JPS6424780A - Predictor for useful life of component part of medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To contrive the enhancement of reliability and maintainability of a medium processor, by issuing predictive information on the useful lives of expendables and component parts having respective useful lives of the medium processor according to the operating schedule of the processor, for smooth automatic unmanned operation of the processor at night or on holidays. CONSTITUTION:First, a controlling part 27 reads an operation schedule 24, and determines an operating period of a medium processor based on the data on the schedule 24 and data and a clock. The controlling part 27 reads useful life data on an ink ribbon from a register, and compares the data with a reference useful life data stored in a storage part. When it is found that the end of the useful life of the ribbon is reached, alarm data is displayed or sent, whereas when the ribbon is still usable, the useful life data is updated, and residual amount data on paper is read. When the residual amount is not more than a reference residual amount, alarm information is displayed, whereas when the residual amount is more than the reference residual amount, the residual amount data is updated. An effective use period is calculated from the useful life data and the residual amount data, and is compared with the operating period. When it is found that the processor will become unusable during the operating period, an alarm is displayed, or sent to a host device, whereas in other cases, the effective use period is displayed or reported. The useful lives of component parts are similarly dealt with.