JPH09311598A - Method and device for evaluating function for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatize the maintenance for plural systems by providing a function evaluation part used in common to plural systems and evaluating the entire function state. SOLUTION: A control data managing part 20 writes information data concerning each unit 8 in a data table 21 in every updating cycle previously set based on a signal from a sensor 9 provided in each unit 8. An evaluation part 22 diagnoses the present state of each unit 8 based on the information concerning each unit 8 which is written in the data table 1. In the case of judging as the result of judgement that there is possibility that trouble is caused or trouble is developed, planning of a sequence is required to a sequence planning part 23 in order to realize recovery from the trouble. A control sequence planned by the planning part 23 is simulated by a simulation part 26 and the simulated result is evaluated by the evaluation part 22. Then, it is divided by a division part 27 and given to each unit 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to automation of image maintenance of an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique of automating maintenance of an image forming apparatus by providing the image forming apparatus with self-diagnosis and self-repair functions. To realize such a technique, it is necessary to evaluate the functional state of the image forming apparatus, and the present invention proposes a functional evaluation method and apparatus therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, it has been proposed to add a so-called self-repair function.
The self-repair function is a function for the purpose of "function preservation" by performing failure diagnosis and function repair of a functional portion related to image formation, for example. The prior art of such a device having a self-repairing function is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-130331, which is a prior application of the applicant of the present application.

In this prior art, the image forming apparatus to be self-repaired is expressed as a causal relationship of a plurality of physical parameters, a physical parameter to be operated at the time of failure is searched based on qualitative inference, and the physical parameter is operated. To repair the failure. Qualitative inference employs a method of checking whether or not a function to be preserved is expressed, and when a certain function is not expressed, searching for a parameter involved in recovery of the function.

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the degree of function deterioration and the degree of function recovery are not considered. This is because it was difficult to quantify the abstraction of function. Therefore, in order to solve this point, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-165279 proposes "a target expression method for expressing a function: FBS diagram". When the maintenance target machine is represented by an FBS (Function-Behavior-State) diagram, the machine can be represented in a form including the function.

Further, when the target machine is represented by an FBS diagram and the function maintenance based on the FBS diagram is to be executed by a computer, there is a lack of information. Therefore, in order to eliminate this point, the function is quantified. Has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-1.
This is described in detail in Japanese Patent No. 0482. ). further,
A "function qualifier" has been proposed as a function expressing method for specifically expressing a function amount, and a function development structure for a copying machine has already been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-26).
This is described in detail in Japanese Patent No. 1476. ).

[0006]

The above-mentioned prior art relating to the image forming apparatus is epoch-making as a proposal regarding the image forming function which is the central function of the apparatus, and can realize automation of function maintenance. is there. However, considering the maintenance of the entire image forming apparatus, it is not enough to maintain the image quality of an image to be formed, and further expansion of the scope of maintenance is desired.

On the other hand, with the recent increase in speed of copying machines and the like,
In image forming apparatuses, large-capacity sheet feeding has been demanded. In order to realize large-capacity paper feed, it is essential to improve the performance and stability of the paper feed / transport system. However, unfortunately, most of the existing paper feeding / conveying systems or paper feeding / conveying mechanisms specify the material of the paper, or the performance is unstable due to environmental changes, so the usage environment is limited. The reality is that

Further, in the paper feeding / conveying system, there are many defects (for example, double feeding, no paper feeding, jamming) which occur due to changes in the mechanism itself of the system such as deterioration of parts. Alternatively, only the method of maintaining the function by replacing the parts is adopted.
Therefore, the inventor of the present application has tried the self-diagnosis and repair of the sheet feeding / conveying system in addition to the image repair, and has been engaged in research and development of a more advanced and highly practical image forming apparatus.

As a result, the function evaluation of the entire image forming apparatus was carried out, and based on the function evaluation, a function evaluation method and apparatus capable of self-repairing in the image forming system and paper feeding / conveying system were developed. . An object of the present invention is to provide such a function evaluation method and a function evaluation device.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A function evaluation method for an image forming apparatus, the step of specifying a functional system to be evaluated in the image forming apparatus,
A step of expressing the specified functional system by a parameter model focusing on the viewpoint of the physical structure, and focusing the specified functional system on the viewpoint of the function, as a function (modifier) structure using an FBS diagram and a function modifier. The step of describing, the step of associating the parameter model and the function (qualifier) structure with the functional amount, the step of extracting the data representing the state of the functional system from the functional system specified as the evaluation target, and the parameter model of the retrieved data The step of obtaining the expression function when applying it from the function (modifier) structure and the functional amount, and the parameter value for maximizing the functional amount to be expressed when the expression function does not reach the predetermined amount. The step of finding the fluctuation direction of Evaluating the function of step, and is expressed the result of the action of the searched actuator to explore actuator for operating parameters and for its realize the variation of the parameter values and is characterized in that it comprises a.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the function evaluation method for an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, in the step of expressing with a parameter model, when a plurality of parameters are expressed, presence / absence of the same parameter is determined. It is characterized in that it includes a process of examining and associating the parameter models with each other by the same parameter. The invention according to claim 3 is the function evaluation method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of functions (qualifiers) are provided.
The step of describing the structure is characterized by including a process of checking the existence of the same function modifier and associating the function (modifier) structures with the same function modifier.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function evaluation device for an image forming apparatus, comprising a parameter model storage means for storing a parameter model representing a physical structure of a functional system to be evaluated, and an evaluation target. The functional structure of the functional system is a function (qualifier) structure storing means in which a function (qualifier) structure represented by an FBS diagram and a function modifier is stored, a parameter model and a function (qualifier) structure. A function quantity storage means in which a function quantity to be associated is stored, a plurality of sensor means for detecting a state of a functional system to be evaluated, output data of the sensor means is applied to a parameter model,
The expression function quantity in the fitted state is the function (modifier)
Evaluation means to evaluate from the structure and the functional amount, as a result of the evaluation, when the expression functional amount is less than a predetermined amount, a parameter for increasing the expression functional amount is searched from the parameter model, and the searched parameter should be operated. A means for outputting an actuator is included.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the function evaluation device for the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the expressed function amount when the parameter value is changed by the specified actuator is evaluated, and It is characterized by including means for evaluating whether or not the failure has been repaired based on the evaluation result. The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4.
Alternatively, the function evaluation device for an image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect further includes a data table in which outputs of a plurality of sensors are stored, and the evaluation unit reads out the data stored in the data table and executes the evaluation. It is characterized by that.

According to each of the above-mentioned configurations, when the image forming apparatus has a plurality of functional systems to be evaluated, those functional systems are represented by a parameter model, a functional (qualifier) structure, and a functional amount. be able to. Therefore, when a failure occurs in a certain functional system to be evaluated, an actuator necessary for repairing the failure can be searched for, and the effect on other functional systems at that time can be confirmed.

That is, the functional evaluation of a plurality of systems can be performed in an integrated manner.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a copying machine, when attempting to self-repair the image forming system and the paper feeding and conveying system, generally considered is that, as shown in FIG. Is provided with a function evaluation unit for the image, and at the same time, a function evaluation unit for the paper feed / conveyance is provided for the paper feed / conveyance system.

By the way, comparing the image evaluation and the paper feed / conveyance evaluation, the evaluation parameters used in both the evaluations are related to each other, and the evaluations cannot be performed independently. For example, it is assumed that the sheet conveyance speed is represented by a certain parameter. In this case, the optimum paper speed for paper feeding and the optimum paper speed for image formation do not always match. For this reason, since the evaluation is performed independently, a situation arises in which the function evaluation unit for the image and the function evaluation unit for the paper feed conveyance have different evaluations even with the same parameters described above.

Therefore, it is necessary to further provide a function evaluation unit for unifying the function evaluation units of a plurality of systems and totalize the evaluations in the function evaluation units of the plurality of systems. However, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is not efficient because the function evaluation unit of each system and the function evaluation unit that integrates them have a large amount of overlapping knowledge. In addition, when the evaluation of a new system in the copying machine, for example, the evaluation of the apparatus structure system from the viewpoint of productivity, the evaluation of the configuration from the viewpoint of operability, etc., is added, the image evaluation and the supply already provided There is a problem in that versatility is lacking because the relationship between the paper transport evaluation and the newly added evaluation must be re-described.

Therefore, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a framework for evaluating the function of the entire copying machine, that is, a function evaluation section of the copying machine is provided, and the function evaluation section evaluates the image forming system and feeds and conveys the sheet. The system can be evaluated in a totalized form. Then, the evaluation results are used to execute the restoration in each system. By providing the function evaluation unit of the entire copier in this way, it is possible to evaluate the function of the copier without being aware of the evaluation of individual systems such as image evaluation or paper feed / conveyance evaluation.

If the amount of knowledge handled by the function evaluation section of this copying machine is increased, the plug-in is easy when a new system of the copying machine is desired to have a self-repairing function. 2. Outline of Copier System to which the Invention is Applied The "function evaluation unit" described below means the function evaluation unit for evaluating the function of the entire copier described in FIG. 2, and has been described in FIG. It should be noted that it does not mean a function evaluation unit for unifying a plurality of function evaluation units like this.

FIG. 3 shows an outline of the overall construction of a copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This will be described with reference to FIG. The copying machine is provided with an image forming system and a paper feeding / conveying system. Each of these systems is provided with a necessary sensor, and the sensor data is given to the copier behavior sensing data table. That is, the latest state data of the copying machine is stored in the data table, and the data is constantly updated as the copying machine operates.

The function evaluation section of the copying machine constantly evaluates the functions of the image forming system and the paper feeding / conveying system based on the data stored in the data table. Then, as a result of the evaluation, for example, if the expression state of the function in the image forming system is bad, a signal to be restored is given to the image forming system,
The image forming system performs self-repair. Similarly, if the function manifestation state in the sheet feeding / conveying system is bad, a signal is given to the sheet feeding / conveying system to perform self-repair in the sheet feeding / conveying system.

When the restoration in the image forming system and the sheet feeding / conveying system is completed, the state data of each system after the completion of the restoration is written in the data table. When it becomes necessary to evaluate the function of a new system, the function evaluation section of the copying machine similarly evaluates. Further, in this embodiment, a paper behavior control sequence generation unit, a paper behavior simulation unit, and a virtual paper behavior data table are provided for the paper feed / conveyance system. When repairing a failure in the paper feeding / transporting system, the actual paper feeding / transporting system is operated, and if there is a functional deterioration, the parameter operation is performed to restore that function, and then the paper feeding / transporting system is further operated, and the function manifestation state The method of evaluating is not adopted. For repairing the failure of the paper feed transport system, a method of constructing a virtual paper feed transport system in a computer and evaluating it is adopted. These are for realizing it. That is, so-called Tr
The method of virtually simulating the paper behavior, which is not based on ial & error, is adopted in the restoration of the paper feed transport system. The specific method will be described later.

3. Structure of Paper Feeding and Conveying Device FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of the paper feeding and conveying device. 4, the function evaluation unit of the copying machine and the copying machine behavior sensing data table described in FIG. 3 are also included in the configuration for convenience of description. A description will be given based on FIG. The sheet feeding / conveying device includes a plurality of units 8 and a system body 10.

The plurality of units 8 include a paper feeding unit for performing a paper feeding operation, a paper transportation unit for performing a transportation operation, a discharge unit for discharging the transported paper to a predetermined place, and the like. Has been. The paper feeding / conveying system does not have an integrated hardware structure for feeding, conveying, and discharging, but is divided into small unit units, and a plurality of the unit units are gathered to form a paper feeding / conveying system. The hardware configuration is adopted. And for each unit,
A configuration capable of autonomous operation as described below is added. As a result, self-repair can be performed autonomously in each unit.

Although not shown, each unit 8 is provided with a roller for applying a conveying force to the sheet, a motor for rotating the roller, a clutch for applying or not applying the driving force of the motor to the roller, and the like. include. Also,
Each unit 8 includes, for example, a plurality of sensors 9 for detecting the rotation state of the roller, the pressure contact force when the roller is pressed against the paper, the rotation speed and rotation direction of the motor, and the like. In FIG. 4, the sensor 9 is shown separately from the unit 8 for convenience of description.

The system body 10 includes a control data management unit 20, a sequence planning unit 23, a knowledge base 24, a situation derivation unit 25, a simulation unit 26 and a division unit 27. On the other hand, the data table 21 and the evaluation unit 22 shown in the system main body 10 of FIG. 4 are not dedicated to the sheet feeding / conveying apparatus, but the copying machine behavior sensing data table and the function evaluation unit of the copying machine shown in FIG. Is equivalent to. The data table 21 and the evaluation unit 22 shown in FIG.
This is solely for convenience of explanation.

That is, in the data table 21, data for the image forming system is described in addition to the data for the paper feeding and conveying device. Further, the evaluation unit 22 not only evaluates the sheet feeding / conveying system but also evaluates the image forming system. However, in the description of the sheet feeding / conveying apparatus, it is easier to understand what data the data table 21 and the evaluation unit 22 store for the sheet feeding / conveying system and what kind of evaluation is performed. It is included in the system body 10 for the sake of convenience.

The control data management unit 20 writes information data regarding each unit 8 in the data table 21 at predetermined update intervals based on the signal from the sensor 9 provided in each unit 8. Therefore, the current state (the latest state) of each unit 8 is written in the data table 21. The evaluation unit 22 uses the data table 2
The current state of each unit 8 is diagnosed based on the information about each unit 8 written in 1. Specifically, for example, whether any unit 8 is damaged, whether the function of any unit 8 is deteriorated, whether there is a possibility that a paper jam may occur, or whether the paper jam occurs. It is determined whether or not it has already occurred.

As a result of the judgment, if there is a possibility that a failure will occur or it is judged that a failure has occurred (NO G
OOD) requires the sequence planning unit 23 to plan a sequence in order to realize the repair for the failure. The control sequence created by the sequence planning unit 23 is simulated by the simulation unit 26,
The result is further evaluated by the evaluation unit 22. Evaluation is "GO
The control sequence of “OD” is divided into units 8 by the division unit 27 and is given to the units 8.

Briefly, in the paper feeding / conveying apparatus, the state of the entire paper feeding / conveying system is constantly monitored, and the function of the entire system is maintained in the case where a decrease in the sheet speed or a state in which a jam is likely to occur. For this purpose, an improved overall control sequence is newly generated and given to each unit 8. The sequence planning unit 23 executes the control sequence planning process in response to the control sequence planning requested by the evaluation unit 22. At this time, the knowledge written in the knowledge base 24 provided in the system main body 10 is referred to.

Here, the knowledge base 24 will be briefly described. In the knowledge base 24, a virtual model required for failure repair is written as knowledge. Specifically, a paper path model, a unit model, a paper model, a transport path model, and a sensor model are written. Among them, the paper path model, the paper model, the transport path model, and the sensor model are set in advance.

On the other hand, the unit model is the system body 1
It is knowledge corresponding to the difference between the state of the unit 8 expected to be 0 and the actual state of the unit 8 (for example, deterioration of parts (rollers and the like) included in the unit 8). The unit model is updated with the data read by the situation deriving unit 21 from the data table 21. It can be said that the unit model is information corresponding to a change in behavior of the model 8 with time.

More specifically, the situation deriving unit 2
The simulation unit 26 receives the ideal behavior information of the control sequence currently being executed by the unit 8. The situation deriving unit obtains the difference between the behavior information of the actual unit 8 written in the data table 21 and the ideal behavior information, and writes the information regarding the obtained difference as a unit model.

The sequence planning unit 23 plans a control sequence by utilizing the knowledge including such a unit model. This makes it possible to plan a control sequence that takes into account the current state of the unit 8. The control sequence created by the sequence planning unit 23 is given to the simulation unit 26. The simulation unit 26 virtually simulates the sheet conveyance according to the control sequence given by the sequence planning unit. More specifically, the transport path and the paper are virtually set based on the paper path model and the paper model written in the knowledge base 24, and the virtual paper is set on the virtual transport path according to a given control sequence. To be transported. Then, the behavior of the virtual paper at this time is recognized. Further, the quantitative information such as the sheet speed in the unit 8 is obtained, and the quantitative information is reflected in the control sequence. Thereby, the control sequence is completed.

The result of the transport simulation in the simulation section 26 is given to the evaluation section 22. Evaluation unit 2
2 evaluates whether or not the control sequence drafted by the sequence drafting section 23 is valid based on the simulation result given from the simulation section 26. As a result of this evaluation, when it is determined that the generated control sequence cannot carry the sheet satisfactorily and the failure repair cannot be achieved (NO GOOD), the sequence planning unit 23 is requested again to design the control sequence. To be done. On the other hand, if it is determined that the generated control sequence can carry the sheet well and the failure repair can be achieved (GOOD), the control sequence is given to the dividing unit 27.

The dividing unit 27 divides the given control sequence into tasks and gives each divided control sequence to the corresponding unit 8. That is, since the control sequence is a time-series program, it is expected that the execution of the control sequence involves a plurality of units 8. Therefore, an appropriate control sequence is given to each unit 8 which is responsible for executing the control sequence.

As described above, in the generation of the control sequence in the system main body 10, the effectiveness of the control sequence is simulated and evaluated in the virtual transport system generated in the computer (system main body 10). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the failure and repair the failure without interrupting the operation of the plurality of units 8 as the actual transport system.

Each unit 8 is provided with a controller 13. The control unit 13 includes a translation unit 23 and a control type self-repair unit 29. Controlled self-repairing unit 29
Includes a sequence execution unit 30 and an autonomous operation unit 31. The control sequence provided from the division unit 27 is translated into a quantitative sequence that can be executed by the unit in the translation unit 28. And the sequence execution unit 30
The sequence is executed at.

Further, in parallel with the execution of the control sequence given from the system main body 10, when a paper feed failure such as a double feed or no paper feed occurs, the autonomous operation unit 31 autonomously repairs the failure. To be done. 4. Configuration of Function Evaluation Unit FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of the function evaluation unit.

Function evaluation is performed by function balancing. The target system for functional evaluation can be expressed by modeling from the viewpoint of function, modeling from the viewpoint of physical structure, and the functional amount linking them, as described in the section of the related art. More specifically, the target system can be modeled in terms of function by a function (modifier) structure using an FBS diagram and a function modifier. In the function (modifier) structure, weighting is performed between the function modifiers so that the operation can be performed at the function amount level.

Modeling from the viewpoint of physical structure is as follows.
This is done using a parametric model. Furthermore, the function (qualifier) structure and the parameter model are linked by the function amount. The function evaluation unit of the copying machine shown in FIG. 3 stores the structure of the copying machine represented by the above-mentioned function (qualifier) structure, function quantity and parameter model.

Then, the function evaluation unit applies the data obtained from the paper feeding / conveying system to the parameter model, and compares it with the function (qualifier) structure linked by the function amount to determine the parameter to be operated or the operation amount. Is determined.
Similar processing is performed in the image forming system. 5. Specific Example of Parameter Model FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the parameter model in image evaluation.

FIG. 7 shows a concrete example of the parameter model in the transportation evaluation. It can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7 that the parameter model in the image evaluation and the parameter model in the transport evaluation have common parameters, for example, the paper speed. The meaning of each parameter shown in the parameter models shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 will be described below.

(1) Meaning of terms of parameter model in image evaluation Drum charging part Vn = Idrum · Ddrum / (ε · ε0 · v) Vn: Drum surface potential after main charging Idrum: Corona current flowing into drum Imcwire: MC Corona current emitted from the wire Vmcwire: Voltage applied to the MC wire MCWireVout: MC wire output voltage from the high voltage transformer MCWireVcont: MC wire control voltage to the high voltage transformer Imcshield: Corona current flowing into the shield case Rmcshield: Resistivity of the shield case ε: Permittivity of drum ε0: Permittivity of vacuum v: Drum rotation speed (process speed) Ddrum: Thickness of drum Exposed area ENi = ENb-D ENi: Logarithm of light energy reflected in the image area ENb: BackGround area Logarithm of light energy reflected by D: Optical density of original X: Original irradiation light quantity HL: Halogen lamp output light quantity Rl: Reflector Amount of light emitted HLq: Luminous flux emitted from a halogen lamp HLt: Light emission time from a halogen lamp HLV: Voltage applied to a halogen lamp HLVout: Output voltage of a halogen lamp from a high-voltage transformer HLVcont: Control voltage of a halogen lamp to a high-voltage transformer Vs = Vn-Va Vs: Drum surface potential after exposure Va: Attenuation potential due to light β: Drum sensitivity Transfer area Absorp = Eap-Map Absorp: Adhesive force between paper and photoconductor Eap: Electrostatic attraction between paper and photoconductor Force Vpa: Surface potential on paper Rp: Electric resistance of paper vp: Paper speed (during transfer) Ipa: Corona current flowing into paper Itcwire: Corona current emitted from TC wire Vtcwire: Voltage applied to TC wire TCWireVout: High voltage TC wire output voltage from the transformer TCWireVcont: TC wire control voltage to the high voltage transformer Itcshield: Corona current flowing into the shield case Rtcshiel d: Resistivity of shield case Map: Mechanical separation force between paper and drum Wpa: Paper width Fpa: Waist of paper Rdrum: Curvature radius of drum Rpa: Deflection radius of paper (at transfer) Gpa: Paper basis weight Lt: Separation length of paper Anpa: Contact angle of drum in contact with paper D-Pp: Contact pressure of paper and drum Dp: Drum position (positioning of drum to paper) g: Gravity output Os = Absorp ・ Ds Os: Toner density on paper Development area Ds = γ0 (Vs-Vb) Ds: Toner density on drum γ0: Variable depending on toner, developer, and photoconductor Vb: Potential on developing roller TNq: Charge amount of toner TNr: Toner particle size ε0: Vacuum dielectric constant Cr: Area coverage TNs: Toner supply rate Dco: Drum characteristics (dielectric constant, film thickness) BiaVout: Bias output voltage from high voltage transformer BiaVcont: Bias to high voltage transformer Control voltage (2) Parameters in transport evaluation U-Uue: Number of paper irregularities between UnitN and UnitN + 1 U-Ube: Paper length existing between UnitN and UnitN + 1 U-Uv: Paper speed at UnitN and UnitN + 1 Paper speed difference UnVp: Paper speed at UnitN Un + 1Vp: Paper speed at UnitN + 1 U-Utime: Time during which paper exists in UnitN and UnitN + 1 U-Usp: Space between UnitN and UnitN + 1 U-Uint: Interval between UnitN and UnitN + 1 BridHi: Bridge height between UnitN and UnitN + 1 6. Functional Evaluation and Restoration Algorithm FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of the functional assessment and repair algorithm.

The operation of each stage of the function evaluation and restoration algorithm shown in FIG. 8 will be briefly described. Step S1: Failure determination The evaluation value of the overall function is calculated, and the evaluation value of the overall function (Amount
of Function: AOF) is larger than a threshold value which is a standard for judging the presence or absence of a predetermined function expression. When the AOF becomes smaller than the threshold value, it is determined that a failure has occurred.

Step S2: Determination of Change Direction of Observation Physical Parameter In order to improve the expression state of the function, which physical parameter should be changed in which direction is determined. Step S3: Search for physical parameter for operation Physical parameter for operation is searched by qualitative simulation based on the parameter model.

When there is no physical parameter, the process returns to step S2, and the changing direction and the like is determined for another physical parameter. Step S4: Manipulation of Physical Parameter for Operation If the parameter found in step S3 exists, the parameter is operated.

Step S5: Failure determination The operation amount of the parameter in step S4 is changed,
As a result, it is possible to understand how the evaluation value of the overall function has changed. That is, the AOF is compared with the threshold value.
When the AOF becomes larger than the threshold value, the functional expression state has improved, and the repair is successful.

Step S6: Search for operable physical parameters for operation If the result of the failure determination in step S5 is that AOF does not become larger than the threshold value, the state of function development is not good, so the device fails. It remains in the state. Therefore, another operable physical parameter is searched for. If it exists, the process from step S2 is repeated.

On the other hand, if there is no other physical parameter, the repair fails. Restoration performed by manipulating physical parameters is called controlled self-healing. 7. Specific Example of Function Evaluation and Repair Next, the function evaluation and repair processing will be described more specifically. To facilitate understanding, the same steps as those in the above algorithm are given the same step numbers.

FIG. 9 shows a specific example of the function-function evaluation parameter relationship (function amount), function (qualifier) structure, and parameter model. Copier function evaluation unit (see Figure 3)
When the model and the state of the object given in FIG. 9 are represented in FIG. 9, the copying machine system shown in FIG. 3 performs the function evaluation and the repair processing as described below.

Step S1: In the parameter model of FIG.
Observe physical parameters (X, Y) in
Function amount of Function A, B, C in the data of child) structure (A
OF A, AOF B, AOF C) is obtained. Where A
As mentioned above, OF is an Amount of Function.
The total amount).

As a result, AOF = (0.6 × 0.7 × AOF A) + (0.6 x
0.3 x AOF B) + (0.4 × AOF C) is obtained. Therefore, it is determined that AOF <threshold value. Step S2: Then, using the functional quantity and the functional (qualifier) structure, an ideal restoration completion point in the functional quantity, that is, E In order to reach the point where the function expresses the maximum amount of function, we derive the variation direction of the parameter value for function evaluation that maximizes each function amount.

As a result, as shown in FIG.
Increase X for A, X for Function B
We conclude that increasing C and decreasing Y for Function C. In addition, since restoration is performed with the goal of the ideal restoration completion point, the restoration direction in the parameter dimension for functional evaluation is from the current point to the target point.
Given in the direction of operation to.

Step 3: Next, the parameter model of FIG. 9 is used, and an actuator operation that causes a combination of changing directions of parameters is searched for on the parameter model. That is, a qualitative simulation using a parameter model is performed. Step S4: As a result, an actuator to be operated can be found, and if it can be operated, the actuator is operated.

The qualitative simulation is repeated when the actuator cannot be found, or when the actuator is found but the found actuator reaches the operation limit and cannot be operated. Step S5: When the actuator is operated,
E before operating the actuator Function amount of function and E after performing actuator operation Confirm the correctness of the actuator operation by comparing it with the function amount of Function.

As a result, the function expression amount increases, and AOF ≧
When the threshold value is reached, it is determined that the repair is successful. Step S6: On the other hand, when the actuator has been operated but the function expression amount has decreased, E before performing the actuator operation again. Function amount of function and E after performing actuator operation It is determined whether or not there is a parameter (actuator) that can be operated in order to increase the function amount of Function.

If it exists, the above-mentioned qualitative simulation is performed again. If it doesn't exist,
Since AOF <threshold remains, the repair is determined to have failed. 8. Summary As described above, in the function evaluation unit of the copying machine, the image evaluation or the paper feed / conveyance evaluation is performed as the function evaluation of the copying machine without considering both evaluations.

9. Other Embodiments of the invention have been described by taking a copying machine as an example.
Of course, the present invention can be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as printers and facsimile machines.

[0061]

According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of systems to be controlled, a function evaluation section commonly used for the plurality of systems is provided, and the function evaluation section is used for each system. I tried to evaluate the overall functional status without paying attention to the evaluation. Therefore, it is possible to perform totalized evaluation of the functional states in multiple systems, and the scope of maintenance is wide,
Automation of maintenance can be realized for multiple systems.

More specifically, for example, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the maintenance of both the sheet feeding and conveying system and the image forming system is automated. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a function evaluation device that can easily cope with the appearance of another maintenance target system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a generalized structure of a function evaluation unit of a copying machine studied in the process of completing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a function evaluation unit for a copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of an overall configuration of a copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a sheet feeding / conveying device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of a function evaluation unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a parameter model in image evaluation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of a parameter model in transport evaluation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of an algorithm for functional evaluation and restoration.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a model given to a function evaluation unit of a copying machine and a state of an object.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing in which direction the function evaluation parameter value is changed in order to express the maximum function amount.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hirofumi Nishino 1-2-28 Tamazuki, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Mita Industries Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenji Katsuhara 1-2-2 Tamazuki, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 28 Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshimitsu Takakura 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 28 Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. Le Daikoku 201 (72) Inventor Yasushi Umeda 1-3-3 Nagayama, Tama City, Tokyo 215 Plaza Nagayama 215 (72) Inventor Tomohiko Sakao 1-31-9 Umeda, Adachi-ku, Tokyo Izumi Heights 204

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A function evaluation method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a step of specifying a functional system to be evaluated in the image forming apparatus; and a parameter model focusing on the specified functional system from the viewpoint of physical structure. , The step of describing the specified functional system as a function (qualifier) structure using an FBS diagram and a function modifier, focusing on the viewpoint of the function, the parameter model and the function (qualifier) structure. , The step of associating by the functional amount, the step of extracting the data representing the state of the functional system from the functional system specified as the evaluation target, the extracted data is applied to the parameter model, and the expression function when applying the Qualifier) Steps determined from the structure and the functional amount, when the expressed function does not reach the predetermined amount, maximize the expressed functional amount. To find the direction of fluctuation of the parameter value from the functional amount, to perform a qualitative simulation in the parameter model, to search for the parameter that realizes the fluctuation of the parameter value and the actuator to be operated for that, and to operate the searched actuator A function evaluation method for an image forming apparatus, the method comprising: evaluating a function expressed as a result of the above. 2. The function evaluation method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the step of expressing with a parameter model, when a plurality of parameters are expressed, the presence or absence of the same parameter is checked, and the same parameter is used. A functional evaluation method comprising a process of associating parameter models with each other. 3. The function evaluation method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the step of describing a plurality of function (qualifier) structures includes:
A functional evaluation method comprising a process of checking whether or not the same functional modifier is present and associating functional (qualifier) structures with each other by the same functional modifier. 4. A function evaluation device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a parameter model storage means for storing a parameter model representing a physical structure of a functional system to be evaluated; and a function of the functional system to be evaluated. A function (qualifier) structure storage means in which a function (qualifier) structure represented by an FBS diagram and a function modifier is stored, and a function amount for associating the parameter model with the function (qualifier) structure is stored. Function quantity storage means, a plurality of sensor means for detecting the state of the functional system to be evaluated, output data of the sensor means is applied to a parameter model, and the expressed function quantity in the applied state is defined as a function (qualifier) structure. Evaluation means to evaluate from the functional amount, the result of the evaluation, when the expressed functional amount is less than a predetermined amount,
A function evaluation device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for searching a parameter model for increasing a manifestation function amount and outputting an actuator to operate the searched parameter. 5. The function evaluation device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further evaluating the expressed function amount when the parameter value is changed by the specified actuator, and failure based on the evaluation result. A functional evaluation device comprising means for evaluating whether or not the product has been repaired. 6. The function evaluation device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a data table in which outputs of a plurality of sensors are stored, and the evaluation means is stored in the data table. A functional evaluation device that reads data and executes evaluation.