JPS60208768A - Self-diagnosing system of copying machine and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily collect data and to execute self-diagnosis by storing in a memory, data to be used for diagnosis as codes corresponding to signals sent from sensors installed in a copying machine or the like, or counted values of timings between signals. CONSTITUTION:When an interruption key is turned on, subroutine process control is executed by a CPU14 at each prescribed time through an interruption block 18, etc., codes corresponding to signals of sensors 6a-6c for detecting the presence or absence of a copying paper on a paper conveyance route 5 are successively written on a prescribed region of a RAM16 backed up with an electric cell. At the same time, time lengths between the rising and falling times of outputs sent from the sensors 6a-6c, a registration gate 7, etc., shaped in waveform through a waveform shaping circuit 12, are automatically measured through a CPU16 in accordance with designation, and written on a RAM16 as diagnosis data. As a result, the self-diagnosis of the copying machine, etc., can be executed by easily collecting data without connecting measuring instruments, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Application) The present invention relates to a self-diagnosis method for copying machines and the like using a microcomputer.

(Prior art) In copying machines etc. that use microcomputers,
Currently, devices equipped with self-diagnosis functions are common.
This is not always sufficient when actually searching for the cause of a failure. In particular, timing delays due to slips, snags, etc. in the conveyance system for copy paper, etc., cannot often be understood unless data is collected using a measuring instrument such as a digital counter or logic analyzer.

However, when collecting data using these measuring instruments, there is a problem in that it takes a lot of time to prepare the measuring instruments, connect a glove to the measuring point, etc.

(Objective) The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art described above, namely:
The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the need for preparing measuring instruments and connecting gloves when collecting timing data, and to enable timing data to be easily collected.

(Summary) The features of the present invention are that any number of signals to be measured can be set with corresponding codes, and operation modes such as normal copy or partial operation mode within self-diagnosis, etc., and some sequence can be set. In the accompanying operations, timing data between the setting codes is automatically measured and stored in the memory, and the data is displayed on a console or the like in real time as necessary.

(Example) The present invention will be explained below using examples. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 indicates the main body of the copying machine. As is well known, the copying machine main body 1 includes a platen 2, an optical system 3, and a photosensitive drum 4 arranged as shown in the figure.
Sensors 6a to 6a for detecting the presence of copy paper used for detecting jams, etc. are located at appropriate positions on the copy paper conveyance path 5.
A plurality of 6Cs are arranged. Further, a registration gate 7 is provided on the copy paper transport path 5, and the operation of this gate 7 is controlled by a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as microcomputer) to be described later.

Note that 8 in the figure indicates a paper feed tray, 9 a fixing device, and 10 a paper discharge tray.

Furthermore, inside the main body of the copying machine, there are various motors indicated by reference numeral 11 in the figure, such as those for driving an optical scanning device, for driving a photosensitive drum, for driving a fixing device, or for driving a developing device. It includes a relay and a solenoid that control the supply of electric power to the motor, and a clutch that controls the transmission of power from the motor to a driven device.

These devices [11] are controlled by signals from a microcomputer.

Information from the sensors 6a to 6C that detect the copy paper, the sensor that detects the temperature of the fixing device 9, or other sensors is waveform-shaped by the waveform shaping circuit 12, and sent to the microcomputer via the peripheral interface 13. be included.

As is well known, a microcomputer is a central processing unit 1
4 (hereinafter referred to as CPU), read-only memory 15
(hereinafter abbreviated as ROM), random access memory 16
(hereinafter abbreviated as RAM), a timer 17, an interrupt block 18, peripheral interfaces 13 and 19, and the like.

Here, the CPU 14 has the function of controlling and monitoring the entire microcomputer as well as processing data. R.O.
Broadly speaking, the M15 has two areas: a program area and a control data area. The program area stores a control main routine program, a control subroutine program, a monitor program, a failure diagnosis program, etc., while the control data area stores control data necessary for controlling the copying machine. remembered. Furthermore, RAM 1
6 is provided with a working area for controlling the copying machine and an arbitrary program area, and the arbitrary program area 2 stores arbitrary programs inputted by a service engineer by operating various keys on the console panel.

Control signals output from the microcomputer are sent to devices 11 such as the relays, clutches, motors, and solenoids through the peripheral interface 19, and control the on/off timing of these devices, the rotational speed of the motors, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a timing measurement function setting program stored, for example, in an arbitrary program area of the RAM. For example, in FIG. 1, after the paper leaves the register storage gate 7, the sensor 6b or 6
In order to transmit the time required to arrive at point c or the power of the various motors to the optical scanning position, photosensitive drum, etc.
This is a program that has the function of measuring the time the clutch is turned on. In addition, in the following explanation,
The time when the measurement starts is called "FROM", and the time when the measurement ends is called "To".

Next, a program for setting the timing measurement function will be explained with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether processing such as measurement point input on the from side has been completed (step Sl.
). Next, setting of the measurement point code on the from side is requested (step 82).

Next, you are requested to specify the rising edge or falling edge of the signal input from the from-side measurement point. Next, step S2
In order to check whether the data entered in S3 is correct, measurement conditions on the from side are displayed (step S4).

Next, it is determined whether the function setting is completed (step S5). If the process is not completed, the process returns to step S1.

In step S1, the two side is next selected, and in step S
6 and S7, the circle, two-side measurement point code input, and rising/falling designation are requested as in steps S2 and S3. Furthermore, in step S8, these two-side measurement conditions are displayed.

When step S5 becomes YES, the setting of the timing measurement function is completed.

Thus, it is clear that according to the program having the above-mentioned functions, it is possible to select the from-side measurement point and the two-side measurement point, and to select the rising or falling edge of the signal at each measurement point. .

Next, a method of specifically setting measurement conditions or measurement points using the timing measurement function setting program described above will be explained with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 3 shows a copy count number display device and a copy set number display device located on the console panel of the copying machine.

First, when the self-diagnosis switch provided for the engineer is turned on, the display on the console panel shows the following:
A display waiting for input of a self-diagnosis code as shown in FIG. 5(1) appears. Next, input the timing measurement self-diagnosis code using the numeric keypad or the like. For example, as shown in (2) of the same figure, input "30". When this timing measurement function self-diagnosis code is input, the functions of various keys and indicators on the console are switched as shown in Table 1, for example.

Table 1 Copy stop → Rise designation numeric keypad → Decimal input clear → Clear document stop → Fall designation 1 light key → To side row setting command Rear ejection key → Return to copy mode command Interruption Press the copy key 28, When the program is put into a running state, the same figure (3) appears.
is not displayed, and the system waits for input of the from-side measurement point code. At this time, if a code has already been registered, the old code will be displayed.

Here, all input and output signals can be designated as timing measurement points. In general, everything that is coded for input/output on/off check self-diagnosis can be used as measurement points.

Next, enter the from side code using the numeric keypad.

For example, if you enter [523J], (4) in the same figure will be displayed. After that, set a separate key to start timing counting at the rising edge of the signal or to start timing counting at the falling edge of the signal. In this embodiment, the copy stop key corresponds to the rising direction designation, and the original stop key corresponds to the falling direction designation. When start-up is specified using the copy stop key, the display as shown in (5) in the same figure appears.

Now, from the sensor with the from side code [523J to the 4th
Assuming that a signal as shown in the figure (&) is output, the above setting specifies the rising shear a of the signal.

Next, the ``light key'' is turned on.This causes a switch to the from side condition setting.The display at this time becomes as shown in Fig. 5 (6).Next, the from side condition setting is performed. Similarly to the condition setting, the code of the setting point ([59'9J in this example) is input using the numeric keypad.
The rising or falling direction (in this embodiment, rising) is set using the copy stop key or original stop key.

The display at this time is +71 and +81 in the same figure, respectively.
become that way.

For example, from the sensor with the two-side code "599" in Figure 4 (
If the signal shown in b) is output, this means that the rising edge vb1 of the off signal is specified by the above setting.

After that, when moving to another self-diagnosis, in this embodiment, the interrupt key is turned on. Then, the display will become as shown in (9) of the same figure. On the other hand, when moving to copy mode, turn on the rear ejection key. In this case, the display will be as shown in the same figure (IG). In the display of the same figure, rlJ indicates the number of copies to be set, and rOJ indicates the number of copies completed.

Next, the operation of actually performing timing measurement using this subroutine after the setting of the subroutine of the timing hand side function is completed as described above will be explained. This subroutine is incorporated as one of the subroutines for controlling the copy mode of the copying machine, and is constantly called about every 20 msec.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing how the timing measurement subroutine is executed in the normal copy mode. When switching from power on or self-diagnosis mode to copy mode, initial conditions are set in the copying machine main body by turning on the rear ejection key (step 89). For example, each key on the console panel is given a function in copy mode. Further, initial conditions such as the number of copies to be made is 1, the paper feed tray is in the lower stage, and the copy density is normal are set.

Thereafter, a normal copying control program is executed (step S 10 ). This control program calls a timing measurement subroutine during its execution (step 511).

Finally, it is determined whether or not the scheduled number of copies has been completed (step 512). If no, the process returns to step 810 and the operations in variable steps 810 and 811 are performed. If step 812 is YES, copying ends.

Next, step 811 in FIG. 5 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a detailed flowchart of step 811.

Step 820...When moving from step 810 in FIG. 6 to step 811, it is first determined whether the timing measurement function set in FIG. 2 or 3 is valid or whether the function has been canceled. If it is not valid, the process returns to Stella 7'S10 in FIG. 5 and the control program is executed again. On the other hand, if it is valid, the process advances to step 821.

Step 821: It is determined whether or not the 7 lag is on during timing measurement. Since it is initially off, the process advances to the next step 822.

Step 822: It is determined whether the measurement conditions on the from side are satisfied. If the measurement conditions on the From side are satisfied, the answer is YES and the process proceeds to the next step 823. If step S22 is NO, the process advances to step 828.

Step 823: The timing measurement flag is turned on. Thereafter, the process returns to step S10 in FIG. Next, proceed to step 812, and if no, step S
After IO, the process returns to step 811.

In step 811, step 8
The answer is YES at 20, and the process advances to step S21.

Now step 821 is turned on and step 824
Proceed to.

Step 824...The measurement timer is incremented by +1.

Step S25: A determination is made as to whether the two-side measurement conditions are met (force) or not. If no, the process returns to step 810; if yes, the process proceeds to step 826.

If step 825 becomes YES, it means that the time from the establishment of the measurement condition on the from side to the establishment of the measurement condition on the two side has been measured through each of the above steps. For example, T1 or T2 in FIG. 4 is measured.

Step 826: When the time under the desired measurement conditions is measured, the measured timer value is displayed on the indicator on the console and stored in the memory.

Steps 827, 828...The timing measurement flag is turned off, and then the measurement timer is cleared. This completes preparation for the next measurement.

As described above, the subroutine timing measurement function works effectively while normal copying continues. As a result, for example, it is possible to measure how long it took for the copy paper on the copy paper transport path to travel from the gate 7 to the sensor 6b in FIG.

In addition, in step 826 of FIG. 6, the measurement timer value is not displayed in real time every time the measurement is completed, but is stored sequentially in the non-volatile RAM area of the RAM, and then returned to the self-diagnosis mode and displayed. You can also do this. In this case, if the service engineer enables the timing measurement function described above at the customer's site, the measurement timer value will be memorized each time the user makes a copy, so when the customer visits again, The stored data can be checked by self-diagnosis, and the data can be collected very efficiently.

FIG. 7 shows a specific example of timing measurement according to the present invention.

FIG. 5A shows an example in which sensor B and a rising code are input to the from side, and sensor A and a falling code are input to the two side. At this time, time T is measured. Further, FIG. 6B shows a specific example in which the clutch C and start-up codes are input to the from side, and the sensor A and start-up codes are input to the two side. At this time, a time T4 indicating the relationship between clutch C and sensor A is observed.

The same figure (cl shows an example where clutch D and a rising code are input to the from side, and clutch D and a falling code are input to the two side. According to this example, the operating time Ts of clutch D is In addition, the clutch D is measured as shown in the same figure (
As shown in d), if you want to turn on and off continuously, enter the same code as above, and set the time T.
, l T, and T8 become possible.

In the above embodiment, timing is measured at two points, the from side and the two side, but if a plurality of two side points are prepared, a plurality of timing data can be collected from the reference point. Also, FROM-T.

By preparing multiple combinations of , timing data from completely different locations can be obtained at the same time.

Furthermore, although the sampling period is 20 msec in the above embodiment, it is possible to obtain a certain degree of arbitrary sampling precision depending on how the program is constructed. However, it is natural that this condition is affected by the program execution time margin.

(Effects) As described above, according to the present invention, there is a great effect that timing data can be easily collected without having to prepare a measuring instrument or connect a glove as in the conventional case.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a subroutine program for setting a timing measurement function, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of contents displayed on a display device when setting a timing function. FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram for explaining a specific example of timing measurement, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing how the timing measurement subroutine is executed in normal copy mode, and FIG. 6 is the subroutine of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram for explaining another specific example of timing measurement according to the present invention. 1... Copying machine main body, 5... Copy paper conveyance path, 6
a=6c...Sensor, 7...Registry storage access gate, 9...Fixing device, 14...Central processing unit (CPU), 15...Read only memory (R
OM), 16...Random access memory (RAM)
) Representative Patent Attorney Michi Hiraki 1st non-human 2nd figure 31! I 4 Figure 1 'r2 1 ■ Figure 5 Figure 6

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a self-diagnosis method for copying machines, etc. that uses a microcomputer, codes corresponding to multiple signals obtained from multiple sensors provided inside the copying machine, etc. are stored in memory, and the code corresponds to the codes. A set of Q self-diagnosis blades for copying machines, etc., characterized by automatically measuring timing measurement values between signals, storing them in a memory, and making it possible to read the values as needed. (2) The self-diagnosis method for copying machines, etc. described in Patent No. 1, wherein the memory for storing the code corresponding to the signal and the measured results is a battery backup memory. (3) A self-diagnosis method for a copying machine, etc. according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that automatically measured timing values can be displayed on a console in real time during a copying operation.