JP4054410B2 - server - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a server for monitoring machine data, predicting a trend, and providing a corrected response. The server provides a predetermined response amount based on a single machine, a group of machines, or a plurality of groups of machines. It relates to a hierarchical system consisting of
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, systems have been introduced to monitor the operation of multiple reprographic machines from a remote source using a high performance host computer with advanced diagnostic capabilities. These systems have the ability to interact remotely with their monitored machine to receive requests that are automatically triggered for diagnostics or requests that are initiated by users for diagnostics, and higher levels of diagnostics It has the ability to interact with its requesting machine to receive stored data that allows analysis. Such systems are shown in US Pat. No. 5,038,319 and US Pat. No. 5,057,866 owned by the assignee of the present invention, the specifications of which are hereby incorporated by reference. These systems allow remote transmission of selected machine operating data (referred to as machine physical data) to the remote site where the host computer is installed via an appropriate communication line. Use interactive communication (RIC). The physical data of this machine may be automatically transmitted from the monitored document system to the remote site at a predetermined time and / or in response to a specific request from the host computer. May be.
[0003]
In a typical RIC system, the host computer is linked to a local copier via a public telephone system or a modem via a combination of public and dedicated systems. This host computer is an expert that performs an analysis of the physical data of a machine at a higher level than that obtained by a compiler and a diagnostic system within that machine, allowing communication with multiple machines of different types. And a diagnostic system. After analysis, the expert system may provide instruction messages that can be used by the machine operator on the document system side to overcome the obstacles.
[0004]
Alternatively, if the expert system determines that a larger repair is necessary, or if it is desirable to perform a preventive repair, identify the machine and determine the type of maintenance action required. A direct message is sent to the local field office.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
One difficulty with the system described above is that large amounts of data transmission and large bandwidth are required for remote transmission. US Pat. No. 5,394,458 discloses a machine communication interface for transferring data to a diagnostic device either locally or remotely. However, the main components of communication are the standard modem and the RS-232 interface. The difficulty of this system is the relatively narrow data bandwidth for remote monitoring and the ability to monitor only a few times. More importantly, a communication interface is disclosed that is relatively dumb to transfer data either locally or remotely. There is a lack of trend analysis and diagnostic capabilities within the interface, and raw data regarding machine conditions prior to transmission cannot be reduced. In addition, the system disclosed in the above-mentioned patents interacts with other servers on the network using a step-by-step technique or hierarchy consisting of analysis and diagnosis that can be applied to a single machine or family of machines. There is no ability.
[0006]
Future office equipment is expected to be serviced by various units, including customers, product manufacturer agents, or third party service organizations. This maintenance service should be as simple and easy to use as possible, including repair or replacement of parts, adjustments, or software updates. To provide quick and easily understandable information about the condition of the machine to those who are likely to maintain the product in order to achieve this new level of convenient maintenance services in products that are complex in any case New methods need to be developed. In order to achieve an economically feasible method, the product design used the same basic technology, and sensor technology and diagnostic technology, with a modular aspect with hardware and software capable of quality improvement Be prepared to provide maintenance services that can be extended to series products.
[0007]
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a machine server that conventionally provides a relatively large capacity data interface with a local or remote host and can diagnose and analyze machine trends. Another object of the present invention is to provide a graded or hierarchical structure of servers on a network for monitoring and diagnosing trends in a single machine, a family of machines, or various families of machines. That is.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In one aspect, a server electrically connected to the image processing machine provides local data access and tracks monitor components and machine trends to predict machine subsystems and element failures. Including an analysis and prediction component that analyzes the data and a diagnostic component that can diagnose the machine at a higher level, which is connected to the monitor component and the analysis and prediction component And further includes a communication component that provides a telecommunications link.
[0009]
In the second aspect, the first level server module is directly connected to a given machine, and the second level server module having trend analysis capability and diagnostic capability is connected to the network, and the network machine A third level server module is associated with a plurality of machine groups on the network, and an analysis and prediction component and a diagnostic component are trend data and failure prediction data for the plurality of machine groups. And machine correction data.
[0010]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image processing machine includes a controller having a data collection component and a first diagnostic component, and the server provides access to a maintenance service agent. In a server electrically connected to a processing machine, the monitor component connected to the controller and the data are analyzed to receive data generated by the data collection component and the first diagnostic component To further diagnose machine operation with analysis and prediction components connected to the monitor component to track machine trends and to predict machine subsystem and component failures, A second diagnostic component responsive to the analysis prediction component and the first diagnostic component is provided.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012]
A type of printer suitable for use with a server according to the present invention is described in US Pat. No. 4,986,526. A similar copy color printer 10 using a control system architecture according to the present invention is shown in FIG. It should be understood that this server may be implemented with various types of IOTs and is not necessarily limited to the particular printing system shown in FIG. For example, the present invention is compatible with various marking systems in addition to electrophotography such as lithographic thermal ink jet, liquid development, or thermal transfer.
[0013]
In FIG. 1, a multicolor original 38 is placed on the raster input scanner (RIS) 12 while the printing system is operating. The RIS 12 captures the entire document and converts it into a series of raster scan lines. This information is sent to the image processing system (IPS) 14. A signal corresponding to the desired image is sent from IPS 14 to ROS 16 which generates the output copy image. The ROS 16 includes a laser device with a rotating polygon mirror block. The latent images are developed with cyan, magenta, yellow, and black developers, respectively. In order to form a multicolor image on a copy sheet, these developed images are transferred to the copy sheet and superimposed with each other aligned. The multicolor image is fixed on a copy sheet to form a color copy.
[0014]
Still referring to FIG. 1, the printer or marking engine 18 is an electrostatic recording printing machine. This electrostatic recording printing machine uses a photoreceptor, that is, a photoconductive belt 20. Belt 20 moves in the direction of arrow 22 to continuously advance successive portions of photoconductive surfaces through various processing stations disposed around the path of travel. Initially, a portion of the photoconductive belt 20 passes through the charging station 34. At the charging station 34, a corona generator or scorotron charges the photoconductive belt 20 to a relatively high, substantially uniform potential.
[0015]
Next, the charged photoconductive surface of belt 20 moves to exposure station 36. The exposure station 36 receives image information from the RIS 12 having a multicolor original 38 placed thereon. The RIS 12 captures the entire image from the document 38 and converts it into a series of raster scan lines that are sent to the IPS 14 as electrical signals. The electrical signal from the RIS 12 corresponds to the red, green, and blue densities at each point on the document. Then, the IPS 14 sends a signal corresponding to the desired image to the ROS 16. The ROS 16 includes a laser device with a rotating polygon mirror block. One latent image is adapted to be developed with a cyan developer. The other latent image is developed with a magenta developer, the third latent image is developed with a yellow developer, and the fourth latent image is adapted to be developed with a black developer. . These latent images are formed by ROS 16 on the photoconductive belt corresponding to the signal from IPS 14.
[0016]
After the electrostatic latent image is recorded on the photoconductive belt 20, the belt 20 advances the electrostatic latent image to the development station 37. The development station includes four independent development units 40, 42, 44, and 46 that develop the electrostatic latent image using toner particles of the appropriate color in the same manner as conventional methods. After development, the toner is moved to a transfer station 48 where the toner image is transferred to a sheet of support 52, such as plain paper. At the transfer station 48, a paper feeder comprising a paper conveyor 50 moves the paper and contacts the photoconductive belt 20. As described above, the toner images of the four colors are transferred to the sheet by overlapping each other in alignment. After the paper is supplied four times around the paper conveyor 50, the paper is discharged and supplied to the paper transport device 54 and supplied between the fixing roll 58 and the pressure roll 60 in the direction of the arrow 56, Then, it is placed on the paper tray 62.
[0017]
As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the hierarchical process control architecture 110 may be applied to a printer such as the printer 10 shown in FIG. It can be installed in any suitable marking device. This hierarchical process control architecture 110 is introduced into the process control device 11 of the marking engine 18 as shown in FIG. 1 and shows the close relationship between the diagnostic server and the marking engine being serviced. In accordance with the present invention, fundamental low-level details regarding operation and operation status are frequently communicated from the marking engine to the diagnostic server at regular intervals. This control architecture 110 is one example showing a more general concept consisting of an intimate connection between a sewer and a marker. The internals of the control structure for different technologies may be different, but to provide the diagnostic server with fundamental and detailed data on the status and operation of the machine engine marking device to provide the required data to the diagnostic server The points to do are similar.
[0018]
Architecture 110 in process control device 11 communicates with IPS 14 and ROS 16 to control the quality of the image output by printer 10. The main purpose of the architecture 110 is to maintain the desired IOT image quality by maintaining the desired tone reproduction curve (TRC). The input image to be copied or printed has a unique TRC. An IOT that outputs a desired image has a unique TRC. If the IOT operates without control, the TRC of the image output by the IOT distorts the color rendering of the image. Therefore, the IOT must be controlled to match its own TRC with the TRC of the input image. Controls such as humidity or temperature and age of electrophotographic material (aged), ie the number of times the developer, photoreceptor (eg photoreceptor), etc. were printed since it was new Because of changes in certain variables that cannot be done, the IOT's inherent TRC may change. As shown in FIG. 2, to capture and correct various changes, the architecture 110 observes the IOT marking engine throughout the system, and between the various physical subsystems 113 of the IOT and between the subsystems 113. Control both of the interrelationships.
[0019]
As can be seen from FIG. 2, the architecture 110 can be divided into three levels: level 1, level 2, and level 3. In addition, the architecture 110 has a control supervisor 112 that coordinates interactions between various levels of controllers. Level 1 includes a controller 114 for each of the subsystems 113. The subsystem 113 may be, for example, a charging station, an exposure station, a developing station, and a fixing station of an electrophotographic apparatus. Level 2 includes at least two controllers 115 that cooperate with level 1 controller 114. Level 3 includes at least one controller 116. Each of the controllers is not only connected directly, but also functions and communicates with other controllers via a special interface provided to the control supervisor 112.
[0020]
In general, at level 1, the algorithm is responsible for maintaining the corresponding subsystem at its setpoint. Level 2 determines how much these settings should be and informs the Level 1 algorithm of the determination to change them. Level 2 is, for example, inspecting the toner patches arranged by the patch scheduling algorithm in the inter-document area of the photoreceptor, and the optical sensor reads these patches to determine the amount of toner arranged there by the developing system. . This patch can be either a full black area patch or a 50% (for example) halftone patch. From these patch densities, the level 2 algorithm determines appropriate settings for electrostatic voltage and toner density. Level 2 does not recognize the TRC as an entity, but only as three points (maximum darkness, white, and some intermediate darkness (50% in this example)). Level 3 treats the TRC as a curve consisting of many discrete points (typically about 4-6 points in addition to the three points from level 2). For further details of the control architecture 110, see US Pat. No. 5,471,313 cited herein.
[0021]
In order to provide the short-term stability of the subsystem 113 required by the level 2 algorithm, the level 1 controller 114 is required to maintain scalar settings for each of the subsystems 113. Each of the subsystems 113 has an independent controller 114 that directly controls a particular parameter or operating set point for that particular subsystem. As shown locally in the direct control loop depicting the controller 114 shown in FIG. 2, the level 1 controller 114 is fed information from various information sensors that sense the operating parameters of the subsystem. This sensed parameter is sent through only one process step or algorithm, which outputs operational control parameters for controlling the various IOT subsystems 113. Two independent algorithms may be provided for each of the level 1 controllers 114. In order to provide the quick stability required by the level 2 controller 115, one algorithm provides a quick response time when the settings of the level 1 subsystem are changed. During normal subsystem operation where the setpoint is not changed, the second algorithm provides a noise margin. The control supervisor provides a means of determining which algorithm adjusts the activator value.
[0022]
The level 2 controller 115 operates locally rather than locally as the level 1 controller 113 does. Level 2 controller 115 controls the output of the intermediate process. The input to the level 2 controller 115 algorithm consists of a mixed group of scalar quantities including temperature, humidity, developer age (over time), and any other factors that affect the level 2 controller 115. . Two examples of regional control configurations are shown in FIG. 2, but any suitable configuration that operates locally can be used. The level 2 controller 115 receives input data from either the information processing system of the printer 10, the scanner of the copier, or the user interface. This input data informs the level 2 controller 115 of what the customer desires to be output. It is important to note that the image output desired by the customer may not necessarily be exactly the same as the input. That is, the customer may want to customize or change the appearance of the image.
[0023]
The data input to the level 2 controller 115 consists of a plurality of bits for each pixel of the desired image to be output by the image output terminal (IOT). Assume that this input data is accurately reproduced when it is sent out. That is, the three color system of the input image should match the three color system measured in the corresponding region of the image output by the IOT. In order for the architecture of the present invention to realize the function of matching these three color systems, a TRC specific to a specific IOT must be determined. The specific IOT TRC is detected by an optical sensor that inspects a test patch placed on the photoreceptor. Once the unique TRC for a particular IOT is determined, the level 2 controller 115 controls the discrete points of the unique TRC to match the TRC of the input image data. That is, the tone reproduction curve allows the IOT to output an image corresponding to an image desired by the customer. Level 2 controller 115 does this by detecting and deriving various discrete settings corresponding to the IOT's inherent tone reproduction curve. Further, the level 2 controller 115 detects the result of the setting value of the gradation reproduction curve with respect to the corresponding setting value of the desired TRC.
[0024]
The level 2 controller 115 sends advice regarding the operating parameters of the level 1 subsystem to the control supervisor 112. As will be described later, the control supervisor 112 accepts or adjusts the advice on these parameters and sends them to the actuators of the level 1 subsystem to change the operation of the level 1 subsystem 113. By changing the operation of the level 1 subsystem by the controlled quantity, the level 2 setpoints are maintained at their desired position in the tone reproduction curve. In order to detect and generate a unique TRC, the level 2 controller 115 selects the darkest or darkest bit from the input data stream and sets the value corresponding to the highest setting of the tone reproduction curve to this darkness. Assign to Furthermore, the level 2 controller 115 selects a density level, for example, a density level of 50%, and assigns another density value corresponding to another set value of the gradation reproduction curve to this bit. The lowest setting value of the gradation reproduction curve is always 0, and corresponds to the background or white area of the input image. The level 2 controller 115 sets a white area, that is, a density 0 area of the input image, _clean Maintain this background area by maintaining Accordingly, the level 2 controller 115 sets at least three points on the tone reproduction curve used to control the image output process.
[0025]
Further, the level 2 controller 115 detects the operation of the IOT corresponding to some discrete points set in the gradation reproduction curve of the input image by the level 2 controller 115. That is, the level 2 controller detects how much density level is output and how much density level is input, and compares the two. If the unique TRC setpoint fluctuates or differs from the input density level, the controller 115 sends advice on level 1 parameters to correct this difference. Level 2 controllers continually examine the output of these points to control several discrete points in the tone reproduction curve.
[0026]
Level 2 controller controls the black and halftone areas, ie the upper and middle areas of the TRC, and V _clean Maintains the lower end of the TRC, but other setting values along the tone reproduction curve must be set and controlled in order to generate an image with the desired color stability. These remaining areas are known as highlight areas and shadow areas in which the output density value varies just like the other areas. The level 3 controller 116 provides setting values for controlling the output of the highlight area and the shadow area, and controls these setting values to generate a high-quality output image. The level 3 controller 116 detects the operation of the image output terminal corresponding to the set values of the highlight area and the shadow area, and compares the operation data with the input data. Furthermore, the level 3 controller 116 corrects any differences between the output motion data and the input data by changing how the RIS 12 interprets the input image.
[0027]
In one embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the level 1 subsystem to be controlled includes a charging subsystem 118, an exposure subsystem 120, a development subsystem 122, and a fusing subsystem 126. In addition, any other physical subsystem of a printer or copier can be easily controlled and included in this architecture. Level 1 subsystem controllers may include any or all of the following controllers. That is, a charging controller, a laser power controller, a toner density controller, a transfer efficiency controller, a fixing (fuser) temperature controller, a cleaning controller, a decurler controller, and a fixing stripper controller. By simply designing the controllers, other IOT controllers that control various physical subsystems of the IOT not described herein may be used, so that they are shown in FIG. 2 by the control supervisor 112. And can be plugged into a plug and operate in the manner described above.
[0028]
In order to provide customers with value-added diagnostic maintenance services using add-on hardware modules and add-on software modules that provide maintenance service information about copier / printer products, a hierarchical structure of machine servers is described in accordance with the present invention. The In the following, the term “machine” is typically used to describe a device whose operation is being monitored, but is not limited to a copier or printer. The term “server” is used to describe a device that performs monitoring and analysis functions and provides a communication interface between the “machine” and the maintenance service environment. Such servers continuously receive raw data from various sensors located within the machine appropriately at frequent intervals and interpret such data and reports regarding the machine subsystem and system functional status. In addition to software and hardware, the computer comprises auxiliary components. In addition to the direct sensor data received from the machine, the process controller recognizes that the process controller attempts to correct for machine parameters, materials drift, and other things that affect image quality. Information about the parameters in the control algorithm (levels 1, 2 and 3) is also communicated. One characteristic of the control system is that the effects of drift are hidden by compensatory actuation until the operating limit (tolerance) is reached. Therefore, the algorithm parameters of the control system are queried to evaluate the transition of the system to the tolerance limit. If the distance from the limits can be determined and the system degradation rate to these limits is evaluated, it is possible to predict when a component failure that is approaching the limits will occur. Such a server has sufficient storage capacity to store machine data and their interpretation until such time that the server is prompted and reports over a local display or network. In addition, the server may be programmed to provide an alarm signal locally or over a network connection if the machine condition requires immediate attention when detected by the server. Good.
[0029]
Furthermore, if a component or performance degradation is detected, a series of actions can be taken based on the method of maintenance service for the machine by predicting the failure that is about to occur. These actions range from notifying the primary operator of the anticipated need for maintenance services to actually ordering the appropriate parts “timely” before they actually fail. is there. The server is configured to perform a specific set of functions for each product in the family, and anything that may be necessary to maintain the machine and optimize the operation of the machine, such as repairs, parts replacement, etc. Provide instructions to the customer or maintenance service representative to implement. Such functions include the state of periodically replacing parts due to wear, or the state of determining image quality that may require adjustment of various module operating parameters or replacement of defective components. .
[0030]
The software installed on such a server is partly generic to modules that are common among all machines and partly specific to machines purchased by the customer. The server is configured to serve one or more machines in the same campus and can receive data sent from various machines via a wireless transmitter, telephone line, or network connection it can. Thus, the server interprets the complex raw data that is continuously sent from the various components and modules of the machine (or machines) and the actions that need to be taken to maintain optimal operation of the machine. Customer information about the essence can be provided.
[0031]
The concept that “basic diagnostics” is “value-added diagnostics” is achieved by providing only (raw) data that has not been interpreted in the machine interface as a basic diagnostic component. To provide a shortened maintenance service time (which may even take no time if the customer performs a maintenance action) as a result of specific appropriate diagnosis of both actual and predicted failure of machine parts The server accepts and interprets this raw data. This server provides very fundamental details regarding the interaction with the machine being monitored, as well as providing detailed information regarding the status of each individual component as described above. This information not only provides on-site maintenance service diagnosis, but also accurately recalls the failed part before and after the product life, provides information and serial numbers as part-specific database entries, It is also useful when manufacturing by testing the behavior of individual components and comparing it to the known correct behavior of the standard.
[0032]
There are basically two server features. “Local” servers (including handheld devices) are connected to a single machine and perform monitoring, analysis, diagnostic, and communication functions. The second embodiment comprises a network and a server, and its diagnosis requires a group of machines connected to it. By comparing the combination of solutions, the customer can determine the breakeven point.
[0033]
These servers, according to the present invention, provide an intermediate level of diagnostic capability between the diagnostic capability of a server located within the machine and the diagnostic capability of a server located at a remote maintenance service facility. Intermediate means not only in the size of the range that can operate, but also in complexity, bandwidth, range of analysis, and response time. The diagnostic capabilities built into the product itself have the most direct access to raw sensor data, the most likely bandwidth, and the fastest response time, but the level of analysis, the breadth of the analysis range And limited by the cost and functional requirements in the storage capacity that can be maintained. Remote diagnostic servers, on the other hand, have virtual unrestricted storage capabilities for monitoring and trend analysis, the ability to gain a more global view of the population of machines in question, and more powerful calculations that analyze in detail any available data Have the ability. These local and network based servers make it possible to provide continuous diagnosis of products between existing internal systems and remote systems.
[0034]
The current method is to use sophisticated techniques to send raw (NVM) data from which diagnostic information about each machine is obtained to a remote location. The current situation is mainly limited by the area of data content, bandwidth, and response time. Remote access is typically performed over a telephone line with associated low speed and connection fees. Data extraction typically occurs about once a day (week), often not enough to take preventive action and / or quickly change parameters This does not accurately determine trends.
[0035]
In accordance with the present invention, the diagnostic server is an internal machine that reduces the amount of time the customer visits the survey, or provides the customer with the ability to replace parts and completely avoids the customer going to the survey. Increase the diagnostic capabilities of customers and provide customers with value for reduced downtime with improved diagnostic and predictive information that can be used in maintenance service methods.
[0036]
Many machines on the network (typically but not limited to copiers and printers) are connected to a single network server. The existing computing power of the network or especially newly purchased for this purpose comprises software that has the ability to extract machine status based on job units or more frequently if needed. The network based on the diagnostic server reverts to a central “headquarters” type field maintenance service operation and acts as a point of contact to the entire facility, thus reducing the number of external connections required by the customer. This network server maintains a detailed machine state database that is continuously updated. This database contains information on the size of the loaded paper, color, job queue congestion, and no error conditions such as current quality capabilities. This database, with many capabilities (including everything needed to describe machine status), enables maintenance services that are better than diagnostics, and allows machines to be based on customer requirements for printed jobs. Includes job scheduling, print queue management, resource allocation, and user notification to optimally map jobs.
[0037]
Referring to FIG. 4, a server schematically indicated at 200 includes a subsystem and component monitor 202, an analysis and prediction component 204, a diagnostic component 206, and a communication component 208. It should be understood that appropriate memory originally resides in the monitoring component, analysis and prediction component, diagnostic component, and communication component of server 200. The monitor component includes a feature extractor and provides pre-processing capabilities that separate the relevant portions of the data to be transferred to the analysis prediction component. In general, monitor component 202 receives machine data, such as that shown at 210, analyzes machine operation and status, and is a disposable component as well as usage data and component and subsystem wear data. Appropriate data is provided to the analysis prediction component 204 to track machine trends such as usage. The diagnostic component 206 receives various machine sensor data and machine control data from the monitor 202 as well as data from the analysis prediction 204 and is centralized with various diagnostic tools such as remote servers or expert systems on the network. In addition to providing critical diagnostic and maintenance service information via communication component 208 on line 212 to the network interconnected to the host machine, it also provides immediate machine correction as indicated at 216. . Appropriate alarm status reports, empty consumable supply requests, and data sufficient to perform a more thorough diagnosis of the machine may be included. In addition, with local access 214, a local maintenance service agent, not only to interconnect to any suitable diagnostic device, but also to utilize the various analytical, predictive, and diagnostic data stored in server 200 Interface is provided.
[0038]
Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary machine server 200 is disclosed that is not only connected to a network 220 but also interconnected to a drawing machine 222, such as a printing machine or other suitable. It should be understood that the object of the present invention is to consider various forms of machine servers, as well as interconnections to machine networks and other network servers. The present invention encompasses various variants of machine servers such as analysis prediction components, diagnostic components capable of hierarchical diagnostic levels, and various forms for receiving sensed and controlled data from a machine. You should understand that. For example, in FIG. 5, certain detection data indicated by reference numeral 228 is provided to both the monitor 202 and the machine control device 224. Other data, indicated by reference numeral 226, is provided directly only to monitor 202, which also receives control data for line 230. Both communication component 208 and controller 224 are illustrated as being connected to network 220. A network server 218 connected to the network 220 provides a higher level of analysis and diagnosis to the machine 22 than the machine server 200, and provides a higher level of analysis and diagnosis to the rest of the network, as shown in FIG. To provide machines.
[0039]
FIG. 6 shows machines 1-232, machines 2-240, and machines 3-248 interconnected to network 220 via lines 236, 244, and 252. FIG. A server 234 is attached to the machine 1, a server 242 is attached to the machine 2, and a server 250 is attached to the machine 3. Within the scope of the present invention, each of these machine servers is an integral part of the machine and may be a stand-alone component, but may be permanently attached to a given machine. Alternatively, it may be an additional or portable component that is easily transferred to another machine. In addition, servers 234, 242, and 250 are interconnected to network 220 via lines 238, 246, and 254. In one embodiment, a network server 256 interconnected to the network via line 258 is dedicated to machines 1, 2, and 3. In addition to the local access component, the network server 256 may have the same basic components as a typical machine server: a monitor component, an analysis prediction component, a diagnostic component, and a communication component. . In the preferred embodiment, the network server 256 provides the next level of sophistication when monitoring, predicting, and diagnosing a given family of machines. 6, machine A-260 with server 262, machine B-276 with server 278, and machine C-268 with server 270 are connected to lines 264, 266, 272, 274. 280 and 282 to the network 220. In addition, a network server 284 is interconnected to the network 220 via line 286, which provides further levels of analysis and diagnosis to machines A, B, and C. In one embodiment, machines 1, 2, and 3 belong to a class of drawing devices, and machines A, B, and C are a second class of family drawing devices. Belonging to. Thus, the network servers 256 and 284 may be quite different in operation and are tuned to monitor a completely different class of machines. In addition, a network server 290 is interconnected to network servers 258 and 284, which are at the next level, servers 256 or 284 for machines 1, 2, 3, A, B, and C. Provides higher analytical, diagnostic, and even job routing than any of the above. Further, in one embodiment, network server 290 interconnected to network 220 via line 292 includes various expert analysis tools for trend analysis, feature analysis, morphology analysis, and component supply tracking. The host machine at the central diagnostic station.
[0040]
Referring to FIG. 7, a predetermined scenario for interconnecting various machine servers and network servers on a network in the form of a flowchart in order to provide tiered levels of monitoring, analysis, and diagnosis to a given machine. Disclosed. In block 300, it is indicated that a predetermined machine condition is detected at level 1. It should be understood that a level 1 condition may be detected from a number of machine sensors and controlled data. Block 302 shows a level 1 analysis, and at decision block 304 a determination is made based on this level 1 analysis at 302 whether a level 1 response is required. It should be understood that level 1 analysis may be merely analysis and correction feedback provided automatically by sensors and controls in a given machine.
[0041]
However, in the present invention, a level 1 analysis is an analysis performed by a machine server beyond and better than normal or routine analysis on a given machine. Thus, referring to FIG. 4, level 1 analysis is a further analysis made by the monitor component 202, the analysis prediction component 204, and the diagnostic component 206 in addition to typical machine analysis. This analysis may include a level of trend tracking to track machine failure trends, component wear tracking, and machine usage tracking as described above. This level of information may be transferred over the network to more sophisticated monitors, and may also be utilized by maintenance service agents or trained operators by local or remote access.
[0042]
If a level 1 response is required at block 304, a level 1 action is taken for a given machine, as shown at block 306. Block 308 determines whether this action is complete with respect to the level 1 analysis at block 302. If the correction has not been completed, for example, if there are some level 1 actions based on the level 1 analysis, the level 1 analysis at block 302 is continued. If it is determined in decision block 304 that there is no further level 1 response required, or if it is determined in correction block 308 that the correction is complete, the system detects a machine condition at level 2. In the level 2 analysis, further sensor information or further control information and first level diagnostic analysis information are considered. The data provided by detecting the condition at level 2 block 314 is analyzed at block 316. As with the level 1 loop, decision block 318 determines whether a level 2 response is required. If not required, this analysis continues to detect the condition at level 3. However, if the level 2 analysis requires a response, the level 2 action is taken at block 320.
[0043]
According to the present invention, this level 2 analysis corresponds to a network analysis server as provided by either the network server 256 or 284 of FIG. At this level, the requested response may be a response to more than one machine, for example, network server 256 may respond to machines 1, 2, and 3, or machines 1, 2, and 3 may determine a response to the combination of three, and the network server 284 may determine a response required for the combination of machines A, B, and C. When determined in decision block 322, if the corrective action is complete, or if there is no level 2 requested response in decision block 318, the system will detect the status in level 3 mode at block 328. enter. It should be understood that the monitoring, analysis, and diagnostic loops are shown in order at three levels. However, it should be understood that the portion of analysis may be performed at three levels simultaneously. This is because common sensor data and control data and available diagnostic data can be obtained simultaneously.
[0044]
Detection of a level 3 condition at block 328 provides data to the level 3 analysis shown at block 330. With respect to FIG. 6, level 3 analysis corresponds to analysis of network server 290 that receives various analysis and diagnostic data from both servers 256 and 284. Similar to the previous loop, decision block 332 determines whether a level 3 response is requested, and if so, level 3 action is indicated in block 334. In this example, for example, by network server 290, level 3 treatment requires treatment on machines 1, 2, 3, A, B, and C, or any combination thereof. As discussed above, it is the next level of analysis and diagnosis in hierarchical level monitoring, analysis, trend setting, scheduling prediction, and diagnosis. If the correction at level 3 is complete, or if there is no level 3 required response, the system will return to level 1 after a predetermined time period or after completion of a predetermined event or occurrence of a predetermined event. It will remain idle until state detection at is activated.
[0045]
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred but non-limiting embodiments for illustration. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides a machine server capable of diagnosing and analyzing machine trends, and monitoring and monitoring the trends of a single machine, a family of machines, or various families of machines. A graded level or hierarchy of servers on the network for diagnosis can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a color copy marking engine and printing system incorporating the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control architecture for the system shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is another block diagram of a control architecture for the system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a machine server and an interface according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is another schematic block diagram of a machine server and an interface according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a plurality of machine servers and network servers according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a hierarchical structure of trend analysis and diagnosis according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Printer
11 Process control device
12 RIS
18 Marking engine
37 Development station
110 Process Control Architecture
112 Control Supervisor
114 Level 1 controller
115 Level 2 controller
116 Level 3 controller
200 machine server
218 Network server

Claims (5)

A server electrically connected to an image processing machine including a controller having a data collection component and a first level diagnostic component, wherein the level is a level of sophistication of machine operation diagnosis; The server is
A monitor component connected to the controller for receiving first level data generated by the data collection component and the first level diagnostic component;
An analytical prediction component connected to the monitor component that analyzes the first level data, tracks machine trends, and generates data to predict machine subsystem and component failures;
A second level for generating second level data for diagnosing machine operation at a second level that is higher than the first level based on the data from the analysis prediction component and the first level data. Diagnostic components of
Local access means for providing local access to the server;
Remote communication connected to the second level diagnostic component and the analytic prediction component to provide the second level data to a network server for diagnosing machine operation at a third level higher than the second level Components,
The image processing institution and the server determine whether or not a treatment at each level is necessary based on the data at each level, and perform a predetermined treatment at each level when it is determined to be necessary A server characterized by that.   The server according to claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing the first level data and the second level data.  The server of claim 1, wherein the monitor component receives data independent of the data collection component, including data for changing machine operation.   The server according to claim 1, wherein the server is a portable component. A hierarchical system for monitoring machine data, predicting trends, and providing multiple levels of diagnostic data, wherein the level is a level of sophistication of machine operation diagnosis,
An image processing machine including a control device having a data collection component and a first level diagnostic component, wherein the control device generates first level diagnostic data;
A first server connected to the image processing machine for receiving the first level diagnostic data and generating second level diagnostic data for diagnosing machine operation at a second level higher than the first level; ,
A third level for being remotely connected to the first server via a network, receiving second level diagnostic data from the first server and diagnosing machine operation at a third level higher than the second level; A second server for generating diagnostic data of
With
The first server is
A monitor component connected to the controller to receive the first level diagnostic data;
An analysis prediction component that analyzes the first level diagnostic data, tracks machine trends, and generates data to predict machine subsystem and component failures;
A second level diagnostic component that generates second level diagnostic data based on the data from the analysis prediction component and the first level diagnostic data;
Local access means for providing local access to the first server;
Wherein the diagnosis component of the second level analysis is connected to the prediction components, have a, and telecommunications components for providing diagnostic data of said second level to said second server,
The image processing machine, the first server, and the second server each determine whether or not a treatment at each level is necessary based on the data at each level. Take predetermined actions,
Hierarchical system.

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