JP2019028628A - Data analysis system comprising image forming apparatus and analysis server and its method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem in which, although a technique of supplementing data by inputting a period of insufficient information has been proposed to analyze information of an image forming apparatus, since data to be used for analysis is large and a missing period of time varies, it is not realistic to input such information individually, raising analysis accuracy requires as much data as possible, and a mechanism is required to supplement missing information and data failure without user's burden.SOLUTION: An analysis server detects insufficient information in analysis processing and determines whether it can supplement the same. As a result of the determination, if the server can supplement it, the server determines a supplementary method and executes data supplement processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a mechanism of a data analysis system that collects and analyzes data of an image forming apparatus using network communication.

  In recent years, by utilizing data collected from image forming apparatuses, data utilization for marketing, demand forecast for consumables, grasping the main body MIF, and the like has been spreading more and more. Along with this, data required for analysis is generated and collected by the server in the new model of the image forming apparatus, but data that assumes such analysis is mostly not generated in the old model. In addition, despite the data required for analysis, there may be data that cannot be used for analysis due to operational mistakes by service personnel (for example, forgetting to reset the counter when replacing parts).

  Thus, a technique has been proposed in which an analyst inputs a data loss period to the system as in Patent Document 1 to perform linear interpolation on the data in that period and use it for analysis.

Japanese Patent No. 5397370

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, data interpolation is performed by inputting a period in which data is missing. However, since the data used for analysis is large and the missing periods vary, each information It is not realistic to input every time.

  In order to improve the accuracy of analysis, as much data as possible is required, and there is a need for a mechanism that complements the above-mentioned lack of information on old models and data defects resulting from operational errors by service personnel without user load. .

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus information analysis system according to the present invention includes:
In an image forming apparatus information analysis system in which an image forming apparatus (102) and an analysis server (106) are connected via a network,
The image forming apparatus (102)
Image forming apparatus information transmission means (301, 305) for transmitting information periodically or when an event occurs,
The analysis server (106)
Image forming apparatus information receiving means (351, 355) for receiving information transmitted from the image forming apparatus (102);
An image forming apparatus information storage unit (352) for storing the information received by the reception unit;
Information complementation determination means (356, S401) for determining whether or not information supplementation is necessary to perform the analysis;
Supplementation information existence confirmation means (356, S402) for judging whether or not there is information for complementing when the judgment means requires complementation;
A virtual counter generating means (356, S403) for determining a complementing method and generating a virtual counter when there is information necessary for complementing by the confirmation means;
Image forming apparatus information analyzing means (357, S404) for performing analysis using the virtual counter generated by the generating means;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the image forming apparatus information analysis system of the present invention, deficient data and defect data can be complemented without inputting a missing period. Further, when there is no data necessary for complementation, it is possible to improve the accuracy of analysis by excluding it from the analysis target.

A diagram showing the connection relationship between the image forming apparatus and the analysis server Hardware configuration diagram of image forming apparatus Hardware diagram of analysis server Software configuration diagram of image forming apparatus Analysis server software block diagram Flow chart showing data complement processing of analysis server Data complement processing example (I) Data complement processing example (II)

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between an image forming apparatus main body and an analysis server according to an embodiment of the present invention via the Internet.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a LAN, 102 denotes an image forming apparatus, 103 denotes a proxy server, and 104 denotes a firewall installed to increase the security of the intranet. The image forming apparatus 102 may include functions such as FAX and copy (not shown). Reference numeral 105 denotes a personal computer (PC) used by a general user for business or the like, and these are connected to each other via the LAN 101.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes an intranet environment in which the image forming apparatus 102 and the proxy server 103 and the firewall 104 are connected to each other via the LAN 101. Actually, a plurality of Internet environments 107 and an analysis server 106 are connected to each other via the Internet 108. Reference numeral 106 denotes an analysis server having a counter for the image forming apparatus 102, a function for centrally managing the operating state based on failure information, and inventory management of consumables based on the status information of consumables for the image forming apparatus 102.

  In this embodiment, the communication protocol is assumed to be a protocol such as HTTP or HTTPS, but is not particularly limited. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 102 transmits data to the analysis server 106 via the proxy server 103 and the firewall 104 using HTTPS.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 102 can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a digital multi-function peripheral, a facsimile machine, a laser beam printer, an ink jet printer, and a scanner device. The CPU 201 includes a program stored in the ROM 203, and controls each device collectively via the internal bus 206. The RAM 202 functions as a memory or work area for the CPU 201. The ROM 203 also stores destination information indicating the area where the image forming apparatus 102 is shipped. The CPU 201 performs program execution processing together with the RAM 202 and the ROM 203, and performs processing for recording image data on a recording medium such as the storage device 204.

  The storage device 204 functions as an external storage device and stores image data and the like, and can store the counter information, system information, and monitoring information in place of the backup RAM 202. A network I / F 205 performs control for the image forming apparatus 102 to exchange data with an external network device or a personal computer (PC) unidirectionally or bidirectionally via the local area network 101. When the printing unit 207 receives a print instruction from the external device, the printing unit 207 performs control according to the print instruction.

  An input / output device 209 shows a plurality of configurations that perform input / output in the image forming apparatus 102. Specifically, an input (button input or the like) from the user is received, and a signal corresponding to the input is transmitted to each processing unit described above by the input / output I / F 208. In addition, the input / output device 209 includes a display device (such as a touch panel) for providing necessary information to the user and receiving user operations. The language displayed on the input / output device 209 is determined in accordance with the destination information held in the ROM 203. Further, the input / output device 209 may include a scanning device for reading a document and receiving electronic data as input.

  The sensor unit 210 detects attachment / detachment, replacement, or generated failure of the consumable part and transmits it to each processing unit as a signal. By doing so, the detection information can be displayed on the input / output device 209 or stored in the storage device 204.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a configuration of the analysis server 106 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The analysis server 106 includes a CPU 251 that executes a program stored in the ROM 253, and comprehensively controls each device via the internal bus 256. A RAM 252, ROM 253, storage device 254, network I / F 255, and input / output I / F 257 are connected to the internal bus 256. The input / output I / F 257 includes, for example, PS2, Universal Serial Bus (USB I / F), and an analog or digital display I / F.

  The input / output device 258 is a keyboard, mouse, CRT, or liquid crystal display, and can be connected to the analysis server 106 via the input / output I / F 257. The analysis server 106 performs communication via the LAN 101, the Internet environment 107, and the Internet 108 via the network I / F 255. Accordingly, communication with the image forming apparatus 102 and the PC 105 can be performed. The CPU 251 performs a program execution process together with the RAM 252 and the ROM 253. Further, a process of recording image data on a recording medium such as the storage device 254 is performed. The storage device 254 functions as an external storage device, and stores management information of the image forming apparatus 102 and can store system information and processing information instead of the backup RAM 252.

  FIG. 3A illustrates a software module configuration of the image forming apparatus 102.

  The image forming apparatus 102 includes a communication unit 301, a storage unit 302, an image forming unit 303, a status detection unit 304, a device information management unit 305, an operation unit 306, and a status display control unit 307. These units are stored as programs in the ROM 203 and executed by the CPU 201 on the RAM 202. The communication unit 301 transmits device information regarding the image forming apparatus 102 to the analysis server 106. Further, it receives instructions and information transmitted from the analysis server 106. Transmission / reception is performed using SMTP, HTTP / HTTPS, or the like.

  The storage unit 302 exchanges information with the storage areas of the RAM 202, ROM 203, and storage device 204. In addition, the operation history of the image forming apparatus 102 and data representing various abnormal states are also stored. The device information includes image forming apparatus identification information such as an apparatus ID and communication information such as an IP address. It also includes counter information, abnormal state occurrence information, and various other device information. The analysis server information includes communication information such as the IP address of the analysis server 106 that manages the image forming apparatus 102. The image forming unit 303 has a function of generating and outputting print data.

  The status detection unit 304 monitors the state of the image forming apparatus 102. The failure detected by the sensor unit 210, the cover open / close state (hereinafter referred to as an event), the return state, the remaining toner state, etc. Various states are detected and notified to each control unit.

  The device information management unit 305 generates information to be transmitted to the analysis server 106 from the information notified by the status detection unit 304. The operation unit 306 is an interface that enables an operation instruction to the image forming apparatus 102 including a print instruction by a customer user. The status display control unit 307 performs display control of the status information of the image forming apparatus 102 on the status bar of the input / output device 209 and the like.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining a software module configuration for functions related to the proposal in the analysis server 106.

  The analysis server 106 includes a communication unit 351, a storage unit 352, a display unit 353, a notification management unit 354, a device information management unit 355, a data processing unit 356, and a data analysis unit 357. These units are stored as programs in the ROM 253 and executed by the CPU 251 on the RAM 252. The communication unit 351 has a function of communicating with the image forming apparatus 102. The device information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 102 is received, or necessary instructions / information are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 102. The storage unit 352 exchanges information with the storage areas of the RAM 252, the ROM 253, and the storage device 254, and stores device information and the like.

  The display unit 353 displays device information stored in the storage unit 352. The notification management unit 354 generates notification information and designates a notification destination, and generates notification data. The notification includes an analysis result notification, a maintenance request notification, a consumables replenishment request notification, etc. to an analyst and maintenance staff of the image forming apparatus 102. The device information management unit 355 manages the image forming apparatus 102 to be analyzed, and includes image forming apparatus identification information, abnormal state information of the image forming apparatus, maintenance history, image forming apparatus administrator information, and consumption of the image forming apparatus. Product information is managed.

  The data processing unit 356 processes the device information received by the communication unit 351 so as to easily collect and analyze the device information, or supplements the shortage information. The data analysis unit 357 performs data aggregation and analysis from the received device information and information supplemented by the data processing unit 356.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart showing a process of complementing the shortage information and the defect information when the device information received from the image forming apparatus 102 is totaled and analyzed.

  In step S401, the data analysis unit 357 of the analysis server 106 determines whether data supplementation of device information is necessary for aggregation and analysis. As a result of the determination in S401, if data complementation is necessary, it is determined in S402 whether there is information necessary for complementation. As a result of the determination in S401, if data supplementation is not necessary, the data analysis unit 357 performs aggregation and analysis in S404. As a result of the determination in S402, if there is information necessary for complementation, the data processing unit 356 performs data complementation processing in S403. Specific data supplement processing will be described later. As a result of the determination in S402, if there is no information necessary for complementation, this processing is terminated. In step S404, the data analysis unit 357 performs aggregation and analysis based on the device information.

  A specific example of the data complementing process performed in S403 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows an example in which data complementation is performed by linearly complementing a counter that is insufficient in calculating the life of a consumable (in this embodiment, a drum). In the present example, the analysis server 106 receives the counters from the image forming apparatus 102 at “2016/7/31” and “2016/8/31”. . There are various types of counters. In this embodiment, the counter A is a total counter, which means the number of sheets printed by the image forming apparatus 102. The counter B is a count obtained by converting A3 printed data into A4 printed data. When one A3 sheet is printed, it is counted as if two A4 printed sheets are printed. For example, when one sheet of A4 and one sheet of A3 are printed, the counter A is “2” and the counter B is “3”. The counter C means a total counter specialized for color printing, and counts color printing other than monochrome printing. Similarly to the counter B, A3 printing is converted to A4 printing.

  Although various indexes can be considered for the life of the consumables, in this embodiment, it is calculated based on the counter. Specifically, it is the counter increment from the previous replacement of the consumables to the current replacement. Since the same image is printed, the amount of toner used and the usage rate of the drum are different between A3 printing and A4 printing (A3 is larger), so the counter B is also used to increase the accuracy of life calculation. Since drums exist for each color (Bk, Y, M, C), the counter B is used for the black drum, and the counter C is used for the other color drums.

  When the drum is replaced in the image forming apparatus 102, a replacement alarm is transmitted to the analysis server 106. In this embodiment, the analysis server 106 receives the drum replacement alarm from the image forming apparatus 102 at “2016/8/10” and “2016/9/20”. The lifetime can be calculated by using the counter B and the counter C at the time of drum replacement. However, in this embodiment, it is assumed that such information does not exist in the drum replacement alarm and only the counter A exists. (As described in the problem, whether or not this information is included in the replacement alarm depends on the model) If the replaced drum is black this time, the counter B required for life calculation is insufficient. become. The analysis server 106 can calculate the large ratio in August from the counter information received on “2016/7/31” and “2016/8/31”. The large ratio is calculated by (counter B−counter A) / counter A, and means the ratio of A3 printing to the total number of printings. In this embodiment, the August large ratio is set to 3%. The virtual counter B at the time of drum exchange (A) is calculated by linear interpolation from the difference between the large ratio calculated as in the following equation and the counter A.

(A) Virtual counter at time B = 450 + (600−400) × (1 + 0.03) = 656
Similarly, assuming that the September large ratio is 4%, the virtual counter B at the time of drum replacement (B) is also calculated from the following equation.

(B) Virtual counter B at the time B = 1100 + (1600−1000) × (1 + 0.04) = 1724
Therefore, the lifetime of the black drum is 1724−656 = 1068. Further, when this is a color drum other than black, the counter C necessary for life calculation is insufficient. In addition to the above large ratio, the color ratio for August and September is taken into consideration (A) (B) The virtual counter C at the time is calculated. The color ratio means the ratio of color printing to the total number of prints. In this embodiment, the color ratios for August and September are 40% and 45%, respectively. The calculation method is omitted. The virtual counter C at the time of drum exchange (A) is calculated by linear interpolation from the difference between the color ratio, large ratio and counter A calculated as in the following equations.

(A) Virtual counter C at time C = 300 + (600−400) × 0.4 × (1 + 0.03) = 382
Similarly, assuming that the September large ratio is 4%, the counter B at the time of drum replacement (B) is also calculated from the following equation.

(B) Virtual counter C at the time C = 700 + (1600−1000) × 0.45 × (1 + 0.04) = 981
Therefore, the lifetime of the color drum is 981-382 = 599.

  Thus, by calculating the average life from the replacement history of the consumables and the counter, the supply and demand prediction of the consumables is performed. However, the accuracy can be improved by the above-described data complementation.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of calculating the number of printed pages per month (hereinafter referred to as PV: Print Volume) by complementing the daily data from the monthly data. Normally, the image forming apparatus 102 transmits a counter to the analysis server 106 at regular intervals (for example, every 16 hours), but the transmission timing may be monthly depending on a request from a customer. Further, the transmission timing may be shifted for each image forming apparatus 102 in order to distribute the load on the analysis server 106. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a counter is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 102 to the analysis server 106 on the 15th of every month. Here, it is assumed that the analysis server 106 has received counters “10”, “320”, and “920” for “2016/5/15”, “2016/6/15”, and “2016/7/15”, respectively. . It is assumed that the June PV is a daily calculation of the counters received monthly and totals them. First, the daily calculation from 5/16 to 6/15 is performed as follows.

Daily counter of 5/16 to 6/15 = (320-10) / 31 days = 10 / day Therefore, the virtual counter for each day of 5/16 to 6/15 is “10”. Similarly, daily calculation from 6/16 to 7/15 is performed as follows.

Daily counter of 6/16 to 7/15 = (920−320) / 30 days = 20 / day Therefore, the virtual counter for each day of 6/16 to 7/15 is “20”. Next, the daily counter is added up.

6/1 to 6/15 integration counter = 10 / day × 15 days = 150
6/16 to 6/30 integration counter = 20 / day × 15 days = 300
Therefore, the June PV is 150 + 300, which can be calculated as “450”.

  In this way, by complementing the daily counter from the monthly counter, the monthly PV is calculated, and the accuracy can be increased by increasing the target image forming apparatus 102 for performing the printing tendency and analysis of the customer. I can do it.

  Moreover, although not shown in figure, the data complement of the data malfunction by the operation mistake of the service person described in the subject is demonstrated. When the service person replaces the part, it is necessary to clear the counter of the replaced part from the panel of the image forming apparatus 102.

  However, this operation is not frequently performed in the market, and despite the fact that it is a new part, the counter of the part transmitted to the analysis server 106 has a large value, which hinders the life calculation and analysis.

  Therefore, it is confirmed whether the component counter transmitted from the image forming apparatus 102 after the component replacement alarm is transmitted to the analysis server 106 is less than the previous counter (see Tables 1 and 2). If it has decreased, it means that the counter has been cleared normally. No particular processing is performed, and if it has not decreased, the value cleared as a virtual counter is registered in the table separately from the actual component counter.

  In the present embodiment, the process of generating a virtual counter using a component replacement alarm has been described. However, the alarm need not be an alarm as long as it is information regarding component replacement. For example, if there is history information of parts exchanged by a service person, it may be used.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, a mechanism has been described in which device information received from the image forming apparatus 102 is supplemented with information that is lacking in terms of aggregation and analysis. However, if there is no information necessary for complementation in any of the above-described complementing methods, the image forming apparatus 102 is not subject to aggregation and analysis processing as described with reference to FIG. 4 during that period. The accuracy can be improved. In addition, there may be a case where device information that has been insufficient until now is transmitted due to version upgrade of the firmware of the image forming apparatus 102. In this case, the information that has been transmitted is compared with the data supplemented by the analysis server 106 using the method described above, thereby calculating the deviation and correcting the virtual counter that has been supplemented in the past.

  Through the above processing, the number of data to be analyzed can be increased, and it is possible to compensate for data defects resulting from insufficient information of old models and operation mistakes by service personnel without burden on the user, and improve the accuracy of aggregation and analysis Is possible.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of each server and apparatus, the configuration of software modules, and the processing flow for complementing device information have been shown. However, these are examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

102 image forming apparatus, 106 analysis server

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus information analysis system in which an image forming apparatus (102) and an analysis server (106) are connected via a network,
The image forming apparatus (102)
Image forming apparatus information transmission means (301, 305) for transmitting information periodically or when an event occurs,
The analysis server (106)
Image forming apparatus information receiving means (351, 355) for receiving information transmitted from the image forming apparatus (102);
An image forming apparatus information storage unit (352) for storing the information received by the reception unit;
Information complementation determination means (356, S401) for determining whether or not information supplementation is necessary to perform the analysis;
Supplementation information existence confirmation means (356, S402) for judging whether or not there is information for complementing when the judgment means requires complementation;
A virtual counter generating means (356, S403) for determining a complementing method and generating a virtual counter when there is information necessary for complementing by the confirmation means;
An image forming apparatus information analyzing system comprising image forming apparatus information analyzing means (357, S404) for performing analysis using the virtual counter generated by the generating means. The analysis server (106) according to claim 1, wherein the virtual counter generating means generates a virtual counter by combining counter information and other image forming apparatus information. The analysis server (106) according to claim 1, wherein the virtual counter generating means complements the image forming apparatus information by changing a totaling unit (monthly, daily). Virtual counter correction means for correcting a virtual counter generated in the past when information supplemented conventionally is transmitted to the analysis server (106) due to the version upgrade of the image forming apparatus (102). The analysis server (106) of claim 1, characterized by: