JPH11187183A - Diagnostic system for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system which can save the time and labor needed for laying a communication circuit, etc., when a remote diagnostic system is applied for a copying device, etc. SOLUTION: A mobile communication interface is added to a communication controller 101 which is connected to a copying device 100, and a mobile communication interface 102 is also added to a host computer 104 which performs the remote diagnoses. Then the controller 101 sends by radio the jam information, etc., on the device 100 to the computer 104 via its mobile communication interface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus diagnosis system for diagnosing abnormalities of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, as a means for detecting occurrence of a jam or failure in a copying apparatus, a report from a user has been mainly used. Accordingly, a system has recently been proposed which monitors jam and failure occurrence information from a copying apparatus at a remote location and automatically reports the information to a host computer.

[0003]

However, since the conventional system uses a public line (telephone line), it is necessary to lay a special public line at the installation site when introducing the system, which is troublesome. Was.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a detecting means for detecting an abnormality of an image forming apparatus, a host computer for diagnosing abnormalities of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the detecting means. A transmission unit for transmitting the detected abnormality information of the image forming apparatus to the host computer by wireless communication.

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Explanation will be given based on 13. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copying system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a copying apparatus for copying a specified number of documents, 101
Is a communication control device which is connected to the copier 100 and transmits and receives data. 102 is a mobile communication interface that enables wireless communication such as mobile phones and PHS,
Reference numeral 103 denotes a modem that enables transmission and reception of digital data via the mobile communication interface 102. A host computer 104 diagnoses the copying machine 100 based on data from the copying apparatus 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electric circuit in the copying apparatus 100. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which controls the entire copying apparatus 100. A random access memory (RAM) 201 is used as a working area for the CPU 200 and a storage area for control data. 202 is ROM (read only memory), CPU 200
The control program to be executed is stored. 203, 204
Are first and second I / Os for inputting a signal from a sensor in the copying machine and outputting a signal for driving a motor in the copying machine. 205 is a third I / O for communicating with the communication control device 101.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a program executed by the CPU 200 of the copying apparatus 100. Reference numeral 300 denotes a real-time monitor for simultaneously managing a plurality of tasks. 301 is a paper transport task, one sheet of paper (copy paper)
Is a task for controlling from paper feeding to paper discharging. 30
Reference numeral 2 denotes a sequence control task, which manages the entire copying apparatus 100. 303 is a communication task, a communication control device 1
This is a task to communicate with 01.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a paper transport unit provided inside the copying apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. A transport roller 401 transports the copy sheet 400 in the direction of the arrow. 402 and 403 are sensors for detecting the position of the copy paper 400.

Next, the jam detection processing operation of the copying apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a copying apparatus 100.
9 is a flowchart of a jam detection processing routine of FIG. The jam detection processing routine shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 200 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 202. When transporting the copy paper 400, first, step S
At 501, the drive motor for driving the transport roller 401 is turned on.
Next, a first timer for monitoring the sensor 402 is started in step S502, and the sensor 403 is started in the next step S503.
Start a second timer to monitor After a predetermined time, it is determined whether the sensor 402 has been turned on (ie, whether the copy paper 400 has been detected). If the sensor 402 has been turned on, it is determined in step S505 whether the first timer has expired. If the first timer does not time out, the process returns to step S504. If the first timer has expired in step S505, it is determined that a stagnant jam has occurred, and the process jumps to the stagnant jam processing routine.

If the sensor 402 is turned off within the time specified by the first timer in step S504, it is determined in step S506 whether the sensor 403 is off. If the sensor 403 is off, step S
At 507, it is determined whether or not the second timer has timed out. If the second timer has not timed out, the process returns to step S506. If the second timer times out in step S507, it is determined that a delay jam has occurred, and the process jumps to a delay jam processing routine.
If the second sensor 403 is turned on within the time specified by the second timer in step S506, the drive motor 401 is turned off in step S508, and the processing operation ends.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the jam code. As shown in the figure, the jam code is composed of a cause 601 and a sensor number 602, and the jam cause (delay or stagnation) 601 corresponds to the sensor number 602 where the jam is detected.
Is stored in the RAM 201.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the communication control device 101. Reference numeral 700 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) for controlling the entire communication control device 101, and reference numeral 701 denotes a RAM (random access memory), which is a working area used when the CPU 700 operates. Reference numeral 702 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory) which stores a program to be executed by the CPU 700.
Reference numeral 703 denotes a serial interface (I / O) for communicating with a modem 706 described later. 704 is RAM
(Random access memory) for storing jam information and various copy counter values, and is backed up by a battery. Reference numeral 705 denotes a serial interface (I / O) for communicating with the copying apparatus 100. Reference numeral 706 denotes a modem, which is a mobile communication interface 70 that enables wireless communication of a mobile phone, PHS, or the like.
9 enables transmission and reception of digital data. 707 is a timer IC (integrated circuit) that manages time
It is.

FIG. 14 shows a copying apparatus 100 and a communication control apparatus 1.
It is an example of a communication command with 01. The ID indicates the type of command, the length indicates the data length, and the sum is for detecting a communication error. The communication command shown in FIG.
Count pulse at ejection (ID = 01), jam (ID = 02)
Communication control unit 1 when
This is the data sent to 01. The communication control device 101 can determine the number of copies (the number of copies) by counting the count pulse (ID = 01) at the time of paper ejection, and can detect the jam (ID).
= 02), the type of jam can be known from the jam code.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a program executed by the CPU 700 of the communication control apparatus 101. 800 is a real-time monitor for managing multiple tasks simultaneously. A status monitoring task 801 constantly monitors the status of the copying apparatus 100. 802 is the modem control task,
The modem 706 is controlled to enable transmission and reception. A transmission task 803 is for transmitting data to the host computer 104.

FIG. 9 shows a status monitoring task of the communication control apparatus 101.
801 is a flowchart. The task is executed by the CPU 700 according to the control program stored in the task R0M702. First, it is determined in step S901 whether a jam has occurred in the copying apparatus 100. If a jam has occurred, the counter value is obtained from the copying apparatus 100 in step S902, and the current time is obtained in the next step S903. Next, in step S904, the counter value and the current time respectively acquired in steps S902 and S903 are recorded in the jam recording table on the RAM 704. Thereafter, in step S905, it is determined whether or not the number of jams recorded in the jam recording table has reached a specified value. If the number of jams recorded in the jam recording table has reached the specified value, the transmission task 803 is started in step S906, and a call is automatically made to the host computer 104 to be recorded in the jam recording table. After transmitting the data contents, the process returns to step S901. Also, when the number of jams recorded in the jam recording table does not reach the specified value in step S905, the process returns to step S901.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents recorded in the jam recording table. As shown in FIG. 10, each time a jam occurs, "Jam code, counter value, date, time" is recorded in one record. It is recorded as.

FIG. 11 shows a transmission task 803 of the communication control apparatus 101.
It is a flowchart of FIG. This task is executed by the CPU 700 according to a control program stored in the ROM 702. When transmitting data, the transmission task 803 is activated. First, in step S1101, the host computer 104
Make a call to. Next, in step S1102, it is determined whether or not the connection has been made normally. If the connection is successful, a password check is performed in step S1103, and the next step S1103 is performed.
In 1104, it is determined whether or not the password check is OK. If the check is OK, the content recorded in the jam recording table is read in the host computer 10 in step S1105.
Send to 4. After the data transmission is completed, the line disconnection processing is performed in step S1106, and then this processing operation ends. Also,
If the check is not OK in the step S1104, the process skips the step S1105 and proceeds to the step S1106 to perform a line disconnection process, and then ends this processing operation.

On the other hand, if the connection is not normally established in step S1102, 1 is added to the retry counter in step S1107, and in the next step S1108, it is determined whether the number of retries is 5 or less. If the number of retries is five or less, the process waits for a predetermined time in step S1109, and then returns to step S1101. Step S1108
If the number of retries is not equal to or less than 5, the processing operation ends without performing any processing.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host computer 104. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1200 controls the entire host computer 104. 1201 is RAM (random access memory), CPU12
Reference numeral 00 stores a program and data for diagnosing the copying apparatus 100. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a hard disk for storing received data, and all jam data received from the copying apparatus 100 is stored here. Reference numeral 1203 denotes a keyboard for the operator to give various instructions. Reference numeral 1204 denotes a display device for the host computer 104 to output information. Reference numeral 1205 denotes a serial port for transmitting and receiving data to and from the modem 103.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing in the host computer 104. The processing routine shown in FIG. 13 is executed by CPU 1200 according to a control program stored in RAM 1201. Normally, the host computer 104 waits for an incoming signal from the modem 103,
First, in step S1301, it is determined whether there is an incoming signal from the modem 103. If there is an incoming signal from the modem 103, a password check is performed in step S1302, and in the next step S1303, it is determined whether the password check is OK. If the check is OK,
In step S1304, the jam data is received. After this data reception is completed, after performing a line disconnection process in step S1305,
In the next step S1306, the jam data is stored in the hard disk 1202.

After the completion of the storage of the jam data, step S1
Diagnosis is performed based on the jam data in 307, and in the next step S1308, it is determined whether or not the diagnosis result in step S1307 has reached the warning level. If the warning level has been reached, the display 120 is displayed in step S1309.
After displaying the warning information in 4 and notifying the operator, the process returns to step S1301. Also, in step S1308, if the diagnosis result based on the jam data has not reached the warning level, the process returns to step S1301. On the other hand, if the check is not OK in step S1303, the line is disconnected in step S1310, and the process returns to step S1301.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 may be used. A large number of copiers 101 are installed in a large-scale place such as a business office, and when diagnosing them, a centralized management device 105 that collects diagnostic data from a plurality of copiers.
Will be installed on the premises of the office. The exchange of data between the central management apparatus 105 and the copying apparatus 101 is performed by the above-described wireless communication. The central management device 105 manages the data of the copying device received by wireless communication for each device,
These data are transferred to the host computer via a telephone line.
Send to 104. Even with such a configuration, wiring in the premises can be simplified, and introduction of the system becomes easy.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Detecting means for detecting abnormality of the image forming apparatus, a host computer for diagnosing abnormality of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and transmitting means for transmitting abnormality information of the image forming apparatus detected by the detecting means to the host computer by wireless communication. Therefore, it is not necessary to lay a special communication line at the installation location, and it is possible to easily introduce the image forming apparatus diagnosis system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a copying apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a program of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a paper transport unit in the copying apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a jam detection process of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a jam code.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a communication control device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a program of a communication control device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a status monitoring task in the communication control device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a jam recording table in the communication control device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a transmission task in the communication control device.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a host computer.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a process in the host computer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication command between a copying apparatus and a communication control apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 copying device 101 communication control device 102 mobile communication interface 103 modem 104 host computer 709 mobile communication interface

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Sekiya 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shinichi Nakamura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside the corporation

Claims (5)

[Claims] A detecting unit that detects an abnormality of the image forming apparatus; a host computer that diagnoses an abnormality of the plurality of image forming apparatuses; and wirelessly transmits the abnormality information of the image forming apparatus detected by the detecting unit to the host computer. An image forming apparatus diagnosis system, comprising: a transmission unit that transmits by communication. 2. The image forming apparatus diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means transmits the abnormal information using a mobile communication facility such as a mobile phone or a PHS. 3. The diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein said image forming apparatus is a copying apparatus. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects a type of jam occurring in said image forming apparatus.
An image forming apparatus diagnostic system according to claim 1. 5. A detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the image forming apparatus; an information collecting means for collecting abnormality information of a plurality of image forming apparatuses and transmitting the information to a host computer for diagnosing the abnormality of the image forming apparatus; Transmitting means for transmitting the detected abnormality information of the image forming apparatus to the collection means by wireless communication,
An image forming apparatus diagnostic system, comprising: