KR101043348B1 - Image Forming Device and Method of Using Its Data - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a method of utilizing the data thereof, and collects and classifies information on consumables of each image forming apparatus or data on environmental conditions and function settings at a site where a plurality of image forming apparatuses are installed. By using the classified information on the image forming apparatus for each image forming apparatus or site, the user is provided with a better environment for installing and using the image forming apparatus.

Site, image forming apparatus, environmental condition, consumables

Description

Image forming device and the data using method

1 is a schematic block diagram of a general image forming apparatus;

2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention;

And,

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of using various data stored in a memory of an image forming apparatus.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

15: memory 17: main controller

40: image forming apparatus 42: environmental data collection unit

100: site 200: internet network

300: Server

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a method of utilizing the data thereof, and in particular, to enable the user to use the image forming apparatus more conveniently and usefully by using the collected use characteristics or environment information when the user uses the image forming apparatus. It is to.

Currently, image forming apparatuses such as various printers, copiers, facsimiles, and the like are designed to include various components in a detachable form in one case. For example, a printer employing an electrophotographic developing method may be described such that a developer roller, a toner cartridge, a transfer roller, and the like are detachably installed so that a new part can be replaced when the service life of the part is reached. To do that. These parts are generally referred to as consumables because they can be used normally if the parts are replaced with new ones at the end of their service life. In order to effectively manage such consumables, information on the use of the various consumables is stored in a memory attached to the consumables, and based on the stored data, information on the life of the consumables or specific parts is provided to inform the replacement time of the consumables. Even if it is installed or used in another printing machine, it also has a function of managing life based on the stored information.

Referring to FIG. 1, a method for managing lifespan by storing information on each consumable in a memory in a laser beam printer which is a general image forming apparatus will be described. The conventional laser beam printer 40 includes a video unit 10 for converting print data applied from a host computer, which is an external device, into image data in a bitmap form, and image data under control of the video unit 10. It is composed of an engine control unit 30 for controlling the driving of the engine mechanism 50 for performing a print job.                         

The video unit 10 and the engine control unit 30 are usually driven by a single processor, and the single processor is a microprocessor supporting multiple operating systems (OSs) and controls the operation of the video unit 10 with a microprocessor (CPU). The control unit 17 is provided. Here, the engine control unit 30 includes a memory 32 for storing state information about the engine mechanism 50. The engine controller 30 simply controls the driving of the engine mechanism 50 under the control of the main controller 17.

In addition, the engine controller 30 is directly connected to the CPU 18 provided in the main controller 17 via the system bus 20.

On the other hand, the video unit 10 includes an operation panel 19, a computer I / F 13, a memory unit 15, and a main control unit 17.

The computer I / F 13 is connected between the host computer and the main controller 17 to interface the input / output signals. As the computer I / F 13, IEEE1284, USB, and RS232C interfaces may be applied.

The memory unit 15 includes a ROM for storing a control program and various application programs for driving the main controller 17, print data and a main controller applied from the host computer through the computer I / F 13. RAM is configured to temporarily store various data generated during the program execution of 17), and is configured to store life information of each consumable under the control of the main controller 17. FIG.

Recognition means 60 is a means for determining the life information of the corresponding consumables from the memory of the consumables when the above consumables are mounted, and transmits them to the main controller 17.                         

The main control unit 17 stores the consumables in the memory unit 15 when the life information is transmitted through the recognition unit 60 to manage the lifespan. In addition, when a print target file is received from the host computer via the computer I / F 13, a display list is generated to generate print data as frame data. The main controller 17 performs color correction in the YMCK color form and stores the color correction in the memory unit 15, and generates data stored in the memory unit 15 as bitmap image data for each color. When the generation of the bitmap data is completed, the main controller 17 transmits a command for notifying the start of printing to the engine controller 30.

The engine controller 30 controls the driving of the engine mechanism 50 under the control of the main controller 17.

The engine mechanism 50 includes a paper feeding unit 51 for picking up one sheet of paper loaded in a paper feeding cassette (not shown) according to the paper feed control signal of the engine controller 30, and a laser beam corresponding to image data. LSU 52a for scanning a photosensitive drum to form a predetermined electrostatic latent image, a developing part 53 for supplying and developing a developer to a photosensitive drum having an electrostatic latent image, and a paper for supplying a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum. And a fixing part 55 for fusion bonding heat and pressure to the toner image transferred to the paper.

As described above, each of the consumables (toner, developing roller, transfer roller, etc.) used in the image forming apparatus generally recognizes each consumable in order to manage the degree of consumption or the life of the consumable. Such consumable information may be configured to aggregate data through a networked server, organize necessary data, and provide constant information.                         

In addition, by using data stored in the memory of the CRUM or the printing machine, the user can recognize the user's usage pattern, usage time, etc., and then, based on the data, refer to the user for matters to be referred for the next printing operation. There is a function to tell. That is, a user who has a habit of printing a large amount of data at a specific time may perform a function of checking the amount of toner remaining before the time arrives so as to inform that the toner remaining amount is insufficient.

In some cases, information about the life of the consumables may be collected, and a before service function may be implemented to purchase additional consumables when the end of the life of the consumables is imminent.

However, the conventional consumable management method as described above is a method for using or managing information on consumables for a specific image forming apparatus. In other words, in order to apply to a corporation or a specific organization using a plurality of image forming apparatuses using a network, it is inconvenient to aggregate information on each apparatus and to generate statistics.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, to collect the integrated information in a large site having a plurality of image forming apparatus, when additionally supplying the device to the same site in consideration of the existing usage pattern when supplying new products It is an object of the present invention to provide a data utilization method for supplying an image forming apparatus having improved functions, characteristics, and quality.

Data collection apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a recognition means for collecting data on the consumables of each image forming apparatus, environmental data collection for collecting the ambient environment data of each image forming apparatus And a server for aggregating data of the respective image forming apparatuses from the site having a plurality of image forming apparatuses installed therein and the recognition means and environment data collecting unit to classify the data. It is preferable to classify the information collected by each image forming apparatus or site.

In addition, the method of utilizing the data of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is the step of collecting data for the consumables and environmental data of each image forming apparatus, for each site installed a plurality of image forming apparatus And classifying the collected data and providing related information for each image forming apparatus or site based on the classified data, and at the same time, data for function setting of each image forming apparatus. It is desirable to collect and classify further.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, and each image forming apparatus 40 will be described as using a plurality of laser beam printers as shown in FIG. Therefore, the environmental data collection unit 42, the Internet network 200 and the server (Server: 300) according to an embodiment of the present invention and at the same time the main control unit 17 and its function is added according to the configuration and The memory unit 15 will be described.

In addition, a description will be made of a group of companies, specific organizations, regions, etc. using a plurality of image forming apparatuses 40 as one site 100. Such a site may be a specific building, a specific company consisting of several buildings, or a specific area or a specific city, so that the geographical area is not relatively large. It is also useful for groups with common characteristics (such as usage patterns or a single company or organization across the country). For example, government offices, insurance, banking companies, etc. are distributed throughout the country, or in a narrow sense, a large building, a company consisting of several buildings, or a similar company can be used as a site in an adjacent place or a city with a unique climate.

The environmental data collection unit 42 includes data on surrounding environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure, which affect the print quality or characteristics of the image forming apparatus 40. It is configured to collect data on everything related to the output, such as a certain habit or pattern in output / scan, an image type, a time zone, a setting condition, and transmit the data to the main controller 17. The environmental data collection unit 42 is configured to be attached to the image forming apparatus 40 itself or to obtain data from a device such as an external sensor, and the data on the environmental conditions may be stored in real time or stored at specific intervals. Can be configured. In addition, each data is recognized in a certain way and stored as processed information. As such information, the collected data such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and time can be generated by using a statistical method. This result data is used when the same image forming apparatus or another multi-function device supplier supplies the user to the user 100 again. For example, this place is to supply the characteristics of the newly formed image forming apparatus in advance by using the result data through the statistical method of using temperature / humidity / barometric pressure and how much is average. In particular, in the case of an environmentally sensitive electrophotographic printer, it may be more usefully used. That is, based on the collected result data, the transfer voltage table can be changed to set more detailed transfer conditions for the scanning environmental conditions, thereby increasing transfer efficiency. When the transfer efficiency is increased, the use degree of the toner is improved, the waste toner is reduced, and unnecessary waste of toner is prevented. In addition to the above transfer conditions, the image forming apparatus used in a limited site may be stored and managed as data for any process or mechanical conditions related to image formation such as LSU optical power, developing voltage, supply voltage, charging voltage, and fixing condition. It can be supplied with more advanced features to create conditions that are easier for the user to use.

The memory unit 15 stores environmental data transmitted from the main control unit 17, and also stores data on usage characteristics, function setting conditions, etc. for each IP address of the image forming apparatus 40. FIG. As described above, not only the transfer condition, but also any process or mechanical condition related to image formation such as LSU optical power, developing voltage, supply voltage, charging voltage, and fixing condition may be stored and managed as data. In addition, the data on the function setting is more useful when a relatively large number of necessary items and a complex MFP (multi function printer MFP). Data about the functions and characteristics set and used by the user may be stored in the memory unit 15, and if necessary, the basic characteristics may be changed so that the supplier knows the user's usage characteristics in advance and supplies an appropriate printing device thereto. In addition, the use feature of each IP address is that when the new image forming apparatus is installed with the IP, the new image forming apparatus is configured to use the function and characteristic setting values of the image forming apparatus previously used in the same IP as it is. to be. In this case, the data may be managed in the server 300 of the provider via the Internet network 200, but as a variant, it may be stored in a certain space of the PC connected to correspond to the user IP. Thus, when the PC and the new image forming apparatus are connected and used, data can be downloaded from the PC and automatically set the use characteristics of the image forming apparatus.

The main controller 17 stores the data collected by the environmental data collector 42 and the use characteristics and function setting conditions for each IP address in the memory unit 15 and then the server 300 through the Internet network 200. And to transmit the data to the. In addition, of course, the data can be delivered to each of the consumable supplier required.

The server 300 is configured to collect and classify the environmental data stored in each of the image forming apparatus 40 or the same site 100, and data on usage characteristics and function setting conditions. That is, to change the predetermined condition of the image forming apparatus or consumables supplied by using the data or to supply the consumables and the image forming apparatus for each consumable item newly, the automatic setting is made by referring to the setting conditions. Used as data.

Hereinafter, a method of utilizing data of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 3. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for using various data stored in the memory of the image forming apparatus, and the server 300 stores data stored in the memory unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 40 of each site 100. Collect through the Internet network 200 (S410). In this case, as described above, information on consumables, function setting data, and environmental conditions are collected for each of the image forming apparatus 40 and the site 100.

Among the collected data, data on environmental conditions are classified and stored for each image forming apparatus 40 or site 100 (S420), and data related to function setting are classified for each function setting data (S430). In addition, data for each consumable is also classified as consumable data by the image forming apparatus 40 or the site 100 (S440). Of course, at this time, the image forming apparatuses 40 may be connected to the respective IPs stored in the memory unit 15 through an internet network to receive related data.

When the classification operation is completed on all data, the server 300 arrives at the step of supplying consumables (S450), and provides information on the optimal consumables by referring to the life information of each consumable classified by the image forming apparatus 40. If the site 100 or the image forming apparatus 40 is provided through the Internet network 200, and a request for supplying a new image forming apparatus is supplied from the site 100 instead of the supply of consumables in step S450, the site 100 is transmitted. Through the Internet network 200, it is possible to select an image forming apparatus that is most suitable for the environmental conditions with reference to the classified data (S480), and to set and supply a function or an environmental condition set in each site 100 in advance. Notify (100). Since the site 100 can be used immediately because the most suitable image forming apparatus is set all the features are convenient.

Although the present invention has been described in detail only with respect to the described embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible within the technical scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations belong to the appended claims.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus and the data utilization method according to the present invention, the same supplier again provides the same or different printing apparatus at a site where a plurality of printing apparatuses having a predetermined IP or address are provided. In this case, it is possible to increase the convenience and satisfaction of the user by using the existing data to sell the newly provided printing apparatus by modifying the characteristics, functions, and quality as appropriate.

In addition, when a user receives a new product from the same supplier, especially in case of MFP, there are various functions to be set up before use.The new device to be provided based on the data of the existing device automatically finishes all the function setting. You can make it immediately available to users.

Claims (5)

In the server connectable to the image forming apparatus, A first unit for collecting data on consumables from the image forming apparatus and collecting environmental data on which the image forming apparatus is installed; And And a second unit determining a consumable replacement time of the image forming apparatus based on the collected consumable data, and determining a consumable to be supplied to the image forming apparatus based on the collected environmental data. The method of claim 1, And the environment data is at least one of time zone temperature data, time zone humidity data, time zone air pressure data, average temperature data, average humidity data, and average air pressure data of the place where the image forming apparatus is installed. The method of claim 1, The server may be connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, The server may be classified into groups of adjacent image forming apparatuses among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the environmental data may be managed by the classified groups. In the data utilization method in the server that can be connected to the image forming apparatus, Collecting data on consumables from the image forming apparatus; Collecting environmental data on which the image forming apparatus is installed; Determining when to replace the consumable of the image forming apparatus based on the collected data about the consumable; And Determining a consumable to be supplied to the image forming apparatus based on the collected environmental data. The method of claim 4, wherein The environmental data may be data using at least one of time zone temperature data, time zone humidity data, time zone air pressure data, average temperature data, average humidity data, and average air pressure data of a place where the image forming apparatus is installed. Way.

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