JP2010060792A - Image forming apparatus and part replacement management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify a user of a part replacement state in a unit provided on an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a control section 10 reading unit management information and part management information in an IC tag 70 which is attached to a unit and determining the necessity of part replacement in the unit based on the read unit management information and the part management information regarding each of the units U1 to Un through a reader/writer section 60 when a power source is turned on, when returning from a power save mode, or when a utility is started. The information indicating the replaced part is displayed to a display section 22 when determined that the part have been replaced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a component replacement management system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus including a detachable unit in which a plurality of replaceable parts are grouped. In such an image forming apparatus, when a part reaches the end of its life or a failure occurs, a unit on which the corresponding part is mounted is pulled out from the image forming apparatus and replaced. The replaced unit is collected, and a part that has reached the end of its life or has failed is replaced with a new one and reused.

  Conventionally, replacement of units has been performed by service personnel. However, the replacement of the unit by the service person causes a long stop (down time) of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in recent years, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus in which a user can replace a unit by himself / herself without waiting for a service person when the component is near the end of its life or when a failure occurs in the component.

In addition, an image forming apparatus incorporating a design with improved unit exchange has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for displaying a warning message indicating that a unit should be replaced when the remaining life of at least one component mounted on the unit is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. Yes. Patent Document 2 describes a technique for shortening data processing time by acquiring unit information from an ID chip mounted on a unit when attachment / detachment of the unit is detected. Patent Document 3 discloses an image in which, when the replaced unit is not a predetermined unit, control information and the like are exchanged with the management system, and adjustment according to the type of the exchanged unit is performed. A forming apparatus is described.
JP 2005-234316 A JP 2007-316251 A JP-A-2005-77525

  By the way, although a part pulled out from the image forming apparatus is replaced by a service person or the like, conventionally, the user has not been able to grasp which part in the unit has been replaced. In addition, when charging for replacement of parts, it was unclear whether the parts were replaced due to their lifetime, whether they were replaced before the end of their lifetime due to failure of the parts, and to what extent the parts could be used. Therefore, the user cannot determine whether or not the billing is valid. In the first place, the number of times of use set as the life time of the part may not match the image quality level requested by the user.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a user to check a part replacement status in a unit provided in an image forming apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides:
A detachable unit with a plurality of replaceable parts,
A recording medium attached to the unit, in which unit management information of the unit and part management information of each part in the unit are recorded;
A reader / writer unit for reading data from the recording medium and writing data to the recording medium;
A display unit;
The unit management information and the component management information of each component in the unit are read from the recording medium via the reader / writer unit, and the unit management information and the component management information of each component are read based on the read unit management information and the component management information of each component. A control unit that determines whether or not there is a part replacement, and displays information indicating the replaced part on the display unit when it is determined that there is a part replacement;
Is provided.

The parts replacement management system of the present invention
A component replacement management system for an image forming apparatus in which a unit on which a plurality of replaceable components are mounted is detachable,
The unit is attached with a recording medium in which unit management information of the unit and part management information of each part in the unit are recorded,
A reader / writer unit that reads data from the recording medium of the unit mounted on the image forming apparatus and writes data to the recording medium;
A display unit;
The unit management information and the component management information of each component in the unit are read from the recording medium of the unit mounted on the image forming apparatus via the reader / writer unit, and the read unit management information and each of the units A control unit that determines whether or not there is a part replacement in the unit based on the part management information of the part, and displays information indicating the replaced part on the display unit when it is determined that there is a part replacement;
Is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible for the user to check the part replacement status in the unit provided in the image forming apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 10, an operation unit 20, a scanner unit 30, a communication unit 40, a printer unit 50, a reader / writer unit 60, a power supply unit 80, and the like.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Various processing programs are stored in the ROM of the control unit 10, and the CPU of the control unit 10 reads out various programs stored in the ROM and expands them in the RAM, and each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the expanded programs. To control the operation.

  A main body memory 11 is connected to the control unit 10. The main body memory 11 is configured by a nonvolatile memory or the like, and has a unit management information area 111 and a parts management information area 112 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 2A shows an example of data storage in the unit management information area 111.
Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 100 includes replaceable units U <b> 1 to Un on which a plurality of replaceable components are mounted. The number of units provided in the printer unit 50 may be one or plural, and is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 2A, the unit management information area 111 includes, for each unit U1 to Un mounted in the printer unit 50, a serial number D1, a unit counter D2, a unit replacement count D3, a unit number of the unit. Stores unit management information constituted by the life count value D4.

  The serial number D1 is individual identification information for identifying an individual unit. The unit counter D2 is a value representing the number of times the unit is used as the number of prints (print count value). In the case of double-sided printing, it is a value obtained by counting one side as one print. The number of unit replacements D3 is a value indicating the number of unit replacements (removal times). The unit life count value D4 represents the life time of the unit as a print count value.

FIG. 2B shows an example of data storage in the parts management information area 112.
As shown in FIG. 2B, in the part management information area 112, for each of the units U1 to Un, the part IDD10, the total number of replacements D11, the part life count value D12 of each part mounted on the unit, Stores component management information such as component cost D13, component replacement count D14, and component counter D15.
The total number of replacements D11 is the number of times that the part has been replaced since the image forming apparatus 100 was installed until now.
The component life count value D12 is a print count value indicating the lifetime of the component. The component life count value D12 is a value set from a component life value setting screen 220 (see FIG. 3) described later.
The number of parts replacement D14 is the number of times the part has been replaced in the currently used unit.
The component counter D15 is a value that represents the number of times the currently used component is used as the number of prints (print count value).

Note that the component life count value D12 and the component cost D13 of each component may be managed by the host device 200 or the like connected via a communication network.
The main body memory 11 stores in advance the life reference values of the components mounted on the units U1 to Un (not shown). The life reference value is a print count value indicating the life time of each part predetermined by the manufacturer.
In the present embodiment, the main body memory 11 functions as a component life count value storage unit.

The operation unit 20 includes a key input unit 21, a display unit 22, and the like. FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation unit 20.
As shown in FIG. 3, the key input unit 21 includes various operation keys such as a numeric key 211, a start key 212, a YES key 213, a NO key 214, and a power key for switching power ON / OFF. Is output to the control unit 10.
The display unit 22 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various operation screens, image status display, operation status of each function, and the like in accordance with display signal instructions input from the control unit 10.

In the present embodiment, the display unit 22 displays a component life value setting screen 220 as a setting unit for setting the component life count value D12.
FIG. 3 shows the operation unit 20 when the component life value setting screen 220 is displayed on the display unit 22. The component life value setting screen 220 displays options for selecting a user type such as “1. high-quality user”, “2. normal user”, and “3. economy user”. Which of these three types is selected is determined, for example, when the image forming apparatus 100 is contracted, and is set by a service person or the like via the component life value setting screen 220.
The high image quality user is a user who requests a high quality finish of a printed matter, such as a printer. When “1. high quality user” is selected by the numeric keypad 211, the control unit 10 multiplies the life reference value of each part stored in the main body memory 11 in advance by a coefficient of 1 or less, for example, 0.8. The component life count value D12 in the component management information area 112 is set. A normal user is a user who requests a standard finish. When “2. Normal user” is selected with the numeric keypad 211, the control unit 10 sets the life reference value of each part stored in the main body memory 11 in advance as the part life count value D12 in the part management information area 112. The
The economy user is, for example, a user who places more importance on the cost than the finished printed matter. When “3. Economy user” is selected with the numeric keypad 211, the control unit 10 multiplies the life reference value of each part stored in the main body memory 11 in advance by a coefficient of 1 or more, for example, 1.5, The component life count value D12 in the component management information area 112 is set.

  The scanner unit 30 includes a platen glass, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and a light source. The reflected light of the light scanned from the light source to the original is imaged by the CCD and set at a predetermined position by photoelectric conversion. The read original image is read as R, G, and B signals, and the read analog image signal is converted into R, G, and B image data and output to the control unit 10.

  The communication unit 40 is an interface connectable to a transmission medium connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The communication unit 40 is constituted by a communication control card such as a LAN card, for example, and is external to the image data transmission host device 200 and the service center management server 300 connected to the communication network via a communication line such as a LAN cable. Various data is sent to and received from the device. The host device 200 and the management server 300 are computers including a control unit including a CPU, an operation unit, a display unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit.

  The printer unit 50 replaces a unit U1 that is a paper feed unit, a unit U2 that is a development unit, a unit U3 that is a drum unit, a unit U4 that is an intermediate transfer unit, a unit U5 that is a fixing unit, a unit U6 that is an exposure unit, and the like. Each of the possible units U1 to Un has an image forming (printing) on paper by an electrophotographic process. That is, the printer unit 50 exposes and scans the photosensitive drum of the unit U3 with a laser beam emitted from the unit U6 based on the image data input from the control unit 10 to form an electrostatic latent image. Next, in the unit U2, the developer is adsorbed on the photosensitive drum to form a toner image. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the primary transfer roller of the unit U4, and then transferred to the paper conveyed by the paper supply roller of the unit U1. The toner image transferred to the paper is thermally fixed by the fixing roller of the fixing unit U5.

  Each unit U1 to Un of the printer unit 50 has components that are consumed by printing on paper. For example, the parts included in the unit U1 include a paper feed roller that conveys paper, and a paper feed clutch that transmits power from a drive source (not shown) to the paper feed roller. These consumable parts can be replaced. When the value of the component counter D15 reaches the value of the component life count value D12, the unit on which the component is mounted is pulled out by the user and a new component is mounted. Replaced with a new unit. Alternatively, after replacing the part, the unit is mounted again.

  Note that the printer unit 50 exemplifies a configuration for forming an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic process. However, the printer unit 50 may have a configuration for forming an image on a sheet by an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, or the like. For example, in the case of an ink jet system, an ink tank, an ink nozzle, or the like is a maintenance target unit or component.

In the present embodiment, an IC tag 70 as a recording medium is attached to each unit mounted on the printer unit 50.
FIG. 4 shows a data storage example of the IC tag 70. The IC tag 70 has a unit management information area 701 and a parts management information area 702, as shown in FIG.

  The unit management information area 701 stores unit management information such as the serial number T1, unit counter T2, and unit replacement count T3. The serial number T1, the unit counter T2, and the unit replacement count T3 are data in the same format as the serial number D1, the unit counter D2, and the unit replacement count D3 stored in the main body memory 11, respectively.

The component management information area 702 stores component management information such as a component IDT10, a replacement flag T11, a pre-replacement count value T12, a component replacement count T14, and a component counter T15 for each component mounted on the unit.
The exchange flag T11 is information indicating whether or not exchange is necessary. “10” indicates that replacement is necessary, and “01” indicates that replacement has been completed. When the unit including the replaced part “01” is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 and is used in the image forming apparatus 100, the replacement flag T11 is changed from “01” to “00” in the initial state. The
The pre-replacement count value T12 is the value of the component counter T15 in the old component before replacement. The parts management information of these IC tags 70 is updated by a PC (personal computer) and a reader / writer on which a dedicated application is mounted when parts are replaced by a service person.
The component IDT10, the component replacement count T14, and the component counter T15 are data in the same format as the component IDD10, the component replacement count D14, and the component counter D15 stored in the main body memory 11, respectively.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the reader / writer unit 60 includes an IC tag communication control unit 61, antenna drive circuits 621 to 62n, and antennas 631 to 63n. The antenna drive circuits 621 to 62n and the antennas 631 to 63n correspond to the units U1 to Un, respectively, and the antennas 631 to 63n are provided at positions facing the units U1 to Un, respectively. The IC tag communication control unit 61 controls the antenna drive circuits 621 to 62n based on an instruction from the control unit 10, electromagnetically induces the IC tags 70 of the units U1 to Un via the antennas 631 to 63n, and performs non-contact communication. Data transmission / reception is performed. Then, data is read from and written to the IC tags 70 of the units U1 to Un.

  The power supply unit 80 is connected to a commercial AC power source (not shown), converts AC (AC) power source power input from the commercial AC power source into DC (direct current) power source power, and supplies necessary voltages to the respective units. The power supply unit 80 supplies power in accordance with a control command from the control unit 10.

Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described.
In the image forming apparatus 100, the component counter D <b> 15 of each component in the main body memory 11 is incremented by 1 each time the printer unit 50 performs printing for one side. When a series of prints (jobs) is completed in the printer unit 50, the component life count value D12 of each component stored in the component management information area 112 and the component counter D15 are compared by the control unit 10, and a component that has reached the end of its life is determined. It is determined whether or not there is. When there is a component with a component counter D15 ≧ component life count value D12, that is, a component that has reached the end of its life, a component replacement notification screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 22. The part replacement notification screen displays a part name to be replaced, that is, a part name that has reached the end of its life, and a message that prompts replacement of the unit on which the part to be replaced is mounted.

  When the above-mentioned parts have reached the end of their life, when the power is turned off by operating the power key, or when the power save mode is entered, the IC tag information update process (see FIG. 5) is executed by the control unit 10 and stored in the main body memory 11. The information of the IC tags 70 of the units U1 to Un is updated based on the existing information. The reason for updating at the time of the end of the life of the part, at the time of turning off the power, or in the power saving mode is that there is a possibility that the parts U1 to Un are removed and the parts and the units U1 to Un are exchanged.

Hereinafter, the IC tag information update process will be described with reference to FIG. This process is a process executed by the control unit 10.
First, 1 is assigned to the variable i (step S1), and the serial number T1 is read from the IC tag 70 attached to the unit Ui by the reader / writer unit 60 (step S2).

  Next, the serial number T1 read from the IC tag 70 of the unit Ui and the serial number D1 of the unit Ui stored in the main body memory 11 are respectively compared, and it is determined whether or not they match (step S1). S3). When it is determined that the serial number T1 and the serial number D1 for the unit Ui match (step S3; YES), the unit Ui information of the unit Ui is stored in the main unit memory 11 based on the information of the unit counter D2 and the component counter D15. Corresponding information stored in the IC tag 70, that is, information on the unit counter T2 and the component counter T15 is updated (step S4). If the component mounted on the unit Ui has not reached the end of its life (step S5; NO), the process proceeds to step S11. When the component mounted on the unit Ui has reached the end of its life (step S5; YES), the replacement flag T11 of the corresponding component stored in the IC tag 70 of the unit Ui via the reader / writer unit 60. Is changed from “00” to “10” (step S6), and the process proceeds to step S11.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the serial number T1 and the serial number D1 for the unit Ui do not match (step S3; NO), a warning screen is displayed on the display unit 22 (step S7). Here, if it is determined in step S3 that the serial number T1 and the serial number D1 for the unit Ui do not match, it indicates that the unit Ui has been replaced while the power is turned on, which is abnormal. Therefore, a warning screen for notifying the user of that fact is displayed on the display unit 22. On the warning screen, the user can select whether to perform a service call or not to update the information of the IC tag 70 in the unit Ui. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the service call can be selected by pressing the YES key 213 and that the information of the IC tag 70 is not updated by pressing the NO key 214.

  When the YES key 213 is pressed from the warning screen displayed on the display unit 22 and a service call is selected (step S8; YES), a service call to the service center is executed (step S9), and the process proceeds to step S11. To do. When the NO key 214 is pressed from the warning screen displayed on the display unit 22 and it is selected not to update (step S8; NO), the contents of the error and the history of user operations are stored in the main body memory 11 (step S10). ), The process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not variable i ≧ unit number n. If it is determined that variable i ≧ unit number n is not satisfied (step S11; NO), variable i is incremented by 1 (step S12). The process returns to step S2. When it is determined that the variable i is equal to the number of units n, that is, the comparison of the serial number T1 stored in the IC tag 70 with respect to all the units U1 to Un and the serial number D1 of the main body memory 11 has been completed (step S11). YES), this process ends.

  By executing the IC tag information update process, the information on the unit counter and the component counter stored in the main body memory 11 may be reflected in the IC tag 70 of each unit before the unit is removed when the power is turned off. it can.

  When a part is replaced due to the end of its life or due to a malfunction of the part, the user removes the unit on which the part to be replaced is mounted from the main body. The unit removed from the main body is replaced by a serviceman on the spot or transferred to a service center and replaced. During this time, a spare unit may be attached, or the same unit may be attached after waiting for replacement of parts.

The service person replaces the parts according to the following procedure.
(1) Unit management information and component management information of the IC tag 70 of the unit are read by a PC and reader / writer on which a dedicated application is mounted, and a replacement target component, that is, a component with a component counter D15 ≧ component life count value D12, Check for worn or damaged parts.
(2) Replace parts.
(3) The unit management information of the IC tag 70 and the part management information about the replaced part are updated by the PC and the reader / writer. Specifically, the following updates are performed.
・ Increment the unit replacement count T3 by 1.
・ Increment the number of parts replacement T14 by one.
Copy the part counter T15 to the pre-replacement count value T12.
Clear the component counter T15 to “0”.
Change the exchange flag T11 from “10” to “01”.
That is, for a unit whose parts have been replaced by the serviceman, the replacement flag T11 is “01” indicating that the replacement has been performed for any of the components, and the component counter T15 is “0”. Yes. This unit is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 again.

  The main body information update process (see FIG. 6) is executed by the control unit 10 when the power is turned on, when returning from the power save mode, when the utility is activated, and the information stored in the IC tags 70 of the units U1 to Un and the main body Based on the information stored in the memory 11, whether or not a unit or component has been replaced is determined, the information stored in the main body memory 11 is updated with the information stored in the IC tag 70, and the like.

Hereinafter, the main body information update process will be described with reference to FIG. This process is a process executed by the control unit 10.
First, 1 is assigned to the variable i (step S21), and unit management information and component management information are read from the IC tag 70 attached to the unit Ui by the reader / writer unit 60 (step S22).

  Next, the read serial number T1 is compared with the serial number D1 of the unit Ui stored in the main body memory 11, and it is determined whether or not they match (step S23). If it is determined that the serial number T1 and the serial number D1 for the unit Ui match (step S23; YES), it is determined that no unit replacement has been performed for the unit Ui, and a component replacement check process is executed. (Step S24).

  FIG. 7 shows a flow of component replacement check processing executed by the control unit 10 in step S24 of FIG.

  In the component replacement check process, first, the unit management information and the component management information read from the IC tag 70 are referred to, and the unit replacement count T3 is counted up for the unit Ui (unit replacement count T3 = unit replacement). It is determined whether or not “replacement flag T11 =“ 01 ”, component counter T15 =“ 0 ”” for any part (step S101). As described above, when the unit is removed from the main body and the service person performs the part replacement work, the unit replacement count T3 of the IC tag 70 is incremented by 1, the replacement flag T11 = "01", and the part counter T15 = "0". Is written. Accordingly, when the unit replacement count T3 of the unit Ui is counted up and “replacement flag T11 =“ 01 ”and component counter T15 =“ 0 ”” is set for any of the components, It can be seen that the parts have been replaced.

  If it is determined that the unit replacement count T3 has not been counted up for the unit Ui or that “replacement flag T11 =“ 01 ”and component counter T15 =“ 0 ”” is not satisfied (step S101; NO), Control proceeds to step S26 in FIG.

  For the unit Ui, the unit replacement count T3 is counted up, and for any part, “replacement flag T11 =“ 01 ”, part counter T15 =“ 0 ””, that is, the part in the unit Ui When it is determined that the replacement has been performed (step S101; YES), the part replacement execution information (part ID of the corresponding part) is stored in the RAM of the control unit 10 (step S102).

Next, the pre-replacement count value T12 of the part corresponding to the condition of step S101 and the information on the part life count value D12 of the part (part with the same part ID) stored in the part management information area 112 of the main body memory 11 are included. Based on this, the usage rate of the parts before replacement and the billing amount as billing information are calculated (step S103).
The usage rate can be calculated by, for example, the following (Formula 1).
Usage rate = count value T12 before replacement / part life count value D12 (Expression 1)
The billing amount can be calculated by, for example, the following (Formula 2).
Billing amount = usage rate × component cost Note that the billing information does not have to be the billing amount. For example, the billing information is based on a regular price (for example, the component cost D13), and the ratio to the reference (for example, the usage rate is 90%). 90%), or increase / decrease with respect to the reference (for example, -10% if the usage rate is 90%).

When the usage rate and billing amount of the parts before replacement are calculated, a parts replacement screen 221 is displayed on the display unit 22 (step S104).
FIG. 8 shows an example of the component replacement screen 221. As shown in FIG. 8, the part replacement screen 221 includes a message such as “The following part replacement has been detected” and the name of a unit whose part has been replaced (for example, XX unit) and a part name (for example, × X roller, ΔΔ belt), usage rate (for example, 100%, 50%), etc. are displayed. In addition, a message such as “Do you want to approve the replacement of parts” and a selection button of “YES” or “NO” are displayed.

If the YES key 213 is pressed while the component replacement screen 221 is displayed and the component replacement is approved (step S105; YES), the billing information screen 222 is displayed on the display unit 22 (step S106).
FIG. 9 shows an example of the billing information screen 222. As shown in FIG. 9, on the billing information screen 222, the replacement date (for example, 2007/6/10, 2008/10/8), the name of the unit for which the part was replaced (□□ unit, XX unit), and the part name are displayed. (XX gear, XX roller, ΔΔ belt), billing amount ($ QQ, $ AA, $ CC), billing total amount ($ QAB), etc. are displayed. In addition, a message such as “Do you approve the charged amount?” And a selection button of “YES” and “NO” are displayed. Note that the billing information is not limited to the billing amount, and as described above, the reference ratio with respect to the regular price and the reference increase / decrease may be displayed.

  If the YES key 213 is pressed while the billing information screen 222 is displayed and the billing amount is approved (step S107; YES), the approval history information is stored in the main body memory 11 (step S108). The approval history information is information such as the unit name, the part name, the usage rate of the part before replacement, the billing amount, the approval date and time, etc., subject to parts replacement. Then, the unit management information and the component management information of the unit Ui in the main body memory 11 are updated with the unit management information and the component management information read from the IC tag 70 of the unit Ui (step S109). Specifically, the unit counter D2 is updated by the unit counter T2, and the unit replacement count D3 is updated by the unit replacement count T3. For the replaced part (part corresponding to the condition in step S101), the part replacement number D14 is updated by the part replacement number T14 of the part, and the part counter D15 is updated by the part counter T15. Further, the replacement flag T11 of the part is changed to “01” and the replacement flag is changed to “00”. Further, the total number of exchanges D11 is incremented by one. And a process transfers to step S26 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the NO key 214 is pressed in step S105, that is, if the parts replacement is not approved (step S105; NO), or if the NO key 214 is pressed in step S107 and the billing amount is not approved (step (S107; NO), a warning screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 22 (step S110). On the warning screen, the user can select either to make a service call or cancel the warning display and end the process. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a service call can be selected by pressing the YES key 213, and cancellation of warning display can be selected by pressing the NO key 214.

  When the YES key 213 is pressed from the warning screen displayed on the display unit 22 and a service call is selected (step S111; YES), a service call to the service center is executed (step S112), and the process is the step of FIG. The process proceeds to S26. When the NO key 214 is pressed from the warning screen displayed on the display unit 22 (step S111; NO), the contents of the error and the history of the user's operation are stored in the main body memory 11 (step S113), and the processing is as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S26.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 of FIG. 6 that the serial number D1 of the unit Ui does not match the serial number T1 (step S23; NO), a unit replacement check process is executed (step S25).

  10 to 11 show a flow of unit replacement check processing executed by the control unit 10 in step S25 of FIG.

  In the unit replacement check process, first, unit replacement execution information (information for identifying the corresponding unit Ui) is stored in the RAM of the control unit 10 (step S201).

  Next, the component management information read from the unit Ui is referred to, and it is determined whether or not “replacement flag T11 =“ 01 ”, component counter T15 =“ 0 ”” for any component ( Step S202).

  If it is determined that none of the components of the unit Ui is “replacement flag T11 =“ 01 ”, component counter T15 =“ 0 ”” (step S202; NO), the display unit 22 indicates “ΔΔ unit is A unit replacement confirmation screen (not shown) such as “Replaced but not replaced. Do you want to approve unit replacement?” Is displayed (step S203). Here, the serial number T1 of the unit Ui and the serial number D1 do not match, but none of the components of the unit Ui is “replacement flag T11 =“ 01 ”, component counter T15 =“ 0 ””. This means that a unit exchange of the unit Ui has been performed, but a unit that has not undergone parts replacement work by a serviceman has been newly installed.

  When the YES key 213 is pressed while the unit replacement confirmation screen is displayed and the unit replacement is approved (step S204; YES), the unit management information and the part management information for the unit Ui in the main body memory 11 are stored in the unit Ui. The unit management information and component management information read from the IC tag 70 are updated (step S205). Specifically, the serial number D1 is updated by the serial number T1, the unit counter D2 is updated by the unit counter T2, and the unit replacement count D3 is updated by the unit replacement count T3. For all the components of the unit Ui, the component replacement count D14 is updated by the component replacement count T14, and the component counter D15 is updated by the component counter T15. Further, the replacement flag T11 of the replaced part is changed from “01” to “00”. Further, the total number of exchanges D11 is incremented by one. And a process transfers to step S26 of FIG.

  When the NO key 214 is pressed while the unit replacement confirmation screen is displayed and the unit replacement is not approved (step S204; NO), a warning screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 22 (step S206). ). On the warning screen, the user can select either a service call or canceling the warning display and ending the process. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a service call can be selected by pressing the YES key 213, and cancellation of warning display can be selected by pressing the NO key 214.

  When the YES key 213 is pressed from the warning screen displayed on the display unit 22 and a service call is selected (step S207; YES), a service call to the service center is executed (step S208), and the process is the step shown in FIG. The process proceeds to S26. When the NO key 214 is pressed from the warning screen displayed on the display unit 22 (step S207; NO), the contents of the error and the history of the user's operation are stored in the main body memory 11 (step S209), and the processing is as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S26.

  On the other hand, in step S202, it is determined that “replacement flag T11 =“ 01 ”, component counter T15 =“ 0 ”” for any component of unit Ui, that is, component replacement has been performed in unit Ui. (Step S202; YES), information on the count value T12 before replacement of the corresponding component and the component life count value D12 of the component (component with the same component ID) stored in the component management information area 112 of the main body memory 11 Based on the above, the usage rate and the billing amount of the parts before replacement are calculated (step S210) Since the calculation method of the usage rate and the billing amount is the same as that described in step S103 of FIG. .

  When the usage rate and the billed amount of the parts before replacement are calculated, a parts replacement screen 221 (see FIG. 8) is displayed on the display unit 22 (step S211).

  When the YES key 213 is pressed while the component replacement screen 221 is displayed and the component replacement is approved (step S212; YES), the billing information screen 222 (see FIG. 9) is displayed on the display unit 22 (step 9). S213).

  When the YES key 213 is pressed while the billing information screen 222 is displayed and the billing amount is approved (step S214; YES), the approval history information is stored in the main body memory 11 (step S215). The approval history information is information such as the replaced unit name, part name, usage rate of the part before replacement, billing amount, approval date and time. Then, the unit management information and component management information of the unit Ui in the main body memory 11 are updated with the unit management information and component management information read from the IC tag 70 of the unit Ui (step S216). Specifically, the serial number D1 is updated by the serial number T1, the unit counter D2 is updated by the unit counter T2, and the unit replacement count D3 is updated by the unit replacement count T3. For the replaced part (part corresponding to the condition in step S202), the part replacement number D14 is updated by the part replacement number T14 of the part, and the part counter D15 is updated by the part counter T15. Further, the replacement flag T11 of the part is changed from “01” to “00”. Further, the total number of exchanges D11 is incremented by one. And a process transfers to step S26 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the NO key 214 is pressed in step S212, that is, if the replacement of parts is not approved (step S212; NO), or if the NO key 214 is pressed in step S214 and the amount charged is not approved (step S212). (S214; NO), a warning screen is displayed on the display unit 22 (step S217). On the warning screen, the user can select either to make a service call or cancel the warning display and end the process. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a service call can be selected by pressing the YES key 213, and cancellation of warning display can be selected by pressing the NO key 214.

  When the YES key 213 is pressed from the warning screen displayed on the display unit 22 and a service call is selected (step S218; YES), a service call to the service center is executed (step S212), and the process is the step shown in FIG. The process proceeds to S26. When the NO key 214 is pressed from the warning screen displayed on the display unit 22 (step S218; NO), the contents of the error and the history of user operations are stored in the main body memory 11 (step S219), and the processing is as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S26 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not variable i ≧ unit number n. If it is determined that variable i ≧ unit number n is not satisfied (step S26; NO), variable i is incremented by 1 ( In step S27), the process returns to step S22. If it is determined that the variable i is equal to the number of units n, that is, the processing has been completed for all the units U1 to Un (step S26; YES), the parts replacement or the unit replacement is performed based on the information stored in the RAM. Is determined, and if it is determined that component replacement or unit replacement has not been performed (step S28; NO), this process ends. If it is determined that component replacement or unit replacement has been performed (step S28; YES), adjustment is performed according to the replaced component or unit (step S29), and this process ends.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 10 performs the following for each of the units U <b> 1 to Un via the reader / writer unit 60 when the power is turned on, when returning from the power save mode, and when the utility is activated. The unit management information and component management information of the IC tag 70 attached to the unit are read out, and based on the read unit management information and component management information, it is determined whether or not there is a component replacement in the unit, and it is determined that there is a component replacement. In this case, information indicating the replaced part is displayed on the display unit 22.

  Therefore, the user can check the part replacement status in the unit provided in the image forming apparatus.

  In addition, after the user confirms the content of the component replacement displayed on the display unit 22, it is possible to input whether to approve the component replacement.

  In addition, based on the pre-replacement count value T12 and the component life count value D12 of the replaced component, the usage rate for the life of the replaced component is calculated, and based on the calculated usage rate and the cost of the component. The charging information for the replaced part is calculated, and the calculated usage rate and charging information are displayed on the display unit 22. Therefore, the user confirms to what extent the part has been used and whether the charging is valid. It becomes possible.

  The billing information may be displayed as a billing amount, or may be displayed as a percentage relative to the regular price (part cost in this case) or an increase / decrease relative to the standard. Further, the component life count value D12, which is the component life reference value, can be set from the image forming apparatus 100, so that the component life time can be matched with the image quality level requested by the user.

  The description in the above embodiment is a preferred example of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the management of parts replacement is performed in the image forming apparatus 100 has been described as an example. However, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the image forming apparatus 100, the host apparatus 200, and / or the management server 300 illustrated in FIG. Management of component replacement in the image forming apparatus 100 may be performed by a configured component replacement management system.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pre-replacement count value T12 is held in the IC tag 70. However, the pre-replacement count value T12 may be held in the component management information area 112 of the <1> main body memory 11. Alternatively, <2> the storage unit of the host device 200 or the management server 300 may be used. That is, the storage unit of the main body memory 11, the host device 200, or the management server 300 may be configured to function as a pre-replacement count value storage unit that stores a pre-replacement count value of a replaced part.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of data storage in the component management information area 112 of the main body memory 11 in the case of <1>. FIG. 13 shows a data storage example of the component management information area 702 in the IC tag 70 in the case of <1> and <2>. As shown in FIG. 13, in the cases <1> and <2>, the pre-replacement count value T12 is not necessary in the component management information area 702 of the IC tag 70.

  In the case of <1>, as shown in FIG. 12, each component management information stored in the component management information area 112 includes a pre-replacement count value T12 for each component. In addition, the component management information area 112 has X storage areas that can store the component management information of each part for X units (here, three units) for each of the units U1 to Un. . Here, as for the units U1 to Un in the image forming apparatus 100, X units are recycled and reused by replacing parts. The number of X may be different for each of the units U1 to Un. Each storage area is given a serial number D16, and individuals of the same unit are identified and managed by the serial number D16.

  When the pre-replacement count value T12 is held in the component management information area 112 of the main body memory 11 as in <1> above, the replacement is performed before the units U1 to Un are removed and the components and the units U1 to Un are replaced. It is necessary to store the value of the previous component counter D15 as the pre-replacement count value T12. Therefore, for example, in the IC tag update process shown in FIG. 5, before or after step S4, the parts in each storage area to which the same serial number D16 as the serial number D1 stored in the unit management information area 111 is assigned. The value of the counter D15 is written in the pre-replacement count value T12. In step S103 of the component replacement check process shown in FIG. 7 and unit replacement check process S210 shown in FIG. 10, the pre-replacement count value T12 is a serial number D16 that matches the serial number read from the IC tag 70 of the unit Ui. Are read from the storage area.

  In the case of <2> above, the storage unit of the host device 200 or the management server 300 has a parts management information area having X storage areas for each unit U1 to Un, as in the parts management information area 112 shown in FIG. Have. Information stored in the component management information area of the host device 200 or the management server 300 can store at least a serial number T1, a component IDT10, and a pre-replacement count value T12.

  In the case of <2> above, after the parts replacement by the service person, the value of the part counter T15 stored in the IC tag 70 of the unit whose parts have been replaced is at least the serial number T1 and the part IDT10 loaded with dedicated application software And read by the reader / writer and transmitted to the host device 200 or the management server 300. In the host device 200 or the management server 300, the received pre-replacement count value T12 is stored in a storage area where the serial number and the component ID coincide with the serial number T1 and the component ID T10 transmitted from the PC. In step S103 of the component replacement check process shown in FIG. 7 and unit replacement check process S210 shown in FIG. 10, the pre-replacement count value T12 is read from the host device 200 or the management server 300 via the communication unit 40.

  In addition, it has been described that the part name, the usage rate, and the billed amount of the parts exchanged at the time of unit replacement are displayed on the display unit 22, but the communication unit 40 may transmit them to the host device 200 or the service center management server 300. Good. Then, the part name, usage rate, and billing amount of the parts replaced at the time of unit replacement may be displayed on the display unit of the host device 200 or the service center server 300. Further, after approval by the user, the approval history information may be transmitted to the management server 300. If comprised in this way, in a service center, it will become possible to grasp | ascertain whether component replacement was approved by the user.

  The setting of the component life count value D12 of each component may also be performed from the operation unit of the host device 200 or the management server 300. In other words, the setting unit may be provided in the host device 200 or the management server 300.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the units U1 to Un constituting the printer unit 50 are replaced has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a unit constituting the scanner unit 30, for example.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each apparatus constituting the image forming apparatus 100 can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows the example of data storage of the unit management information area | region of the main body memory of FIG. 1, (b) is a figure which shows the example of data storage of a components management information area | region. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation part and component lifetime value setting screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of data storage of the IC tag of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the IC tag update process performed by the control part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the main body information update process performed by the control part of FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a component replacement check process executed by the control unit of FIG. 1 in step S24 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the component replacement screen displayed on the display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the accounting information screen displayed on the display part of FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a unit replacement check process executed by the control unit of FIG. 1 in step S25 of FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a unit replacement check process executed by the control unit of FIG. 1 in step S25 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of data storage of the components management information area | region of main body memory in the case of hold | maintaining the count value before replacement | exchange in main body memory. It is a figure which shows the example of data storage of the components management information area | region of an IC tag in the case of hold | maintaining the count value before replacement | exchange in main body memory.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 10 Control part 11 Main body memory 111 Unit management information area 112 Parts management information area 20 Operation part 21 Key input part 22 Display part 30 Scanner part 40 Communication part 50 Printer part 60 Reader / writer part 61 IC tag communication control part 70 IC tag 701 Unit management information area 702 Parts management information area 80 Power supply part D1 Serial number D2 Unit counter D3 Unit replacement count D4 Unit life count value D10 Part ID
D11 Total number of replacements D12 Component life count D13 Component cost D14 Component replacement times D15 Component counter T1 Serial number T2 Unit counter T3 Unit replacement times T10 Component ID
T11 Replacement flag T12 Pre-replacement count value T14 Parts replacement count T15 Parts counter

Claims (13)

A detachable unit with a plurality of replaceable parts,
A recording medium attached to the unit, in which unit management information of the unit and part management information of each part in the unit are recorded;
A reader / writer unit for reading data from the recording medium and writing data to the recording medium;
A display unit;
The unit management information and the component management information of each component in the unit are read from the recording medium via the reader / writer unit, and the unit management information and the component management information of each component are read based on the read unit management information and the component management information of each component. A control unit that determines whether or not there is a part replacement, and displays information indicating the replaced part on the display unit when it is determined that there is a part replacement;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component management information recorded on the recording medium includes information indicating that the component has been replaced, which is written when the components are replaced.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit for inputting whether or not the user approves the content of component replacement displayed on the display unit. A storage unit for storing a component life count value indicating the lifetime of each component in the unit;
The component management information of each component recorded on the recording medium includes a pre-replacement count value indicating the number of times the component is used before replacement,
The control unit calculates the usage rate of the replaced part based on the pre-replacement count value of the replaced part and the component life count value of the replaced part, and the calculated usage rate and The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein charging information for the replaced part is calculated based on the cost of the part, and the calculated usage rate and charging information are displayed on the display unit. . A component life count value storage unit for storing a component life count value indicating the lifetime of each component in the unit;
A pre-replacement count value storage unit that stores a pre-replacement count value indicating the number of times of use of the replaced part before replacement;
The control unit calculates the usage rate of the replaced part based on the pre-replacement count value of the replaced part and the component life count value of the replaced part, and the calculated usage rate and The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein charging information for the replaced part is calculated based on the cost of the part, and the calculated usage rate and charging information are displayed on the display unit. .   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the billing information is displayed according to a billing amount, a reference ratio, or a reference increase / decrease.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a setting unit configured to set a component life count value of each component. A component replacement management system for an image forming apparatus in which a unit on which a plurality of replaceable components are mounted is detachable,
The unit is attached with a recording medium in which unit management information of the unit and part management information of each part in the unit are recorded,
A reader / writer unit that reads data from the recording medium of the unit mounted on the image forming apparatus and writes data to the recording medium;
A display unit;
The unit management information and the component management information of each component in the unit are read from the recording medium of the unit mounted on the image forming apparatus via the reader / writer unit, and the read unit management information and each of the units A control unit that determines whether or not there is a part replacement in the unit based on the part management information of the part, and displays information indicating the replaced part on the display unit when it is determined that there is a part replacement;
A parts replacement management system.   The component replacement management system according to claim 8, wherein the component management information recorded on the recording medium includes information indicating that the component has been replaced, which is written when the components are replaced.   The component replacement management system according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising an operation unit for inputting whether or not the user approves the content of component replacement displayed on the display unit. A component life count value storage unit for storing a component life count value indicating the lifetime of each component in the unit;
A pre-replacement count value storage unit that stores a pre-replacement count value indicating the number of times of use of the replaced part before replacement;
The control unit acquires a pre-replacement count value of the replaced part from the pre-replacement count value storage unit, and acquires a component life count value of the replaced part from the component life count value storage unit, The usage rate of the replaced part is calculated based on the acquired pre-replacement count value and component life count value, and the replacement part is charged based on the calculated usage rate and the cost of the part. The component replacement management system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein information is calculated and the calculated usage rate and charging information are displayed on the display unit.   The component replacement management system according to claim 11, wherein the billing information is displayed according to a billing amount, a reference ratio, or a reference increase / decrease.   The component replacement management system according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a setting unit for setting a component life count value of each component.

Images