JPH06267258A - Device for deciding life of consumption components - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the occurrence of abnormality as much as possible by constituting a life decision device with a hard disk device being the consumption components, a control part, a clock part, a power source switch and a power source circuit and outputting a message showing the fact that the exchange time of the components is near even when an energizing cumulative time is a life time or below. CONSTITUTION:The energizing time from when the power source switch 9 is turned off to when turned off is stored accumulatively by an energizing time cumulative area. In such a manner, the ernergizing cumulative time of the hard disk device 1 till the last time operation time is compared with the life time whenever the switch 9 is turned on, and when the energizing cumulative time arrives at 70% of the life time, the fact is informed to a user, and when the cumulative time arrives at 80%, the fact that the exchange time of the consumption components is near is alarmed to the user, and when arrives at even 90%, the fact that exchange time approaches close at hand is awakened to the user. These all messages are displayed on a display device 7. That is, the preparation of exchange work is performed by the initial message, and the exchange work is performed by the final message, and the operational efficiency of an electronic equipment is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hard disk device,
The present invention relates to a consumable-part life determining apparatus used in an electronic device including a consumable part such as a floppy disk device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a personal computer or POS
(Point-of-sale information management) Hard disk devices and floppy disk devices that are installed as external storage devices in electronic devices such as terminals are consumable parts, and the power-on time [POH: Power-on-hour] until the end of their life is generally applicable. It is specified in the instruction manual, etc.

Since such replacement work of consumable parts requires specialized knowledge, the replacement work has been performed by a maintenance inspector (service person) of the electronic equipment manufacturer (manufacturer).

[0004]

However, the service life of these consumable parts is very long, and it has been impossible for the user of the electronic equipment to predict the service life of the consumable parts. For this reason, the user has recognized that the consumable part has reached the end of its life only after it abnormally operates, and then has requested the manufacturer to replace the consumable part.

On the other hand, even manufacturers have taken preparations for replacement work after a user requests replacement of consumable parts. Therefore, the replacement work may be delayed due to lack of parts or the like.

Therefore, the present invention can notify the manufacturer that the life of the consumable component mounted on the electronic device is near the end of life, so that if the replacement time is due to the end of life. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a consumable part life deciding device capable of promptly performing replacement work and preventing occurrence of abnormalities due to consumable part life as much as possible.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a clock section for measuring time, an on-time reading means for reading from the clock section the time when a power switch of an electronic device is turned on, and the time when the power switch is turned off. Is read from the clock section, an energization time calculating means for calculating an energization time from the power-on time to the power-off time read by the time reading means, and the energization calculated by the calculating means. Energization time accumulating means for accumulating time, life time storage means for storing life time of consumable parts, and time comparison for comparing the life time stored by this storage means with the energization time accumulated by the energization time accumulation means And a warning message output for outputting a message indicating that it is time to replace consumable parts when the cumulative energization time is equal to or longer than the life time And a preparation message output means for outputting a message indicating that the consumable part is about to be replaced when the cumulative current-carrying time is less than the life time and the time obtained by subtracting the cumulative current-carrying time from the life time is within a predetermined time by the comparing means. It is equipped with.

[0008]

According to the present invention having such a configuration, the energization time from when the power switch of the electronic device is turned on to when it is turned off is accumulated, and this accumulated energization time is less than the previously stored life time of the consumable part. However, when the time obtained by subtracting the energization cumulative time from the life time is within the predetermined time, a message indicating that the consumable parts are about to be replaced is output.
Therefore, the user of the corresponding electronic device informs the manufacturer that the time for replacement of the consumable part is approaching. This will allow the manufacturer to prepare for the replacement work.

After that, when the cumulative power-on time reaches the life time, a message indicating that it is time to replace the consumable part is output. Therefore, the user informs the manufacturer that it is time to replace the consumable part. At this time, the manufacturer has already prepared for the replacement work, so that the replacement work can be carried out promptly.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the essential parts of an electronic device using the life determining device for consumable parts according to the present invention.
This electronic device is equipped with a hard disk device 1 as a consumable part.

A control unit 2 for controlling the overall operation of the electronic equipment is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. The control unit 2 has a memory unit 3 for storing various data, a clock unit 4 for clocking time, and The input / output control unit 5 is connected.

In addition to the hard disk device 1, the input / output control unit 5 is connected with input / output devices such as a keyboard 6, a display 7 and a printer 8.

The power switch 9 of the electronic device is provided on the power line connecting the commercial AC power supply 10 and the power circuit 11 mounted on the electronic device. The power supply circuit 11 is a commercial AC power supply 1
A predetermined DC power source is generated from 0 and supplied to the control unit 2, the memory unit 3, the input / output control unit 5, the hard disk device 1, the input / output devices 6, 7, and 8 and the like.

The clock unit 4 uses the battery 4a as a driving power source. Further, the memory unit 3 is provided with a battery 3a for power backup, so that even if the power supply from the power supply circuit 11 is interrupted, the data can be stably stored and held by the discharge from the battery 3a.

The power switch 9 is provided with an interlock switch 12 which is turned on and off at the same time. When the interlock switch 12 is switched from on to off, that is, the power switch 9 is switched from on to off, the interrupt signal INT is input to the control unit 2.

A relay switch 13 is connected in parallel with the power switch 9. The relay switch 13 is switched on and off by a relay on signal ON and a relay off signal OFF from the control unit 2.

In the memory unit 3, as shown in FIG.
Memory areas of a current on-time area A, a previous on-time area B, a previous off-time area C, a previous energization time area D, an energization time cumulative area E, and a life time setting area F are formed.

In the life time setting area F, the energization time [POH] until the life, which is the replacement time of the hard disk device 1 which is a consumable component, is registered in advance. Here, the life time setting area F constitutes a life time storage means for storing the life time of consumable parts.

In the electronic device having such a structure, when the power switch 9 is turned on, DC power is supplied from the power supply circuit 11 to each part to start each part.

Then, the control unit 2 particularly executes the arithmetic processing shown in FIG. That is, first, the relay ON signal ON is output to close the relay switch 13. This allows
Even if the power switch 9 is turned off, the commercial AC power source 10 supplies power to the power circuit 11 through the relay switch 13, so that the operation of the electronic device does not stop.

Next, the current time measured by the clock unit 4 is read out and stored in the current on-time area A as the current power-on time (on-time reading means).

Next, the power-on time during the previous operation stored in the previous off-time area C is subtracted from the power-off time during the previous operation stored in the previous on-time area B to subtract the power-on time during the previous operation. Is calculated and this energization time is stored in the previous energization time area D (energization time calculation means).

Next, the contents of the previous energization time area D are added to the contents of the energization time accumulation area E, and the addition result is stored again in the energization time accumulation area E (energization time accumulation means).

After that, if the life determination processing described later is performed, the contents of the current on-time area A are transferred to the previous on-time area B and the normal processing is started.

In this normal processing, the control unit 2 constantly monitors whether or not the interrupt signal INT is input from the interlock switch 12. When the input of the interrupt signal INT is detected, since the power switch 9 is turned off, the current time counted by the clock unit 4 is read and stored in the previous off time area C as the power off time (off Time reading means).

Then, the relay off signal OFF is output to open the relay switch 13. As a result, the power supply from the power supply circuit 11 is cut off, and the operation of the electronic device is stopped.

As shown in FIG. 4, the above-mentioned life judgment processing is as follows.
The life time preset in the life time setting area F is compared with the energization cumulative time accumulated in the energization time accumulating area E (time comparing means).

When the cumulative energization time is equal to or longer than the life time (YES in ST1), a message warning the user that it is time to replace the consumable part is displayed and output from the display unit 7, and this process is executed. End (warning message output means).

On the other hand, when the energization cumulative time is less than the life time, it is judged whether the energization cumulative time has reached 90%, 80% or 70% of the life time, respectively. To do. Then, when it reaches 90% (YES in ST2), a message is displayed and output from the display 7 to remind the user that the time to replace the consumable part is approaching due to the lapse of 90% of the life. Then, this process ends (preparation message output means).

When the energization cumulative time reaches 80% of the life time but does not reach 90% (ST3
YES), a message for notifying the user that the time to replace the consumable part is approaching due to the lapse of 80% of the life is displayed and output from the display unit 7, and this processing is ended (preparation message output means).

Furthermore, the energization cumulative time is 70% of the life time.
In case of reaching 80% but not reaching (ST
(YES of 4), a message reporting to the user that the life of the consumable part has exceeded 70% of the life time is displayed and output from the display unit 7, and this processing ends (preparation message output means).

On the other hand, the cumulative energization time is 7 times the life time.
If it has not reached 0%, this process is terminated without outputting a message.

In the electronic apparatus of this embodiment which operates in this way, the energization time from when the power switch 9 is turned on until it is turned off is cumulatively stored in the energization time accumulation area E. This cumulative energization time corresponds to the operating time of the hard disk device 1, which is a consumable part. Therefore, the energization time until the life of the hard disk device 1 is set in the life time setting area F in advance.

By doing this, every time the power switch 9 is turned on, the cumulative energization time (contents of the energization time accumulation area E) of the hard disk device 1 up to the previous operation is compared with the life time (life time setting area F). To be done. Then, when the cumulative power-on time reaches 70% of the life time, a message reporting to the user that the life of the consumable part has reached 70% of the life time, and when it reaches 80%, the time to replace the consumable part is close. A message to remind the user that
When it reaches 90%, a message that urges the user that the time to replace the consumable part is approaching is displayed and output on the display unit 7, respectively.

Therefore, the user can gradually recognize from the contents of the message that the consumable part, that is, the time to replace the hard disk drive 1 is approaching.
This allows the manufacturer to be accurately notified that the hard disk drive 1 is about to be replaced. This will allow the manufacturer to prepare for the replacement work.

After that, when the cumulative power-on time reaches the end of life, a message warning the user that it is time to replace the consumable part is displayed and output on the display unit 7. Therefore, the user informs the manufacturer of the time to replace the hard disk drive 1. Let us know. At this time, the manufacturer has already prepared for the replacement work, so that the replacement work can be carried out promptly.

Therefore, since the consumable parts can be replaced with new ones while the life of the consumable parts is short, it is possible to prevent abnormalities of the electronic equipment due to the life of the consumable parts as much as possible, and improve the operation efficiency.
In addition, reliability can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, although the hard disk device 1 is shown as a consumable component to be mounted in an electronic device in the above-described embodiment, there is a floppy disk device or the like as a consumable component of this type, and these consumable components have the same life as that of this embodiment. A stepwise decision can be made. In this case, when the service life time differs for each consumable part, a plurality of service life time setting areas F are provided in order to set the service life time in advance.

In the above embodiment, the preparation message is displayed stepwise when the cumulative energization time exceeds 70% of the life time. However, the preparation message is output once at least less than 100% of the life time. For example, the effect of the present invention can be obtained. The method of outputting the message is not limited to display, and printing by the printer 8 or voice notification using a voice synthesizer may be used.

Further, although the preparation message and the warning message fixed by the program are output in the above-mentioned embodiment, the message table for storing the data of these messages is provided in the memory unit 3, and based on the judgment result of the life judging process. The corresponding message data may be read from the message table and output. By doing so, the content of the message can be freely determined, so that it is possible to set the optimal message content for each user, for example.

Besides, it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0043]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the energization time from the time when the power switch of the electronic device is turned on to the time when the power switch is turned off is accumulated, and the accumulated current energization time and the preset consumption time are accumulated. Compare the life time of the parts, and output a message indicating that it is almost time to replace the consumable parts when the energization cumulative time is less than the life time and the time obtained by subtracting the energization cumulative time from the life time is within the predetermined time. When the cumulative power-on time is equal to or longer than the life time, a message indicating that it is the time to replace the consumable part is output, so the manufacturer side can comparatively earlier than the life of the consumable part installed in the electronic device. It is possible to inform the user that the service life is close to the end of the service life. Therefore, if it is time to replace the service life, the replacement work can be promptly performed. Resulting prevent raw utmost, operation efficiency of the electronic device, as well as provide a life determining apparatus of a consumable component to obtain aim to improve reliability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main memory area of a memory unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing main processing of a control unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart specifically showing a life determination process in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hard disk device (consumable part), 2 ... Control part, 4 ... Clock part, 9 ... Power switch, 11 ... Power supply circuit, A ... This time ON time area, B ... Last ON time area, C ... Last OFF time area, D: previous energization time area, E: energization time cumulative area, F: life time setting area.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A timepiece section for measuring time, an on-time reading means for reading out the time when a power switch of an electronic device is turned on from the timepiece section, and a time for turning off the power switch from the timepiece section. Off-time reading means for outputting, energization time calculating means for calculating energization time from power-on time to power-off time read by these time reading means, and energization time for accumulating energization times calculated by this calculating means The accumulating means, the life time storing means for storing the life time of the consumable part, the time comparing means for comparing the life time stored by the storing means with the energizing cumulative time obtained by the energizing time accumulating means, and this comparison. Warning message output means for outputting a message indicating that it is time to replace the consumable part when the cumulative energization time is equal to or longer than the life time by the means, And a preparation message output means for outputting a message indicating that the consumable parts are about to be replaced when the cumulative current-carrying time is less than the life time and the current-carrying cumulative time minus the current-carrying cumulative time is within a predetermined time. A device for determining the life of a consumable part, which is characterized in that