Laserjet Printer Troubleshooting Expert System

Adesola, W. A.1, Ele, Sylvester I.2 and Umoh, E. E.3

1
Department of Computer Science, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Cross River State.
[email protected]
2
ICT Development Department, Governor’s Office, Calabar, Cross River State. [email protected]
3
Department of Computer Science, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Cross River State. [email protected]

Abstract
This paper model an expert system called LAPTEX for troubleshooting LaserJet printers’
faults. Today, with the innumerable advances in information technologies, computerizing
printer’s fault troubleshooting and identifying faults is far becoming so vital. Also, printers’
fault detection is a complicated process that requires a high level of expertise (formal or
informal) and depending on the know-how of the technician, a printer could be abandoned
for just a minor fault. Our objective is therefore, to develop an Expert System for
troubleshooting a LaserJet printer’s faults. The Expert System comprises of a user interface,
a rule-base, an inference engine, and a knowledge editor interface. The system is meant to
computerize the maintenance, and repair process of LaserJet printers, and give a time-based
assistance to those who are in need of instant help when the maintenance experts are not
handy. The method of fact-finding called knowledge acquisition which is a knowledge-based
approach to extract facts was adopted. The methodology follows the waterfall model of
software development life cycle. Java programming language platform was used to
implement this system while Net Bean was used to draw the user interface (UI) design.

Keywords: Expert System, LaserJet Printer, Knowledge-Base.

1.1. Introduction
Expert System is a knowledge-based assembled from human experts by a
computer program comprising of expert knowledge engineer to new problems.
domain about objects, events, situations Their suggested solutions to these
and causes of actions, which emulates the problems can help users determine the best
process of human experts in the particular course of action. Artificial Intelligence's
domain [1]. It is also defined as an scientific goal is to understand intelligence
intelligent computer program that uses by building computer programs that
knowledge and inference procedures to exhibit intelligent behavior. It has to do
solve problems that are difficult enough to with the concepts and methods of
require significant expertise. In other symbolic inference, or reasoning, by a
words, expert system is a computer computer, and how the knowledge used to
application that performs an assignment make those inferences will be represented
that would otherwise be performed by a inside the machine.
human expert. Much current work in artificial
Expert systems are one of the branches intelligence focuses on computer programs
of artificial intelligence research. Although that aid scientists with complex reasoning
ExpertSystems do not actually "reason", tasks. Recent works has indicated that one
they are able to apply information key to the creation of intelligent systems is

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the incorporation of large amounts of task- the drum assembly, and the developing
specific knowledge [2]. roller [3].
Several Expert Systems have been 1.3. The Need for the New System
developed performing different task At this age of information, it is required
ranging from interpretation, prediction, that all communication devices should be
design, planning, model-based to up and running. Printers are essential
diagnostic and troubleshooting systems. output devices attached to PCs which need
This paper, LaserJet Printer to be functional at all time. Its down time
Troubleshooting Expert System, presents therefore will prove vulnerable, and worst
issues in the design of an Expert System still, if there is no technician to fix the
while it aimed to develop an Expert problem immediately. As noted by
Intelligence System for troubleshooting Kaushik et al [4], most computer users are
LaserJet Printer. amateurs when it comes to the age of
troubleshooting. According to Deepa and
1.2. LaserJet Printer Mechanics Packiavathy [5], Expert system is justified
From manufacturer to manufacturer, when human experts are unavailable or
and model to model, the exact arrangement unable to do the job. This Expert System is
and combinations of components can vary expected to help those amateurs who are in
in laser printers. However, the order of need of guides to deal with their LaserJet
operations is always the same. The six printer problems. Specific objectives of
phases of operation in a laser printer this system are:
include Cleaning, Conditioning, Writing, i. To assemble a knowledge-based
Developing, Transferring and Fusing. system that is common to the
When character data is received from the troubleshooting and intenance of
host computer, it is converted into a serial LaserJet printers of various models.
bit stream, which is applied to the ii. To present this knowledge in a
scanning laser. In Hewlett-Packard diagnostic format such that will enable
printers, the main portion of the printing even a non-printer specialist solve their
system is contained in the electro- printer problems, and give time-based
photographic cartridge. This cartridge assistance to those who are in need of
contains the toner supply, the corona wire, instant help when the maintenance experts
are not handy.

2.0. Architecture of the LAPTEX Expert System

Working memory
Rule Base
(Fact base)
(Knowledge
Base)
(Rule Engine)
Inference Engine

System
Explanation
Knowledge Base
Editor

EXPERT SYSTEM SHELL

User Interface

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 Figure 1: Architecture the LAPTEX Expert System of the
2.1. The User interface

The user interface is the means of solving strategies to draw answers and
communication between the user and the conclusions and infers new knowledge [8].
expert system problem solving process [6]. In the propose system, the authors adopted
The user interface in this system will be the goal driven or backward chaining
able to accept instructions from user. Users inference technique using the IF-THEN
will be asked several questions which they rules to break our goal repetitively into
have to answer and will be displayed on smaller sub-goals for easy proving.
the screen in responds to user’s request.
2.4. Different Types of Problem
2.2. The Knowledge Base Modules in LaserJet Printer Faults
The knowledge base of expert systems One of the biggest problems associated
contains both factual and heuristic with any printer occurs when the wrong
knowledge. Factual knowledge is that paper type, or paper type setting, is used.
knowledge of the task domain that is Because of the extreme complexity of the
widely shared, typically found in laser printer’s paper handling system,
textbooks or journals, and commonly paper jams are a common problem. This
agreed upon by those knowledgeable in problem tends to increase in frequency as
the particular field. the printer’s components wear from use.
In this study, knowledge acquisition was Expert System is able to detect those faults
done through experts in printer repairs, and also to suggest for possible
service stations, documented printers faults rectification [9]. In the program for the
etc. application design, these faults were
divided into different modules. The
2.3.The Inference Engine problems includes paper jammed, printer
This is the code at the core of the system refusal to on, printer start up to offline
which derives recommendations from the mode, Image appeared watched out,
knowledge base and problem specific-data printer produces missing beam errors,
in the working memory [7]. It is the brain paper not feeding, and other miscellaneous
logical reasoning on rules and problem- faults
.

Paper jammed
LaserJet Printer refusal to on
Printer Printer start up to offline mode
Printer produces missing beam errors
Paper not feeding
Image appeared watched out
Others

Figure 2: Different Problem Modules of LaserJet Printer Faults.

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2.7. Sample Data (LaserJet Printer Problem) for Knowledge-based Creation.

Table 1:sample Data (LaserJet Printer Problem) for Knowledge-based Creation.

SYMPTOM CAUSES SOLUTION

Printer Does not  Power supply cord and outlet is bad  Check all the normal power supply
start up  Internal fuses are bad components.
 The motor and gear train is bad  Check the internal fuses.
 Replace these components if they are gone
bad.
Image appeared Power supply that serves the corona  Replace high voltage section of the power
watched out wire is bad. supply.
 The Drum section of the printer is also Allow printer to cool sufficiently and then
faulty. replace the corona wire with a new one.
 Always avoid placing conductive
instruments in the high voltage area.

Printer produces The DC portion of the power supply has  Replace DC of the power supply.
missing beam error. failed.
 The laser/scanning module is affected.
 Control board is affected.
Paper jammed  This is result from incorrectly setting  Troubleshoot the particular section of the
the paper tray switches in a laser printer where the jam is occurring-pickup,
printer. registration, fusing area, and output devices
(collators and duplexers).

3.0. Methodology
The methodology adopted in the design has rich library, simple, etc. [10].The key
of this system is presented in the figure 4 features are inheritance, polymorphism,
below. The methodology follows the reusability, knowledge representation,
waterfall model of software development integration or extensibility. Java is an
life cycle and the 2.0 Specification of object-oriented language and it’s used for
Unified Modelling Language (commonly opened distributed application [11]. Net
known as UML 2) .Java programming Bean is used to draw the user interface
language platforms was used to implement (UI) design. It is efficient, effective and
this system. The choice was as a result of reduces time consuming to draw User
features supported by the language. Java is Interface in writing desktop application
a powerful programming language, it is with java.
portable, robust, multi-platform enabled,

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 START

Printer maintenance Experts Collected Information Journals, Books, websites etc.

Knowledge Engineering

Computerization

Organized Knowledge

Creation of KB of Expert System

Problems in the form of User interface Design using Net

Database Created
queries collected beans and coding in JAVA

Decision support system

Ask User question

User responds to question

Responds
match rule? Feed back

STOP

Figure 3: Waterfall Model of the LAPTEX Expert

System
Step 3: If conditions matched, execute the
3.1. Algorithm of the LaserJet Printer right hand side (fire the rule).
Expert System ELSE
Below is the algorithm used by the Repeat, if more facts are present
inference engine of the LaserJet printer Step 4: Load the next facts and update the
(LAPTEX) troubleshooting Expert working memory with it.
System. Step 5: Goto step 2
Step 1: Get the facts and stored them in Step 6: Use conflict resolution strategy to
the working memory select more appropriate rule, and fire the
Step 2: Check the condition part of the rule if all conditions matched.
rule of the rule-base (at left hand side) Step 7: Continue until all facts are treated
.

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3.2. Decision Tree for Knowledge base Creation

3.3. Sample Rules in the Rule-base

IF Printer is on
AND Printer is on to online mode
AND Printer refuses to print
AND Red light lit on
THEN There is Paper Jam or the right paper is not used. Use right size of paper .

4.0. Implementation
Java programming language platform user clicked the ‘Welcome” button, system
was used to implement this system. The login form appears prompting the user to
choice was as a result of features enter user name and user password. When
supported by the language. Net Bean is user typed password correctly, it takes the
used to draw the user interface (UI) user to the main screen (user interface
design. It is efficient, effective and reduces screen), else, it respond with an error
time consuming to draw UI in writing message.
desktop application with java. Good and
interactive user interface will encourage
users to use the application [12]. A user
friendly interface was designed in the
system. When the user has launched the
application after finishes all required
installations. When the application has
started, it display a welcome message
printed in English language and prompts
user to Click on “Welcome”. When the
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 Display 1: Welcome Message of the LAPTEX

Display 2: System prompts Users to Login

Display 3: User Interface Main Screen

Display 5: System Instructs User on how toInteracts with the Interface

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 Display 6: System Prompts User to Enter a Number that Corresponds to his Problem

Display 7: System Responds to User Request.

Display 8: System Starts a YES or NO Query with the User as Troubleshooting Begins

Display 9: Query continues

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 Display 10: System Display Troubleshooting Summary to User at the
End of the Interactions.

5,0 Conclusion
This paper presents Expert System to It diagnoses the problem, and gives advice
troubleshoot LaserJet printer’s faults. The to the user on how to locate the exact
System, LAPTEX, was develop and tested. cause of the problem and to repair it.

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