JP2647382B2 - Image forming device for data logging system - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to various devices, particularly to a data logging system applied to an image forming apparatus, for example, a copying machine.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a device for reading data in various modes and the like has been devised. However, as shown in FIG. 18, a power supply from the copying machine is used or In many cases, a signal line is isolated by a photocoupler as a separate power supply.

When the power from the copying machine is used, it is impossible to count the stop time when the power switch of the copying machine is off. Also, when isolated with a photocoupler,
Although data communication in one direction is possible, the circuit becomes more complicated in the case of two-way communication, and it becomes expensive.

If the image forming apparatus is not used for a long period of time, the state of the supply of toner and the like may change and may not be suitable for image formation. For example, if the toner is left for a long period of time, the toner is not stirred in the developing device, so that aggregation of the toner may occur. When the image forming apparatus is restarted in such a state, the toner is not sufficiently diffused,
For this reason, there is a possibility that the image quality is reduced.

In the conventional apparatus, there is no means for monitoring that such an image forming apparatus has been unused for a long period of time, and therefore, there has been a problem that the image quality is reduced.

(Purpose) The present invention has been made based on such a background, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus for a data logging system which does not lower the image quality and enables preventive maintenance of the image forming apparatus. .

(Structure) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, one of which is connected to the image forming apparatus, and the other of which is, for example, a center device via a communication line such as a telephone line. A monitoring device such as an adapter connected to the central management device, the monitoring device has a counter for counting the time that the image forming apparatus is turned off, and the image forming apparatus is turned off. The counter is counted by the counter and transmitted to the central management device.

 First, FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the present system.

The adapter 1 collects data (the number of copies, the number of jams, an abnormal counter, etc.) of the copying machine (PPC) 4 and sends the collected data to a telephone line as needed.
The connection to the telephone line is made via a system phone.

The center device 2, which uses a personal computer, receives data from the adapter 1 transmitted via a telephone line, and performs analysis, diagnosis, inspection, and the like. The connection to the telephone line uses the system phone 3 as in the case of the adapter 1.

2 and 3 show connection diagrams of each device. The center side shown in FIG. 2 connects the telephone line and the system phone 3,
The connection between the system phone 3 and the center device 2 is RS-232
This is performed with the D type connector 6 for C. On the other hand, the terminal side shown in FIG. 3 also connects the telephone line and the system phone 3 by the rosette 5, and the system phone 3 and the adapter 1
Connect with RS-232C connector cable 7.

Data communication between the copier and the adapter is performed in parallel, but an interface board is inserted directly into the RAM socket so that the main control board of the copier can be connected without change, and the board and adapter are connected by a cable. To connect. A cable 9 for each sensor (temperature, humidity, power supply voltage) is connected between the copier and the adapter.

Next, the configuration of the adapter 1 will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of the adapter of FIG. 4 and the circuit diagram of FIG. 5A.

CPU 11, which i) classifies, counts, and collects various information sent from the copier 4;

ii) Control of parallel communication with the copying machine 4.

iii) Control of serial communication with system phone 3 by RS-232C.

iv) Set and count the real-time clock.

Dual port RAM12, which is a buffer for communication between CPU and copier.

 Parallel I / O port 13, which is i) control signal for RS-232C interface.

ii) Used for DipSW input.

Serial port 14, which is a data input / output port for an RS-232C interface.

A / D converter 15, which is equipped with various sensors (in-machine temperature, humidity,
Used to detect power supply voltage).

Timer 16, which is used for counting the operation time, down time, etc. (interrupt is generated every second).

ROM 17, which is an adapter control program memory.

 RAM 18, which is i) a working area for the adapter control program, and ii) a memory for data collection, counting and holding.

The above functions are 1 chip microcontroller 6305Z
(Shown in Fig. 5A).

DipSW19, which sets the data format and baud rate for serial communication.

Driver / receiver 20 for RS-232C
The interface for communication with the phone 3 converts the TTL level to an RS-232C level of ± 12 V.

Power supply detection and CPU reset. In this embodiment, the power supply (V _CC ) photocoupler of the copying machine is used to count the ON time and OFF time of the copying machine.
(See Fig. 5A). In addition, in order to always operate the CPU on the adapter side, a reset signal from the copying machine is input to the STBY input to realize the operation. When the STBY input goes to "L" level, the microcomputer on the adapter side (HD6305Z) stops operating. After that, when the STBY input goes to “H” level, the miseranias register (the
Looking at the standby power bit (STBYPWR) in FIG. 5B, [1 indicates that the power of the microcomputer (V _CC ) is applied to the standby 0 if it is 1]. It is determined whether or not to clear the internal RAM. That is, when the bit is 0, the RAM is cleared because there is no backup battery or the battery has reached the end of its life.

FIG. 5C shows the relationship among the copier power supply (V _CC ), the adapter power supply (V _CM ), the reset signal, and STBY. The reset signal is input to CE of the RAM (5517).

 FIGS. 5D and 5E show a clock counting program flow.

The circuit diagram of the adapter is shown in FIG. 5A. RS _{0 to} RS ₃ are the CPU (6
305Z) is an address line for selecting a 16-byte dual port RAM in the 305Z). WR and RD are read / write control of the port, and CS is a select signal for accessing the dual port RAM. DBB _{0 to} DBB ₇ are RA
Data bus line for reading and writing M. PB _{0 to} PB
Reference numeral ₁ denotes a power supply monitoring input port of a main control board of a copying machine, which is isolated by a photocoupler (PS2403).
The STBY (standby) signal is used for resetting the CPU, and is connected to the reset IC (7705). This IC
When V _CC falls below 4.7V, it goes to “L” level.

PF ₀ ~PF ₂ and PG ₀ ~PG ₇ is connected with DipSW, using the mode and baud rate settings for communication with the system phone.

_{TX, SCLK, PA 5, PA} 6, PA 0, RX, PC 3, PC 4, PC 5, PC 6, PC 7 , the data line (TX used to communicate with the system Hung, R
X) and control signals. The respective signals are connected to the terminals via RS-232C interface ICs 75188 and 75189. The name of each terminal conforms to the modem interface. MP1, MP2 are used to set the mode of the CPU, and connected to the output port PA _3, PA _4, which sets the mode in software on its own. AN _{0 to} AN ₇
Is an analog input of the A / D converter, and AV _CC and AV _SS are their reference voltages. XTAL and EXTAL are connection pins for the CPU system clock crystal. In this example, RS
A 4.9152MHz crystal was used to create a -232C baud rate. Voltage is V _CC for ICs other than CPU and V for CPU
And divided into a _CM, V _CM side are also available Batsukuatsupu lithium voltage. The analog reference AV _CC is connected from the V _CC side. CN103 is connected to a copying machine via a bus buffer of an interface board. The lower left corner is the power supply connection area. DC-DC is a DC-DC converter with 5V input ± 12V output.

Next, the interface board will be described with reference to FIGS. The interface board 30 is pinned as shown in FIG. 6 so that it can be directly connected to the socket for the RAM (5517) on the main control board of the copying machine. As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 7, a bus driver / receiver for interfacing the RAM (5517) which replaces the RAM on the main control board with the adapter is mounted on the interface board. As can be seen from this figure, when A ₃ to A ₁₀ are all H, RAM access on INTERFACE board is prohibited, switches and Deyuarupoto RAM of the microcomputer on the adapter. That is, for example, if the RAM address is C000H to C7FFH, the upper 16 bytes C7F0H to C7F
The address of FH is allocated on the dual port RAM. This allows the copier to access the RAM
The data communication with the adapter can be performed in the same manner as when reading and writing.

FIG. 8 shows a mechanism inside a main body of a type of copying machine embodying the present invention.

A contact glass 40 on which a document is placed, and an optical scanning unit are provided below the contact glass.

The optical scanning system includes an illumination lamp 41, a first mirror 42, a second mirror 43, a third mirror 44, a zoom lens 45, and a fourth mirror 46.
Etc. are provided. The optical scanning system is mechanically driven to scan in the sub-scanning direction, that is, the left and right direction in the drawing, while irradiating the photosensitive drum 47 with light corresponding to a document image. In this example, the magnification of the original image and the copy image in the main scanning direction, that is, the direction perpendicular to the drawing, is adjusted by adjusting the illumination distance of the zoom lens 45, and the sub-scanning direction is adjusted by adjusting the sub-scanning speed of the optical scanning system. The magnification of the original image and the copy image is adjusted.

Around the photoconductor drum 47, a charging charger 48, an eraser 49, a developing device 50, a transfer charger 51, a separation charger are provided.
52, cleaning unit 53, etc. are provided. Two paper feeding systems are provided, and copy sheets are supplied by paper feeding rollers 56 and 57 from one of cassettes 54 and 55 selected. Further, a double-sided tray 58 is provided, and when performing back side copying, a copy sheet is supplied from the double-sided tray 58. Paper feed mechanisms are provided near the cassettes 54 and 55 and the duplex tray 58, respectively (59 is a duplex feed roller).

Next, an outline of the copy process will be described. The photosensitive drum 47 rotates clockwise in FIG. 8, and the surface is uniformly charged to a predetermined high potential. When the charged surface is irradiated with light from the optical scanning system, the potential changes according to the intensity of the light. Since the light emitted from the optical scanning system corresponds to the original image, a potential distribution corresponding to the original image, that is, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 47. When the portion of the photoconductor drum 47 where the electrostatic latent image is formed passes through the developing device 50, the toner is attracted to the photoconductor drum 47 according to the potential distribution, and thereby the toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed. (Visible image) is formed. Photosensitive drum on which visible image is formed in this way
At 47, a copy sheet is fed from the selected paper feeding system at a predetermined timing and overlaps the visible image. Then, the visible image is transferred to a copy sheet by the transfer charger 51.
The copy sheet on which the visible image has been transferred is
Is separated from the photosensitive drum 47 and sent to the transport section. Then, by the fixing unit 61 provided in the transport unit,
The visible image is fixed on the copy sheet. In the case of single-sided copy mode, the copy sheet that has been fixed is route-switched.
The sheet is discharged in the direction of arrow A immediately after passing through the sheet 62, but when the copy sheet is copied on the first side in the double-sided copy mode, the conveyance direction of the copy sheet is reversed by the path switching mechanism 62, and And stored in the double-sided tray 58.

An operation board 60 is arranged on the upper surface of the copying machine.
Further, an automatic document feeder (ADF device) is mounted above the contact glass 40 of the copying machine, and a sorter is mounted near the discharge port.

FIG. 9 shows the appearance of the operation board of the copying machine. Referring to the figure, the operation board has a program key 70 for storing and recalling a program, a program display 71 for indicating that the program is being used, an interrupt key 72 for setting / releasing an interrupt copy, and an interrupt display for indicating an interrupt copy status. 73, Check the number of copies during copying, use the key to confirm the number of copies to be used during size change / program, 74
Numeric keypad 75 used for dimension scaling, program setting,
Display panel 76 for displaying various information, double-sided key 77 for double-sided copying, double-sided display for displaying the state of double-sided copying
78, binding margin adjustment key 79 used when creating a binding margin (margin) for copying, binding margin display 8 displaying binding margin dimensions
0, DF mode key 81 used when unifying paper size or automatic paper selection, unified size display 82 indicating the size unification state when using DF, automatic paper selection display 83 indicating the automatic paper selection state when using DF, using sorter Sort display 84 to show the sort time, Stack display 85 to show the stack status when using the sorter 85, Sorter key 86 to set / cancel the sorter mode and set / cancel the stack mode, ADF display 87 to show the ADF (fully automatic) mode , SADF display 88 indicating SADF (semi-automatic) mode, DF key 89 used to set the document feeder to ADF mode or SADF mode, document size input display lit when entering document size 90, Specified dimension input display 91 illuminated when a specified dimension is entered, Dimension scaling key 92 used to select copy magnification by dimension, Copy magnification in 1% increments Depending on the original size and paper size, the dimensional zoom key 93 used for selection, the page continuous display 94 indicating the continuous page copying status, the page continuous key 95 used for automatically , A document size selection key 96 used to determine the copy magnification, a reduction key 97 used to perform a reduced copy, an enlargement key 98 used during an enlarged copy, a same size key 99 used to return to an original copy, Paper selection key 100 for selecting copy paper, density adjustment key 101 for adjusting the density of the copy image, automatic density key 102 for setting and canceling the automatic density adjustment function, changing the number of copies, repeat copying Clear stop key 103 used to interrupt the program, cancel program protection, etc.
A start key 104 for starting a copy operation, a preheat mode clear key 10 used for returning each mode to the standard mode or for switching between a preheat state and a normal state.
5. A preheating display 106 indicating a preheating state is provided.

Original and paper (copy sheet) in unified size mode
The copy magnification is automatically set according to the size (for example, A4, B5, etc.). In the automatic paper selection mode, the paper feed system is automatically selected according to the document size and the copy magnification. The binding margin adjustment is a function that shifts the correspondence between the position of the document image and the position on the copy sheet in the sub-scanning direction.
One of five levels of 10, −5, 0, +5 and +10 (mm) can be specified. The binding margins for the front and back sides of the copy sheet can be independently performed.

To set the dimensional scaling mode, press the dimensional scaling key 93, specify the document size with the numeric keypad 75, press the number confirmation key 74, and then press the dimensional scaling key 93 again.
Specify the copy size using the numeric keypad 75 and enter the number.
Press 74.

With this operation, the copy magnification is automatically set by calculating the original and the copy size.

Adjustment of the copy density is performed in seven steps in this example, and the density can be adjusted one step at a time in the darker direction or the lighter direction by pressing the key.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of an electric circuit of the copying machine. Referring to FIG. 10, the copying machine is provided with a micro computer unit 120.
The automatic document feeder 121, sorter 122, operation board 60, optical system control unit 123, high voltage power supply unit 124, motor control unit 125, heater control unit 126, solenoid control unit 127, relay control unit 128 and sensor unit 129 are connected. Have been. The micro computer unit 120 includes a microprocessor 130, a read only memory (ROM) 131, a read / write memory (RAM) 132, an I / O port 133, an A / D converter 134, and a driver 135.

FIG. 11 shows a part of the read / write memory (RAM). Referring to the figure, this memory has memory areas PCCSR to PCDR14 for parallel communication with adapter 1.
(This part is on the adapter), Command buffer PCCMD for communication and PCSTS for status buffer
Is assigned.

 Fig. 12 shows the relationship between commands and status.

Referring to the figure, the command code 01H is a double-sided mode, and the status next to it indicates the state of the double-sided mode 1, 2, 3 reverse discharge and backside copy. The command code 02H is an option status and indicates which of the SADF mode, ADF mode, stack mode and sort mode is to be used according to the next status. Also, SPYS
The T (copying) flag is used so that the copy count in each mode can be incremented only when this flag is set.

Command 03H is a fixed magnification of 50, 61, 65, 71, 74, 75, 7
7,81,85,87,93,100,115,121,122,130,141,151,155,200
% (Code 00H to 12H) and zoom magnification 50% to 200%
(Code 32H to C8H) is represented by the following status. command
04H indicates whether the document is fed by DF or not. The command 05H indicates that the print button has been pressed at the start of copying and the copying operation has been started. The command 06H represents the copy size and the paper size. 07H indicates a cassette stage used for copying. The L0WWER flag indicates a lower cassette, and the UPPER flag indicates an upper cassette. Commands 08H and 09H indicate the number of copies to be set. 08H indicates the lower one digit, 09H indicates the upper digit, and the next status contains a numerical value from 0 to 9. In the case of a serviceman call, this command data is replaced with an abnormal code (two digits) instead of the set number. The command 0AH is an end status, and the next status indicates an oil end, a paper end, or a toner end. Command 0BH sends this code from the copying machine to the adapter each time toner is supplied by the toner supply command. Command 0CH is a serviceman call, and this code is sent when a serviceman call occurs as described above. Before sending this code, an error code is added to the set number of 08H and 09H described above before transmission. 0DH is a jam status, and indicates a paper discharge jam, a separation jam, and a paper feed jam according to the next status. 0FH is an exposure level, and the next status is represented by seven levels from 1 to 7.

Next, FIGS. 13 to 15 show flowcharts of data transmission from the copying machine to the adapter. When the power is turned on, initialization is performed. When the initial setting is completed, the process stands by while repeatedly executing processes such as “key scan” and “sensor state reading”. The key input from the operation board is processed by the "key scan" processing, various state settings are made in accordance with the key input, and transmission data corresponding thereto is transmitted.

Next, magnification control is performed and the magnification is transmitted. When the temperature of the fixing unit rises to a predetermined value or more during the standby process and the copying machine becomes ready for copying, the standby process is continued while checking whether or not the print start key is pressed.

When the print start key is turned on, a copy operation is started. When the copy operation is started, a series of processes of “key scan”, “sensor state reading”, “heater control”, “display control”, and “copy process control” are repeatedly executed. In this case as well, the transmission data corresponding to each process is transmitted to the adapter as described above. When the copy process is completed, the copy operation ends, and the process returns to the standby state.
In the "Jam transmission" routine, it is checked whether or not the jam has been reset. This prevents the same jam from being transmitted many times.
Also, in the case of an abnormality, the abnormality code is transmitted first, and thereafter the abnormality processing is repeated. This loop turns off the power once
It continues until it is turned on.

Next, the operation of the microcomputer on the adapter side
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 16 shows the main routine of the adapter. Turn on the copier power
When N or OFF, the STBY signal enters the microcomputer of the adapter.
Then, after a while from the rise of the STBY signal, the microcomputer enters a reset state and the program starts.
First, the STBPW bit of the Miseranias register is checked to check whether the power (V _CM ) has been turned off before the start.

If the power is turned off before the start, the microcomputer automatically sets STBPW to 0, so when it is 0, the RAM is cleared. Next, the STBPW bit is set to prepare for the next check. Then the power of'll go-between copier PB ₀ to perform one of a checking are entering a port. When the power is off, that is, PB ₀ = 0
In the case of, only the interrupt of the timer is permitted, and the system enters the WAIT state. The timer interrupt is set in advance so as to enter every one second. When a timer interrupt occurs, the WAIT state is released and the next instruction is executed. When the power of the copying machine is ON, that is, when PB ₀ = 1, the power-on counter is incremented, each interrupt of PCI, timer, and A / D is permitted, and a command from the center device is waited. Since the command from the center device uses the serial reception port, the reception flag may be checked. If there is a command from the center, the command is processed and the command waits again. Command processing from the copier is performed by a parallel communication interruption. When a command from the copying machine is received, a PCI interrupt is generated, the received data is transferred to a buffer, and command processing is performed. The analog data is read by an A / D interrupt. When the conversion is completed, the data is stored in the memory, the next analog channel is selected, and the A / D conversion is started. When A / D conversion ends,
An A / D interrupt occurs and repeats thereafter. A timer interrupt is used to count the operation time and the stop time of the copying machine. When the timer interrupt occurs, first a checking the state of the PB _0, uptime or downtime counter is incremented (when the PB ₀ = 1 operating, stopping when the 0).

Each counter counts hours, minutes, and seconds.

FIG. 17 shows a command processing routine from the center. There are S, T, and K commands. S uses a set command to change the data of the following address to the data sent from the center next. T sends all the contents of the counter to the center by a type command. K clears (0) all counters with a clear command. Data is transmitted to the center device by the T command, and the center device classifies, analyzes, and prints the data, thereby enabling data collection from a remote place.

(Effect) As described above, the present invention has a configuration in which the power-off time of the image forming apparatus, that is, the pause time, is counted by the monitoring apparatus and transmitted to the central management apparatus. The cause of the failure that occurs (for example, a decrease in image quality due to a change in the state of the supply of toner or the like) can be predicted on the central management device side, and services such as alerting the user can be performed based on the prediction.

In addition, the fact that the image forming apparatus has not been used for a long period of time also predicts that some sort of failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus, and that the user has not notified the center of the failure. According to the present invention, since the downtime of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the central management apparatus, it is possible to cope with the above-mentioned situation and to perform preventive maintenance of the image forming apparatus. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is an overall view of a cis-nam according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are connection diagrams of respective devices, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an adapter, FIG. 5A is a circuit diagram thereof, and FIG. 5B is a miseranias register. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing the relationship between each power supply and signal, FIG. 5D, FIG.
FIG. 5E is a flowchart showing a time counting program, and FIG.
Fig. 7 is an external view of the interface board, Fig. 7 is its circuit diagram, Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a general copying machine, Fig. 9 is a plan view of the operation board, and Fig. 10 is control of the copying machine. Block diagram, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a part of the memory contents, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between commands and status, FIG. 13 and FIG.
A, FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C, FIG. 14D, FIG. 14E, FIG.
Figures 14G, 14H, 14I, 15A, 15B, 15C
Figures 15, 15D, and 15E are flow charts for data transmission from the copier to the adapter, FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C,
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the operation of the microcomputer on the adapter side, and FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram of a conventional copying machine. 1 ... Adapter.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a monitoring device connected to the image forming device on one side and a monitoring device connected to a central management device via a communication line on the other side; Has a counter for counting the time during which the image forming apparatus is turned off, and counts the time during which the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off by the counter and transmits the data to the central management apparatus. Image forming device for logging system.