JP2011203423A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which maintenance costs can be reduced, and to provide an image forming system.SOLUTION: A time information capturing section captures receiving time information about a time at which input of image quality evaluation information is received by an evaluation receiving section. The evaluation-receiving section receives the input of image quality evaluation information regarding the image quality evaluation of an image formed on the surface of paper by an image forming section. Then, based on the image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage section, the determining section determines whether maintenance for the image forming section is required.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of evaluating image quality.

  Conventionally, as an apparatus for forming (printing) an image on the surface of an image forming medium (paper), an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine of these is known. As such an image forming apparatus continues to be used, the state of the image forming unit changes such as deterioration of various components constituting the image forming apparatus and a decrease in the remaining amount of toner, and the image quality of the formed image deteriorates. . Therefore, it is necessary for the image forming apparatus to maintain the image quality by regularly performing maintenance such as inspection and repair of the image forming unit.

  In order to maintain the image quality of the image formed by the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to evaluate the image quality of the formed image. As a technique for evaluating the image quality of an image formed by an image forming apparatus, for example, those described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have been proposed.

JP 2006-243245 A JP 2006-270197 A JP 2007-129652 A

  Here, the period of regular maintenance is set to a period in which a constant level of image quality can always be maintained, taking into account individual differences in image forming units, differences in usage environment, variations in user usage frequency, etc. Is done. Therefore, maintenance is performed more frequently than necessary for the user, and the cost for the maintenance increases, which is a burden for both the user and the contractor who performs the maintenance.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can reduce the cost of maintenance.

  The present invention relates to an image forming unit that forms an image on the surface of an image forming medium, and an evaluation receiving unit that receives input of image quality evaluation information related to image quality evaluation in the image formed on the surface of the image forming medium by the image forming unit. A time information acquisition unit that acquires reception time information related to a time when input of image quality evaluation information is received by the evaluation reception unit, and image quality evaluation information received by the evaluation reception unit is acquired by the time information acquisition unit An evaluation information storage unit that stores information in association with reception time information; and a determination unit that determines whether maintenance is required in the image forming unit based on image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided.

  In addition, the determination unit includes the first evaluation number of the image quality evaluation information evaluated below a predetermined evaluation criterion among the predetermined number of image quality evaluation information sequentially calculated from the time when the input is received by the evaluation reception unit. If included, it is preferable to determine that maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary.

  The evaluation information storage unit stores the image quality evaluation information input by the evaluation receiving unit in association with each of a plurality of user identification information, and the image forming apparatus stores the image quality evaluation stored in the evaluation information storage unit. The information processing apparatus further includes a counting unit that counts the information for each of the plurality of user identification information, and the determination unit has a predetermined evaluation criterion for the evaluation specified by the plurality of image quality evaluation information totaled for each user identification information by the counting unit When the number of user identification information less than the predetermined number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, it is preferable to determine that maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary based on the evaluation specified by the image quality evaluation information.

  The evaluation information storage unit stores the image quality evaluation information input by the evaluation receiving unit in association with each of a plurality of user identification information, and the image forming apparatus stores the image quality evaluation stored in the evaluation information storage unit. The information processing apparatus further includes a totaling unit that totals the information for each of the plurality of user identification information, and the determination unit satisfies a predetermined condition for an evaluation specified by the plurality of image quality evaluation information totaled for each user identification information by the totaling unit. It is preferable to determine whether or not maintenance is required in the image forming unit by excluding image quality evaluation information associated with user identification information to be satisfied.

  In addition, when the determination unit determines that the image forming unit needs maintenance, the image forming apparatus notifies the external device of maintenance information indicating that the image forming unit needs maintenance. It is preferable to further include a notification unit.

  Further, the image forming apparatus includes a reference image quality evaluation information storage unit that stores reference image quality evaluation information serving as a reference for evaluating image quality, and a totaling unit that aggregates image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit. A comparison unit that compares the reference image quality evaluation information stored in the reference image quality evaluation information storage unit with the image quality evaluation information tabulated by the tabulation unit, and maintenance based on a result of comparison performed by the comparison unit. It is preferable to further include a time information creating unit that creates maintenance time information that is a time until the time is required.

  Further, it is preferable that the information processing apparatus further includes a notification unit that notifies the external device of the maintenance time information when the maintenance time information is generated by the time information generation unit.

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an external device that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus forms an image on a surface of an image forming medium. An image forming unit that receives the input of image quality evaluation information related to image quality evaluation in an image formed on the surface of the image forming medium by the image forming unit, and receives an input of image quality evaluation information by the evaluation receiving unit. A time information acquisition unit that acquires reception time information related to the time, an evaluation information storage unit that stores image quality evaluation information received by the evaluation reception unit in association with reception time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit, A determination unit that determines whether maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary based on the evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit; A transmission unit configured to transmit maintenance information indicating that maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary to the external device when the determination unit determines that maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary; The apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives the maintenance information transmitted by the transmitting unit, and an informing unit that notifies that the image forming unit needs maintenance based on the maintenance information received by the receiving unit. About the system.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can reduce the cost for maintenance of the image forming apparatus main body.

1 is a diagram for explaining an overall configuration of an image forming system 200 according to a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overall configuration of a copier 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a copier 1 according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the information processing apparatus 150 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the specific aspect of the image for evaluation. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for determining whether or not maintenance is necessary in the image forming system 200 according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the copy machine 1 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing for determining whether maintenance is necessary in the image forming system 200 according to the second embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an image forming system 200 according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of an image forming system 200 according to the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

The image forming system 200 includes a copier 1 and an information processing apparatus 150 as an external device.
The information processing apparatus 150 is configured by a personal computer or the like. The information processing apparatus 150 is communicably connected to the copier 1 via a communication cable C via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. In the present embodiment, the copier 1 and the information processing apparatus 150 are connected to be communicable by wire via the communication cable C, but are connected to be communicable by wireless using a wireless LAN or the like. Also good.

  Next, the overall configuration of the copy machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the copier 1 according to the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus.

The copier 1 includes a document transport unit 10, a document reading unit 20, a paper transport unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a transfer unit 50, and a fixing unit 60.
The document transport unit 10 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and includes a document placement unit 11, a first feed roller 12, a guide 13, a timing roller pair 14, and a document discharge unit 15. The first feed roller 12 supplies the document G placed on the document placement unit 11 to the timing roller pair 14 one by one in order. The timing roller pair 14 matches the timing at which the document reading unit 20 reads the document G with the timing at which the document G is supplied to the position at which the document G is read by the document reading unit 20 (the position at which the guide 13 is disposed). Then, the conveyance of the original G or the conveyance of the original G is stopped. The guide 13 guides the conveyed document G to a first reading surface 21a described later. The document discharge unit 15 discharges the document G read by the document reading unit 20 (passed through the guide 13) to the outside of the copier body 2.
A document stacking unit 16 is formed outside the copying machine main body 2 in the document discharge unit 15. In the document stacking unit 16, the documents G discharged from the document discharge unit 15 are stacked and stacked.

  The document reading unit 20 includes a first reading surface 21a and a second reading surface 22a. The first reading surface 21 a is formed along the upper surface of the first contact glass 21 disposed to face the guide 13 and serves as a surface for reading the document G. The second reading surface 22a is disposed adjacent to the first reading surface 21a (in the case shown in FIG. 2, over the most right side of the first reading surface 21a). The second reading surface 22 a is used when reading the document G without using the document transport unit 10. The second reading surface 22a is formed along the upper surface of the second contact glass 22 on which the document G is placed, and serves as a surface for reading the document G.

  The document reading unit 20 includes an illumination unit 23, a first mirror 24, a second mirror 25, a third mirror 26, an imaging lens 27, and an imaging unit 28 inside the copier body 2. . The illumination unit 23 and the first mirror 24 move in the sub-scanning direction X, respectively. The second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26 are arranged on the left side of the illumination unit 23 and the first mirror 24 in FIG. Further, the second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26 are the first reading surface 21 a or the second reading surface 22 a through the first mirror 24, the second mirror 25, the third mirror 26, and the imaging lens 27. To the imaging unit 28 while moving in the sub-scanning direction X while keeping the distance (optical path length) constant.

  The illumination unit 23 is a light source that irradiates the original G with light. The first mirror 24, the second mirror 25, and the third mirror 26 are mirrors for guiding the light reflected by the document G to the imaging lens 27 while keeping the optical path length constant. The imaging lens 27 focuses the light incident from the third mirror 26 on the imaging unit 28. The imaging unit 28 includes a plurality of imaging elements arranged along the main scanning direction (direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction X). The imaging element is an element for obtaining image data based on an imaged light image by converting incident light into an electrical signal. For example, a charge coupled device (CCD) is used. is there.

The paper transport unit 30 includes a second feed roller 31, a third feed roller 32, a registration roller pair 33, and a paper discharge unit 34. The second feed roller 31 supplies the paper T (image forming medium) stored in the paper feed cassette 36 to the transfer unit 50. The third feed roller 32 supplies the paper T (image forming medium) placed on the manual feed tray 37 to the transfer unit 50. The registration roller pair 33 carries the paper T or stops the conveyance of the paper T in order to match the timing at which the toner image is formed on the transfer unit 50 and the timing at which the paper T is supplied to the transfer unit 50. Further, the registration roller pair 33 performs skew (oblique feeding) correction of the paper T. The paper discharge unit 34 discharges the paper T on which the toner image is fixed to the outside of the copier body 2.
A paper discharge stacking unit 35 is formed outside the copier body 2 in the paper discharge unit 34. In the paper discharge stacking unit 35, the paper T discharged from the paper discharge unit 34 is stacked and stacked.

The image forming unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scanner unit 43, a developing device 44, a cleaning unit 45, a toner cartridge 46, a primary transfer roller 47, and an intermediate transfer belt 48. And an opposing roller 49.
The photoconductor drum 41 (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) functions as a photoconductor or an image carrier in order to form toner images of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. Around each photosensitive drum 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scanner unit 43, a developing device 44, A cleaning unit 45 is disposed.

The charging unit 42 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The laser scanner unit 43 is arranged away from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 based on image data relating to the original G read by the original reading unit 20. As a result, the exposed portion of the charge is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 44 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The cleaning unit 45 removes toner and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 after the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is neutralized by a static eliminator (not shown).
The toner cartridge 46 stores toner of each color supplied to the developing device 44. The toner cartridge 46 and the developing device 44 are connected by a toner supply path (not shown).

  The primary transfer rollers 47 (47a, 47b, 47c, 47d) are arranged on the opposite sides of the intermediate transfer belt 48 from the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, respectively. The intermediate transfer belt 48 is a belt that passes through the image forming unit 40 and the transfer unit 50. A part of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d and the primary transfer rollers 47a, 47b, 47c, and 47d, and the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d. The toner image formed on the surface is primarily transferred. The opposing roller 49 is a driving roller that is disposed inside the annular intermediate transfer belt 48 and advances the intermediate transfer belt 48 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.

  The transfer unit 50 includes a secondary transfer roller 51. The secondary transfer roller 51 is disposed on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 48 from the counter roller 49, and a part of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is sandwiched between the counter roller 49. Further, the secondary transfer roller 51 secondarily transfers the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 48 onto the paper T.

  The fixing unit 60 includes a heating rotator 61 and a pressure rotator 62. The heating rotator 61 and the pressure rotator 62 sandwich the paper T on which the toner image is secondarily transferred, melt and pressurize the toner, and fix the toner to the paper T.

Next, the functional configuration of the copy machine 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the copier 1 according to the first embodiment.
The copier 1 includes the above-described components (the document transport unit 10, the document reading unit 20, the paper transport unit 30, the image forming unit 40, the transfer unit 50, and the fixing unit 60). The engine unit 3 is configured by the paper transport unit 30, the image forming unit 40, the transfer unit 50, and the fixing unit 60. Note that description of the components described with reference to FIG. 2 is omitted. Further, the copier 1 includes an operation unit 70, a storage unit 80, a control unit 90, a communication I / F (interface) unit 100, and a display unit 110 in addition to the functional configuration described above.

  The operation unit 70 includes a numeric keypad (not shown), a touch panel (not shown), a start key (not shown), and the like. The numeric keypad is operated to input numbers such as the number of copies to be printed. The touch panel displays a plurality of keys to which various functions (for example, a function for setting a print magnification and a function for allocating a plurality of pages to one sheet of paper T (such as 2 in 1)) are assigned. The keys displayed on the touch panel are operated (touched) to cause the copier 1 to execute any of various functions. The start key is operated to execute printing. When any key is operated, the operation unit 70 supplies a signal indicating that this key has been operated to the control unit 90.

  The storage unit 80 includes a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage unit 80 stores image data based on the document G read by the document reading unit 20. Further, the storage unit 80 stores a control program used in the copier 1, data used by the control program, and the like.

The control unit 90 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various control programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that reads and executes control programs from the ROM. Etc. The control unit 90 has a built-in timer.
The control unit 90 controls the document conveyance unit 10, the document reading unit 20, the engine unit 3, the operation unit 70, the storage unit 80, the communication I / F unit 100, and the display unit 110.

  An example of the function (operation) of the control unit 90 will be described by showing a case where the document G placed on the document placement unit 11 is copied. First, the control unit 90 detects that the start key has been operated by receiving a signal indicating that the start key constituting the operation unit 70 has been operated. Next, the control unit 90 drives the first feed roller 12 of the document transport unit 10 to supply the document G to the first reading surface 21a. The control unit 90 generates image data based on the document G supplied to the first reading surface 21 a by the document reading unit 20, and temporarily stores the image data in the storage unit 80.

  The control unit 90 forms a toner image on the paper T based on the image data temporarily stored in the storage unit 80, the paper transport unit 30 that constitutes the engine unit 3, the image forming unit 40, and the transfer unit 50. And the fixing unit 60 are controlled. That is, the control unit 90 drives the second feed roller 31 or the third feed roller 32 to transport the paper T to the transfer unit 50. Further, the control unit 90 supplies the color image data generated for each color based on the image data to the laser scanner unit 43, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 41 by the laser light emitted from the laser scanner unit 43. Form an image. The control unit 90 causes the developing unit 44 to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 41, and primarily transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 48. The controller 90 causes the secondary transfer roller 51 to secondarily transfer the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 48 to the paper T. The control unit 90 controls the heating rotator 61 to be heated to a predetermined temperature so that the toner of the toner image secondarily transferred onto the paper T by the heating rotator 61 is melted, and the heating rotator 61 The toner is fixed to the paper T by the pressurizing rotating body 62 that is in pressure contact. Further, the control unit 90 causes the paper transport unit 30 to discharge the paper T on which the toner image is fixed from the paper discharge unit 34.

The communication I / F unit 100 is configured by a network interface or the like, and transmits / receives data to / from the information processing apparatus 150 via the communication cable C. For example, the communication I / F unit 100 receives image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 150 and supplies the image data to the control unit 90.
The display unit 110 includes a touch panel and / or a liquid crystal display (LCD) provided separately from the touch panel, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and the like. The display unit 110 displays various data according to the control of the control unit 90.

Next, a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 150 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 150 according to the first embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the information processing apparatus 150 includes an operation unit 151, a storage unit 152, a control unit 153, a communication I / F unit 154, and a display unit 155.

The operation unit 151 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The operation unit 151 accepts an operation for printing image data from a user, for example.
The storage unit 152 includes a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage unit 152 stores various information transmitted from the copy machine 1.

  The control unit 153 includes a ROM that stores various control programs, a RAM that temporarily stores data, a CPU that reads and executes control programs from the ROM, and the like.

The communication I / F unit 154 is configured by a network interface or the like, and transmits / receives data to / from the copier 1 via the communication cable C.
The display unit 155 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display, or the like.

Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the characteristic part of the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific aspect of the evaluation image.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the storage unit 80 includes an evaluation information storage unit 81.
The control unit 90 includes a display control unit 91, an evaluation receiving unit 92, a time information acquisition unit 93, a determination unit 94, a totaling unit 95, and a notification unit 96.

When the image forming unit 40 forms an image related to one image forming data (job data) on the paper T, the display control unit 91 displays a plurality of evaluation images on the display unit 110.
Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the display control unit 91 displays images F1, F2, and F3 as evaluation images on a touch panel that configures the display unit 110. Alternatively, the display control unit 91 may display the images F1, F2, and F3 as evaluation images on a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like provided separately from the touch panel.

The image F1 is image quality evaluation information indicating that when the image forming unit 40 forms an image on the paper T, the image quality of the formed image is good. The image F2 is image quality evaluation information indicating that the image quality of the formed image is normal when the image forming unit 40 forms an image on the paper T. The image F3 is image quality evaluation information indicating that when an image is formed on the paper T by the image forming unit 40, the image quality of the formed image is poor.
When the image forming unit 40 forms an image on the paper T, the user can evaluate the image quality of the image with respect to the copier 1 by operating one of the images F1, F2, and F3 displayed on the touch panel. Enter.

  The evaluation receiving unit 92 operates image quality evaluation information related to image quality evaluation on the image formed on the surface of the paper T by the image forming unit 40 by operating any of the images F1, F2, and F3 displayed on the touch panel. Accept input.

The time information acquisition unit 93 acquires reception time information related to the time when the input of the image quality evaluation information is received by the evaluation reception unit 92 from a timer built in the control unit 90.
Then, the time information acquisition unit 93 stores the image quality evaluation information received by the evaluation reception unit 92 in the evaluation information storage unit 81 in association with the reception time information acquired from the timer.

  For example, after the image forming unit 40 forms an image on the paper T by the image forming unit 40, the time information acquisition unit 93 operates the image F3 by the user, and the image quality evaluation information including the image quality evaluation “bad image quality” in the image from the timer. The evaluation information storage unit 81 stores the received reception time information in association with the acquired reception time information (for example, the time when the input of the image quality evaluation information is received on February 10, 2010, 14:20).

  As described above, the time information acquisition unit 93 causes the evaluation information storage unit 81 to store the image quality evaluation information in association with the reception time information acquired from the timer every time an image related to one image formation data (job data) is formed. . Accordingly, the evaluation information storage unit 81 sequentially accumulates image quality evaluation information as time elapses from the time when the maintenance of the image forming unit 40 is completed.

  Based on the image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit 81, the determination unit 94 determines whether maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary.

  Specifically, the determination unit 94 sets the image quality evaluation information with an evaluation below a predetermined evaluation criterion among a predetermined number of image quality evaluation information sequentially calculated from the new image quality evaluation information when the input is received by the evaluation reception unit 92. When one or more evaluation numbers are included, it is determined that maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary.

  For example, the determination unit 94 includes seven or more pieces of evaluation information indicating that the image quality is poor among the ten pieces of image quality evaluation information calculated in order from the new image quality evaluation information when the input is received by the evaluation reception unit 92. If it is determined that the image forming unit 40 needs maintenance.

  Further, the determination unit 94 may determine whether or not maintenance is required in the image forming unit 40 by using a result obtained by collecting image quality evaluation information for each user who evaluates image quality.

  That is, the evaluation information storage unit 81 stores the image quality evaluation information input by the evaluation receiving unit 92 in association with each of a plurality of user identification information. It is assumed that the user identification information is stored (registered) in the storage unit 80 in advance.

  The totaling unit 95 totals the image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit 81 for each of a plurality of user identification information.

  Then, the determination unit 94 determines the image quality evaluation when there are a predetermined number or more of user identification information whose evaluation specified by the plurality of image quality evaluation information aggregated for each user identification information by the aggregation unit 95 falls below a predetermined evaluation criterion. Based on the evaluation specified by the information, it is determined that maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary.

  For example, the determination unit 94 normally evaluates image quality when there is a certain number (for example, 5 times) or more of evaluations indicating “bad image quality” in the image quality evaluation information aggregated for each user identification information. It is determined that the image quality is below the evaluation standard (the image quality is not bad). The determination unit 94 falls below this evaluation criterion, that is, when the user identification information specified by the evaluation indicating “bad image quality” in the image quality evaluation information is a predetermined number (for example, 5) or more, Based on the evaluation indicating “bad”, it is determined that the image forming unit 40 requires maintenance.

Further, the determination unit 94 may determine whether or not maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary, excluding image quality evaluation information by a specific user.
That is, the determination unit 94 excludes the image quality evaluation information associated with the user identification information in which the evaluation specified by the plurality of image quality evaluation information aggregated for each user identification information by the aggregation unit 95 satisfies a predetermined condition. It is determined whether or not maintenance in the forming unit 40 is necessary.

  For example, in the image quality evaluation information aggregated for each user identification information, the evaluation indicating “bad image quality” in one user identification information is extremely higher than the evaluation indicating “bad image quality” in other user identification information ( For example, if the evaluation of “poor image quality” is 10 times or more than other user identification information), the user identification information that is extremely associated with the evaluation indicating “poor image quality” is excluded as the predetermined condition is satisfied. Thus, it is determined whether or not maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary.

  When the determination unit 94 determines that the maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary, the notification unit 96 sends maintenance information indicating that the maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary to the communication I / F unit 100. The information processing apparatus 150 is notified (transmitted) via

  Here, examples of the format of the maintenance information include e-mail, fax, data communication, and the like. Furthermore, as a format of the maintenance information, notification may be made by e-mail or the like to a portable terminal owned by a member of a maintenance company.

  The timing at which the notification unit 96 notifies (transmits) the maintenance information to the information processing apparatus 150 may be immediately after the determination unit 94 determines that the image forming unit 40 requires maintenance, or maintenance. It may be after a predetermined period has elapsed since

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for determining whether maintenance is necessary in the image forming system 200 according to the first embodiment.
In step ST1, the image forming unit 40 forms an image on the paper T based on the image data.
In step ST2, the display control unit 91 causes the display unit 110 to display a plurality of evaluation images.

In step ST <b> 3, the evaluation receiving unit 92 receives input of image quality evaluation information related to image quality evaluation in an image formed on the surface of the paper T.
In step ST <b> 4, the time information acquisition unit 93 acquires reception time information related to the time when the evaluation reception unit 92 has received input of image quality evaluation information from a timer built in the control unit 90.

In step ST5, the time information acquisition unit 93 stores the image quality evaluation information received by the evaluation reception unit 92 in the evaluation information storage unit 81 in association with the reception time information acquired from the timer.
In step ST6, the totaling unit 95 totals the image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit 81 for each of a plurality of user identification information.

  In step ST <b> 7, the determination unit 94 excludes image quality evaluation information associated with user identification information in which the evaluation specified by the plurality of image quality evaluation information aggregated for each user identification information by the aggregation unit 95 satisfies a predetermined condition.

  In step ST8, the determination unit 94 determines whether or not the user identification information whose evaluation specified by the plurality of image quality evaluation information aggregated for each user identification information by the aggregation unit 95 is less than a predetermined evaluation criterion is a predetermined number or more. Determine. If the number of user identification information below the predetermined evaluation standard is a predetermined number or more (YES), the process proceeds to step ST9. If the number of user identification information below the predetermined evaluation standard is less than the predetermined number (NO), the process proceeds to step ST10.

In step ST9, the determination unit 94 determines that maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary.
In step ST10, the determination unit 94 determines that maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is not necessary.

  In step ST <b> 11, the notification unit 96 transmits maintenance information indicating that maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary to the information processing apparatus 150 via the communication I / F unit 100.

In step ST12, the control unit 153 of the information processing apparatus 150 receives maintenance information via the communication I / F unit 154.
In step ST13, the control unit 153 displays information indicating that maintenance is necessary on the display unit 155 based on the received maintenance information, and notifies the copying machine 1 that maintenance is necessary. As a result, the maintenance company can recognize that the copying machine 1 needs to be maintained.

The image forming system 200 according to the first embodiment has the following effects.
In the first embodiment, the time information acquisition unit 93 acquires reception time information related to the time when the evaluation reception unit 92 receives input of image quality evaluation information. The evaluation receiving unit 92 receives input of image quality evaluation information related to image quality evaluation in the image formed on the surface of the paper T by the image forming unit 40. Then, the determination unit 94 determines whether maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary based on the image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit 81.

  As described above, since the copying machine 1 determines whether or not the image forming unit 40 needs to be maintained using the image quality evaluation information input by the user, the maintenance of the image forming unit 40 is performed at a frequency appropriate for the user. Is done. That is, since maintenance is not performed more frequently than necessary for the user, the copy machine 1 can reduce the cost of maintenance.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the determination unit 94 has an image quality of an evaluation that falls below a predetermined evaluation criterion among a predetermined number of image quality evaluation information sequentially calculated from the new image quality evaluation information when the input is received by the evaluation reception unit 92. When the evaluation information includes the first evaluation number or more, it is determined that maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary.

  For this reason, the copier 1 needs maintenance when the image quality evaluation information input by the user is greater than or equal to the first evaluation number, that is, when it is determined that many users require maintenance. judge. Therefore, the copier 1 can perform maintenance of the image forming unit 40 at a timing appropriate for the user.

  In the first embodiment, the determination unit 94 includes a predetermined number or more of user identification information whose evaluation specified by the plurality of image quality evaluation information aggregated for each user identification information by the aggregation unit 95 falls below a predetermined evaluation criterion. In this case, it is determined that the maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary based on the evaluation specified by the image quality evaluation information.

  Therefore, the copier 1 determines whether maintenance is necessary using the image quality evaluation information collected for each user. Therefore, the copy machine 1 can determine the timing when maintenance is required with higher accuracy.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the determination unit 94 includes an image quality evaluation in which an evaluation specified by a plurality of image quality evaluation information aggregated for each user identification information by the aggregation unit 95 is associated with user identification information that satisfies a predetermined condition. Excluding the information, it is determined whether or not the image forming unit 40 requires maintenance.

  Therefore, the copy machine 1 excludes image quality evaluation information from a user who performs extreme evaluation, and determines whether maintenance is necessary. Therefore, the copy machine 1 can determine the timing when maintenance is required with higher accuracy.

  In the first embodiment, when the determination unit 94 determines that maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary, the notification unit 96 indicates that maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary. Information is notified to the information processing apparatus 150 via the communication I / F unit 100. Therefore, the copier 1 can notify the information processing apparatus 150 that maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary. Therefore, the maintenance contractor having the information processing apparatus 150 can recognize that the copying machine 1 needs to be maintained.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is appropriately applied to points that are not particularly described. Also in the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment are achieved.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the copy machine 1 according to the second embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the storage unit 80 includes an evaluation information storage unit 81 and a reference image quality evaluation information storage unit 82.

  In addition, the control unit 90 includes a display control unit 91, an evaluation reception unit 92, a time information acquisition unit 93, a determination unit 94, a totaling unit 95, a notification unit 96, a comparison unit 97, and a time information creation unit. 98. As described above, the copy machine 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the copy machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that the reference image quality evaluation information storage unit 82, the comparison unit 97, and the time information creation unit 98 are further provided.

  That is, the copy machine 1 according to the second embodiment can execute the following process in addition to the processes executed in the copy machine 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The reference image quality evaluation information storage unit 82 stores reference image quality evaluation information serving as a reference for evaluating image quality. As the standard image quality evaluation information, for example, typical image quality evaluation information from when maintenance is performed in the image forming unit 40 until maintenance is required, or past image quality evaluation history information in the copying machine 1 is used. Can do.

  The comparison unit 97 compares the reference image quality evaluation information stored in the reference image quality evaluation information storage unit 82 with the image quality evaluation information tabulated by the tabulation unit 95.

For example, typical image quality evaluation information includes transition data of generalized image quality evaluation immediately after maintenance is performed until maintenance is required.
Then, the comparison unit 97 compares the image quality evaluation information aggregated by the aggregation unit 95 with the generalized image quality evaluation transition data.

Alternatively, the past image quality evaluation history information includes transition data of image quality evaluation unique to the copy machine 1 immediately after maintenance has been performed in the copy machine 1 until maintenance is required.
Then, the comparison unit 97 compares the image quality evaluation information aggregated by the aggregation unit 95 with the transition data of the image quality evaluation unique to the copying machine 1.

  The time information creation unit 98 creates maintenance time information, which is a time until maintenance is required, based on the result of comparison by the comparison unit 97.

  For example, the time information creation unit 98 compares the image quality evaluation information aggregated by the aggregation unit 95 with the transition data of the generalized image quality evaluation by the comparison unit 97, and generalizes the image quality evaluation information. If the difference from the image quality evaluation transition data is within a certain range, it is assumed that the aggregated image quality evaluation information approximates the generalized image quality evaluation transition data. The maintenance time, which is the time until maintenance is required, is estimated from the evaluation transition data. Then, the time information creation unit 98 creates maintenance time information including the estimated maintenance time.

  Alternatively, the time information creation unit 98 compares the image quality evaluation information aggregated by the aggregation unit 95 with the transition data of the image quality evaluation unique to the copying machine 1 by the comparison unit 97, and compares the image quality evaluation information and the copying machine. When the difference from the transition data of the image quality evaluation unique to 1 is within a certain range, it is assumed that the aggregated image quality evaluation information approximates the transition data of the image quality evaluation unique to the copier 1. The maintenance time, which is the time until maintenance is required, is estimated from the transition data of the image quality evaluation unique to the copying machine 1. Then, the time information creation unit 98 creates maintenance time information including the estimated maintenance time.

  When the maintenance time information is created by the time information creation unit 98, the notification unit 96 notifies (transmits) the maintenance time information to the information processing apparatus 150 as an external device via the communication I / F unit 100. To do.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing for determining whether or not maintenance is necessary in the image forming system 200 according to the second embodiment.
Note that the processing from step ST21 to step ST25 is the same as the processing from step ST1 to step ST5 in FIG.

  In step ST26, the comparison unit 97 compares the reference image quality evaluation information stored in the reference image quality evaluation information storage unit 82 with the image quality evaluation information aggregated by the aggregation unit 95.

  In step ST27, the time information creation unit 98 compares the image quality evaluation information aggregated by the aggregation unit 95 with the transition data of the generalized image quality evaluation by the comparison unit 97, and compares the image quality evaluation information with the generalized image quality evaluation information. It is determined whether or not the difference with the transition data of the evaluated image quality is within a certain range. When the difference is within a certain range (YES), the process proceeds to step ST28. If the difference is not within a certain range (NO), the process is terminated.

  Alternatively, instead of the above condition, the time information creation unit 98 compares the image quality evaluation information aggregated by the aggregation unit 95 with the transition data of the image quality evaluation unique to the copying machine 1 by the comparison unit 97, It is determined whether or not the difference between the image quality evaluation information and the transition data of the image quality evaluation unique to the copier 1 is within a certain range. When the difference is within a certain range (YES), the process proceeds to step ST28. If the difference is not within a certain range (NO), the process is terminated.

  In step ST28, the time information creation unit 98 estimates a maintenance time, which is a time until maintenance is required, from the generalized image quality evaluation transition data or the image quality evaluation transition data unique to the copier 1. The maintenance time information including the estimated maintenance time is created.

In step ST29, the notification unit 96 transmits the maintenance time information to the information processing apparatus 150 as an external device via the communication I / F unit 100.
In step ST30, the control unit 153 of the information processing apparatus 150 receives the maintenance time information via the communication I / F unit 154.

  In step ST31, the control unit 153 displays the maintenance time until maintenance is required on the display unit 155 based on the received maintenance time information, and the copying machine 1 notifies the time when maintenance is required. . Thereby, the contractor who performs maintenance can grasp when the time when the maintenance of the copier 1 is necessary is.

The image forming system 200 according to the second embodiment has the following effects.
In the second embodiment, the comparison unit 97 compares the reference image quality evaluation information stored in the reference image quality evaluation information storage unit 82 with the image quality evaluation information tabulated by the tabulation unit 95. The time information creation unit 98 creates maintenance time information, which is a time until maintenance is required, based on the result of comparison by the comparison unit 97.

  As described above, since the copying machine 1 creates maintenance time information that is a time until maintenance is required using the reference image quality evaluation information that is a reference for whether or not maintenance is required, maintenance is required. Can be grasped with high accuracy.

  Further, in the second embodiment, when the maintenance time information is created by the time information creation unit 98, the notification unit 96 uses the maintenance time information as an external device via the communication I / F unit 100. The information processing apparatus 150 is notified. For this reason, since the copying machine 1 creates a maintenance time that requires maintenance in advance, a contractor who performs maintenance can know when the time when maintenance is required in advance.

As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can be implemented with a various form, without being limited to embodiment mentioned above.
For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, it is determined whether or not the image forming unit 40 needs to be maintained in the copier 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the copier 1 transmits image quality evaluation information to the information processing apparatus 150 as an external device at regular intervals or sequentially. Then, the information processing apparatus 150 may determine whether maintenance in the image forming unit 40 is necessary based on the received image quality evaluation information.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the evaluation image for receiving the input of the image quality evaluation information is displayed on the touch panel configuring the display unit 110 of the copier 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the copier 1 transmits an evaluation image for displaying the evaluation image on the display unit 155 of the information processing apparatus 150 to the information processing apparatus 150. Then, the information processing apparatus 150 may accept input of image quality evaluation information by accepting input to the evaluation image through the operation unit 151. In this case, the information processing apparatus 150 transmits the received image quality evaluation information to the copy machine 1, and the copy machine 1 determines whether maintenance is required in the image forming unit 40 based on the received image quality evaluation information. Can be determined.

The copying machine 1 of the present embodiment is a color copying machine, but is not limited to this mode, and may be a monochrome copying machine.
In the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, the toner image is transferred to the paper T via the intermediate transfer belt 48 (indirect transfer method). However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and is formed on the photosensitive drum. The transferred toner image may be directly transferred to the paper T (direct transfer method).
The copier 1 of the present embodiment is configured to print one side of the paper T, but is not limited to this, and may be configured to print both sides of the paper.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the copying machine 1 described above. In other words, the image forming apparatus of the present invention may be a multi-function machine having a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function, or may be a facsimile or a printer.
The transfer material on which the toner image is fixed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the paper T, and may be a film sheet such as an OHP (overhead projector) sheet.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copy machine (image forming apparatus), 3 ... Engine part, 10 ... Document conveyance part, 20 ... Document reading part, 30 ... Paper conveyance part, 40 ... Image formation part, 50 ... Transfer part, 60 ... Fixing part, 70 ... operation unit, 80 ... storage unit, 90 ... control unit, 91 ... display control unit, 92 ... evaluation reception unit, 93 ... time information acquisition unit, 94 ... determination unit, 95 ... counting unit, 96 ... notification unit, 97 ... Comparison unit 98 ... Time information creation unit 100 ... Communication I / F unit 110 ... Display unit 150 ... Information processing device (external device)

Claims (8)

An image forming unit that forms an image on the surface of the image forming medium;
An evaluation receiving unit that receives input of image quality evaluation information related to image quality evaluation in an image formed on the surface of the image forming medium by the image forming unit;
A time information acquisition unit that acquires reception time information related to a time at which input of image quality evaluation information is received by the evaluation reception unit;
An evaluation information storage unit that stores the image quality evaluation information received by the evaluation reception unit in association with the reception time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether maintenance is required in the image forming unit based on image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit. The determination unit
In a case where the image quality evaluation information of the evaluation lower than the predetermined evaluation standard is included in the predetermined number or more of the predetermined number of image quality evaluation information sequentially calculated from the new image quality evaluation information when the input is received by the evaluation reception unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit determines that maintenance is required. The evaluation information storage unit
The image quality evaluation information input by the evaluation receiving unit is stored in association with each of a plurality of user identification information,
The image processing apparatus further includes a totaling unit that totals the image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit for each of the plurality of user identification information,
The determination unit
When the user identification information whose evaluation specified by the plurality of image quality evaluation information totaled for each user identification information by the totaling unit is less than a predetermined evaluation criterion is a predetermined number or more, the evaluation specified by the image quality evaluation information The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit determines that maintenance is required. The evaluation information storage unit
The image quality evaluation information input by the evaluation receiving unit is stored in association with each of a plurality of user identification information,
The image processing apparatus further includes a totaling unit that totals the image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit for each of the plurality of user identification information,
The determination unit
Maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary, excluding image quality evaluation information associated with user identification information whose evaluation specified by a plurality of image quality evaluation information aggregated for each user identification information by the aggregation unit satisfies a predetermined condition The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus is in the state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification unit configured to notify an external device of maintenance information indicating that maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary when the determination unit determines that maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A reference image quality evaluation information storage unit that stores reference image quality evaluation information serving as a reference for evaluating image quality;
A totaling unit for totalizing image quality evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit;
A comparison unit that compares the reference image quality evaluation information stored in the reference image quality evaluation information storage unit with the image quality evaluation information aggregated by the aggregation unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a time information creation unit that creates maintenance time information that is a time until maintenance is required based on a result of comparison by the comparison unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies the external device of the maintenance time information when the maintenance time information is generated by the time information generation unit. An image forming system having an image forming apparatus and an external device connected to be communicable with the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An image forming unit that forms an image on the surface of the image forming medium;
An evaluation receiving unit that receives input of image quality evaluation information related to image quality evaluation in an image formed on the surface of the image forming medium by the image forming unit;
A time information acquisition unit that acquires reception time information related to a time at which input of image quality evaluation information is received by the evaluation reception unit;
An evaluation information storage unit that stores the image quality evaluation information received by the evaluation reception unit in association with the reception time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit;
A determination unit that determines whether maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary based on the evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit;
A transmission unit that transmits maintenance information indicating that maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary to the external device when the determination unit determines that maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary;
The external device is
A receiving unit for receiving the maintenance information transmitted by the transmitting unit;
An image forming system comprising a notifying unit for notifying that maintenance in the image forming unit is necessary based on maintenance information received by the receiving unit.

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