JP2018101834A - Image formation device and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To resolve deterioration of performance of an image formation device in advance.SOLUTION: An image formation device 100 includes a processor 5A, a main storage part 5B, and an auxiliary storage part 5C. The image formation device 100 further includes a housing 10, a detection part 501, a calculation part 502, a temperature sensor S1, and an acquisition part 503. The housing 10 houses the processor 5A, the main storage part 5B, and the auxiliary storage part 5C. The detection part 501 detects errors in data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage part 5B. The calculation part 502 calculates an error occurrence rate RE according to a detection result of the detection part 501. The temperature sensor S1 detects a temperature within the housing 10. The acquisition part 503 acquires temperature information MT from the temperature sensor S1 according to the detection result of the detection part 501. The auxiliary storage part 5C retains error information ME including information MR indicating the error occurrence rate RE and the temperature information MT.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

  The memory controller described in Patent Document 1 detects and corrects an error in the memory system. Specifically, the memory system includes a plurality of memory modules having a plurality of memory devices. The memory controller corrects the error using the first ECC code and the second ECC code when the failure of one memory module matches the failure of one memory device.

Special Table 2010-53499

  However, in the memory controller described in Patent Document 1, when error correction processing occurs continuously, there is a possibility that the performance of the memory system is degraded by error correction processing. As a result, when the memory controller is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the performance of the image forming apparatus may be degraded.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image forming system capable of solving a decrease in performance in advance.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a central processing unit, a main storage device, and an auxiliary storage device. The image forming apparatus further includes a housing, a detection unit, a calculation unit, a temperature sensor, and an acquisition unit. The casing houses the central processing unit, the main storage device, and the auxiliary storage device. The detection unit detects an error in data transmission between the central processing unit and the main storage device. The calculation unit calculates an error occurrence rate according to a detection result of the detection unit. The temperature sensor detects the temperature inside or outside the housing. The acquisition unit acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor according to a detection result of the detection unit. At least one of the main storage device and the auxiliary storage device holds error information including information indicating the error occurrence rate and the temperature information.

  The image forming system of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a central processing unit, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, a housing, a detection unit, a calculation unit, a temperature sensor, an acquisition unit, and a transmission unit. The casing houses the central processing unit, the main storage device, and the auxiliary storage device. The detection unit detects an error in data transmission between the central processing unit and the main storage device. The calculation unit calculates an error occurrence rate according to a detection result of the detection unit. The temperature sensor detects the temperature inside or outside the housing. The acquisition unit acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor according to a detection result of the detection unit. The transmission unit transmits error information including information indicating the error occurrence rate and the temperature information to the information processing apparatus.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the image forming system of the present invention, it is possible to solve the decrease in performance of the image forming apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the process of a control part.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 4). In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is not repeated.

  First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is a multi-function machine. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 1, an image reading unit 2, a document transport unit 3, an operation display unit 4, and a control unit 5.

  The image forming unit 1 forms an image on a sheet P that is an example of a recording medium. The image reading unit 2 reads an image formed on the document R. The document transport unit 3 transports the document R to the image reading unit 2. The operation display unit 4 receives operations from the user and displays various information. The control unit 5 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Further, the image forming unit 1 includes a housing 10, a feeding cassette 11, an image forming unit 13, a temperature sensor S1, and a humidity sensor S2.

  The housing 10 houses the control unit 5, the feeding cassette 11, the image forming unit 13, the temperature sensor S1, and the humidity sensor S2.

  The sheet P fed out from the feeding cassette 11 is conveyed to the image forming unit 13. The image forming unit 13 forms an image on the paper P. The paper P on which the image is formed is discharged after the image formed on the paper P is fixed on the paper P.

  The operation display unit 4 includes a touch panel 41. The touch panel 41 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays various images. The touch panel 41 further includes a touch sensor and receives a user operation.

  The control unit 5 includes a processor 5A, a main storage unit 5B, and an auxiliary storage unit 5C. The processor 5A includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The main storage unit 5B includes a memory such as a semiconductor memory. The main storage unit 5B has an error detection function. “Error detection function” indicates a function of detecting an error in data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B. The auxiliary storage unit 5C includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). In the embodiment of the object of the present invention, the “error” indicates a so-called “code error”.

  The main storage unit 5B stores a control program. The processor 5A functions as various functional units by executing a control program. The processor 5A corresponds to a “central processing unit”. The main storage unit 5B corresponds to a “main storage device”. The auxiliary storage unit 5C corresponds to an “auxiliary storage device”.

  The temperature sensor S <b> 1 detects the temperature TP inside the housing 10. Specifically, the temperature sensor S <b> 1 is disposed in the vicinity of the control unit 5 and detects a temperature TP in the vicinity of the control unit 5. The temperature sensor S1 is, for example, a thermistor. The temperature sensor S <b> 1 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 5.

  The humidity sensor S2 detects the humidity HU inside the housing 10. Specifically, the humidity sensor S <b> 2 is disposed in the vicinity of the control unit 5 and detects the humidity HU in the vicinity of the control unit 5. The humidity sensor S2 is, for example, a resistance change type humidity sensor. The humidity sensor S <b> 2 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 5.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-2, the structure of the control part 5 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 5. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control unit 5 includes a detection unit 501, a calculation unit 502, an acquisition unit 503, a writing unit 504, a determination unit 505, and a transmission unit 506. Specifically, the processor 5A functions as a detection unit 501, a calculation unit 502, an acquisition unit 503, a writing unit 504, a determination unit 505, and a transmission unit 506 by executing a control program. The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to a personal computer 200 so as to be communicable. The personal computer 200 corresponds to an example of an “information processing apparatus”.

  The detection unit 501 detects an error in data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B. Specifically, the detection unit 501 detects an error using the error detection function of the main storage unit 5B.

The calculation unit 502 calculates the error occurrence rate RE according to the detection result of the detection unit 501. Specifically, when the detection unit 501 detects an error, the calculation unit 502 calculates an error occurrence rate RE. The error occurrence rate RE is defined by the following equation (1).
Error occurrence rate RE = (number of error bits) / (number of data bits)
× 100 (1)
Here, the “number of error occurrence bits” indicates the number of bits in which an error has occurred in data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B. “Number of data bits” indicates the number of bits of data transmitted between the processor 5A and the main memory 5B.

  The acquisition unit 503 acquires the temperature information MT from the temperature sensor S1 according to the detection result of the detection unit 501. The temperature information MT indicates the temperature TP. Specifically, when the detection unit 501 detects an error, the acquisition unit 503 acquires the temperature information MT from the temperature sensor S1. Further, when the detection unit 501 detects an error, the acquisition unit 503 acquires the humidity information MH from the humidity sensor S2. The humidity information MH indicates the humidity HU.

  The writing unit 504 writes the error information ME in the auxiliary storage unit 5C. The error information ME includes information MR indicating the error occurrence rate RE, temperature information MT, and humidity information MH.

  The determination unit 505 determines whether the error occurrence rate RE is equal to or greater than a predetermined value REA.

  The transmission unit 506 reads the error information ME from the auxiliary storage unit 5C and transmits the error information ME to the personal computer 200.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the detection unit 501 detects an error, the error occurrence rate RE is calculated. Further, when the detection unit 501 detects an error, the auxiliary storage unit 5C holds the temperature information MT from the temperature sensor S1 and the error information ME including the temperature information MT and the information MR indicating the error occurrence rate RE. . Therefore, a problem caused by the temperature TP in data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B can be found at an early stage. Therefore, it is possible to solve the decrease in performance of the control unit 5 in advance. As a result, the performance degradation of the image forming apparatus 100 can be solved in advance.

  Further, since the error information ME is transmitted to the personal computer 200, in the personal computer 200, problems caused by the temperature TP in data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B can be analyzed.

  Further, when the detection unit 501 detects an error, the error occurrence rate RE is calculated. When the detection unit 501 detects an error, the temperature information MT is acquired from the temperature sensor S1, and error information ME including the information MR indicating the error occurrence rate RE and the temperature information MT is transmitted to the personal computer 200. Therefore, by analyzing the error information ME using the personal computer 200, a problem caused by the temperature TP in the data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B can be discovered early. Therefore, it is possible to solve the decrease in performance of the control unit 5 in advance. As a result, the performance degradation of the image forming apparatus 100 can be solved in advance.

  Further, when the detection unit 501 detects an error, the humidity information MH is acquired from the humidity sensor S2, and the error information ME further includes the humidity information MH. Therefore, a problem caused by the humidity HU in data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B can be found at an early stage. Therefore, it is possible to solve the decrease in performance of the control unit 5 in advance.

  The main storage unit 5B has an error detection function, and the detection unit 501 detects an error using the error detection function. Therefore, the detection unit 501 can easily detect an error.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the embodiment of the present invention, the writing unit 504 writes the error information ME in the auxiliary storage unit 5C, but the present invention is not limited to this. The writing unit 504 may write error information ME that satisfies at least a predetermined condition into the auxiliary storage unit 5C. For example, the writing unit 504 may write the error information ME into the auxiliary storage unit 5C when the error occurrence rate RE is greater than or equal to a predetermined value REA. In this form, the error information ME to be written in the auxiliary storage unit 5C can be reduced. Therefore, the load on the control unit 5 can be reduced.

  Next, processing of the control unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing processing of the control unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, first, in step S101, it is determined whether or not the detection unit 501 has detected an error in data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B.
If the detection unit 501 determines that no error has been detected (NO in step S101), the process enters a standby state. If the detection unit 501 determines that an error has been detected (YES in step S101), the process proceeds to step S103.
In step S103, the calculation unit 502 calculates the error occurrence rate RE.
Next, in step S105, the acquisition unit 503 acquires temperature information MT from the temperature sensor S1.
Next, in step S107, the acquisition unit 503 acquires humidity information MH from the humidity sensor S2.
Next, in step S109, the acquisition unit 503 acquires the status information MS. “Status information MS” indicates the type of processing that the control unit 5 was executing when an error occurred.
Next, in step S111, the acquisition unit 503 acquires connection information MC. “Connection information MC” indicates a connection state between the image forming apparatus 100 and another device when an error occurs. The “other device” is, for example, a device such as a server device, a personal computer, or an image forming device different from the image forming device 100 connected to the image forming device 100 via a network.

Next, in step S113, the writing unit 504 writes the error information ME in the auxiliary storage unit 5C.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4, in step S115, the determination unit 505 determines whether or not the error occurrence rate RE is equal to or greater than a predetermined value REA.
If the determination unit 505 determines that the error occurrence rate RE is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value REA (NO in step S115), the process returns to step S101 in FIG. If determination unit 505 determines that error occurrence rate RE is equal to or greater than predetermined value REA (YES in step S115), the process proceeds to step S117.
In step S117, the transmission unit 506 determines whether the process being executed by the control unit 5 has ended.
If the transmitting unit 506 determines that the process being executed has not ended (NO in step S117), the process enters a standby state. If the transmission unit 506 determines that the process being executed has ended (YES in step S117), the process proceeds to step S119.
In step S119, the transmission unit 506 reads the error information ME from the auxiliary storage unit 5C.
Next, in step S121, the transmission unit 506 transmits the error information ME to the personal computer 200, and the process returns to step S101 in FIG.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission unit 506 reads the error information ME from the auxiliary storage unit 5 </ b> C after the process being executed by the control unit 5 is completed. Then, the transmission unit 506 transmits the error information ME to the personal computer 200. Therefore, since the transmission unit 506 transmits the error information ME to the personal computer 200 after the process being executed by the control unit 5 is finished, the influence on the process being executed by the process of transmitting the error information ME can be suppressed.

  Further, when the detection unit 501 detects an error, the acquisition unit 503 acquires status information MS indicating the type of processing that was being performed when the error occurred. The error information ME further includes status information MS. Therefore, problems caused by the status (type of processing executed when an error occurs) in the data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B can be found early. Therefore, it is possible to solve the decrease in performance of the control unit 5 in advance.

  Furthermore, when the detection unit 501 detects an error, the acquisition unit 503 acquires connection information MC indicating a connection state with another device. The error information ME further includes connection information MC. Therefore, a problem caused by the connection state in the data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B can be found early. Therefore, it is possible to solve the decrease in performance of the control unit 5 in advance.

  When the error occurrence rate RE is equal to or greater than the predetermined value REA, the transmission unit 506 transmits the error information ME to the personal computer 200. Therefore, the frequency of transmitting the error information ME to the personal computer 200 can be reduced. Therefore, the load on the control unit 5 can be reduced.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof (for example, (1) to (5) shown below). For ease of understanding, the drawings schematically show each component as a main component, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings are different from the actual for convenience of drawing. There is a case. Moreover, the shape, dimension, etc. of each component shown by said embodiment are an example, Comprising: It does not specifically limit, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate substantially from the structure of this invention.

  (1) As described with reference to FIG. 1, in the embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor S1 detects the temperature TP inside the housing 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature inside or outside the housing 10. For example, the temperature sensor may be configured to detect the temperature outside the housing 10.

  (2) As described with reference to FIG. 1, in the embodiment of the present invention, the humidity sensor S2 detects the humidity HU inside the housing 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. The humidity sensor may detect the humidity inside or outside the housing 10. For example, the humidity sensor may detect the humidity outside the housing 10.

  (3) As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, the error information ME includes information MR indicating the error occurrence rate RE, temperature information MT, humidity information MH, status information MS, The connection information MC is included, but the present invention is not limited to this. The error information ME may include information MR indicating the error occurrence rate RE and temperature information MT. For example, the error information ME may include information MR indicating the error occurrence rate RE and temperature information MT.

  (4) As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, the “information processing apparatus” is the personal computer 200 that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The invention is not limited to this. The “information processing apparatus” may be connected to the image forming apparatus 100 so as to be communicable. For example, the “information processing apparatus” may be a server apparatus that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, when the server apparatus receives error information ME from a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100, a problem in data transmission between the processor 5A and the main storage unit 5B can be found even earlier.

  (5) As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary storage unit 5C holds the error information ME, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that at least one of the main storage unit 5B and the auxiliary storage unit 5C holds the error information ME. For example, the main storage unit 5B may hold the error information ME.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, and has industrial applicability.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 1 Image forming unit 13 Image forming part 2 Image reading unit 3 Original conveyance unit 5 Control part 5A Processor (main control apparatus)
5B main memory (main memory)
5C Auxiliary storage unit (auxiliary storage device)
501 Detection unit 502 Calculation unit 503 Acquisition unit 504 Writing unit 505 Determination unit 506 Transmission unit 200 Personal computer (information processing apparatus)
S1 Temperature sensor S2 Humidity sensor

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus comprising a central processing unit, a main storage device, and an auxiliary storage device,
A housing that houses the central processing unit, the main storage device, and the auxiliary storage device;
A detection unit for detecting an error in data transmission between the central processing unit and the main storage device;
According to the detection result of the detection unit, a calculation unit that calculates an error occurrence rate;
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside or outside the housing;
An acquisition unit that acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor according to a detection result of the detection unit;
The image forming apparatus, wherein at least one of the main storage device and the auxiliary storage device holds error information including information indicating the error occurrence rate and the temperature information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit the error information to an information processing apparatus.   The said transmission part reads the said error information from the said main memory device or the said auxiliary memory device, and transmits the said error information to the said information processing apparatus after the process in process is complete | finished. Image forming apparatus. The main storage device has an error detection function,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the error using the error detection function. A humidity sensor for detecting humidity inside or outside the housing;
The acquisition unit acquires humidity information from the humidity sensor according to a detection result of the detection unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error information further includes the humidity information. The acquisition unit acquires status information indicating a type of processing executed when the error occurs, according to a detection result of the detection unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error information further includes the status information. The acquisition unit acquires connection information indicating a connection state between the image forming apparatus and another device when the error occurs according to a detection result of the detection unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error information further includes the connection information. A determination unit for determining whether or not the error rate is a predetermined value or more;
The at least one of the main storage device and the auxiliary storage device holds the error information when the determination unit determines that the error occurrence rate is a predetermined value or more. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A central processing unit;
A main storage device;
An auxiliary storage device;
A housing that houses the central processing unit, the main storage device, and the auxiliary storage device;
A detection unit for detecting an error in data transmission between the central processing unit and the main storage device;
According to the detection result of the detection unit, a calculation unit that calculates an error occurrence rate;
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside or outside the housing;
An acquisition unit that acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor according to a detection result of the detection unit;
An image forming system comprising: a transmission unit that transmits error information including information indicating the error occurrence rate and the temperature information to the information processing apparatus.

Images