out of a predetermined normal range of the sound data, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image forming apparatus. Or a remote management system for an image forming apparatus according to 2; 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that there is an abnormality in a component related to a sound waveform with respect to a time axis that is out of the normal range, a peripheral device to which the component is attached is determined to be abnormal. Remote management system for image forming devices. 5. The remote management system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sound collecting units is arranged in the vicinity of each peripheral device. 6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes at least one of an automatic document feeder, a paper post-processing device, and a mass feeding device as the peripheral device. A remote management system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1.