Recycling aid system, electronic apparatus, and recycling aid method

0001In the present invention, wireless communication node means are provided at each base on the movement path of the electronic device, and a product maintenance management server device connected to the plurality of wireless communication node means via a network is provided to provide the electronic device. The present invention relates to a reproduction support system for electronic devices for supporting the reproduction process.

0002Conventionally, as a technology related to reproduction support of electronic devices, for example, the remaining life of a component mounted on a device used only in a power supply state is detected, and the component is mounted on another device corresponding to the remaining life. Patent Document 1 discloses a system (hereinafter referred to as "conventional technique") for diagnosing the remaining life of a reused part and determining the use of the part associated therewith.

0003The criterion for determining the remaining life in this prior art is the cumulative usage time of the equipment-mounted parts. That is, it is judged by the value obtained by subtracting the usage time elapsed after being mounted on the device from the predetermined value (lifetime) for the usage time predetermined for each part type, and the device is not used for the remaining life diagnosis. Time is not taken into account.

0004That is, it is a feature of this prior art that the device life is a predetermined value regarding the cumulative usage time of the device and is determined on the premise that it is determined for each type of device.

0005Further, in order to diagnose the remaining life of the target part, the physical quantity is indirectly measured from the detection element having the equivalent characteristics, instead of directly judging from the target part for which the remaining life is diagnosed, and the target part and the detected part are detected. It is characterized in that the remaining life of the target part is determined from the correlation of the characteristics of.

0006The following configurations are required to realize this conventional technology (system for determining the use of equipment-mounted parts).

0007First, a means for integrally mounting a detection element having characteristics equivalent to the life deterioration characteristics of the target component for diagnosing the remaining life and a synchronization means for synchronizing their power supplies, and a means for storing each characteristic data on the network. It is necessary to have a judgment function that collates each measurement data with the stored data and determines the use of the component.

0008Further, for the parts subject to the remaining life diagnosis, a measuring instrument for measuring the life deterioration characteristics in advance, a device for measuring the characteristics of the remaining life detecting element at the time of shipment and at the time of diagnosis, and man-hours are required.

0009With these elements, the characteristics of the detection element integrated with the remaining life diagnosis target part are measured, and the data is correlated with the pre-stored characteristic data of the target part to determine the life of the target part. It is determined and the use of the part is determined.<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Patent No. 3941354</text></patcit>

<p num="0010"> However, as a remaining life detection system for recovered products or their components, the prior art</p><p num="0011"> (A) For all the target parts for which the remaining life is to be diagnosed, a detection element having characteristics equivalent to the life deterioration characteristics of the parts and a synchronization means for synchronizing their power supplies must be integrally mounted.</p><p num="0012"> (B) For all types of target parts for which life is to be diagnosed, it is necessary to determine detection elements that correlate with them, measure characteristic data necessary for the correlation, and store the data.</p><p num="0013"> (C) Product shipment and remaining life diagnosis Means and man-hours are required to measure the required physical quantity of the detection element at the time of detection.</p><p num="0014"> In order to realize (d) and (c), it is necessary to disassemble the completed equipment and unit to a level where the characteristics of the detection element can be measured at the time of detection of the remaining life diagnosis. Conversely, this patented system cannot be effectively used in the completed state of the device.</p><p num="0015"> (E) The target is limited to parts whose performance deteriorates due to the usage time of the equipment and whose performance deterioration characteristics with respect to the cumulative usage time show predetermined characteristics. Even if the device is unused (when AC power is not input), parts that may deteriorate depending on the storage state and environment of the device (hard disks, sponges, rubber rollers, etc.) cannot be targeted. ..</p><p num="0016"> (F) Remaining life When determining the use of a diagnosed part, the only parameter for selection is the remaining life time. However, in reality, even if parts are used for the same purpose in a plurality of types of devices (devices having different functions and performances), parts having the same life characteristics are not always used. Further, the means for synchronizing the power supply is not always the same.</p><p num="0017"> As mentioned above, the problems (a) to (f) above regarding the conventional technology are that the optimum parts are quickly selected in the equipment design due to the rapid technological progress in recent years (parts are frequently changed). It is considered that there are many unrealistic factors from the viewpoint of reducing the number of man-hours for recycling costs.</p><p num="0018"> The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and uses multifaceted data including unused time and route history until recovery as a judgment material, and does not necessarily have to be disassembled for device diagnosis. An object of the present invention is to provide a reproduction support system for electronic devices that can be diagnosed in a completed state.</p>

<p num="0019"> The present invention is on the movement path of an electronic device.<u style="single">Wireless communication to the base</u>In addition to providing node means<u style="single">The radio</u>A product maintenance management server device connected to a communication node means via a network is provided, and is an electronic device reproduction support system for supporting the reproduction process of the electronic device. The electronic device is the life of the electronic device. Environmental history data storage method that samples the physical quantity related to the consumption of the data and saves it as environmental history data.<u style="single">And the above</u>The environment history is transmitted to the product maintenance management server device via the network by communicating with the wireless communication node means.<u style="single">Save data</u>Communication means and<u style="single">The electronic device and the product maintenance management are provided with a second receiving means for receiving the input of the reproducing condition from the operator in the reproduction process of the electronic device, and when the receiving means accepts the input of the reproduction condition, the electronic device and the product maintenance management. Whether or not the electronic device can be regenerated based on the reproduction conditions in which the server device communicates and the reception means receives the input and the environmental history data of the electronic device stored in the product maintenance management server device. Is visually output to the electronic device.</u>It is a thing.</p><p num="0020"> Also,<u style="single">The visible output is performed by display by a display means provided in the electronic device or printing by a printing means.</u><u style="single">Further, the wireless communication node means is provided at a plurality of the bases, and the electronic device further includes traceability data storage means for creating and storing traceability data for determining a movement route of the electronic device, and the communication means. However, in addition to the environmental history data, the traceability data is also a means for storing in the product maintenance management server device.</u>It is a thing.</p><p num="0021"> Further, the environmental history data storage means, the traceability data storage means, and the communication means are driven by a power supply system different from the main body device of the electronic device, and before shifting to the reproduction process from the initial shipment of the electronic device. Up to the stage of, the electronic device is operated including the non-operating period.</p><p num="0022"> Further, the other power supply system includes a secondary battery that is charged by the power supply supplied from the main body device when the main body device of the electronic device is turned on.</p>

<p num="0024"> Therefore, according to the present invention, the data used for the reproduction of the electronic device (including the remaining life diagnosis or the failure diagnosis) is not only the cumulative usage time data but also the unused time and the route history to the recovery. Since it is based on specific data, it has the effect of being able to make an accurate diagnosis according to the actual situation. As a result, it contributes to the improvement of the quality of recycled electronic devices and the accompanying increase in the number of units introduced into the market, and ultimately has the effect of contributing to resource recycling and environmental conservation.</p>

0025Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

0026FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a control unit (image forming apparatus control unit A1) (FIG. 1) and a wireless sensor network control unit A2 (FIG. 2) of an image forming apparatus (electronic device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown.

0027That is, in this embodiment, an electronic device is used as an image forming device, and ZigBee, which has the greatest feature of low power consumption and low cost as one of the wireless standards, is adopted as one of the wireless sensor network methods, and the IEEE802.15.4 standard is used. Configure the system. In addition, for ease of explanation, the configuration is set to the minimum basic system, and the measured physical quantities inside the main body of the electronic device that indicate the usage environment, transportation environment, or storage environment are limited to temperature, humidity, and vibration, and only one part is used for each. It is a system to measure.

0028This image forming apparatus is functionally divided into two module image forming apparatus control units A1 and a wireless sensor network control unit A2. The image forming device control unit A1 controls the original function of the image forming device, and the wireless sensor network control unit A2 is a specific part inside the device body that indicates the usage environment, transportation environment, or storage environment state of this image forming device. A function that can periodically extract and store environmental history data of temperature, humidity, and vibration, a function that can record and save traceability data of the route from the initial factory shipment to the reproduction factory, and other data. It has a function to send and receive wirelessly to ZigBee's relay node and communication terminal. In addition, the image forming device control unit A1 and the wireless sensor network control unit A2 can communicate with each other through their USB interface circuits C9 and B8. Next, the inside of each control unit will be described.

0029First, the image forming apparatus control unit A1 will be described first.

0030First, there is a power supply unit C1 that supplies power to each part inside the image forming apparatus control unit A1. This power supply unit C1 inputs AC (alternating current) and outputs energy such as DC (direct current) output and high voltage output required in the image forming apparatus control unit A1. The engine controller C2 is necessary for the image forming process, which is the original function of the image forming apparatus, and is a motor used for input control of various sensors obtained through the engine input / output unit C3 and for transporting printing paper. Controls the output of solenoids, etc.

0031The image processing controller C6 includes image data obtained from the image reading input unit C4, a general-purpose network interface C7, a PC / external interface circuit C8 that is an interface corresponding to various standards for connecting to a PC or an external device, and a general-purpose. This is for analyzing transmission / reception commands and data from the USB interface C9 and controlling the image processing required for image formation. The image data processed here is sent to the engine controller C2, and they are printed on paper.

0032The image processing controller C6 also controls the key input unit E1 of the front panel C5, which is an interface with humans, and the display unit E2 such as the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). These series of control procedures are stored as a program in ROM D1 in the image processing controller, and sequential processing is executed while temporarily storing the data in the process of processing in RAM D2.

0033In addition, data that needs to be stored even when the power supply C1 is off is stored in NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) D4 or magnetic disk device D3. In addition, ROM D1 uses a flash ROM or the like so that it can be updated to the latest program through the network interface C7 by a command from the product maintenance management server (described later) that centrally manages the maintenance management data of this image forming apparatus. May be good.

0034Next, the wireless sensor network control unit A2 will be described (see FIG. 2).

0035First, as for the power supply of this module, when the image forming device control unit A1 is AC input and the power supply unit C1 is on and the DC output is supplied, the DC input is obtained by bus power from the USB interface C9. This wireless sensor network control unit A2 operates.

0036Further, when the DC output of the image forming apparatus control unit A1 is not supplied, the wireless sensor network control unit A2 operates by obtaining energy from the secondary battery B12. Further, when the DC output of the image forming apparatus control unit A1 is supplied, the secondary battery B12 is charged as needed. It is the power selector / charging circuit unit B13 that performs such power selection control and automatic charging control.

0037The MPU (Micro Processing Unit) B7 controls the entire wireless sensor network control unit A2. MPU B7 provides environmental history data of temperature, humidity, and vibration of specific parts inside the device that indicate the usage environment, transportation environment, or storage environment of the image forming device obtained from the temperature sensor B4, humidity sensor B5, and vibration sensor B6. After input, it is temporarily saved in RAM B10 and saved in NVRAM B9 as needed.

0038Similarly, the traceability data of the route input as radio waves from the antenna B1 is effectively taken out by the matching circuit B2, input to the MPU B7 through the RF (Radio Frequency) transmission / reception circuit B3, and then temporarily stored in the RAM B10. Saved to NVRAM B9 as needed. These data stored in RAM B10 and NVRAM B9 are used every time the image forming device reaches the data transmission / reception terminal provided at each point (factory, warehouse, sales office, etc.) in order to obtain route traceability data. Data is transferred to the product maintenance management server through antenna B1 etc. when relay processing to the ZigBee node (described later) becomes possible.

0039Along with this, new data can be stored in the areas where RAM B10 and NVRAM B9 inside the wireless sensor network control unit A2 are no longer needed. These series of control procedures are stored as a program in ROM B11 in the wireless sensor network control unit A2, and serial processing is executed. Further, the ROM B11 may use a flash ROM or the like so that it can be updated to the latest program via the network interface C7 and the USB interfaces C9 and B8 according to a command from the product maintenance management server.

0040Next, the outline of the system for performing movement route tracking management will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. Here, as a more specific example of the image forming apparatus, the route from the shipment of a new multifunction device to the end of all the usage periods and the entry into the reproduction center is shown as an example.

0041For ease of explanation, the tracking route (base) is set to new manufacturing factory P1, sales company warehouse P2, user (installation location) P3, manufacturer-controlled collection warehouse P4, manufacturer-controlled collection center P5, manufacturer-controlled regeneration center P6, and so on. The basic system will be explained assuming a total of 7 points on the exchange center P8. The exchange center P8 is a joint collection base that is not under the sole jurisdiction of the multifunction device (image forming device) manufacturer, and collection machines from other manufacturers also exist at this collection base.

0042First, at the new manufacturing factory P1, a new product NM incorporating the image forming apparatus control unit A1 and its wireless sensor network control unit A2 described above is completed.

0043It is assumed that the ZigBee / IP conversion gateway 1a is installed in advance in this new manufacturing plant P1 in order to introduce the reproduction support system of the present invention. This enables wireless communication with the new product NM.

0044In addition, the function of ZigBee / IP conversion gateway 1a enables the new product NM to communicate with all terminal devices 1b, etc. connected by LAN (Local Area Network) inside the factory.

0045At the same time, since this LAN is connected to the WAN (Wide Area Network) inside the factory, the ZigBee / IP conversion gateway 1a and LAN terminal 1b can also be connected to the Internet network IW. Therefore, this new product NM can save the initial value of this product in the management server device 7a by data communication with the management server device 7a of the product maintenance management center P7 through the Internet network IW.

0046Examples of this initial value include the model number of the product, the date and time of completion, the total number of prints, the setting value of the environment history data extraction storage period or the environment history data sampling cycle.

0047In addition, the ZigBee / IP conversion gateway 1a inside the factory is also registered in advance in the management server device 7a, so by grasping which gateway the sent data passed through, the passing point of the product can be determined. You can know. From this stage, the measurement of traceability data and environmental history data of the new product NM is started.

0048After all these initial steps have been performed, the truck carrying this product departs the factory and arrives at the sales company warehouse P2. Measurement of environmental history data continues even at this transportation stage.

0049The sales company warehouse P2 also has a ZigBee / IP conversion gateway 2a installed in advance, and when the new product NM can communicate with the ZigBee / IP conversion gateway 2a in the warehouse, the management server device 7a of the product maintenance management center P7. Data that can identify the passing point is saved in.

0050At this time, the traceability data and the environment history data stored in the memory in the wireless sensor network control unit up to that point are transferred to the management server device 7a through the ZigBee / IP conversion gateway 2a.

0051Next, the new product NM whose user and installation location have been determined departs from the sales company warehouse P2 and arrives at the user (installation location) P3. Since this is the installation location of the user, there is no ZigBee / IP conversion gateway, but when the installation of the new product NM is completed and the new product NM is connected to the LAN, the Internet network IW through the user's broadband router 3a It is possible to connect to the product maintenance center P7.

0052In this way, the traceability data and the environment history data are stored and managed in the management server device 7a in the same manner as the conventional route. During the period of use of the multifunction device at this installation location, the environment history data is sequentially transferred to and managed by the management server device 7a through the network interface of the new product NM.

0053Next, when the entire usage period of the multifunction device is over, the new product NM becomes a collection machine and is picked up by the manufacturer and arrives at the collection warehouse P4 under the jurisdiction of the manufacturer. Can be continued. Since the collection warehouse P4 is provided with the ZigBee / IP conversion gateway 4a as described above, its arrival is grasped by the management server device 7a of the product maintenance management center P7.

0054Such management control is similarly repeated until it leaves the collection warehouse P4 under the jurisdiction of the manufacturer and enters the reproduction center P6 under the jurisdiction of the manufacturer via the manufacturer management collection center P5.

0055At the stage of entering the reproduction center P6 under the jurisdiction of the manufacturer, all device-specific management data of the collection machine NM including the traceability data and environmental history data managed so far of the collection machine NM are judged whether or not it can be reproduced in the reproduction process. It is used for selection of replacement parts and adjustment work. Specifically, the conditions necessary for reproducing as a completed machine are input from the front panel of the recovery machine NM. The contents are collated with the internal data at the management server device 7a of the product maintenance management center P7, and the result is displayed by the front panel display of the collector NM or the print output via the Internet network IW and ZigBee / IP conversion gateway 6a. , Regeneration process Instantly communicated to workers. After confirming this data and the actual condition of the equipment, the operator makes the final decision on the replacement parts and adjustment points required for the recovery machine NM.

0056Figures 6, 7 and 8 are output examples of traceability data and environmental history data of the multifunction device obtained from the playback support system of this embodiment. As the simplest example, after considering the characteristics of each part inside the multifunction device, the permissible limit points of the historical data required for reproduction as a completed machine are set to vibration (vertical direction), maximum humidity, and maximum temperature. This is an example in which graph output is performed with each of them as Glim, Hhlim, and Slim.

0057That is, a recovery machine with a history of being placed in an environment exceeding this limit has a large degree of deterioration damage and may have a high probability of failure, so that it cannot be regenerated or a considerable number of parts or units are used. Indicates that the recovery machine needs to be replaced. The output form is set when the representative values are set to the maximum value (max) and the minimum value (min) in the graph output, respectively.

0058Traceability data and environmental history data output example 1 (Fig. 6) is a recovery machine with a history below the limit point for all of vibration, humidity, and temperature, and the product movement route (new product) specified as the traceability data. Manufacturing factory P1---&gt; Sales company warehouse P2---&gt; User installation location P3---&gt; Manufacturer-controlled collection warehouse P4--&gt; Manufacturer-controlled collection center P5---&gt; Manufacturer-controlled regeneration center P6) Since it is shown that the collection machine has been used, this recovery machine is regenerated as a non-defective product recovery machine with the minimum maintenance after adding the elements of other device-specific data.

0059Output example 2 (Fig. 7) shows that the traceability data has passed the specified route, and the environmental history data shows that the vibration and temperature exceed the permissible limit points. In this case, after collation with the component specification data stored as device-specific data in the management server of the product maintenance management center in advance, replacement component candidates and adjustment methods that may cause problems with vibration and temperature items are available on the Internet network. And through the ZigBee / IP conversion gateway, the display of the multifunction device at the playback site or the personal computer connected to the LAN is notified as a list. In the remanufacturing process, parts are efficiently replaced and adjusted based on the data, and the machine is regenerated as a completed machine.

0060Output example 3 (Fig. 8) is an example in which the traceability data does not pass the specified route, and the environmental history data exceeds the permissible limit points in terms of vibration, humidity, and temperature. This collection machine is not collected there because there is no passage history data of the collection warehouse P4 under the jurisdiction of the manufacturer, but it is collected at the exchange center P8 where products of other companies are comprehensively collected, and the product returned as a collection machine from there. It is thought that. From this environmental history data, it can be judged that the recovery machine has passed through the harsh environment because all the factors far exceed the permissible limit point. In such a case, it is diagnosed that it is impossible to recycle as a completed machine from the comprehensive recyclability judgment of the product maintenance management center P7, and it is necessary to recycle resources by another route such as recycling at the parts or unit level. It will be used.

0061Next, FIG. 9 shows a flowchart as an example of the environment history data storage process. At the first stage, the initial setting process in this process will be executed in the process of the new manufacturing factory P1.

0062First, when the operator enters this mode from the front panel of the multifunction device and starts this process, the self-diagnosis of the wireless sensor network control unit A2 is started (step S11). This is a diagnostic routine for whether or not the functions in the wireless sensor network control unit A2 work normally prior to all future controls. If something goes wrong here, proceed to step S12, display the cause of the error and the log information at that time in C5 on the front panel of the multifunction device, and cannot proceed until that part is repaired.

0063If there is no error in step S13, the process proceeds to step S14, and initial settings such as register settings necessary for mode selection of MPU B7 in the wireless sensor network control unit A2 and its peripheral control are performed. It is assumed that the initial setting of the image forming apparatus control unit A1 has already been performed in the manufacturing process before entering this processing routine.

0064If this initial setting is performed normally without any shortage, the process proceeds to step S15, and the state waits for input of the environment history data extraction storage period. This extraction storage period is a value that is predetermined by parameters such as the product warranty period of the multifunction device as a new product, the product warranty period of the regenerator after that, or the specifications of the memory in the wireless sensor network control unit A2.

0065If this value is normally input as the extraction retention period, the process proceeds to step S16, and the process waits for the input of the environment history data sampling cycle. Similarly to the above, when the values determined by the parameters such as the product warranty period and the specifications of the wireless sensor network control unit A2 are normally input, the process proceeds to step S17.

0066Step S17 is a state in which all the preprocessing required for execution of the wireless sensor network control unit A2 has been completed. From this step, the physical quantity input to each sensor in the environment history data sampling cycle set above is MPU B7. Saving to memory is started via.

0067Next, when the new product NM leaves the new manufacturing plant P1 and reaches the sales company warehouse P2, the new product NM can communicate with the ZigBee / IP conversion gateway 2a, so the process proceeds to step S19. The environment history data and traceability data up to that point are transferred to the management server device 7a. These controls are repeated until the end of the environment history data retention period set above (step S15).

0068Next, the replacement part candidate list output process in the remanufacturing process will be described as an example. When the sales company's warehouse P2 in the above step passes through the specified passing point and reaches the manufacturer's jurisdiction regeneration center P6, the regeneration process as a completed recovery machine is started. At this time, in order to efficiently perform the reproduction, it is first necessary to determine whether or not the reproduction is possible, and to efficiently determine the replacement parts and adjustment points required for the reproduction. Here, FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of replacement parts candidate list output processing in the present invention at that time.

0069First, the worker in the regeneration process enters this mode from the front panel C5 of the multifunction device and performs a self-diagnosis of the entire multifunction device (step S21). There is a great deal of variation in the quality of the collection machine at this stage, and there is a high possibility that even the basic functions of the multifunction device will not be performed normally, and self-diagnosis will be performed for all functions including the basic functions and wireless sensor network functions. It is said. If any error occurs here (step S23), the cause and log information at that time are displayed from the display section of the front panel C5 of the multifunction device (step S22). Here, when a serious error related to the basic function appears, it is also judged that playback is not possible.

0070If there is no error, proceed to step S24 and perform the system initial settings for this system. In this process, the person in charge of the process inputs information such as where to perform the input conditions of this system (designation of the client, etc.) and where to output the result (designation of peripheral devices, etc.).

0071Since the system has a default value for this value in advance, the set value is used when nothing is input.

0072If this input is performed normally, the process proceeds to step S25, and communication between this multifunction device and the management server device 7a of the product maintenance management center P7 is established. Here, the management server device 7a determines whether or not the program inside the recovery machine needs to be updated (step 27), and if it is determined that it is necessary, the content of the control program is updated. .. (Step S26). If there is no need to update, the process proceeds to step S28 and the state waits for input of playback conditions.

0073In this embodiment, the person in charge of the process inputs the three items of the allowable limit value of the environmental history temperature, the allowable limit value of the environmental history humidity, and the allowable limit value of the environmental history vibration as the conditions of the recovery machine required for regeneration. I do. When the system determines that these input values are appropriate, the process proceeds to step S29, and the reproduction conditions are collated with all the device-specific historical data accumulated in the management server of the product maintenance management center. , It is determined whether this recovery machine is reproducible (step S30).

0074Here, if playback is not possible, this<u style="single">Recovery machine</u>Is not regenerated as a completed machine, but is recycled or used as a single component or unit for resource recycling.<u style="single">Recovery machine</u>Is sent to another process. (Step S31)

0075If it is determined that the product can be regenerated, the conditions (adjustment items, confirmation items, etc.) at that time and a list of necessary replacement parts candidates are output from the peripheral device or terminal set above (step S24). With reference to this data, the recovery machine is efficiently regenerated in the regeneration process.

0076In the above description, an extremely simple example is shown to facilitate the explanation of the embodiment, but the actual judgment as to whether or not the reproduction is possible comes from other factors such as new shipment to the reproduction factory. All device-specific management that can be managed at the product maintenance management center P7, such as the total elapsed time up to, the total elapsed time when the power is turned on, the total number of images created, the maintenance history of market machines, and the history of parts replacement due to design changes. From the data, it is decided whether or not to reproduce or the replacement / adjustment items of the components. The regeneration support system of the present invention has infinite potential for improving efficiency in the regeneration process by effectively utilizing these. Further, FIG. 11 (a) shows an example of inputting playback conditions that are actually necessary, and FIG. 11 (b) shows an example of collation contents that are actually considered necessary.

0077As described above, in the present invention, the electronic device is recovered in the entire period from the initial factory shipment (new shipment) of the electronic device to the end of the product life and the reuse in the factory, including the unused period. It has a function to periodically extract and store environmental history data such as temperature, humidity, vibration, etc. of a specific part inside the device body that indicates the usage environment, transportation environment, or storage environment state of the electronic device, and it is the first factory. Since the system also has a function to record and save traceability data of the route from shipment to the reproduction factory, the data used for reproduction of electronic devices (including remaining life diagnosis or failure diagnosis) is the cumulative usage time. Since not only the data but also the multifaceted data including the unused time and the route history to the collection are used as the judgment material, it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis according to the actual situation. As a result, it can contribute to the improvement of the quality of recycled electronic devices and the accompanying increase in the number of units introduced to the market, and ultimately to the resource recycling and environmental conservation.

0078In addition, it is possible to collate the product maintenance management server with the historical data stored in the electronic device itself, and based on all the historical data from the initial factory shipment of the electronic device to the return to the reproduction factory, the electronic device By inputting the conditions necessary for playing an electronic device from the operation panel of the main unit, the possibility judgment data of whether the electronic device or its internal unit etc. can be played and the information on the necessary conditions at that time are stored in the device. Since it is output to the display panel of the main unit, the printing mechanism, etc., all the unique data of the electronic devices stored in the management server other than the described environment history data and traceability data can be used for remaining life diagnosis or failure diagnosis due to playback. It means that it is used as a judgment material for. This allows for a more comprehensive, multifaceted and practically accurate diagnosis.

0079In addition, since it has a function that can easily execute reproduction possibility judgment result output, reproduction processing instruction list output, replacement part candidate list output, etc. at the reproduction site, it is a process in the reproduction (including remaining life diagnosis or failure diagnosis) stage. It is also effective in improving efficiency.

0080As a result, it is not always necessary to disassemble for diagnosis, and special tools and measuring instruments are not required for diagnosis. Therefore, the cost of reproduction is reduced due to the reduction of diagnosis time, and the data in the product maintenance management server is effective. It contributes to shortening the feedback time to the design by using it, improving the quality of electronic devices, and increasing the number of units introduced to the market, and as a result, it can contribute to resource recycling and environmental conservation.

0081In addition, the wireless sensor network module required for saving and communicating environmental history data is configured separately from each module of the main function required for the original purpose of the electronic device main body, and the main body controller is provided through the general-purpose I / F of the electronic device main body. This wireless sensor network module can be versatile regardless of the specifications and types of the main functions of the electronic device itself because it is a mechanism that can be easily connected to. This makes it possible to realize the module required for the present invention at a low price, and it is also possible to use a module once used again in another model, which is effective for effective use of resources and environmental protection.

0082In addition, every time an electronic device reaches the data transmission / reception terminal or relay node provided at each point in order to obtain the traceability data of the route, the environment history data and the route inside the wireless sensor network module stored up to that point are stored. The feature is that the traceability data of the above can be transferred to the maintenance management server of the electronic device through the transmission / reception terminal or relay node, and new data can be stored in the storage device inside the wireless sensor network module when it is no longer needed. This is a sequential data storage type playback support system. This is effective in reducing the cost of the system and the failure rate of the device because the storage capacity of the internal storage device of the wireless sensor network module can be minimized as much as possible, and historical data etc. can be stored safely, quickly and efficiently. Can be saved in. As a result, accurate and quick reproduction (including remaining life diagnosis or failure diagnosis) becomes possible.

0083In addition, a primary battery or a secondary battery is built into the wireless sensor network module to supply power during the unused period of the electronic device, and the AC input power supply circuit of the device is used during the period of use of the electronic device. Since it has a power selection control function that can supply energy to the wireless sensor network module from, it has the effect of minimizing the consumption of the battery built into the wireless sensor network module. As a result, a stable system can be provided for a long period of time.

0084If the battery built into the wireless sensor network module is a secondary battery, the secondary battery inside the wireless sensor network module is charged with the energy obtained from the AC input power supply during the period of use of the electronic device. Having an automatic charge / discharge switching function that can be performed is effective for realizing the system function stably for as long as possible. In addition, the use of a secondary battery has a great effect in suppressing the consumption of the battery as a component.

0085In addition, the fact that the control program contents of the electronic device and wireless sensor network module can be rewritten through the network interface of the electronic device has the effect of being able to quickly respond to changes due to program malfunctions and technological advances in functions. It can contribute to the prevention of problems and the improvement of work efficiency of users.

0086In addition, the environment history data extraction and storage period can be set arbitrarily through the operation panel of the electronic device or the network interface, so even if the model and specifications of the electronic device are different, this system can be easily used without replacing the hardware. Since there is no need for special equipment for setting, it contributes to the reduction of the total cost associated with the manufacture and use of electronic devices. In addition, it is possible to store appropriate environmental history data in accordance with the specifications of electronic devices for a long period of time, which contributes to the realization of accurate diagnosis.

0087Further, since the environment history data sampling cycle can be arbitrarily set through the operation panel of the electronic device or the network interface, there is an effect of being able to flexibly respond to the difference in the system usage method due to the model and specifications of the electronic device. Thereby, the environmental history data of the present invention can be collected under the optimum conditions, and the result analysis can be performed effectively and accurately.

0088Further, since the output form of the stored environment history data and the items of the representative value can be arbitrarily set through the operation panel of the electronic device or the network interface, the effect of quickly analyzing the environmental history data of the electronic device obtained by the present invention can be obtained. This also leads to a reduction in feedback time to the design department. As a result, it is possible to reduce the diagnosis time and the like in the recycling process and to reduce the cost accordingly, which ultimately contributes to the improvement of the reliability of products from new products to recycled products.

0089In addition, each operation such as display command of history data or print output command can be executed only by inputting the machine number, operator ID, password, etc. of the electronic device so that it cannot be easily executed by an unspecified number of people. It can be equipped with an operation security function, which is effective in preventing malfunctions of the electronic device itself due to erroneous operation, system malfunction due to use by a third party, or leakage of confidential information and personal information of the manufacturer. is there. As a result, reliable and accurate diagnosis is possible with the system of the present invention.

0090<figref num="1">The block diagram which showed the structural example of the image forming apparatus control part A1.</figref><figref num="2">A block diagram showing a configuration example of the wireless sensor network control unit A2.</figref><figref num="3">Schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the system for performing movement route tracking management (continued from FIG. 4).</figref><figref num="4">Schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the system for performing movement route tracking management (continued in FIG. 3, continued in FIG. 5).</figref><figref num="5">Schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the system for performing movement route tracking management (continued from FIG. 4).</figref><figref num="6">The graph which exemplifies the output example 1 of the traceability data and the environment history data of the multifunction device obtained from the reproduction support system of this Example.</figref><figref num="7">The graph which exemplifies the output example 2 of the traceability data and the environment history data of the multifunction device obtained from the reproduction support system of this Example.</figref><figref num="8">The graph which exemplifies the output example 3 of the traceability data and the environment history data of the multifunction device obtained from the reproduction support system of this Example.</figref><figref num="9">A flowchart showing an example of environment history data storage processing.</figref><figref num="10">The flowchart which showed an example of the replacement part candidate list output processing.</figref><figref num="11">The schematic diagram which showed the reproduction condition input example and the collation content example.</figref>

Code description

0091A1 Image forming device control unit A2 Wireless sensor network control unit P1 New manufacturing factory P2 sales company warehouse P3 user (installation location) P4 Manufacturer's jurisdiction collection warehouse P5 Manufacturer's jurisdiction collection center P6 Manufacturer's jurisdiction reproduction center P7 Product Maintenance Center IW internet network 1a, 2a, 4a, 5a, 6a ZigBee / IP conversion gateway device 3a Broadband router device 7a Management server device