JP3951581B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming apparatus management system, and processing information output method for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be easily managed after use, a management system for the image forming apparatus, and a processing information output method for the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are various methods for processing a used copier when the leasing contract period of the copier ends or when the user replaces the copier with a new product. For example, when the used copying machine can be recycled, it is transported to a recycling factory, where the copying machine is repaired and inspected, and then distributed to the market again. Also, if it is used to such an extent that it cannot be recycled, it is recycled, or if a part of the copying machine can be recycled, the part is transported to a recycling factory and the remaining part is recycled.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the processing contents of the above-mentioned used copying machine can be grasped unless the maintenance staff of the copying machine makes an inquiry to the management center that collectively manages the processing contents of each copying machine by telephone or FAX. There wasn't. For this reason, the maintenance staff or the like cannot quickly grasp how to handle the used copying machine, and there is a problem that the management of the used copying machine is very troublesome.
[0004]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus management system, and an image forming apparatus capable of easily grasping the processing contents when used An object of the present invention is to provide a processing information output method.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet, processing information relating to processing after use of each unit is determined based on usage information relating to the usage amount of each unit of the apparatus itself. Then , based on this processing information, processing information determining means for determining the collection location after use of each unit, output means for outputting the processing information determined by the processing information determining means, and output for instructing output of the processing information Instructing means, and the output means outputs processing information including a collection place when instructed by the output instructing means.
[0006]
According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the maintenance staff or the like outputs the processing information including the collection location of each unit determined by the processing information determination means only by instructing by the output instruction means. Can easily grasp the processing contents of each unit of the used image forming apparatus. Further, the degree of deterioration of each unit of the image forming apparatus varies depending on the amount of use of each unit of the image forming apparatus. If the deterioration is severe, the unit of the used image forming apparatus is less likely to be recycled, and if the deterioration is small, the possibility of recycling is high. Therefore, by determining the processing information based on the usage amount of each unit of the image forming apparatus, the processing information becomes appropriate.
[0007]
Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the processing information includes information on the collection place after use of each unit of the own apparatus, so that the maintenance staff and the like look at the processing information output from the image forming apparatus. Ru can easily grasp whether it is sufficient to transport to where the used image forming apparatus.
[0008]
An image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention is a system for managing used image forming apparatuses, and is connected to the image forming apparatus according to the present invention via the network. And a management center that transmits the inventory information regarding the inventory status to the image forming apparatus, and the processing information determination unit determines the processing information based on the usage information and the inventory information.
[0009]
According to the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention, the processing information determination unit performs processing in consideration of the inventory information of the image forming apparatus transmitted from the management center in addition to the usage information regarding the usage amount of the image forming apparatus. Determine information. That is, when the inventory is insufficient, for example, processing information for recycling the image forming apparatus is determined, and when the inventory is surplus, processing information for recycling the image forming apparatus is determined. In this way, the processing information can be made more appropriate by considering the inventory information of the image forming apparatus.
[0010]
Further, the processing information output method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a step of receiving an output instruction of processing information relating to processing after use of each unit of the image forming apparatus, and each unit of the image forming apparatus after receiving the output instruction. Determining processing information based on usage information relating to the usage amount , determining a recovery location after use of each unit based on the processing information, outputting processing information including the determined recovery location , It is characterized by including.
[0011]
According to the processing information output method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the processing information including the collection place determined based on the usage information is output only by giving an output instruction. The processing contents of each unit of the image forming apparatus that has been completed can be easily grasped. Further, by determining the processing information based on the usage amount of each unit of the image forming apparatus as described above, the processing information becomes appropriate.
[0012]
Further, in the processing information output method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the processing information includes information on the collection location after use of each unit of the own apparatus, so that the processing information output from the image forming apparatus can be viewed. , maintenance personnel, etc. Ru can easily grasp whether it is sufficient to transport to where the used image forming apparatus.
An image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention is a system for managing used image forming apparatuses, and forms an image on a recording sheet, and the image forming apparatus and a network via a network. And a management center that is connected and transmits inventory information regarding the inventory status to the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus determines processing information regarding processing after use based on usage information and inventory information regarding the usage amount of the apparatus itself, and outputs processing information determined by the processing information determination means And an output means for outputting processing information when instructed by the output instruction means.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus management system, and a processing information output method for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol shall be used for the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a copier collection system 1 constructed using an image forming apparatus management system 10 according to the present embodiment. The copying machine collection system 1 is a system for collecting a copying machine (image forming apparatus) 20 that has been used because the lease period has expired. More specifically, each copying machine defined by the management system 10 is used. The copying machine 20 is configured to be transported to a central warehouse 70, a dismantling factory 80, or a recycling site 90 in accordance with a later-described collection category (processing content) of the machine 20.
[0015]
The management system 10 includes a copying machine 20 of the present embodiment to be managed, and a management center 50 connected thereto via a network (for example, the Internet) 55. The management center 50 is connected to the terminal device of the central warehouse 70 via the network 56, and acquires information on the number of stored items from the central warehouse 70. Further, the management center 50 creates inventory information regarding the inventory status of the copying machine based on the information regarding the number of stored units and the demand for the copying machine, and transmits the inventory information to the copying machine 20.
[0016]
The copying machine 20 has a normal printing function, and an image reading unit 22 that reads an image of a document (recording paper) on a copy glass 27 and converts it into image data in a casing 12 of the copying machine 20. An image forming unit 24 that forms an image on a sheet based on image data from the image reading unit 22, and a sheet feeding unit 26 that supplies the image forming unit 24 with sheets stored in a sheet feeding tray; Is provided. A sorter 28 for distributing sheets on which images are formed is disposed on the left side of the casing 12 in the drawing. The image reading unit 22 is provided with a document transport mechanism 22 a that transports a set document onto the copy glass 27.
[0017]
Although not shown, the image forming unit 24 includes a known device for forming an image on a sheet. Examples of the device include a photosensitive drum charged by a charging device and an image reading unit 22. A writing device that forms a latent electrostatic image on the surface of the photosensitive drum by outputting a laser beam based on the image data input from the developing device, a developing device that visualizes and develops the electrostatic latent image with toner, and a photosensitive member There are a transfer device that transfers the developed image formed on the drum surface onto the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 26, and a fixing device that fixes the image transferred onto the paper to the paper.
[0018]
Also, above the sorter 28, there is provided a touch panel 23 for inputting information such as paper size and image density and displaying such information on a display.
[0019]
In addition, the copying machine 20 includes a control unit 30 for determining processing information when the copying machine 20 is used. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the management system 10 showing the control unit 30 in detail. As shown in the figure, the control unit 30 receives a copy unit inventory information transmitted from the management center 50, and stores usage information and inventory information regarding the usage amount of the copy machine 20. A copying machine information database 32 (hereinafter, the database is abbreviated as “DB”) as information storage means, and a processing information determination unit 34 for determining processing information based on usage information and inventory information stored in the copying machine information DB 32. An output instruction unit 31 that instructs the processing information determination unit 34 to output the processing information.
[0020]
The copier information DB 32 also includes a C / V counter 35 that counts the number of times the copier 20 has been printed (hereinafter referred to as “C / V (Copy Volume)”), and the number of times the document is fed by the document transport mechanism 22a. A document feed number counter 27 to be counted and a sort number counter 39 to count the number of sorts in the sorter 28 are connected. The number of printings transmitted from the C / V counter 35, the number of document feedings transmitted from the document feeding number counter 27, and the number of sortings transmitted from the sorting number counter 39 are stored in the copier information DB 32 as usage information. Is done.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data file of the copier information DB 32. IIT (Image Input Terminal) means the image reading unit 22 shown in FIG. 1, and IOT (Image Output Terminal) means the image forming unit 24 excluding the sorter 28 and the image reading unit 22 in the entire copying machine 20. Means a part containing Here, the number of times of use of IIT means the number of times of document feeding, the number of times of use of IOT means the number of times of printing, and the number of times of use of the sorter means the number of times of sorting. The stock status indicates whether or not the demand can be supplemented by the number of stocks in the central warehouse 70. If the stock is insufficient, the stock status is “insufficient”, and if the stock is sufficient, the stock status is “surplus”.
[0022]
The processing information determination unit 34 determines the processing information of the copying machine 20 based on the usage information and the inventory status stored in the copying machine DB 32 as described above. The processing information includes the “collection category” of the copying machine 20 and the “reproduction category” of each unit. The “collection category” is a place where the copying machine 20 is collected when the copying machine 20 has been used, more specifically, the central warehouse 70, the demolition factory 80, or the recycling site 90 shown in FIG. It indicates where to collect. The “reproduction classification” indicates that the copier 20 is divided into three large units such as “IIT”, “IOT”, and “sorter”, and indicates whether these units are recycled or recycled after the use of the copier 20. Is.
[0023]
In determining the processing information, the processing information determination unit 34 first determines the regeneration category of each unit, and then determines the collection category based on this regeneration category. When determining the reproduction category, the processing information determination unit 34 uses the data shown in FIG. 4 stored in the built-in memory. The reference number of times shown in FIG. 4 is a standard that indicates that a unit that has been used beyond this value cannot withstand another cycle of use. For example, when the number of IIT document feeds exceeds 40,000, the processing information determination unit 34 determines that the IIT cannot be recycled and is recycled, and for the IOT, the number of printings exceeds 50,000. In this case, it is judged that it cannot be recycled and is recycled. Furthermore, even if the unit has not reached the reference number of uses, if the inventory information in FIG. 3 is “surplus”, the unit is regenerated to reduce the storage cost in the central warehouse 70. Is to be recycled.
[0024]
Then, the processing information determination unit 34 sets the collection category of the copier 20 as the central warehouse when all the reproduction categories of IIT, IOT, and sorter are recycled. In this case, when the copying machine 20 is used, it is transported from the user's source to the central warehouse 70 directly or via a local warehouse. The copying machine 20 carried into the central warehouse 70 is repaired, inspected, and stored until it is distributed to the market again. Here, the local warehouse is a warehouse located far from the central warehouse, and the copying machine 20 is collected in the central warehouse 70 via the local warehouse. It is for conveying to the central warehouse 70 collectively.
[0025]
In addition, when all the reproduction sections of IIT, IOT, and sorter are recycled, the processing information determining unit 34 sets the collection section of the copying machine 20 as the recycling area. In this case, when the copying machine 20 is used up, it is transported from the user's source or through the local warehouse to the recycling site 90 where it is recycled.
[0026]
Furthermore, if one or two of the IIT, IOT, and sorter is recycled and the remaining units are recycled, the processing information decision unit 34 collects the copying machine 20 Is a demolition factory. The dismantling factory is a factory for dismantling the copying machine 20 in order to recycle some units of the copying machine 20. When the collection section is a dismantling factory, the copying machine 20 is transported from the user's source to the dismantling factory 80 directly or via a local warehouse. Then, the units that are dismantled and recycled at the demolition factory 80 are transported to the central warehouse 70, and the remaining units that are not recycled are transported to the recycling site 90.
[0027]
FIG. 5 shows the touch panel 23 of the copying machine 20. FIG. 5A shows a basic screen of the touch panel 23, which displays a key for determining the paper size and a key for determining the copy density. Further, when the specialized screen display key 23s on the touch panel 23 is touched, a specialized screen shown in FIG. 5B is displayed.
[0028]
On the specialized screen of the touch panel 23, a processing information output key 23a for instructing to print out processing information is displayed. When the maintenance staff or the like touches the processing information output key 23a, the output instruction unit 31 (see FIG. 2) instructs the processing information determination unit 34 to transmit the processing information to the image forming unit 24. When transmitting the determined processing information to the image forming unit 24, the processing information determining unit 34 synthesizes a format for printing in a certain format with the processing information and transmits it.
[0029]
The above is the configuration of the present embodiment. Next, a copier management method using the processing information output method of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0030]
First, in step 101 (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as “S”), the C / V, the document feed count, and the sort count transmitted from the C / V counter 35, the document feed counter 37, and the sort count counter 39 are copied. It is stored in the machine information DB 32. In step 102, the inventory information of the IIT, IOT, and sorter units of the copying machine 20 transmitted from the management center 50 is stored in the copying machine information DB 32. Steps 101 and 102 are repeated until the next step 103 is performed. That is, the data file shown in FIG. 3 is sequentially updated with new contents.
[0031]
Next, in step 103, maintenance personnel or the like instructs the output of processing information. To perform this instruction, the maintenance staff or the like touches the processing information output key 23a shown in FIG. Then, the output instruction unit 31 illustrated in FIG. 2 instructs the processing information determination unit 34 to determine processing information. That is, the process information output key 23a and the output instruction unit 31 constitute an output instruction means for instructing the output of process information.
[0032]
When receiving an output instruction from the output instruction unit 31, the processing information determination unit 34 determines the processing information based on the usage information and the inventory information stored in the copier information DB 32. For example, it is assumed that the number of uses of IIT, IOT, and sorter has not reached the reference number of use, and the inventory information of each unit is insufficient. In this case, the processing information determination unit 34 recycles the reproduction division of each unit and sets the collection division of the copying machine 20 as a central warehouse.
[0033]
The processing information determination unit 34 may determine the processing information prior to the instruction, instead of determining the processing information after receiving the instruction from the output instruction unit 31. In this case, the processing information determination unit 34 outputs the processing information to the image forming unit 24 immediately after receiving the output instruction, thereby speeding up the processing.
[0034]
After determining the process information as described above, the process information printing process is started (S105). First, the processing information determination unit 34 synthesizes the determined processing information with the print format and outputs it to the image forming unit 24 as an output unit. The writing device of the image forming unit 24 that has received the processing information forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum based on the information, and then the processing information is printed through the development, transfer, and fixing steps. The collected sorting instruction is output from the copying machine 20.
[0035]
FIG. 7 shows a collection classification instruction output from the copying machine 20. As shown in the figure, in the lower column of the instructions, it is clearly stated that the collection category is the central warehouse and the regeneration category of each unit is recycling. As described above, in the present embodiment, the collection classification instruction sheet on which the collection classification and the reproduction classification after use are printed is automatically sent from the copying machine 20 only by the maintenance person pressing the processing information output key 23a on the touch panel 23. Therefore, the maintenance staff can easily grasp the collection category and the reproduction category of the copier 20 without inquiring the collection category and the reproduction category via the telephone or FAX, etc., as conventionally. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the location (collection category) where the copying machine 20 is collected is described in the collection category instruction, the maintenance staff can quickly grasp the transport destination of the used copying machine 20.
[0036]
Further, as described above, since the collection category and the reproduction category are determined based on the usage amount of the copying machine 20, the contents are appropriate. This is because the degree of deterioration of the copying machine 20 varies depending on the amount of use of the copying machine 20, but in this embodiment, when the deterioration is severe, there is little possibility that the used copying machine 20 can be recycled, and the deterioration is small. This is because the processing information is determined as having a high possibility of being recycled.
[0037]
The maintenance staff then attaches the collection classification instructions one by one to the IIT, IOT, and sorter 28 of the copying machine 20, and then transports the copying machine 20 to the central warehouse 70 indicated in the collection classification. At this time, as described above, the copying machine 20 may be transported directly to the central warehouse 70, or may be routed through a local warehouse or the like to be transported together with other copying machines.
[0038]
The copier 20 collected in the central warehouse 70 is inspected and repaired and then stored until it is carried to the user.
[0039]
As mentioned above, although the invention made by the present inventors has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the image forming apparatus is not necessarily connected to the management center. In this case, the processing information determination means determines the processing information based only on the usage information.
[0040]
Also, the basic processing information may be displayed on a display, for example, on a touch panel, for example, instead of printing out the determined processing information.
[0041]
In addition, a key for a maintenance person or the like to instruct the output of processing information may be provided in another part instead of being displayed on the touch panel.
[0042]
Further, the image forming apparatus includes not only a copying machine but also any apparatus such as a printer or a FAX capable of forming an image.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the maintenance information is output only by the maintenance instruction by the output instruction means, the processing information determined by the processing information determination means is output. The processing contents of each unit of the image forming apparatus can be easily grasped. In addition, since the processing information is determined based on the usage amount that is an indicator of the degree of deterioration of each unit of the image forming apparatus, the processing information is appropriate.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a copier collection system constructed using an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a management system showing details of a control unit shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data file of a copier information DB built in the copier.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating data in a memory built in a processing information determination unit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen of a touch panel.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing until processing information is printed out.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a collection classification instruction sheet output from the copying machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copying machine collection system, 10 ... Copying machine management system (management system of image forming apparatus), 20 ... Copying machine (image forming apparatus), 22 ... Image reading part, 22a ... Original conveyance mechanism, 23 ... Touch panel, 23a ... processing information output key (output instruction means), 24 ... image forming section (output means), 26 ... paper feeding section, 27 ... copy glass, 28 ... sorter, 30 ... control section, 31 ... output instruction section (output instruction means) , 32 ... Copier information DB, 33 ... Processing information determination unit (processing information determination unit), 34 ... Output unit (output unit), 35 ... C / V counter, 37 ... Document feeding frequency counter, 39 ... Sorting frequency counter 50 ... Management center, 55, 56 ... Network, 70 ... Central warehouse, 80 ... Dismantling factory, 90 ... Recycling plant.

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on recording paper,
Processing information determining means for determining processing information relating to processing after use of each unit based on usage information relating to the usage amount of each unit of its own device, and determining a collection location after use of each unit based on this processing information ; ,
Output means for outputting the processing information determined by the processing information determination means;
Output instruction means for instructing output of the processing information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the processing information including the collection place when the output instruction unit gives the instruction. A system for managing a used image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ;
A management center connected to the image forming apparatus via a network and transmitting inventory information relating to the inventory status to the image forming apparatus,
The processing information determination unit determines the processing information based on the usage information and the inventory information. Receiving an instruction to output processing information relating to processing after use of each unit of the image forming apparatus;
Determining the processing information based on usage information regarding the usage amount of each unit of the image forming apparatus after receiving the output instruction, and determining a collection location after use of each unit based on the processing information ; ,
Outputting processing information including the determined collection location ;
A processing information output method for an image forming apparatus. A system for managing a used image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on recording paper;
A management center that is connected to the image forming apparatus via a network and transmits inventory information relating to inventory status to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Processing information determining means for determining processing information regarding processing after use based on usage information regarding the usage amount of the device itself and the inventory information;
Output instruction means for instructing output of the processing information determined by the processing information determination means;
Output means for outputting the processing information when the instruction is given by the output instruction means,
An image forming apparatus management system.

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